European champions and title challengers in Italy, Belgium and Portugal are all in action
If you’re in Europe during the Christmas holidays, you needn’t miss out on live football. There’s plenty of league action in Italy, Portugal, Belgium and Spain, at top stadiums from Porto to Brussels, and Bologna to Valencia.
Here’s a selection of the best games to see, involving cross-city rivals, age-old enemies and European champions.
And if you’re in Europe and just want to watch Premier League action in the comfort of a local pub, see our guides to the best football bars in Lisbon, Porto, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Budapest, Paris, Amsterdam, Zagreb, Copenhagen, Munich and Athens.
friday, december 27: anderlecht
Strange to think that once so dominant Anderlecht haven’t won the Belgian title, or any trophy, since 2017 – but three points at home to Dender at Lotto Park will see les Mauves use their game in hand to keep the top two in Belgium’s Pro League, Genk and Bruges, within their sights. Kick-off 8.45pm.
saturday, december 28: porto
The Porto derby dominates the Primeira programme in Portugal, the game vital for both sides. Hosts Porto stand within a point of leaders Benfica and level with in-trouble Sporting, while visitors Boavista sit in the relegation zone, where three points separate six clubs. The game will also be shown on TV in Porto’s best football bars. Kick-off 9.30pm.
sunday, december 29: juventus
One goal separates hosts Juventus from bitter rivals Fiorentina, tied on the same points in line for Euro qualification come May. Currently unbeaten in Serie A since last April, La Vecchia Signora tend to draw as many games as they win, so a Viola win in Turin would be a Christmas upset for the ages for the Fiorentina faithful. Kick-off 6pm.
Monday, december 30: bologna
Team of the season in 2023-24, Bologna have gone off the boil since the departure of coach Thiago Motta for Juventus, but the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara is still a very special place to watch a football match, looking similar to how it did when it opened nearly a century ago. Visitors Verona will be scrapping for the three points to keep above the drop zone. Kick-off 8.45pm.
friday, January 3: valencia
The visit of European champions Real Madrid sees Valencia in danger of dropping down to the Segunda for the first time in nearly 40 years. What relegation would mean to the future of the legendary Mestalla, the steep-sided bowl in the heart of town, is also in question as the deadline for the completion of the new-build Nou Mestalla is pushed ever further back.
This July, it dropped off the list of potential venue to co-host the 2030 World Cup. In the meantime, Valencia fans continue to gather here for the next two or three seasons at least – if only to protest against the hated club management. On the eve of the city’s popular Reyes Magos Christmas parade, the game should be a cracker. Kick-off 9pm.