The Manchester derby and the top table clash between Liverpool-Manchester City were enthralling contests played in early March. The fixtures only get exciting as the month goes on. More potential title deciders will be played in the Premier League while the last-16 second-leg matches of the Champions League are also to watch out for. The ties in Europe will be important to decide the competition's quarterfinals as well as qualification to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. A lot of stake is riding on these games.
We list down the football fixtures to watch in the rest of March 2024:
Barcelona vs Napoli (UEFA Champions League 2023/24 Round of 16 2nd Leg) - 13 March
Tied 1-1 in the first leg of the Round of 16 at Naples, Barcelona and Napoli meet again in the second leg at Montjuic in trying to outdo the other to progress into the competition. Not only do both teams face elimination from the Champions League this season if the second leg does not go their way but also fail to qualify for the new Club World Cup next year. The Catalan giants are carrying a five-game unbeaten run after a complicated start to 2024 while Napoli are also in a six-game undefeated streak, improving their form at the same time. Barcelona will want to make a first quarterfinal appearance since 2020 having progressed from 20 instances in this scenario. However, they have not won in their last four knockouts in the competition since beating Napoli who has been in the last four once only. One thing is for sure the ‘Maradona derby’ is going to be lit.
Atletico Madrid vs Inter (UEFA Champions League 2023/24 Round of 16 2nd Leg) - 14 March
Inter clinched a narrow 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in the first leg at San Siro and now travel to the Spanish capital knowing a draw will be enough to take them through to the quarterfinals of the Champions League. The Nerazzuri have a handsome lead in Serie A and will wish to add a memorable continental run to it, reaching the final against all odds last season. Carrying an emphatic 13-game winning run and losing just once in the season so far, the away side in this tie has every right to feel confident. Meanwhile, Diego Simeone’s team has been struggling recently managing just one win in the last five matches in all competitions. They lost to relegation-threatened Cadiz in their last La Liga fixture which will be a big concern for the side. Technically, both teams have made it to the group stages of the Club World Cup based on coefficient rankings but Atletico’s qualification will be put on hold if Barcelona progresses further into the competition.
Chelsea vs Arsenal (WSL 2023/24) - 16 March
When Arsenal beat Chelsea in the reverse fixture at the Emirates in December last year, they made a significant move in the 2023/24 WSL title race. It was their first victory in the league over their rivals since 2021 and only the second in 13 meetings in all competitions. The Gunners will have the chance now to move on top of the table if they secure another win in this fixture, this time at Stamford Bridge. Leaders Chelsea bounced back from their defeat to Manchester City with a 5-0 thumping of Leicester in the league followed by eliminating City from the FA WSL Cup semi-final and a 1-0 triumph over Everton in the FA Cup. Emma Hayes’s side leads the WSL still although only on goal difference, level on points with City and three points better than Arsenal. The Blues will have the chance to stretch the lead at the top with a win in the fixture they have not lost at home since 2018.
Manchester City vs Newcastle United (FA Cup 2023/24) - 16 March
The quarterfinals of the FA Cup 2023/24 have some intriguing ties to look at, one of them being holders Manchester City welcoming Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s team have made a dominating run in the competition, thrashing Huddersfield 5-0 in the third round and then overcoming Tottenham and Luton Town’s challenge to make it to the last eight. Whereas, Newcastle began their FA Cup journey with a 3-0 victory over Sunderland in round 3 before a 2-0 win over Fulham and a penalty shootout win over Blackburn Rovers took them to the quarterfinals. The Magpies have beaten City in the EFL Cup tie last year but the Premier League holders did the double over them in the league. With City maintaining a 21-game unbeaten run in all competitions with 18 of them being victories and Newcastle suffering just one loss since the 3-2 defeat at St James’ Park in this fixture, it is left to see the side coming on top in this one.
Manchester United vs Liverpool (FA Cup 2023/24) - 17 March
The other exciting tie in the FA Cup quarter finals is the North-West derby between Manchester United and Liverpool, the most decorated fixture of English football. While both sides sit at different ends of the table once again, the derby in a cup competition dismisses form and brings everyone in a level field. Although the league meeting ended scoreless, goals are expected in this one even if it is from a shoot-out to decide the outcome of the match. United made their way to this stage by beating Wigan 2-0 at Old Trafford, winning a 4-2 thriller at Newport County and finding a late winner in the 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. Liverpool’s road was less troublesome as they eliminated Arsenal, registered a 5-2 triumph over Norwich City and a resounding 3-0 win over Southampton, with a junior side, to reach the last eight. The Reds will keep their hope for a second domestic cup title in the last season under Jurgen Klopp alive while the Red Devils will want to spoil the party in the 19th meeting between the sides in the FA Cup.
Also check out Indian Football Fixtures to watch in March 2024
