Top games to watch this midweek
Tuesday
Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace (Carabao Cup)
Mallorca vs. Barcelona (La Liga)
Juventus vs. Lecce (Serie A)
Preuben Munster vs. Bayern (DFB Pokal)
Guadalajara vs. Mazatlán (Liga MX)
Wednesday
Brentford vs. Arsenal (Carabao Cup)
Chelsea vs. Brighton (Carabao Cup)
Liverpool vs. Leicester (Carabao Cup)
Newcastle vs. Manchester City (Carabao Cup)
Real Madrid vs. Las Palmas (La Liga)
Cagliari vs. Milan (Serie A)
Inter vs. Sassuolo (Serie A)
Lazio vs. Torino (Serie A)
Los Angeles FC vs. Tigres UANL (Campeones Cup)
Fluminense vs. Internacional (Copa Libertadores)
Inter Miami vs. Houston Dynamo (U.S. Open Cup)
Thursday
Atlas vs. Puebla (Liga MX)
Osasuna vs. Atlético Madrid (La Liga)
Genoa vs. Roma (Serie A)
Boca Juniors vs. Palmeiras (Libertadores)
What are this midweek's must-watch games?
Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace live this Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and the ESPN App
The third round of the Carabao Cup dominates the midweek fixtures, with Manchester United hosting Crystal Palace in one of five all-Premier-League affairs. The Red Devils enter this tie on the back of their 1-0 win over Burnley, which ended their three-game losing streak. However, an improved performance will be needed against Palace, who look to end their two-game winless run when they visit Old Trafford.
Mallorca vs. Barcelona live this Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes
La Liga champions Barcelona resume their title defense this midweek, with the Catalan giants visiting Mallorca in an interesting fixture. The Blaugrana enter this clash top of the table following Real Madrid's 3-1 Madrid Derby defeat at Atletico but the unforgettable comeback win from Xavi's men in their clash with Celta Vigo should be noted. Lewandowski and Co. scored three goals in the final nine minutes of normal time to overturn a 2-0 deficit and will be looking to maintain their winning streak when they visit the Mallorca Son Moix Stadium.
Brentford vs. Arsenal live this Wednesday at 2:45 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and the ESPN App
Arsenal kick off their Carabao Cup campaign in the third round on Wednesday as they visit Brentford in an interesting showdown. The Gunners, who are likely to rotate due to injuries, look to bounce back from their frustrating 2-2 draw at home to Tottenham in the first North London Derby of the season. The Bees, on the other hand, lost 3-1 at home to Everton on Saturday and will not want to suffer back-to-back defeats at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Chelsea vs. Brighton live this Wednesday at 2:45 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and ESPN App
Will Chelsea's misery continue? The Blues resume their Carabao Cup campaign this midweek on the back of another league defeat, this time losing 1-0 at home to Aston Villa on Sunday. Brighton, on the other hand, came back from a goal down to beat Bournemouth 3-1 and are thus currently third in the English top flight. With the Stamford Bridge faithful growing frustrated with Pochettino and Chelsea's players, expect a tense atmosphere at this midweek game.
Newcastle vs. Manchester City live this Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and ESPN App
Wrapping up the Carabao Cup fixtures — but not this list — is Manchester City's trip to Newcastle. These two clubs have already faced off in the Premier League, with Guardiola's men beating the Magpies 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium courtesy of a Julian Alvarez goal. However, Eddie Howe's side have improved since and enter this tie on the back of their unbelievable 8-0 win over Sheffield United over the weekend. Don't miss this clash!
LAFC vs. Tigres UANL in the Campeones Cup live this Wednesday at 11 p.m. ET on MLS Pass on Apple TV
The Campeones Cup, the tie that pits the MLS Cup champions against the Campeón de Campeones winners, takes place this Wednesday with LAFC representing the USA while Tigres UANL fight for Liga MX. The last three editions of this tournament have been won by an MLS club; however, the Black and Gold are yet to get their hands on this title. Meanwhile, Los Tigres were the inaugural winners and are now aiming to bring this crown back to Mexico for the first time since their victory in 2018. Make sure to catch the action live on MLS Pass on Apple TV.
Telemundo presents thorough coverage plans for Inter Miami vs. Houston in the U.S. Open Cup final
The 108th edition of the U.S. Open Cup will keep fans glued to their seats all across the United States, and Spanish-speaking enthusiasts will be able to follow the clash where Inter Miami will try to win their second cup of the season against Houston Dynamo on Telemundo and all its sister platforms, which include Universo and Peacock.
The network will provide thorough coverage with its elite team of on-air commentators, led by Miguel Gurwitz and Ana Jurka. The pregame show is set to kick off at 8:00 p.m. ET, thirty minutes prior to the start of the match, with both anchors sharing in-depth analysis, insights for key players, and more to get fans ready for a match that promises to be one of the top events in U.S. soccer.
In-game commentary will also have some familiar faces, as Emmy-award winner Andrés Cantor is set to offer play-by-play coverage throughout the game. Match analysis will have former El Tri midfielder Manuel Sol and former Argentine international Maxi Rodríguez, one of Lionel Messi's former teammates. The former Atlético player will make guest appearances in the pre-match shows, at halftime, and in the post-game coverage.
For more info on Telemundo's exciting coverage of this highly-anticipated showdown between Inter Miami and Houston Dynamo, click here. Fans in the USA can also catch this final live on CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, and TyC Sports Internacional.
Biggest stories
Juve's Federico Gatti scores AWFUL own goal during 4-2 loss to Sassuolo
On Saturday, Juventus faced Sassuolo on the road in a crucial match for the Bianconeri, who are hoping to be among the contenders for the Scudetto this season.
Unfortunately for La Vecchia Signora, Sassuolo, who have proven to be a frustrating opponent for many of Serie A's biggest teams, decided to throw a spanner in those plans as the Neroverdi earned a 4-2 win to prevent Massimiliano Allegri's men from moving into a top four spot in the table.
It was also a day to forget for Federico Gatti, who ended up helping Sassuolo's efforts with a rather bizarre own goal in the latter part of the game.
Arsenal receive huge injury boosts following frustrating North London Derby draw vs. Tottenham
With Jurrien Timber being a long-term absentee, Gabriel Martinelli and Thomas Partey recovering from their own issues, and Leandro Trossard, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka picking up recent issues; Arsenal fans began fearing an injury crisis. Arteta's men host title challengers Manchester City in roughly two weeks but will they be without all these key players?
Fortunately, the Gunners have received a huge boost in this department. Declan Rice suffered a back injury but according to the Athletic, initial tests show that it is nothing serious. Likewise, Trossard's issue is not expected to keep him out for long.
The Belgian picked up a slight muscle issue but could be in contention for next weekend's trip to Bournemouth. Rice, on the other hand, still suffers from discomfort in his back and while a return date remains unclear, the player is said to have avoided a serious injury.
Harry Kane makes Bundesliga history with hat-trick in Bayern Munich's 7-0 win vs. Bochum
Harry Kane scored a hat-trick and grabbed two assists for Bayern Munich en route to a 7-0 victory over VFL Bochum, thus capping off a sensational performance.
This feat saw him set two outstanding records, the first of which is a club record. Kane currently boasts seven goals from his first five Bundesliga appearances for the title holders and, as a result, has become the first Bayern Munich player to score six or more goals in his first five top-flight appearances for the club.
Additionally, the former Tottenham star has three assists to his name, taking his goal contributions to 10 in his first five Bundesliga games, a feat no other player has achieved on record in this competition's history.
Cristiano makes candid admission about his future following brace in Al Nassr's 4-3 win over Al Ahli
Cristiano Ronaldo's second season in the Saudi Pro League is going extraordinarily well. While the Portuguese icon enjoyed his debut season, scoring 14 goals in 16 top-flight outings, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner currently has a whopping nine goals and four assists in his first six league appearances this term.
However, there is a big elephant in the room. With Ronaldo turning 39 in under five months, fans continue to wonder whether the end is near for the legendary goalscorer or whether the exceptional athlete has a few more good years in his locker before he ultimately hangs up the boots.
Cristiano addressed this topic following Friday's victory over Al Ahli and made an honest and welcomed admission, saying: "I still love football. Even at my age, I love playing, scoring goals, and winning games," the 38-year-old admitted, as per Marca.
"I'm going to keep playing until my legs say 'Cristiano, it's over'. Until then I'll keep playing and helping the team."
Sancho handed fresh blow as Man United boss banishes him from training grounds
Earlier in the season, coach Erik Ten Hag decided to bench Jadon Sancho for his lack of intensity during the team's training sessions. Sancho accused the coach of lying despite there being evidence of him showing up late to the training complex, and now, the club has seemingly taken a definitive stance until he is ready to apologize.
The club, as per reports, has banned Sancho from using all the facilities used by the first team, which include the team's dining hall. Sancho, who is reportedly "very upset" with this decision, will only return to the team's facilities until he speaks to Ten Hag, but the player refuses to do so despite having taken down the social media post that sparked this controversy.
Sources within the club state that Ten Hag will not change his stance, leaving the player's future in limbo after the team spent over $80M for his services.
We want to play at the Olympics, with right conditions: Spain's Caldentey
Spain forward Mariona Caldentey said on Monday that she hopes the women's team can compete at the Olympic Games next year, as long as it is under "the conditions we think we deserve".
A players' strike threatened to derail the team's hopes of reaching the Paris Games in 2024, after disgraced former president of the Spanish soccer federation, Luis Rubiales, kissed a player following La Roja's Women's World Cup triumph in August.
Rubiales resigned from his post earlier in September after unprecedented outrage but many players called up for Nations League games remained on strike, demanding further changes within the federation until a deal was struck last week between the two sides and the Spanish government.
Reyna set for USA return after Berhalter "conversation"
USA head coach Gregg Berhalter has held talks with midfielder Gio Reyna and the Borussia Dortmund player could return to the national side next month, US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said on Sunday.
Reyna and Berhalter were embroiled in an acrimonious bust-up during last year's World Cup in Qatar that led to Berhalter's future as US national team coach being thrown into doubt.
The dispute spread to involve Reyna's parents and an investigation into a 1991 altercation between Berhalter and his wife, then his girlfriend.
Mbappe comes off injured for PSG in Marseille game
Paris Saint-Germain suffered a blow on Sunday as Kylian Mbappe was forced off injured in the first half of the French champions' Ligue 1 game against Marseille.
Mbappe appeared to hurt his left leg in a tangle with Marseille defender Leonardo Balerdi just seven minutes into the match at the Parc des Princes.
PSG were awarded a free-kick from which Achraf Hakimi put them in front before Mbappe went off the pitch for treatment.
Other key headlines from the world of soccer
Man Utd's Rashford unhurt in car crash
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford escaped unhurt after being involved in a car crash following his participation in a 1-0 win at Burnley on Saturday. The incident happened when Rashford had left United's Carrington training ground in his white Rolls Royce. Erik ten Hag's squad had returned on the team coach from Burnley before leaving the training base in their personal cars.
Struggling Chelsea need to "grow up": Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino admitted struggling Chelsea need to "grow up" after their troubled season hit a new low with a 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa on Sunday. Pochettino's side have won just once in six league games under Pochettino after Ollie Watkins' second-half goal sealed the points for Villa at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are languishing in 14th place, just four points above the relegation zone, after failing to score in their last three games.
Ajax-Feyenoord abandoned after flares lobbed on pitch
The Dutch Klassieker between bitter rivals Ajax and Feyenoord was abandoned Sunday after several flares were thrown on the pitch, with Feyenoord 3-0 ahead ten minutes into the second half. The match had already been suspended twice during the first half, once for flares on the pitch, the other time after a cup was lobbed from the stands. A double from Santiago Gimenez and one from Igor Paixao had given the team from Rotterdam an unprecedented lead at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam.
