Premier League, La Liga and Serie A preview: Sit Tight

SuperSport viewers on DStv and GOtv can look forward to extended action from the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A, with matches scheduled to run from Friday 11 to Monday 14 March 2022.

DStv and GOtv are the only true home of football in Africa, offering a range and depth of action that no other rival can match – it’s literally ‘Unbeatable Football’! If you’re going to spend your money on something, it may as well be on the best football in the world.

The pick of Premier League matches for this round sees Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on the evening of Saturday 12 March.

This clash is very much about two teams fighting for a spot in the top four, even though they have yet to fully realize their identities and potential under respective managers Ralf Rangnick and Antonio Conte respectively.

“We know we have to fight to build something important with the situation but it’s important to know the situation,” said Spurs boss Antonio Conte.

“Maybe our fans shouldn’t be disappointed with the [situation] – instead they should try and push us and stay behind us. The players need to find the right atmosphere and feel no pressure about a target that in this moment you can’t reach. I’ve been saying this since my arrival.”

Another intriguing clash sees Chelsea host Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge. While the Blues’ class is undeniable, the Magpies have been one of the headline-making teams of recent weeks, enjoying an upturn in form which has significantly boosted their survival hopes and will see them head to London with a measure of confidence that they can cause trouble for the reigning European and World champions.

“It’s a case of just getting the fundamentals right, and that means making sure the work on the training ground is as good and detailed as it can be, and making sure that the team is as organized as it can be,” said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.

“Then, it’s about trying to develop every single player to the best of my ability, and that’s always been a huge focus of mine. Whether the player is in the team or out of the team, it’s about trying to make sure every player improves.”

Elsewhere in the Premier League this round champions Manchester City will be in action on Monday night away to Crystal Palace; Liverpool will face a testing game away to Brighton & Hove Albion in the early kick-off on Saturday, and Sunday’s pick is Arsenal welcoming Leicester City to the Emirates Stadium in London.

SuperSport is also the only place to get English commentary on the legendary La Liga, where the top match for this round sees Real Betis host Athletic Bilbao at Estadio Benito Villamarin. Both teams are fighting for a place in continental club football for next season, with Los Verdiblancos setting their sights on the top four and the UEFA Champions League, while Los Leones is targeting the top six and spot in the UEFA Europa or Conference Leagues.

“We know the quality of the opposition, they are enjoying a great season and will have strong support at their home stadium,” said Athletic manager Marcelino García Toral. “We expect to have a difficult encounter, but I have faith in my players’ ability to pick up a good result, even against such a strong team with a great manager in Manuel Pellegrini.”

Real Madrid’s hunt for the title takes them to the beautiful island of Mallorca in the Mediterranean, where they will come up against a Los Piratas team fighting to move away from the lower reaches of the table and establish themselves as mid-tablers.

“A difficult game and soon after we will have played Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the Champions League, which of course makes it difficult, but these are the challenges that we as a big club are used to dealing with,” said Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Barcelona will back themselves to beat Osasuna at Camp Nou, while champions Atletico Madrid will feel the same for their clash with Cadiz. Sevilla, meanwhile, has a tricky trip away to Rayo Vallecano, who have consistently punched above their weight this season – though lately, they have struggled to build momentum.

“It is true that the environment of the beginning effects because everyone is aware of other things. I don’t know how to solve it, I only know that it hurts the team and I can’t say much more,” said Rayo boss Andoni Iraola.

This round in Serie A<