What to Watch: A Blockbuster football weekend

Get ready for a weekend packed with drama as clubs across the globe fight for league and cup glory.

In England, the Carabao Cup final takes centre stage alongside thrilling Premier League action. South Africa sees a heavyweight clash as Orlando Pirates take on Mamelodi Sundowns in a high-stakes showdown.

Spain serves up a title-race battle as Barcelona face Atlético Madrid, while in Italy, Atalanta and Inter Milan go head-to-head in a crucial Serie A clash.

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ALL set for a battle between the top two
- Betway Premiership: Orlando Pirates v Mamelodi Sundowns
- Sunday 16 March | 3:30pm (CAT)

A blockbuster battle awaits as Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns lock horns at the FNB Stadium for the first time in a league clash since its 2010 Fifa World Cup revamp. This will be their 58th PSL-era meeting, a rivalry that has been dominated by Sundowns, who boast 27 wins to Pirates’ 14, with 16 draws between them.

The last time Pirates hosted Sundowns at this venue in a league game was on 20 January 2001 – a match the Buccaneers lost 2-1. Since then, Pirates have welcomed Sundowns at Orlando Stadium for 14 consecutive league encounters, making this return to FNB a momentous occasion.

The Brazilians have held the upper hand in this fixture, going unbeaten in the last 10 league meetings (W8 D2). Their most recent clash, a 4-1 drubbing of Pirates on 8 February 2025, was another statement of their superiority. In this 10-game streak, Sundowns have outscored Pirates 19-3, showing just how tough they are to break down.

Goals are almost guaranteed when these two sides meet. A staggering 125 goals have been scored in their previous 57 league meetings, averaging 2.19 per game. Sundowns lead the scoring charts with 78 goals (1.37 per game) compared to Pirates’ 47 (0.82 per game). The last nine league encounters have all produced goals, with the last goalless draw dating back to August 2020.

ALL eyes on a huge London derby
- Premier League: Arsenal v Chelsea
- Sunday 16 March | 3:30pm (CAT)

Arsenal have dominated this fixture in recent years, unbeaten in their last six Premier League clashes with Chelsea (W4 D2) – their best run since going 19 games without defeat from 1995 to 2005.

The Gunners have also made the Emirates a fortress against their London rivals, winning the last two home league meetings, including last season’s 5-0 thrashing. Chelsea haven’t lost three straight league games away to Arsenal since 2001-2003.

Recent history favours Mikel Arteta’s men, who have won six of their last nine league encounters with the Blues (D2 L1) – a stark contrast to their previous six wins, which took a whopping 32 games between 2004 and 2020.

Chelsea, meanwhile, struggle on the road against higher-ranked opposition. Since the start of the 2021-22 season, they’ve managed just three away wins in 19 league matches against teams above them in the table (D3 L13).

However, Arsenal are coming off a rare home setback, losing 1-0 to West Ham – their first league defeat at the Emirates this season. They haven’t lost back-to-back home league games since April 2022 and haven’t done so without scoring since November 2020.

Can Arsenal extend their dominance, or will Chelsea flip the script?

Winner takes ALL in the Carabao Cup final
- Carabao Cup: Liverpool v Newcastle
- Sunday 16 March | 6:30pm (CAT)

Wembley awaits as Liverpool and Newcastle battle for Carabao Cup glory in a high-stakes showdown.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley sidelined, Liverpool’s right-back dilemma is a major talking point. Will Jarell Quansah step in, or could Andy Robertson or Kostas Tsimikas fill an unfamiliar role?

Up front, all eyes will be on Mohamed Salah to deliver, while at the other end, Virgil van Dijk faces a tough test against Alexander Isak—who has troubled Liverpool’s defense before.

For Newcastle, this is more than just a final. Midfield general Bruno Guimarães has called it “our World Cup final,” highlighting the Magpies’ hunger for a first major trophy since 1955.

Liverpool’s experience on the big stage meets Newcastle’s burning desire—who will lift the trophy?

An ALL-important clash in the title race
- Serie A: Atalanta v Inter Milan
- Sunday 16 March | 9:45pm (CAT)

Gian Piero Gasperini is dreaming big - and dancing bigger. Fresh off Atalanta’s stunning 4-0 demolition of Juventus, the veteran coach promised a samba celebration in Brazil if his side pulls off the ultimate fairytale and wins their first-ever Scudetto.

But before packing his bags for Rio, Gasperini faces a defining test as league leaders Inter Milan roll into Bergamo on Sunday.

Atalanta sit three points behind Inter in third but must shake off a worrying home slump. They haven’t won at the Gewiss Stadium in Serie A since before Christmas, picking up just four points from five matches and failing to score against relegation-threatened Cagliari and Venezia.

That home form is a stark contrast to their blistering away displays—four straight wins, 14 goals scored, and no goals conceded, including that unforgettable rout of Juve.

Sunday’s clash could also mark the beginning of the end for Gasperini in Bergamo. The 67-year-old has already confirmed he won’t renew his contract beyond next year, with rumours swirling that Roma could be his next destination.

Meanwhile, Inter arrive in high spirits after cruising past Feyenoord to set up a Champions League quarterfinal with Bayern Munich. However, Simone Inzaghi will be without star wing-back Federico Dimarco and four other key players.

Adding to the drama, Napoli - just a point behind Inter - could reclaim top spot if they beat Venezia earlier in the day and Atalanta do them a favour.

Will Gasperini's title charge stay alive, or will Inter crush the dream?

ALL systems go for a classic LaLiga fixture
- LaLiga: Atletico Madrid v Barcelona
- Sunday 16 March | 10pm (CAT)

Atletico Madrid took the spoils in the reverse fixture with a 2-1 win over Barcelona, snapping a five-game losing streak against the Catalans. Now, they have a chance to do the double over Barça for the first time since 2005/06.

However, Diego Simeone’s men have struggled at home in this fixture recently. After back-to-back clean-sheet wins over Barça in 2020 and 2021, they’ve now lost their last two home league meetings without scoring. Only once before have they gone three straight home games without netting against Barça - way back in 1968.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have turned a corner under Hans-Dieter Flick. They’ve avoided defeat in their last three LaLiga trips to Madrid-based sides (W2 D1), a streak they last extended to four in 2019 under Ernesto Valverde.

Atléti’s fortress remains intact - unbeaten in all 14 home league games this season (W10 D4). The last time they went 15 home matches without a loss was in 2017/18. But Barça arrive in red-hot form, riding a six-game LaLiga winning streak, keeping four clean sheets in the process.

Key battles could decide this one. Alexander Sørloth is Europe’s most lethal super-sub this season with seven goals off the bench. Robert Lewandowski, already on 21 league goals, has outscored his tally from last season and has netted in five of his last six games. On the other hand, Antoine Griezmann is enduring his lowest-scoring start (8 goals in 27 games) to a LaLiga season with Atlético.

Youngster Gavi has also been a thorn in Atleti’s side, registering three goal involvements in five games against them - his best return against any opponent, tied with Elche.

Can Atleti keep their home record intact and complete a rare double, or will Barça’s winning run continue?