In a new semi-regular twofootedtackle feature, we’ll be picking out six games over the coming weekend or week that are worth keeping an eye on. So, if you’re out and about and want to head to a game full of intrigue and excitement, or are searching for a footy fix online, or just want to impress your mates down the pub, here’s six games worth keeping an eye on this weekend.
Aldershot Town v Wycombe Wanderers
League Two, Saturday 18 September, 3pm
Until midway through last season Gary Waddock was revered in Aldershot for taking the reformed club back into the Football League in 2008. But that was until he upped and left for Wycombe, then prime candidates for relegation to League Two.
The Chairboys, unsurprisingly, dropped down into the basement division and this fixture has been the one Shots fans are looking forward to this season. The Rec is an intimidating ground at the best of times and Waddock can expect an atmosphere and then some when he returns, especially after making enquiries about Aldershot striker Marvin Morgan. This one could get tasty.
Newport County v Mansfield Town
Blue Square Premier, Saturday 18 September, 3pm
Brotherly love will go out the window for 90 minutes in South Wales this weekend when twins - and Conference managers - Dean and David Holdsworth pit their managerial wits against each other.
Dean’s Newport have adjusted well to life back in non-league’s top flight, although have drawn the majority of their games so far. David’s Mansfield, meanwhile, sit in the play-off places and are expected to challenge for promotion but the owners have recently put the club up for sale.
The pair have faced each other on the pitch regularly during their playing days but this is the first time they - or any set of twins - have done battle from the dugout. Expect a competitive game played in a great spirit, although given the Exiles form, a draw is the most likely result.
Manchester United v Liverpool
Barclays Premier League, Sunday 19 September, 1.30pm
A predictable pick, but one full of plots and sub-plots and always worth watching. Liverpool may be a team in transition, but this doesn’t mean they can’t lift their game against their hated Mancunian rivals. United, meanwhile, are capable of sublime, attacking football on their day but also have an unusual brittleness about them this season.
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson knows that a win at Old Trafford would quell questions about his side’s early season form, even if results have been roughly what you’d expect them to be.
Much will depend on if United defender Nemanja Vidic is still having sleepless nights over Fernando Torres, or if the misfiring Liverpool striker will give the Serbian time to wander off for bedtime milk and biscuits. Form would suggest Manchester United, but Liverpool have won three of their last five encounters.
St Pauli v Hamburg
Bundesliga, Sunday 19 September, 2.30pm
From the moment St Pauli won promotion to the Bundesliga, this has been one of the most eagerly-awaited fixtures of the season. The Kult club from Hamburg’s dockland area are revered for their left-leaning political following and are one of the more idiosyncratic teams in the Bundesliga.
This is the first Hamburg derby since 2002 and, while overshadowed by an apparent attack by Hamburg fans on St Pauli supporters, this nonetheless promises to be a proper blood and thunder derby with a great atmosphere inside St Pauli’s compact Millernton-Stadion. But Hamburg are an outside bet to challenge Bayern for the title this season and taking points from this fixture would suggest they have the character needed to mount a challenge for the Champions League spots.
Schalke 04 v Borussia Dortmund
Bundesliga, Sunday 19 September, 4.30pm
Staying in Germany, and this the second big Bundesliga derby of the day. Schalke have yet to register any points on the board and Felix Magath is under extreme pressure after a limp performance against Hoffenheim where Klass-Jan Huntelaar and Raul looked anything but an effective strike pairing.
Dortmund, meanwhile, are as inconsistent as ever but cruised to victory over Wolfsburg at the weekend, with playmaker Nuri Sahin scoring a wündergoal. But BVB have won just two of the past 23 Ruhr derbies and should be wary of a backlash in Gelsenkirchen.
Fenerbahce v Besiktas
Turkish Süper lig, Sunday 19 September, 6pm
Concluding a great weekend for derbies, this Istanbul grudge match may not involve Galatasary, but make no mistake, this will be one of the most keenly-fought games of the entire weekend (and that’s a bit of an understatement).
Besiktas are the only Turkish representative in the Europa League this season and squeezed past CSKA Sofia midweek and have scored eight goals in their past two league games under the watchful eye of coach Bernd Schuster.
Meanwhile, Chelsea fans might be interested to see how Slovakian winger Miroslav Stoch is progressing at Fenerbahce. The youngster joined in the summer and scored against Young Boys in the Champions League. Netting against the Black Eagles wouldn’t be a bad way to open his league account for Fenerbahce. Expect fireworks, literally, in this one.
Feel free to add your weekend picks below and let us know where you’ll be heading this weekend.
Tags: Aldershot, Besiktas, Borussia Dortmund, Fenerbahce, Hamburg, Liverpool, Manchester United, Mansfield, Newport County, Schalke 04, St Pauli, Wycombe Wanderers