Here's what our editors will be watching over the next few days.
Saturday, December 12th
Australia vs India, third Test - 01:20 CET
Arguably the biggest cricket series of the year is going on right now between hosts Australia and India. Outside of The Ashes (perhaps even ahead of it), the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has emerged in the last decade as the pinnacle of men’s red-ball cricket in terms of prestige, media attention and quality.
What’s more, the series finds itself at a critical point this week as the third Test in Brisbane looms - starting on Saturday. Two matches into this five-part epic, the series is tied at 1-1.
India crushed an undercooked and unprepared Aussie side in the opener in Perth but the hosts responded in Adelaide last week to level the series in style in the only day-night Test of the bunch.
If this were a Grand Slam tennis final, the score would be 6-1, 1-6. Meaning, both sides have recorded emphatic wins but there’s a long old way to go. The third Test at the ‘Gabba is thus an intriguing proposition.
Pat Cummins’ side shone under the lights in Adelaide but will be well aware that Rohit Sharma’s India possess not only supreme talent but the toolkit to win Down Under with India having won their last two series in Australia. If you’re a night owl, this one could keep you up even longer!
Pat Dempsey
NBA Cup semi-finals - from 22:30 CET
The second edition of the NBA Cup is coming to a climax, with the semi-finals taking place this weekend in Vegas. Created with the aim of making regular season games more exciting, it looks to have been a success so far, adding more of a playoff feel to proceedings.
In the first semi-final, the Milwaukee Bucks face the Atlanta Hawks at 22:30 CET on Saturday. Both sides have struggled for consistency in the Eastern Conference, but have a chance to light up their seasons in Vegas.
In Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have a prime candidate for the MVP award. 'The Greek Freak' is averaging an NBA-high 32.7 points this season, as he continues to prove why he is such an unplayable force of nature. Meanwhile, Trae Young leads the way for the Hawks, and he stands atop the assist rankings, averaging 12.2 per game.
Hours later at 02:30 CET on Sunday, the top two teams in the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets, go head to head.
What is sure to be a thrilling contest between two young and exciting franchises, a win for either side could also put a statement down for the rest of the season. Superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off the back of a 39 points game for the Thunder, while Turkish talent Alperen Sengun registered 26 points and 11 assists as the Rockets edged past the Golden State Warriors 91-90 in the quarter-finals.
It promises to be a brilliant night of action in 'Sin City' between some of the best teams in the NBA. Viva Las Vegas!
Tolga Akdeniz
Sunday, December 13th
Manchester City vs Manchester United - 17:30 CET
It has been a long time since City went into the Manchester derby as anything but heavy favourites and the fact that they aren't this Sunday has nothing to do with United and everything to do with the sudden crisis the club finds itself in.
Before City's shock defeat to Spurs at the end of October which began their shocking run of form, they were unbeaten in all competitions and looking like the team to beat in the Premier League. Fast forward to mid-December and Pep Guardiola's side have lost seven, drawn two and won just once in their last 10 games in all competitions.
Players who have been such reliable cogs in the Guardiola machine until this season have been making uncharacteristic mistakes on a regular basis and there appears to be a lack of understanding through the team.
On the red side, Ruben Amorim has endured a slow start to life as Manchester United manager and his side head into the derby on the back of two straight Premier League defeats. A win in the Europa League on Thursday night in which Rasmus Hoijlund saved their blushes will have done little to improve the mood of a fanbase frustrated with decisions being made on and off the pitch.
In summary, this is set to be a bizarre Manchester derby between two clubs who probably just want to avoid another defeat - it might not be a classic.
Harry Dunnett
Two of the biggest clubs in French football will be doing battle on Sunday night when Lyon travel to the capital to take on reigning Ligue 1 champions PSG.
They may be fighting to survive in the Champions League but PSG have enjoyed a hugely successful first half of the league campaign with Luis Enrique's side winning 10 and drawing 14 of their opening 14 matches to sit five points clear at the top of the league.
Lyon are in fine form themselves though, bouncing back from a poor start to the season by losing just one of their last 14 matches in all competitions, and Pierre Sage's side have their sights set on a Champions League spot as a result.
Things aren't going so well off the pitch though with the club last month being handed a provisional relegation that will see them down to Ligue 2 unless they can improve their financial situation. Amid such a backdrop, fans will be desperate for their team to show against PSG that they remain a genuine heavyweight of European football nonetheless.
With it pitting two of France's three most in-form sides (the other being Marseille) against one another, this is sure to be a match with plenty of quality and one that certainly has plenty of meaning.
Finley Crebolder