Hopefully you rested up during the international break because the schedule is crowded the next few weeks between EPL, Champions League, the Lesser European Cups, MLS and MLS playoffs.
What the Fubo?
I was all excited to settle in to watch the Spain - Scotland Euro qualifier only to discover it was only available on fubo. Free trial so at first I was game. Tried to sign up but they said I had already registered. I don't remember doing that but okay; just send me a link to reset my password. Except I never got an email. Started to register with another email but then decided against it. This would be another $75 to $95 a year and it doesn't look like they have Peacock or Paramount. Passing for the moment.
Enough With the Wild Cards
Oh FFS, even the game show Jeopardy has been bitten by the wild card bug, Is nothing sacred?
Wrexham Redux
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| The Red Dragons Are Back - I think the King and Queen are in there somewhere (Photo: FX) |
EPL Derbies
I count three Premier League derbies for Matchweek 9. They start early, with Liverpool and Everton kicking off at 7:30 Saturday on USA. We won't say the contest should be renamed the NoMercySide Derby but Everton's record over the last 15 years is 2-14-14. There's a London derby at 12:30 pm Saturday (NBC's featured match) between Chelsea and Arsenal. The Blues may be on the mend but the Gunners are in better form so far. According to Opta, this is the closest match of the week with Chelsea slight underdogs at 35-29-36. Monday features another London derby with Spurs hosting Fulham at 3 pm on USA. Tottenham shouldn't take Fulham lightly but there's every chance they'll stay top of the table this week.
For whatever reason, the schedule makers crammed five matches into the 10 am Saturday slot. Our choice is easy as we will watch Newcastle host Crystal Palace, likely on replay after refereeing. The TV choice is Man City vs Brighton. Other choices include Bournemouth - Wolves, Brentford - Burnley and Nottingham Forest - Luton. Ignoring my Magpie bias, I think the best choice for an interesting match for the neutral is probably Newcastle - Palace; Opta thinks the Bournemouth - Wolves match is the more competitive one.
We get a bonus Saturday afternoon match in the form of Sheffield United - Man United at 3 pm on Peacock. The single Sunday match between Aston Villa and West Ham at 11:30 on USA looks like one of the weekend's best match-ups, assuming they can figure out who gets to wear claret and blue. JK - of course the home team Villans will be in their traditional colors.
MLS Decision Day
Even though seven of the nine playoff spots in the East are settled, there are still many "decisions" to be made based on Saturday's results. All the Eastern Conference matches will kick off at 6 pm Saturday.
Our attention will be on the Union, who will face the Revolution at the second worst venue in MLS. That's on "free" Apple. The U can finish anywhere from 3rd to 5th. Win and they are guaranteed third. A draw guarantees them 4th, as does a loss by less than five goals. A catastrophic loss plus a Columbus win or draw means 5th place.
Farther down the table, five teams are still in the running for the last two playoff spots. Multiple scenarios there but of note is that NYCFC and Chicago play each other so somebody's getting points. Whichever teams get the 8th and 9th spots will play a wild card match on Wednesday. The first round series open next weekend.
The View from Europe
Between Champions League, Europa Cup and the Europa Conference League, Tuesday to Friday is packed with games. Matchweek 3 in the Champions League sees Newcastle hosting Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday. I am shocked - shocked I tell you - to see the Magpies favored in this one. Tuesday I'm hoping to check in on Sevilla - Arsenal; those sides find themselves third and second respectively behind Lens and will be looking for a result.
Thursday we'll be following Aston Villa as they travel to Holland to take on AZ Alkmaar. Each side in that group has a win and a loss so every point will be important.
So, we're back to football every day of the week. Kramer had it right.
I heartily second the Welcome to Wrexham recommendation! Watching Ryan Reynolds lose his sh*t during their FA cup run was a highlight, and we get introduced to the Women’s side - who play their games on a pitch in the “suburbs” of Wrexham! Which definitely puts a premium on keeping the ball on the “turf”.
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