Every Friday, starting this week, I will pick for you the best or most exciting games not to be missed in the world of football each weekend. From derbies to top of the table clashes, relegation six-pointers to world class players facing each other or other interesting tactical battles, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

This week, we take you to England, Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands for a final, big derbies, managers under pressure, Salah-gate and maybe even a first win of the season!

Premier League, Matchday 16
Kickoff: Saturday, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT

The eyes of the whole world will be on Mohamed Salah. Whether he is on the bench, in the stands or on the pitch, it won’t matter. He will go to meet up with the Egypt national team for the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, but before that, there is a big game for Liverpool — one that could potentially be his last-ever game in a Liverpool shirt.

The big question is around how better (or not) are the current Premier League champions without their king? You could argue that the team has functioned better, is more balanced and clearly, the players like it as it is. After their embarrassing 3-3 draw at Leeds in which they let leads of 2-0 and 3-2 slip, the Reds have to bounce back and redeem themselves. They started to do it in the Champions League in Milan against Inter (1-0), and now they have to start building on wins like this one.

Meanwhile, Brighton have endured a weird first half of the season. They are capable of doing great things, like beating Chelsea away (3-1) or Manchester City at home (2-1), but they’ve also dropped points against Wolves (1-1) and West Ham (1-1). They are winless in their last two, but their ability to play in transition could be a problem for Liverpool’s vulnerable defense.

MY PREDICTION: Liverpool 2, Brighton 0. Liverpool are improving as we saw against Inter Milan on Tuesday night. They will use the same tactical system as in Italy and get a comfortable win.

De Klassieker still matters
Ajax vs. Feyenoord

Dutch Eredivisie, Matchday 16
Kickoff: Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. GMT

It might not be, on paper, the best De Klassieker ever. Ajax have been in crisis all season long and are fourth in the table, some 14 points behind the leaders, PSV Eindhoven. Feyenoord just lost 4-3 in the Europe league in the dying minutes away at FCSB despite being 3-1 up after 51 minute, and are also six points behind PSV. But don’t let form fool you: even when these teams aren’t at their best, this remains the fiercest rivalry in Dutch football.

For Fred Grim, the Ajax manager who replaced Johnny Heitinga on the bench six weeks ago, this is a huge chance to make his mark. He lost his first three game in charge and then won his next three, including in the Champions League at Qarabag (4-2) after being twice behind. Oscar Gloukh changed the game after coming on, and big forward Kasper Dolberg also scored. Ajax are still a bit of a mess, but at least they are showing character and fight amid all the turbulence.

For Robin van Persie and his Feyenoord side, it is a great opportunity to pour more misery on their oldest enemies. Their form has been sub-par — three wins and six defeats in their last nine — and RVP, who will coach his first De Klassieker, has been criticized at times for playing his 19-year-old son, Shaqueel. They need a win badly, like Ajax, which should make for a great game!

MY PREDICTION: Ajax 2, Feyenoord 3. It will be open, frantic, intense and probably a bit crazy. There will be goals, but Feyenoord are the better team here and should prevail.

All eyes on Xabi Alonso
Alaves vs. Real Madrid

Spanish LaLiga, Matchday 17
Kickoff: Saturday, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT

The only reason this game is interesting — let’s be honest — is because of the delicate position Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso finds himself in. His star-studded team has only won two of their last eight games in all competitions, and this is simply not good enough at a club of this stature. The manager is under huge pressure, and anything but a win on Saturday could see him dismissed.

Their midweek loss against Manchester City in the Champions League wasn’t a bad one in terms of performance, but it still showed the current limits of this team. There are so many injuries (Trent Alexander-Arnold, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba), suspensions (Endrick, Fran García, Álvaro Carreras) and fitness doubts (Kylian Mbappé, Eduardo Camavinga, Dean Huijsen), all of which is making Alonso’s task more difficult. But then if you are not capable, as Real Madrid manager, to beat Alaves after the bad run you have been on, then you don’t deserve to sit on that bench.

Alaves are 11th in the table, have been decent at home this season (four wins, two draws and only two defeats). They also don’t play in Europe which should give them an advantage physically. They are a solid team that defends well. They have conceded as many goals as Real Madrid for example this season (15), but they’ve also only scored 13 in the mean time; expect them to sit deep and try to make life difficult for the Merengues around their captain and holding midfielder Andre Guevara.

MY PREDICTION: Alaves 1, Real Madrid 3. Real Madrid have been inconsistent lately, but they will find the resources to win this game and ease the pressure on manager Xabi Alonso.

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The return of the Tyne-Wear Derby
Sunderland vs. Newcastle

Premier League, Matchday 16
Kickoff: Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. GMT

This is one of the biggest derbies and rivalries in England, and fans of both clubs — even neutrals — have been waiting for far too long for a Premier League clash between Sunderland and Newcastle. It’s been eight years since they clashed in England’s top flight, and not much separates these two cities on and off the pitch.

Regis Le Bris is doing a amazing and obsessive job at Sunderland. He works so hard and has made them so much better. They are ninth in the table, beyond everyone’s expectations for this point in the season, and are just three points behind 4th place. They are a great surprise that no one saw coming as one of the newly promoted sides. They are unbeaten at home in the league too.

It will be tough for the visitors, especially after fighting hard in midweek for a 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen. The main problem is that their away form is bad in the Premier league. It has been all season: they’ve only won one game outside of St James’ Park! They are expecting a massive fight and it will be exactly like that so they better prepare themselves for it.

MY PREDICTION: Sunderland 1, Newcastle 0. Newcastle’s away form has been poor all season, while Sunderland have made the Stadium of Light a fortress. It will stay this way on Sunday.

Can the Viola finally get a win this season?
Fiorentina vs. Hellas Verona

Serie A, Matchday 15
Kickoff: Sunday, 9 a.m. ET / 2 p.m. GMT

Fiorentina are only the second team in Europe’s big five leagues without a league win this season, alongside Wolves in England! After 14 games, they have six draws and eight defeats! They finished sixth last season, but are now bottom of Serie A approaching Christmas. They’re faring a bit better in Europe with three wins, including on Thursday against Dynamo Kiev (2-1), and two losses, but it’s just not happening for them domestically.

Fiorentina have changed managers (Paolo Vanoli replaced Stefano Pioli on Nov. 7) and still have a good squad with the likes of Moise Kean, Edin Dzeko, Nicolò Fagioli and Albert Gudmundsson, but nothing has gone their way. However, this is their chance. At home, against Verona, the team 19th in the table. Even if the ultras are not happy and the atmosphere will be tense, the win against Kiev was convincing.

Verona actually got their first win of the season last weekend — unexpectedly, to be fair — against Atalanta (3-1). They will travel to Florence having had the whole week to prepare for this massive six-pointer, and with the confidence of their first victory of the campaign. Expect them to let Fiorentina have the bulk of possession and play on the counter like they did last weekend with the likes of Giovane, Daniel Mosquera and Antoine Bernede.

MY PREDICTION: Fiorentina 2, Verona 1. Finally, it will happen! Fiorentina will win their first league game of the season and start their quest to stay up! It won’t be easy but they will get it done.

Another rivalry game in France
Marseille vs. Monaco

French Ligue 1
Kickoff: Friday, 2:45 p.m. ET / 7.45 p.m. GMT

This is more than a local rivalry and a derby. Marseille against Monaco is the working class against the billionnaires, the docks against the French Riviera, an American owner against a Russian one, in-form Mason Greenwood against Maghnes Akliouche.

It’s also a game loaded with history. Back in the 1990s, the Bernard Tapie and Arsène Wenger era was the peak of the rivalry between the two clubs. A dominant Marseille, under their very powerful president, against a Monaco side revolutionised by a young, talented manager who was clearly going places. At the time, they were the two best teams in the country; this time, they are third and seventh respectively, but only six points separate them in the table.

Both of them won in midweek in the Champions League, Marseille at Union Saint-Gilloise (3-2) and Monaco against Galatasaray (1-0). They both need another victory in their last league game of 2025: Roberto De Zerbi and his Marseillais are trying to stay in range of PSG and Lens at the top, while Sebastien Pocognoli and his Monégasques need to bridge the gap to the top four.

When it comes to players, Greenwood has been on fire for Marseille while Folarin Balogun, the U.S. international at Monaco, is in top form too. It will be intense and the pressure will be high because neither can afford to drop more points.

MY PREDICTION: Marseille 2, Monaco 2. Monaco are too inconsistent at the moment, and have been since Pocognoli took over from Adi Hutter in mid-October. Marseille have been wobbly at home lately, drawing against Angers and Toulouse. It will be a draw again.

The University of North Carolina sidelines will look a little bit different next season.

Sure, they looked plenty different this year with Bill Belichick roaming the gridiron instead of Mack Brown, who was let go after last season. 

But Belichick’s arrival was filled with controversy, largely surrounding his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson. On the field, it was not much better.

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The school announced Friday it had “parted ways” with two of Belichick’s assistants after the school’s 4-8 season.

North Carolina offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will not return next season.

“We want to thank Coach Kitchens and Coach Priefer for their commitment and many contributions to our program and student-athletes,” Belichick said in a statement. “We wish them both nothing but the best in their future endeavors.”

North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA football game against Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (Nell Redmond/AP)

SHERRONE MOORE FACES STALKING, HOME INVASION CHARGES AS PROSECUTORS DETAIL DISTURBING ALLEGATIONS

UNC’s offense was one of the worst in the country, ranking 119th in the Bowl Subdivision in scoring (19.3) and 129th in total offense (288.8 yards).

The Tar Heels had special-teams issues coming down the stretch, too, notably with Duke running a fake field goal to set up a late game-winning touchdown and N.C. State successfully running a fake punt for a first down the following week.

North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)

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Belichick signed a five-year deal and stated he would not head to the NFL. He and the New England Patriots parted ways after the 2023 season, and the 2024 campaign was his first away from the NFL sidelines since 1974.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Manchester City‘s Erling Haaland is inspired by the “incredible” career longevity of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo, 40, has scored over 950 goals and is expected to captain Portugal at the 2026 World Cup.

Messi, 38, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, led Inter Miami to the MLS Cup for the first time on Dec. 6. He was named Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player for the second season in a row while also receiving the league’s Golden Boot awarded to the top scorer.

Asked if Ronaldo is an inspiration for him, Haaland told TNT Brasil: “Of course. I think for every single football player on this planet, both Cristiano and Messi are an example of what you should do, how you should do to be able to perform at the highest level for 15 years in the greatest leagues.”

While Ronaldo will continue playing until at least 42 after he extended his contract with Saudi Pro-League club Al Nassr until June 2027, Argentina captain Messi penned a new deal with Inter Miami through the end of the 2028 MLS season.

“They are both inspirational,” Haaland said. “Cristiano maybe has let us in a bit more on the things he’s been doing. Look at how he takes care of his body! This is amazing. He’s 40, it’s incredible to still be able to play [at that age]. All respect to him for being able to do that. It’s not easy. “

Haaland, 25, scored his 55th goal in 54 Champions League games against Ronaldo’s former club Real Madrid this week.

The goal from the penalty spot was Haaland’s first at the Bernabeu and gave City a 2-1 win.

“It’s special to come here and play,” Haaland said after Wednesday’s win.

“It’s a massive club which achieved so much, especially in this competition. It’s special to come here and win for the first time [for him] and score for the first time at the Bernabeu.”

Haaland, meanwhile, is looking forward to playing at the World Cup for the first time next year.

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He averaged two goals per game in qualifying to help Norway reach its first World Cup in 28 years.

Asked if he made an exception and had a beer or another drink during mid-season to celebrate Norway qualifying for the World Cup, Haaland said: “I don’t like beers but I did.

“It was really special to finally qualify for the World Cup, first time in 28 years. I never lived when there was a World Cup in Norway. Now I finally get to live through it. A special moment.

“It’s going to be amazing.”