Weekend Schedule: The games to watch in Europe's top five leagues

While titles were won across the continent last week there is still plenty to play for in Europe, and lots to look forward to from another action packed weekend of football.

We bring you up to date with the top matches and even suggest the best schedule over the coming days.

ENGLAND

Top match: Manchester United vs Tottenham (FA Cup)

Despite a reduced fixture schedule this weekend owing to the FA Cup semi-finals there are still plenty of meaningful games in the Premier League, starting with Liverpool’s trip to West Brom, who could be relegated come the end of the weekend. If Swansea better the Baggies’ result when they crash Manchester City’s title procession at the Etihad, it’s curtains for the Midlands outfit.

Elsewhere Stoke’s match against Burnley is arguably the most meaningful, with a defeat for the Potters potentially leaving them cut adrift with WBA, but all eyes will be on the two Wembley match-ups, most notably when Manchester United face Tottenham on Saturday.

ITALY

Top match: Juventus vs Napoli

The biggest league game of the weekend without much question, Juventus’ stalemate with Crotone in midweek has blown the race for the title wide open again as they prepare to face challengers Napoli on Sunday. A victory for the visitors would narrow the gap at the top to just one point, while a home win may well assure that the Old Lady retain their crown.

There is, however, still plenty to play for at the opposite end of the Serie A table, and Crotone’s trip to a Udinese side in dire form could bring the latter right into the relegation picture. Lazio’s match with Sampdoria could also be decisive in the battle for both Champions and Europa League spots.

SPAIN

Top match: Barcelona vs Sevilla (Copa del Rey)

In truth there isn’t a great deal left to play for in Spain after the midweek results all but ensured that the bottom three as things stand will go down. Girona are the only side with a Europa League spot to play for in action, that is assuming Real Betis don’t throw away an excellent position.

It’s Quique Setien’s in-form men that are involved in the game of the weekend in LaLiga as they aim to win seven on the bounce against an Atletico side that have struggled to recover from defeat at Camp Nou at the start of last month. However, all eyes in Spain this weekend will be on the Copa del Rey final as Barcelona face Sevilla on Saturday night.

GERMANY

Top match: Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen

The title may have been wrapped up two weeks ago in the Bundesliga but Bayern’s complete dominance has led to a real scrap for European places below them. This weekend is a huge one in Germany’s top-flight as RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim come to blows as fifth host six, aiming to bridge a four-point gap to Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen, who just so happen to face off later in the evening on Saturday. A winner from that game will take a huge leap towards a Champions League finish.

Schalke did just that with victory in the Revierderby last week and are involved in another pertinent game against bottom club Cologne, who may well be relegated with a defeat, while Hamburg really must beat Freiburg to reduce an eight-point gap to their opponents in the relegation play-off place. If both of the bottom two lose this weekend they will drop into the second tier.

FRANCE

Top match: Nice vs Montpellier

There’s no real standout match in Ligue 1 but still plenty that carry real significance in the race for Europe and against the drop. Friday night’s meeting between Nantes and Rennes and Sunday’s clash between Nice and Montpellier fall under the former - with all four sides hoping to claim Europa League qualification in fitfth - while Saint-Etienne are also involved in that battle and host a Troyes side fighting against the drop. With five rounds of fixtures to go, just five points separate fifth from 12th as well as bottom from 17th.

Suggested Saturday viewing

West Brom-Liverpool 12:30 (Sky Sports)
RB Leipzig-Hoffenheim 14:30 (Bet365)
Manchester United-Tottenham 17:15 (BBC One)
Barcelona-Sevilla 20:30 (Sky Sports)

Suggested Sunday viewing

Chelsea-Southampton 15:00 (BT Sport)
Cologne-Schalke 17:00 (BT Sport)
Juventus-Napoli 19:45 (Bet365)