1. EL CLASICO SUNDAY — BARCELONA CAN WIN THE TITLE AT HOME


The biggest game of the Spanish season takes place this Sunday — Barcelona vs Real Madrid at the Spotify Camp Nou (9pm CET / 8pm UK / 7pm Ghana). Barcelona need just a point to be confirmed La Liga champions. Real Madrid need a win to keep the title mathematically alive — and given that they trail by 11 points with four games left, even a win only delays the inevitable. The backdrop could hardly be more dramatic. Madrid arrive in chaos — Rudiger slapped Carreras in training, Valverde and Tchouameni had a brawl that continued into the dressing room per Marca, Mbappe is facing a 14-million-signature petition demanding his sale, and Mbappe himself reportedly confronted a coaching staff member this week. Barcelona are without Yamal and Raphinha. Madrid are without Militao, Guler, Camavinga and possibly Mbappe — who is a doubt with a hamstring injury. The title party could begin at Camp Nou on Sunday night.


2. WORLD CUP INJURY CRISIS — GNABRY CONFIRMED OUT, ESTEVAO NEAR-COMPLETE TEAR


The World Cup injury list is growing by the day with the tournament just 35 days away. Germany's Serge Gnabry confirmed this week he will miss the tournament entirely after tearing his adductor muscle in his right thigh — his third World Cup injury in a row, having also missed 2018 and Euro 2024. Chelsea teenager Estevao is facing the most serious situation — scans revealed a near-complete Grade 3 hamstring tear, and Brazilian outlet Globo report Chelsea want surgery immediately which would rule him out. Brazil's national team are pushing for conservative treatment to give him a chance. Estevao scored five goals in 11 appearances for Brazil. Other confirmed World Cup absentees: Rodrygo (ACL), Militao (hamstring surgery required), Xavi Simons (ACL), Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Arda Guler (hamstring, major doubt). Brazil, Germany and the Netherlands are the hardest hit nations so far.


3. MOHAMMED KUDUS — MAJOR DOUBT FOR GHANA AT THE WORLD CUP


West Ham's Mohammed Kudus is a major doubt for Ghana's World Cup campaign this summer. The 24-year-old suffered a quad injury and faces a race against time to be fit for the tournament. Ghana open their World Cup campaign in Group L against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 21 and Croatia on June 25. Sports Mole list Kudus as a major doubt with a possible return date of June 18 — which would potentially rule him out of the opening game. Kudus has been one of Ghana's most important players since his move to England in 2023 and his absence would be a significant blow to Otto Addo's plans. Mohammed Salisu is also out.


4. AL NASSR VS AL SHABAB TONIGHT — RONALDO MUST WIN


Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr cannot afford another slip-up tonight. They host Al Shabab at Al Awwal Park (7:30pm Saudi time / 5:30pm Ghana) needing three points to maintain their two-point lead over Al Hilal heading into next Sunday's Riyadh Derby. Al Hilal have already won five consecutive league games and beat Al Khaleej 2-1 earlier this week to close the gap. A dropped point tonight and a Hilal win in their next game would level the table before the Derby. Ronaldo confirmed fit to start despite the frustration of Sunday's defeat to Al Qadsiah. This is the most important league game of his Saudi career not involving Al Hilal.


5. PSG IN THE UCL FINAL — ARSENAL AWAIT IN BUDAPEST ON MAY 30


Paris Saint-Germain are back in the Champions League final after drawing 1-1 with Bayern Munich in Munich on Wednesday — advancing 6-5 on aggregate. Dembele scored inside three minutes. Kane's 94th-minute goal came too late for Bayern. PSG face Arsenal at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30. It is a rematch of last season's final, which PSG won 2-1 in Lisbon. Arsenal have never won the European Cup. PSG are chasing back-to-back titles — only Real Madrid have done that in the modern era. PSG also lead Ligue 1 by six points, chasing a treble.