This weekend serves up a feast of sporting action for fans across the United Kingdom and beyond, headlined by the magic of the FA Cup third round, the return of the Women's Super League, and the high-stakes beginning of the NFL playoffs.
Saturday's Football Feast: FA Cup Drama and WSL Comeback
The action kicks off early on Saturday with the Guardian's live matchday blog from 8am GMT, delivering breaking news and insights as Premier League giants enter the famous old competition. The day is packed with potential giant-killings, none more poignant than Macclesfield versus Crystal Palace at 12:15pm. The National League North side, still mourning the tragic death of player Ethan McLeod 25 days ago, host the top-flight Eagles in a classic David vs Goliath clash.
Simultaneously, the Women's Super League resumes after its winter break with a titanic clash at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal host Manchester United at 12:30pm, with just one point separating the sides. United have strengthened with signings Hanna Lundkvist and Lea Schuller, while Arsenal are on a six-game winning streak.
The traditional 3pm FA Cup kick-offs feature several all-Premier League ties, including Newcastle v Bournemouth and Tottenham v Aston Villa. Later, a London derby concludes the day's cup action as Charlton Athletic welcome Chelsea to The Valley at 8pm, with new Blues boss Liam Rosenior taking charge for the first time.
Sunday Showdowns: Cup Clashes and American Football
Sunday maintains the relentless pace, beginning with another round of FA Cup fixtures. At 12pm, Derby County face Leeds United, with Daniel Farke likely to rotate his Premier League squad. The afternoon's standout tie sees Portsmouth host league leaders Arsenal at 2pm, with the Gunners looking to bounce back from a contentious draw with Liverpool.
The cup action culminates at 4:30pm with Manchester United versus Brighton at Old Trafford. United, under interim coach Darren Fletcher, face a Seagulls side fresh from holding Manchester City.
In the Women's Super League, a London derby takes centre stage as champions Chelsea host West Ham at 12pm. The Hammers, under new manager Rita Guarino, have a leaky defence to fix, having conceded 46 goals in the past year.
Global Sporting Spectacle
Beyond domestic football, the weekend offers major international and American sports. The Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals feature a heavyweight battle between Algeria and Nigeria on Saturday at 4pm, pitting the tournament's best defence against its most potent attack.
Then, from 6pm on Sunday, the focus shifts to the United States as the NFL playoffs begin. The wildcard round features the Jacksonville Jaguars hosting the Buffalo Bills and the Philadelphia Eagles facing the San Francisco 49ers, setting the stage for the road to the Super Bowl.
This packed schedule ensures a weekend where drama, history, and sporting excellence collide across multiple codes and continents.
