The 2020/21 Premier League season kicks off this weekend with Fulham vs Arsenal, Liverpool vs Leeds being the stellar fixtures
The Premier League is back! The English top-flight will be making its return, with the 2020/21 season kicking off this weekend much to the pleasure of its humongous fan base. Quick note: Man City and Man Utd will not be in action in the opening round. The 2019/20 term might not have ended long ago but the new campaign is already upon us, with everyone asking one question: who will win the title this time around?
Reigning champions Liverpool kick off their title defense against last season's Championship winners Leeds in what is the standout fixture of Matchday 1. Having recently lost the Community Shield to Arsenal, all eyes will be on Klopp's side this season and whether Van Dijk and Co. will have the hunger to clinch back-to-back Premier League crown, a feat way more difficult to pull off. As for Leeds, they will be playing in the Premier League for the first time in 16 years. Led by the iconic Marcelo Bielsa, a tactician regarded as one of the most influential coaches, the Whites will be aiming for a remarkable season, having added Rodrigo to their lineup in order to achieve this.
Premier League clubs to wear "No Room for Racism" this season
Elsewhere, Arsenal will open their campaign away to Fulham. Arteta will be leading the Gunners in his first full season in charge, having taken over the club in December. The Spaniard led the north London giants to the FA Cup and Community Shield titles but it will be interesting to see whether he can achieve a top-four finish ahead of Chelsea and Man United as a return to the Champions League is their main goal.
Speaking of Chelsea, the Blues embark on their season with a trip to Brighton. The Blues are one of the most intriguing sides for the 2020/21 season given their summer spending spree, having added Ziyech, Werner, Havertz, Chilwell, and Thiago Silva to their ranks. The Moroccan winger, the English full-back, and Brazilian center-back are unavailable for this tie but it will be interesting to see whether Timo and Kai will make their debuts.
La Liga returns! The new Spanish top-flight season also kicks off this weekend with seven games ushering in the 2020/21 campaign
La Liga is another major European league making its return this weekend. The 2020/21 Spanish top-flight campaign kicks off on Saturday, with Celta Vigo's trip to Eibar getting things underway. The standout game of Matchday 1 will see Valencia take on Levante, a side whom finished only four points behind them last season.
Los murcelagos are in utter turmoil, going on a fire sale over the summer with over half of the players being shipped out. How will they kick things off? Tune in to beIN Sports and Fanatiz USA on Sunday to find out. It should be noted La Liga determined to give some extra resting days to Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético, Sevilla, Getafe, and Elche. None of these clubs will be involved in the opening round.
Valencia coach Javi Gracia gives candid opinion on the club's turmoil ahead of the new season
Le Classique set to take place this weekend, DFB Pokal begins on Saturday, 2020 Copa Libertadores resumes this midweek
Ligue 1 carries on with its season, with PSG vs Marseille being the headline fixture for the upcoming round of games. The reigning champions began their season on Thursday but unfortunately lost their opening game 1-0 to Lens. Up next is Le Classique, with Les Parisiens keen on bouncing back. Unfortunately, Tuchel will again be without Neymar, Di Maria, Mbappe, and Icardi after contracting COVID-19. Can PSG win without their main men? Don't miss this clash.
Elsewhere in Europe, the DFB Pokal will usher back in German football ahead of the 2020/21 Bundesliga kick-off on September 18th. Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke will be in action on Sunday, taking on Eintracht Norderstedt and Schweinfurt respectively. On Monday, it will be Dortmund's turn as they face MSV Duisburg. Given their oppositions, the aforementioned Bundesliga clubs may experiment with their lineups.
In South America, the widely-loved Copa Libertadores tournament will resume its 2020 season. The continental competition was forced into suspension after round two of the group stage due to the COVID-19 pandemic but will return on September 15 with two simultaneous Matchday 3 kick-offs: Colo-Colo vs Penarol and Jorge Wilstermann vs Athletico-PR.
Top headlines from world football
Klopp praises Bielsa but aims funny dig at Argentine boss ahead of Liverpool vs Leeds
Klopp is set to do battle with Leeds boss Bielsa, a man who is thought highly of by the best managers in the world. Speaking about the Argentine, Jurgen had nothing but praise for his opponent, revealing his admiration for the iconic tactician. However, the Liverpool boss did aim a funny dig at his counterpart, stating that suspicious people have been spotted at Anfield, referencing Leeds' spying controversy from 2019.
Klopp on Bielsa
Real Madrid concerned as Eden Hazard returns to club "overweight"
Real Madrid are said to be concerned about Eden Hazard as last summer's marquee signing returned to the club in poor form. The Belgian was called up to the national team for the recent international break but was not used as he "wasn't fit enough" to play. According to Diario Sport, Los Blancos are now beginning to question the player's commitment.
Top 10 live games to watch on September 11-17, 2020
Saturday, September 12
7:30 AM ET
Fulham vs Arsenal (English Premier League)
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10:00 AM ET
Eibar vs Celta Vigo (La Liga)
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12:30 PM ET
Liverpool vs Leeds (English Premier League)
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Sunday, September 13
11:30 AM ET
Tottenham vs Everton (English Premier League)
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3:00 PM ET
PSG vs Marseille (Ligue 1)
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3:00 PM ET
Valencia vs Levante (La Liga)
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Monday, September 14
3:15 PM ET
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Chelsea (English Premier League)
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Brighton & Hove Albion 1 - 3 Chelsea
September 14, 2020 3:15pmThe American Express Community Stadium (Falmer, East Sussex)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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Tuesday, September 15
1:00 PM ET
Real Madrid vs Getafe (Friendly)
6:15 PM ET
Colo-Colo vs Peñarol
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Colo-Colo 2 - 1 Peñarol
September 15, 2020 6:15pmEstadio Monumental David Arellano (Santiago de Chile)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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Wednesday, September 16
1:00 PM ET
Barcelona vs Girona (Friendly)
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