As the season approaches its climax, teams are already settling for their fate, while some have been made to realize it is not over until the curtain is drawn on all the competitions, including the continental ones as they play vital roles in UEFA coefficient.

This weekend, we have selected 10 fixtures from top-flight leagues that fans should watch out for, as they play decisive roles in the shape of the current standings and what the table will look like at the end of the season.

10 top-flight fixtures to watch out for

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace 

Liverpool hosts Crystal Palace at Anfield in the Premier League, hoping to avoid an unprecedented fourth seasonal defeat against the Eagles while Mohamed Salah hunts a historic scoring milestone.

The Saturday afternoon kickoff at Anfield will see Arne Slot's team battle to avoid a historic low against Crystal Palace, who have already triumphed in all three meetings this season, including a dominant Carabao Cup victory.

However, history favors the Reds. No opponent has ever beaten them four times in a single campaign, and as they aim for a third consecutive league win to maintain their resurgent late-season form, it is imperative to avoid what would be a historical upset.

Mohamed Salah remains the primary threat, having contributed fourteen goals in fourteen appearances against Palace, his goal in the win over Fulham is a much-needed boost after weeks of struggles that have defined what a disappointing season it has been.

A goal on Saturday would see him reach double figures against a ninth different Premier League opponent.

Meanwhile, Palace boasts one of the league’s most resilient defenses, keeping twelve clean sheets this term, only bettered by Arsenal and Manchester City. The visitors are currently unbeaten in four trips to Anfield, and will pose a significant threat to Liverpool’s European ambitions.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Crystal Palace 

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Tottenham Hotspur 

Tottenham Hotspur travels to already-relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, desperately needing their first Premier League victory of 2026 to escape the drop zone and avoid matching a 92-year-old winless record.  

The narratives of despair and desperation collide at Molineux as Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur meet in a fixture that could define Spurs' status in the top-flight as the season nears its end.

For the hosts, the pressure is off but the pride is on the line; after suffering 22 league defeats, Rob Edwards will be eager to avoid a third consecutive loss by 3+ goals, but there's no denying this clash could bring them joy.

The absence of Yerson Mosquera and potential loss of Angel Gomes leaves their midfield and defense vulnerable to a Spurs side that showed flashes of brilliance through Xavi Simons last weekend.

Roberto De Zerbi’s Lilywhites are under immense scrutiny, with their relegation probability rising to nearly 60% after the results of the last round. The return of James Maddison to the bench provides a psychological boost, though the squad remains depleted by injuries to key figures like Kulusevski and Romero. 

To win, Spurs must overcome a run of 15 games without a win in the Premier League and exploit a Wolves team that may struggle for motivation due to having nothing but pride left to play for.

Prediction: Wolves 1-2 Spurs 

Manchester United vs Brentford 

Manchester United aim to solidify their top-four standing at Old Trafford against a Brentford side defying preseason expectations in their late push for European qualification.

The Old Trafford landlord kicks off the Monday night clash nearly certain of Champions League football next season following a steady improvement under the watch of former midfielder Michael Carrick. 

The Red Devils secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Chelsea last weekend, thanks to a decisive first-half strike from Matheus Cunha, and that helped them pull further clear especially since it was a six-pointer. 

While defensive injury persists with Matthijs de Ligt and Patrick Dorgu sidelined, the return of Harry Maguire provides a timely boost to a backline seeking greater consistency, although Lisandro Martinez remains suspended.

Brentford arrives at Old Trafford as one of the season’s surprise packages, maintaining a genuine challenge for Europe despite significant player sales. Keith Andrews’ side is difficult to beat, recording five successive Premier League draws. 

Although key veterans like Jordan Henderson and Rico Henry remain unavailable, the Bees possess enough attacking threat to challenge a United side that recently stumbled at home against Leeds.

Prediction: Man United 2-1 Brentford

Real Betis vs Real Madrid 

Second-placed Real Madrid look to sustain their title pressure on Barcelona as they face a Real Betis side fighting for Champions League qualification.

Real Madrid heads to Seville seeking back-to-back league wins since the middle of March following a vital 2-1 victory over Alaves thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr in mid-week. 

Despite being nine points behind leaders Barcelona, Alvaro Arbeloa’s men will have to keep fighting what appears to be a lost battle, especially with the Clasico around the corner.

However, the squad is grappling with significant injuries, as Eder Militao and Arda Guler join long-term absentees Rodrygo and Thibaut Courtois on the sidelines, with neither expected to play any part in what is left of the season.

Real Betis, currently fifth, aims to solidify their European standing after a 3-2 win against Girona. Manuel Pellegrini’s side has been remarkably tough to beat at home, losing only three times at Estadio La Cartuja this season.

With the return of Brazilian star Antony from suspension, El Glorioso will be confident of repeating last season’s home success against the capital giants to strengthen their grip on fifth, while they keep their sights on fourth-place Atléti.

Prediction: Betis 1-2 Madrid 

Atlético Madrid vs Athletic Club 

Atletico Madrid aims to halt a disastrous four-match losing streak in La Liga while balancing the pressure of an upcoming Champions League semi-final against Arsenal in the wake of their Copa del Rey final loss.

Atletico Madrid enters Saturday’s clash at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in a state of crisis, having lost seven of their last eight matches across all competitions, an alarming run at the business end of the season.

Despite their horrific domestic form, Diego Simeone’s side remains fourth in the table, holding an eight-point cushion over fifth-place Real Betis, making their Champions League spot almost secured with six games to go.

With a Champions League semi-final looming, the Colchoneros desperately need a morale-boosting result to steady their faltering campaign, but recent injury news has not been helpful.

Athletic Bilbao arrives in the capital buoyed by a recent victory over Osasuna, keeping their European aspirations alive, but having won none of their last 14 league trips to Atléti, there is reason to worry.

Currently ninth and just three points shy of the top six, the Basque side eyes a rare season double over Atletico after sealing a late 1-0 win in the reverse fixture before the turn of the year.

While their away record has been lackluster, Ernesto Valverde’s men will look to exploit a distracted home side that has struggled for consistency since mid-March, and has other priorities in mid-week.

Prediction: Atleti 1-1 Bilbao

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Sociedad 

Rayo Vallecano looks to leverage home dominance against a Real Sociedad side buoyed by a recent Copa del Rey title win in a pivotal La Liga clash with European implications.

Rayo Vallecano enters Sunday’s fixture in 11th place, energized by a midweek victory over Espanyol, having enjoyed a transformative season under Manager Inigo Perez especially at the Estadio de Vallecas, where they've suffered just defeats this La Liga season. 

While lingering near the top half, the hosts remain distracted by an upcoming Conference League semi-final against Strasbourg. However, securing three points here could narrow the gap to the European spots.

Real Sociedad arrives as Copa del Rey champions but seeks to rectify their inconsistent league form following a loss to Getafe, which saw them continue to lose ground in the race for European qualification. 

Despite sitting eighth, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side faces defensive shortages with Duje Caleta-Car suspended and several starters injured, but history favors them against their host.

Nevertheless, Sociedad have won just one of their last six against Rayo, with the host emerging victorious in the reverse fixture thanks to Alfonso Espino's late goal off the bench back in October. 

Prediction: Rayo 1-1 Sociedad 

AC Milan vs Juventus

Champions League qualification is on the line as second-placed AC Milan look to halt a surging Juventus side at the San Siro this Sunday.

AC Milan head into the Matchday 34 classic under significant pressure, having managed only two wins in their last five league outings, including a 3-0 loss to Udinese last time in San Siro.

Despite sitting second in the table with 66 points, the Rossoneri's recent inconsistency has left them vulnerable, and a loss at the San Siro would not only damage their morale but also allow their Turin rivals to close the gap to zero points.

Juventus, conversely, arrives in Milan with formidable momentum, boasting four wins from their last five matches. Currently fourth with 63 points, the Bianconeri have displayed remarkable defensive discipline following their European exit.

Manager Luciano Spalletti's men have become experts at grinding out results, recently securing a vital win against Atalanta despite being far from their clinical best.

A Milan side that has picked up just 31 points from 16 home games in Serie A this season could be there for the taking, and a side that has scored just once in their last four visits to San Siro to face the Rossoneri may not have a better chance.

Prediction: Milan 1-1 Juve

Bologna vs AS Roma

Roma travel to the Stadio Dall’Ara seeking a vital win to keep their Champions League qualification hopes alive against a Bologna side struggling with poor home form and post-European fatigue.

Roma visit Bologna this Saturday for the fourth meeting between the sides this season, with Gian Piero Gasperini’s men desperate to close a five-point gap on fourth-placed Juventus that has left their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

Despite a recent draw against Atalanta and internal friction between Gasperini and director Claudio Ranieri, the Giallorossi remain motivated by a potential return to Europe’s top table. 

Bologna, meanwhile, appear to be drifting toward a mid-table finish following their recent Europa League exit and a stagnant domestic run, but a win this weekend would help their cause of a top seven finish.

Vincenzo Italiano’s side has uncharacteristically struggled at the Stadio Dall’Ara, losing six of their eight home league games since the turn of the year, a form that has seen them drop to 12th for home points in the Serie A this term.

Sidelined by injuries to key players like Federico Bernardeschi and Thijs Dallinga, the Rossoblu must find a second wind to avoid a league double at the hands of their capital rivals, who will again be boosted by the form of Donyell Malen.

Prediction: Bologna 2-2 Roma

Borussia Dortmund vs SC Freiburg 

With the title race done, Borussia Dortmund aim to halt a two-game skid and tighten their grip on second place as they host a fatigue-threatened, high-flying SC Freiburg side this Sunday.

Borussia Dortmund welcome SC Freiburg to the Signal Iduna Park for a crucial Matchday 31 encounter, with the hosts desperate to snap a rare losing streak that saw them inevitably lost the title race to Bayern Munich.

After back-to-back defeats against Leverkusen and Hoffenheim, Niko Kovač’s side has seen their lead over third-place RB Leipzig shrink to five points, and may kickoff against Saturday's visitors with just two points off third.

Despite a growing injury list that now includes Karim Adeyemi and Niklas Süle, BVB will rely on a dominant home record, having won 16 of their last 17 meetings against Freiburg in Dortmund, to restore morale.

SC Freiburg, conversely, arrive in the Ruhrpott in blistering form, having won six of their last seven across all competitions, including a historic run to the Europa League semi-finals.

However, Julian Schuster’s men face a grueling physical test following a heartbreaking, extra-time DFB-Pokal semi-final defeat on Thursday, although they'll find their host in a similar emotional status after Bayern was confirmed league winners.

While the Breisgau-Brasilianer are hunting for their first win at the Westfalenstadion since 2001, fatigue may also play a decisive factor against a fresher Dortmund side eager to secure Champions League safety.

Prediction: Dortmund 3-1 Freiburg 

Heidenheim vs St. Pauli

Bottom-placed Heidenheim face a win or perish clash against fellow strugglers St Pauli, where a defeat would officially confirm their relegation from the Bundesliga.

Heidenheim host St Pauli at the Voith-Arena this Saturday in a high-stakes relegation battle, where the math is simple for the hosts, as they must win to keep their survival hopes alive.

Trailing the playoff spot by seven points with only four games remaining, a defeat would mathematically seal their demotion to the 2.Bundesliga.

Despite a recent loss to Freiburg, Frank Schmidt’s side has shown grit, although they also need an improvement in results, and they will rely on Budu Zivzivadze to spark a miraculous escape.

St Pauli arrives in Hamburg-sized trouble of their own. Alexander Blessin’s men are winless in six matches and sit precariously in the relegation playoff spot, just two points above the automatic drop zone. 

While they beat Heidenheim 2-1 in December, their poor away record and the absence of key midfielder James Sands leave them vulnerable in the relegation six-pointer.

Prediction: Heidenheim 1-1 St. Pauli