Manchester derby, El Clásico lead women’s games to watch

While the men's domestic game is on an international break, there will be a host of exciting matches in the women's game this weekend that are worth watching.

The celebration that has become the weekend of women's football in the UK includes two major local derbies in the Women's Super League, while El ClAsico between Barcelona and Real Madrid will certainly be exciting in the Spanish Liga F and the NWSL begins its second day with a particularly high-profile match on ESPN+.

Here's a look at the key matches on this weekend's slate.

– Stream on ESPN+: NWSL, LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)

WSL: Manchester City vs. Manchester United

Saturday, 12:30 p.m. GMT / 8:30 a.m. ET (Paramount+)

On Saturday, Man City welcome United to the Etihad Stadium as they continue their quest for a first WSL title since 2016. A decisive victory over their rivals could propel Gareth Taylor's side briefly ahead of holders Chelsea, with both teams currently being stuck together in the rankings. at the top of the table on goal difference (City are two goals behind), since the Blues will only play against West Ham on Sunday.

City's bid to disrupt Chelsea manager Emma Hayes' quest for a fifth consecutive WSL title hinges on team consistency and goal scoring from star striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, who leads the league with 16 goals in 15 matches.

However, the pressure is immense for United after a turbulent season under Marc Skinner. Despite finishing penultimate in the campaign, United have faced significant challenges this season, picking up just one point from a possible 12 against their four main rivals.

Another defeat could accelerate the club's search for a new manager, particularly with Skinner's contract expiring this summer, while a defeat could spell disaster for their European aspirations, which are already dangerously thin as They sit six points behind Arsenal in third. — Emilie Keogh

WSL: Everton vs Liverpool

Sunday, 1 p.m. GMT / 9 a.m. ET (Paramount+)

Just 30 miles from Manchester, fifth-placed Liverpool travel to Everton for the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park the following day.

Everton are unbeaten in their last four WSL matches against Liverpool (W3 D1) and had a narrow 1-0 victory in the previous meeting this season, but they were left with a threadbare team due to the great number of injuries this season. They should be safe from relegation as they are eight points clear of Bristol City but, after finishing sixth last season, a place in ninth is not what the club would have wanted.

Liverpool's recent form (three wins in their last three WSL games) makes Matt Beard the favorite team and if they triumph over Everton, the Reds could leapfrog United and take the lead in the race for fourth place. — Emilie Keogh

Spanish Liga F: Real Madrid vs Barcelona

Sunday, 5:00 p.m. GMT / 1:00 p.m. ET (DAZN)

European champions, Barcelona have an almost perfect record in Liga F this season, having lost just two points in 20 matches. And although the all-conquering team will be focused on the quadruple (including the domestic treble), their clashes with second-placed Real Madrid have become a special occasion.

For Las Blancas, who are nine points behind, have plenty to cheer them on as they attempt to ruin Barca's unbeaten season. After leading the Catalans closely in two games last season, even going so far as to extend the Super Cup semi-final, Real have regressed this season and have already scored nine unanswered goals in two meetings against their rivals this campaign.

It is, however, Spain's flagship game and has begun to mature into a match worthy of the familiar.”The classic” nickname. Fans will be treated to 90 minutes of passion between two emerging rivals, with Madrid looking to save face at home and show they can compete with juggernaut Barça. — Sophie Lawson

German Frauen-Bundesliga: VfL Wolfsburg vs Bayern Munich

Saturday, 4:45 p.m. GMT / 10:45 a.m. ET (DAZN)

The last Frauen-Bundesliga match to face the “The Classicr” title – FFC Frankfurt v Turbine Potsdam – Wolfsburg's clash against Bayern Munich will see Germany's top two face off once again.

This time last week, the match could have been billed as a title decider, with Wolfsburg sitting just a single point behind leaders Bayern. However, She Wolves suffered a rare defeat at Hoffenheim last time out, handing the Bavarians a four-point lead.

There is no love lost between the teams who have shared every German title over the past 11 seasons (seven for Wolfsburg; four for Bayern), and with the announcement earlier this year that the mid Wolfsburg star midfielder Lena Oberdorf is reportedly heading south for €450,000 next summer, it looks like the balance is tipping towards Bayern.

This is a must-win game for Wolfsburg, not only for their title hopes, but also to show that they can still compete with Bayern at the highest level. — Sophie Lawson

NWSL: Portland Thorns vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC

Sunday, 7 p.m. ET / 12 a.m. GMT (ESPN2, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes)

A rematch of last year's semifinal highlights the NWSL's Week 2 slate, with defending champion NJ/NY Gotham FC traveling to Providence Park for Portland's home opener Thorns.

Gotham beat three-time champion Thorns in the same building in last year's semifinals en route to the team's first NWSL trophy. This is Gotham's first regular season game after losing to the San Diego Wave, 1-0 in last week's one-off Challenge Cup to open the season.

Gotham has changed dramatically since that match after an active winter transfer window which saw the arrival of US internationals Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett. Dunn spent the previous three seasons in Portland and helped the Thorns win a third league title in 2022. Saturday marks his first game at Providence Park, and his first against his former team, since moving to New Jersey, where she is closer to her. hometown on Long Island.

Portland opened the season last week with a wild 5-4 loss to the Kansas City Current in the opener at CPKC Stadium. In that match, Sophia Smith and Janine Beckie each scored a brace, but the Thorns' leaky defense is an issue to watch as they aim for championship contention this season. –Jeff Kassouf

NWSL: San Diego Wave FC vs. Kansas City Current

Saturday, 10 p.m. ET / 3 a.m. GMT (ION)

The San Diego Wave officially begins its regular season at home Saturday against the Kansas City Current following last week's NWSL Challenge Cup, secured thanks to a late goal from forward Alex Morgan coming off the bench. The Wave won the NWSL Shield last season, which head coach Casey Stoney reiterated before the Challenge Cup made them “the better team” in 2023, despite failing to make the playoffs.

San Diego also led the NWSL with more than 20,000 fans per game in 2023 at Snapdragon Stadium. A strong season-opening crowd is expected for the game against a Kansas City team at the height of a historic moment last week.

The Current, now led by former U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski, got a strong 45-minute performance from forward Bia Zaneratto in week one. This week, however, she will not benefit from the playmaking services of her Brazilian counterpart Debinha due to a hamstring injury suffered in Week 1. Debinha suffered a non-contact injury half an hour into the match last week and will be out for the Current at least until the international break in early April, ESPN has confirmed. –Jeff Kassouf