April is a month of controlling nerves in World Football. It's a month where every point is critical to get, and each side looks to secure all three points in each game to reach their target spot as the tables get shaped up in late March.
Where every game is essential, several heavyweight fixtures are scheduled to occur this month. Moving forward, let's look at the top 10 high-voltage fixtures.
Bayern vs Manchester City (UCL QF - 11&19 April):
Bayern vs Manchester City
has become arguably the most anticipated fixture in world football since the
draws were made last month.
Bayern Munich and
Manchester City are two of the top three best sides in world football now, and
the fixture will surely bring nothing but thrill, a lot of action, and several
magical moments by quality players on both sides.
Talking about Manchester
City first, although they're not at the top of the Premier League table like in
recent years, the difference is only 3 points which the Blues will be looking
to end on 27 April in the potential title-deciding fixture.
In short, they're doing
well in the league despite being second, are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup,
and are scheduled to face Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Elite
European Competition.
Manchester City has
produced some crazy results in Uefa Champions League this season, last beating
RB Leipzig by 7-0, with five of them scored by goal machine ErlingHaaland.
Manchester City has
achieved everything since the arrival of Pep Guardiola except the trophy the
club is looking to win for the first time. They were one 90 minutes away from
the glory couple of seasons ago but lost against Chelsea by 1-0. That said, the
Spaniard and his side will be looking to make this year one where they'll win
their first Champions League title.
Bayern Munich is another
top-performing side in world football. However, unlike their opponent, things
could be more stable in Munich.
The inevitable finally
took place, and one of the best managers in the world is now in charge of
things for Bundesliga toppers. They're at the top of the league table but have
yet to have the lead they're used to having.
Recently, they beat
arch-rivals by 4-2 in De Klassiker but recently got knocked out of DFB Pokal at
home against SC Freiburg.
On paper, Bayern Munich
has one of the best squads in the world, with insane depth and every tool
required to beat a side like Manchester City.
The first leg will be
played in Allianz Arena on 12 April. Pep Guardiola's side will host the second
leg. It's a fixture we believe no one would like to miss; it doesn't matter
whether you support any of these clubs.
AC Milan vs Napoli (UCL QF - 12& 18 April):
As it's the last eight
stages of the Elite European stage, only the top sides remain in the
tournament. As there are no more country restrictions from this stage, two
top-performing Italian sides will battle for glory in another quarter-final.
Talking about AC Milan
first, defending champions lie fourth at the Serie A table but hammered past
league toppers in the league fixture by scoring four against them. However,
they dropped two points in their next fixture against Empoli in a goalless draw
couple of days ago and would like to regain the momentum with another win over
arch-rivals.
Napoli is bossing the
Italian league with 16 points above second-ranked Lazio. However, out of their
three defeats in Serie A this season, two have come in the last five fixtures.
With 16 points lead, they're not worrying much about the title but about
improving in certain areas before going to the big game, where revenge would
also result in their minds.
AC Milan will host the
first leg on 13 April. Meanwhile, the second leg will be played at the stadium
of Serie A toppers on 19 April.
Manchester City vs Arsenal (Premier League - 26 April):
27 April is when the
Premier League title of this season will be decided, as the top two sides from
the table will see each other in a mouth-watering fixture.
Arsenal currently sit at the
top of the table with 6 points but has played one more game. They crumbled in
between but did incredibly well to maintain their top spot and will like to see
the title from here. The fixture will decide the potential winner; if Arsenal
wins the fixture, they'll take the trophy home.
Manchester City is six
points behind their opponent, supposing they win their postponed fixture against
Brighton, a win over Arsenal will equal their points, and Manchester City will
become the favourite to win the title as they're the side with a better goal
difference.
Arsenal has comparatively
tough fixtures to play in the coming weeks, making the case stronger for Pep's
side.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United (Premier League - 27 April):
Two sides will be meeting
to battle for the Champions League spot. Manchester United currently sit fourth
at the top of the table with 56 points in 29 games and would like to finish in
the top four this season to qualify for the Elite European competition.
Fifth-ranked Tottenham
Hotspur are struggling with more off-the-field issues than on the field. They
sacked Antonio Conte and are looking for a permanent manager after appointing
an interim manager till the end of the season.
Both teams have 3 points
difference, and United has one more game in hand, making them the favourite to
end in the top four. However, in football, everything can happen, and there is
no doubt Tottenham can finish above United and would like to start with a win
against them.
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League - 30 April):
Two permanent residents
in the top 6 will take on each other, with a Champions League spot at stake.
Tottenham Hotspur
currently sits fifth at the table but could be doing better, more since the
departure of Antonio Conte; however, the first good half of the season has
abled them to still sit in the fifth spot.
They have a fixture
against Manchester United and this one against eighth-ranked Liverpool. If they
win both games, they'll have a solid case to finish in the top 4.
Liverpool, who started
the season in the worst way possible, produced good results in between before
another poor run of form. However, they have done well in recent fixtures and
now sit eighth at the table.
They have been drawn
against Chelsea and Liverpool in the past few days and would like to add the
final touch of taking the game away, and with the squad, they have (with
injured players to return), they indeed can finish in the top 4 this season.
