Here's what our news editors are circling in their calendars this weekend:
Saturday, November 8th
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina - 17:00 CET
After 11 months of tennis, the WTA season finally comes to an end on Saturday, as world number one Aryna Sabalenka looks to end a stellar season on a high when she comes up against the in-form Elena Rybakina in the final in Riyadh.
An event which saw the world's best eight players face off, these two women now go into their contest unbeaten, having won all their round robin matches as well as battling to thrilling three-set victories in the semi-finals.
Sabalenka overcame Amanda Anisimova in her last four clash, while Rybakina proved too strong for Jessica Pegula. Now their focus turns to each other.
These two big hitters have faced off 13 times before, with Sabalenka leading the head-to-head 8-5. This year, the Belarusian has come out on top twice, with Rybakina winning just once.
Matches between this pair often produce real high-level encounters, and you can be sure the same is on the cards this weekend.
Tolga Akdeniz
South Africa vs France - 21:10 CET
South Africa’s epic 29-28 Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat of hosts France in Paris two years ago plunged a nation into mourning and made the Springboks public enemy number one. The French were not happy with referee Ben O’Keeffe, nor Cheslin Kolbe’s sensational charge down of Thomas Ramos’ conversion that proved crucial.
There was such belief within France that they would claim a maiden World Cup title, when it was all over it was hard to take, and several players admitted it took time to heal. Some have yet to, it seems.
“It was our World Cup, and they came and stole it off us,” France scrum-half Maxime Lucu said just this week, so there will be revenge in the air and a baying for blood from the stands when the teams clash again at the same venue in an Autumn International series fixture on Saturday.
The Springboks are a stronger side than two years ago and are attempting to play a more offensive style of rugby with ball in hand under attack coach Tony Brown, with mixed results. Whether they ‘revert to type’ and go back to their power game against the French remains to be seen, but coach Rassie Erasmus has selected his best available side, packed with players who broke French hearts in 2023.
The home side are without talismanic scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who is injured, and have selected several youngsters. They will have fire in the belly on what is sure to be an emotional night, and the Springboks will have to counter that passion as much as the physicality and skill their hosts bring.
Nick Said
Sunday, November 9th
Brazilian Grand Prix - 18:00 CET
Four races to go. Three drivers still in contention. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the Formula 1 season, and next up is perhaps the best race in the sport, the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The Interlagos circuit, aided by the unpredictable weather of Sao Paulo, can always be relied upon to produce drama, and the anticipation for this year’s edition is only increased by the fact that drama has often ended with Max Verstappen on top.
The Dutchman trails championship leader Lando Norris by 36 points, but has produced some of the best drives the sport has ever seen in past races in Brazil, dazzling in 2016 and 2024. What’s more, he has two opportunities to close the gap this weekend, with a sprint race on Saturday preceding the main event.
In last year’s race, Verstappen’s heroics sealed victory in his title fight with Norris, with the Red Bull man climbing from 12th on the grid to win and the Brit dropping from pole position to sixth. Now, Norris has the chance to make amends, knowing that a win will put him on the brink of becoming a world champion.
If he’s off his game again, though, he could lose the lead of the championship, with teammate Oscar Piastri just a single point behind. A huge drop-off in form for the Aussie has seen him relinquish the top spot that he’s held most of the season, but if he can rediscover the level he’s been at most of the year, the title can still be his.
One of the great circuits, huge stakes and a chance of rain. This is a race that could live long in the memory.
Finley Crebolder
Manchester City vs Liverpool - 17:30 CET
One of the Premier League’s great modern rivalries may be entering a new era, but the importance of Sunday’s clash will not be lost on anyone. With Arsenal looking formidable at the top of the league, neither Manchester City nor Liverpool can afford to lose, which makes for a fascinating clash this Sunday afternoon.
The days of Manchester City and Liverpool going head-to-head for the Premier League title might be over (for now, at least), but that doesn’t mean either side is not still involved in the title race.
Liverpool head into this fixture with a new lease of life after a sensational win against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night to back up their victory against Aston Villa last weekend, which ended their domestic losing streak. Arne Slot received a lot of criticism for playing the kids against Palace in the EFL Cup, but the two vital wins that followed have helped to justify his decision.
Manchester City, meanwhile, have found some much-needed form themselves after losing in underwhelming fashion at Villa Park a fortnight ago. Three wins from their last three, including an utterly dominant win midweek in the Champions League and Pep Guardiola’s side come into this clash with real belief.
The latest edition of this modern rivalry is as hard to call as ever but whereas in previous seasons both clubs were in positions of strength when facing each other, that is not the case this time around.
Expect fireworks at the Etihad in this must-watch clash because a draw isn’t good enough for either side, with Arsenal already in pole position and likely to extend their lead at Sunderland on Saturday - three points are essential.
Harry Dunnett
Lyon vs PSG - 20:45 CET
Headlining Sunday’s late games across Europe’s 'top five’ leagues is a blockbuster clash between French champions Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon.
This is not quite a top-of-the-table clash, but depending on how results go around Ligue 1 across the weekend, a shock win for Lyon in this one could see them move as high as second and would bring them to within one point of Luis Enrique’s slightly vulnerable champions.
I say ‘vulnerable’ because the PSG of this season feel nowhere near the invincible side of the latter part of last campaign, mainly due to the injury issues that have plagued them since the summer.
Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Achraf Hakimi and Nunu Mendes (four of their best players) are all set to be missing for the Parisians this Sunday, and so, it is as good a time as any to face them. Add to that PSG are coming off a loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and you can see why Lyon fans might be hopeful.
It should be noted, Paulo Fonseca’s side are also coming off a European loss (to Real Betis) and two draws in Ligue 1, which have somewhat scuppered their otherwise decent start to the season. What’s more, they have recently lost rising star Malick Fofana to a long-term injury, and he won’t feature this weekend either.
A cursory glance at the form guide will tell you PSG have won the last five meetings between these two French giants, but don’t let that fool you; they have also dropped points against Lorient, Lille, and Strasbourg this season, as well as losing to Marseille. All that means, Lyon will feel Goliath is there for the taking, and this could be a cracking contest!
Pat Dempsey