Chelsea is running away with the English Premier League in the season’s early months, but Arsenal will look to be the latest contender to try and slow down the Blue Express when the London rivals square off at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal can jump into the top four with a win, but will face a stiff challenge trying to take points off a Chelsea side that has yet to lose this year, and has dropped points just one in the season’s first seven matches.
In Italy, reigning champions Juventus face title hopeful Roma in another juicy clash that should have plenty of fireworks. Both teams enter the match with perfect 5-0 records in Serie A play.
In France, Paris St. Germain will try to improve on a disappointing start to the Ligue 1 season by beating an AS Monaco side struggling in the wake of having parted ways with James Rodriguez and Falcao. PSG should be riding high after an important Champions League victory against Barcelona.
If you will be watching today’s action (or want to discuss some of the early-morning results), please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by–play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Today’s Soccer TV schedule is after the jump):
TODAY’S SOCCER ON TV
7 a.m. – NBC Sports Network – Manchester United vs. Everton
7:45 a.m. – Fox Soccer Plus – Inverness CT vs. Ross County
9 a.m. – NBC Sports Network – Chelsea vs. Arsenal
9 a.m. – Premier League Extra Time – Tottenham vs. Southampton
9 a.m. – beIN Sports en Español – Udinese vs. Cesena
9:30 a.m. – GolTV USA – Wolfsburg vs. Augsburg
11 a.m. – beIN Sports en Español – Celta de Vigo vs. Villarreal
11:15 a.m. – NBC Sports Network – West Ham United vs. Queens Park Rangers
11:30 a.m. – GolTV USA – Borussia Mönchengladback vs. Mainz 05
12 p.m. – beIN Sports USA – Juventus vs. AS Roma
1 p.m. – Univision Deportes – Toluca vs. Puebla
1 p.m. – beIN Sports en Español – Espanyol vs. Real Sociedad
2 p.m. – GolTV USA – Racing vs. Defensor Sporting
2:45 p.m. – beIN Sports Connect – Fiorentina vs. Inter Milan
3 p.m. – beIN Sports USA/en Español – Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao
3 p.m. – beIN Sports Connect – Paris Saint-Germain vs. AS Monaco
3 p.m. – UniMas – Colorado Rapids vs. Seattle Sounders
5 p.m.. – MLS Direct Kick – Chicago Fire vs. Montreal Impact
5 p.m. – GolTV USA – Rampla Juniors vs. Nacional
6 p.m. – UniMas – Chivas de Guadalajara vs. Atlas
7 p.m. – MLS Direct Kick – Chivas USA vs. Real Salt Lake
Yuck, rooting for goats to defeat Salt Lake.
I always get excited about January camp, but it’s looking more and more like we’re going to be drawing the heart of our team for 2018 from MLS. With the new CBA forthcoming, this could be a good thing.
Ronaldo is really something else. Good thing he wasn’t 100% when we played Portugal in the WC.
Jealous of Wenger. I’ve wanted to do that for a long time to Mourinho.
seattle all over the rapids. sick pass from dempsey on that 3rd goal.
also, hopefully people will stop talking S on Benz. another goal for him.
Dirty by Dempsy
Damn right! The layoff from Dempsey, cut back and chip from Pappa was truly sublime. I was thinking to myself it has to be liberating to play like this in MLS. In the BPL if that doesn’t come off your ass is on the bench until a new coach comes in to take over. That felt like some FIFA Street combo (especially Dempsey climbing the ladder incase the chip attempt became an “alley-oop” header).
Come on CRapids. Help a brother out.
What a goal by Bonucci to give Juve the late lead. Oooh, here it is… Pushing, head Butts and Red Cards.
Johnson starting for Gladbach.
Urg, apparently Johnson got an assist. I missed it though.
*Nelson laugh
I know. In a moment of weakness, I went to get more coffee.
Off topic continuation of Saturday commentary….
I went to my first Rowdies game last night. FYI….my background is a 50 year old who use to be a diehard football / basketball fanatic. But over the last 20 years I have quit watching most sports with the exception of the USMNT which I watch whenever it is on. I also occasionally watch a EPL or MLS game (if it has someone from the USMNT on it).
1. I wasn’t really expecting much since I had no clue who any of the players were.
2. The weather was great… it finally broke into the low 70’s for the evening temps. Too bad the season runs mainly in the summer.
3. I was totally surprised by the lack of under 23 players. The team seems to be comprised of journeymen.
4. The ralph’s mob was small and annoying. It seems like it was trying to make up some tradition that did not exist (“we’ve been banging our drum for the Rowdies since 1903”).
5. My wife could tell that this was not USMNT play. The quality was definitely a step down.
6. Tons of kids there (and their parents). But I couldn’t tell if the kids actually were enjoying themselves. The place seemed around 2/3rds full.
6. But… I surprisingly enjoyed it.
7. The shoreline of St. Pete is gorgeous and Al Lang is easy to get to.
8. The price was $5 to park REALLY close and $24 for a great seat.
9. I had to pay attention to the action far more than I expected. Also, the ebb/flow of the game easier to see than on TV.
10. I LOVED the limited announcing and no blaring music.
11. Did I mention there was no blaring music?
12. The game went quick, smooth, and full of continuity. Halftime came quick and the whole thing took less than 2 hours.
I definitely will go back. But too bad the season ends Nov. 1st AND the main part of it is over the summer where the weather is just bad.
Yep, soccer is much more enjoyable to watch in person at the stadium, especially with family or friends. Sitting up high helps you see the game much better, too. Don’t The Rowdies have a long, although somewhat spotted history?
As a Rowdies STH and a downtown St Pete resident, I am glad to hear that overall you enjoyed yourself.
Please come back for more, it may not be the best soccer in the world, but it is local. And, supporting the local club builds the game more than most give credit.
Also Chelsea’s medical staff clearly got the Courtois situation all wrong. He was laid out not moving and appeared to have his eyes shut but was allowed to continue? Completely the wrong call by that medical team
That Mourinho v Wenger scuffle was amazing.
Very funny. It would be great entertainment to get them to hash out their beef on a television program, like Charlie Rose, or something similar.
Wenger should’ve been sent walking for that. And it looked like Mourinho was about to flop and then stopped himself. LOL
There should have been numerous people dismissed in that game. Cahill should have seen straight red and so should Welbeck. Chambers probably should have gotten a second yellow.