Having dispensed with the much-maligned international break, players across the globe return to their clubs for league action this weekend.
For some, they head back to familiar territory with springs in their steps having helped their nations secure a place at the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.
Others will rue a missed opportunity and will be left wondering what might have been had lady luck smiled their way and they got the coveted ticket to the global football bonanza.
Regardless, their club coaches will want them to shift their focus to helping those clubs, which fund their lavish superstar lifestyle, achieve their objectives this season.
English Premier League
Man United vs Leicester (Saturday, April 2 KO 7.30 pm)
Prediction: Red Devils..3 Foxes...1
It’s a shame that one of English football’s most successful clubs has nothing but a Uefa Champions League slot to fight for at the business end of the football season.
That is how times have changed for Manchester United since the departure of their legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson nine years ago. They take on Leicester City looking to pick up three points in their quest for a top-four finish.
It was Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes who started the downward spiral of the Red Devils when they hammered them 4-2 in October last year. This fixture has proved to have lots of goals in it but I fancy United to score more than Leicester. Free-scoring game.
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal (Monday, April 4 KO 10 pm)
Prediction: Palace..1 Arsenal..1
That Arsenal have it in their hands to claim a Champions League slot with ten games to go, is a testament to the coaching acumen and man-management skills of Mikel Arteta.
They face a short trip to Selhurst Park to take on their legendary skipper Patrick Viera’s vastly improved side.
Palace have proved that they are always up for it when the big boys are in town. When they met last, they conceded a late goal to leave the Emirates with only a point instead of three. At home, however, they will be confident about finishing the job.
Bundesliga
Dortmund vs Leipzig (Saturday April 2 KO 7.30pm)
Prediction: Dortmund..3 Leipzig..1
Dortmund have mounted a late attempt to end Bayern Munich’s record dominance of the Bundesliga. They sit only six points off top spot and have momentum on their side. They will, however, have to win this tricky fixture against Champions League-chasing Leipzig to sow seeds of doubt within FC Hollywood’s ranks
SERIE A
Juventus vs Inter Milan (Sunday, April 3 KO 9.45 pm)
Prediction: Juve...1 Inter...2
At some point, it looked like Juventus would feature nowhere in the Serie ‘A’ title race. The Old Lady has, however, managed to drag themselves well within striking distance of the top spot. They take on holders inter Milan who are ahead of them by a solitary point. Victory will put them to within four points of leaders AC Milan. The hangover of missing out on the World Cup for Italy will have affected Juventus players more. How fast they get over it will determine how their season will conclude.
LA LIGA
Barcelona vs Sevilla (Sunday April 3 KO 10pm)
Prediction: Barcelona.. 3 Sevilla..2
The title race might be heading to their arch-rivals Real Madrid but Barcelona’s victory at the Santiago Bernabeu will have signaled a shift in the balance of power between the two powerhouses. Barcelona and their coach Xavi will be publicly alluding to their club taking each game at a time . They take on second-placed Sevilla on Sunday knowing that victory will have them hanging on the coattails of Real Madrid, a situation that looked unfathomable three months ago.
