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Soccer on TV: Leipzig-Bayern, PSG-Lille spotlight title races in Europe

There are big games this weekend at the top of Germany's Bundesliga and France's Ligue 1.

U.S. national team winger Tim Weah (left) has gotten more playing time recently for Lille, which is tied with Paris Saint-Germain for first place in France's Ligue 1.
U.S. national team winger Tim Weah (left) has gotten more playing time recently for Lille, which is tied with Paris Saint-Germain for first place in France's Ligue 1.Read moreMichel Spingler / AP

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Lille

Saturday, 11 a.m. (beIN Sports Connect)

Here’s the game of the season in France’s Ligue 1, as the teams tied atop the standings meet at the Parc des Princes. When they met in the French Cup on March 17, PSG delivered a 3-0 thumping. But the capital club is dealing with a big spate of injuries, including to Marco Verratti (who now also has COVID-19), Mauro Icardi and Moise Kean. At least Neymar seems to be back after missing the last few weeks because of an adductor muscle issue.

Torino vs. Juventus

Saturday, noon (ESPN+)

Juventus’ Weston McKennie, Paulo Dybala and Arthur will miss this Turin derby after being suspended and fined by the team because McKennie hosted a house party in violation of COVID-19 protocols.

RB Leipzig vs. Bayern Munich

Saturday, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+)

If there’s to be a Bundesliga title race this season, this is pretty well a must-win for Leipzig. First-place Bayern has a four-point lead, but will be without star striker Robert Lewandowski for up to four weeks because of a strained ligament in his right knee. If Tyler Adams and Leipzig win, buckle up. If not, Bayern will probably be on its way to the crown.

» READ MORE: Leon Flach joins the Union from Germany’s St. Pauli as more than just a young midfield prospect

Leicester City vs. Manchester City

Saturday, 12:30 p.m. (NBCSN, Telemundo)

Leicester can temporarily jump over Manchester United into second place in the Premier League with a win over Manchester City, whose lead atop the standings is 14 points. United will host lowly Brighton on Sunday (2:30 p.m., NBCSN, Universo).

Arsenal vs. Liverpool

Saturday, 3 p.m. (NBCSN, Telemundo)

This is a must-win for ninth-place Arsenal if it’s to stand any chance of getting up to the Europa League berth that comes with finishing fifth in the Premier League. Seventh-place Liverpool has a balancing act to consider: Go for this game and the standings points, or save its firepower for a midweek Champions League game against Real Madrid?

Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Sociedad

Saturday, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Two weeks before contesting this season’s Copa del Rey final, Bilbao plays last season’s final that was rescheduled because of the coronavirus pandemic. It’s the first time the Basque derby has been contested in the final. Bilbao has won the cup 23 times, the second most of any team, behind Barcelona. Sociedad has won it 10 times, but not since 1988.

» READ MORE: Union’s 2021 schedule includes seven games on national TV

Sevilla vs. Atlético Madrid

Sunday, 3 p.m. (beIN Sports, beIN Sports Español)

The game of the weekend in La Liga is a huge test for first-place Atlético. Its lead is four points over Barcelona. Sevilla is in fourth, and has the league’s second-stingiest defense with 21 goals allowed in 28 games. Atlético tops that ranking with just 18 allowed in 28 games.