Here's what our editors will be watching:
Friday, January 10th
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen - 20:30
The Bundesliga is back for the new year and with a bang as round 16 kicks off on Friday with a blockbuster between Borussia Dortmund and title holders Bayer Leverkusen.
Nuri Sahin’s Dortmund side have been inconsistent this season but remain in the hunt for a top-four finish after ending 2024 with an encouraging win over Wolfsburg. Bayer, on the other hand, have won their last five league fixtures to firmly put the pressure on leaders Bayern Munich.
Xabi Alonso’s side stuttered in the early stages of the season after their record-breaking 2023/24 campaign but have left those struggles in the dust having not lost since early November, menacingly.
Despite that impressive form, Dortmund will fancy their chances at home where they haven’t lost in the league all season.
With their short winter break now over, both these sides will want to start 2025 in style and where better to do that than a heaving Signal Iduna Park? Don’t miss this one, it will be a great start to the weekend!
Pat Dempsey
Sunday, January 12th
The Australian Open begins - from 01:00 CET
One of the biggest events on the sporting calendar will begin on Sunday with tennis' first Grand Slam of the year getting underway in Melbourne.
Reigning champion Jannik Sinner is very much the favourite on the men's side but there are uncertainties aplenty with the world number one still under the cloud of his doping scandal, Carlos Alcaraz heading into it on the back of a poor end to 2024 and Novak Djokovic entering a new era with new coach Andy Murray.
Aryna Sabalenka is also widely expected to defend her title, especially after winning a warm-up tournament in Brisbane, but she'll have formidable challengers if the first few weeks of the season are anything to go by with Coco Gauff beating Iga Swiatek in the United Cup final, Swiatek beating Elena Ryabkina and Karolina Muchova in straight sets before that, and Rybakina herself generally playing well at the tournament.
Sabalenka, Qinwen Zheng, Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud will all be in action on the opening day, so it'll be worth the late night or early rise depending on where you are in the world - some things are just worth ruining your sleeping pattern for.
Finley Crebolder
Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers - 02:00 CET
What more could you possibly ask for in a primetime NFL playoff matchup? The cold bitter January weather of Charm City is going to reign over arguably the most anticipated playoff matchup in the rivalry's history.
This will be the first time in NFL history that the Steelers head to Baltimore for a playoff matchup and it could possibly give fans across the country the best one of the entire Wild Card round. And both teams' hype videos make it all better.
Despite media members across every station and website imaginable heavily favouring the Ravens, as they should, anyone who's familiar with the NFL's best rivalry knows "it ain't that simple." The Ravens-Steelers rivalry is notorious for brutal hits, close games, and a scrum or two throughout every clash. And in a winner-takes-all matchup and bragging rights heading into next season, I expect it all and then some.
The two teams split the series 1-1 with the Steelers winning the first bout by a score of 19-17 which they won on nothing but field goals from one of the best kickers in the league, Chris Boswell. Baltimore came back home a few weeks ago to remind the Steelers they aren't their new punching bag after thrashing them 34-17.
Now? It all comes down to this. Will the Steelers continue their winning ways against the Ravens? Or will the Ravens show the Steelers exactly why they're the number one offence in the NFL led by the league's most dangerous duo in Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry?
Eric Himmelheber
The Masters begins - from 14:00 CET
The prestigious Masters tournament gets underway on Sunday afternoon as a star-studded field of 16 players look to capture one of snooker’s Triple Crown events.
Reigning champion Ronnie O’Sullivan kicks off proceedings with a mouthwatering clash against long-term rival John Higgins - the pair boasting an impressive 10 Masters titles between them.
Given the calibre of those competing at Alexandra Palace, there are several other first-round ties to keep an eye on, including three-time winner Mark Selby taking on Ali Carter and Mark Williams facing 2011 champion Ding Junhui.
World number one Judd Trump - who opens his account against Barry Hawkins on Tuesday - is the bookies’ favourite, but with O’Sullivan targeting a record-extending ninth title and the likes of Kyren Wilson and Mark Allen always a threat, it promises to be a thrilling seven days in London!
Danny Clark
Arsenal vs Manchester United - 16:00 CET
After a draw against rivals Liverpool that gave Manchester United fans some feeling once more in their side, Ruben Amorim’s charges face another stern test in the FA Cup third round on Sunday, as they welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford.
The tie evokes memories of Ryan Giggs’ semi-final winner in 1999 when the Welshman took the ball past five Arsenal defenders to score in extra time. The goal was the climax to a game from a different age - a replay at Villa Park with no VAR - and when the rivalry was at its height.
On Sunday, United will start their defence of the FA Cup knowing it could be their only chance of domestic silverware this season, but with a more pragmatic thought, it is an opportunity for them to continue their rebuild. This game, then, will have less of the lustre it once had at the end of the 20th century.
Even so, Arsenal, winners of the FA Cup as recently as 2020 under current manager Mikel Arteta, will look to bounce back from their midweek defeat against Newcastle United and go into the tie as favourites.
This, though, is the FA Cup - magic still lives in the competition that has been ‘dying’ for generations. Under the lights in north-west England, expect fireworks and an atmosphere that harks back to the time of Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson, even if its importance on the football calendar is waning.
Josh Donaldson