The German programme features two crunch showdowns this weekend, while Spanish fans are looking forward to the derby between Sevilla and Real Betis. Over in Italy, the Milanese giants both face routine tasks on paper, although neither Inter nor AC will risk underestimating their lowly opponents.

The focus in England is on Manchester United and Chelsea. United could make it eight straight Premier League wins, but the Blues are desperate to bounce back from defeat at Liverpool last week, while in France, the title candidates must clear sizeable hurdles. FIFA.com previews the forthcoming action from Europe's major leagues.

Premier League: Frontrunners continue hunt for points
The top three will all expect to pick up points this weekend. Leaders Manchester United travel to eighth-placed West Ham United in search of an eighth win on the trot. Liverpool hope to consolidate their grip on second place with a win away to struggling Portsmouth. The Reds have taken just six points from their last four league games, and were also dumped out of the FA Cup by bitter rivals Everton in midweek.

Third-placed Chelsea meet promoted Hull City. The side in 11th have not won in eight games, but will take heart from their excellent away record in the first half of the campaign. Aston Villa and Arsenal, in fourth and fifth respectively, take on relegation candidates. Villa are away to Blackburn Rovers, while the Gunners visit arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

The question: Cristiano Ronaldo and Co have not lost since 8 November last year. Can United maintain their superb form against the Hammers?
The big game: Chelsea-Hull City, Saturday 7 February, 16.00, Stamford Bridge
The quote: "We're very confident. Upton Park will be a cauldron. United are on a great run, but we're in pretty good shape ourselves." Robert Green, West Ham goalkeeper


Serie A: Milan duo chase maximum returns
On paper at least, Inter Milan and AC Milan would be expected to win on Matchday 23. The leaders travel to promoted Lecce, in 16th, while Carlo Ancelotti's side entertain tailenders Reggina looking for victory number 1,200 from a total of 2,509 Serie A fixtures.

The big game of the weekend takes place in Rome, where sixth-placed Roma meet surprise package Genoa, two places ahead of the men from the capital. Juventus remain third despite losing their last two league games, but urgently require a result against Catania to stay in touch with the top two. Fiorentina, in fifth, take on tenth-placed Lazio looking for points to boost their drive for a UEFA Champions League qualifying place.

The question: Can Juve move on from consecutive defeats and chalk up three points this weekend?
The big game: Roma-Genoa, Sunday 8 February, 15.00, Stadio Olimpico
The quote: "I don’t know how it will all turn out, but I’m certain Inter, Milan and Juventus will fight for the title until the very end," Adriano Galliani, AC Milan chief executive

Bundesliga: Crisis clubs meet in Gelsenkirchen
It is a significant weekend for Schalke and Werder Bremen, in ninth and tenth respectively. Normally among the pacesetters, both teams have been beset by problems this term and now face off on Saturday. Both desperately require maximum points to retain realistic hopes of qualifying for Europe next season. Fourth-placed Bayern Munich also face a must-win encounter at home to Borussia Dortmund, two places below them in the standings. Jurgen Klinsmann's men are determined to make amends for a 1-0 defeat by Hamburg in the first match after the winter break, but Borussia harbour ambitions of their own as they seek a place in the top five.

The top three will expect to harvest points away to lowly opposition. Top play bottom when Hoffenheim visit Borussia Monchengladbach. Second-placed Hertha Berlin meet Arminia Bielefeld on Friday evening, while Hamburg travel to Karlsruhe.

The question: Will Schalke or Werder Bremen emerge on top after they do battle in Gelsenkirchen this weekend?
The big game: Bayern Munich-Borussia Dortmund, Sunday 8 February, 17.00, Allianz Arena
The quote: "The important thing for us is not to drop too many points at home in the second half of the season," Fred Rutten, Schalke coach

La Liga: Emotions stirred by Seville derby
The big two Seville clubs find themselves at opposite ends of the table, but their meeting at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan is still the big game on the La Liga programme. Third-placed Sevilla are firmly in contention for a Champions League place, whereas Betis languish in 16th and are fighting against relegation.

Barcelona, meanwhile, hold a twelve-point advantage over Real Madrid at the top. The leaders entertain promoted Sporting Gijon. The men from the capital, bolstered by a big outlay in the transfer window, are at home to Racing Santander. The big two will both expect maximum points. Espanyol started the season with high hopes, but find themselves deep in the relegation mire in 19th. Victory away to mid-table Getafe is all but a must.

The question: Can Espanyol beat Getafe and put the brakes on their slide into the drop zone?
The big game: Sevilla-Real Betis, Saturday 7 February, 22.00, Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan
The quote: "We have to keep winning and wait for Barcelona to lose. If we want to hit our own targets, we have to win," Rafael van der Vaart, Real Madrid

Ligue 1: Showdown in Marseille
The biggest game in France features fourth-placed Marseille at home to Bordeaux, the team closest to toppling leaders Lyon from their perch. Three away points for them would be worth their weight in gold, as serial champions Lyon are just a single point clear at the moment. Karim Benzema and Co seek to defend top spot away to eighth-placed Nice.

Paris Saint-Germain, in third, also rate as genuine title contenders, but face a tough test of their credentials away to the best-placed of the promoted clubs. Nantes lie a creditable 12th after taking 14 points from their last seven matches, and losing only once during that time.

The question: Will Paris Saint-Germain's title challenge falter against  Nantes?
The big game: Marseille-Bordeaux, Sunday 8 February, 21.00, Stade Velodrome
The quote: "I'm preparing for the match just like I would for any other, although it’s obviously a special occasion for me personally." Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, formerly of Nice

Elsewhere
The Swiss Super League emerges from its winter break this weekend. Sunday includes the Zurich derby between fourth-placed Grasshoppers and leaders FC Zurich. In Berne, third meet second when Young Boys host champions and cup holders Basel.

Matchday 21 in the Greece Super League also features a third-versus-second duel, when Panathinaikos host PAOK Saloniki. Meantime leaders Olympiacos travel to struggling promoted outfit Panserraikos.


Predictor
Roma-Genoa, Tottenham Hotspur-Arsenal and Porto-Benfica are among the matches on the FIFA World Leagues Predictor's Round 22 menu. If you haven't already, be sure to sign up and take a shot at winning this weekend's prize.