Just days after Brazil was granted the right to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, a huge crowd is expected at one of its most iconic venues, the Mineirao, for the forthcoming round's standout fixture in the Brasileiro. And while a place in next year's Copa Libertadores is the incentive for victory in Belo Horizonte following Sao Paulo's seizure of the trophy in midweek, the Apertura title is very much up for grabs in Argentina, where four of the leading contenders will square off on Sunday.

In USA, three teams will join Chicago Fire in the last four of the Major League Soccer play-offs on a weekend when the first leg of the Korean K-League final will take place. The pacesetters are out to consolidate their positions at the top in the Kuwaiti and South African top flights, while over in Mozambique, Costa do Sol are on the verge of being crowned. FIFA.com looks ahead to a busy schedule outside of Europe.

Argentinian Apertura: Decisive duels at the summit
When the Apertura got underway in August, few envisaged Lanus and Tigre being in title contention going into the final five rounds. Football, as they say, is a funny old game and in a campaign that has been awash with surprises, the most conspicuous is their respective positions of third and first in the standings. On Sunday, Lanus will be out to strengthen their footing at the summit, although victory over the current pacesetters would elevate Tigre above them in the race for gold.

Two other contenders are also set to clash: River Plate, five points off the pace in sixth, and second-placed Independiente, who could finish the weekend at the head of the division.

The question: Estudiantes coach Diego Simeone boasts two wins from two games in the La Plata derby, including a 7-0 defeat of Gimnasia last year. Can he extend this impressive record by guiding his side to victory in the 147th running of the C lasico?
Player to watch: Much to the distaste of the Independiente fans, Daniel Montenegro swapped their jersey for a River Plate one back in 2003. Now back in the all-red, the in-form No10 will restore another chunk of his popularity if he inspires a defeat of Los Millonarios.

Brazilian Championship: Battles at both ends
Sao Paulo secured their fifth league crown in midweek but there is still plenty to play for at both ends of the Brasileiro. For the third home game in succession, over 70,000 watched Flamengo win in the Maracana on Wednesday, yet it is on away ground that they must strive to consolidate their position in the Copa Libertadores places. Perched in third going into the last four rounds, with the top four qualifying for the continental showpiece, the Mengão will confront fifth-placed Cruzeiro.

Four teams will drop into Serie B at the season's end, and third-bottom Parana will view Saturday's visit of Goias as a must-win contest. Victory would take the Tricolor da Vila level on points with their opponents, who occupy the final berth in the safety zone.

The question: Gremio lost to Boca Juniors the final of this year's Copa Libertadores. Eager to earn another tilt at South American football's biggest prize in 2008, can the sixth-placed Tricolor Gaúcho, one point off the qualification places, see off Figueirense and improve their chances of realising this goal?
Player to watch: After an eight-week injury layoff, the tirelessly-influential Edmundo is likely to play a part for fourth-placed Palmeiras as they face Sport away.

American Major League Soccer: Six to become three
Chigaco Fire edged DC United to become the first side to reach the last four, and they will be joined by a trio of teams over the next two days. Following the elimination of the regular season's Eastern Conference champions, their Western Conference counterparts Chivas USA will be keen to avoid a similar fate, although they must reverse a 1-0 first leg defeat by Kansas City Wizards in order to advance.

Following a goalless draw at the Giants Stadium, New England Revolution will take home advantage into the deciding leg of their tie with New York Red Bulls.

The question: Houston Dynamo may trail FC Dallas by a goal, but they were behind at the same stage last season before recovering to progress. Can the reigning champions repeat the trick in front of their own fans?
Players to watch: The Gillette Stadium stage is set for hero. Revs duo Steve Ralston and Taylor Twellman, along with the Red Bulls' Claudio Reyna and Juan Pablo Angel, are the leading candidates.

Kuwaiti Premier League: Kazma out to retain control
Just two points separate the three frontrunners after six rounds of the Premier League and given the rich veins of form Saeed Al-kharazi and Fahad Al-hamad are in, Kazma will be confident of sending Al Arabi away empty-handed and remaining in command.

With runners-up Al Qadissiyah inactive over the weekend, Al Kuwait, who have played a game less than the top two, will be out to give their push for a third consecutive league title a boost when they host Al Tadamon. The guests must endeavour to nullify Zied Jaziri, scorer of Tunisia's opening goal at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, whose double handed Kazma their first defeat of the campaign one week ago.

The question: Following four losses from four outings, can Al Nasr finally taste victory against Jahra and join their opponents on points in the process?
Player to watch: Four strikes in two games from Faraj Laheeb have thrust Al Salmiya into fourth, four points behind Kazma, and basement side Al Sahel will do well to keep him off the score-sheet on Friday evening.

South African Premier Soccer League: Ajax on a roll
Ajax Cape Town raced three points clear at the top of the PSL table thanks to a 5-2 reverse of Bidvest Wits on Wednesday. It is a case of another round, another top-of-the-table clash for the Urban Warriors, though, as they prepare to engage in battle with third-placed Free State Stars on Sunday.

Following a home loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in midweek, runners-up Bloemfontein Celtic will look to regain momentum when Golden Arrows pay them a visit, while fourth-placed Amazulu will make the trip to struggling Supersport United.

Question: Two wins on the bounce have moved defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns up to 11th. Can the Brazilians make it maximum points from three games at home to Orlando Pirates to move further up the ladder?
Player to watch: Thembinkosi Fanteni will join Israeli giants Maccabi Haifa in January, but first the Bafana Bafana front-runner wants to leave Ajax in a strong position to claim their first league title.

Pohang eye another upset
Sixteen points and four places split them at the end of the Korean K-League's regular season standings, but Pohang Steelers will go into the first leg of the playoff final against Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma high on confidence after undoing a formidable Suwon Samsung Bluewings side in their semi-final on Wednesday. Brazilian ace Tavares has been the chief architect of their recent run and the Steelers will be hoping he can help them gain an advantage to take to the home of the record seven-time champions next weekend.

Canarinhos poised to complete nonet
Record eight-time champions Costa do Sol are on the cusp of returning to the top of the Mozambican Mocambola podium for the first time in six years. Victory over capital rivals Liga Muculmana, whom they beat 1-0 away earlier in the season, would secure them this distinction with two games to spare. Even if the Canarinhos are upset at home, Desportivo Maputo, eight points back in second, would need to overcome fourth-paced Maxaquene, the team that set Eusebio on the road to eminence, to keep the title race alive.

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