Once again, The Sportsman brings you your weekly dose of alternative football to watch this weekend away from the Premier League.
It is another action packed weekend coming up with a whole host of enticing fixtures on as the top divisions across Europe head into the final few furlongs. The Premier League looks set to go down to the wire as Manchester City visit Burnley and Liverpool host Huddersfield but we are looking elsewhere for our action.
Here are four fearsome fixtures for you to keep an eye on this weekend.
Stuttgart v Mönchengladbach (BT Sport 3, 17:30 Sat)
With players such as Alassane Plea, Thorgan Hazard and Yann Sommer in their side it is no surprise that Borussia Monchengladbach are on the edge of a top four finish and Champions League football. Stuttgart meanwhile are in the depths of a relegation battle and after one win in 16, can be thankful Nurnberg and Hannover have both been awful this season.
They are desperate for the three points to take them closer to safety while their visitors would leapfrog Frankfurt into the top four with a win. This one should be a cracker, catch it on Saturday afternoon.
Norwich City v Blackburn Rovers (Sky Sports Main Event, 7.45pm Sat)
The real action comes in the Championship on Saturday with the promotion race taking more twists and turns in the penultimate round of games. Sheffield United play lowly Ipswich and if they scoop all three points they go top of the table with one game to play.
Norwich meanwhile need one point from their final two games to guarantee promotion but they are taking on two of the most in-form teams in the division. Blackburn have won their last four games in a row whilst the Canaries take on Aston Villa, who have won their last 10 games in a row on bounce.
Leeds play Villa on Sunday but and all three of these games are worth a watch but make sure you don’t miss Norwich v Blackburn on Saturday night.
Barcelona v Levante (ITV 4, 7.45pm Sat)
If you believe the Championship is beneath you, or would just rather watch Lionel Messi than Teemu Pukki (weird) then Barcelona on ITV 4 is the perfect tonic for you. The Blaugrana can win the league this weekend if Atletico Madrid fail to beat Real Valladolid at 3.15pm and they pick up the win in this game.
Barcelona are always a joy to watch and with their Champions League semi-final coming on Wednesday against Liverpool, this would be a good game for the Reds to keep an eye on. Any minute watching Lionel Messi playing football is a minute well spent, and the fact this one is on Freeview television is a bonus.
Hibernian v Hearts (BT Sport 1, 12.45pm Sun)
The Edinburgh derby. Scottish football is heavily criticised at times but this is one of the most heated rivalries in the United Kingdom. The two sides are fifth and sixth in the table after the split which means we will have been treated to two derbies this month.
Hibs won the first game 2-1 and they are on a run of six games unbeaten. In fact, they have only lost one game (to Celtic) in their last twelve which was a remarkable run of results. They held Celtic to a 0-0 draw last time out whilst Hearts have been hit and miss this month.
Watch this one for the passion, atmosphere, and physicality rather than the football on display.
