Seven Hot Matches

Here's my weekly roundup of the best games to watch across MLS and around the world over the next seven days.

Tottenham Hotspur at Sunderland

7:30 a.m. Saturday (ESPN2/ESPN3.com)

After putting a big dent in Manchester City's title hopes last weekend, Sunderland can wreak havoc on the English Premier League again by derailing Tottenham's chase for third place. Spurs and Arsenal are neck-and-neck for England's last UEFA Champions League automatic qualifying spot.

New York Red Bulls at Columbus Crew

3 p.m. Saturday (Univision Sports)*

Columbus, the Union's next opponent, welcomes a New York squad that has scored nine goals over its last two games. Five of them came from striker Thierry Henry, who has rekindled memories of his Arsenal heyday in the Big Apple.

Los Angeles Galaxy at Sporting Kansas City

4 p.m. Saturday, (ESPN/ESPN3.com)

The star-studded Galaxy have lost their first two home games. In Saturday's 3-1 loss to New England, coach Bruce Arena showed his frustration by benching David Beckham at halftime. Kansas City is the only undefeated team left in Major League Soccer, with four wins to start the year.

Olympique Marseille at Paris Saint-Germain

3 p.m. Saturday (Fox Soccer Channel)

France's biggest rivalry game has big Ligue 1 title implications, as big-spending PSG are tied for first place with Montpellier. Marseille is struggling in ninth, but would like nothing more than to get one over on its longtime rival.

Chelsea at Fulham

2:55 p.m. Monday (ESPN2/ESPN3.com)

U.S. national team striker Clint Dempsey will be in the spotlight as Fulham hosts its perennial West London foe. With rumors flying that cash-strapped Fulham will have to sell its big names after the season, this game will provide Dempsey another chance to show off against a Premier League giant.

West Bromwich Albion at Manchester City

2:30 p.m. Wednesday (ESPN2/ESPN3.com)

Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini may be fed up with the antics of two of his biggest stars, Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez. But he may need both strikers on the field against West Brom if City is to keep its dyingPremier League title hopes alive.

Real Madrid at Atletico Madrid

4 p.m. Wednesday (GolTV)

A month ago, Real Madrid held a 10-point lead over archival Barcelona in the Spanish league standings. Now that margin is down to six, and Real's next two games are huge: at home to third-place Valencia on Saturday (3:20 p.m., ESPN2/ESPN3.com), followed by this trip to its biggest city rival on Wednesday. Watch out for Atletico striker Radamel Falcao, whose 20 goals this season have made him one of Europe's hottest prospects.

* - I wrote in Friday's Inquirer that Columbus-New York is on Galavision. I didn't know until after press time that Univision Sports is launching this weekend. It will be interseting to see what kind of coverage the new channel gives MLS.