USMNT weekend viewing guide: Closing in

There is some serious work to be done yet but teams across Europe with American influence have opportunities to close in on league titles, take a big step in a promotion push, or secure safety for their club from the relegation struggle. Here’s what we’re keeping an eye on as it all happens this weekend:

Saturday

Fulham v Manchester City - 7:30a on USA Network

Antonee Robinson and Fulham are one of three teams standing between Manchester City and a fourth straight EPL title. Technically City are a point out of the league lead but with a game in hand they have a clear advantage heading into their final three matches of the season. Robinson and Fulham are currently in 13th place, and the weakest of the three teams that City have remaining on their schedule. The two teams met for the first time this season in early September, a match in which Tim Ream scored Fulham’s only goal but his side lost 5-1. Ream hasn’t started a match since mid-February.

Celtic v Rangers - 7:30a on CBSSN

With three matches remaining Cameron Carter-Vickers and Celtic look hold a three point lead over this weekend’s opponent, and fierce rival, Rangers for the Scottish Premiership title. With goal differential already in their favor Celtic could all but clinch the title with a win this weekend. The teams last met in April with Celtic leading from the opening minute only to settle for a draw when Rangers scored in stoppage time.

Freiburg v Heidenheim - 9:30a on ESPN+

Lennard Maloney has missed the last two matches and five of the last nine for Heidenheim though he has still managed over 2,000 minutes on the season for a Heidenheim side that is in tenth place, well above the expectations for the promoted side coming into the season.

Borussia Monchengladbach v Eintracht Frankfurt - 9:30a on ESPN+

Presumptive USMNT right-back replacement for Sergino Dest, Joe Scally, will look to secure safety this weekend as he, Jordan Pefok, and Borussia Monchengladbach take on sixth place Eintracht Frankfurt. Gladbach are currently in 13th place but just four points removed from the relegation playoff position going into the final two matches of the season. They can secure their Bundesliga position with a win this weekend. Further up the table, Frankfurt are currently in sixth place and can secure Europa League qualification with a win this weekend as well.

Koln v Union Berlin - 9:30a on ESPN+

Brenden Aaronson and Union Berlin still have work to do to avoid relegation with just a point separating them from Mainz and the relegation playoff spot. They face a Koln side that must win or their relegation fate will be cemented. Aaronson was a halftime substitute last weekend with Berlin already down to Bochum 3-0, he did record an assist in the second half but his side’s comeback attempt would fall short as they lost 4-3.

Bournemouth v Brentford - 10a on Peacock

Tyler Adams is confirmed to be back in the squad for Bournemouth this weekend, returning to the field after missing seven more matches after his brief return for Bournemouth in March. With two matches to play Bournemouth are solidly middle of the table and don’t have either qualification or relegation to worry about over their final two matches but it is a huge relief to see Adams retake the field in any situation.

Everton v Sheffield United - 10a on Peacock

Auston Trusty and Sheffield United continue to set new records with every goal given up. The team has tied the most ever Premier League goals allowed mark with two matches to play after a 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest. Their opponent this weekend, Everton, was flirting with the relegation zone six weeks ago but ten points in their last four matches have pulled them clear of the danger area.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crystal Palace - 10a on Peacock

Chris Richards picked up an assist and he and Crystal Palace look to build momentum coming out of their 4-0 win over Manchester United. Richards has been a consistent starter for Palace since early December and looks like he has cemented a role with the club, closing in on 2,000 minutes on the season.

Nottingham Forest v Chelsea - 12:30p on NBC

Neither Gio Reyna nor Matt Turner saw the field last weekend as Forest defeated Sheffield United 3-1 to pull three points clear of Luton Town and inch towards safety with two matches remaining. The failure to appear snapped a streak of six straight appearances for Reyna which included two starts. Turner hasn’t started since January, though the teams performance has been no better since.

AC Milan v Cagliari - 2:45p on Paramount+

Christian Pulisic started and picked up an assist last weekend while Yunus Musah saw his streak of three straight starts snapped by a yellow card suspension as AC Milan settled for a draw with Genoa. The assist was Pulisic’s ninth this season, giving him 22 goal contributions across all matches for Milan.

Columbus Crew v Cincinnati - 7:45p on FS1

Aidan Morris and the Columbus Crew face Miles Robinson, Matt Miazga, and DeAndre Yedlin in MLS action on Saturday evening.

Sunday

Norwich City v Leeds United - 7a on ESPN+

Josh Sargent and Norwich City face Leeds United in the first leg of their promotion semi-finals Sunday morning. Leeds won both prior matchups this season though Sargent missed the first matchup due to his ankle injury.

Fortuna Sittard v PSV Eindhoven - 8:30a on ESPN+

Malik Tillman, Ricardo Pepi, and PSV continue their league title celebrations as they take on Fortuna Sittard a week after officially clinching the league title.

Darmstadt v Hoffenheim - 9:30a on ESPN+

John Brooks was on the bench for the second straight match as Hoffenheim drew RB Leipzig last weekend. Hoffenheim are just a point back of Freiburg for Europa Conference League qualifying with two matches to play and they must face Bayern Munich in next weekend’s finale so they will be looking to make up ground as they face last place Darmstadt on Sunday.

Atletico Madrid v Celta Vigo - 10:15a on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+

Luca de la Torre was a halftime substitute as Celta Vigo fell behind early but came back to beat 10 man Villarreal and pull eight points out of the relegation zone with four matches yet to play.

Bayern Munich v Wolfsburg - 11:30a on ESPN+

Kevin Paredes started at leftback and played 82’ as Wolfsburg defeated Darmstadt last weekend. With the win Wolfsburg are in twelfth place and officially clear of relegation. They face a Bayern Munich side coming off a brutal Champions League exit after giving up two goals in the final minutes to fall to Real Madrid midweek.

Juventus v Salernitana - Noon on Paramount+

Weston McKennie and Tim Weah both started last weekend as Juventus drew 1-1 with Roma. Juventus have a six point lead for Champions League qualification with three league matches remaining and have a Copa Italia final against Atalanta on Wednesday so we could see heavy rotation for their side on Sunday as they look to best set themselves up to hoist a trophy this season.

Montpellier v Monaco - 3p on beIN Sports

Folarin Balogun came off the bench last weekend as Monaco defeated Clermont 4-1. With two matches remaining Monaco hold a six point lead over Lille for Champions League qualification and need just a point from their final two matches to secure their spot in next seasons competition.

Real Betis v Almeria - 3p on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+

Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis defeated Osasuna 2-0 last weekend to stay within two points of sixth place Real Sociedad. The teams will face off directly in the penultimate match of the season so Real Betis control their qualification hopes in their own hands and face an Almeria side whose relegation fate has already been sealed this weekend.

Portland Timbers v Seattle Sounders - 4:45p on FOX

Cristian Roldan, Jordan Morris, and the Seattle Sounders take on their west coast rivals, the Portland Timbers, in Sunday’s MLS action on FOX.

What are you watching this weekend? Hit the comments section below to let us know what you’re hoping to see or to react to the action as it happens.