Before planet football turns it focus back to the race for places at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, there are plenty of appetising league fixtures to look forward to this weekend. FIFA.com previews the pick of the action outside Europe.

Argentinian Apertura: Tense at the top
Leaders Estudiantes, who will be representing the region at the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2009, face a stern test from an unbeaten Argentinos Juniors side that have won their last three games. Other notable fixtures include Colon-Banfield, Independiente-Tigre and a Buenos Aires derby between struggling River Plate and San Lorenzo.

Big game: Having dumped Boca Juniors out of the Copa Sudamericana last month, Clausura champions Velez Sarsfield cross swords with the struggling Xeneizes again this weekend. Can Boca exact some revenge with a home win, or will the party carry on for second-placed Velez?
Player to watch: Dubbed El Domonio, Gabriel Hauche of Argentino Juniors netted his first Premier Division hat-trick last week against Godoy Cruz. With his name already on the lips of international coach Diego Maradona, Hauche will be looking to impress against the leaders.

Brasileirao: Comfortable trips for frontrunners
The leadings sides will be expecting maximum points this weekend as they travel to clubs languishing in the nether regions. The exception is Sao Paulo, who stole a march with their midweek win over Nautico, heaping pressure on Palmeiras as they look to defend their two-point lead away to Santos. Fellow challengers Goias and Internacional visit Botafogo and Cortiba respectively.

Big game: The mythical Maracana stadium is the setting as Flamengo and Fluminense renew their rivalry. Fla lie eighth, 12 points behind Palmeiras, while Flu currently prop up the table and face the real prospect of relegation.
Player to watch: Though not in peak form at present, Santos's top scorer Kleber Pereira can expect plenty of attention from the Palmeiras defence this weekend. "Barren spells can end in a split second and, as we don't want it happening against us, we'll be keeping very close tabs on him. We've got to stop him shooting as he's very dangerous and could make the difference," said Palmeiras's Marcão.

Mexican Apertura: Game on at both ends
One of the most eagerly-awaited fixtures this matchday is the battle between relegation-threatened duo Indios Juarez and Queretaro. Meanwhile, Monterrey, one of the most impressive sides so far this season, square off against a Guadalajara outfit still unbeaten under new coach Raul Arias. Elsewhere, two of the biggest spenders pre-season, Tigres and Cruz Azul, square off in Mexico City, with the former hoping to improve on a mediocre campaign thus far.

Big game: Champions Pachuca welcome a resurgent America in what should be the tie of the weekend. The visitors carry an eight-game unbeaten run into this game. Can they make it nine on Saturday?
Player to watch: The experienced Pavel Pardo has been at the heart of America's resurgence and is fighting for a place in Javier Aguirre's national team squad. With next week's FIFA World Cup qualifiers looming large, what better time to impress the Tricolor coach?

Elsewhere
In the South African Premiership, leaders Orlando Pirates put top spot on the line when they take on Free State Stars, while Ajax Cape Town and Supersport United visit Kaizer Chiefs and Lamontville Golden Arrows respectively. Will we have a new leader come Monday morning?

The big guns have yet to get going in the Nigerian Premier League, where Enyimba, Kano Pillars and reigning champions Bayelsa United all go in search of their first wins this week. Enyimba take on Shooting Stars on Sunday, while next Wednesday Kano Pillars and Bayelsa go up against Zamfara United and Gombe United respectively.

Lastly, American Major League Soccer promises more drama as the race for the play-offs continues. New England Revolution and Colorado Rapids, both third in their respective conferences, go head to head with a win crucial to both teams' prospects of making the end-of-season showdown. Defending champions Columbus Crew, already sure of their play-off berth, host Seattle Sounders.