As the European winter breeze begins to settle down, the football is returning which makes for perfect viewing on those chilly evenings. So here's the weekend's guide to the top 5 games to see.
Sports Pundit's Game of the Weekend
FC Barcelona v FC Sevilla
Spanish La Liga
Saturday, 10pm (Central European Time)
Fresh from their Copa del Rey exit, Barcelona will be hoping to return to form in La Liga, but now they face the side who knocked them out of the cup, FC Sevilla. League leading Barca have a 13-point advantage over Sevilla who sit fifth, but their cup triumph suggests this could be an interesting clash.
We shouldn't forget Barcelona won the midweek return-leg 1-0 in Sevilla and it is this point which hints there's no hangover after their 2009 triumphs, especially considering last weekend's 5-0 victory in Tenerife.
Sevilla boss Manolo Jimenez has admitted his club's focus is on the cup, claiming La Liga is beyond them. And with the African Cup of Nations robbing them of key pair Fredi Kanoute and Didier Zokora, you fancy Barcelona should be on top. It will be very interesting though.
Bayern Munich v TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
German Bundesliga
Friday, 8.30pm (CET)
The German top flight returns this weekend after their winter break and to kick it off, Louis van Gaal's title hunting Bayern host ambitious Hoffenheim. The big point here is a Bayern win will take them into top spot on the table, albeit possibly temporarily.
It's silly to get too carried away with form after the long break, but Bayern haven't lost in the league since September and seem to be back on track. Interestingly, a year ago Hoffenheim were proudly the Autumn champions of Germany, but right now they're down in seventh and without a league win in four. They will be dangerous.
Stoke City v Liverpool
English Premier League
Saturday, 1.45pm (CET)
The early kick-off in England's top flight this Saturday offers an enticing clash with struggling giants Liverpool travelling to the ferocious Britannia Stadium to face tricky Stoke. Liverpool's midweek FA Cup exit at the hands of second tier Reading means it really is crisis time for Rafa Benitez and co.
Nevertheless, the Reds have won three of their last four in the league and seem to be on the improve there, but this isn't an easy assignment. Stoke, though, are struggling for goals but their recent 3-2 win over Fulham hints there's life in them yet. This might be tight and the goals may be few and far between.
Napoli v Palermo
Italian Serie A
Sunday, 8.45pm (CET)
Two of Italy's surprise high flyers this season face off on Sunday evening with fourth-placed Napoli hosting seventh Palermo. The Naples club are unbeaten at home this season, while the Sicilians seem improved under new boss Delio Rossi.
In fact, Napoli's recent form is so good, they actually haven't lost in Serie A since early October, ignoring their midweek Coppa Italia exit at the hands of Juventus. Palermo too, bowed out of the cup midweek, but they havent' been beaten in the league in five and will prove difficult. Both are aiming for Champions League qualification this season, both will need the points here.
Bordeaux v Olympique Marseille
French Ligue 1
Sunday, 9pm (CET)
France's runaway league leaders Bordeaux play host to Didier Deschamps' Marseille in the stand-alone Sunday fixture in Ligue 1. Girondins have won their last six in the league and have won all bar one of their Ligue 1 games at home this term, so they're hot favourites.
But Marseille always present a tricky test and don't mind turning it on against the big boys. These two drew 0-0 early in the campaign, while Marseille memorably drew 5-5 with Lyon in November too. Absences from the African Cup of Nations may harm Marseille more than NBA jerseys Bordeaux too.
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