League champions will be crowned in Uruguay, Venezuela and Mexico this weekend, while the Brazilian championship serves up the latest edition of the classic Fla-Flu derby. With a close-run title race in Argentina also near to its conclusion, it is sure to be a thrilling weekend across the Americas. As ever, FIFA.com is here to preview the best of the action.

Argentinian Clausura: A two-horse race?
With just three matchdays remaining in this year's Clausura, joint-leaders River Plate and Estudiantes look to have the clearest path to the finishing line. The pair are strong favourites to prevail this weekend in respective home ties against Colon and Huracan, while the chasing pack have a variety of distractions as they enter the final straight.

At third-placed San Lorenzo, the mood in the camp is subdued following the announcement that coach Ramon Diaz will be parting ways with the club at the end of the campaign, and it remains to be seen how they will react away to Olimpo. Boca Juniors, meanwhile, host Arsenal but will almost certainly have one eye on next week's Copa Libertadores semi-final, second leg with Fluminense. At the opposite end of the table, bottom side Gimnasia Jujuy have it all to do to maintain their top-flight status, starting with this weekend's six-pointer against fellow relegation candidates San Martin.

Big game: Much rests on the Avellaneda clásico between Independiente and Racing Club at the former's Estadio Libertadores. Lying in fifth spot, Los Diablos Rojos are still mathematically involved in the title race, while city rivals Racing know a win would help them move clear of the drop zone.
Players to watch: With games running out, the race to finish as top scorer looks set to go to the wire. Banfield's Dario Cvitanich leads the way with ten strikes, closely followed by San Martin's Martin Bravo and German Denis of Independiente, both on nine.

Brasileiro: A veritable classic
While leaders Cruzeiro will be hoping to extend their unbeaten start to the season away to Coritiba, defending champions Sao Paulo and Santos will be aiming to get their irregular campaigns back on track after disappointing Copa Libertadores exits. That said, most the media attention will be focused on Rio de Janeiro's classic derby between Fluminense and Flamengo.

Flu have been focusing on the Copa Libertadores this season, and secured a vital 2-2 draw in Buenos Aires in midweek in the first leg of their semi-final against Boca Juniors. However, their Libertadores ambitions have come at a price, with the club in the penultimate position in the Brasileiro. Arch-rivals Fla , meanwhile, are flying high in second, just two points off top spot.

Big game: No words can do justice to one of Brazil's most famous rivalries. Regardless of the teams' respective form or position coming into game, when Fla and Flu meet, anything is possible.
Players to watch: Sunday's derby could well hinge on Fluminense's ability to deal with Flamengo forwards Marcinho and Diego Tardelli.

Uruguayan Clausura: A nervous wait
After a break last week to accommodate the national team's friendly against Turkey, Uruguay will finally crown its Clausura 2008 champion this weekend. The two teams most eagerly awaiting the denouement are joint-leaders Penarol and River Plate, who could be forced to contest a play-off if they remain level on points after the weekend's final matchday.

Both clubs finish their campaigns with home advantage. The Aurinegros go up against an in-form Rampla Juniors side, while standing between River and their maiden first-division title will be mid-table outfit Juventud.

Big games: Back-to-back league titles proved too big an ask for Apertura 2007 winners Defensor Sporting, who will be hoping a win at home to Bella Vista will be enough to secure them third place. Nacional, for their part, saw their title aspirations evaporate in recent weeks but could yet take third spot themselves if they win at Atletico Cerro and Defensor and Liverpool slip up.
Players to watch: Carlos Bueno, Ruben Olivera and Antonio Pacheco have been leading Penarol's charge for the title. Not to be outshone, River's emerging stars Jonathan Urretavizcaya and Walter Lopez have been doing their utmost to secure the club their maiden championship.

USA MLS: Colorado-Dallas, sights set on LA
An indication of the growing parity in the MSL can be seen in the East Conference, where only a point separates leaders New England Revolution from Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew in joint second. Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Co at Chicago have a superior goal difference, however, after their 5-1 win at New York Red Bulls last weekend.

Meanwhile, over in the Western Conference, the in-form side right now are section leaders Los Angeles Galaxy. Ruud Gullit's men have a tricky away tie this weekend against Toronto FC, who, having yet to lose at home this season, could well prove difficult to break down.

Big game: Although LA Galaxy may hold top spot at present, hot on their heels are FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids, one and two points back respectively. The pair cross swords this weekend in what should be a hotly contested fixture, with both anxious to stay close to the summit in the Western Conference.
Players to watch: Los Angeles Galaxy's three main marksmen have been causing all sorts of problems of late for rival defences. Landon Donovan leads the scoring charts with nine goals thus far, followed by David Beckham and Edson Buddle with four apiece. Together the trio have accounted for 17 of the Galaxy's 22 strikes this season.

Other leagues
On a weekend when qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ bring a halt to domestic action in Asia and Africa, the destination of titles in Latin America continue apace. In Venezuela, Deportivo Tachira and Caracas FC will contest the second leg of their Clausura final this Saturday. The capital side will be hoping to retain their title in San Cristobal but can expect fierce opposition from the locals after their impressive 1-1 draw in the first leg. Finally, in the Mexican Clausura, Cruz Azul and Santos Laguna meet on Sunday in Torreon for the second leg of the championship final, with Santos 2-1 ahead from Thursday's first leg. 

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Be first to comment this article

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved