This weekend marks the highly anticipated return of football after the international break, featuring a spectacular lineup of derbies and rivalries from across the globe. From high-stakes league clashes to a championship final, the upcoming matches promise intense action and dramatic narratives.

The centerpiece of the weekend is undoubtedly the North London Derby in the Premier League, where leaders Arsenal face rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, November 23, at 4:30 pm BST (11:30 am ET, 10 pm IST, 2:30 am AEDT, Monday) at the Emirates Stadium in London. Michael Oliver will referee, with Stuart Attwell as VAR. This 198th derby, with Arsenal holding an 84-62 win advantage, carries immense weight beyond local pride, pitting first against fifth in the league table, Mikel Arteta's style against Thomas Frank's pragmatism, and title ambitions against top-five ambitions. Arsenal's lead could shrink to a single point if Manchester City win their Saturday fixture, while Spurs aim to close the gap to five points with a victory.

Both teams enter the derby with significant injury concerns. Arsenal faces a major blow with central defender Gabriel Magalhães sidelined for at least a month due to a thigh injury sustained on international duty, potentially missing games until late December. Riccardo Calafiori (knock) is a doubt but expected to return quickly, while Kai Havertz (knee, mid-Dec return), Gabriel Jesus (ACL, mid-Dec return), Noni Madueke (knee, early-Dec return), Gabriel Martinelli (knock, early-Dec return), and Martin Ødegaard (knee) are also out or doubtful. Viktor Gyökeres (hamstring) might return. Tottenham's injury list is equally extensive, with up to twelve players potentially unavailable. Key doubts include Pape Matar Sarr (knock), Lucas Bergvall (concussion), Mohammed Kudus (knock), Randal Kolo Muani (jaw, though trained with a mask), Kota Takai (foot), Yves Bissouma (ankle), and Radu Dragusin (ACL). Ben Davies (muscle, late-Nov return), Archie Gray (muscle, mid-Dec return), James Maddison (ACL, early-Jan return), Dejan Kulusevski (knee, early-Dec return), and Dominic Solanke (ankle, late-Nov return) are also out or nearing returns. ESPN will provide live updates, and the match can be watched on Sky Sports (U.K.), NBC/Peacock (U.S.), JioHotstar (India), and Stan Sport (Australia).

The North London Derby will feature two pivotal players who were central to summer transfer sagas: Arsenal's Eberechi Eze and Tottenham's Xavi Simons. Eze, a boyhood Arsenal fan and former academy player, was set to join Tottenham for £60 million plus add-ons before Arsenal, needing attacking reinforcement due to Kai Havertz's injury, matched the offer. Eze's move to Arsenal was confirmed on August 22, and he has since become a fan favorite, consistently finding dangerous pockets and making 25 shots in all competitions, with two goals. Simons, acquired by Tottenham for £53 million, beating Chelsea to his signature, was meant to fill a creative void after James Maddison's ACL injury. While involved in build-up play, Simons has yet to register a goal, with only two assists in 14 games. His form, however, appears to be picking up, highlighted by a Man of the Match performance in the Champions League and a goal for the Netherlands during the international break. Both players will be under intense scrutiny, with the derby providing an ideal moment for Simons to break his duck.

Tactically, Arsenal boasts the league's best defensive record with only five goals conceded this year, but Gabriel's absence raises concerns. The partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba is crucial, as Arsenal won only 4 of 12 Premier League games without them starting together last season. This match has also been dubbed a 'set-piece derby' due to both teams' prowess from dead balls. Arsenal leads the league with 10 set-piece goals (8 from corners), while Tottenham is third with 6 goals, all from corners. Spurs, despite their poor home form, excel away from home, being the only unbeaten team on the road (4 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses) with 13 points from five matches. Arsenal is strong at home, with Manchester City being the only visiting team to pick up points. Mikel Arteta has a dominant record against recent Spurs managers, and has been unbeaten in seven derbies since May 2022. Thomas Frank, despite only one win against Arteta in nine managerial meetings, will aim to challenge this streak.

Beyond North London, other significant derbies will captivate football fans worldwide:

In Ligue 1, Nice hosts Marseille in the 'Derby de la Mediterranée' on Friday at 2:45 pm ET / 7:45 pm GMT. The rivalry is so intense that Marseille fans are prohibited from traveling to the Allianz Riviera stadium. Nice, ninth, has lost three straight, while second-placed Marseille seeks a win to go top before PSG's game. This fixture promises goals and drama, with 24 goals in their last seven encounters, including the infamous 2021 incident where a Nice ultra kicked Dimitri Payet. Roberto De Zerbi's Marseille, despite defensive injuries, is favored to win 3-1.

Spain's La Liga features the 'Derby del Turia' between Valencia and Levante on Friday at 3 pm ET / 8 pm GMT. Though both teams are struggling (17th and 19th respectively), this is a massive regional rivalry dating back to 1920. It's their first meeting since Levante's promotion in 2025-26 (they spent time in Segunda Division). Levante has never won at Mestalla in La Liga. The match will showcase young talents like Levante's Etta Eyong and Valencia's Javi Guerra and Carlos Álvarez. A 1-1 draw is predicted, with intensity over spectacle.

The 'New Firm' derby in the Danish Superligaen sees F.C. København battle Brondby on Sunday at 8 am ET / 11 am GMT. This fiercest Danish rivalry, despite starting in 1992, has seen F.C. København dominate with 16 league titles and five wins in the last 19 encounters. This season, Brondby is second, a point behind leaders, while F.C. København is fourth. Key players include Mohamed Elyounoussi and Jordan Larsson for FCK, and Filip Bundgaard for Brondby, who is replacing the injured Nicolai Vallys. A high-scoring 2-2 draw is predicted.

In the English Championship, the 'Steel City Derby' between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United takes place on Sunday at 7 am ET / 12 pm GMT. This historic rivalry, dating back to 1890, involves two stadiums just 3.7 miles apart. Both teams are at the bottom of the table (United 22nd, Wednesday 24th with a -4 point penalty due to administration). The drama stems from their dire season. Key players include Barry Bannan for Wednesday and Callum O'Hare for United. Sheffield United is predicted to win 2-1, with O'Hare and Tyrese Campbell being key.

Italy's Serie A hosts the 'Derby della Madonnina' between Inter Milan and AC Milan on Sunday at 2:45 pm ET / 7:45 pm GMT. Named after the Virgin Mary statue in Milan, this 244th meeting sees Inter leading a tight Serie A campaign, level with Roma and two points clear of Milan in third. The match is expected to be a battle of forwards: Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram for Inter, against Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic for AC Milan. Inter is predicted to win 2-1, leveraging their home advantage and overall stronger squad.

Finally, the NWSL Championship final on Saturday at 8 pm ET / Sunday 1 am GMT features Washington Spirit vs. Gotham FC. This marks their 44th encounter and fourth this season. Both teams, led by Spanish head coaches and boasting numerous stars like Esther, Geyse, Rose Lavelle, Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham) and Trinity Rodman, Croix Bethune, Narumi Miura, Sofia Cantore (Spirit), along with promising young talents, promise a special spectacle. Gotham FC, known for their mental strength and late wins, with Esther fully back from injury, are predicted to win 1-0 against Washington Spirit's firepower.