What Matches to Watch This Week (Aug 16–19 2024)
With the Premier League and other Top European leagues back in action, here are my recommendations for which games to watch. This is a new series aiming to inform soccer fans about just some of the plentiful options available on any given week.
While this series will focus on the top flights of England, Germany, Italy, and Spain as they are the most accessible through a combination of common cable channels and streaming services, such services also carry matches from cup competitions, European competitions, lower divisions, and other peripheral leagues (such as Eredivisie on ESPN+). Therefore, some of those matches may make the article.
Since I am US based, I will also include domestic matches as well as streaming/time information relevant to US based readers. If you are reading this from another country, you may need to do some additional digging to find some matches.
Lastly, while I have my preferences for which clubs and players I support, I will do my best to include a variety of clubs, leagues, and reasons for inclusion. Therefore, I will not recommend a certain club every week just because I support them or they are a big club.
If you appreciate this kind of content, be sure to support me on Medium as well as on Twitter (X) @IvanOrnelas2 and Instagram ivanthewriter95.
Friday, August 16
9 am P/12 pm E Hallescher FC vs St. Pauli ESPN+ DFB Pokal
Hallescher FC currently play in the fourth division of Germany’s football system, and they come up against St. Pauli who were in the third division as recently as 2006–07. This upcoming season marks the first in the Top Flight for Hamburg-based St. Pauli since 2010–11. They will be underdogs to stay up in the Bundesliga, but let’s see what they’ve got as favorites in this early round DFB Pokal tie.
10 am P/1 pm E Celta Vigo vs Alaves ESPN+
Two mid table Spanish clubs go head to head in this fixture. Celta Vigo of the Northwest corner of Spain finished 13th last season while Deportivo Alaves of the Northeast finished 10th. The side with the lower league finish has the more notable players to general audiences. Ilaix Moriba (on loan from Leipzig) and Borja Iglesias (loan Betis) are among those standouts. Deportivo Alaves features former Portland Timbers midfielder Tomas Conechny.
12 pm P/3 pm E Manchester United vs Fulham (USA)
The Premier League season kicks off with the Red Devils taking on the Cottagers in famous Old Trafford. Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag enters his third season in charge with a lot to prove. Another 8th-place finish won’t be good enough to retain his position, even if he repeats with a domestic cup. That FA Cup win by Manchester United is the only reason they’ll compete in Europe (Europa League this season). The biggest challenge United have to endure is their injuries, with defenders Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, and Leny Yoro contributing to a depleted defensive unit on top of forward Rasmus Hojlund’s absence. A new look Fulham under Marco Silva will hope to begin the campaign strong, as otherwise could turn a mid-table ambition to a relegation fight. Prized defensive midfielder João Palhinha has left for Bayern, but further up new Arsenal signing Emile Smith-Rowe forms an enticing partnership with Andreas Pereira.
Saturday, August 17
4:30 am P/7:30 am E Ipswich vs Liverpool (USA)
When a promoted club begins their Premier League season, all they can hope for is that they begin at home against a non-Big Six club. Half of that happened for Ipswich Town, returning to the top division since 2001–02 (back when Brazil only had 4 World Cups). The other half didn’t go according to plan as Liverpool is a fierce opening opponent. Manager Kieran McKenna will have his work cut out for him to keep his side out of relegation, but if he does, more big clubs will be inquiring for his services (even if he doesn’t, they still might: just ask Vincent Kompany). Liverpool will begin their first season under Arne Slot, and while key Klopp era stars such as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk remain, will the lack of transfer incomings prevent them from making a true title challenge?
7 am P/10 pm E Sheffield United vs QPR Paramount+
The EFL Championship is the best second division in the world. If you want to see which players and clubs are on the verge of breaking through into the Premier League, this is the place to be. Sheffield United were tough to watch in the Premier League last season, but relegated teams are expected to bounce back up. Otherwise, it could be a long wait. Just ask Queens Park Rangers, as they haven’t been back since the 2014–15 season. I look forward to seeing if another spell in the second division can help American center back Auston Trusty get his confidence back, and if his Sheffield United get promoted at the end of the campaign, does he stick with them or parlay that into a move elsewhere.
9:30 am P/12:30 pm E Genoa vs Inter Milan P+
Despite Genoa’s location in Northern Italy, there are only six clubs south of Genoa in the Serie A this coming season: Fiorentina, Empoli, Roma, Lazio, Napoli, and Caglari. Italian football is largely concentrated in the Northern extreme of the region, and Inter Milan are a big reason for that. Prior to their relegation in 2021–22, Genoa spent 15 years in Serie A. They won promotion at the first time of asking, and settled in 11th place in 23–24. Ukrainian midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi is one of their standout players, but he’ll have his work cut out for him against the defending champions Inter Milan. Inter boast a stacked midfield including the likes of Nicolo Barella.
12:30 pm P/3:30 pm E Valencia vs Barcelona ABC/ESPN+
Finishing 10 points off of 1st place is never acceptable for Barcelona, especially because that usually means Real Madrid not only won La Liga, but did so in comfortable fashion. Always insult to injury when your rivals do that. Valencia are historically a strong challenger to the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, but last season they finished in a disappointing 9th to miss out on Europe entirely. Valencia enters the season with a largely Iberian squad, including the likes of Hugo Duro, Rafa Mir (loaned from Sevilla, and Thierry Correa. Hansi Flick takes the reigns at Barcelona and his squad features stars such as Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, Robert Lewandowski, and of course 17-year-old rising sensation Lamine Yamal.
4:30 pm P/7:30 pm E Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Loudoun United ESPN+/P+
There are few certainties in the USL Championship, but one of them is Tampa Bay Rowdies being one of the heavy hitters in the East. They currently sit 3rd in that conference and they’ll host 8th place Loudoun United. While the top 2 is becoming out of reach for the Rowdies, they need to pick up points to stave off challengers behind them. Likewise, Loudoun United are in the last playoff spot and are only 1 point ahead of North Carolina FC and 3 points ahead of Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The pressure is on!
7 pm P/10 pm E Club America vs Colorado Rapids Leagues Cup Apple MLS Season Pass
The Leagues Cup quarterfinals will all play out this Saturday, but with only 2 Liga MX clubs left in the competition, you have one of the remaining favorites Club America taking on Colorado Rapids in the Rocky Mountains. It doesn’t matter what domestic or continental competition Las Aguilas find themselves in: a roster containing Luis Malagon (the new #1 GK for Mexico?), Jonathan dos Santos, Javairo Dilrosun, and Henry Martin is expected to win. However, fresh off their dramatic win over Toluca, Colorado Rapids are looking to take down another Mexican powerhouse. It’ll require a lights-out goalkeeping performance by Zack Steffen and some midfield dynamism from Djordje Mihailovic.
Sunday, August 18
6:30 am P/9:30 am E Hansa Rostock vs Hertha Berlin DFB Pokal ESPN+
In most leagues across the world, clubs based in their nations capital are usually among the strongest in their ranks. Germany is one of the biggest exceptions to the rule. Hertha Berlin was in the Bundesliga as recently as the 2022–2023 season, but now not only are they a midtable 2. Bundesliga club, they are also second fiddle to Union Berlin. They will be expected to take down recently relegated 2. Bundesliga opponents Hansa Rostock, but it won’t be easy.
8:30 am P/11:30 am E Chelsea vs Manchester City NBC/Telemundo
Easily the biggest matchup of the opening Premier League weekend. Cole Palmer vs Erling Haaland is the headline, but there’s plenty of talent on both rosters. Pep Guardiola knows which players to rely on, but does Enzo Maresca? There is such a thing as too many options, and that’s what Chelsea have on their books.
9:30 am P/12:30 pm E Bologna vs Udinese
Bologna were the surprise package of Serie A last season, earning UEFA Champions League qualification for the first time since 1964–65 (yep, before the moon landing). However, that usually means big clubs poach your best players. Marko Arnautovic, Joshua Zirkzee, and Riccardo Calafiori are off to Inter, Manchester United, and Arsenal respectively with Alexis Saelemaekers returning to AC Milan with his loan expired. However, the loans of Remo Freuler and Jens Odgaard were made permanent, they brought in Emil Holm from Spezia and Juan Miranda on a free from Real Betis, and they still have solid players like Łukasz Skorupski, Stefan Posch, Riccardo Orsolini, and Lewis Ferguson. 15th placed Udinese led by Alexis Sánchez and Florian Thauvin will be a key test to start an exciting but challenging season.
12:30 pm P/3:30 pm E Mallorca vs Real Madrid ESPN+
Mallorca is not just a fun vacation getaway but they remain a La Liga club thanks to their 15th place finish last season. Only 7 points clear of 18th place Cadiz, the hope is that this campaign isn’t quite cutting it that close again. There’s plenty of domestic talent in their ranks such as Manu Morlanes, Sergi Darder, and Pablo Maffeo along with Japanese and Canadian attackers Takuma Asano and Cyle Larin respectively. It’s going to be a grind to get a point at home against reigning Spanish and European champions Real Madrid. In this chapter of the Galacticos, you can see new additions Kylian Mbappe and Endrick along with returning favorites such as Federico Valverde, the ageless Luka Modric, Rodrygo, and Vinicius Junior. It’s an embarrassment of riches.
Monday, August 19
9:30 am P/12:30 pm E Lecce vs Atalanta Paramount+
Lecce stayed up in 14th place 3 points off the relegation places last season, but they always seem to be in the relegation conversation. Atalanta fans will remember those days, but better days have been the case as of late coming off of a stunning Europa League victory over Bayer Leverkusen, thwarting their invincible season. Atalanta would’ve qualified for the Champions League this season anyway through their 4th place Serie A finish. Gian Piero Gasperini has been in charge since 2016 and transformed La Dea (The Goddess) into a consistent European level club. If their attack, featuring exciting winger Ademola Lookman, can get going against Lecce, more exciting times are ahead.
12:30 pm P/3:30 pm E Villarreal vs Atlético Madrid ESPN+
The final domestic league fixture features two strong Spanish clubs looking for redemption following their 23–24 campaigns. Like Valencia, Villarreal are a coastal outfit that missed out on qualifying for Europe. Three years prior, the Yellow Submarine sank Manchester United on penalties in the Europa League final. Manager Marcelino will lead a squad featuring Raul Albiol, Gerard Moreno, Arnaut Danjuma, and Dani Parejo to restore that level of achievement. Similarly, Diego Simeone will not have been happy to finish 4th behind Girona last time around. João Felix returning from loan would normally be big news, but the biggest cause for optimism around the Wanda Metropolitano is bringing in World Cup and Copa America winner Julian Alvarez.
Bonus: Tuesday, August 20
12 pm P/3 pm E UEFA Champions League Final Round of Qualifying Leg 1
Bodo/Glimt vs Red Star Belgrade, Dinamo Zagreb vs Qarabag, Lille vs Slavia Prague
And Wednesday, August 21
12 pm P/3 pm E UEFA Champions League Final Round of Qualifying Leg 1
Dynamo Kyiv vs RB Salzburg, Midtjylland vs Slovan Bratislava, Malmo vs Sparta Prague, Young Boys vs Galatasaray
It doesn’t look like Paramount Plus is streaming European qualifiers, but it is worth following how these qualifiers shake up to see who fills the remaining seven slots in the field of 36 ahead of an unprecedented UEFA Champions League season. Gone are the days of simple 8 groups of 4, and it’s going to be interesting to see if this new format is worth the headaches as now managers have to plan for even more European fixtures in an already crowded schedule. Of these seven matchups, I favor Red Star Belgrade, Dinamo Zagreb, Lille, RB Salzburg, Midtjylland, Sparta Prague, and Galatasaray to advance.
Which of these matches are you most looking forward to and why? Or are you most looking forward to a matchup I left off the list? Either way let me know on social media or on the comments below! Thank you for reading.
