WEEKEND BANGERS
Barcelona, Benfica, Feyenoord, and Paris Saint-Germain stumbled out of the gate in their title defense campaigns last week, with Benfica being the sole victim of defeat.
August 12: PARIS ST. GERMAIN 0-0 Lorient
August 13: Getafe 0-0 BARCELONA
August 13: FEYENOORD 0-0 Fortuna Sittard
August 14: Boavista 3-2 BENFICA
HIGHLIGHTED FIXTURES for the coming Weekend.
Aug 18.
🇩🇪 Werder Bremen [ vs. ] Bayern Munich
Aug 19.
🌐 Sweden [ vs. ] Australia
🏴 Tottenham [ vs. ] Manchester United
🏴 Manchester City [ vs. ] Newcastle United
🇮🇹 Frosinone [ vs. ] Napoli
🇩🇪 Leverkusen [ vs. ] RB Leipzig
🇩🇪 Dortmund [ vs. ] FC Köln
🇫🇷 Toulouse [ vs. ] Paris Saint-Germain
Aug 20.
🌐 Spain [ vs. ] England
🇳🇱 Sparta Rotterdam [ vs. ] Feyenoord
🇪🇸 Real Betis [ vs. ] Atlético Madrid
🇩🇪 Union Berlin [ vs. ] Mainz
🇪🇸 Barcelona [ vs. ] Cádiz
🏴 West Ham United [ vs. ] Chelsea
🇫🇷 Lens [ vs. ] Rennes
🇮🇹 Udinese [ vs. ] Juventus
Aug 21.
🏴 Crystal Palace [ vs. ] Arsenal
🇮🇹 Bologna [ vs. ] AC Milan
Aug 18. Werder Bremen [ vs. ] Bayern Munich (GERMAN BUNDESLIGA): The German Bundesliga kicks off with reigning champion Bayern Munich on the road against Werder Bremen, who narrowly escaped the relegation playoff by a mere three points. Following their loss in the German Super Cup to RB Leipzig last week, Bayern cannot afford the negative spotlight that accompanies an opening match defeat.
Aug 19. 🇸🇪 Sweden vs. 🇦🇺 Australia (WOMEN’S WORLD CUP – 3rd place playoff): Sweden and Australia set to clash for bronze glory!
For Sweden, it is a downgrade from their first medal (silver) but they will be going for their third World Cup medal, while Australia will have a great opportunity to pick up their first World Cup medal.
Aug 19. Tottenham Hotspur [ vs. ] Manchester United (ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE): An English classic unfolds as Tottenham aims to recover from an initial away draw by securing a win at home against a Manchester United side fresh from a contentious home victory.
Aug 19. Manchester City [ vs. ] Newcastle United (ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE): Manchester City will be tested against the rejuvenated Newcastle, who demonstrated their credentials as contenders last season. Newcastle United, riding high after a resounding 5-1 victory over Aston Villa, faces a formidable challenge as they take on the defending champions, Manchester City. Manchester City began their title defense with a convincing 3-0 triumph over Burnley, followed by a midweek UEFA Super Cup conquest against Sevilla.
Aug 19. Frosinone [ vs. ] Napoli (ITALIAN SERIE A): Newly-promoted Frosinone debuts at home against reigning champions Napoli. Napoli’s unexpected title triumph prompts intrigue into whether their success was by design or sheer luck.
Aug 19. Bayer Leverkusen [ vs. ] RB Leipzig (GERMAN BUNDESLIGA): RB Leipzig ended last season strong and kicked off the pre-season with German Super Cup final victory against Bayern Munich. RB Leipzig’s season opener will be in Leverkusen.
Aug 19. Borussia Dortmund [ vs. ] FC Köln (GERMAN BUNDESLIGA): Dortmund allowed the title to slip out of their hands last season in front of home supporters when they failed to beat Mainz. They get back in front of their home supporters for their season opener, playing against the FC Köln.
FC Köln was the team Bayern Munich beat on the final day of last season to win the title at Dortmund’s expense.
Aug 19. Toulouse [ vs. ] Paris Saint-Germain (FRENCH LIGUE 1): Paris Saint-Germain, unable to initiate their title defense with a home win over Lorient, seeks their first three points in Toulouse.
Toulouse, coming off a 2-1 victory against Nantes, presents a challenging encounter.
Aug 19. Benfica [ vs. ] Estrela da Amadora (PORTUGUESE PRIMEIRA LIGA): Benfica has a chance to bounce back from a losing start to their season when the host newly-promoted Estrela da Amadora.
Aug 20. 🇪🇸 Spain vs. 🏴 England (WOMEN’S WORLD CUP – Final): Spain and England will both be trying to whip up a World Cup-winning recipe on their first try. England made it to the final unbeaten, while Spain suffered a 4-0 defeat to Japan on their way.
Aug 20. Sparta Rotterdam [ vs. ] Feyenoord (DUTCH EREDIVISIE): The defending Dutch champions start their season with a goalless draw at home to Fortuna Sittard. They have a Rotterdam derby with Sparta this weekend to try and pick up their first maximum points. Sparta is coming from a ‘2-1’ away win over PEC Zwolle.
Aug 20. Real Betis [ vs. ] Atlético Madrid (SPANISH LA LIGA): Atletico Madrid, victorious with a 3-1 scoreline over newly-promoted Granada, takes on Real Betis, who triumphed on the road against Villarreal. One or both teams will drop their first set of points.
Aug 20. Union Berlin [ vs. ] Mainz (GERMAN BUNDESLIGA): Union Berlin had a season that saw them qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Mainz had a season that saw them finish midtable. We will be looking to see signs of progress, especially for Union Berlin.
Aug 20. Barcelona [ vs. ] Cádiz (SPANISH LA LIGA): Barcelona, opening their title defense season with a hard-fought goalless draw against Getafe, faces Cadiz, who arrive fresh from a 1-0 win over Alaves. Any point against Barcelona would be a victory for Cadiz.
Aug 20. West Ham United [ vs. ] Chelsea (ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE): London derby for two teams that started their season with a ‘1-1’ draw. West Ham gave up a leade against Bournemouth, while Chelsea came back from a goal down to take a point at home against Liverpool.
Aug 20. Lens [ vs. ] Rennes (FRENCH LIGUE 1): Lens, aiming to replicate last season’s success, starts off with a setback, falling 3-2 to Brest. The challenge mounts as they host Rennes, buoyed by their confident 5-1 triumph against newly-promoted Metz.
Aug 20. Udinese [ vs. ] Juventus (ITALIAN SERIE A): The most successful side in the league have had it tough in recent years. Juventus won’t have the distraction of continental cup football this season, so they will be looking to a itle charge this season. Udinese is their first hurdle.
Aug 21. Crystal Palace [ vs. ] Arsenal (ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE): Another London derby – Arsenal will look for a result that matches their pre-season expectation when they visit Crystal Palace. Both teams commenced their season with narrow one-goal victories.
Aug 21. Bologna [ vs. ] AC Milan (ITALIAN SERIE A): AC Milan will begin the charge to reclaim the league title in Bologna.
