Ronaldo Ends Strike, Derby d'Italia Ignites: This Weekend's Football Fireworks

Picture this: you're nursing a pint, scrolling for weekend footy fixes, and Cristiano Ronaldo decides to grace the Saudi Pro League again. After sitting out two games in a huff over transfer window woes, the GOAT's back for Al Nassr's trip to struggling Al Fateh. It's like he took a cheeky holiday and now fancies banging in a few to chase that 1000th career goal – he's just 39 shy, fresh legs and all.

Al Nassr have been no slouches without him, nicking 1-0 and 2-0 wins thanks to Sadio Mané and Gabriel. Still, with João Félix up top in Jorge Jesus' trusty 4-4-2, expect fireworks. They're one point off leaders Al Hilal with a massive clash looming. Al Fateh? Six games without a win. Easy pickings for CR7's comeback show.

Prediction: Al Fateh 0-3 Al Nassr. Seven straight wins incoming?

Derby d'Italia: Title Race Tilt in Turin Shadows

If Italy's got a clash that gets the blood pumping, it's the Derby d'Italia – Inter Milan hosting Juventus, the 255th instalment. Inter are flying, top of Serie A with 11 wins in their last 12 league games. Lautaro Martínez can't stop scoring (four on the bounce), and wingback Federico Dimarco? 11 assists, 5 goals. Blimey, that's not half bad.

Juve, sitting fourth under Luciano Spalletti, need a statement. They've got flair in Kenan Yildiz, midfield grit from Weston McKennie and Khéphren Thuram, but inconsistency's their Achilles' heel – think that 3-0 Cup thrashing at Atalanta. Nail the Napoli-style 3-0 win from weeks back, and they could nick something at the San Siro. Inter's five clean sheets in eight and 22 goals lately scream dominance, though.

Prediction: Inter 3-1 Juventus. Spalletti's lot can surprise, but escaping with a draw? Dream on.

Matarazzo's Yankee Doodle Magic at the Bernabéu?

Over in La Liga, Pellegrino Matarazzo – the American gaffer, 48, fresh off a Hoffenheim sacking – has Real Sociedad dreaming big. Unbeaten in nine games since replacing Imanol Alguacil, including a 2-1 upset over leaders Barcelona. Now eighth, just three points off sixth and chasing Europe, with Mikel Oyarzabal and Gonçalo Guedes firing on all cylinders.

They face a Real Madrid on a seven-game league streak, but let's be real – it's gritty rather than glamorous under interim Álvaro Arbeloa. Kylian Mbappé's at 23 La Liga goals, even after ref scraps last week. Madrid's sorting squad dramas, but Sociedad's Basque steel could exploit any slip-ups.

Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Real Sociedad. Matarazzo's honeymoon continues, but the Bernabéu bites back.

These picks, as reported by Julien Laurens at ESPN, span Saudi derbies to European heavyweights. Grab the lads, crack open the lagers – this weekend's got Cup ties, new bosses, and Ronaldo's ego in full swing. What's your shout?