Back to club soccer we go as Matchday 2 of both the Champions League & Europa League concluded this week. The weekend is here, and there are some fun games on tap to watch, here are five of them!
1. FC Dallas vs LA Galaxy
The Supporters Shield race is heating up as less than four games remain for two of the best in the MLS Western Conference. It's 1st-place FC Dallas at home against the always dangerous and 3rd-place LA Galaxy.
According to Who Scored, goals will be on show here as the Galaxy "have conceded at least two goals in their last four games," while also "scored at least two goals in their last five games." Dallas is continuing their memorable season, sitting in 1st place in the Western Conference while also being the newly-crowned U.S Open Cup Champions -- winning 4-2 against the New England Revolution in the final -- ending a 19-year trophy drought.
Five points separate the two sides with three games remaining, with Dallas on 53 points and the Galaxy on 48. The Galaxy will look to bounce back after their 4-2 home defeat to the Seattle Sounders last Sunday. A win for the Galaxy and they clinch a playoff spot. FC Dallas looks to protect home-court and come away with three points in their quest to win the Supporters Shield.
Matchup to Watch: Giovanni Dos Santos (LA Galaxy) vs Mauro Diaz (FC Dallas)
Though Robbie Keane and Maxi Urruti will be the main goal threats up front in this one, it's the creative talents of Dos Santos and Diaz that can decide this one. Dos Santos is having a tremendous season, 14 goals and four assists in 26 games for the Los Angeles outfit. Diaz on the other hand has five goals, 11 assists to his name in 25 games and is always a threat with the ball at his feet.
Prediction: FC Dallas 2-2 LA Galaxy
A fun one in Dallas as these two evenly-matched teams never fail to entertain.
2. Bayer Leverkusen vs Borrusia Dortmund
Borrusia Dortmund is arguably the most entertaining team in the world -- scoring 14 goals in their last three league matches, all of which were victories. Bayer Leverkusen, however, sits 10th in the league table on seven points after winning just two of their opening five league games.
Last season saw Dortmund do the double over Leverkusen, winning 3-0 last year in September of last year -- and also winning 1-0 at Leverkusen last February. Leverkusen will look to Chicharito Hernandez to continue scoring, he bagged a hat-trick last game to beat FSV Mainz 3-2. It'll arguably take more to down this high-flying Dortmund side.
Matchup to Watch: Dortmund's Attack vs Leverkusen's Defense
Dortmund, led by attacking players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mario Gotze, and Ousmane Dembele among others, have scored at least two goals in all but one of their league games so far this campaign. Leverkusen will rely on the center-back pairing of Jonathan Tah and Omer Toprak to stifle that attack, though they'll definitely have their hands full.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 0-2 Borrusia Dortmund
Dortmund is capable of exposing any defense, and will prove to be too much for their opponents in this one. Expect this one to be intense and entertaining between two attack-minded teams.
3. Tottenham vs Manchester City
It's 1st vs 2nd -- between the only two undefeated teams remaining in the Premier League -- it'll be a heavyweight showdown at White Hart Lane.
Pep Guardiola couldn't have imagined a better start to the season when he arrived at Manchester this summer. Six league games, six league wins and 1st place with 18 points. His arrival has elevated the team to play so much better, with players such as Raheem Sterling, Fernandinho and Kevin De Bruyne benefiting from his tactics. As a result, City has the most prolific attack in the league so far, scoring more goals than any other team with 18 so far. They now face their biggest test of the season against the Spurs of Mauricio Pochettino.
Tottenham has also made a great start to the season, currently unbeaten and have the meanest defense in the league, conceding only three goals so far. They can send a real message to the rest of the league with a win against the Citizens. Tottenham also did the double against City last season, winning 4-1 at home and 2-1 away at the Etihad.
Matchup to Watch: Manchester City's Attack vs Tottenham's Defence
Statistically, it's the best attack vs the best defence. Aguero, Sterling, Silva and Sane will look to take apart the likes of Rose, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, and Walker. However, don't be surprised if Spurs pack a punch as well. They create tons of chances with the likes of Eriken, Lamela and Son. The latter, Heung-Min Son, is on fire scoring in many matches as of late. Star-stiker Harry Kane is currently injured, meaning new signing Vincent Janssen will continue to lead the line against City.
Prediction: Tottenham 1-2 Manchester City
It'll be tight, intense and very fun to watch. A late goal could win this one, expect an action-packed battle.
4. AS Roma vs Inter Milan
The standout fixture of Serie A this week features two teams looking to be consistent if they are to challenge in both the league and Europe. Both teams are also looking to catch leaders and reigning champions Juventus -- who sit on 15 points -- Roma and Inter are on 10 and 11 points respectively.
Inter is unbeaten in their last five Serie A matches as manager Frank De Boer continues to get his team to play to his style. However, they are struggling to be consistent as they showed when they lost to Sparta Prague this past Thursday in the Europa League, 3-1. Victory away at Rome will surely give them a big boost and send a signal of intent.
Roma on the other hand, won in their Europa League fixture, 4-0 against Astra Giurgiu. However, their start to the Serie A season has been shaky to say the least. Their form chart reads as such, W-D-W-L-W-L, consistency has been the main issue so far. But victory against their opponents this weekend will put a stamp on a good week for the club.
Matchup to Watch: Edin Dzeko (AS Roma) vs Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)
There will be plenty of attacking talent on display when these two teams get on the pitch, but the main men up top will be the ones on spotlight. The Argentine Icardi will need support from playmakers such as Perisic, Candreva and Banega in order to secure victory against Roma. Edin Dzeko will need the support of Salah and Diego Perroti or Stephan El Shaarawy to get the 3 points at home.
Prediction: Roma 1-1 Inter
It'll be tight and goals will be hard to find in this one. It'll take some time before one of these two clubs gets into a groove this season.
5. Lyon vs Saint-Etienne
One of the more underrated rivalries in the sport, this Ligue 1 fixture will see hosts Lyon as they look toget the much-needed three points against their rivals on the weekend.
Lyon is continuing to be affected by the absence of main striker Alexandre Lacazette, having already lost three of their first seven matches to open the season. They desperately look to get back to winning ways after losing to Spanish side and reigning Europa League champions Sevilla 1-0 in midweek. A win against their bitter rivals will certainly lift their spirits, as they sit 10th in the table on 10 points.
Saint-Etienne is usually the underdog in this matchup, but they start the season unbeaten in both the league and Europa League. They sit 7th in the table on 12 points and look to add more distance to their rivals by beating them on their own turf.
Matchup to Watch: Anthony Lopes (Lyon) vs Stephane Ruffier (Saint-Etienne)
Alexandre Lacazette scored a hat-trick the last time these two teams played, and Lyon ran away 3-0 victors on that day. That being said, look for both teams to create chances, meaning the two goalkeepers will have to put on solid performances in order to give their teams the best chance of victory.
Prediction: Lyon 2-1 Saint-Etienne
It'll be intense, full of passion and heated exchanges as always in a derby such as this one, a late goal by the hosts could decide this one.
