After a year of staving off relegation, Everton fans probably wanted to see a little better preseason in Frank Lampard’s second act in charge of the Toffees.
Of course, friendlies don’t matter in the end, but they can be damning in hindsight. A stunning 4-0 loss to Minnesota United in July does not exactly inspire confidence, and Everton gets its feet put to the fire in Week 1 of Premier League action by hosting Chelsea on what’s likely to be the last opening day at Goodison Park.
Arsenal is another team looking to reward its fanbase for riding out the tough times and opens up the new Premier League season visiting Crystal Palace. A fresh crop of newcomers headlined by Gabriel Jesus will look to get the Gunners back into the Champions League picture, but former club-legend-turned-Palace-manager Patrick Vieira managed to earn points in both of last year’s matches, making Friday’s contest anything but a guarantee for Arsenal.
The Bundesliga also returns to action in Germany, and Bayern Munich’s new setup will be the hottest topic until proven convincing. Even with the departure of Robert Lewandowski, Bayern figures to continue to reign superior, but the rest of the German field will be hoping for a chance the giants will fall or at least stumble to make the league a fair fight. Julian Nagelsmann’s squad faces Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday in their season opener.
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Here is a look at This Weekend’s Top 5 Matches to Watch, as well as a full rundown of This Weekend’s Soccer on TV and Online:
This Weekend’s Top 5 Matches to Watch
1. Everton vs Chelsea – Which Everton shows up?
2. Crystal Palace vs Arsenal – If this is the year Arsenal returns to the elite, this is the kind of game they can’t lose. An honorable mention for American centerback Chris Richards, who figures to play a big role in the Eagles’ defense this year.
3. Frankfurt vs Bayern Munich – Did Bayern do enough to stay on their perch in Germany?
4. Real Salt Lake vs Los Angeles FC – RSL continues to impress in the Western Conference and can consider this one a measuring stick for playoff time.
5. OL Reign vs Houston Dash – The best NWSL matchup sees two teams above the playoff line go head to head in a situation where dropping points could put their status on the line.
Friday
English Premier League
3 p.m. – fuboTV, USA Network – Crystal Palace vs Arsenal
German Bundesliga
2:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Eintracht Frankfurt vs Bayern Munich
Coppa Italia
11:45 a.m. – Paramount+ – Cagliari vs Perugia
12 p.m. – Paramount+ – Udinese vs FeralpiSalò
3 p.m. – Paramount+ – Lecce vs Cittadella
3:15 p.m. – Paramount+ – Sampdoria vs Reggina
French Ligue 1
3 p.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Olympique Lyonnais vs Ajaccio
Major League Soccer
10:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Vancouver Whitecaps vs Houston Dynamo
National Women’s Soccer League
8 p.m. – Paramount+ – Racing Louisville FC vs Washington Spirit
10:30 p.m. – CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ – Portland Thorns vs North Carolina Courage
Portuguese Primeira Liga
3:15 p.m. – fuboTV – Benfica vs Arouca
Argentine Primera División
6 p.m. – Paramount+ – Gimnasia La Plata vs Godoy Cruz
8:30 p.m. – Paramount+ – Sarmiento vs Lanús
8:30 p.m. – Paramount+ – Banfield vs Patronato
Belgian First Division A
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Club Brugge vs Zulte-Waregem
Ecuadoran Primera A
8 p.m. – fuboTV – Técnico Universitario vs Cumbayá
German Bundesliga 2
12:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Greuther Fürth vs Karlsruher SC
Turkish Super Lig
2 p.m. – fuboTV – İstanbulspor vs Trabzonspor
Uruguayan Primera Division
7 p.m. – fuboTV – Nacional vs Rentistas
MLS Next Pro
8:30 p.m. – MLS Next Pro – Real Monarchs vs Whitecaps II
10:30 p.m. – MLS Next Pro – San Jose Earthquakes II vs Tacoma Defiance
USL League One
7 p.m. – ESPN+ – Charlotte Independence vs Forward Madison
Saturday
English Premier League
7:30 a.m. – Peacock – Fulham vs Liverpool
10 a.m. – Peacock – AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
10 a.m. – Peacock – Leeds United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
10 a.m. – Peacock – Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest
10 a.m. – Peacock – Tottenham Hotspur vs Southampton
12:30 p.m. – fuboTV, USA Network – Everton vs Chelsea
German Bundesliga
9:30 a.m. – ESPN+ – Union Berlin vs Hertha BSC
9:30 a.m. – ESPN+ – Borussia Monchengladbach vs Hoffenheim
9:30 a.m. – ESPN+ – Wolfsburg vs Werder Bremen
9:30 a.m. – ESPN+ – Bochum vs Mainz 05
9:30 a.m. – ESPN+ – Augsburg vs Freiburg
12:30 p.m. – ABC, fuboTV, ESPN Deportes – Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen
Coppa Italia
11:45 a.m. – Paramount+ – Pisa vs Brescia
12 p.m. – Paramount+ – Spezia vs Como
3 p.m. – Paramount+ – Empoli vs SPAL
3:15 p.m. – Paramount+ – Torino vs Palermo
French Ligue 1
11 a.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Strasbourg vs Monaco
3 p.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Clermont vs PSG
Major League Soccer
3 p.m. – ABC, fuboTV, ESPN Deportes – Atlanta United vs Seattle Sounders
7 p.m. – ESPN+ – Charlotte FC vs Chicago Fire
7:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – FC Cincinnati vs Philadelphia Union
7:30 p.m. – ESPN+, fuboTV – Columbus Crew vs New York City FC
7:30 p.m. – ESPN+, fuboTV – D.C. United vs New York Red Bulls
7:30 p.m. – ESPN+, fuboTV – CF Montréal vs Inter Miami
7:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Orlando City SC vs New England Revolution
8 p.m. – ESPN+ – Nashville SC vs Toronto FC
8:30 p.m. – ESPN+, fuboTV, TUDN USA – Sporting Kansas City vs LA Galaxy
9 p.m. – ESPN+, fuboTV – Austin FC vs San Jose Earthquakes
9 p.m. – ESPN+ – Colorado Rapids vs Minnesota United
10 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA, UniMás – Real Salt Lake vs Los Angeles FC
10:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Portland Timbers vs FC Dallas
Liga MX
8:05 p.m. – Fox Sports 1, fuboTV, FOX Deportes – Monterrey vs León
10:05 p.m. – Fox Sports 1, fuboTV, FOX Deportes – Santos Laguna vs Cruz Azul
Portuguese Primeira Liga
1 p.m. – fuboTV – Estoril vs Famalicão
3:30 p.m. – fuboTV – Porto vs Marítimo
Argentine Primera División
12 p.m. – Paramount+ – Arsenal vs Atlético Tucumán
2 p.m. – Paramount+ – Barracas Central vs Racing Club
5 p.m. – Paramount+ – Unión Santa Fe vs Vélez Sarsfield
5 p.m. – Paramount+ – Talleres Córdoba vs Argentinos Juniors
8 p.m. – Paramount+ – Boca Juniors vs Platense
Austrian Bundesliga
1:30 p.m. – fuboTV – Hartberg vs Salzburg
Brasileirão
3:30 p.m. – Paramount+ – Botafogo vs Ceará
3:30 p.m. – Paramount+ – Juventude vs América Mineiro
6 p.m. – Paramount+ – Atlético Goianiense vs RB Bragantino
6 p.m. – Paramount+ – Avaí vs Corinthians
7:30 p.m. – Paramount+ – São Paulo vs Flamengo
Canadian Premier League
4 p.m. – Fox Soccer Plus, fuboTV – Forge vs HFX Wanderers
Colombian Primera A
3 p.m. – fuboTV – Envigado vs Unión Magdalena
5:05 p.m. – fuboTV – Deportes Tolima vs Jaguares de Córdoba
7:10 p.m. – fuboTV – Alianza Petrolera vs Atlético Nacional
Ecuadoran Primera A
9 p.m. – fuboTV – Delfin vs Emelec
English Championship
7:30 a.m. – ESPN+ – Norwich City vs Wigan Athletic
10 a.m. – ESPN+ – Burnley vs Luton Town
French Ligue 2
9 a.m. – fuboTV – Saint-Étienne vs Nîmes
Club Friendly
3 p.m. – ESPN+ – Real Betis vs Fiorentina
3 p.m. – ESPN+ – Sevilla vs Cádiz
Turkish Super Lig
2:45 p.m. – fuboTV – Beşiktaş vs Kayserispor
USL Championship
7 p.m. – ESPN+ – Indy Eleven vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds
7:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Detroit City
7:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Loudoun United vs LA Galaxy II
8 p.m. – ESPN+ – Louisville City vs Charleston Battery
8 p.m. – ESPN+ – Birmingham Legion vs Atlanta United II
8:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Memphis 901 vs Hartford Athletic
9 p.m. – ESPN+ – New Mexico United vs Miami FC
10 p.m. – ESPN+ – Monterey Bay vs El Paso Locomotive
10 p.m. – ESPN+ – San Diego Loyal vs San Antonio
10 p.m. – ESPN+ – Orange County SC vs Colorado Springs
10:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Phoenix Rising vs Las Vegas Lights
11 p.m. – ESPN+ – Sacramento Republic vs Rio Grande Valley
MLS Next Pro
9 p.m. – MLS Next Pro – St. Louis City II vs Chicago Fire II
11:59 p.m. – MLS Next Pro – Colorado Rapids II vs Minnesota United II
USL League One
6:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Richmond Kickers vs Tucson
7:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Chattanooga Red Wolves vs Greenville Triumph
9 p.m. – ESPN+ – Northern Colorado vs Tormenta
10:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Central Valley Fuego vs Union Omaha
Sunday
English Premier League
9 a.m. – Peacock – Leicester City vs Brentford
9 a.m. – Peacock – Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
11:30 a.m. – Peacock – West Ham United vs Manchester City
German Bundesliga
9:30 a.m. – ESPN+ – Stuttgart vs RB Leipzig
11:30 a.m. – ESPN+ – Köln vs Schalke 04
Coppa Italia
11:45 a.m. – Paramount+ – Venezia vs Ascoli
12 p.m. – Paramount+ – Hellas Verona vs Bari 1908
3 p.m. – Paramount+ – Salernitana vs Parma
3:15 p.m. – Paramount+ – Monza vs Frosinone
French Ligue 1
7 a.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Toulouse vs Nice
9 a.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Lille vs Auxerre
9 a.m. – fuboTV – Angers SCO vs Nantes
9 a.m. – fuboTV – Montpellier vs Troyes
9 a.m. – fuboTV – Lens vs Brest
11:05 a.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Rennes vs Lorient
2:45 p.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Olympique Marseille vs Reims
Liga MX
1 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN – Toluca vs Tijuana
5 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA – Atlético San Luis vs Necaxa
7:05 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA, UniMás – Pachuca vs Tigres UANL
9 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA, Univision – América vs Juárez
National Women’s Soccer League
5 p.m. – Paramount+ – San Diego Wave vs Kansas City Current
6 p.m. – Paramount+ – Chicago Red Stars vs NJ/NY Gotham FC
6 p.m. – Paramount+ – OL Reign vs Houston Dash
7 p.m. – Paramount+ – Orlando Pride vs Angel City
Portuguese Primeira Liga
1 p.m. – fuboTV – Sporting Braga vs Sporting CP
Argentine Primera División
12 p.m. – Paramount+ – Aldosivi vs Huracán
2 p.m. – Paramount+ – San Lorenzo vs Estudiantes
4:30 p.m. – Paramount+ – Independiente vs River Plate
7 p.m. – Paramount+ – Newell’s Old Boys vs Colón
Belgian First Division A
7:30 a.m. – ESPN+ – Standard Liège vs Cercle Brugge
3 p.m. – ESPN+ – Antwerp vs OH Leuven
Brasileirão
3 p.m. – Paramount+ – Fluminense vs Cuiabá
3 p.m. – Paramount+ – Palmeiras vs Goiás
5 p.m. – Paramount+ – Fortaleza vs Internacional
6 p.m. – Paramount+ – Atlético Mineiro vs Athletico-PR
Canadian Premier League
2 p.m. – Fox Soccer Plus, fuboTV – Atlético Ottawa vs Edmonton
5 p.m. – Fox Sports 2, fuboTV – Valour vs York United
Colombian Primera A
3 p.m. – fuboTV – Deportivo Pasto vs Atlético Bucaramanga
Costa Rican Primera Division
1 p.m. – fuboTV, FOX Deportes – Grecia vs San Carlos
Ecuadoran Primera A
3 p.m. – fuboTV – Aucas vs LDU Quito
8 p.m. – fuboTV – Barcelona vs Mushuc Runa
German Bundesliga 2
7:30 a.m. – ESPN+ – Kaiserslautern vs St. Pauli
Club Friendly
2 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA – Barcelona vs Pumas UNAM
Scottish Premiership
7 a.m. – Paramount+ – Hibernian vs Hearts
10 a.m. Dundee United vs Livingston
Swedish Allsvenskan
9 a.m. – ESPN+ – Kalmar vs AIK
Turkish Super Lig
2:45 p.m. – fuboTV – Antalyaspor vs Galatasaray
Uruguayan Primera Division
5:30 p.m. – fuboTV – Defensor Sporting vs Peñarol
MLS Next Pro
5 p.m. – MLS Next Pro – Columbus Crew II vs New York City II
6 p.m. – MLS Next Pro – FC Cincinnati II vs Philadelphia Union II
7 p.m. – MLS Next Pro – Inter Miami II vs New England II
7 p.m. – MLS Next Pro – Toronto II vs Orlando City B
8 p.m. – MLS Next Pro – Houston Dynamo FC II vs Sporting Kansas City II
10 p.m. – MLS Next Pro – Portland Timbers II vs North Texas