Barcelona vs Real Betis May 5, 2013


Barcelona look to get back on a winning track against Real Betis. Barca is coming off a forgettable three-match stretch that featured two big Champions League losses to Bayern Munich and a La Liga draw with Athletic Bilbao.

The best thing Tito Vilanova's squad can do is put those results in the rear-view mirror and refocus on capturing the league title. The last thing Barcelona wants to happen is for the slump to suddenly reignite the title chase for rival Real Madrid.

Betis is trying to lock down a European spot for next season as well. Earning a point (or more) at Camp Nou would not only help in that quest, but would also give the club a well-timed boost of confidence heading into the season's stretch run.



Where: Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain

When: Sunday, May 5 at 3 p.m. ET

Liverpool vs Everton May 5, 2013


Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has played down the significance of Sunday’s Merseyside derby by claiming that it does not matter if his team finish below Everton in the Premier League this season.

Everton visit Anfield on Sunday knowing that victory will guarantee they finish above their city neighbours for the second season in a row.

Venue Anfield, Sunday 1.30pm

Buy Everton match tickets from season ticket holders who can’t make it. StubHub – the official secondary ticketing partner of Everton FC.

Last season Liverpool 3 Everton 0

Referee M Oliver


  1. The Merseyside derby has seen more red cards than any other Premier League fixture, with 20.
  2. Liverpool have scored nine goals in their two league games without Luis Suarez this season.
  3. Of the 10 midfielders included in the last England squad, only Frank Lampard has scored and assisted more goals per minute than Jordan Henderson this season (one every 132 minutes).
  4. Lucas Leiva (pictured right) has made more tackles per minute than any other player in the league this season (one every 14.9 minutes).
  5. Everton have only won one of their last 12 Premier League games against Liverpool, drawing four and losing seven.
  6. The Toffees are without a win at Anfield in 12 Premier League games, losing five of the last eight.
  7. David Moyes is yet to win a single one of his 44 away games against the traditional "big four", taking just 17 points from a possible 132.
  8. The visitors have won 56 per cent of their games this season with Johnny Heitinga in the side and just 10% without him.


This season’s matches 20 Y56, R1, 2.85 cards per game


Manchester United vs Chelsea May 5, 2013


Sir Alex Ferguson has few regrets – but failing to buy Frank Lampard still haunts the Manchester United manager.

Ferguson began tracking the ­England midfielder when he was a teenager breaking through at West Ham.

But when United failed to make a move, Chelsea stepped in with an £11million bid – and 12 years later Lampard stands on the threshold of breaking Bobby Tambling’s long-standing goals record for the ­Blues.

Ferguson, who has been linked with a move for the 34-year-old this summer following Chelsea’s failure to offer him a new contract, ­admitted: “Lampard is fantastic, he’s an incredible player.

“If he gets to the 202-goal record at Chelsea it will be a fantastic achievement. I don’t think there will be another midfield player who will do that again.

“I looked at him when he was at West Ham as a young player – and I have regretted not doing the deal ever since. Where else could I have got 200 goals from midfield?

“Lampard is quite phenomenal.

“He has the great knack that Bryan Robson had of timing when to arrive in the box. John Wark at Ipswich was another one. They can time their runs – and that has brought Frank more than 200 goals.

“On top of that, I can’t ever ­remember him being injured. That part of it is down to luck, but he has had a great career, all right.”


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