The Premier League is back! The English top-flight returns to action on Wednesday with Man City vs Arsenal
The time has finally come! The return of the Premier League is upon us. The world's most popular top flight, beloved by fans all across the globe, will finally be getting back underway, following suit of the Bundesliga and La Liga. Not only will the English top-flight be making a comeback this Wednesday after suspending play due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it will return with a box-office showdown: Man City vs Arsenal.
This epic clash will see the reigning champions – until Liverpool eventually get their hands on the title – take on the Gunners, who are one of six sides fighting for the fourth and final Champions League spot. Arteta's men, who currently sit in 9th, could leapfrog sixth-placed Wolves should they register a huge win but will realistically only move ahead of 8th-placed Tottenham with a victory. This is the Gunners' game in hand, which means triumph over Guardiola's side would give them a huge advantage in the race to finish in the top four.
Man City preparing for their Arsenal showdown
The other game taking place on Wednesday, the first of June 17's two fixtures, will see Aston Villa and Sheffield United lock horns. This tie is crucial as well as one team battling for a spot in Europe – the Blades – will face off against a club struggling to avoid relegation – the Villians. Who will this tie? Tune in this Wednesday for the return of the Premier League to find out.
Real Madrid vs Valencia the centerpiece of Matchday 29 in La Liga
La Liga made its much-awaited return on June 11 with Sevilla's 2-0 win over Real Betis and carried on to Sunday, June 14, with Real Madrid's 3-1 triumph over Eibar. Matchday 29 in the Spanish top-flight will kick off on Monday, June 15, but this round's standout fixture will take place three days later on Thursday. The game: Real Madrid vs Valencia.
While Los Blancos resumed their campaign in emphatic style, it should be noted that the weekend victory came against a team battling relegation. Their midweek encounter, however, will see them face off against a side in the race to qualify for the Champions League.
Los Che currently occupy the seventh spot, which would only qualify them for the Europa League, but they are only four points behind the fourth and final Champions League berth. As for Zidane's men, their goal this season is not to qualify for UEFA's premier club competition as that is destined to occur. It is to beat Barcelona to the title. Real Madrid currently trail the league leaders by two points and should they slip up against Valencia, their hopes of winning La Liga will somewhat diminish.
Courtois celebrates Real Madrid's triumphant La Liga resumption
Speaking of the Catalan giants, they will take to the field on Tuesday. Their opponent will be Leganes, who are second from bottom in the standings. This should be a routine victory for Messi and Co. given that their home form is almost always impeccable, but it will be interesting to watch how this fixture plays out nonetheless.
2019/20 Coppa Italia season to end with epic final between Napoli and Juventuss this Wednesday
Arguably one of the biggest games on this list, if not the biggest, is the Coppa Italia final. Italy's knockout cup competition will come a wrap this Wednesday with the highly-anticipated final between Napoli vs Juventus, two of the country's biggest teams.
The Bianconeri booked their ticket after overcoming AC Milan in the semi-final. The game ended in a tie on aggregate, but the Old Lady went through on away goals after drawing 1-1 in San Siro and 0-0 in Turin. The goalless draw was their first game back since the COVID-19 suspension, and understandably, Cristiano and Co. were not at their best. The Portuguese icon even missed a penalty in what was a forgettable performance from the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Napoli, meanwhile, drew 1-1 with Inter Milan in the second leg of their semi-final encounter, which meant Gattuso's men progressed courtesy of a 2-1 aggregate win. In the Partenopei's two Serie A encounters with Juventus this season, each side won one a piece, with Insigne and Co. emerging triumphant in the most recent match-up. Expect a thrilling tie when these two lock horns this midweek.
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Zinedine Zidane reaches lovely milestone in 3-1 win over Eibar
Not only did the 3-1 win over Eibar see Real Madrid resume their campaign in winning style, but it also saw Zidane reach a milestone in lovely fashion. Sunday's home clash was the Frenchman's 200th game in charge of Los Blancos in all competitions, making him only the third manager in the club's history to reach this feat after Miguel Muñoz (605) and Vicente del Bosque (246).
Diego Costa dedicates goal to Atletico Women's Virginia Torrecilla
Diego Costa got in the scoresheet in his team's first game back and after celebrating with his team-mates, the Spaniard showed solidarity for Atletico Women's player Virginia Torrecilla. Torrecilla had underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor back in May, with the men's striker honorably dedicating his goal to the recovering lady.
Diego Costa dedicates his goal to Virginia Torrecilla
Top 28 games to watch live on June 15-18, 2020
Monday, June 15:
1:30 PM ET
Levante vs Sevilla (La Liga)
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2:30 PM ET
Arminia Bielefeld vs Dynamo Dresden (Bundesliga 2)
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International Coverage:
Germany: Sky Sport Bundesliga 1, Sky Go Deutschland
Ireland: TNT Sports 1, discovery+, discovery+ App
Switzerland: Sky Sport Bundesliga 1
United Kingdom:
Tuesday, June 16:
6:30 AM ET
Pohang Steelers vs Jeonbuk Motors (K League 1)
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12:30 PM ET
Borussia M'gladbach vs Wolfsburg (German Bundesliga)
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1:30 PM ET
Getafe vs Espanyol (La Liga)
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1:30 PM ET
Villarreal vs Mallorca (La Liga)
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2:30 PM ET
Werder Bremen vs Bayern München (German Bundesliga)
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4:00 PM ET
Barcelona vs Leganés (La Liga)
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4:15 PM ET
Desportivo Aves vs Porto (Liga Portugal)
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Wednesday, June 17
7:00 AM ET
Busan I'Park vs Daegu (K League 1)
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12:30 PM ET
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Schalke 04 (German Bundesliga)
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1:00 PM ET
Aston Villa vs Sheffield United (English Premier League)
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2:00 PM ET
København vs AaB (Danish Super Liga)
2:30 PM ET
Borussia Dortmund vs Mainz 05 (German Bundesliga)
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2:30 PM ET
RB Leipzig vs Fortuna Düsseldorf (German Bundesliga)
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2:30 PM ET
Bayer Leverkusen vs Köln (German Bundesliga)
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2:30 PM ET
Augsburg vs Hoffenheim (German Bundesliga)
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International Coverage:
Austria: Sky Sport Bundesliga 1, Sky Sport Bundesliga 6, Sky Go Deutschland
Canada: Sportsnet World Now, Sportsnet Now
Germany: Sky Sport Bundesliga 1, Sky Go Deutschland, Sky Sport Bundesliga 6
Ireland: TNT Sports 5, discovery+, discovery+ App
Switzerland: Sky Sport Bundesliga 1, Sky Sport Bundesliga 6
United Kingdom:
3:00 PM ET
Napoli vs Juventus (Coppa Italia final)
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3:15 PM ET
Manchester City vs Arsenal (English Premier League)
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4:00 PM ET
Osasuna vs Atlético Madrid (La Liga)
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4:15 PM ET
Rio Ave vs Benfica (Liga Portugal)
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7:00 PM ET
Deportivo Saprissa vs Cartaginés (Costa Rican Primera Division)
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Deportivo Saprissa 2 - 3 Cartaginés
June 17, 2020 7:00pmEstadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá (San Juan de Tíbás (San José))This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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10:30 PM ET
Herediano vs Alajuelense (Costa Rican Primera Division)
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Thursday, June 18
12:15 PM ET
Colchester United vs Exeter City (England League Two)
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Colchester United 1 - 0 Exeter City
June 18, 2020 12:15pmJobServe Community Stadium (Colchester, Essex)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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1:30 PM ET
Deportivo Alavés vs Real Sociedad (La Liga)
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2:45 PM ET
Northampton Town vs Cheltenham Town (England League Two)
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Northampton Town 0 - 2 Cheltenham Town
June 18, 2020 2:45pmPTS Academy Stadium (Northampton, East Midlands)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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4:00 PM ET
Real Madrid vs Valencia (La Liga)
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4:15 PM ET
Sporting CP vs Tondela (Liga Portugal)
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