Football compass for the weekend and “Recorders”: CSKA Gray – Levski and some much brighter derbies

The Weekend Football Compass continues to be your faithful ally in the search for the unmissable matches.

This edition is full of derbies, from our ever-present CSKA v Levski, to some hot and passionate clashes in Andalusia, Portugal and North London. We will also see a classic clash in Italy, albeit with a rather gray shade. As, by the way, it is also about the “red-blue” duel in Sofia…

And in addition, we offer you the returned “Recorders” column – as part of Corner.bg and the “SportCast” platform. In the form of suggestions and predictions on how to make your weekend even more interesting, you will also hear about the big matches of the weekend, but also about those that you probably did not even suspect. Check out the video of the second episode of the returning “Recorders” as well as read which matches are in our “Compass” for the weekend.

CSKA – Levski, Saturday 16:15 (Diema sport)

The great classic of native football will never stop being so, regardless of the positions and the state of the teams. But the “red-blue” duel is gray, no matter how much we don’t want to admit it.

The one on Saturday is from the first round of the playoff phase in the championship, with CSKA entering it with 63 points, second in the standings. And Levski – with 54, in fifth position.

The objectives are different, but… quite nebulous and not befitting the names and reputations of the rivals. CSKA is chasing the second place, which would give the right to participate in the Europa League, if Ludogorets – a sure champion, makes a double with the cup. Levski is chasing some kind of European quota, most likely through a play-off, if he manages to “hang on” to fourth place. In general – a gray derby.

But it is the only one of this caliber that we have. And it always generates huge public interest throughout the country, not only in the center of Sofia, where it is played.

Prediction – under 2.5 goals in the match.

RB Leipzig – Borussia (Dortmund), Saturday 16:30 (Nova Sport)

Not exactly a derby, but more of a game with huge charge and stakes.

The hosts are fourth with 59 points and the visitors are fifth with 57. Borussia is looking forward to next week when it faces PSG in the semi-finals of the Champions League, but is still a long way from thinking about winning the tournament and place in it next year.

And the fourth position in the championship is the one that would give him a quota. A loss in Leipzig will effectively take Dortmund out of the equation, because after this game there will be only three rounds left in the Bundesliga.

The hosts do not have any side “occupations” – they dropped out of Europe and also from the German Cup. Four finals in the championship await them, with this one being the most significant and can circle the goal for the season as accomplished.

Prediction – over 2.5 goals.

Juventus – Milan, Saturday 19:00 (MAX Sport 3 HD)

Here we have a derby, but with a bit of a gray tint – like our CSKA – Levski, at least at the moment. Juventus still saved the season by reaching the Coppa Italia final, which is on May 15 against Atalanta. But it is third in the championship, 24 points behind the new champion Inter. And 5 behind the second Milan. There is no way to slip away the place in the top four, and there is also a chance for a trophy.

The Rossoneri… They can’t wait for the season to end. Second in the standings, 17 points behind the city rival, who rubbed salt in their wound, winning the title on Monday precisely in the derby with Milan. It is certain that coach Pioli will be replaced (which probably also applies to Allegri at Juve), but after the season. The “red and black” simply have nothing to play for, except for the honor and reputation of the club emblem. Will the motivation in both camps carry over to Saturday’s big game? Provided that the traditions of this derby are for titles, cups, and even a Champions League final (2003).

Prediction – Juventus win.

Tottenham – Arsenal, Sunday 16:00 (Diema Sport 2)

It’s a different story here. Firstly – it is the most contested London derby, which has a history of rancor, antagonism and open hatred. But also a great sports rivalry. Second, the current situation is such that there is no room for retreat. On both sides.

Tottenham are fifth with 60 points, 6 behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, but also with two games in hand. He needs to win on Sunday to stay in the game for a Champions League place. This is the Spurs’ entire season at stake. If you see their program, you will say to yourself – they have no chance. They still have matches against Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea… But a victory in the derby against the great enemy gives them wings. That’s what Postecoglou’s team will be looking for on Sunday.

Arsenal are chasing a title – plain and simple. The team lead the standings, flying in game and results, except for one shootout two weeks ago against Aston Villa at home. Chelsea went 0:5 during the week, West Ham – 0:6 recently, Crystal Palace – also 0:5… The London rivals have suffered against Arteta’s team this season.

But Tottenham were completely equal and drew 2:2 at the Arsenal Stadium in the autumn. We have a big game ahead of us. The Gunners had not won at the Spurs Arena since 2014 in a league game, before doing so last season 2-0. But they play hard there, it’s been proven. As it should be in any big derby.

Prediction – goals in both goals and over 2.5 goals.

Betis – Sevilla, Sunday 22:00 (MAX Sport 4 HD)

Well, here things are already placed on a completely different basis. There’s no point in even telling you who is where in the rankings. We will do it for professional reasons, that’s right: Betis is seventh with 48 points, chasing a European quota (three points away from it), and Sevilla – 12th with 37. They can no longer be relegated, although there were some fears during the season.

But this is a match that has the city of Seville in the heart of Andalucia just boiling over. It is passion and emotion, color, nerves and dramas. The derby between these two teams usually goes far beyond the bounds of good tone. Just for the statistics, in the last 10 clashes between them in La Liga, 62 yellow cards and 5 red cards have been shown. Plus another 5 to reserve players or coaches.

This is a classic match, in which from the first minute someone tries to provoke someone, and the audience is like at a bullfight – they want a spectacle. This time there is also expected to be good football, which the teams can definitely show. They are simply freed from high expectations, especially guests.

Prediction – red card in the match.

More about this derby and what is expected in it – see in the third episode of “Recorders”.

Porto – Sporting, Sunday 22:30 (Ring)

And for dessert, a derby, which is also a bit special as a charge given the current situation. Porto are third and will not play in the Champions League next season as they trail second-placed Benfica by 11 points. Sporting leads and is almost certain champion, having a 7-point lead over the Eagles.

The visitors are on a run of eight consecutive victories and there is no way in sight to stop them from claiming the title with four rounds remaining. The hosts will be playing for their honour, but their hatred of fellow Lisbon side Benfica casts some doubt on the Dragons’ motivation on Sunday night. Said quite elegantly and diplomatically.

And one more thing – why give up everything you can and have in your arsenal now, in an almost unimportant match, when on May 26 you will meet this opponent again in a far more important match? Yes Yes exactly. Porto – Sporting is also the final for the Portuguese Cup.

Prediction – goals in both goals.

What will you see and hear in “The Recorders” with Jacqueline Mihailov and Dinko Gotsev?

– What are expected to be the “goal” matches of the weekend?

– Why should a red card be sought in Andalusia and who could be the specific “suspect” to receive it?

– Who is the big favorite to enter the first Bundesliga and what test awaits him at the weekend?

– Exotics from Hungary and Estonia.

More – in the video with episode 3 of the “Recorders” forecast show.