From LA to London 

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As we do every week, we feature five games to keep an eye on over the weekend. This week offers a massive slate of exciting games across several continents. In North America, MLS is back with a massive clash at the LA Coliseum, in England, we are going to witness the North London Derby, and there are also big games in France, Italy, and Ukraine. Plus, we are going niche for the FA Cup. In other words, there are once again exciting games to watch across the globe, and with the expertise of our global team, Transfermarkt takes you around the world to highlight five games you should watch this weekend.

Are you going to any of the games in person? If you do, then register as a user now and use our Groundhopping Tool to log your matchday experience and uncover some cool stats!

Manuel Veth (Area Manager North America):

Major League Soccer returns in style on Saturday when LAFC host Inter Miami CF at the historic LA Coliseum. The 77,500-seat stadium will be the first venue to host the Olympics for a third time when the Games open in the summer of 2028. Like the crosstown Rose Bowl, the Coliseum is a tremendous venue to open the 2026 MLS season. As are the players involved in the game. On the one hand, you have Heung-min Son and LAFC, and on the other, Inter Miami CF with superstar Lionel Messi.

Both players lead the way as the most popular figures in MLS. Son’s arrival last summer led to several records. The Korean’s jersey was the most sold across all major sports in the United States. Indeed, the former Tottenham star might be the only player in the league to rival Messi’s popularity. With that in mind, the game is likely to mobilize both the South American and Korean communities in the greater Los Angeles area.

It would, however, be unfair to reduce the game to a mere Son vs. Messi matchup. Both players have a tremendous supporting cast. LAFC striker Denis Bouanga has been one of the most consistent players in MLS since he arrived in 2022. Bouanga had offers to leave the club for Brazil in the winter but opted to stay. At Inter Miami, Rodrigo de Paul was signed for a club record €15m in January after previously spending time on loan at the club. Another new addition and must-watch player is Mexican national team player Germán Berterame, who arrived in a deal worth €12.6m from Monterrey ahead of the season.

All Ukrainian Derby: Shakhtar vs Karpaty Lviv

Artjom Zavodnyk (Transfermarkt Market Value Coordinator and Ukraine expert):

Shakhtar traditionally represents the mining region of Donbas, which is more Russian-influenced, while Karpaty is located in Galicia and has always been a cultural center for the Western-oriented view. Culturally, it is considered a symbol of East-versus-West soccer in Ukraine. Some things have changed since 2014: Shakhtar has not played in Donetsk for 12 years, Karpaty was dissolved and re-founded, and has had some difficulties in recent years. Nevertheless, this derby remains an important clash between different fan and identity worlds within the country.

Historically, Shakhtar has clearly had the upper hand in the derbies, but Karpaty is positioning itself as the future of Ukrainian soccer, increasingly relying on its own youth. The goal is to win titles in the coming years, and a challenge has already been officially declared to the two big clubs, Shakhtar and Dynamo. The first leg in August ended in a spectacular 3-3 draw, with the equalizer coming in stoppage time. There was a lot of passion and fire, and it is developing into the second top match in the league after the always explosive duels between Shakhtar and Dynamo.

Matches between these teams are often referred to as the “Lviv derby,” even though they are not historically a derby like Dynamo Kyiv vs. Shakhtar, but regional pride and identity play a major role here. This is also because Shakhtar played very often at the Lviv Arena after moving from Donetsk. Many local fans disliked the fact that “separatists” had taken up residence in Lviv. Shakhtar now plays its home games in Kyiv.

Traditionally, there are many goals in this matchup, and both teams currently need the win. After finishing third last season, Shakhtar has a lot to make up for and desperately needs to qualify for the Champions League. If they drop points, the surprise team LNZ could pull away. Karpaty also has its sights set on playing internationally next season, but is currently only ninth after a mixed first half of the season and needs to catch up to finish in fourth or fifth place. To this end, over €3 million has been spent, and all the key players have been brought in from city rivals Rukh.

Ligue 1 Top Match: Strasbourg vs Olympique Lyon

Ronan Caroff (Transfermarkt Area Manager France):

Matchday 23 of Ligue 1 ends Sunday with a great duel between Strasbourg and Olympique Lyon, two of the most hyped-up teams in the French first division. The BlueCo-owned club, Strasbourg, have been looking for more stability since the manager change, from Liam Rosenior to Gary O’Neil. Under O’Neil, the club has certainly struggled to secure just one point out of a possible nine.

Strasbourg are now seventh, just below the European qualification pots, and really need a win to keep touch with Lille and Rennes, who are three points ahead in the standings. Lyon have been in great form, winning 13 games in a row. Gone are some early struggles of the season; Paulo Fonseca’s men now sit in a comfortable third place and are looking up the table. In great form, PSG (six points ahead) and Lens (seven points ahead) don’t appear impossible to catch with 12 games to go.

As for players to watch, keep an eye on Real Madrid loanee Endrick. The Brazilian has scored three goals and one assist in four Ligue 1 games since his arrival in the winter window. At Strasbourg, Joaquín Panichelli remains the most dangerous player. The Argentine has now scored 14 goals and four assists in 31 games across all competitions for Strasbourg this season.

Serie A Top Match: Juventus vs Como

Stefano Buonfino (Transfermarkt Content Manager Italy):

Juventus against Como will be an almost unprecedented match, considering that the Lariani have only participated in Serie A 15 times, but this is practically the first time they have found themselves fighting for the top positions: their current sixth place would be the best finish in their history and would also guarantee their first participation in today’s European cups.

Como are coming off a prestigious draw against Milan in a match postponed in January, while Juve are furious after their Champions League debacle against Galatasaray (5-2) and the loss in the Derby d’Italia, in which there were controversy due to a refereeing error that left the Bianconeri playing with one man down for just over half the match.

The match could have been the clash between Serie A’s two most promising attacking talents, two players whose trademarks are class and fantasy: Kenan Yıldız and Nico Paz, valued at €65 million and €75 million respectively. But unfortunately, Paz is suspended for the game. Juventus and Como rely on them to create danger in the opponent’s area, with Juve accustomed to counterattacking and building density from behind, and Como preferring to play the ball in the Spanish style of Cesc Fàbregas. We could be in for a high-scoring match, unless Juve’s recent performances convince Luciano Spalletti to take remedial action.

North London Derby: Tottenham vs Arsenal

Ben Littlemore (Transfermarkt Content Manager England):

If Sunday’s North London derby already felt big, it’s now colossal after Arsenal’s embarrassing slip-up at bottom-placed Wolves on Wednesday night. Igor Tudor will take charge of his first game as Tottenham boss, with Spurs having 12 days to prepare to take on their rivals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Arsenal need a huge reaction. The result is, of course, vital, but Arteta’s team needs more than that.

In a title race, you expect to have some nervy games where you hang on, but this is happening every week for Arsenal supporters at the moment. They need to go and beat Spurs, but they also need to dominate. A convincing win is needed. More dropped points, and Manchester City would become the favourites in the title race. For Tottenham, their season is now about surviving relegation… and stopping their rivals winning the league. The motivation is huge, and Tudor can instantly get all the fans on its side with a positive result. Expect a tense and hostile atmosphere in North London.

Who are the players to watch? Arsenal will need Viktor Gyökeres on form if they want to get something from the game. As always, Bakayo Saka will be at the center of things for Arsenal as well. As for Tottenham, in-demand defender Micky van de Ven will be crucial. Up front, Tottenham fans are still hopeful that Xavi Simons can finally have an impact for the club.

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