Three sporting figures in the spotlight this weekend

Another action-packed weekend of sport is upon us, with the return of Formula 1, The Ashes edging towards its conclusion, European football's major leagues getting into full swing and rugby's elite sides locking horns in the build-up to the World Cup.

Here, Sports Mole picks out three figures who will be in the spotlight to succeed over the coming days.

1. Rafael Benitez

It is fair to say that new Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez has a lot of work to do at the Bernabeu this season. The core squad remains largely the same heading into the new campaign, minus long-serving stalwart Iker Casillas and Juventus-bound Sami Khedira, with big money also being spent to lure Mateo Kovacic and Danilo to the club.

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The biggest change during the off-season has come on the touchline, as the well-respected Carlo Ancelotti was shown the door for what club president Florentino Perez perceived to be a catastrophic collapse at the back end of last season. Ancelotti, the man who led Madrid to their much-coveted La Decima and on a club-record 22-match winning run, was deemed unsuitable to lead Los Blancos into their latest chapter.

That chapter, it is hoped, will end with Sergio Ramos lifting plenty of silverware at the end of the campaign. Benitez's first task is to simply win over supporters, who were largely underwhelmed by the former Valencia chief's appointment earlier this summer. Some have even suggested that Madrid simply face a battle finishing second in La Liga this term, with city rivals Atletico looking rejuvenated in their own pursuit of the league crown.

Sevilla, despite their opening-day draw, and Valencia both look as though they can mount a real charge for third place at the very least. It sets up an intriguing tussle in the Spanish top flight, without even mentioning the dominant force that is Barcelona, but all eyes this weekend will be on a man who has plenty to do in the months ahead.

2. Novak Djokovic

Victory over Stanislas Wawrinka at the quarter-final stage of the Cincinnati Open has left Novak Djokovic within touching distance of another slice of tennis history. The world number one avenged his French Open defeat at the hands of the same opponent to claim a straight-sets triumph in Ohio on Friday.

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That has left Djokovic just two wins away from winning all nine ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles. Next up for the Serbian ace is a meeting with Alexandr Dolgopolov later today, while either Roger Federer or Andy Murray will await in the final should he make it to that stage. Judging by Djokovic's showing against Wawrinka, in which he did not face a single break point in the hour-long clash, you certainly would not bet against him going all the way once more.

Should he secure a Career Golden Masters over the coming days, then Djokovic will further cement his name in tennis folklore, but Murray - now up to second in the world - will no doubt have something to say when it comes to the US Open. The Scotsman was able to break his Major duck at that showpiece tournament in 2012, and he will head into the New York event feeling rejuvenated.

Federer showed his longevity at Wimbledon last month when producing a superb serving display to ease past the home favourite, earning a place in his 10th Wimbledon final only to be edged out by the Djokovic. All three men are still in contention in Cincinnati, looking for that additional confidence boost in the run-up to the final Grand Slam of the year.

3. Stuart Lancaster

While last week's victory over France may have given Stuart Lancaster a further insight into his group of players, England now only have two more games to go before the Rugby World Cup gets underway for good. Fourteen changes have been made in all from that 19-14 triumph at Twickenham, as the Red Rose prepare to face Les Bleus in Paris this evening.

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There already looks to have been major disappointment for Alex Corbisiero, whose latest injury setback could prove too much to earn him a place in the 31-man squad. Speaking exclusively to Sports Mole earlier this week, the Northampton Saints man backed close friend Sam Burgess to nail down a spot after a promising performance in that opening warm-up fixture.

As Corbisiero himself said, though, there is nothing friendly about these autumn fixtures - particularly with the World Cup now less than a month away. While Jonny May has retained his place in the side for this weekend's clash, 14 others now have their chance to win over head coach Lancaster.

The debate over who should be a part of that final squad has been rumbling on for the best part of a year now, but finally Lancaster must make his decision. The right balance must be found, taking into account not just talent on the field but also chemistry off the field. For the players this is their final chance to make themselves undroppable, a chance to earn redemption in some cases, and a chance to put themselves firmly in Lancaster's thoughts in the final countdown to the sport's elite competition.