Though much of world football's attention will be centred on the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 this Sunday, there is also plenty of league action to look forward to this weekend. A new champion will be crowned in Colombia, while in Brazil, Ghana, Japan and the USA there are crucial fixtures in the respective title races. As ever, FIFA.com previews the pick of the action around the globe.

Brasileirao: A classic awaits
Leaders Atletico Mineiro will be hoping to extend their unbeaten start to the season when they visit Barueri, surprisingly up to seventh in the table. Three points off the pace in second, Internacional will be aiming to make up ground at home to the inconsistent Coritiba after a heavy defeat last time out. Also vying for attention this weekend will be Ricardo Gomes's coaching debut with Sao Paulo, who welcome Nautico, and the Paulista derby between Palmeiras and Santos.

The big game: Once again, the classic confrontation of Fluminense and Flamengo will take centre stage in Rio de Janeiro. Fla start as firm favourites after putting four past Internacional last weekend, while Flu have only taken five points from the last 15 on offer.
Player to watch: After his hat-trick against Inter at the Maracana, can Adriano produce more of the same against Fluminense in the Carioca classic?

American Major League Soccer: The morning after
With the USA national team contesting the FIFA Confederations Cup final on Sunday following their defeat of Spain in the semis, only four MLS fixtures go ahead this weekend. The most significant in terms of the title race will be that of Western Conference pacesetters Houston Dynamo and Los Angeles Galaxy, who desperately need three points to try to bridge what is already a 13-point gap to the leaders. Elsewhere, Toronto visit Real Salt Lake with the added incentive of knowing that a win would put them in pole position in the Eastern section.

The big game: Seattle is the setting for what should be a fiercely competitive game as the Sounders, third in the West, host fourth-placed Colorado Rapids, who have now gone eight games unbeaten. The pair crossed swords a month ago in Colorado and shared the spoils after a 2-2 draw.
Player to watch: With four goals in his last three outings, Omar Cummings has become the Rapids' most potent attacking threat. Can he continue his rich vein of form against Seattle?

Japanese J.League: Top vs. bottom
Already with a seven-point advantage over the closest pursuers, Kashima Antlers will not expect to cede ground away to Oita Trinita, who have lost their last 11. Among the chasing back, Albirex Niigata look to have the trickiest tie on paper, with the visit of ninth-placed Nagoya Grampus. For their part, Urawa Red Diamonds and Kawasaki Frontale, third and fourth respectively, should have less trouble keeping pace with the leaders, with the former welcoming Vissel Kobe and the latter visiting Montedio Yamagata.

The big game: Gamba Osaka travel to Yokohama F Marinos this Sunday with one overriding objective: to end a run of three league games without scoring, their worst goal drought since 1996.
Player to watch: Without the services of goalscorers Juninho and Chong Tese, Kawasaki Frontale have discovered an able deputy in Renatinho. The 22-year-old front-man has seized on his opportunity and is now looking to make a first-team place his own.

Ghanaian Premier League: Game on!
With just five matchdays remaining, the poor recent form of leaders Hearts of Oak has opened the door once again to the chasing pack. To complicate matters further, the frontrunners have a testing tie to contend with this Sunday with the visit of All Stars, fifth and nine points back. There is also the threat posed by defending champions Asante Kotoko, second and just four points behind, who travel to bottom side Saint Mirren. Hoping to capitalise on any slip-ups by the top two will be King Faisal Babes and Heart of Lions, four and five points off the pace respectively.

The big game: Hearts of Oak's recent travails must now be a major cause for concern for their fans. Without a win in five, what a short while ago looked to be a stroll to the title now looks far from certain. Can they rediscover their A-game in time?
Player to watch: With 13 goals in 25 games, Alex Asamoah has become Asante Kotoko's key weapon in their bid for a 22nd league title.

Elsewhere
This Sunday will see a new champion crowned in Colombia with the second leg of the Apertura final, where Once Caldas will be defending a 2-1 lead away to Junior. The Manizales outfit will be going for their third league title in Barranquilla, while their hosts have high hopes of making it championship number six.

Meanwhile in China PR, the top two, separated only by goal difference, both face testing away assignments this weekend: Beijing Guo'an take on seventh-placed Guangzhou Yiyao, while Shandong Luneng square off with Changsha Ginde.