What to watch this weekend: Fútbol is (mostly) back
It's starting to feel like our fútbol weekend is back. This weekend, we have some Liga MX action and a pair of European derbies to bet on.
Photo credit: Erick Saavedra, Imago7
Did you hear? Fútbol is back, sort of. The Bundesliga doesn’t resume until next week, and we’re still six weeks away from MLS action, but still! Two big derbies and some Liga MX action should satisfy any fan this weekend.
We’ll let you know what we’re watching this weekend, with odds courtesy of DraftKings.
Saturday
Manchester United vs. Manchester City, 7:30 am ET, Telemundo
Just last season (heck, just last month), the idea of a Manchester Derby being one of the games of the season felt a bit ridiculous. But Manchester City doesn’t have its world-beating form anymore, and Manchester United, fresh off kicking Cristiano Ronaldo out of the continent, is solidly in a top-four position. Who would’ve thought?
🗣 "It's happened because we do four Premier League's in five years." 😬
Pep Guardiola responds to Ilkay Gundogan saying "something is off" with Manchester City pic.twitter.com/qwPyZf4E8t
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 13, 2023
City is the better team, obviously. But already five points back of top-of-the-table Arsenal, they can’t really afford to drop points and let that lead widen. And with this game at Old Trafford, the home cooking might just turn United’s favor.
Christian’s pick: Manchester United (+310)
Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Bilbao, 3:00 pm ET, ESPN+ (Real Sociedad +140)
The derbies aren’t limited to the EPL this weekend, you know. Okay, maybe Sociedad-Bilbao isn’t quite a derby (despite its moniker), but as the two biggest Basque teams in La Liga there is no shortage of bad blood. And with both teams fighting for a top-four spot, the rivalry gets even more intense.
Real Sociedad host rivals Athletic Bilbao in a mouthwatering Basque derby on Saturday, aiming to tighten their grip on third place in La Liga.https://t.co/sJbS8V7w5r | #VisionSports pic.twitter.com/62FfP7HWa1
— The New Vision (@newvisionwire) January 13, 2023
Bilbao are traditionally the kings of the Basque region, using their influence and wealth to always challenge for a Champions League spot just below the Real Madrid/Barcelona tier of continental excellence. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, has traditionally just been happy to stay in the first division, but things have flipped over the last few years. Sociedad is firmly in a top-four position, with Bilbao just looking to stay relevant on the continent. A win against their archrivals could help, but that’s not going to happen this weekend.
Christian’s pick: Real Sociedad (+140)
Sunday
Tigres vs. Pachuca, 8:05 pm ET, TUDN (Tigres +115)
Liga MX is back, and so is its wildness. Tigres against Pachuca could easily be the final this season. Both teams are expected to contend, but who knows? It’s still early.
Gol de mi viejito Gignac… 🥰 pic.twitter.com/nVr8MSr8wK
— DonChanno® (@DonChaneke) January 9, 2023
Both clubs had big wins in Jornada 1: Tigres edged Santos 3-0, and Pachuca thrashed Puebla 5-1. So both clubs carry momentum. Tigres will be home for this match, and fans know how crazy El Volcán gets. The draw is what I’m thinking, but we don’t pick draws here. It’s hard for me not to take Tigres at home, in this instance, but really it could go either way.
José’s pick: Tigres +125
