Top games to watch this week
Friday, October 14
Brentford vs Brighton (English Premier League)
Rayo Vallecano vs Getafe (La Liga)
Schalke 04 vs Hoffenheim (Bundesliga)
Strasbourg vs Lille (Ligue 1)
Brazil vs USA (FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup)
India vs Morocco (FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup)
Germany vs Chile (FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup)
Saturday, October 15
Tottenham vs Everton (English Premier League)
Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid (La Liga)
Torino vs Juventus (Serie A)
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)
LA Galaxy vs Nashville SC (MLS)
Monterrey vs Cruz Azul (Liga MX)
América vs Puebla (Liga MX)
China vs Colombia (FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup)
France vs Tanzania (FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup)
Spain vs Mexico (FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup)
Sunday, October 16
Leeds United vs Arsenal (English Premier League)
Man United vs Newcastle (English Premier League)
Liverpool vs Man City (English Premier League)
Real Madrid vs Barcelona (La Liga)
Inter vs Salernitana (Serie A)
Bayern vs Freiburg (Bundesliga)
PSG vs Olympique Marseille
Austin vs Real Salt Lake (MLS)
CF Montreal vs Orlando City (MLS)
Santos Laguna vs Toluca (Liga MX)
Pachuca vs Tigres UANL (Liga MX)
Monday, October 17
Villarreal vs Osasuna (La Liga)
Sampdoria vs Roma (Serie A)
Nigeria vs Chile (FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup)
New Zealand vs Germany (FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup)
Brazil vs India (FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup)
USA vs Morocco (FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup)
Tuesday, October 18
Crystal Palace vs Wolves (English Premier League)
Sevilla vs Valencia (La Liga)
Atlético Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano (La Liga)
China vs Spain (FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup)
Colombia vs Mexico (FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup)
Tanzania vs Canada (FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup)
France vs Japan (FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup)
Wednesday, October 19
Brentford vs Chelsea (English Premier League)
Liverpool vs West Ham (English Premier League)
Man United vs Tottenham (English Premier League)
Elche vs Real Madrid (La Liga)
Augsburg vs Bayern (DFB-Pokal)
Thursday, October 20
Arsenal vs PSV (UEFA Europa League)
Leicester City vs Leeds United (English Premier League)
Osasuna vs Espanyol (La Liga)
Barcelona vs Villarreal (La Liga)
Philadelphia Union vs TBD (MLS Semi-finals)
Los Angeles FC vs TBD (MLS Semi-finals)
Most-watched football games in the United States: October 3-9, 2022
Last week's battle for the ratings once again saw a Premier League match emerge triumphant as the most-watched game in the past seven days. The English top-flight had lost the top position in this ranking to the Mexican National team, but the big clash between Arsenal and Liverpool set the record straight in terms of the most popular league in the country.
Two Liga MX matches completed the podium this week, which may come as no surprise since the Liga MX playoffs are quite popular among U.S. fans. The game between Puebla and Guadalajara came in second with over 570,000 average viewers, and in third place, Saturday's late kickoff game between Cruz Azul and León was witnessed by over 530,000 fans.
Let us have a look at the numbers last week brought us in terms of football games:
What are this week's must-watch games?
Man United vs Newcastle live this Sunday at 9 a.m. ET on USA Network. Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, SiriusXM FC, fuboTV, and Sling
Two exciting Premier League games make our list, the first of which is Manchester United's tricky showdown with Newcastle. Ten Hag's men enter this clash on the back of their dramatic UEFA Europa League win over Omonia Nicosia, beating the Cypriot club 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Scott McTominay. Additionally, in their most recent Premier League outing, the Red Devils came back from a goal down to beat Lampard's tricky Everton 2-1. Newcastle, who are sixth in the table, are unbeaten in their last four games and enter this tie on the back of back-to-back victories over Fulham and Brentford. Don't miss this tie.
El Clasico is back! Catch Real Madrid vs Barcelona live this Sunday at 10:15 a.m. ET on ESPN and fuboTV
The always-exciting El Clasico returns this weekend! Sunday will see Barcelona visit Real Madrid as the two Spanish powerhouses face off for the first time this season. The Blaugrana head into this tie low on confidence after their 3-3 draw at home to Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League as Xavi's men are in grave danger of suffering a group-stage exit once again. Los Blancos, on the other hand, have already secured their spot in the round of 16 and will be looking to leapfrog the Catalan outfit in the Spanish top-flight table. Who will win this Santiago Bernabeu showdown? Tune in to fuboTV and ESPN's array of platforms such as ESPN+, Espn Deportes, and the ESPN app.
Liverpool vs Man City live this Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET on USA Network. Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, SiriusXM FC, fuboTV, and Sling
And finally, we have Liverpool vs Man City, Klopp vs Guardiola, and Nunez vs Haaland. The Merseyside giants will host the reigning Premier League champions this Sunday knowing that a defeat could see them fall 17 points behind current leaders Arsenal. Meanwhile, the Cityzens, who are only a point behind the Gunners, will not want to lose ground in this season's title race as De Bruyne and Co. look to snatch the no.1 spot from Arteta's men. All eyes will be on this Anfield clash so make sure to mark your calendars!
It was a long week without club action in the women's football scene, but that void will be filled by the sort of games we will be allowed to watch in the next seven days.
For starters, we will have the final round of games in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, followed by international tournaments such as the UEFA Women's Champions League and the Copa Libertadores Femenina. If that was not enough to satisfy your cravings, how about games for the D1 Feminine, the FA Women's Super League, or the Frauen-Bundesliga? Yes, all of those leagues will be around to keep things interesting across the globe.
Without further ado, let's have a look at what the beautiful game will offer in terms of women's football matches for the next seven days.
FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup
The tournament taking place in India has seen some interesting clashes during its first week of action, and things will get even more breathtaking as we get closer to the defining stages of the competition.
The next seven days will mark the end of the first round, and all bets are off when it comes to predicting which teams will make it to the knockout stages. For example, the USWNT enjoyed a spectacular start to the tournament by destroying the hosts with an impressive 8-0 score, and even if Japan and China have also proven themselves as title contenders, the next few days will be key to seeing how far each of these teams can go.
2022 Copa Libertadores Femenina
The South American competition will give fans some of the most nerve-wracking matches in the history of the tournament, with teams such as Corinthians, Boca Juniors, Palmeiras, and Ñañas being some of the favorites to take the title home. The competition has been dominated by Brazilian teams since it saw the light of day back in 2009, but with women's football growing all over South America, we should not be surprised if a team from another country wins it all.
2022-23 UEFA Women's Champions League
The top club competition in Europe will kick off its group stage next week, with teams from that continent trying to take the crown away from Olympique Lyon, who start the tournament proper as the major title contenders. Other teams that could be considered in the mix before the start of the competition are Barcelona and Chelsea, who have some of the most talented squads in women's football. Those teams, along with PSG and Real Madrid, will begin their quest for European glory on Wednesday with their hearts set on playing the final at Philips Stadion on June 4, 2023.
Interested in more leagues? Visit our dedicated women's soccer page at LiveSoccerTV.com.
Biggest stories of the week
Chaos at PSG: Kylian Mbappe and sporting advisor Luís Campos want to leave the Ligue 1 giants this January
PSG were gearing up for a crucial UEFA Champions League showdown with Benfica on Tuesday, but on the day of that interesting European fixture, several shocking reports broke regarding the behind-the-scenes mayhem at the club.
The first involves star player Kylian Mbappe, who just recently signed a new deal at the Parc des Princes. However, despite snubbing the opportunity to join Real Madrid for free over the summer, the Frenchman has reportedly grown frustrated with the French champions and now wants out.
RMC initially broke this news, with Marca later posting an exclusive, claiming that the relationship between Mbappe and PSG has completely broken down. The attacker reportedly feels betrayed by his employers and is ready to leave.
This story has also been corroborated by well-known French journalist Julien Laurens, which is a concern for the Parisiens fans. And to make things worse, Kylian wishes to leave the capital this January.
The reasons are simple: before signing his new deal, the 23-year-old was made several promises by the PSG board, and many have not been kept. The goalscorer is particularly upset with president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the Qatari ownership, and Antero Henrique.
It's no secret that the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner prefers to play off of another striker, similar to the French national team where he plays off of Olivier Giroud. However, under Galtier, Mbappe remains merely a member of a star-studded three-man attack alongside Neymar and Lionel Messi, and is played down the middle instead of his preferred position on the wing.
Hence, he is not the jewel in the crown, the man the team is built around. Instead, he continues to share the spotlight with the Argentine and Brazilian superstars.
As a result, the player wishes to leave this winter but it remains uncertain whether Real Madrid, the club he desires to join, will make a move for the Frenchman. Marca claim that his PSG deal is until 2024, not 2025 as publicly reported, but any attempt to land the world-class attacker will be difficult nonetheless.
As for Luis Campos, Le Parisien reports that the Portuguese sporting advisor could leave if Mbappe departs as the pair enjoy a lovely relationship from their time together at Monaco. Additionally, Campos is also unhappy with Henrique, the man tasked with spearheading the club's transfer negotiations, as he failed to sell the unwanted players last summer, which then prevented the club from strengthening as initially planned.
CR700: Ronaldo hits landmark goal as Man Utd completes first-half comeback vs Everton
Cristiano Ronaldo secured another historic feat in his remarkable career by scoring his 700th club goal in Manchester United's win at Everton. The Portuguese striker's goal which proved to be the eventual winner for the Red Devils took his overall tally for the club across his two spells to 144.
There was so much to unpack from the night's trip to Goodison Park but Ronaldo rightfully stole the limelight when it mattered most. The 37-year-old Portuguese superstar started the encounter from the bench and watched on as United trailed in just six minutes following Alex Iwobi's strike.
The visitors were, however, brought back into the game after Anthony Martial and Antony combined to score a brilliant equalizer. Not long after the goal, Martial picked up a knock and was replaced by Cristiano Ronaldo.
With the match tied 1-1 following his introduction, the former Real Madrid and Juventus star put United ahead before half-time, beating the hosts' offside trap and racing away after receiving a brilliant through ball from Casemiro. He expertly struck the ball past Jordan Pickford at his near post with his weaker left foot for his 700th club career goal.
Despite landing this feat at Old Trafford in his second coming, Ronaldo scored the bulk of his tally for Madrid. In Spain, he became the club's all-time top scorer with 450 goals across a nine-year spell after departing United for the first time. He scored only five times for Sporting CP, 101 goals for Juventus, and currently has 144 goals for Manchester United.
Mohamed Salah makes UEFA Champions League history by scoring three off the bench
The evening began as a disappointment for Mohamed Salah, since coach Jürgen Klopp had left him on the bench against Rangers. Nevertheless, his evening improved quite a bit when he made it to the pitch and scored a lightning-quick hat-trick.
The striker did not waste any time to make his presence felt, as he found the back of the net just eight minutes after being subbed on. While him scoring was not a surprise, the fact that he found the net two more times in less than six minutes is certainly worthy of attention.
With his performance on Wednesday, Salah surpassed some of the top strikers in this tournament's history by netting the quickest hat-trick in the competition's history (6 minutes and 12 seconds). In fact, his three-goal haul was the fastest also for a Liverpool player.
After enduring some harsh first months of the season, Liverpool fans hope that this becomes the needed boost to turn the team's campaign around.
LEGAL FIGHT? Manchester United fans reportedly threatening action ahead of showdown against Chelsea
Any match featuring two of England's "Big Six" sides is one that fans eagerly look forward to, and the upcoming Chelsea vs. Manchester United clash is no exception.
On Saturday, October 22nd, the Blues will take on the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge, but there appears to be controversy and trouble brewing even before the first kick of the game.
According to several reports, sections of the Manchester United support feel aggrieved ahead of the match due to a decision by London's Hammersmith and Fulham Council (LBFH) to reduce the number of away tickets sold in order to try to control crowds.
Manchester United had initially sold just under 3,000 tickets - 2,994 to be exact - before the police department initially sought to halve that to about 1,500 tickets sold. However, after some wrangling, that number was modified to 2,370 following United filing an appeal with the local safety organizing bodies.
This still has angered Manchester United fans, who feel that they have been cheated out of over 600 allotted tickets, and Manchester United Supporters Trust, a fan group, have now decided to take things even further.
As per one report, should the LBFH Council not agree to create a new safety certificate that will allow 3,000 fans to attend the game at Stamford Bridge, MUST have instructed their legal advisors to take action. The group are hoping to receive a response by noon on Friday as to whether the Council will either reverse its decision or will create a new certificate to give all 3,000 fans who bought tickets access to the October 22nd match - otherwise, they will be "forced" to bring the matter to court.
With all the drama expected heading into such a big fixture, hopefully, both sides will come to some kind of agreement so as not to have legal matters overshadowing the highly anticipated showdown between two of England's biggest sides.
Other key headlines from the world of football
Juventus rule out Max Allegri's sacking despite shock Maccabi Haifa defeat
Juventus have ruled out the possibility of sacking manager Massimiliano Allegri despite the club's recent struggles. The revelation comes after the Bianconeri fell to a surprise 2-0 defeat against Maccabi Haifa in Tuesday night's UEFA Champions group stage encounter.
A first-half double by Omer Atzili was enough to secure the win for the hosts with Juve failing to get anything out of the game in the second half despite delivering a better performance. The night's result left them with just three points from four games in Group H, with the Turin outfit only sitting above their Israeli opponents because of their superior goal difference.
Tuesday's defeat, coupled with the fact that the Old Lady are struggling domestically, has led Max Allegri to come under huge scrutiny in Turin. However, the Italian coach, who was recruited for a second spell at Allianz Stadium last season, has now received the backing of the club's hierarchy. Amid the pressure, club president Andrea Agnelli has confirmed that Allegri will not be sacked. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia after the game, he said: "It's not the coach's fault that we can't even make a tackle. Allegri will stay at least until the end of the season.
Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball expected to fetch millions at auction
In April, it was announced that Diego Maradona's shirt from the famous (or infamous) 1986 World Cup match between Argentina and England was going up for auction. Maradona, who passed away in 2020, was the hero for Argentinian fans as he netted a brace to break England's hearts and secure a spot in the semi-finals for La Albiceleste.
The iconic shirt was put on display at auction house Sotheby's for over a fortnight between April 20th and May 4th, before eventually being sold. At that time, there were estimates that the kit could fetch over $5 million; it ultimately ended up selling for nearly double that, or approximately $8.9 million, making it the most expensive football kit sold at auction in history.
Now, six months later, another piece of history will also go on the auction market. This time, it is the ball that helped Maradona score the goal he called the 'Hand of God' as he punched the ball past Peter Shilton to score his first goal of that match. Currently owned by referee Ali Bin Nasser, the ball is expected to be offered on the open market by Graham Budd Auctions on November 16th.
In addition to the ball, which is expected to fetch at least $2.8 million to $3.3 million, Bin Nasser's shirt from that game and a signed Maradona jersey will also be offered at the same auction next month.
Brighton ace Enock Mwepu, 24, forced into early retirement due to hereditary heart condition
Monday morning brought heartbreaking news from Brighton and Hove Albion, one of the best-performing teams of the Premier League season. Enock Mwepu, their highly-rated midfielder, has been forced into early retirement after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition. As a result, the Zambian ace's career sadly comes to an end at the young age of 24.
The former RB Salzburg talent started in all six of the Seagulls Premier League games before the September international break. However, when flying out to join his national team during last month's break, the midfielder fell ill and spent time in a hospital in Mali.
Mwepu returned to Brighton and underwent cardiac tests before the gutting diagnosis was revealed. The Zambian was informed by doctors that he is facing an extremely high risk of suffering a "fatal cardiac arrest" if he continues playing professional football.
