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Around the Leagues: Delicious Derbies All Weekend Long

March 19, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


The races for league titles are heating up, the FA Cup features a pair of mouthwatering quarterfinal matchups and old rivals are set to clash over the next few days

This coming weekend is a fascinating one as it includes league fixtures, cup ties and some of the most heated derbies in the beautiful game.

The Old Firm

Of all the matchups to look forward to, the one with the most history is without question The Old Firm - between fellow Glasgow clubs Celtic and Rangers in Scotland's topflight.

Normally the winner of this game would get the leg-up in the title race, but Rangers have already secured the top spot in the league - denying Celtic a tenth straight league title.

FA Cup and the Barclay's Premier League

Across the border in England, the Saturday action starts early when local rivals meet in the FA Cup as Championship-side Bournemouth host Southampton in Quarterfinal clash. The winner not only secures a spot on the semis but bragging rights along the south coast of England.

A few hours following the match is a beautiful bout in the Cup when Everton host league-leaders Manchester City. The Toffees have dropped its last two matches but knocking City out of the domestic tournament could be just the boost Everton needs to not only push for FA Cup silverware but carry the momentum into league play and potentially finishing in the top four.

The FA Cup action continues on Sunday with a pair of matchups with Sheffield United kicking off the morning with a trip to Chelsea. Following the fixture, it's a heavyweight bout between Leicester City and Manchester United. The Reds visit Leicester fresh off a 1-0 win in Italy over AC Milan during UEFA Europa League play on Thursday and currently sit in second place in the league while third-place Leicester are hot on Manchester's tail.

The Barclay's Premier League also has a handful of games this weekend with the most enticing being a fixture between London clubs when crosstown rivals West Ham United and Arsenal meet on Sunday. The Hammers currently sit in fifth place and host an Arsenal side in tenth, but the Gunners are on a high after a 2-1 triumph in the North London Derby last weekend.

Heavyweight Bout in Turkey's Topflight

Speaking of fierce and local rivalries, Besiktas host Fenerbahce on Sunday in a battle between two teams from Istanbul that are also the two most successful clubs in Turkey's topflight.

Both Turkish giants are fighting for the top spot with Besiktas currently sitting at the top of the summit on 63 points. Fenerbahce sit in third place in the Super Lig table but a win could potentially see the side pull level on 61 points with second-place Galatasaray.

La Liga and Ligue 1

In Spain's top division, Atletico Madrid still hold the top spot but if second-place Barcelona has any intention of keeping pace with the league leaders, then Lionel Messi and company will need to earn all three points on the road against a promising Real Sociedad squad in fifth place.

France's Ligue One has a mammoth matchup between clubs hunting for first place when third-place Lyon host Paris Saint-Germain in second place but both French juggernauts are level on 60 points. Only a win for Lyon on Sunday will see the side leapfrog the powerhouse from Paris.

Derby del Sole

In Italy, the matchup everyone will be watching this weekend is the Derby del Sole - the Derby of the Sun - between AS Roma and Napoli.

Neither club is from the same city, as Roma rests in the country's capital and Napoli resides in Naples, but the two have played out countless memorable matchups and are considered two of the most popular clubs in and outside of Italy.

This season, both clubs just so happen to be level on points - 50 - as they jostle for a top four finish to secure a place in next season's UEFA Champions League. Fifth-place Napoli have a game in-hand on a sixth-place Roma side that will play host this Sunday in the famous Stadio Olimpico.

CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament

The USMNT are in the midst of the Concacaf Olympic qualifying tournament in Mexico and the Stars and Stripes' squad is an extremely promising group of U23s.

The group pits the USMNT against the fellow U23 squads from Mexico, Dominican Republic and Thursday's opponent - Costa Rica. The Stars and Stripes started the tournament on a positive with a 1-0 win as Jesus Ferreira's lone strike was the difference in the contest.

Next up for the U23's is the Dominican Republic this Sunday afternoon followed by a showdown against the host county - Mexico - on Wednesday, March 24.

Don't miss a minute of the action this season. Join our Republic and become an Indomitable Member today! Visit SacRepublicFC.com/becomeamember for more information about how you can join us for the 2021 USL Championship season, Join us for another unforgettable year and enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access, benefits, and more.

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