Rivalries

Coming into the latest edition of the Basque Derby, both Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad had endured a dry spell of form.

After winning eight of nine games through late November, Sociedad drew six consecutive games before losing its next three. Having spent time at the top of the table this season, La Real's poor run saw it drop down to third. Athletic, on the other hand, has experienced inconsistency all season. Traditionally the more successful of the Basque giants, it now sits 12th in the table. 

Neymar was never out of the headlines while at Barcelona and his departure continues to leave ripples at the Catalan club, so all eyes will be on him when Paris Saint-Germain meet the LaLiga side in the Champions League last 16 early next year.

Premier League rivalries are all about bone-rattling challenges, blistering attacks and scorching intensity. The Manchester Derby had none of those things on Saturday. What did we do to deserve such a tepid, boring match between two of the richest clubs in the world?

Manchester United and Manchester City played a 0-0 draw on Saturday at Old Trafford, and I can’t remember a more dreary, uninteresting clash between these two famous sides. 

The 36th and perhaps final meeting between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ended fittingly at the Camp Nou on Tuesday with Juventus strolling to a 3-0 win against a sad, soft and directionless Barcelona. It’s all too evident why Messi — like Ronaldo before him at Real Madrid — is ready to move on.

Tottenham returned to the Premier League summit by following the formula in Sunday’s 2-0 victory over North London rival Arsenal in front of 2,000 supporters at Hotspur Stadium. Son Heung-min and Harry Kane combined on both the goals in the first half, and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Toby Alderweireld led the rearguard action to further stifle Mikel Arteta’s ammoless Gunners.

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has claimed Chelsea are favorites to lift the Premier League title this season because of the strength and depth of the squad that coach Frank Lampard has at his disposal.

In the latest edition of one of the many Istanbul derbies, Beşiktaş came out on top against rivals Fenerbahçe, 4-3.

Beşiktaş entered the game having won three of its last four, most recently defeating fellow Istanbul side Basaksehir. Sergen Yalçın's side endured an inconsistent start to the season, going four games without a win from mid-September into early October. Since then, though, it has been much improved, moving into fourth place as a result of Sunday's win.