Here's what our news editors will be watching this Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday, March 14th
The 2025 Six Nations draws to a thrilling conclusion on ‘Super Saturday’, with three teams still in with a realistic chance of claiming the title.
France - buoyed by last weekend's terrific 42-27 win at reigning champions Ireland - currently lead the way at the top of the standings, but face a tricky final game against a dangerous Scotland side.
Having lost talisman Antoine Dupont to a season-ending knee injury in Dublin, Les Bleus will be desperate to complete the job under the Stade de France lights in Saturday's late kick-off (21:00 CET).
Second-placed England and third-placed Ireland will look to pile the pressure on earlier in the day, however, when they take on Wales and Italy respectively, knowing any kind of slip-up from France would prove costly.
A bonus point win over Scotland is what’s needed to seal the deal for Fabien Galthie’s men, but even with destiny in their own hands, expect plenty of thrills and spills as the tournament looks set for one of its most exciting final days in recent history.
Danny Clark
Sunday, March 16th
Formula 1, Australian Grand Prix - 05:00 CET
There are few things in sport more exciting than the start of a Formula 1 season, and that’s especially the case this year. For the first time since 2021, it looks like we’re going to have a real scrap for the title, and for the first time since 2010, that scrap could involve more than two drivers.
Going by the end of last season and testing in Bahrain, McLaren will be the team to beat with Ferrari their closest challengers, and you can never rule out Max Verstappen, given he’d probably be able to fight at the front even if he was driving a tractor. So, we have five drivers who look to have a shot at winning the title, and maybe even more if Mercedes can deliver.
Then, there’s the fact that one of those drivers will be Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari. It’s not an exaggeration to say that one of the greatest drivers of all time joining the greatest team of all time is one of if not the biggest move in F1’s history, and the intra-team battle between the Brit and Charles Leclerc will be the highest profile one we’ve had in years; that battle alone will make this season a good one.
First up is the Australian Grand Prix, and putting aside the painfully early start for Europeans, the season beginning there for the first time since 2019 rather than in Bahrain is a big win. The atmosphere is always great in Melbourne and the tight, street-like circuit is a real challenge that can produce plenty of drama.
Get those alarm clocks set, and while you’re waiting for the weekend to begin, you can check out my predictions for the year ahead here.
Finley Crebolder
Carabao Cup final, Liverpool vs Newcastle - 17:30 CET
After Liverpool’s shock Champions League exit on Tuesday night, Sunday’s Carabao Cup final has even more riding on it. With the Premier League title looking to be heading to Anfield, suddenly, the most important game left in Liverpool’s season is Sunday’s showdown. It already was for a Newcastle United side on the brink of winning their first domestic silverware since 1955.
It is perhaps unfortunate for Eddie Howe’s side that this game now has greater importance to Liverpool but it can’t be a distraction. Newcastle are a very good side who, on their da,y can compete with the best sides in England but they will have to be at their best on Sunday.
Because Liverpool only lost on penalties to a PSG side capable of winning the Champions League and Arne Slot’s men will be hungry for redemption. Mohamed Salah might not be in Ballon d'or contention anymore, but domestically, this has been his season. Expect him and captain Virgil van Dijk to be in the mood for silverware - they are players for the big occasion.
Liverpool also have the advantage of experience having been here before in recent seasons and getting over the line - this is a team of winners. Newcastle’s last Carabao Cup final two seasons ago ended in defeat at the hands of Manchester United and you worry that might play on their minds.
However, if they avoid all distractions and focus on producing their usual high-intensity game then they will stand a chance. What’s more, if the Premier League’s best striker this season, Alexander Isak, steps up to the occasion, then Newcastle will have more than just a chance.
It is going to be a box office occasion with so much at stake for both sides, this is not one to miss!
Harry Dunnett
Atalanta vs Inter Milan - 20:45 CET
Like LaLiga, the Serie A title race is one of the most exciting in the entirety of Europe, with three teams in contention to become champions. And this weekend, two of those sides face off, with Atalanta going head to head with defending champions Inter Milan.
A few weeks ago, Atalanta looked to be sliding out of contention, but a number of poor results for both Inter and Napoli saw Gian Piero Gasperini’s men close the gap once more. They now sit just three points off Inter at the summit and will have the chance to leapfrog their opponents with a victory.
Inter’s spirits will be high following their win over Feyenoord midweek, which saw them clinch a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals. Simone Inzaghi’s side will have their eyes firmly set on the treble this season, and a win for them this weekend would see them take another step towards history.
Both Atalanta and Napoli are the top scorers in Serie A this season, scoring 63 goals each. With attacking firepower like Ademola Lookman, Mateo Retegui, Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram, it should make for spectacular viewing.
Tolga Akdeniz
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona - 21:00 CET
The LaLiga title race is turning into one of Europe’s best with Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid separated by just one point, albeit with Barca having played a game less.
This Sunday, Hansi Flick's league leaders travel to the capital to face Diego Simone’s troops in a certified blockbuster to round out a massive weekend of football on the continent.
Atleti will be keen to make amends for their gutting penalty-shootout loss to rivals Real in the Champions League on Wednesday. And their exit from that competition only heightens the importance of the title race for them.
Barcelona are in fine form on all fronts at the moment but Atleti have beaten them in the league this season. That was back in December, thanks to Alexander Sorloth’s last-gasp winner.
Since that meeting, the sides faced off once more, in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final last month - and what a game that was with sides drawing 4-4 in Catalonia. If this Sunday’s match is even half as entertaining as that, we are in for a real treat!
Pat Dempsey
