Real Madrid Hosts Real Sociedad. Everton Faces Arsenal in Premier League

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham (C-L) participates in his team's training session at sports city of Valdebebas, Madrid, central Spain, 16 September 2023. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham (C-L) participates in his team's training session at sports city of Valdebebas, Madrid, central Spain, 16 September 2023. (EPA)
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Real Madrid Hosts Real Sociedad. Everton Faces Arsenal in Premier League

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham (C-L) participates in his team's training session at sports city of Valdebebas, Madrid, central Spain, 16 September 2023. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham (C-L) participates in his team's training session at sports city of Valdebebas, Madrid, central Spain, 16 September 2023. (EPA)

A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Sunday:

SPAIN

Real Madrid hosts Real Sociedad with Jude Bellingham leading the Spanish league with five goals since the 20-year-old England midfielder joined the club. Madrid will still be without the injured Vinícius Júnior. Madrid opens its Champions League group stage against Union Berlin on Wednesday at home. Madrid has won all four games it has played and entered the round as the league leader.

Sociedad's Japan forward Takefusa Kubo has scored three goals this campaign. Villarreal’s new coach Jose “Pacheta” Martín debuts at home against Almeria after he replaced the fired Quique Setién. Sevilla hosts Las Palmas whose team had to make the trip from the Canary Islands in two separate flights after the club said 15 players missed the first flight. Osasuna is at Getafe.

ENGLAND

Everton, which is set to come under new ownership, has a chance to get out of the relegation zone of the Premier League when it faces undefeated Arsenal at Goodison Park. It's not an easy task. The Gunners rallied to beat Manchester United 3-1 in their last game. Bournemouth hosts Chelsea in the early game with both clubs struggling so far this season.

ITALY

Roma is still searching for its first win of the season and it hosts newly promoted Empoli, which has lost its opening three matches back in Serie A. Roma has just one point. Roma coach Jose Mourinho confirmed that Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala will both start, with the two strikers playing together for the first time.

Promoted Cagliari also has just one point and Claudio Ranieri’s side hosts Udinese. Lecce, which is surprisingly fourth, can move level with second-place Juventus with a win at Monza. Atalanta is a point behind Lecce and visits Fiorentina. Frosinone hosts Sassuolo.

GERMANY

Three of the four teams in Bundesliga action haven't yet won a game this season. Borussia Monchengladbach plays at last-place Darmstadt with both teams winless. Heidenheim, which also has yet to win a league game, hosts midtable Werder Bremen in the day's other match.

FRANCE

Unbeaten Monaco looks to strengthen its lead with victory at midtable Lorient. Monaco has been scoring freely so far this season under coach Adi Hütter, with 13 goals in the first four matches. Marseille is also unbeaten and can jump to at least second place with a home win against Toulouse at Stade Velodrome, which has been hosting Rugby World Cup matches. Also, struggling Lyon desperately needs a home win against promoted Le Havre.



Kyrgios’ Return to Grand Slam Tennis Is in Doubt Ahead of the Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (not pictured) hit a return against Michael Venus of New Zealand and Nikola Mektic of Croatia during their men's doubles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 1, 2025. (AFP)
Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (not pictured) hit a return against Michael Venus of New Zealand and Nikola Mektic of Croatia during their men's doubles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 1, 2025. (AFP)
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Kyrgios’ Return to Grand Slam Tennis Is in Doubt Ahead of the Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (not pictured) hit a return against Michael Venus of New Zealand and Nikola Mektic of Croatia during their men's doubles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 1, 2025. (AFP)
Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (not pictured) hit a return against Michael Venus of New Zealand and Nikola Mektic of Croatia during their men's doubles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 1, 2025. (AFP)

Nick Kyrgios’ planned return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open is in doubt after he sustained an abdominal injury and was forced to withdraw from an exhibition with Novak Djokovic this week.

The 2022 Wimbledon finalist, sidelined with wrist and knee injuries since the 2022 US Open, said in an Instagram post Wednesday that an ultrasound scan had revealed an abdominal strain and "unfortunately (I) won’t be able to play my good friend (Djokovic) this Thursday."

He said he’d be resting and doing everything possible to be ready for the Australian Open, which starts Sunday at Melbourne Park.

The mercurial Australian, who has become a popular commentator during his lengthy stints on the injured list, made his competitive comeback last week at Brisbane, where he played one singles match and partnered with Djokovic in two doubles matches.

Djokovic and Kyrgios won their opening doubles match, a crowd-pleasing, fist-pumping affair by both players at Pat Rafter Arena before a 6-2, 3-6, 10-8 loss to Nikola Mektic of Croatia and New Zealander Michael Venus.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley remained confident Kyrgios would play at the year's first major.

"I think it’s just precautionary, that’s the word we’ve got from him," Tiley said Wednesday, responding to questions about the potential absence of the star Australian. "Nick’s not the only one not doing some of their pre-planned matches over the next few days. There’s no concerns ahead of the Open."