Der Klassiker, MLS Cup final, Seville derby, Liverpool-City: what to watch this weekend
Scrap any weekend plans as the fixture-list throws up a series of spectacular and unmissable games from across the planet.
Every so often the stars align and we're treated to a veritable fest of football with this weekend's action being a case in point. Cancel that trip to Ikea and find yourself a place in front of the television, laptop, I-pad on Saturday and Sunday as there is a major game going on somewhere in the world to suit all tastes.
Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund - Der Klassiker
The Bavarian giants and current Bundesliga holders are struggling this season in Germany's top flight. The 5-1 demolishing at the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend was the final straw for coach Niko Kovac who was relieved of his duties as coach the following day. Hansi Flick has been drafted in to oversee the side as Bayern hunt for a new coach. Bayern trail Dortmund by a single point and will look at Germany's biggest game as a key opportunity to bounce back from the recent poor performances in the league.
Kick-off at the Allianz Area Saturday November 9, 18:30 CET
Al-Hilal v Urawa Red Diamonds - AFC Champions League final (first leg)
A place in the 2019 Club World Cup is on the line as Riyadh's King Saud University Stadium is the setting for the first leg of Asia's most important domestic tournament. Both Saudi representative (Al-Hial) and Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds have won this competition on two occasions with the J-League coming into the tie as slight favourites. November 24 is the date for the return leg of the tie in Saitama.
Kick-off in Riyadh Saturday November 9, 17:30 CET
Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League
Without doubt the biggest game currently in the Premier League as champions City travel to Anfield to face unbeaten Liverpool. The clash is of the most eagerly awaited Premier League matches in recent memory as Liverpool seek to significantly boost their bid to end a near 30-year wait for top-flight glory and Reds boss Jurgen Klopp should take solace from some home comforts. Five of the seven wins he holds over Guardiola have come when his team have been at their own stadium, including three with Liverpool at Anfield.
Kick-off at Anfield, Sunday November 10, 17:30 CET
Seattle Sounders v Toronto FC - 2019 MLS Cup Final
A rematch of the 2017 final played on Canadian soil and with late goals from Jozy Altidore and victor Vazquez enough for Toronto to secure their first taste of MLS Cup glory. This time, the Sounders are overwhelming MLS Cup favourites having navigated a complicated season hampered with injuries, retirements, international call-ups, suspensions, returns from injury .... Home field advantage should also play into Seattle's hands but as we saw with the semi-finals, this 2019 MLS is nothing if unpredictable.
Kick-off at CenturyLink Field, Sunday November 10, 21:00 CET
Real Betis v Sevilla FC - El Gran Derbi
Deemed by many to be the best derby in LaLiga, Real Betis will be hoping that a win over their city rivals will be the spark that detonates their 2019-20 LaLiga season after a poor start. A creditable 0-0 draw last weekend away to Real Madrid will boost Rubi's side with a packed house at the 60,000 capacity to drive "Los Verdiblancos" along. Sevilla come into the game after a comfortable 2-5 away win at Dudelange of Luxembourg in "their" competition of choice that is the Europa League.
Other major fixtures this weekend:
Copa Sudamerica final: Independiente del Valle vs Colon (Saturday Nov. 9 at 21:00 CET)
The 'other' Athens derby: Panathinaikos v AEK (Sunday Nov. 10 at 18:30 CET)
Serie A 'classic': Juventus v AC Milan (Sunday Nov. 10 at 20:45 CET)
Porto derby: Boavista v FC Porto (Sunday Nov 10 at 22:00 CET)