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5 games to watch: The race for fourth heats up

By Adam Stocker

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Bernardo Silva of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on April 24, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matt McNulty - Manchester City/Man City via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Bernardo Silva of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on April 24, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matt McNulty - Manchester City/Man City via Getty Images) /
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Here are five of the best matches from Europe this weekend, headlined Bundesliga and Serie A games that will determine the top four.

The biggest leagues in Europe have four or fewer games remaining. With only a couple of games remaining, the race for Europe and the race for the title have yet to be determined. Finishing fourth in one of the big four leagues secures a spot in the Champions League next season. The race for fourth in the big four leagues are all undecided and have multiple teams within three points. With two and three games remaining, only one and two points separate first and second in the Premier League and Bundesliga respectively.

5. Manchester City vs. Leicester — Monday, May 6, 3 p.m. ET (NBCSN)

There are two games remaining in the Premier League season. On Monday, Manchester City host Leicester in their penultimate fixture of the season. The Citizens enter the game holding a one-point lead over Liverpool, who play Newcastle on Saturday. If Leicester can steal a point from City, they could swing the title race in the direction of the Reds.

4. Werder Bremen vs. Borussia Dortmund — Saturday, May 2, 12:30 p.m. ET (FS2)

Borussia Dortmund lost to 15th place Schalke 4-2 in front of their home fans that last weekend. That loss should have ended Dortmund’s title hopes but they were given a lifeline by Bayern Munich who drew with relegation-bound Nurnberg. On Saturday, Dortmund travel to Bremen to play ninth place, Werder. Bremen were unbeaten in their first 12 games following the international break but have lost two straight. If Dortmund drop points again, they will almost certainly not get another lifeline from Bayern. The reigning champions host last-place Hannover at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.

3. Juventus vs. Torino — Friday, May 3, 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Turin derby kicks off the Serie A weekend on Friday. Juventus won the Scudetto for the eighth straight season, running away from the competition this season. Torino are having their best season since they were promoted back into Serie A. The Bull are sixth in the table and are very much in the race for Europe. Torino currently hold a Europa League spot and are only three points behind fourth-place Atalanta. If Torino are able to steal a point from their city rival, they will move closer to European qualification this season.

2. Bayer Leverkusen vs. Eintracht Frankfurt – Sunday, May 5, noon ET (FS2)

Honorable mention: Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Hoffenheim — Saturday, May 4, 9:30 a.m. ET (FOX Soccer Plus)

There are three games remaining in the Bundesliga season and everything to play for. While the top three spots are locked in stone, the final Champions League spot is up for grabs. Eintracht Frankfurt are in fourth place, three points ahead of Borussia Monchengladbach, Bayer Leverkusen, and four points ahead of Hoffenheim. The four clubs will be in competition this weekend against each other.

On Saturday, Gladbach host Hoffenheim. The winner of that game will remain in the race for fourth. However, the losing team will see their hopes of a Champions League spot greatly reduced. On Sunday, Leverkusen host Eintracht at BayArena. Both Gladbach and Hoffenheim will be cheering for Leverkusen to win. A Leverkusen win will move them level with Frankfurt. However, if Leverkusen loss, Eintracht six points clear of Leverkusen with two games to play. If Eintracht win and Gladbach lose, they will almost certainly clinch fourth.

1. Lazio vs. Atalanta — Sunday, May 5, 9:30 a.m. ET (ESPNews)

With four games remaining in the Serie A season, five teams are battling for the final Champions League spot. Atalanta enter the weekend in fourth place, one point ahead of Roma, three points ahead of Torino and AC Milan and four points ahead of Lazio.

On Sunday, Lazio host Atalanta at the Stadio Olimpico. Already four points behind Atalanta, a loss on Sunday would eliminate Lazio from a Champions League spot and force the Eagles to compete for a spot in the Europa League. Atalanta need to go into Rome and pick up all three points if they are going to maintain hold of fourth place. If the Goddess drop points, they could potentially drop from fourth to seventh.

Sunday’s game should be an open attack centric game. Atalanta are tied with Juventus with 68 goals, the most in Serie A. Lazio are not too far behind them and were the highest scoring club last weekend.

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