Erik ten Hag’s Ajax trophy chance, La Liga title on the line and 5 huge games to watch around Europe

The Premier League and FA Cup semi-finals mean there’s plenty of big action to come in England this weekend, but looking further afield there are some massive games which could prove decisive for the 2021/22 season.

In the Bundesliga and Portugal’s top flight, Champions League spots are at a premium and up for grabs with a big result this weekend, while in Spain it’s the title race itself which comes under the spotlight. Manchester United fans will have an eye on a different giant of European football this weekend, with silverware on the line in Rotterdam.

Here are the five huge clashes to tune in for around the continent this weekend.

Dutch football first and the biggest modern rivalry - and a game of particular probable interest to Man United supporters.

Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is widely expected to take over as the Red Devils’ new head coach at the end of the campaign, but before that he’s trying to win the domestic double with his current side.

Having won the Dutch Cup final last year, Ten Hag is technically looking for a third straight success in the competition, as the final wasn’t played in 2020. PSV haven’t won the cup in a decade and are four points behind Ajax in the Eredivisie, while their boss Roger Schmidt is himself set for a switch to Benfica.

In Germany, just one point separates Leverkusen and Leipzig, third and fourth respectively as the Bundesliga’s Champions League fight heats up.

It’s looking increasingly like two from three now with Freiburg the other side in the running - so victory here is of paramount importance for both this year’s ambitions and next year’s finances. Europa semi-finalists Leipzig have been mostly free-scoring domestically and have the second-best defensive record in the league,