SATURDAY

 SERIE A – JUVENTUS V ROMA – Live on beIN SPORTS from 2:40PM ET / 11:40AM PT

 A tie-breaking tussle in Serie A between Italy’s top two

Yes, it is only December and there are an awful lot of slips, slops and slaps lying on the path to Serie A’s season end. But Juventus against Roma has the air and vibe of a true season-defining clash. The Old Lady is currently sitting like an omnipotent, stony-faced Queen Victoria on top of the league with a plump four-point lead over Roma. And by glorious coincidence, these two teams are meeting on Saturday in what might be the last chance for the visitors to cling on to Juve’s imperious cloak and stay in the running for the Scudetto.

However, the chances of a Roma win in Turin are fairly slim. Juve have lost just three of their past 22 Serie A matches against Roma, and it has been so long since the league leaders lost at home in Serie A, that Miley Cyrus was still wholesome.

However, feisty Roma midfielder, Diego Perrotti, does not see any of these facts and figures as impediments with the Argentinean feeling that his club are more than capable of being top of the Serie A tree at the end of the season. “We beat Napoli, Inter and Milan and a team which does that deserves to. It’s true that we can win [the Scudetto].”

That remarkably plucky boast could be quite empty if Roma do not turn the tide of recent history at stop a regal Juventus in their own home.

SUNDAY

LA LIGA – BARCELONA V ESPANYOL – Live on beIN SPORTS from 2:35 ET / 11:35AM PT

Unstoppable force meets immovable object in Camp Nou

Rather like Roma’s record against Juventus, the omens of an away win are not lodging in Espanyol’s spare room of destiny. The Pericos’ record in the Catalan derby against Barcelona has been less than sterling of late with Espanyol failing to beat their city rivals in the past 14 league games, a record dating back to 2009.

But Espanyol will know full well that the Camp Nou is a lot less scary these days. Indeed, Barcelona have carelessly dropped points in four of their past six league games in the Camp Nou, with teams such as Alaves and Malaga coming back with spoils from Barcelona’s home. And if those two teams can manage it, then Espanyol under Quique Sanchez Flores can too. This is a team built not to be beaten rather than entertain.

The Catalan outfit standing ninth in the table have not been beaten on their Primera travels for six matches now and have conceded just two goals in that spell. Another clean sheet will be more than enough for a support that knows that it can never match the cursed Barcelona for glamor or results, but can do everything it can to annoy them, like a mischievous little brother.