Top games to watch in world soccer this week:
Monday
3 p.m., Stoke City vs. Tottenham Hotspur, NBCSN: The Spurs will try to keep their hopes of winning the Premier League alive against Geoff Cameron and the Potters. A small door was opened on Sunday when Leicester City tied West Ham.
Tuesday
2:45 p.m., Newcastle vs. Manchester City, NBCSN: One team is in a relegation battle while the other is trying to stay in the top four to secure a spot in next year's Champions League, while trying not to be distracted that last week qualified for the semifinals of this year's tournament.
Wednesday
2 p.m., Deportivo La Coruna vs. Barcelona, beIN Sports en Espanol: Barcelona, recently bounced from the Champions League, is trying to maintain its slim lead over Atletico Madrid, the same team that just defeated it in the Champions League.
3 p.m., Liverpool vs. Everton, NBCSN: A Merseyside rivalry for two teams separated by a quick jog. A loss may seal the fate of Everton's Roberto Martinez, who is struggling to get his team to produce points.
9:45 p.m., Tigres vs. Club America, Fox Sports 2: The CONCACAF Champions League continues with two Liga MX rivals.
Thursday
2:45 p.m., Arsenal vs. West Bromwich Albion, NBCSN: Three points and the Gunners will likely secure yet another top-four finish in the Premier League. But that's what has Arsenal fans upset: Arsene Wenger can seemingly no longer win a title, he can only keep his team in the running. Not bad, but it's not enough.
Friday
2:45 p.m., Preston North End vs. Burnley, beIN Sports: Burnley is in second in the Championship and close to securing automatic promotion to the Premier League, which can be worth tens to hundreds of millions of dollars.
Saturday
9:30 a.m., Hertha Berlin vs. Bayern Munich, Fox Soccer 2Go: Berlin trails Bayern by more than 20 points but it's an important game because John Brooks and Berlin is trying to hold onto its spot in the Champions League.
Noon: Everton vs. Manchester United, Fox Sports 2: The semifinals of the FA Cup start.
4 p.m., Montreal vs. Toronto, MLS Live: Didier Drogba returned and wasted no time scoring last week. Jozy Altidore also returned and assisted on a goal. If you like big, bruising forwards, this is your game.
4 p.m., Philadelphia vs. NYCFC, MLS Live: The Union are second in the Eastern Conference while NYCFC is sixth and still trying to sort out its issues in midfield.
7:30 p.m., Tampa Bay vs. Carolina, ESPN3: Atlanta United loanee Junior Burgos and the Rowdies will take on Carolina.
Sunday
11 a.m., Crystal Palace vs. Watford, Fox Soccer 2Go: The other semifinal in the FA Cup features the struggling Eagles against Watford, which is comfortably safe in the Premier League table.
3:30 p.m., San Jose vs. Sporting KC, ESPN: Two mid-table teams should feature Chris Wondolowski, the MLS' leading goal-scorer this year, against Graham Zusi.
7:30 p.m., New York vs. Orlando City, Fox Soccer 2Go: Orlando City played an interesting game in last week's 2-2 tie, an event marred by horrible refereeing.
About the Author
