Will Harry Kane's Bayern Munich and Jude Bellingham's Real Madrid be upset by the underdogs this weekend?
The leagues in Germany and Spain have produced unlikely title contenders this season and Saturday could prove to be a pivotal day as the underdogs take on the traditional powerhouses.
In the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen are top of the table and host Bayern Munich (17:30 GMT), who are second and two points behind Xabi Alonso's side.
In La Liga, Girona travel to Real Madrid (17:30 GMT) knowing a victory would take them above Carlo Ancelotti's side and into first place.
BBC Sport takes a close look at the two fixtures that may prove hugely significant in who ultimately wins the league titles.
When Harry Kane moved from Tottenham to Bayern in August, it seemed like the end of his long wait for a trophy was a foregone conclusion.
The German giants have won the Bundesliga every season since missing out in 2011-12, but in Kane's first campaign their hopes of continuing that run are coming under real threat from Leverkusen.
Alonso's side are top with an incredible 52 points from a possible 60, form that has seen their head coach linked with Liverpool.
Bayern are just behind on 50 and this is the first time in Bundesliga history that two teams have collected 50 points after 20 matches.
As top-of-the-table games go, it doesn't get much bigger, with Bayern having to travel to the BayArena knowing a victory would put them top of the table, but defeat would leave them five adrift.
Bayern were pushed all the way last season as well, with Borussia Dortmund only missing out on the title on the final day of the season.
This video can not be played
'To win the Bundesliga is unthinkable' – Leverkusen make history by winning title
German football journalist Raphael Honigstein said on the BBC Football Daily Euro Leagues podcast: "What is different this year compared to recent years – where Bayern have looked vulnerable and other teams look like they might make it – it was because Bayern were having a poor season, but this year Bayern are having a great season.
"They have 50 points, Leverkusen have 52 from 60. It is unbelievable consistency.
"It is not a case of Bayern being weak and another team being good. Bayern are decent and another team is playing on a level that seems almost unsustainable."
The big factor in Bayern Munich's favour is Kane.
Harry Kane's 24 Bundesliga goals have come in 20 games this season
The England captain has had a brilliant first season in Germany and is the league's top scorer with 24 goals.
Despite that impressive record, Kane is determined to be even better in the second half of the campaign.
He told BBC Sport: "We have a big game coming up this week of course against Leverkusen and we have plenty more important matches to go this year, so I'm hoping I can even improve from the first half of the season, I always try and get better.
"I'm at Bayern Munich who have won the league for the last 11 years so there's an expectation to win that league this year.
"Of course Leverkusen have started amazingly well and still undefeated so it's a really important game this weekend which I'm excited for."
Harry Kane interview: Bayern striker on goals, trophy hunt and mental resilience
Leverkusen head into the game on the back of a 30-game unbeaten run in all competitions, while Bayern have won 12 of their last 14 Bundesliga games, losing two games during that run.
"I think Bayern will come good because they can still play better and they have Harry Kane and I think that combination will prove too much," Honigstein added.
"But of course if Leverkusen use their momentum and beat Bayern on Saturday then all the drama and stories that will come out of Munich after that game, then they have a chance."
La Liga is often a tussle between Real Madrid and Barcelona, but this season Girona have muscled into the mix.
Despite only playing in their fourth top-flight campaign, Girona have upset the traditional order and have showed no signs of falling away.
They have lost just one game out of 23 in La Liga, with their all-out attack approach paying dividends. They have scored 52 goals this season – more than any other side in the league.
Their one defeat, however, did come against Real Madrid, underlining the size of the task that awaits them when they travel to the capital.
"It is amazing what has happened," Spanish football expert Guillem Balague said on the BBC Football Daily Euro Leagues podcast.
"Real are favourites on Saturday and a victory for them could kill the league.
"But for Girona the target is really the Champions League. So whatever happens to Girona it will never be considered a failure, even if they don't win the league.
"Have they got a chance? Of course they have a chance. They have some key players missing but it is an unexpected story and one we are having a lot of fun with."
Girona have hit a league-high 52 goals in 23 games this season
Real Madrid, of course, have England midfielder Jude Bellingham in their ranks, but they go into this game with a defensive headache – not ideal against La Liga's top scorers.
Nacho is likely to miss out with a muscle issue while Antonio Rudiger has a knee injury. David Alaba and Eder Militao are also still sidelined.
Despite that, Real boss Ancelotti is unconcerned and sees Saturday's game as a chance to lay down a significant marker in the title race.
"We are leaders and we have another chance to make a statement win," Ancelotti said.
England v Pakistan – first one-day international
Premier League Darts finals night: Littler beats Smith 10-5 to reach final
Paqueta accused of betting market yellow cards
The incredible story of a wartime escapologist
There was almost no level of security that could keep Raymond Gurême captive for long
Ready to rock through time with the Doctor and Ruby?
Everywhere they go, they find adventure, terror, fun, joy and monsters
What would Gyles Brandreth banish to Room 101?
He shares his pet hates and worst nightmares with Paul Merton
Jaws will drop and spines will tingle
Watch the ninth and final series of Bafta award-winning Inside No. 9
The best Premier League dynasties – who was the greatest?
Meet the man who once beat Oleksandr Usyk
What will Liverpool's 'Scottish Rooney' bring to Euros squad?
'Skinny kid' Bolding close to Olympic rowing dream
Ruthless Southgate picks squad grounded on brutal reality
Phil McNulty's end-of-season Premier League report
Does Newey guarantee success and should Red Bull replace Perez? – F1 Q&A
'The Valhalla nail-biter that had everything'
Ian Wright's emotional Match of the Day montage. Video
WSL title perfect end to Hayes' unique story
Usyk's epic victory over Fury in 10 pictures
Black, white and shades of grey – what's behind sprint's race divide?
© 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
Chief Editor
As the Editor-In-Chief at Fridayposts, my commitment is to make valuable, insightful and useful articles and latest news contents available to our highly esteemed readers and subscribers.
Add A Comment