Monaco princes primed to snatch PSG's crown
Owned by billionaire Russian businessman Dmitry Rybolovlev, Monaco have banked on recruiting the cream of French youth whilst their Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim has unleashed Europe's highest scorers on the pitch.
They have also earned a fortune selling on the likes of James Rodriguez, Anthony Martial and others to balance the books at a visibly burgeoning club.
The latest starlet to emerge at Monaco is 18-year-old striker Kylian Mbappe, who will be firmly in the spotlight at Lyon's Stade Olympique this weekend.
Chelsea are among Europe's big guns reportedly chasing him and their star striker Diego Costa last week called Mbappe "a phenomenon".
Underlining his fast-growing reputation, Barcelona's Gerard Pique picked out the youngster at half time of the France v Spain game on Tuesday, asking Mbappe for his shirt.
Striker Radamel Falcao is also back on form, helping Monaco plunder 87 goals so far in the French league, which they lead with eight games to go and face Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-finals.
In contrast to the surging confidence in Monaco, in Paris there is a feeling that Unai Emery will be shown the door in the summer after only a year in charge at PSG following the Champions League meltdown at Barcelona.
READ MORE: Revived Leicester face make or break month
Five things to look out for in La Liga
AFP Sports looks at five things to watch out for this weekend.
Action-packed April
There is a La Liga fixture on 24 of the 30 days of April and a Spanish team will be in action every single day once Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Celta Vigo's European quarter-finals are included.
Many of those clashes come against one another in the coming weeks as both Barca and Atletico visit Real's Santiago Bernabeu.
It is vital all three make the most of seemingly gentle fixtures to bed them back into action after the international break.
Barca and Atletico travel to struggling Granada and Malaga respectively, whilst Real defend the best home record in La Liga against 10th-placed Alaves.
Messi banned again
Lionel Messi will have to endure an unwanted familiar feeling as he misses Barca's clash with Granada due to suspension.
His four-game ban for insulting an assistant referee meant he wasn't drained by playing in the high altitude of La Paz in midweek as Argentina's faltering World Cup qualifying campaign hit new lows in a 2-0 defeat to Bolivia.
In his absence, Barca will expect Neymar's sensational form to continue after he struck in both Brazil's wins in the past week to ensure the five-time world champions became the first side to qualify for Russia 2018.
READ MORE: Pochettino warns Spurs to fear Burnley threat
Revived Leicester face make or break month
Eight games are ahead in a busy period for Craig Shakespeare's rejuvenated side, who continue to combine their fight against Premier League relegation with a quest for further surprises in the Champions League.
Stoke's visit to the King Power Stadium is followed by another key home game against Sunderland on Tuesday, with the Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid also looming.
And Leicester winger Marc Albrighton believes his team, six points above the relegation zone, will enter the momentous period in good shape after the international break.
"The lads were ready for a break and we know we've got a lot of games this coming month that are going to be massively important to how our season shapes up," said Albrighton.
"I think the break going into that is fantastic and it'll allow all the lads to be ready.
"It's going to shape our season and the sooner we can secure our safety the better. It's our main focus, especially this coming week.
"We've got two home games and it could go a long way in making sure we're safe, but also it could go the other way if we don't get the results we want."
READ MORE: Pochettino warns Spurs to fear Burnley threat
Pochettino warns Spurs to fear Burnley threat
Pochettino's side have won their last four matches and still have an outside chance of winning the Premier League as they try to close the 10-point gap on leaders Chelsea.
Although Tottenham are riding high in second place, 27 points ahead of mid-table Burnley, Pochettino is expecting a physical battle against opponents who have lost just three home league matches all season.
"Burnley will be tough. They are doing very well at home," Pochettino said.
"We know very well we need to fight from the first moment. They are very physically, very aggressive. We have to give our best and be ready to fight."
Harry Kane has made a quicker than expected return to training from an ankle injury but the Tottenham striker will not be ready for this weekend, with Pochettino keen not to put a timescale on his return.
The prognosis on Kane's team-mate Danny Rose is less certain.
"Danny Rose will be seeing a specialist this afternoon and then we will see," said Pochettino. "He's a bit behind Harry Kane but we are positive too.
"Harry is doing well. He returned a few days ago to work on the pitch. We are very positive but we will see when he is available.
"Of course he will be available before the end of the season."
Tottenham will also assess Vincent Janssen (chest infection), while Erik Lamela has been ruled out for the season with a hip problem.
READ MORE: Only one London team worth playing for says Wenger
Man United star reaps rewards of United's patience
The United playmaker made just one substitute appearance in two and a half months earlier this season as he struggled for fitness and form following his arrival from Borussia Dortmund.
But, as the Armenian prepared for United's home game with West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, the 28-year-old claimed he was never concerned about his place in Jose Mourinho's plans.
"Our life is worthless without difficulties," Mkhitaryan said. "Every person must be able to handle difficulties and the same concerns me.
"But it was not difficult for me to overcome these difficulties as I knew that sooner or later I would get my chance and I would use that.
"Yes, there are cases when a person faces much tougher problems, but he or she must be ready to face them. I just waited for my chance. I worked and I worked hard, waiting for my chance, got it and used that."
Since being replaced at half time of his first league start, against Manchester City in September, Mkhitaryan has emerged as an increasingly influential figure in a United team that has won the League Cup and is still hunting success in the Europa and Premier Leagues.
And, having scored in Armenia's World Cup qualifying win over Kazakhstan at the weekend, he could return to the starting line-up for the visit of West Brom, having been on the bench for United's last outing, a 3-1 win at Middlesbrough two weeks ago.
READ MORE: Only one London team worth playing for says Wenger
Only one London team worth playing for says Wenger
Sanchez is yet to sign a new deal with the Gunners amid suggestions he had demanded a transfer following a heated row with Wenger earlier this season.
The Chile forward told South American media this week that he is happy in London and keen to see out his Arsenal contract, which expires next year.
But, in the same interviews, Sanchez said he wants to play in a team with a "winning mentality", sparking speculation he covets a move across London to Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Despite Arsenal currently languishing 19 points behind Chelsea, Gunners boss Wenger doesn't believe his star wants to leave the Emirates Stadium because he already plays for the capital's biggest club.
Asked how he interpreted what Sanchez had said, Wenger replied: "In a very positive way. There's only one team in London, so he is happy.
"It's true we have not extended his contract yet but I hope he will stay at the club.
"I think you have to be cautious when people give interviews in their home countries because the interpretation is not always exactly what they wanted to say"
READ MORE: Bundesliga’s rising stars collide in Ruhr derby
Bundesliga's rising stars collide in Ruhr derby
Both Dortmund and Schalke will be heavily stacked with the German league's top young talent at Gelsenkirchen's Veltins Arena.
"In the category of 18-22 year olds, we are at the front in Europe," boasted Borussia's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.
Under coach Thomas Tuchel, Dortmund are nurturing the likes of Germany's 21-year-old defensive midfielder Julian Weigl.
Teenager forwards Dembele, 19, and Pulisic, still just 18, have attracted interest from Europe's top clubs.
"Age doesn't play a role as far as our trainer is concerned," said Dembele.
"It comes down to ambition, commitment and a fighting spirit," is how Schalke's captain, World Cup winner Benedikt Hoewedes, sums up the clash.
Such is his desire to help Schalke that Hoewedes, 29, has delayed surgery on a groin injury until June.
Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the league's top scorer with 23 goals this season, loves scoring in the derby and has netted in four of the five games he has started against Schalke.