IN FRANCE…
• Can Lyon keep ahead of the PSG money men?
After six straight wins in Ligue 1, Hubert Fournier’s side will look to increase their lead at the top of the table with a home game against strugglers Metz.
There may, however, be some hope for the visitors if they can follow the lead of Nantes, who beat OL 3-2 in the French Cup during the week.
• Did a rest do Ibra any good?
Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc rested Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the ununconvincing 2-1 Cup win over Bordeaux on Wednesday. The Swede will almost certainly return for third-place PSG’s visit to Saint-Etienne.
• Who can pull away from the drop zone?
Four points separate the bottom six sides, with two of those involved, Evian and Toulouse, meeting on Saturday. Fellow strugglers Bastia, who are at home to Bordeaux, will be looking for a timely boost after their shock Cup loss to fourth-tier Quevilly.
IN ITALY…
• Is Filippo Inzaghi’s job on the line
A run of just two wins in their last 12 games has seen Milan drop to eighth in the Serie A standings, level on points with their misfiring local rivals Inter.
Milan play Lazio in the league at the weekend and again next Wendesday in the Coppa Italia with media reports claiming that their performances in those two matches will determine whether Inzaghi has a future at the San Siro.
• Will a win make any difference to the bottom two?
Cesena and Parma have been cast adrift at the foot of the table, lying seven points behind Cagliari and a further three away from safety. The two teams meet on Sunday, knowing that a draw will do neither any favours and even a win will not exactly herald a revival. For Cesena, though, without a victory in their last 18 matches, the need for a win is arguably greater.
• Who will prevail in teh battle for the final Champions League spot?
With the top two places seemingly sewn up between runaway pair Juventus and Roma, the battle for Italy’s 3rd Champions League spot remains competitive. As things stand, just three points separate Napoli, Sampdoria, Lazio and Fiorentina. All four are at home this weekend and all will be determined to keep the pressureon their rivals in the race for third.
IN SPAIN…
Luis Suarez has yet to rediscover the form that persuaded Barcelona to pay Liverpool £65 million for him.
• Who will take the final Champions League spot?
Just one point separates Valencia and Sevilla, who are fifth and fourth respectively, as they meet at the Mestalla in what could be a crucial game in deciding who finishes in fourth place, probably behind Real, Barca and Atletico.
• Can Luis Suarez rediscover his mojo?
Two goals in 11 La Liga appearances is a poor return for the Barcelona striker who hit 31 in 37 games for Liverpool last season. Saturday’s game away to Elche – who second-place Barca put nine past in two Cup games – would seem a good place to start.
• Will Real prove a big draw in Cordoba?
Table-toppers Real Madrid, who have yet to share the points in a league game all season, visit Cordoba, who are La Liga’s draw specialists with nine. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, are at home to Rayo Vallecano.
