One of the most important holidays of the year, for Christians, is this weekend. In addition there will be a a battle between Catholics in Italy and a clash of Protestants in England. Thus I thought it’d provide you with a little Easter basket of mine own. I've filled my basket with two footballing shorts that are sure to keep you entertained this weekend, as Inter and Milan square off and Man United and Chelsea go head to head. ! Hear we go!
Saturday, April 15th, 2017
F.C. Internazionale Milano vs A.C. Milan
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milano, Italy
6:45AM EST beIN SPORTS | fuboTV
It’s fitting that this derby between crosstown rivals Inter and Milan is being played on Easter weekend, as the derby itself is called the Derby della Madonnina, which means “Derby of Little Madonna,” referring to the famed statue of the Virgin Mary that sits atop the Duomo de Milano (Milan Cathedral). Aside from the derby’s iconic title, this particular rivalry is the most heated in all of Italy due to the illustrious history that both clubs possess. Combined, the Rosenerri and the Nerazzuri have won 10 European Cups, 36 domestic titles, and 12 Coppa Italia and Suppercoppa Italia titles. Thus this should be a real treat for those early risers aiming to watch this one live, but remember you can always record this match via beIN SPORTS or fuboTV to watch it at a more convenient time. Lastly, Inter and AC are just two points apart from each other in the Serie A Table, sitting in sixth and seventh. As a result this match will be of even more importance as they’ll battle it out for sixth place or better, as the top six of the league qualify for European football come next season.
LSB Prediction: There’s some exceptional young talent that will be gracing the San Siro pitch come Saturday, led by Milan’s 18 yr old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Inter’s 24 yr old striker and captain Maurio Icardi. When the two best players on teams are a striker and 'keeper respectively, it becomes a battle of who blinks first. This matchup is one that we’ll likely see a lot of at club level and on the international stage for over a decade to come, but on this day, my faith is in club captain Icardi to sneak one past Italy’s future #1 goalkeeper in Donnarumma. 1-0 F.C. Internazionale Milano.
Sunday, April 16th, 2017 (Easter)
Manchester United FC vs Chelsea FC
Old Trafford, Manchester, England, United Kingdom
11:00AM EST NBCSN
There’s a bushel basket of subplots set to take place in this matchup between the Lions and the Red Devils. For starters, Jose Mourinho is facing his former club Chelsea for the third time this season. He is 0-2 thus far. This includes, most recently, a disastrous FA Cup exit loss, at the Bridge, that saw Spaniard Ander Herrera sent off at the 35 minute mark. Secondly, arguably, the top three players in the Premier League will be on the Old Trafford pitch as Chelsea’s N’golo Kante and Eden Hazard (Premier League’s 2015 Player of the Year) square off against Man U’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic. All three men have been incredibly influential for their respective clubs this season, and come Sunday I’m expecting to see their best on display. Lastly, United will be striving to take all three points as the club is in a dogfight for the fourth and final UEFA Champions League qualifying spot, currently being occupied by city rivals Manchester City. Meanwhile Chelsea is simply looking for the status quo as the Blues are sitting pretty with a seven point cushion atop the table.
LSB Prediction: There’s sure to be loads of drama inside the Theatre of Dreams come Easter Sunday. Chelsea will bring its typical workman-like style of play to the offering. Meanwhile Zlatan and Wayne Rooney will try to tap into their fountain of youth once more in an attempt to carry United across the line. In the end though, Hazard, with the help of Kante, will outshine the Mercurial Swede and England captain, ultimately sending Mourinho home sobbing. 2-1 Chelsea FC