Europe's final countdown begins

One of Europe's oldest derby matches could play a crucial role this weekend in deciding the outcome of the English FA Premiership, as north London rivals Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC meet at Highbury, with the home side having taken over the league lead on Monday.

Form counts for nothing
Arsenal, now boasting former Tottenham favourite Sol Campbell, have held the edge over their rivals for many years, but as the teams clash for the 130th time, previous form has rarely counted for anything in this derby, just as in others throughout Europe.

Game in hand
However, Arsenal are a point clear of Liverpool FC and two ahead of Manchester United FC with a game in hand on both of the UEFA Champions League contenders, and if they extend their winning run to eight fixtures and continue their record of scoring in every Premiership match this season, Arsène Wenger's side could be close to the title.

United face strugglers
United, fresh from their excellent win at RC Deportivo La Coruña, go to Leicester City FC able to relegate the home side with an away victory, and anything less would be a serious blow for the reigning champions. Liverpool are not in action, so Saturday's other key game is the relegation match between Bolton Wanderers FC and Ipswich Town FC, the latter requiring nothing less than three points.

Three-team battle
Spain's Primera División has finally crystallised into a three-team battle. Leaders Real Madrid CF should maintain their position as they host relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, with Valencia CF, level with the champions on 59 points, at home to lowly Real Sociedad the next day. Third-placed Deportivo are also at home on Saturday against strugglers, facing RCD Mallorca.

Home game for Leverkusen
Bayer 04 Leverkusen's four-point 1. Bundesliga lead is put on the line when 1. FC Köln visit on Saturday, while their only likely title rivals BV Borussia Dortmund, fresh from their superb 4-0 UEFA Cup semi-final first-leg win over Milan AC, host TSV 1860 München in a Sunday match.

Atalanta test for Inter
Internazionale's UEFA Cup hopes took a blow with home defeat to Feyenoord on Thuesday, but they look to keep their grip on Serie A when they host Atalanta BC on Sunday. AS Roma are three points behind, but although they are away this week, their trip is to bottom-placed AC Venezia. Attention is also focused on sixth-placed Milan's trip to AC Chievo Verona, in fifth, with defeat likely to end either team's hopes of catching Bologna FC for the fourth Champions League place.

Celtic near title
The Scottish Premier League restarts after its split into two groups on Saturday, and Celtic FC will be again crowned champions if they win at home to Livingston FC or if Rangers FC lose to Heart of Midlothian FC in Sunday's game.

Swedish season begins
This weekend also sees the start of the 2002 Swedish first division season, with shock 2001 champions Hammarby IF FF, now under new coach Anders Linderoth, beginning their defence on Sunday at home to Örgryte IS, sixth last season, while Saturday's curtain-raiser sees promoted Landskrona BoIS given a baptism of fire at home to likely contenders Helsingborgs IF.

Illness no excuse
In the Romanian first division, the mid-table clash between FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt and FCM Bacau should prove interesting, with the home side having failed to get the game called off despite having eleven players in hospital through illness. However, the league ruled that Ceahlau, who this week saw their recent three-point deduction for alleged match-fixing reversed, had not given strong enough medical evidence for the game to be postponed.