City seek Euro boost against Villa

Manchester City will look to continue to draw home comfort from a disappointing season with a victory over FA Cup finalists Aston Villa on Saturday which would edge them closer to a top-four finish in the Premier League.

With City 12 points adrift of leaders Chelsea, their focus now is on ensuring they qualify for next season’s Champions League by holding off the challenge from below of Liverpool in fifth and sixth-placed Tottenham, who they play on Sunday week.

The defending champions have struggled to regain last season’s form and focus which saw City win the Premier League for the second time in three years.

But despite that, Manuel Pellegrini’s side has been beaten just twice in the league at Eastlands this season and have won their last four home games –- scoring 12 goals and conceding none.

City have often had to try to prise open teams who have come with a defensive line-up in a bid to stifle the champions.

And while they have overcome that problem in recent matches, defender Bacary Sagna believes that has made life difficult for Pellegrini's players who, he said, remained united in their pursuit of Champions League football.

"I think we've dropped many points this year," said France international Sagna.

"But in some of the games we were maybe unlucky and were in a good position but we couldn't score and it's not easy to play in front of a wall.

"We are doing our best to get back to a winning team and to finish the season well."

- Bony return -

City’s cause will be helped on Saturday by the return from injury of striker Wilfried Bony.

The Ivory Coast international, 26, has missed the last three matches with an ankle injury and has started only two games for City since signing from Swansea City for £28 million ($43 million, 37 million euros) during the January transfer window.

Bony has scored just once in seven appearances for his new club but his return will increase the options for Pellegrini, who had only two fit strikers in Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko for last Sunday's 2-0 win over West Ham.

Midfielder David Silva is also fit after allaying fears he broke a cheekbone against the Hammers, although captain Vincent Kompany may miss the rest of the season with a thigh muscle problem and James Milner and Gael Clichy require late fitness checks.

Tim Sherwood, who was on the wrong end of a 5-1 defeat by City last season when he was Tottenham manager, will take his Villa side to Manchester on a high after their 2-1 FA Cup semi-final victory over Liverpool last weekend.

And Sherwood believes Villa's new-found confidence will serve them well even though they are currently just four points above the relegation zone.

"We certainly have to believe we can go to Man City and get something, there is an expectancy among supporters," said the Villa manager.

"I want to make sure that I don’t take my foot off the pedal. I'll make sure the players don’t."

Sherwood will be without defenders Ciaran Clark and Nathan Baker but Philippe Senderos and Aly Cissokho are hoping to be fit to return along with forward Gabby Agbonlahor.

Last Sunday saw Jack Grealish emerge after the 19-year-old starred against Liverpool but he blotted his copybook after appearing in a UK national newspaper inhaling nitrous oxide or 'laughing gas', which is legal in Britain but can have dangerous side-effects.

"I'm not pleased obviously, I spoke to Jack first thing this morning as he came in, I explained to him his behaviour can’t be tolerated by the football club," said Sherwood.

"It doesn’t matter how young he is, he is now in a responsible position as a professional footballer, he’s got to make sure it won't happen again, he’s assured me it won’t."

Bayern poised for 25th German title

Treble-chasing Bayern Munich could claim their first silverware of the season this weekend with the Bavarian giants poised to become German champions for the 25th time.

With five games left, Bayern are 12 points clear before they entertain Hertha Berlin at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, with nearest rivals Wolfsburg not playing until Sunday, when they face a stiff test at Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Pep Guardiola's side therefore need only better Wolfsburg's result to officially wrap up yet another title.

However, even if Wolfsburg win, their hugely inferior goal difference would mean the title race is effectively over anyway.

Bayern are buzzing from their stunning 6-1 drubbing of Porto in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final, second leg which took them through to the last four and kept alive their hopes of repeating their 2013 treble, when they won the domestic double and lifted the European Cup.

However, their current punishing schedule of a game every three or four days shows no sign of relenting as they host Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup semi-final next Tuesday in a repeat of the 2014 final, which Bayern won 2-0 after extra-time.

Injuries continue to leave Guardiola with a thin squad at his disposal, with Franck Ribery, Mehdi Benatia and David Alaba still on the sidelines and Holger Badstuber having been ruled out for the rest of the season with a thigh tear.

However, Spain midfielder Javi Martinez this week returned to training for the first time since tearing the cruciate ligament in his left knee last August, although it is doubtful he will play again this season.

And there is hope that leading scorer Arjen Robben will return either this weekend or against Dortmund next Tuesday after six weeks out with an abdominal injury.

"Arjen is well on his way. We can hope he'll return soon," said chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who admitted that he would rather not wrap up the league title because of a slip-up from one of Bayern's rivals.

"It's more satisfying to leave the pitch as confirmed champions," he said before speaking with confidence about Bayern's prospects on all fronts in the run-in.

"We have difficult matches coming up. We're in good shape right now. We want to take everything that's possible."

With fourth-placed Gladbach battling Bayer Leverkusen for Germany's third automatic Champions League berth, Wolfsburg are set to name a full-strength side for Sunday's showdown at Borussia Park.

Indeed, both Germany winger Andre Schuerrle and their star Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne were left out of the squad for Thursday's Europa League quarter-final second leg at Napoli to keep them fresh for the Bundesliga.

Meanwhile, Leverkusen go to near neighbours Cologne chasing an eighth successive win but without Gonzalo Castro, who is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

- Tense at the bottom -

Elsewhere, with only four points separating the league's bottom five teams of Hamburg, Stuttgart, Paderborn, Hanover and Freiburg, the battle to stay up is set to go to the wire.

Stuttgart host Freiburg, while Paderborn, who have won just once in eight, entertain Werder Bremen.

After sacking Tayfun Korkut on Monday, Hanover play their first game under new coach Michael Frontzeck at home to mid-table Hoffenheim, who are chasing a Europa League berth.

"The essential thing is to stay calm in this situation," said Frontzeck, whose new charges are two points above the bottom three.

"I saw some fantastic games from this team in the first half of the season. I don't know what happened over the winter and it does not interest me."

Bottom side Hamburg, the only side in the Bundesliga never to have been relegated, are looking to prevent going 10 matches without a win when they host sixth-placed Augsburg on Saturday with Bruno Labbadia set for his second game in charge after last week becoming Hamburg's fourth coach this season.

Fixtures (all times 1.30pm GMT unless stated)

Friday: Mainz 05 v Schalke 04 (6.30pm)

Saturday: Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt, Hanover 96 v Hoffenheim, VfB Stuttgart v Freiburg, Hamburg v Augsburg, Cologne v Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)

Sunday: Paderborn v Werder Bremen, Borussia Moenchengladbach v VfL Wolfsburg (3.30pm)

Espanyol aim to foil Barca treble dream

Barcelona can take a huge step towards sealing a fifth La Liga title in seven years when they visit local rivals Espanyol in the Catalan derby on Saturday.

Luis Enrique's men remain on course for just the second treble in the club's storied history after easing past Paris Saint-Germain 5-1 on aggregate to reach the Champions League semi-finals in midweek.

Barca lead Real Madrid by two points at the top of the table with six games remaining and their trip to the Power8 Stadium this weekend along with a visit to Atletico Madrid on the penultimate day of the season appear to be the only matches where Luis Enrique's men should be in danger of dropping points.

"I hope that the best is still to come," said the coach.

"That is why the players have worked since the start of the season to fight for titles."

However, there is never any love lost for Barca when they travel across the Catalan capital and Espanyol 'keeper Kiko Casilla wants to reward their long-suffering fans with a first derby win since 2009.

"We are desperate to play well. We know there will be a good crowd and we want to show what we can do," he said.

"We are in a city where the blue and white colours are seen less often, but the fans are proud of this team and we want to show that.

"A derby is different to the rest of the games. To face (Lionel) Messi, (Luis) Suarez, Neymar, Xavi, (Andres) Iniesta, it motivates you more. We don't have fear of anyone, but great respect for those players because any of them can cause you problems."

Barca will be at full strength as Luis Enrique was able to give a rest to the likes of Iniesta, Suarez and Sergio Busquets in the second half against PSG with the tie comfortably won.

Real Madrid had a much tougher time against Atletico Madrid to reach the last four as Javier Hernandez's 88th-minute winner was the only goal of the tie.

Los Blancos also have a much tougher run in than the league leaders starting with a trip to Celta Vigo on Sunday.

- Fatigued -

Celta mathematically ended Madrid's title challenge with a 2-0 win in the penultimate game of last season and will fancy their chances once more against the depleted and fatigued European champions.

Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema all miss out through injury, but Marcelo will be free to take his place at left-back after missing the Atletico game through suspension.

Atletico, meanwhile, will seek to bounce back from their Champions League exit by ensuring their presence in the competition next season when Elche visit the Vicente Calderon on Saturday.

Diego Simeone's men hold a four-point lead over Valencia in third place with Sevilla a further two points back in the battle for the two remaining Champions League places up for grabs.

"The club is strengthened by once again being among the top eight teams in Europe. Bit by bit we are competing at the top level," said Simeone.

"The objective is as it always was, to finish third which is what the club needs for next season."

Sevilla host Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, while Valencia aren't in action until Monday when they host Granada.

Fixtures (all times GMT):

Friday: Cordoba v Athletic Bilbao (6.45pm)

Saturday: Espanyol v Barcelona (2pm), Atletico Madrid v Elche (4pm), Getafe v Levante (6pm), Real Sociedad v Villarreal (8pm)

Sunday: Malaga v Deportivo la Coruna (10am), Almeria v Eibar (3pm), Sevilla v Rayo Vallecano (5pm), Celta Vigo v Real Madrid (7pm)

Monday: Valencia v Granada (6.45pm)

Ogbonnaya in frame for Pillars return

Kano Pillars centre-back Reuben Ogbonnaya is a happy man after being passed fit to resume playing football again.

Ogbonnaya, who was given time off to rest and recuperate from his wounds, is back in Kano and cannot wait to get back in the groove for the ‘Sai Masugida.’

The former El-Kanemi defender was among the players, who were injured when armed robbers attacked the Kano Pillars team bus along the Abaji-Lokoja road on their way to honour a Glo Premier League clash with Heartland in March.

Ogbonnaya, alongside Gambo Muhammed, Eneji Otekpa, Ubong Ekpai and Adamu Murtala were among the severely injured but Ogbonnaya will soon join Murtala who has since resumed playing.

“I’m glad that I can play again after about two weeks out from the game,” Ogbonnaya told supersport.com.

“I had to take a rest after the stitches were removed. I’m glad the bullet didn't enter my skull. The pellet has been removed and the wound is healed enough for me to start training again.

“God has been kind to me and I also want to thank the management, fans and my teammates for their support. I really appreciate them."

Ogbonnaya, who featured in both legs of the ill-fated Caf Champions League clash with Moghreb Atletic de Tetouan, wants to help Pillars win the league again to get back into the continent.

“I’ve been following all the games the team played during my absence. I kept praying for them and supporting them to succeed," he revealed.

“I’ll start training (on Friday) and hopefully prove my fitness to the coaches.

“I hope to make the bench at least in our next game and hopefully earn a starter's shirt subsequently.

“The unfortunate ouster from the Caf Champions League has actually pumped our resolve to win the league so that we can get back into Africa again. It will be tough but it is possible."

Abdi backs Watford to seal promotion

Switzerland midfielder Almen Abdi insists Championship leaders Watford can cope with the pressure of trying to seal promotion to the Premier League on Saturday.

With just two games remaining in the second-tier campaign, Slavisa Jokanovic's side will seal a lucrative place in the English top-flight if they win at Brighton and promotion rivals Middlesbrough and Norwich fail to take three points from their respective fixtures at Fulham and Rotherham.

The Hornets currently hold a one-point lead over second-placed Bournemouth and third-placed Middlesbrough, while Norwich, in fourth, are three points behind the table toppers.

With Watford playing at the Amex Stadium in the day's early fixture, they know a fifth successive victory could be enough to clinch a return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence, depending on the later results.

And Serbia-born Abdi, capped six times for his adopted Switzerland, is confident his team, who are the second highest scorers in the division, will be able to deal with the tension of the situation.

"We have everything in our hands but we know what the Championship is all about," former Udinese star Abdi told Watford's official website.

"It's always difficult, all the pressure is on us, and Brighton have a better team than the table says. But with the quality in the team that we have I think we can do it.

"Pressure is a part of football. I'm used to having pressure throughout my career and everyone else is as well, so that is not a problem."

If Middlesbrough and Norwich lose, then Bournemouth could effectively seal promotion alongside Watford if they beat Bolton at home on Monday.

That would leave Eddie Howe's side three points ahead of Middlesbrough with a vastly superior goal difference.

The Cherries were just minutes from going out of business seven years ago but, funded by Russian benefactor Maxim Demin, they are now on the verge of a first ever season in the top-flight.

"Our journey from administration to where our fantastic football team have taken us now is a fantasy," chairman Jeff Mostyn said.

"We would be the smallest club to ever play in the Premier League. Hans Christian Andersen couldn't have written a fairytale story that has covered such an incredible journey over such a short period of time."

Elsewhere on Saturday, Derby can secure a place in the play-offs with a win at Millwall, who will be relegated to League One if they lose.

Just two years after winning the FA Cup, Wigan will also crash into the third tier if they fail to beat Wolves.

Downs meet plucky Vasco

Mamelodi Sundowns and National First Division side Vasco da Gama will battle for a place in the Nedbank Cup final on Sunday afternoon at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Kick-off is at 3:00pm

The winner of the second semifinal will meet either Ajax Cape Town or SuperSport United in the showpiece next month.

The Brazilians will be eager to put the league disappointment behind them as they aim to end the season with some silverware.

'Downs booked their place in the final four with wins over Thanda Royal Zulu, Platinum Stars and Mpumalanga Black Aces and will be out to reach the final for the first time since 2012 when they were defeated by Tshwane rivals SuperSport.

Pitso Mosimane has expressed that his troops will not be taking Vasco lightly as there has been a trend of lower division teams eliminating top division side's this term.

"If you think the game will be a walk in the park, there is a history this year of teams in the First Division eliminating teams in the Premiership so there is no walk in the park," said Mosimane.

"The history is there, it is the reality even last year [teams in the NFD were eliminating Premiership sides]. I saw them against Black Leopards and I've deployed our scouts.

"We don't take them for granted because they will eliminate you."

Vasco head coach Tony de Nobrega expects nothing less than a tough outing and admits his side will approach the game cautiously.

The Parow-based club beat Highlands Park, Winners Park, Maluti FET College and Black Leopards to claim a semifinal spot.

"It's a difficult game for us, no one is giving us a chance. As long as we give ourselves a chance, we will give it our best shot," said De Nobrega.

"Cup games are a different occasion all together, it's all about the day. We haven't looked too much into Sundowns' 5-0 defeat [to Bloemfontein Celtic], they were down to 10 men in that game. Having said that the pressure will be on them.

"We will approach the game in similar fashion to the way we approached the game against Black Leopards. Our best chance will be to stay compact, disciplined because we won't be able to play them off the park, and of course we need to score."

This will be the first cup meeting of Sundowns and Vasco, though they have met twice before in league competition when the Cape side earned promotion to the top flight for the 2010/11 season.

The Brazilians won 1-0 both away and at home to complete a league ‘double’ over Vasco, with Zimbabwean striker Nyasha Mushekwi (who currently plays his football with Djurgårdens IF in Sweden) scoring both goals.

Euro a spur and a problem for Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino is concerned that Tottenham Hotspur's hopes of claiming a place in next season's Champions League could be damaged if they end the current campaign having qualified for the Europa League.

Pochettino's side currently lie sixth in the Premier League and travel to face his former club Southampton, positioned one point and one place below them, on Saturday.

With just five games remaining and a seven-point gap separating them from the top four, Tottenham manager Pochettino knows a Champions League spot is now beyond the north London club.

Victory at St Mary’s Stadium, though, would move Spurs ever closer to a return to the Europa League and after a disappointing run in the competition this season, Pochettino said the demands of the second-tier tournament had affected his side's domestic efforts.

"The Europa League is not an easy competition, it’s a very tough competition because it affects your domestic league," he said.

"It was my opinion when I was at Southampton, when I was asked a lot about this and, having had a Europa League season, I can now confirm that it is very difficult to manage the Europa League with the Premier League and both (domestic) cups."

The Argentinian added: "I think that you spend a lot of energy when you play in the Europa League and it’s not easy.

"It’s true that the experience of last season with Liverpool and now with Manchester United –- I think that is a clear example that you will have the opportunity to stay closer to the top four, if you only have to focus on the Premier League and the cups."

Pochettino's first return to the south coast club since he left for White Hart Lane after the end of last season will give this clash an extra edge.

Ronald Koeman, Pochettino's successor, has arguably been even more successful at St Mary's, reviving Southampton after the departure of their manager and several key players to rival Premier League clubs.

Koeman is unequivocal in his desire to steer Saints into Europe, even though there is an element of disappointment that his side were not able to maintain their challenge for a top-four finish.

- Contract rumours -

Southampton’s preparations have again been accompanied by suggestions they may suffer another raft of departures this summer.

This week midfielder Victor Wanyama appeared to suggest on social media that Arsenal were interested in him – allegations Wanyama denied –- while Morgan Schneiderlin and Nathaniel Clyne have also been linked with moves away from the Saints.

"I spoke to Victor this morning," Koeman said on Thursday.

"We had a meeting with all the players because what we need is now to really have the focus on the last five games. We play for a European position on the table.

"We have a massive game this Saturday and no interest in talking about rumours in the press about future contracts," the Dutch great added.

"That's difficult but it's not true what they put in the press and I believe the player (Wanyama)."

He added: "I think now is the moment to really focus on what we have to do which is to win the games and not about the future of players."

Lwandamina plays down draws

Zesco United coach George Lwandamina insists there is nothing to worry about regarding his side's fluctuating early- season form after picking up two successive league draws.

The defending Super League champions were held to a scoreless draw away to Green Buffaloes at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka on Wednesday.

That draw came just four days after escaping with the same result away to Nkana on April 19 in Kitwe.

“A draw will make you move somewhere. It may not be what we wanted but if you can’t fly you have to run, if you can’t run you have to walk, if you can’t walk, you have to crawl and you have to move forward every time,” Lwandamina said.

“When a game is difficult, you come up with a draw which is OK to me.”

Lwandamina added that his players may have also been drained from Sunday’s hard-fought-for draw at Nkana.

“The players are tired. We had a game on Sunday and we travelled here and you can’t expect them to recover,” Lwandamia said.

Zesco stand still in fifth place on eight points from four games played and one match in hand and are three points behind leaders Zanaco.

However, the draw lifts Buffaloes from 14th and out of the relegation zone into 11th position with four points from five games.

Zesco return home to Ndola to host Red Arrows.

Numba toasts Zanaco win

Zanaco coach Numba Mumamba has described Wednesday’s result over visitors Power Dynamos as a great win.

Zanaco beat Power 1-0 at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka to end the latter’s five-day reign at the summit of the FAZ Super League table to subsequently replace the Kitwe side heading into this weekend’s Week 6 fixtures.

The six-time champions’ win also halted Power’s 100 per cent start to the 2015 season after picking up maximum nine points from their first three games.

“It is a great win,” Numba said. “It was not easy playing a team that was playing continental football.”

Power had only recently returned to league action following their elimination from the 2015 Caf Confederation Cup.

The contest was settled just before the break in the 44th minute when defender Salulani Phiri pounced on a loose ball after Power goalkeeper Joel Kanyeba had parried Portipher Zulu’s initial effort.

Zanaco’s victory extended their home record over Power to four games in which they have now picked up three successive wins plus a scoreless draw in the 2012 season.

Numba’s side lead the FAZ Super League table on 11 points, two more than Power who have been relegated to second position.

Meanwhile, Zanaco stay home again this weekend when they host struggling Napsa Stars.

Janza welcomes Malawi friendly

Zambia coach Honour Janza says the Malawi friendly will be a great opportunity for his Cosafa Castle Cup call-ups to impress him.

Chipolopolo will host Malawi on May 10 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka ahead of next month’s 2015 Cosafa Castle Cup to be hosted in South Africa.

“The friendly will be an opportunity for local players to showcase their skills to prove their credentials for possible inclusion in the Cosafa team,” Janza said.

May’s meeting will be the two sides' first clash since July 2012 when Malawi beat Zambia 1-0 in another friendly in Blantyre.

“Malawi is a good team and the boys should put in their best,” Janza said.

Meanwhile, the friendly will come seven days before the Cosafa Cup tournament that will run from May 17-30 in the North West province of South Africa.

Zambia and Malawi are on a bye from the preliminary round group stage matches and will enter the competition in the quarterfinals that start on May 24.

Malawi will face Mozambique on May 24 while defending champions Zambia await the victor from Group A on May 25.

Group A comprises Namibia, Seychelles, Mauritius and Zimbabwe.

This will be Zambia’s second friendly since returning from the 2015 Africa Cup in Equatorial Guinea after beating Rwanda 2-0 on March 29 at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

Juve on verge of 31st Scudetto

Unstoppable Juventus will hope to follow up qualifying for the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in over a decade by clinching a 31st Serie A title on Sunday.

With a 15-point lead on Lazio and Roma and seven games remaining, Juventus already have one hand on what will be their fourth consecutive Scudetto.

But they can make the Italian league title mathematically safe if they beat Torino away in the city derby and both Lazio and Roma lose their games, at home to Chievo and away to Inter Milan respectively.

That would leave Juventus 18 points clear of the pack with six games remaining but the Turin giants could not be caught by Lazio and Roma because they hold the head-to-head tiebreaker on both capital sides.

Juventus on Thursday were still coming down from the high of reaching the last four of the Champions League for the first time since they went all the way to the 2003 final before losing to AC Milan in a penalty shoot-out.

But Chilean attacking midfielder Arturo Vidal was quick to remind his fellow teammates there is a title to be won, too.

"We'll start thinking about the derby tonight. We have a Scudetto to win," Vidal said after Juventus held Monaco to a scoreless draw in their quarter-final second leg to advance 1-0 on aggregate.

Juventus make the short trip to Torino's Stadio Olimpico for the 'Derby della Mole' -- named after one of Turin's major landmarks -- as firm favourites having not lost to their city rivals since 1995.

But that hasn't stopped former Bianconeri striker Fabio Quagliarellia, who joined Torino last season after failing to nail down a regular starting place under former Juve coach Antonio Conte, from dreaming of causing an upset.

"I hope it's me who scores the winning goal on Sunday," said Quagliarella, who has scored an impressive 12 goals this season for the Granata.

- Neck and neck -

Securing the title is only a matter of time for Juventus, but the fight for European places continues in earnest.

Lazio and Roma are neck and neck for the league's second automatic Champions League qualifying spot and the pressure this weekend is on the latter.

Inter host Roma for the 100th time in all competitions and, although Roma have won the past three fixtures in Milan, Rudi Garcia's men may not be quite so confident this time.

Roma are struggling to emerge from a recent slump and Inter, who dominated city rivals AC Milan in a scoreless draw last week, are battling to stay in contention for next season's Europa League.

Garcia welcomes Gervinho back to the squad after a three-game absence although expecting goals from the Ivorian striker, who has not scored in the league since November, could be a long shot.

Either way, Garcia expects a much-improved performance from his side following their second consecutive draw, against Atalanta, last week which left him fuming.

"Sometimes you suffer defeats that leave you disappointed, but this draw was worrying. The extent to which we were negative stunned me," said Garcia.

Things are looking far brighter in the light blue half of Rome, with Lazio -- who saw an impressive streak of wins stopped at eight in a 2-0 defeat to Juventus last time out -- hosting struggling Chievo.

Lazio are still without Dutch defender Stefan De Vrij, one of their pillars of this season, and lost Argentina international Lucas Biglia to an ankle sprain that will keep him out for several weeks.

But before their reverse at Juventus, Lazio hit nine goals in three games. In that time, Chievo scored just twice on their way to a win, a draw and a defeat.

Napoli, in fourth, host Sampdoria in Sunday's late game looking for a win that would keep their Champions League hopes alive.

However that fixture will have a particular flavour, with Sampdoria coach Sinisa Mihajlovic reported to have met Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis to discuss replacing Rafael Benitez next season.

Fixtures (kick-offs GMT)

Saturday: Udinese v AC Milan (1600), Inter v Roma (6.45pm)

Sunday: Atalanta v Empoli (1030), Genoa v Cesena, Verona v Sassuolo, Lazio v Chievo, Parma v Palermo, Torino v Juventus (all 1pm), Fiorentina v Cagliari (4pm), Napoli v Sampdoria (6.45pm)

Pharaohs coach brands Eagles easy foes

Egyptian senior team assistant coach, Usama Nabeh, has said Nigeria are the most easy opponents in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group.

The Pharaohs have been drawn in Group G in 2017 Afcon qualifiers, and they will start their quest to qualify for Africa's biggest football tournament against Tanzania on June 14.

"From my opinion, Nigeria is the most easy side in our group. We know them like our hands and we are an open book for them; that will make our mission easy and the same for them," Nabeh said.

"When you talk about sides like Tanzania and Chad you talk of lack of information about them, and you should worry of the anonymous. We are working hard now to gather information about Chad and Tanzania."

Egypt head coach, Hector Cuper, have drawn up the plan for the first match as they will hold camping sessions in April and in May with friendly match.

The Egyptian FA has also sealed friendly matches before their first Afcon qualifying match against Tanzania in June.

Wenger hopes for lucky 13

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will hope to make it 13th time lucky against Jose Mourinho this weekend as his side attempt to delay Chelsea's coronation as Premier League champions.

Wenger has never prevailed against Mourinho in 12 attempts and even if he redresses that statistic at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, it is unlikely to prevent Chelsea from claiming the title.

Having recorded an efficient 1-0 win over third-place Manchester United last weekend, Chelsea are 10 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table with six games remaining.

Victory on Sunday would leave them needing three points from next Wednesday's trip to Leicester City, currently embroiled in a relegation battle, to claim a first league crown since 2010.

But while the championship seems destined for Stamford Bridge, Arsenal have drawn encouragement from a run of nine consecutive wins, including an FA Cup semi-final defeat of Reading that took the holders into the final.

Sunday's derby will see Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas return to the club where he previously spent eight years -- including three as captain -- and Wenger hopes he will be spared a hostile reception.

"I want every player to be respected, and Cesc Fabregas when he comes to the Emirates on Sunday to be respected like he deserves," said the Frenchman, who clashed with Mourinho on the touchline in October's reverse fixture.

Centre-back Per Mertesacker has a "50-50" chance of playing, according to Wenger, after injuring his ankle in the 2-1 victory over Reading at Wembley.

Midfielders Mikel Arteta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are both back in training after injury lay-offs, but neither is ready to return to first-team action.

Chelsea, meanwhile, hope to be able to call upon French striker Loic Remy, who has missed their last two games due to a calf complaint.

Diego Costa is likely to remain sidelined with a hamstring problem, while veteran Didier Drogba has hurt his ankle.

Eden Hazard netted Chelsea's winner against United -- his 18th goal of the season -- and is hotly tipped for honours in Sunday's Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) awards.

- Turf Moor six-pointer -

"He is flying. In my opinion it's been the best season of his career," team-mate Branislav Ivanovic told the Chelsea website.

"He's the guy who, when you pass him the ball, you just have to leave him alone. He will do everything. He's something different."

Hazard's strike ended United's six-game winning run and saw their lead over fourth-place Manchester City trimmed to a point as the champions won 2-0 at home to West Ham United.

City can provisionally climb above both Arsenal and United by winning at home to Aston Villa on Saturday, but Tim Sherwood's side are in buoyant mood after sinking Liverpool to reach the FA Cup final.

United travel to Everton on Sunday, a year on from a 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park that preceded David Moyes's dismissal as manager.

Liverpool's hopes of a top-four finish are fading fast, with Manchester City seven points above them in the standings, albeit having played a game more.

But news of Jordan Henderson's new long-term contract has alleviated some of the gloom around Anfield ahead of Saturday's game at West Bromwich Albion.

Barring a collapse by City, Liverpool look set for a three-way tussle for the two Europa League slots with Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton, who face off at St Mary's.

It will be the first time Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino has returned to Southampton since leaving the club last year and he is looking forward to seeing some familiar faces.

"We stabilised the club in the Premier League and top 10," said the Argentine. "I'm very happy it was good for Southampton because I love the people of Southampton and the players."

A rousing sequence of three consecutive wins has taken Leicester to the brink of safety ahead of a crunch clash with bottom club Burnley at Turf Moor.

Only goal difference is currently keeping Leicester (-17) below Hull City (-16), who visit Crystal Palace, but Burnley are just two points back, level with second-bottom Queens Park Rangers, who host West Ham.

Fixtures

Saturday (2pm GMT unless otherwise stated): Burnley v Leicester City, Crystal Palace v Hull City, Manchester City v Aston Villa (4.30pm GMT), Newcastle United v Swansea City, Queens Park Rangers v West Ham United, Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur (11.45am GMT), Stoke City v Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool

Sunday: Arsenal v Chelsea (3pm GMT), Everton v Manchester United (12.30pm GMT)

Sulley confirms Kotoko talks

Having just returned from a fruitless Libyan stint, former Hearts man Nuru Sulley is in talks with Kotoko.

A highly rated defensive midfielder, Sulley may make the move to play in Kumasi next season, following a termination of his deal with Al Ittihad last week.

"What you heard is true," Nuru told supersport.com. "I'm looking at joining Kotoko if all the talks go well."

The 25-year-old defender was not paid his salary for close to six months after he joined two months earlier. He had Chan team compatriot Yahaya Mohammed there with him.

"The plan is to be in Kumasi next week to finish all the details and if we agree on terms, I will go because I want to be active," the player went on.

Sulley has previously played for Mighty Jets as a right-back while David Duncan used him as a defensive midfielder while the manager was at Hearts.

Sources say the great working relationship Duncan had with the player while in Accra is a major catalyst for this move.

Giants avoid each other in Cup semis

The dream final for neutrals in the Uganda Cup is still very much on after this week’s semifinal draws kept apart giants SC Villa and KCC.

Eight-time winners SC Villa will first travel to Eastern Uganda in Jinja for the first leg this weekend after they were drawn against giant slayers, Bul, while KCC are at home to Lweza.

This year’s final will either be hosted Western Region or Kitara pending confirmation from the Fufa executive committee meeting, according to competitions’ secretary Ali Mwebe.

The first legs will be played on Sunday, April 26, with return legs due in a week’s time.

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) are last year’s winners but have since been eliminated by KCC, the team they beat in the said final en route to the gong.

UGANDA CUP SEMIFINALS

First leg, Sunday, April 26, 2015

KCC vs Lweza – Lugogo Stadium, Kampala

Bul Vs Sports Club Villa – Kakindu Stadium, Jinja

Second leg, May 3, 2015

Lweza vs KCC – Wankulukuku, Kampala

SC Villa vs Bul, Nakivubo, Kampala

Polo courts Addo in Hearts' rise

Mohammed Polo has issued a reminder to current Hearts boss, Herbert Addo, about whose work he's reaping from.

The former head coach of Hearts, who was sacked in an acrimonious period with fans, is still revered as a Hearts and Ghana legend - although his snide remarks make him a magnet for news.

The Phobians have been slowly climbing up the top flight log after being in the relegation zone only recently, but Polo has surfaced with claims that the team's foundation was his doing.

“I believe in the fact that someone must initiate for another to continue. But it is always important for the one continuing to recognise your work,” Polo said.

'The one continuing' has to be Herbert Addo, who has had his own fair share of difficult times with fans.

“I inherited a depleted and confused Hearts of Oak side but I did my best to pull the team together. And today, that is exactly why Herbert Addo is reaping the benefits," Polo noted.

The legendary number 10 was appointed Hearts boss in the middle of last season following the sacking of David Duncan, but Polo could never be on good terms with the fans after he constantly riled them with his comments.

"Anyone who has followed the club for some time will tell you that Herbert is reaping the results of my hard work,” Polo added, speaking to Sportscrusader.