The five best football fixtures to watch this weekend, featuring AFCON quarter-finals, the FA Cup third round, and El Clásico.
Five spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend:
Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace
The FA Cup third-round weekend is always one to watch, as English football’s biggest clubs join the competition. Everyone loves a potential cup upset, so perhaps the best viewing will be found at Macclesfield. The non-league side are climbing back through the ranks, with the phoenix club – reborn from Macclesfield Town in 2020 – now in the sixth-tier.
This weekend, Macclesfield host the holders as Crystal Palace arrive at Moss Rose. Palace were the underdogs during last season’s final win over Manchester City at Wembley, but now start as overwhelming favourites.
Winners once. Holders still.
We are Crystal Palace.Introducing the limited-edition @EmiratesFACup Winners’ Ball that will be used in our fixture this weekend against Macclesfield 🤌 pic.twitter.com/hhz38EthDz
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 8, 2026
Can John Rooney, younger brother of Wayne, mastermind a Macclesfield cupset?
Spice Rating: Mild 🌶
Egypt vs Ivory Coast
The Africa Cup of Nations has reached the quarter-final stage and there are heavyweight clashes everywhere.
On Saturday evening, record-winners Egypt face holders Ivory Coast in an unmissable match. The Pharaohs saw off Benin in extra time last time out, with Mohamed Salah on target for his third goal of the tournament.
Salah is bidding to end his wait for an elusive AFCON tournament, but Egypt face an Ivory Coast team in terrific form. Manchester United winger Amad Diallo has been a driving force in their campaign.
Egypt will face Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations 🇪🇬🇨🇮 pic.twitter.com/rvs13g6ZiQ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 6, 2026
Spice Rating: Medium 🌶🌶
Algeria vs Nigeria
Another cracker in Africa’s continental competition.
Algeria and Nigeria meet in the last eight, the only two teams with a 100% record in the competition so far. Riyad Mahrez has rolled back the years for Algeria with three goals, though it was a last-gasp Adil Boulbina that prevented penalties against DR Congo last time out.
🇩🇿 Algeria vs. Nigeria 🇳🇬
Can’t wait for this AFCON quarterfinal 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/xoCCvLPWUo
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 6, 2026
For Nigeria, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have in rich form with both on target as the Super Eagles thrashed Mozambique 4-0 in the Round of 16. Nigeria will be determined to make up for their World Cup disappointment with a first AFCON win since 2013.
Spice Rating: Hot 🌶🌶🌶
Inter Milan vs Napoli
Inter Milan meet Napoli in Serie A this weekend, in a clash that could have huge implications on the title race. Inter lead the Scudetto chase, ahead of facing the defending champions at the San Siro.
Cristian Chivu’s side secured their sixth win in a row after beating Parma 2-0 in midweek to open up a three-point lead at the top. However, memories are still fresh of a humbling defeat at Napoli earlier in the campaign.
Which way will this one go?
Spice Rating: Fire 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Barcelona vs Real Madrid
El Clásico is always the biggest fixture on the European calendar, so it’s always good when another gets added. Barcelona and Real Madrid set up a Spanish Super Cup showdown this week after securing semi-final wins in Saudi Arabia.
The first silverware of the Spanish season is on the line, as the eternal rivals collide in the Middle East.
𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐋 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐎 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 😍
On Sunday, it’s Barcelona 🆚 Real Madrid for the Spanish Super Cup trophy 🏆🇪🇸
𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗧 𝗢𝗡! 🥵 pic.twitter.com/bry9afHi4o
— 433 (@433) January 8, 2026
Barcelona battered Real Madrid in this fixture last season, scoring four times before half-time. Revenge is on the agenda for Real.
Spice Rating: Insane 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
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