The United States have never won in Mexico in World Cup qualifying but will be on the verge of qualification for Qatar 2022 if they can buck that trend. Both teams are level on 21 points and are four points clear of fourth-placed Panama with three games to go.
Juventus had to settle for a 1-1 draw in the first leg but will be confident of completing the job when they host Villarreal with a place in the Champions League quarter-finals at stake. Dusan Vlahovic scored inside the first minute but Dani Parejo’s equaliser boosted Villarreal’s chances.
Chelsea head to France for the second leg of their Champions League tie with a 2-0 lead and it would be a surprise if they fail to make it through to the quarter-finals. A goal in each half from Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic secured victory at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United were second best for much of the first leg against Atletico Madrid but returned to Old Trafford level at 1-1 thanks to a late equaliser. They are now firm favourites at 1.42 to reach the Champions League quarter-finals but those odds look too short.
Ajax twice wasted a lead in the first leg of their Champions League clash with Benfica but are expected to be more ruthless in the return match. The teams drew 2-2 in Portugal a fortnight ago but Ajax will feel they wasted the chance to return to Amsterdam with the lead.
PSG were more dominant in the first leg of their Champions League clash with Real Madrid than the result suggested and can highlight their superiority in the Spanish capital. Kylian Mbappe scored the goal which sees the French side head to Madrid with a 1-0 lead.
Manchester City have effectively already secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals and Sporting Lisbon will hope that means they can avoid another heavy defeat in the second leg. City are 5-0 up from the first leg in the Portuguese capital.
Liverpool are sitting pretty in their Champions League tie with Inter Milan after a 2-0 win in Italy but were given a tough test at the San Siro. The Nerazzurri were the better team for large parts of that contest and are fancied to have their moments on Merseyside.
Bayern Munich left it late when drawing the first leg of their Champions League clash with Salzburg but should now advance on home turf. The German giants, who won 3-1 and 6-2 in group-stage games between these teams last term, dominated for long periods in Austria.
Vancouver had a good home record last season but face a tough first match at BC Place this term when hosting MLS Cup winners New York City. The Whitecaps were off the pace in their opening game at Columbus and a week may not be enough time to get back up to speed.
European teams have won the last eight editions of the FIFA Club World Cup and Chelsea can extend that sequence by seeing off Palmeiras. The Blues were the last Champions League victors to taste defeat when going down to Corinthians in 2012 but can finally make amends.
Sadio Mane’s Senegal will take on Egypt and Mohamed Salah in a Liverpool derby to decide the Africa Cup of Nations. The Pharaohs will be battle-hardened after coming through a tougher route to the final but the Lions of Teranga have been visually more impressive.
United are not able to be picky about which trophies they win these days and will be relieved to be hosting lower-league opposition in the FA Cup fourth round. They went into the winter break on the back of two Premier League wins and can use the cup tie to get back into the swing of things.
Cameroon will hope home advantage gives them the edge when they face fellow former Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt in the second semi-final on Thursday. Both teams know what it takes to go all the way in this tournament but Cameroon have the added incentive of lifting the trophy on home soil.