Ahead of another weekend of football, Jon Turner picks his five must-see matches. All times UAE.
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SERIE A
Roma v Fiorentina, Friday, beIN Sports HD, 11.45pm
Juventus may have moved into pole position in the Serie A title race but it remains tight at the top. Kicking off the Italian top-flight fixtures this weekend are two teams right in the thick of it as third-placed Roma host fourth-placed Fiorentina, with the two teams separated only by goal difference. Roma are currently flying and enter the match seeking their seventh successive league win, while Fiorentina are unbeaten in six, winning three. A defeat for either team could spell the end of any lingering title hopes, so there is plenty on the line in this one.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal, Saturday, beIN Sports HD, 4.45pm
In a weekend packed full of matches between title rivals, this may just be the pick of the bunch. This is one of the most fierce derbies in European football under normal circumstances, but this season has the added spice of both clubs contending for the Premier League title. Tottenham lead Arsenal by three points, and should Leicester City lose at Watford later on Saturday, a win would put Spurs top of the table for the first time this season. Defeat for Arsenal would be their third in succession and could spell the end for another title challenge. Victory for Arsene Wenger’s men, however, will put them within touching distance of top spot. Another massive match.
BUNDESLIGA
Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich, Saturday, beIN Sports HD, 9.30pm
We aren’t quite finished with the title clashes just yet as we head over to Germany. Most football fans could be forgiven for ignoring the Bundesliga this season in the assumption that Bayern Munich had stormed off with the title. Incredibly, Borussia Dortmund remain just five points behind Bayern, and after the Bavarian’s shock defeat to Mainz on Wednesday combined with Dortmund’s win over Darmstadt, the title race is still competitive. A win for Dortmund, who have won eight of their last 10, will reduce the gap to just two points. Make no mistake, Bayern are still firm favourites to retain the title, but defeat for Pep Guardiola’s side on Saturday evening will certainly make for an interesting run-in.
PORTUGUESE PRIMEIRA LIGA
Sporting v Benfica, Saturday, beIN Sports HD, 12.45am (Sunday morning)
The fourth of four top-of-the-table matches across Europe takes place in Portugal, as leaders Sporting welcome second-placed Benfica to Lisbon. A solitary point separates the two giants of Portuguese football with 10 games of the season remaining, and a result for either team on Saturday night will put them firmly in control of their destiny. Benfica have been the great entertainers this season, scoring a whopping 65 goals, and Rui Vitoria’s team enter the match having won nine of their last 10, with the only defeat coming against fellow title rivals Porto. Sporting may be less swashbuckling than Benfica, but have lost just once all season. A tough one to call.
PRIMERA LIGA
Valencia v Atletico Madrid, Sunday, BeIN Sports HD, 11.30pm
There seems to be little any club can do to stop Barcelona’s march to the Primera Liga title, and nearest challengers Atletico Madrid could be dealt a blow should they fail to win at a Valencia, who are undergoing a mini-revival. After a shambolic start that produced no wins in his first nine league games, Gary Neville is slowly steadying the Valencia ship with three wins in their past four league outings and safe passage into the Europa League last-16 courtesy of a 10-0 aggregate win over Rapid Vienna. Atletico are favourites to win this match, but expect a cagey affair with a single goal deciding the result.
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How to tell if your child is being bullied at school
Sudden change in behaviour or displays higher levels of stress or anxiety
Shows signs of depression or isolation
Ability to sleep well diminishes
Academic performance begins to deteriorate
Changes in eating habits
Struggles to concentrate
Refuses to go to school
Behaviour changes and is aggressive towards siblings
Begins to use language they do not normally use
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Breaking News: The Remaking of Journalism and Why It Matters Now
Alan Rushbridger, Canongate
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.