Milan Derby, Suárez to Stay, Barney Ronay on Christmas Footie, Weekend Previews, U.S. Men’s National Team All-Time Best XI

Friday? Really? Where did it all go...?

It's primarily previews today as Serie A, Das Bundesliga, and La Liga enjoy their final action before they disappear for a few weeks of slumber. Meanwhile, the Premier League will take the opposite approach, and force clubs to endure a Draconian run of fixtures in the cold rain and snow.

I'll be making £200,000 a week and marijuana is legal in my country.

We'll begin in Italy, Milan specifically, with the Derby della Madonnina. It'll be a weird one because neither side is enjoying a particularly solid league campaign. Inter don't have any European commitments but still sit only fifth, while Milan are way down in 11th. Add the fact that Inter's fans have been banned for abusing Neapolitans and you've got some strangeness. As James Horncastle notes, however, the clash may have lost some luster but not its spark. You can enjoy the action Sunday at 2:45pm EST on beIN Sport USA.

Spain? Meh. Nothing terribly special. Here's the rundown of what to expect.

The Premier League's premier fixture is Monday when Chelsea head up to Arsenal. Prior to that, we've got Liverpool/Cardiff, Fulham/Manchester City, Manchester United/West Ham, Southampton/Tottenham, and Swansea/Everton. Here are the items of necessity:

Premier League Preview

10 Things to Look Out For

Paul Merson's Predictions

Lawro/David Cameron/Troops' Predictions

As we mentioned, unlike most of the other civilized leagues in Europe, there will be no break in the schedule in the Premier League. Rather, there will be more matches to enjoy. We like that, and so does Barney Ronay. He says, "The best thing about Christmas is its football – which, like pubs, sprung out of a very British desire to avoid being at home." Yup.

Dempsey back to Fulham for a couple of months? Yes. Luis Suarez signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Liverpool? Yes. Christmas parties gone wrong? Yes, Yes, Yes!

Let's conclude the week's affairs with a look at the U.S. Men’s National Team All-Time Best XI. Or, at least SI.com’s Avi Creditor's and Brian Straus' picks. Cobi Jones?! Good grief.

Onward!!

-SSN