Editors' Picks: AFCON, heavyweight European clashes and Paul vs Joshua headline weekend

[p]Check out what our editors will be watching:[/p][h2]Saturday, December 20th[/h2][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.com/match/boxing/joshua-anthony-WnlqLAvo/paul-jake-6XLCxtih/?mid=8hhOb9qL" target="_blank"]Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua - 02:00 CET[/a][/h2][p]In what is one of the most bizarre and remarkable sporting stories of the year, two-time former heavyweight champion of the world [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/joshua-anthony/WnlqLAvo/"]Anthony Joshua[/a] is set to go into the boxing ring with YouTuber-turned-boxer [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/paul-jake/6XLCxtih/"]Jake Paul[/a] in Miami.[/p][p]A bout that is set to have an eyewatering total purse, very few expected this to become a reality. ‘AJ’ has been one of the best heavyweights of his generation, while ‘The Problem Child’ has often got into the ring with influencers and retired fighters - including Mike Tyson last year. [/p][embed guid="d8ed0eef-59ac-46c6-b773-953f23486d3f" url="https://x.com/netflix/status/2001808077780299983" social-type="twitter" /][p]No one expects Paul to be able to lay a glove on Joshua, and in all likelihood, the fight could come to an end in brutal fashion in the opening round or two. With Joshua also being five inches taller than his opponent and weighing 26 pounds heavier, many experts believe this could be dangerous for Paul.[/p][p]Meanwhile, the Brit has his reputation on the line. A normal victory won’t be enough for Joshua. He must win as quickly and emphatically as possible, as he eyes a mammoth fight with Tyson Fury next year.[/p][p]While it may not be an ultra-competitive fight in the early hours of Saturday morning, it is an incredibly unique occasion. It is sure to bring tonnes of intrigue and draw loads of eyes.[/p][p][i][b]Tolga Akdeniz[/b][/i][/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/liverpool-lId4TMwf/tottenham-UDg08Ohm/?mid=Kn4rDfhK"]Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool - 18:30 CET[/a][/h2][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/news/soccer-premier-league-why-the-outcome-of-tottenham-vs-liverpool-is-vital-for-both-slot-and-frank/IVo5iiTg/"]A massive Saturday evening of Premier League football is on the cards[/a], as struggling [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tottenham/UDg08Ohm/"]Tottenham Hotspur[/a] welcome a [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/lId4TMwf/"]Liverpool[/a] side also looking to hit top form.[/p][p]The pressure is really beginning to mount on Thomas Frank at the helm of 11th-placed Spurs. Coming off the back of a thumping 3-0 loss at Nottingham Forest, they have just one win in their last seven games, and he is also receiving criticism for his negative style of play.[/p][p]Their form at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been particularly awful, with the fourth-worst home record in the entirety of the Premier League.[/p][video alt="Premier League: Tottenham - Liverpool (video preview)" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="3ff8f821-046b-467b-8b23-8562f4ddbaf7" id="0692fc8f-f7cc-4a80-acf1-4d63b3efb749" /][p]It has also been a really tough season for Liverpool and Arne Slot. Having spent bucketloads of money in the summer and breaking the British transfer record twice, the defending champions languish in seventh, 10 points off the summit.[/p][p]Slot has also had to deal with the fallout of Mohamed Salah's interview, but with the Egyptian now at the Africa Cup of Nations, that is no longer on his plate. Unbeaten in their last five games to get somewhat back on track, a victory at Spurs would be another positive step.[/p][p]A lot is at stake for both managers. Who will come out on top?[/p][p][i][b]Tolga Akdeniz[/b][/i][/p][h2]Sunday, December 21st[/h2][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/barcelona-SKbpVP5K/villarreal-lUatW5jE/?mid=lnU5U03c"]Villarreal vs Barcelona - 16:15 CET[/a][/h2][p]The game of the week in LaLiga is undoubtedly [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a]’s trip down the Mediterranean coast to face high-flying [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/villarreal/lUatW5jE/"]Villarreal[/a] on Sunday afternoon.[/p][p]Marcelino’s Yellow Submarine have been the surprise package in Spain this season, and they currently sit in third place, just four points behind Real Madrid but with two games in hand. Barca, meanwhile, are top of the table and with a four-point lead over Real, they’ll be very pleased with how things stand.[/p][p]Hansi Flick’s side may be on an impressive six-game winning run, buoyed by the recent return of Raphinha from injury, but paradoxically, there is a sense of vulnerability to them this campaign. They conceded three in a win over Betis earlier this month, and were handily beaten by Sevilla back in October.[/p][embed guid="e4247293-3741-41e4-b537-6169d64b4d16" url="https://x.com/FCBarcelona/status/2000007959036965298" social-type="twitter" /][p]Villarreal, on the other hand, have been a little patchy of late, losing their last three cup assignments. However, in LaLiga, they have won six on the spin and are unbeaten at home. What’s more, they’ll derive confidence from the fact that they defeated the Catalans in their last meeting back in May.[/p][p]This match had been controversially slated to be held in Miami, but [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/news/soccer-laliga-laliga-cancels-plan-to-host-barcelona-s-clash-with-villarreal-in-miami/vTO8su1l/"]LaLiga reversed that call a couple of months ago[/a] following intense criticism. The home fans will be thrilled about that, and you can bet they’ll be eyeing an upset win before the Christmas break, too.[/p][p][i][b]Pat Dempsey[/b][/i][/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/comoros-QLUC9wv3/morocco-IDKYO3R8/?mid=YeHelIam"]Morocco vs Comoros - 20:00 CET[/a][/h2][p]The 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations gets underway on Sunday evening as pre-tournament favourites [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/morocco/IDKYO3R8/"]Morocco[/a] take on [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/comoros/QLUC9wv3/"]Comoros[/a]. The hosts will be crossing their fingers that talisman Achraf Hakimi is fit to start the opening game as he returns from an injury that has seen the full back out since a nasty tackle from Luis Diaz in the Champions League last month.[/p][p]His return would be a major boost, but with or without their star man, Morocco should have little trouble getting an opening game victory. Comoros are the lowest-ranked team in Group A and, on paper, should be Morocco's easiest test. [/p][p]Morocco are favourites for a reason: they made the World Cup semi-finals in 2022 to make history for African football and possess a squad packed with talent. Aside from Hakimi, Brahim Diaz, Youssef En Nesyri, and experienced keeper Bono lead a star-studded side. Therefore, the pressure is on to get off to the perfect start on Sunday. [/p][embed guid="b3fffa2d-beb8-4f05-a7ff-945e651a30d6" url="https://x.com/CAF_Online/status/2001322330195108109" social-type="twitter" /][p]Comoros, meanwhile, have only ever qualified for AFCON once before, reaching the last 16 in the 2021 edition. Few would have expected them to make it out of the group stages at their maiden tournament, so to completely rule out their chances this time around would be naive.[/p][p]With all the pressure at the hosts' door, Comoros will enjoy their role as underdogs, and as we know in this crazy sport, anything could happen. Having said that, it is hard to look past the Atlas Lions for this one in what should be a routine opening game win for the hosts.[/p][p][i][b]Harry Dunnett[/b][/i][/p][h2]Monday, December 22nd[/h2][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/football/baltimore-ravens-pUern3T0/new-england-patriots-G6oNfmi8/?mid=OYcDxNAk"]Baltimore Ravens vs New England Patriots - 02:20 CET[/a][/h2][p]After being flexed to Sunday night, the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/baltimore-ravens/pUern3T0/"]Baltimore Ravens[/a] will try to keep their AFC North crown hopes alive as they take on a [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-england-patriots/G6oNfmi8/"]New England Patriots[/a] team that had their 10-game winning streak snapped at the hands of their divisional rival Buffalo Bills in a 34-31 loss.[/p][p]New England are now just sitting one game ahead of the Bills for first place in the AFC East at 11-3. They'll look to continue their undefeated ways as the Pats are the only team in the NFL this season without a loss (6-0) on the road; five of those six road wins were each decided by six points or less. [/p][embed guid="876587a4-a766-4ab4-8294-5c8765ecd592" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywrHFhuVSZo" social-type="youtube" /][p]MVP candidate Drake Maye is coming off the worst game throwing the ball all season long, throwing for 155 yards and one interception, though he did rush for two touchdowns. As for the Ravens, they're coming off their most dominant win of the season after shutting out their division rival Cincinnati Bengals 24-0, getting revenge for their Thanksgiving loss. [/p][p]In a flurry of scenarios between the Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens will look to try and win out their remaining games to give them the best chance of winning the AFC North and making the playoffs. However, they're 1-5 against teams with a winning record and are 3-5 at The Bank this season. [/p][p]Baltimore are three-point favourites with the over-under set at 48.5 as of December 18th. [/p][p][i][b]Eric Himmelheber[/b][/i][/p]