The UEFA Champions League is back in action, as defending champion Barcelona looks to take its first step toward a quarterfinal berth against an upstart but capable Bayer Leverkusen side in the opening match of the knockout stage. Barcelona is a bit shorthanded for the match, as an injured Xavi has been left out of the lineup, and Gerard Pique is out as well.

Real Madrid can move a big step closer to the Spanish Premier League title today with a win against Levante in one of the day's most anticipated matches.

Barcelona's shocking loss to Levante on Saturday means Real Madrid could extend their lead atop the La Liga standings to a huge ten points.

Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra will face each other on the field for the first time since the controversial racism charges against Suarez when Manchester United and Liverpool renew their rivalry in today's marquee match-up.

Suarez will be key to the Reds chances of knocking off Manchester United in a vital match-up for both teams.

The are important matches in domestic cup play across a number of countries, none of which is more intriguing than the Coppa Italia battle between AC Milan and Juventus.

The top two teams in Serie A open their anticipated semifinal tie at the San Siro after easing past top-notch competition in the quarterfinals.

Tottenham and LIverpool both have Champions League aspirations, and both can boost their place near the top of the English Premier League standings when they face off at Anfield today (2:55pm, ESPN2).

Today features the return of Luis Suarez from his suspension for making racist remarks at Manchester United's Patrice Evra, and Suarez will be key to trying to help the Reds climb up from their current seventh-place position in the standings.

A big snowstorm hit England on Saturday, threatening to jeopardize the slate of matches set for today, but the big headliner between Chelsea and Manchester United will go on as planned, and it will serve as the marquee match of a busy day in the soccer world.

While the Super Bowl dominates the American sports landscape today, soccer fans here will have plenty to choose from for their viewing pleasures, topped off with the big Chelsea-United clash.

Clint Dempsey will try to keep his torrid hot streak in the English Premier League going against a Manchester City side looking to hold on to first place in one of today's best matches.

The Cottagers are in need of points to move further away from the relegation zone, but earning any in Manchester against a City side coming off a loss to Everton won't be easy.

With the transfer window shut, teams across Europe are moving forward with their new parts in place.

Queens Park Rangers' newest signings Djibril Cisse and Taye Taiwo are in the starting lineup for the club's match at Aston Villa, which has Robbie Keane in the starting lineup and Americans Brad Guzan and Eric Lichaj ready on the bench.

Transfer madness takes a back seat to mid-week matches, as a number of top teams in Europe take to the field on Tuesday.

The top four teams in England are all in action, with Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Everton facing league-leading Manchester City. Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea will all be looking to secure their own results while hoping the American pair can conjure an upset to shorten the gap at the top of the table.

Arsenal's season hasn't gone quite according to plan, but a win today against Aston VIlla in FA Cup Fourth Round action could help ease some of the pressure being faced by Arsene Wenger these days.

Wenger has been roundly criticized since the Gunners' loss to Manchester United last week, but a win today might help ease some of that backlash.

A pair of heated English derby match-ups headline today's action, and both will have added subplots that will only make things more intense.

Manchester United and Liverpool clash in their first meeting since the controversial match where Luis Suarez allegedly used racial slurs against Patrice Evra; while London rivals Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers meet for the first time since John Terry allegedly used a racial slur against Anton Ferdinand.

Domestic cup competitions in Europe typically feature David vs. Goliath stories, but Wednesday, it's all about the big boys.

Liverpool carries its 1-0 edge over Manchester City in the Carling Cup semifinals into the second leg at Anfield, where the Reds will try and hold on and advance to next month's title game against surprise finalist Cardiff City.

Today is one of those jam-packed days of soccer action that make you happy to be a soccer fan with a full day with nothing to do but watch soccer.

There is something for everybody today, from the historic Arsenal-Manchester United clash, which will be the first English Premier League match shown live on American network television, to this morning's Manchester City-Tottenham tilt featuring two of the best teams in England.

Landon Donovan is coming off an outstanding match in Everton's 1-1 draw vs. Aston Villa last week, and he will look to post an even better performance against struggling Blackburn today.

Donovan will look to jump-start an offense that has has its share of struggles, but an offense that could have a field day against struggling Rovers.

Bitter rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to write the next chapter in their storied Clasico history as they meet in the opening leg of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (4 p.m., GOLTV/ESPN3.com).

While Barcelona is looking for revenge in this tournament after being beaten by Madrid in last year's final, it is Madrid that is looking to try to even the overall score.

Thierry Henry has already made a dramatic return to Arsenal, but today he will have his chance to try and top his game-winning FA Cup goal against Leeds by scoring in his first English Premier League match of his comeback.

The Gunners take on Swansea City in what should be an entertaining encounter, and could bring us Henry's first start since coming back to Arsenal.

Less than two months ago Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane were combining on a game-winning goal that helped lead the Los Angeles Galaxy to an MLS Cup title. Today, the two will square off on the other side of the planet as Donovan's Everton and Keane's Aston Villa do battle.

Manchester United will look to keep the heat on Manchester City by knocking off Bolton, which is awaiting a work permit for newly-acquired defender Tim Ream.

Landon Donovan and Brad Friedel's highly-anticipated match-up is finally here.

The two Americans are both in their respective team's starting lineups, as is Tim Howard, for Tottenham's home game against Everton (2:45 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel). Donovan will look to help the Toffees upset the Spurs in his third game back while also attempting to silence one his most recent critics in Friedel in the process.

Thierry Henry's return to Arsenal commences in the FA Cup, as the on-loan New York Red Bulls striker is available as a substitute in the Gunners' third-round match against Leeds United (2:45 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel).

The winner of the match has a fourth-round date with Aston Villa, a match that could pit MLS Designated Players Henry and Robbie Keane against each other should Arsenal advance and Keane's prospective loan to Villa from the Los Angeles Galaxy go through.

The FA Cup continues in full swing today, with the biggest match-up of the weekend featuring the Manchester Derby.

Manchester City will look to take a step closer to defending their FA Cup title against a Manchester United side that is coming off a painful loss to Newcastle in league play.

With leagues coming off their winter breaks, and England diving into FA Cup action, today's slate of matches will give us the first good schedule of activity of the new year.

The Mexican League gets its Clausura season underway this weekend, as Herculez Gomez and Santos Laguna take on Jose Torres and Pachuca.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Landon Donovan's return to Everton is the story of the day in American soccer, and he'll look to make an immediate impact when the Toffees host Bolton at Goodison Park. Donovan has secured a place in the starting lineup, as has goalkeeping stalwart Tim Howard, who is making his 250th Premier League appearance.

The seemingly never-ending stream of Premier League matches continues on Tuesday, with three more games on the docket including a high-profile battle between Manchester City and Liverpool. City can reclaim sole possession of first place with a win or draw, while the Reds, who will be without the suspended Luis Suarez, can get back into UEFA Champions League contention with a victory.

Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates his 70th birthday today and his Manchester United will try to give him a present in the form of a victory and sole possession of first place when the Red Devils take on struggling Blackburn today.

Manchester United pulled even with Manchester City during the most recent set of Premier League matches, but can pull ahead with a victory against a Rovers side that has endured a nightmare season under manager Steve Kean.

Chelsea had championship aspirations heading into the season, but a few stumbles have left the big-spending Blues trailing the Manchester clubs and now stand closer to falling out of top four than challenging for the top spot.

If Chelsea is going to stay ahead of the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, they will need to beat London rival Fulham in today's Boxing Day clash.

There are only a handful of games across the soccer world on Thursday, but a pretty crucial one is taking place at White Hart Lane, where Chelsea and Tottenham do battle in a London derby (3 p.m., ESPN2/ESPN3.com/ESPN Deportes).

Tottenham sits in third place in the Premier League, two points ahead of the Blues with a game in hand.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

With nearly full slates of action in the Premier League, Serie A and Ligue 1 and domestic cup play on the docket as well, plenty is on the line across Europe today.

A number of Americans are in action across the continent, as Clint Dempsey looks to keep his goal-scoring form going at Craven Cottage against Manchester United, while goalkeepers Tim Howard and Brad Guzan aim for clean sheets against Swansea City and Arsenal, respectively.

Though the game is being played while much of the United States is still asleep, the Club World Cup Final between Barcelona and Santos is promising to be must-see football.

The battle between the reigning European and South American champions will feature some serious star power, with Lionel Messi and Neymar grabbing most of the headlines.

With the word that Landon Donovan is heading to Everton in January, the Toffees are suddenly feeling confident about their chances of climbing back into the top half of the English Premier League standings. If they can make that move before the new year will depend largely on whether Tim Howard and Co.

The UEFA Europa League group stage will wrap up today, and several Americans are hoping their respective team is still standing after the dust has settled.

Jozy Altidore is one of those players, as he and AZ Alkmaar need a win over already-qualified FC Metalist Kharkiv in Group G in order to secure qualification.

It's do or die for a number of teams across Europe as the UEFA Europa League winds down.

Half of the teams in the field play their final group games of the tournament today, including Clint Dempsey's Fulham, which can cement a place in the knockout round and set the tone for perhaps another deep tournament run with a win or by getting some help.

There are just two games on the slate today, but when those two games are as good Manchester City-Chelsea (3pm, ESPN2) and Roma-Juventus (2:30pm, Fox Soccer Channel), it makes for a special afternoon.

Manchester City will look to keep their stranglehold on the Premier League lead with a win, while Chelsea will look to hand the Citizens their first loss of the season as they try to maintain a place in the Top Four of the Premier League.

Santos Laguna and Tigres enter today's Mexican Apertura Final second leg with championship aspirations and 90 minutes to try and lift a trophy.

Tigres posted a 1-0 victory in Torreon in the first leg, and will be favored to hold that lead at home, but Santos Laguna does boast the firepower to reverse that scoreline.

The two best teams in the world prepare to square off today in the highly-anticipated match-up of Spanish giants FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The latest chapter of 'El Clasico' brings us Real Madrid in first place by three points, but knowing that Barcelona has gotten the better of them in recent match-ups.

Top prospects and college teams are on display at Regions Park in Hoover, Ala., as the NCAA College Cup gets underway.

Creighton takes on surprising Charlotte (6 p.m., ESPNU/ESPN3.com) to kick off the Final Four. The Bluejays have been one of the top teams in the country all season, relying on the play of senior striker Ethan Finlay and sophomore left back Tyler Polak.

It's the final day of the UEFA Champions League group stage, meaning that there is high potential for drama across Europe.

Much of the focus will be centered on St. Jakob Park in Switzerland, where FC Basel will try to do the unthinkable and prevent Manchester United from making it to the knockout round.

It's do-or-die for Chelsea and manager Andres Villas-Boas, as the Premier League giants need to secure a result against Valencia in order to avoid an embarrassing early exit from the UEFA Champions League.

Even with that, Frank Lampard and Fernando Torres are starting the game on the bench, and Juan Mata gets the start against his former club, which played Chelsea to a 1-1 draw in their previous meeting.

Clint Dempsey and Fulham own the Monday Premier League spotlight, welcoming Liverpool to Craven Cottage (3 p.m., ESPN2/ESPN3.com).

Fulham is in need of a result to get a bit more separation from the relegation zone and make its way toward a mid-table standing. Liverpool, meanwhile, will take to the field without central midfield stalwart Lucas for the first time since he suffered a season-ending knee injury.

The Nike Friendlies conclude today with the marquee match we've been waiting for, the United States taking on Brazil (5pm, Fox Soccer Channel).

We weren't originally going to post a live commentary on this game, in part because I've just gone on vacation and nobody else is around, but with the United States up 3-1 at halftime and putting on a show, I'm sure there are plenty of USA fans eager to talk about the next generation of up and coming American stars.

Tim Howard and Everton find themselves in a logjam in the middle of the English Premier League standings, but if the U.S. national team goalkeeper and his team want to make a run at the top teams in England, they will need a win today against Stoke City to make that happen.

Everton is currently in a four-way tie in the middle of the Premier League table, but the Toffees hold two games in hand on the pack, and wins in those two games could pull Everton within range of arch-rival Liverpool, among others.