No more international breaks until March. That’s quite nice isn’t it?
Domestically, Major League Soccer in 2018 is heading for a dramatic conclusion, while across Europe the pressure is about to ramp up ahead of festive schedules and winter breaks.
This weekend from MLS we have opening legs of conference finals, while there are key games to get stuck into at the top of the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A.
All kick-offs are in Eastern time. Enjoy your weekend and enjoy the games!
Tottenham vs. Chelsea
Saturday, November 24, 12:30 p.m. ET, NBC, Universo, fuboTV (also available in 4K), Sling Blue and PlayStation Vue (free trial)
Based on the manner in which Chelsea have been revered so far this season, you’ll perhaps be surprised to know that Spurs currently sit just a point behind their London rivals ahead of this meeting at Wembley.
The spell of matches before the international break was a congested one for Spurs, although manager Mauricio Pochettino will be pleased with the manner in which the team came through those games. Big wins against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League and Crystal Palace in the Premier League kept their season on track.
Chelsea are still undefeated in competitive matches since Maurizio Sarri took over, although this will be the biggest test of his tenure so far. To stick to the principles he has instilled has been easy for the Blues so far, although that discipline and conviction will be tested away from home against an outfit like Tottenham.
Chelsea were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Everton before the break and showed again that they can be a little too dependant on Eden Hazard. If Spurs can find a way of shutting him out of the game, then they might have enough to turn over their capital rivals here.
Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona
Saturday, November 24, 2:45 p.m. ET, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, Sling Latino, Sling World Sports and fubo (free trial)
Perhaps the most intriguing game of the weekend comes at the Wanda Metropolitano, as the two favourites for the La Liga title meet.
For Barcelona this is a far from ideal game after they were humbled 4-3 by Betis at the Camp Nou a fortnight ago. In that clash the Blaugrana were pulled apart defensively and had it not been for a masterclass from the returning Lionel Messi, then things would’ve been much worse for Ernesto Valverde’s side.
By contract, Atletico will be bouncing into this one. Although they struggled for long spells in their previous fixture against Athletic Club, a last-gasp goal from Diego Godin saw them to a 3-2 win; it was the kind of comeback and drama that can ignite a campaign, with the Madrid side now just a point back on Barca.
Of course, a win here would see Atletico usurp the champions, while Sevilla sit between them ahead of the Madrid side on goal difference as things stand. With neither team in a position to lose ground at the Wanda, expect an entertaining showdown on Saturday night.
Lazio vs. AC Milan
Sunday, November 25, 12 p.m. ET, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, Sling Orange and PlayStation Vue (free trial)
Having missed out on the Champions League last season, both Lazio and Milan will have their eyes on a top-four spot this term. The indications are that they’ll both be in the mix, making this meeting between the two teams key.
Both sides were involved in frustrating matches from their own perspective before the break. Lazio were held away at Sassuolo despite taking an early lead; Ciro Immobile struck the woodwork for the visitors in that one, while Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is struggling to scale the heights he reached so regularly last term.
Milan’s own frustration in the loss to Juventus was summed up by Gonzalo Higuain. Not only did he miss a penalty against his former club, he was later sent off, meaning he will be suspended for this vital encounter at the Stadio Olimipico.
At the moment there’s little between these two sides and Roma, with each set of supporters confident they can finish behind the likes of Juventus, Napoli and Inter in the top four. A statement win here for either would serve them so well going into an important phase of the season.
Atlanta United vs. New York Red Bulls
Sunday, November 25, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3, PlayStation Vue and Sling Orange (7-day free trial)
The first of the two Conference Championship finals sees the two most consistent sides in Major League Soccer face off against one another on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
After jostling for the Supporters Shield at the end of brilliant campaigns, eventually it was the Red Bulls who took that prize, winning their last five regular season games in succession. Atlanta were on top heading into the final weekend only to be hammered 4-1 at Toronto FC and let the accolade slip.
In the conference semi-finals the Red Bulls were able to produce an impressive second-leg performance on home soil, beating Columbus Crew 3-0 to overturn a one-goal deficit. Daniel Royer was the hero on the night with a brace, although the team’s defence have been the bedrock of their strong 2018, with no team conceded fewer than their 33 goals in the regular season.
Atlanta have the best attack in the MLS to call upon in this one. Not only do they have MLS top scorer Josef Martinez leading the line, Miguel Almiron has been pulling the strings from midfield and is arguably the standout player in the competition in 2018.
Portland Timbers vs. Sporting Kansas City
Sunday, November 25, 7:30 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX Deportes, Sling Blue and fubo (7-day free trial)
When this fixture was churned out by the playoff bracket, thoughts immediately turned to the dramatic playoff game between the two in 2015.
Three years ago Saad Abdul-Salaam had the chance to put Kansas City in the semi-finals during a penalty shootout, only to see his effort hit both posts and bounce clear. Eventually, it was the Timbers who took the initiative in that game and went on to win the title against Columbus Crew.
Kansas City will be hopeful of gaining some revenge here though, as they head into this playoff game after winning the Western Conference. Peter Vermes’ men have played with an air of authority in the playoffs too, with the 4-2 win over Real Salt Lake in their last match one of their most rounded displays of the season.
Portland come into this one as the underdogs, making the Conference Championship game after a pair of memorable games against rivals Seattle Sounders that culminated with a shootout win for the Timbers. With no pressure on and memories of that 2015 tussle still fresh in the mind of many, Portland will be dangerous opposition for Sporting KC.
from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2TGMr9Z
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