Worth A Look

Here's four games that I'm sure Big Sam, now with time on his hands, will want to check out around Europe this weekend:

Saturday

Everton v. Manchester City, 10:00 a.m. ET

Resting in fourth place after the Christmas test, this is a chance for City to show they can win on the road. They've only managed this feat once in the past five games away from the City of Manchester stadium and they come up against a tough Everton squad. This will be a good litmus test for City and should give Sven-Goran Eriksson a good idea where he should spent his shady Thai cash this month.

For Everton, they were unfortunate to not come away from Chelsea in midweek with a draw in the Carling Cup and they'll be out for blood. I've seen a fair bit of Everton in the past month, and they look every bit the part of a team destined to return to the UEFA Cup again next season. Throughout the squad they have quality; with some luck they'll go a ways in Europe this season, providing more funds for Moyes to invest in the off-season. Watch for young Victor Anichebe to feature more now that Yakubu has left for the African Nations Cup.

Chelsea v. Tottenham, 10:00 a.m. ET

Of all the teams who should have been looking ahead to the African Nations Cup, Chelsea should have seen this January coming. No less than their two top strikers in Didier Drogba and Solomon Kalou along with all-World midfielder Michael Essien are now off for about six weeks at the competition.

Fortunately, the money pit that is Chelsea rolls on. Enter Nicholas Anelka for 15-million pounds to stave off a goal drought at Stamford Bridge. Anelka is about as proven a Premier League commodity as they come, so it's unlikely to be money wasted. And not a moment too late, for enter Tottenham.

The Spurs have played league leaders Arsenal very well twice in the past month as Juande Ramos is living up to the hype, lifting his team to 12th place in the table. Tottenham are less porous at the back while keeping the net bulging at the other end of the pitch. Dimitar Berbatov in particular has woken up from an early season malaise to show up on the score sheet with startling consistency. This will be a contest to test Chelsea's mettle and Spur's confidence in this new year of 2008.

Sunday

AC Milan v. Napoli, 2:30 p.m. ET

If only to see the debut of the young Brazilian Pato. Milan, as I have noted previously, are woeful. Pato should provide them with a shot in the arm, particularly if he is able to work well with his compatriot Kaka (who wouldn't, really?).

After starting well, Napoli have cooled off in the past couple months. They still sit five places ahead of Milan and can take comfort in Milan's poor home form this season.

Athletico Madrid v. Valencia, 3:00 p.m. ET

Valencia manager Ronald Koeman has ended fun time, dropping many of the under performing, overpaid whiners who have accomplished little or nothing so far this season. Santiago Canizares, David Albelda and Miguel Angel Angulo have been sat, while the Dutchman has brought in the young Argentine Ever Banega from Boca Juniors to start anew at the Mestalla.

Having seen Banega in the summer at the FIFA U-20 Championship, I have to say that he was at least as important to the Argentine side that won the tournament as was Sergio Aguero, who will line up for Athletico on Sunday. The transfer has yet to be completed, so there won't be a debut, but after a win against Betis in the Copa del Rey in midweek, it should be interesting to see how Koeman's new-look squad does in the volatile atmosphere that is the Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid.

Ligue 1

I've really tried to get into watching the French first division this year. Setanta broadcasts a couple games every Sunday, but when I sit down to watch, I often move on an look for some better way to spend my afternoon. So if anyone is wondering why I don't often mention Ligue 1, it's because it kinda sucks. Sorry France, but you've got a long way to go to hold my interest. Try getting some players I've heard of before, like England, Germany, Spain and Italy do. Even the Dutch league has more familiar faces, for me at least.