Evan Ferguson and four Irish players to watch out for this weekend

December 5, 2025

A host of Irish players are in action this weekend as we head towards the busy Christmas period.

Games are arriving thick and fast, and with crucial World Cup play-off matches in March, players will want to give themselves every opportunity of making the squad.

That motivation could be further fuelled by the World Cup draw, which takes place in the US on Friday evening.

FIVE IRISH PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR THIS WEEKEND

Evan Ferguson – Cagliari vs Roma

The Brighton loanee is fighting for his future at Roma, with the possibility that the club could terminate his loan in January.

Ferguson has scored just one competitive goal, and has struggled to take his opportunity when handed the faith by manager Gian Piero Gasperini.

Reports in Rome suggest Ferguson could lead the line against Cagliari due to a shortage of attacking options.

Paulo Dybala trained individually on Thursday after recovering from illness, Tommaso Baldanzi is out with flu, and Artem Dovbyk is out injured.

Dybala is likely to start if he’s fit enough, but Ferguson will be itching for another opportunity to prove himself.

His start against Napoli last weekend was his first in the league since September, but he was hooked off at half-time.

Troy Parrott – AZ Alkmaar vs Go Ahead Eagles

Parrott will be looking to help end his side’s three-game losing streak in the league when they host mid-table Go Ahead Eagles.

He would have wanted the ground to open up in his last league outing, when he chipped a Panenka penalty over the crossbar in the last minute.

It led to a furious reaction from his team-mates, while his manager confirmed he apologised to the dressing room.

Parrott did redeem himself in the week by assisting in AZ Alkmaar’s cup victory, but he’ll be looking to get back to scoring ways at the weekend.

Tom Cannon – Sheffield United vs Stoke

The Ireland striker has endured a torrid time at the Blades since joining almost 12 months ago.

His goal against Sheffield Wednesday last month was his first since April and just his second in the league for the Blades.

Cannon now has two in his last three matches, and there are glimpses that he’s starting to find the form that earned him a £10million move.

Alongside team-mate Tyrese Campbell, the United duo will line up against Stoke on Saturday, looking to get one over their former club.

A strong run of form over Christmas and into the New Year could provide Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson with food for thought going forward.

Finn Azaz – Southampton vs Birmingham

Azaz is one of the in-form players in the Championship and has played a key part in Southampton’s resurgence following the sacking of Will Still.

Despite a last-gasp 3-2 defeat at Millwall last weekend, they had previously won four on the bounce and now sit five points adrift of the top six.

Azaz has scored five in his last four matches, having previously failed to hit the target since the third game of the season.

He’s rejuvenated under interim boss Tonda Eckert, who looks set to be handed the role permanently.

Liam Scales – Celtic vs Hearts

Not only is it first against second in the Scottish Championship, but it’s also Wilfried Nancy’s first game in charge at Celtic.

He’ll unlikely change too much too soon, but it will be intriguing to see how Celtic line up and their tactics to take on the table-toppers at Celtic Park.

Nancy enjoys playing with a fluid unit, which could influence how Scales plays with the ball at his feet.

It will be interesting to see how the contest unfolds with Scales, along with Celtic’s other Irish players, featuring in Nancy’s side.