WHAT TO WATCH: Another epic football show on the cards this weekend

Another action-packed football extravaganza awaits this weekend on SuperSport! Fans are in for a treat as the world’s best leagues deliver high-stakes showdowns, unforgettable moments, and gripping narratives that will keep everyone on the edge of their seats.

Whether it’s title races heating up, underdog stories unfolding, or tactical masterclasses on display, this is a weekend no football enthusiast will want to miss.

Here is a selection of our matches to watch this weekend, all to be televised live on SuperSport.

ALL eyes on a battle between the top two

LaLiga: Barcelona v Atletico

Saturday 21 December, 22:00 (CAT)

The Estadi Olímpic is set to host one of the most anticipated fixtures of the 2024/25 LaLiga campaign, as FC Barcelona take on Atlético de Madrid this Saturday during Matchday 18. These two teams are currently first and second and level on 38 points, although Atleti have one game in hand, so it’s a hugely important fixture in the title race.

Diego Simeone’s side are one of the most in-form teams in Europe right now, due to their 11-game winning streak across all competitions. Atlético de Madrid haven’t lost in the league since October 27th, when they were beaten 1-0 away at Real Betis, and their latest victory came on Sunday, with Los Rojiblancos beating Getafe CF 1-0 to go 23 consecutive matches without defeat against Los Azulones. The winner was scored by Alexander Sørloth, who boasts the second-finest scoring tally (with 24 goals) after Robert Lewandowski (27 goals) in LALIGA EA SPORTS this calendar year.

The Barcelona striker currently tops the league’s scoring charts with 16 goals in 17 games. On Saturday, Lewandowski will look to get back to scoring ways in his bid to help the Catalans bounce back after a 1-0 home loss to CD Leganés last Sunday.

Barça have won just one of their last six league duels, with two draws and three defeats along the way, which represents a major drop in form after starting out with 11 wins from their first 12 league fixtures. In fact, according to Opta, this drop in form has resulted in FC Barcelona suffering back-to-back home defeats in all competitions for only the third time in the 21st century.

ALL momentum with Chelsea after five straight wins

Premier League: Everton v Chelsea

Sunday 22 December, 16:00 (CAT)

Two consecutive draws for Liverpool and five Premier League victories on the bounce for Chelsea have begun to swing the balance of power at the top of the Premier League table.

Everton have won five of their last six Premier League home games against Chelsea (L1), as many as in their previous 17 against them at Goodison Park (D4 L8).

Chelsea won 6-0 in their last Premier League game against Everton but haven’t beaten the Toffees in consecutive meetings since a run of three between November 2016 and August 2017.

Everton have had four 0-0 draws in the Premier League so far this season, more than any other side. It’s their most in a single campaign since 2015-16 (also 4), while they last had more in 2008-09 (5).

From the start of May, Chelsea have scored more goals (51), won more games (15) and earned more points (49) in the Premier League than any other side.

Only Liverpool (7) have had more clean sheets in the Premier League this season than Everton (6). However, the Toffees have also failed to score in the most different games this term (8), while no team has scored in more games than Chelsea (15).

ALL systems go in a classic LaLiga fixture

LaLiga: Real Madrid v Sevilla

Sunday 22 December, 17:15 (CAT)

Real Madrid have not lost any of their last 11 matches against Sevilla in LaLiga (W9 D2), their second-best unbeaten run against the Sevillian side in the history of the competition, after a 15-match unbeaten run between 1993 and 2003 (W13 D2).

Sevilla have lost 14 and drawn just once in their last 15 visits to Real Madrid in LaLiga and can equal the worst winless run away against them in their history in the competition, suffered between 1986 and 2004 (G16 D1 L15).

Sevilla have gone 46 straight games without a win away from home against Atlético de Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid in LaLiga (D8 L38), since a 4-3 win against Real Madrid in December 2008, the worst away winless streak in their history against Spanish football's big three in the competition.

Real Madrid have dropped points in two of their last three LaLiga matches (W1 D1 L1), having won nine of their previous 11 games in the competition (D1 L1).

Sevilla have lost in their last two away LaLiga games and can make it three away defeats in a row for the first time in the competition since a run of five between January and March 2019 under Pablo Machín.

Liverpool going ALL out to stay top of the table

Premier League: Tottenham v Liverpool

Sunday 22 December, 18:30 (CAT)

Tottenham won this exact fixture 2-1 last season, last winning consecutive home league games against Liverpool between 2008 and 2012 (a run of five).

Liverpool have lost just two of their last 23 Premier League games against Tottenham (W15 D6) and have scored at least once in each of their last 17 against Spurs.

Tottenham won this exact fixture 2-1 last season thanks to a 90th minute Joel Matip own goal. Indeed, this fixture has seen more 90th minute winning goals than any other in Premier League history (6).

Tottenham have lost nine of their last 11 Premier League games against sides starting the day top of the table, with both exceptions coming away against Manchester City (2-2 in August 2019, 3-2 in February 2022). They’ve lost all five home games in this run.

Tottenham have kept just one clean sheet in their last 23 Premier League home games, a 4-0 win against Everton earlier this season. They’re winless in their last three at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (D1 L2), last having a longer run without a home win in November/December 2013 (4).

Spurs have scored more goals in the opening 15 minutes of games than any other side in the Premier League this season (9), with five of those coming in their last two games.

ALL attention on surprise leaders Atalanta

Serie A: Atalanta v Empoli

Sunday 22 December, 19:00 (CAT)

Atalanta host Empoli on Sunday defending a two-point lead on Napoli fresh from hammering Serie B outfit Cesena 6-1 in the Italian Cup and with a club record-extending 11th successive league win in their sights.