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Romelu Lukaku is set for possibly the most hostile reception of his career when he returns to the San Siro to face Serie A leaders Inter Milan on a bumper Sunday in which champions Napoli host AC Milan.
Lyon, seven times league champions, sit rock bottom of Ligue 1 as they prepare to play rivals Marseille at the Stade Velodrome on Sunday, with Fabio Grosso's men desperately seeking their first win.
Australians have long insisted a key problem for English sports teams is not losing but the fall-out from winning.
Defending champions South Africa and New Zealand battle it out on Saturday bidding to become the first team to win the Rugby World Cup four times.
Rugby World Cup fever is building in New Zealand with a former All Blacks captain predicting a "cracking" final against South Africa in Paris this weekend while tickets are being snapped up for a stadium screening at the country's home of rugby, Eden Park.
Bundesliga minnows Darmstadt will be out to spoil Manuel Neuer's potential return from injury when they face champions Bayern Munich on Saturday.
Defending champions South Africa expect Saturday's Rugby World Cup final against "greatest foes" New Zealand to be a "grind" as both teams eye what would be a record fourth tournament title.
La Liga champions Barcelona host bitter rivals Real Madrid in the first Clasico of the season on Saturday, forced into leaning heavily on players from their feted La Masia youth academy.
Manchester City will test the strength of Manchester United's recent revival at Old Trafford this weekend, while red-hot leaders Tottenham are seeking their eighth win in 10 games.
Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto was banned for 41 games, equal to half a season, by the National Hockey League on Thursday for activities relating to sports wagering.
Lionel Messi was among three finalists named on Thursday for Major League Soccer's Newcomer of the Year award despite the Argentine star playing only six league matches for Inter Milan.
Liverpool eased Toulouse aside 5-1 to register a third straight Europa League win Thursday, while Brighton beat ailing Dutch giants Ajax for the club's first ever victory in continental competition.
West Ham's 17-match unbeaten European run came to an end on Thursday with a 2-1 loss away to Olympiakos, while Rangers battled for a point in a goalless Europa League draw at Sparta Prague.
A perfectly legitimate piece of innovative tactical genius or an abomination that should be legislated out of existence?
Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana on Thursday said defending champions England "underestimated" his team in their key World Cup clash.
New Zealand coach Ian Foster has made one change to his starting XV to play South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday, Brodie Retallick replacing Sam Whitelock in the second row.
Ange Postecoglou says he is more concerned about laying the groundwork for "sustainable" success at Tottenham than the immediate chance to establish a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
The ongoing Cricket World Cup has thrown up some shock results, huge totals and incredible performances in its three weeks of action.
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma admitted Thursday that he was so stunned by seeing Pakistan described as "mercurial" that he had to "Google the word" out of respect for his opponents ahead of their World Cup clash.
England captain Jos Buttler admitted the World Cup had been "incredibly disappointing" as the defending champions were pushed to the brink of elimination on Thursday.
Norwegian police said on Thursday they had opened an investigation into accusations of abuse made by Olympic 1500m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen and his brothers Henrik and Filip against their father Gjert.
Sri Lanka pushed dismal England to the brink of World Cup elimination on Thursday when they handed the defending champions an eight-wicket thrashing.
England lock Maro Itoje said he believed Argentina would be motivated by revenge at the Rugby World Cup's third-place playoff on Friday.
New Zealand and South Africa meet in Saturday's Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France with the All Blacks holding a three-two head to head advantage in previous meetings at the sport's quadrennial showpiece event.
If the World Cup represents Quinton de Kock's farewell to one-day internationals, then the South Africa opener is bowing out in style.
Sri Lanka pushed England closer to the World Cup exit door on Thursday when they bowled out the defending champions for just 156.
Newcastle United's Italian international midfielder Sandro Tonali has been banned for 10 months for betting, the Italian football federation (FIGC) said on Thursday.
Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan insisted Thursday that his under-performing teammates believe "miracles can happen" as the former champions enter a "do-or-die" battle to rescue their faltering World Cup campaign.
Swiss prosecutors announced Thursday they have dropped their three-year criminal proceedings against FIFA president Gianni Infantino over suspected collusion with officials concerning the corruption scandal that engulfed world football's governing body.
Iconic Springbok captain Siya Kolisi insisted Thursday that rugby does not come any bigger than a World Cup final against old rivals New Zealand.
The Rugby Football Union says it is "deeply disappointed" that South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi has been cleared of a racial slur and will play in Saturday's World Cup final.
South Africa have named half-backs Handre Pollard and Faf de Klerk as well as hooker Bongi Mbonambi in their starting XV for the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand on Saturday.