Nothing stirs the senses quite like a battle for top spot, so there will be plenty to look forward to this weekend in Argentina, Mexico, Japan and South Africa. As ever, FIFA.com is on hand to preview the pick of the action from some of the best leagues around the world.

Argentinian Clausura: tight at the top
Joint leaders Velez Sarsfield and Estudiantes de La Plata both face tough fixtures this weekend. The Velezanos welcome River Plate, now just a point off the pace after winning their suspended fixture against San Martin de San Juan, while the Pincharratas travel to Racing Club, who, despite currently propping up the table, always demand the utmost respect from their rivals.

The big game: Boca Juniors, unbeaten this campaign and also one point off the lead, welcome to the Bombonera a chastened Colon de Santa Fe side without a win in their last four outings.
Player to watch: The San Martin de San Juan striker Martin Bravo has netted in his last three games and is now second in the scoring charts with four strikes.

Mexican Clausura: Chivas out for more
As frontrunners in Group 3, leaders in the overall standings and the only side unbeaten this season in the Mexican league, Guadalajara will be hoping their fine form continues this Sunday, when they take on a tough Pachuca side on matchday 11. For their part, Santos Laguna and Jaguares, leaders of Groups 2 and 3 respectively, face ties of varying difficulty: Santos have an away-day assignment against last year's runners-up, UNAM Pumas, while the Group 3 leaders welcome the out-of-sorts Tigres to Chiapas.

The big game: San Luis, second in the overall Clausura standings, travel to Puebla, the side with the fifth-best defensive record.
Player to watch: Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa returns to the starting line-up with America after the disappointment of failing to qualify for the Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008 with the Mexico U-23 side.

Brazilian State Championships: leaders do battle inRio de Janeiro
The Rio Cup will be the focus of attention this Sunday, when Fluminense and Vasco da Gama, the unbeaten leaders of Group 1 and 2 respectively, cross swords at the Maracana. Watching proceedings carefully will be their immediate pursuers Flamengo, who face Cabofriense, and Botafogo, who welcome Macae.

The big game: Third-placed Vitoria could book their place in the Baiano Championship play-offs with an away win at leaders Victoria de Conquista, who have already secured qualification.
Player to watch: At 36, former Brazilian international Marcelinho Carioca is showing no signs or letting up. The former Corinthians idol, who currently plays in a withdrawn striker's role for Santo Andre, is just two goals shy of his 500th career goal.

South African Premiership: a new leader?
In one of Matchday 23's early games on Wednesday, leaders Ajax Cape Town could only manage a 1-1 draw with Silver Stars 1-1, their third match in succession without a win. This poor recent form could see them ousted from top spot this weekend by Supersport United, although the second-place side will not have it easy when they host Free State Stars, currently fourth in the table.

The big game: Kaizer Chiefs will be hoping for two wins on the bounce for the first time this season when they face an AmaZulu side unbeaten in their last three outings.
Player to watch: AmaZulu striker Siyabonga Mkhwanazi who, after a brace in his last game, has now scored seven in the league this season.

Japan's J.League: a battle at the summit
One of the standout fixtures on Matchday 3 in Japan sees defending champions Kashima Antlers take on Yokohama F. Marinos, two of the three sides still with a 100 per cent record in the league. The third of these, Oita Trinita, travel to Nagoya Grampus Eight, themselves also unbeaten but two points further back.

The big game: Will Urawa Red Diamonds pick up their first home points of the campaign against Niigata, the side they currently share last place with?
Player to watch: Ten years after his first division debut, Japanese striker Hideo Oshima of Yokohama Marinos will be hoping to continue his fine goalscoring form against Kashima Antlers.

Other leagues
Despite a five-way tie for the lead in Peru's Torneo Apertura, Matchday 8 has not thrown up any meetings between the pacesetters. Three of its fixtures, however, will pit the leaders against those within touching distance - Deportivo San Martin hosting Coronel Bolognesi, Sport Ancash visiting Sporting Cristal and Alianza Atletico travelling to FBC Melgar. The other two frontrunners, Cienciano and Universitario de Deportes, are away to Juan Aurich and at home to Atletico Minero respectively.

Finally, in New Zealand, leaders Waitakere United and Auckland City will be expected to pick up maximum points this weekend against Waikato FC and YoungHeart Manawatu respectively. Third-placed Team Wellington, three points further back but with a game in hand, will be aiming to keep the pressure on the front pair with maximum points from the visit of Canterbury United.