On a weekend of no Premier League action, the Emirates FA Cup makes up for England as they, like every other top league in Europe retuen to action at a tense stage of the season.

Big clashes in France and Italy, headline this weekend's picks, while teams like Real Madrid and Stuttgart also face tricky tests before the return of European football in midweek. Here are the 10 fixtures to watch out for in the coming days.

Aston Villa vs Newcastle United 

Aston Villa enter this FA Cup fourth-round tie full of confidence after a midweek victory over Brighton helped them preserve third place in the Premier League, with their rivals also dropping points.

Unai Emery’s side, who edged Tottenham Hotspur in the previous round, are chasing their first trophy since 1996, and hold a psychological edge having beaten Newcastle 2-0 just three weeks ago.

Despite missing key midfielders like John McGinn and Youri Tielemans, Villa’s formidable home record makes them slight favorites, although that has turned sour after recent back-to-back defeats.

Newcastle United arrive at Villa Park buoyed by a vital away win at Tottenham, which ended a difficult winless streak. However, Eddie Howe faces a selection crisis with Bruno Guimarães and Anthony Gordon among several injury doubts.

With a 5,000-mile Champions League trip to Azerbaijan looming, the Magpies must balance their squad carefully while attempting to secure a place in the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Prediction: Aston Villa 3-2 Newcastle United 

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad 

Real Madrid host Real Sociedad on Saturday night with a chance to leapfrog their Clasico rivals Barcelona into first place before the latter play away at Girona on Monday night. 

Under new manager Álvaro Arbeloa, Los Blancos have won four league games but remain depleted by injuries to Jude Bellingham and Éder Militão, while trailing Barcelona by a point. 

However, top scorer Kylian Mbappé has been cleared to play alongside the returning Vinícius Júnior following a minor knee scare earlier this week.

Real Sociedad arrives in the capital in peak form, currently enjoying an 11-match unbeaten run across all competitions under Pellegrino Matarazzo, a positive run that has helped them move into the top half of the table.

Despite a midweek Copa del Rey victory over Athletic Bilbao, the eighth-placed visitors face their own selection headaches with Brais Méndez suspended and Takefusa Kubo sidelined. 

They will rely on defensive solidity and counter-attacking flair to challenge a Madrid side that hasn't drawn at home in 18 games, and is unbeaten in this fixture at home since 2019.

Prediction: Real Madrid 2-0 Real Sociedad 

Espanyol vs Celta Vigo 

Espanyol find themselves in a precarious position, clinging to sixth place despite four consecutive league defeats. The Catalan side has struggled defensively since the turn of the year, failing to keep a clean sheet and looking vulnerable at home.

Star forward Javi Puado remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury, putting immense pressure on new arrival Cyril Ngonge and veteran Kike García to find the net.

Celta Vigo travel to Cornellà just one point behind their hosts, smelling an opportunity to leapfrog into the European spots. While their form has also dipped recently with only one point from nine, their away record is among the league's best. 

However, Claudio Giráldez must navigate significant absences, as key midfielders Óscar Mingueza and Ilaix Moriba are both out due to suspension, while a run of three consecutive defeats against their host also leaves them with a lot to change.

Inter vs Juventus 

Serie A leaders Inter Milan have the chance to go 11 points clear when they welcome Juventus to San Siro on Saturday night for a pivotal Derby d’Italia.

Currently holding an eight-point lead at the summit over their city rivals AC Milan, Cristian Chivu’s side enters the clash in scintillating form after a 5-0 demolition of Sassuolo last time out in the league.

The Nerazzurri are also bolstered by the return of midfield engines Nicolò Barella and Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who are both pushing for starts after resuming full training during the week.

Juventus, trailing by 12 points, faces a must-win scenario to keep their slim title hopes alive and while Luciano Spalletti has revitalized the Bianconeri attack, away at Inter may be the biggest challenge they'll face in the league.

Jonathan David, who has recently returned to his Lille form, is expected to lead the line, supported by the outstanding Kenan Yıldız, as the Bianconerri seeks to replicate the dramatic 4-3 victory they secured in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Prediction: Inter 3-1 Juventus

Napoli vs Roma

Defending champions Napoli welcome Roma to the Stadio Maradona on Sunday, desperate to rebound from a disappointing midweek penalty shootout loss to Como in the Coppa Italian quarter-finals. 

Despite their cup exit, Antonio Conte’s side sits third in Serie A following back-to-back league wins, but a deepening injury crisis has left the Partenopei without Scott McTominay, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, and Frank Anguissa, while Juan Jesus serves a suspension.

Roma travel south just three points behind their hosts, buoyed by a comfortable 2-0 win over Cagliari featuring a brace from January loan signing from Aston Villa, Donyell Malen.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side boasts one of Italy’s best defensive records, conceding only 14 goals this season, and with Paulo Dybala expected to return to the starting lineup, the Giallorossi will hope to exploit Napoli’s depleted midfield and secure a vital away victory.

Prediction: Napoli 2-1 Roma

Lazio vs Atalanta 

Lazio head into Saturday’s game buoyed by a dramatic midweek penalty shootout victory over Bologna to reach the Coppa Italia semi-finals, but Maurizio Sarri faces a selection nightmare.

His squad is exhausted after playing three matches in six days and is missing key defender Alessio Romagnoli through suspension, while veterans like Pedro are struggling for fitness.

Atalanta arrive in Rome well-rested and in peak form, remaining unbeaten in Serie A throughout 2026, while sitting eight points ahead of their host in the standings. 

Raffaele Palladino’s men sit seventh and are chasing a Champions League spot, supported by the league’s most efficient transition play. 

While Charles De Ketelaere remains sidelined, the return of captain Marten de Roon from suspension provides a massive boost as they look to nest their impressive record at the Olimpico, losing only once in their last eight visits.

Prediction: Lazio 1-3 Atalanta 

Stuttgart vs Koln

VfB Stuttgart return to the MHP Arena on Saturday evening looking to reclaim their spot in the Bundesliga's top four, after falling out in the wake of a 2-1 loss to relegation strugglers, St. Pauli last weekend.

Despite the setback, the Swabians remain formidable at home, where they have secured seven wins from ten matches this season, and haven't lost to Koln since August 2015.

FC Koln travel south in 10th place, currently four points clear of the relegation play-off spot, but manager Lukas Kwasniok faces a significant selection crisis, with key defenders Timo Hübers and Alessio Castro-Montes still sidelined.

The Billy Goats have struggled away from home, failing to record a victory on their travels since October 2025, and have not won a league match in Stuttgart in over a decade.

Prediction: Stuttgart 3-1 Koln

Hoffenheim vs Freiburg 

Hoffenheim welcome Freiburg to the PreZero Arena on Saturday aiming to cement their third-place standing despite a heavy 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich last weekend.

Christian Ilzer’s side has been dominant at home, winning seven consecutive matches in Sinsheim while averaging over two goals per game but with suspended defender Kevin Akpoguma and injured Adam Hložek, a tricky test awaits.

Freiburg travels north sitting seventh, looking to build on a gritty 1-0 victory over Werder Bremen last time out. Julian Schuster’s men have historically dominated this fixture, remaining unbeaten in their last nine meetings against Hoffenheim.

While the visitors boast the league’s best record for recovering points from losing positions, their recent away form is a concern, with only one win in their last nine top-flight matches on the road, while they also face a completely different Hoffenheim.

Prediction: Hoffenheim 3-1 Freiburg 

Rennes vs PSG 

Rennes hosts Saint-Germain at Roazhon Park tonight in a fragile state, following the Monday dismissal of Habib Beye. 

Interim manager Sébastien Tambouret takes charge amidst a defensive crisis, with Liverpool-bound Jérémy Jacquet and centre-back Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal both sidelined by serious injuries. 

Currently sixth, the Red and Blacks must find defensive stability after conceding nine goals in their last three defeats.

PSG arrive in explosive form, riding a seven-match winning streak after their 5-0 thrashing of Marseille. Manager Luis Enrique welcomes back star right-back Achraf Hakimi from suspension, allowing Warren Zaïre-Emery to return to his preferred midfield role. 

Les Parisiens have been ruthless recently, scoring two or more goals in six of their last seven league matches, and aim to extend their lead at the summit before RC Lens play later in the weekend.

Prediction: Rennes 1-4 PSG

Marseille vs Strasbourg 

Olympique Marseille enters a period of major transition tonight following the shock departure of Roberto De Zerbi, who left by mutual consent after a humiliating 5-0 Le Classique defeat. 

Interim coach Pancho Abardonado is expected to lead the fourth-placed side as they look to protect their Champions League qualification spot. 

Despite the off-field chaos, Marseille remaremainsotent force at home, having lost only once at the Vélodrome in Ligue 1 this season.

Strasbourg arriarrivesthe south of France in seventh place, aiming to snap a two-game losing streak and capitalize on Marseille's managerial instability and poor form that has seen them lose ground in the title race.

Manager Gary O'Neil faces significant selection issues, however, with defender Ismaël Doukouré suspended and key forward Emanuel Emegha sidelined with a thigh injury. 

History favors the hosts, as Le Racing are winless in their last 20 visits too the Vélodrome, but Marseille’s recent defensive lapses offer the visitors a rare glimmer of hope.

Prediction: Marseille 1-1 Strasbourgbourgbourgourg 

Lille vs Brest

Lille go into Saturday’s clash at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy desperate to ignite their 2026 campaign after a dismal five-match winless streak in Ligue 1. 

Bruno Génésio’s side has plummeted to fifth place, struggling with a massive absentee list that includes the suspended Aïssa Mandi and Nathan Ngoy, alongside the injured Ethan Mbappé. Olivier Giroud is expected to lead a thin attack as the Dogues look to avoid three consecutive home defeats.

Brest, buoyed by a 2-0 victory over Lorient, head into the game in 12th position, and within striking distance of the top half. 

While Les Pirates have not won away at Lille since 1989, their recent resilience and a potent attack led by Romain Del Castillo offer hope against a vulnerable host. 

Eric Roy will have to navigate his own selection issues, however, with Kamory Doumbia suspended and Mama Baldé sidelined by a muscle strain.

Prediction: Lille 2-1 Brest