Weekend Schedule: A run through the most important games in Europe

Three of the five titles in Europe's top five leagues have already been wrapped up but there is still plenty to play for across the continent in an action packed weekend of football.

We bring you up to date with the top matches and even suggests the best schedule over the coming days.

PREMIER LEAGUE 

What would usually have been a real needle match between Manchester United and Arsenal, it has unquestionably been marred by the latter’s involvement in the Europa League semi-finals. However, Arsene Wenger will still hope to earn a positive result in his last meeting with the club with which he built up arguably the strongest rivalry during his time with the Gunners. There’s no love lost between the two managers either, and a win for the hosts against a weakened opponent would ensure their place in the top four whilst simultaneously ruling their visitors out of the running. 

The south coast derby stands out from Saturday’s fixtures, with Southampton in desperate need of a win over Bournemouth to put the pressure on Swansea’s evening kick-off with Chelsea. 

SERIE A 

After Napoli’s victory over the league leaders last weekend there is huge pressure on Juventus trip to Inter on Saturday night, with the Nerazzurri having lost just once at home all season. Maurizio Sarri’s side don’t have it easy either, with a trip to Florence to face Fiorentina on Sunday, but could go top with a win if the Old Lady drop points in San Siro. 

Meanwhile there’s plenty still to play for at the opposite end too, with Verona needing a win at home against SPAL - one place but four points above them in the drop zone - to have a realistic shot at survival. 

LA LIGA 

We have to wait until the very last game of the weekend in LaLiga for the real drama, but Barcelona’s trip to Deportivo should be worth it. The Blaugrana will reclaim the title with a win that would also end their hosts’ faint hopes of beating the drop after a late show of defiance under Clarence Seedorf.  

Elsewhere Getafe’s early kick-off with Girona on Sunday could be decisive in the race for a Europa League finish, but in truth there’s very little left to play for in Spain. 

BUNDESLIGA 

There are two huge games in the battle against the drop in Germany, with this weekend likely to prove to be a last chance saloon for both Cologne and Hamburg. The former must beat Freiburg - occupying the relegation play-off spot - to have any hope of keeping an exceptionally unlikely survival bid alive, while HSV travel to Wolfsburg knowing anything short of victory would likely call time on their stay in the Bundesliga. 

Meanwhile, though Bayern’s trip to the Bernabeu next week will undoubtedly effect the game, the champions host Frankfurt this weekend, with Niko Kovac preparing to swap the away dugout for the home one at the Allianz next season. As such the home fans may have more interest in how their visitors perform this weekend, aiming to end a five-game losing streak on the road. 

LIGUE 1 

With just one point separating Monaco, Lyon and Marseille in the battle for the Champions League spots in Ligue 1, all three have important matches this weekend but it’s Metz’s trip to Lille that is most crucial in gameweek 35. Three points apart in the bottom two places, a win for the hosts would leave Metz with a mountain to climb, with both sides likely to be aiming for 18th and the prospect of a relegation play-off after it’s introduction in France this season. 

BEST OF THE REST 

In Scotland Celtic can wrap up the title this weekend with a victory in the Old Firm Derby against Rangers, who would love nothing more than to spoil the party. Meanwhile, there’s a crunch match in Holland for an automatic Champions League berth - Ajax host AZ Alkmaar knowing that a win would guarantee second spot. 

Last but by no means least, however, there is a monumental derby in the Turkish Super Lig between Galatasaray and Besiktas, with the former one point ahead of their rivals in third and Istanbul Basaksehir in second. Just three points separate the top four with four games remaining in what is surely the tightest title race remaining in Europe.  

Saturday

Liverpool vs Stoke / Bayern vs Frankfurt / Southampton vs Bournemouth / Middlesbrough vs Millwall / Inter vs Juventus 

Sunday

Celtic vs Rangers / Ajax vs AZ / Galatasaray vs Beşiktaş / Deportivo vs Barcelona