What Matches to Watch this Week: Friday, November 22 through Monday, November 25, 2024
The International Breaks are over for 2024, and now it’s time to begin the end of the first half of the European season. For the North American leagues, it’s simply the beginning of the end. USL Championship and NWSL will conclude while MLS’s conclusion is just around the corner.
As always, let’s review the recommendations from my previous article.
The Good
Union Berlin 0–0 Freiburg
Drama from the word go in this slate as the usually reliable Vincenzo Grifo had his penalty saved by Frederik Ronnow. Despite that, Freiburg will be happier with the point than Union, especially since they have Wolfsburg, Leverkusen, and Stuttgart as their next 3 opponents. Not an easy run of fixtures.
Venezia 1–2 Parma
Both sides scored within the first 17 minutes. Parma leaned on their youth not just with their young goalkeeping sensation Zion Suzuki but 17-year-old center back Dominic Leone who also performed admirably. Despite Venezia’s possession and chances, Parma was the more clinical side and got the result in this relegation 6 pointer.
Liverpool 2–0 Aston Villa
Liverpool took full advantage of Manchester City losing to Brighton to take care of business against an Aston Villa squad feeling the toll of competing both in the PL and in the UEFA Champions League. Darwin Nunez provided one of his more focused performances to ease the burden of Mohamed Salah, who iced the game in the final 10 minutes.
Nottingham Forest 1–3 Newcastle United
We found out which of these two club’s hot streaks burned brightest. Forest struck first through an unlikely source in Murillo, while more likely sources in Alexander Isak, Joelinton, and Harvey Barnes gave Eddie Howe’s side an impressive away win.
Inter 1–1 Napoli
Much of the power structure of Italian soccer lies in Northern Italy, but Napoli’s fearlessness in those matches as visitors has translated into positive results: first against Juventus, now against Inter. It leaves the Serie A title race crowded with only 2 points separating 1st from 6th. If you haven’t been watching Serie A up to this point, it’s not too late to hop on the bandwagon. Hakan Calhanoglu will rue his first-ever missed penalty.
https://x.com/eurofootcom/status/1855722718227750985?s=46&t=3hiIdotSanhzfjnZHivEVw
The Mixed Bag
Leipzig 0–0 Gladbach
Leipzig flexed their striker depth with giving their all time appearance leader Yussuf Poulsen a start and therefore their MVP Benjamin Sesko a breather. They also displayed their attacking potential, dominating the game thanks to Antonio Nusa’s ability to create mismatches on the wing (seriously, how does Norway not qualify for Europe with players like Nusa coming through to help Haaland and Odegaard?). The breakthrough didn’t come and while it was entertaining, it loses points when this game shared a time slot with Cagliari 3–3 AC Milan and Brighton 2–1 Manchester City.
Chelsea 1–1 Arsenal
The main factor bringing this match into the mixed bag category was Pedro Neto. From getting a yellow card for dissent and not having it rescinded when the call was rightfully overturned, you’d imagine he’d have a Mohammed Kudus type of meltdown in the second half. Instead, he went from zero to hero to salvage a point at Stamford Bridge. Once again refereeing steals the show of a high profile PL fixture. Glad to see Martin Odegaard back from injury at least!
Playoff Games
LAFC 1–0 Vancouver Whitecaps
You’d expect an LA club to be led to victory by one of its top stars, but tonight it was a supporting actor in Mateusz Bogusz who stepped up with the decisive goal.
Inter Miami 2–3 Atlanta United
An unexpected collapse for the club sporting Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez, and Jordi Alba, but Atlanta United called on Poland international Bartosz Slisz to score the decisive goal.
Washington Spirit 2–1 AET Bay FC
Bay FC bow out of their debut NWSL season going toe to toe with a contender. The future is bright for women’s soccer in the San Francisco Bay Area. Washington Spirit however march on to more challenges ahead vying for the crown.
NY/NJ Gotham 2–1 Portland Thorns
Rose Lavelle is a clutch player for club and country, and she kept Gotham’s title defense going with the gamer winner deep into stoppage time.
Now for the upcoming fixtures this weekend.
All MLS Cup Playoff Matches are on Apple TV MLS Season Pass (who I’m sure is still not over losing Lionel Messi for the rest of the playoffs)
Friday, November 22
12 pm P/3 pm E Plymouth Argyle (18th/16 pts) vs Watford (6th/25 pts) Paramount+
Despite the gap between these two teams in the table, there’s reasons to root for either of these two Championship clubs. Plymouth Argyle were in League Two as recently as 2016–17 and currently managed by Wayne Rooney, they have some great underdog spirit. Watford are currently in their third season in the Championship following their Premier League relegation in 2021–22. That may seem like first world problems to Plymouth Argyle, but English football fans of a certain era look forward to Watford’s return. Could it happen this season?
Saturday, November 23
5 am P/8 am P Valencia (20th/7 pts) vs Real Betis (7th/20 pts) ESPN+
This telenovela of a Valencia downfall continues at La Mestalla hosting Real Betis. Asking this Valencia side to turn around their form against a goalkeeper of Rui Silva’s quality is a tall order.
7 am P/10 am E Fulham (7th/18 pts) vs Wolves (19th/6 pts) Peacock
With the quality of players at Wolves’ disposal such as Morgan Gibbs-White, many expected the Midlands outfit to be enjoying the kind of season Fulham’s had so far. Credit to the cottagers, benefiting from top class contributions from the likes of Antonee Robinson, Emile Smith-Rowe, and Raul Jimenez. This matchup should tell us a lot about these clubs as a traditionally busy December will bring even more challenges ahead.
9 am P/12 pm E AC Milan (7th/18 pts) vs Juventus (6th/24 pts) Paramount+
While Inter Milan vs Juventus is the more vaunted fixture, AC Milan have been just as worthy of an opponent over the years. Despite their recent win over Real Madrid in the Champions League, AC Milan’s Serie A form has been poor. From a USA perspective, Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, and Timothy Weah are all expected to feature. This is an early must-win game for the Rossoneri to close the gap not just on Juve but the rest of the top six in Serie A. It’s that close of a title race!
11:45 am P/2:45 pm E Parma (13th/12 pts) vs Atalanta (2nd/25 pts) Paramount+
Parma are an intriguing side to watch thanks in large part to young Japanese goalkeeping sensation Zion Suzuki and the Romanian attacking duo of Valentin Mihaila and Dennis Man. The aforementioned trio played crucial roles in their recent 2–1 win over Venezia. The level of difficulty escalates as they welcome Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta who are currently in the Serie A title mix. If they are to sustain that challenge into the new year, this is a must win.
2:30 pm P/5:30 pm E NYCFC vs New York Red Bulls
A lot of MLS fans are feeling matchup fatigue with LAFC and Seattle Sounders locking horns again in the other quarterfinal matchup later today. The cure for that? A Hudson River Derby! The Hell is Real Derby playoff match last season between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew didn’t disappointed. It’s almost as if fate wanted this rivalry to get the spotlight this year, as the Big Apple clubs took down Ohio last round.
5 pm P/8 pm E Orlando Pride vs Washington Spirit CBS/Paramount+
The biggest storyline for this NWSL Final is the legendary Marta. Will this Brazilian icon end her illustrious career with a trophy? Washington Spirit look to crash that party. You won’t want to miss the thrilling conclusion of this season.
Also of interest for US Soccer fans:
9 am P/12 pm E Colorado Springs Switchbacks vs Rhode Island FC CBS/Paramount+
Colorado Springs Switchbacks are in their first USL Championship final after a decade of trying, meanwhile their opponents Rhode Island FC look to capture their first title in their first season. Neutrals who love the USL Championship can get behind either team, even if they knocked out their club in the process, in what will hopefully be a fun final.
Sunday, November 24
4 am P/7 am E WSL: Chelsea (1st/21 pts) vs Manchester United (5th/15 pts) ESPN+
First of all, congratulations to Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis who are expecting their child to be born next year. This WSL showdown between the juggernauts Chelsea and rising force Manchester United will be a great way to start the day. I was worried for Manchester United going into this season after many of their key players had moved on, but they still have a talented core including Maya Le Tissier.
6 am P/9 am E Como (15th/10 pts) vs Fiorentina (3rd/25 pts) Paramount+
Now out of the relegation zone, Como is big game hunting and Fiorentina certainly qualify these days. For as exciting as these two teams are with players like newly made Argentina international Nico Paz and hat trick hero from the previous match Moise Kean, they remain under the radar. Therefore, it’s my pleasure to put this match on your radar.
9 am P/12 pm E Napoli (1st/26 pts) vs Roma (12th/13 pts) Paramount+
Napoli’s back to regularly scheduled programming as far as they’re concerned. They’re cooking with the combination of Romelu Lukaku and Khvica Khvaratskhelia, with Paulo Dybala looking across the aisle with only the memories of Lukaku. Roma’s difficult season that’s already seen two managers get sacked isn’t expected to get any easier in this encounter.
12 pm P/3 pm E Athletic Bilbao (6th/20 pts) vs Real Sociedad (8th/18 pts) ESPN+
Let’s see who rules the roost of the Basque region. The increased reliance of players from these clubs by the Spain national team adds to the excitement of this matchup. Nico Williams vs Mikel Oyarzabal is a showdown between two top class wingers.
3 pm P/6 pm E Minnesota United vs LA Galaxy
If you don’t care for the Basque Derby, you can opt for a Southeast showdown between Orlando City and Atlanta United. To best maximize the volume of recommendations, let’s see if Kelvin Yeboah can lead Minnesota United to a surprising victory against Riqui Puig’s LA Galaxy.
Monday, November 25
9:30 am P/12:30 pm E Empoli (10th/15 pts) vs Udinese (9th/16 pts) Paramount+
The recruitment and development of young players at both of these clubs are a strong foundation to confirm their status as Serie A regulars for years to come. It’s a refreshing throwback to Udinese’s era of the late 2000s and early 2010s when players like Samir Handanovic and Alexis Sánchez came through their books. Enough about the past and the future though: Empoli and Udinese can create fireworks if they bring their best that they’ve shown this campaign. Both are worthy of midtable status but which side can seize a surge forward?
12 pm P/3 pm E Newcastle United (8th/18 pts) vs West Ham United (14th/12 pts) USA
Giant slayers as of late Newcastle United can ill afford to look past the Hammers. Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes will put West Ham’s defense to the test, but they’ll have firepower such as Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen to counter. Many pundits have Julen Lopetegui among the next managers to get the sack if he can’t get West Ham into the top half of the Premier League table. If they can’t manage a win against Newcastle, even in a tough atmosphere such as St. James’s Park, that task gets even tougher.
European Competition Recommendation Lightning Round (All Matches on Paramount+)
Tuesday, November 26
9:45 am P/12 pm E Sparta Prague vs Atletico Madrid
12 pm P/3 pm E Sporting CP vs Arsenal
Wednesday, November 27
9:45 am P/12 pm E Red Star Belgrade vs Stuttgart
12 pm P/3 pm E Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Thursday, November 28
Europa
9:45 am P/12 pm E AZ vs Galatasaray
12 pm P/3 pm E Tottenham vs Roma
Conference
9:45 am Heidenheim vs Chelsea
12 pm Rapid Wien vs Shamrock Rovers
The holiday season may be slowing things down in some aspects of our live, but it means plenty of fun to be had with these fixtures and more! Let me know which ones you’re most looking forward to! Along with Twitter @IvanOrnelas2 and Instagram at ivanthewriter95, I am now on BlueSky too @ivanornelas2.bsky.social
