Top matches to keep an eye on as club football returns after international break

By Arturo Zapote-Lora | PR Football

From Manchester City and Arsenal in the Premier League, to AC Milan and Napoli in the Serie A, to a clash of giants in the Champions League, several marquee clashes highlight the return of club football across Europe.

Manchester City vs. Arsenal (Sunday, April 19)

via Getty Images

As the title race continues to heat up in the Premier League, Arsenal are nine points clear of Manchester City (while City still have a game in hand.) Since the start of the year, many have anticipated the matchup between the two English giants to be the decider of the Premier League title.

 These two sides have met recently at Wembley Stadium in London for the Carabao Cup final. City managed to best Arsenal in a 2-0 win which crowned City champions. Now the attention is turned to the Premier League, as City will host Arsenal on April 19 at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.

Tottenham vs. Sunderland (Sunday, April 12)

via Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Since the start of the new year, Tottenham have been on the receiving end of poor results in the Premier League. Only earning five out of a possible 39 points, Tottenham are only one point clear of the relegation zone.

However, during the international break, Tottenham replaced interim manager Igor Tudor with Roberto De Zerbi. A pick favored by Tottenham fans, De Zerbi has signed a five-year deal with no relegation clause.

Traveling to the Stadium of Light on April 12, De Zerbi will make his debut in a turn-around match for Tottenham against Sunderland.

AC Milan vs. Napoli (Monday, April 6)

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In the Serie A, the race for both the Scudetto and Champions League qualification is entering its final stages. AC Milan are second with 63 points, six points behind league leaders Inter Milan. Napoli sit just one point behind Milan with 62 points.

While both sit comfortably in Champions League spots (fourth place Como sits with 57 points), this match could decide who will win the league.

If AC Milan claim three points, they’ll only be three points behind Inter Milan. If Napoli take the spoils, they will be four points behind Inter Milan. However, if all ends square at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Inter have the chance to go eight points clear of Milan.

Both Napoli and Milan are in good form and prepared for the clash. The match will take place on April 6.

Real Madrid vs. Bayern München (Tuesday, April 7 & Wednesday, April 15)

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Another Champions League classic is soon to take place. Real Madrid cruised their way to quarter-finals after beating Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate. Madrid have found themselves drawn against German giants Bayern München.

Bayern, in excellent form, disposed of Atalanta 10-2 on aggregate to have them face Madrid once again in the Champions League.

This will be their seventh meeting in the last 10 years, with Los Blancos leading the head-to-head record 4-2 with two draws.

While Bayern are in great shape, Madrid look to continue their strong run in the Champions League by trying to beat a team favored to win the competition. The first leg of the quarter-final takes place on Tuesday, April 6, with the second leg taking place on Wednesday, April 15.

PSG vs. Liverpool (Wednesday, April 8 & Tuesday, April 14)

via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Meeting for the second time in a row, PSG will take on Liverpool in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Rewinding to last season, Liverpool took the win at the Parc des Princes 1-0 after an excellent display from both teams. In the reverse fixture, PSG finished the game 1-0 at Anfield, to which they advanced on penalties 4-1.

Both sides will look to recreate that same intensity this season. PSG have had good form in Ligue 1 and in the Champions League, beating Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate to advance.

Liverpool have had a poor run of form in the Premier League. But maintained great form in their recent Champions League match against Galatasaray, defeating the Turkish side 5-1 on aggregate.

Liverpool will look to finally get the better of PSG and advance to the semi-finals. For PSG, however, they will try to defend their title as European champions against the English giants.

With the season entering its final stretch, crucial matches across Europe could decide relegation battles, title races and Champions League dreams as club football resumes following the international break.