Soccer fans will keep their thumbs busy changing the channel this weekend as European leagues roar back into action.
Everyone will be talking about Tottenham versus Manchester City, but there’s a royal battle going down in Spain that’s worth your attention, too.
Here are the top five matches from the top five European football leagues to wake up early for this weekend.
Bundesliga
Match: RB Leipzig-Dortmund
When and Where: Saturday, 6:30 am PST, ESPN+
Scouting Report: Leipzig, fresh off a UCL-pounding from Shakhtar, will have to face a humming Borussia Dortmund in their first battle under new coach Marco Rose. USMNT star Gio Reyna looks to be back in full form for Dortmund, finding two assists in their Champions League defeat of Copenhagen. It should be a quintessentially German high-scoring affair.
Prediction: 5-2, Dortmund
LaLiga
Match: Villarreal-Real Betis
When and Where: Sunday, Noon PST, ESPN+
Scouting Report: It’s #3 against #4 in Spain, with undefeated Villarreal taking on Betis, whose only loss was at the feet of the reigning champs, Real Madrid. Both squads are firing on all cylinders this season, both playing a fast-paced team ball with explosive attacks. Villarreal, last year’s Champions League dark horse, picked up right where they left off last season and look ready to get back to the UCL. This one should go back and forth for the full 90.
Prediction: 2-1, Villarreal
Ligue 1
Match: Marseille-LOSC
When and Where: Saturday, Noon PST, beIN sports
Scouting Report: We’re breaking from tradition by picking a Ligue 1 game that doesn’t feature Messi, Mbappe, and Neymar. While it would be fun to watch PSG thrash Brest (ha) by some absurd amount, Marseille-LOSC is probably the most competitive game in France this weekend. Marseille is undefeated in Ligue 1 but fresh off an away UCL loss to Tottenham.
Prediction: 1-1
Premier League
Match: Tottenham-Manchester City
When and Where: Postponed!
Scouting Report: Tottenham and Man City are numbers 2-3 on the Premier League table right now and are the two best English sides in this year’s Champions League. Both teams are coming into this one hot, fresh off UCL wins and undefeated in league play. It’ll be hard for Tottenham to snag a win in Manchester with Erling Haaland being a constant Super Sayan, but if anyone can do it right now, it’s Antonio Conte’s men.
Unfortunately, due to the passing of the Queen (why they still had one, I’ll never understand), the game has been postponed. It likely won’t be played this weekend, nor will any other Premier League game. Thanks a lot, Queenie.
Prediction: 4-2, Manchester City
Serie A
Match: Inter Milan-Torino
When and Where: Saturday, 9:00 am PST, Paramount+
Scouting Report: Last year’s Serie A runner-up is having a cold start to the season, losing their last two games to crosstown rival AC Milan and Bayern Munich. Torino, on the other foot, is having a smashing start to their Italian campaign, having only lost one of their first five games. Expect stingy Italian defense punctuated by high-flying counterattacks.
Prediction: 2-0, Inter Milan
What European football match are you watching this weekend?! Let us know in the comments below!
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