Champions League matches decided after draw; Transfer deadline takes centre stage
Happy Friday! An exciting series of weekend matches lie ahead of us, but not before the football world gets down to serious business with the UEFA Champions League draw on Thursday and Transfer Deadline Day on Friday. I’m Pardeep Katri, here with the latest as we wrap up a busy week.
📺 Footy Fix
All times US/Eastern
Friday, August 30
🇮🇹 Serie A: Inter vs. Atalanta, 2:45 PM ➡️ Paramount+
🏴 Championship: Luton Town vs QPR, 2:50 PM ➡️ Paramount+
🇺🇸 NWSL: Portland Thorns vs. Bay FC, 10 p.m. ➡️ Amazon Prime Video
Saturday, August 31
🏴 Championship: Leeds United vs Hull City, 9:30am ➡️ Paramount+
🏴 League One: Peterborough United vs Wrexham, 9:30am ➡️ Paramount+
🇪🇸 La Liga: Barcelona vs. Real Valladolid, 11am ➡️ ESPN+
🏴 EPL: West Ham vs. Manchester City, 12:30 PM ➡️ NBC
🇩🇪 Bundesliga: Leverkusen vs Leipzig, 12:30 PM ➡️ ESPN+
🇮🇹 Serie A: Lazio vs. AC Milan, 2:45 PM ➡️ Paramount+
Sunday, September 1
🏴 EPL: Manchester United vs Liverpool, 11am ➡️ Peacock
🇩🇪 Bundesliga: Bayern vs. Freiburg, 11:30 AM ➡️ ESPN+
🇺🇸 NWSL: North Carolina Courage vs. Kansas City Current, 2 p.m. ➡️ CBS, Paramount+
🇮🇹 Serie A: Juventus vs. Roma, 2:45 PM ➡️ Paramount+
🇺🇸 MLS: St. Louis City vs. LA Galaxy, 2:45 p.m. ➡️ FOX
🇺🇸 NWSL: Angel City vs. Chicago Red Stars, 2 p.m. ➡️ CBS, Paramount+
🇪🇸 La Liga: Real Madrid vs. Real Betis, 3:30 PM ➡️ ESPN+
⚽ Forward Line
🇪🇺 New-look Champions League, same old luck of the draw
Getty Images
Thursday saw the first-ever UEFA Champions League draw, complete with a big button, jokes at the new, Swiss-style tournament’s expense, and, of course, a slate of compelling contests that will keep us busy from now until mid-winter. However, the draw also offered the first glimpse of the new format’s bigger promise — more entertaining and competitive matchups from the start, especially for Europe’s elite.
As with previous draws, the results were all over the place. Manchester City and Real Madrid probably didn’t need any kind of draw but got it, while most other teams were given a combination of winnable games and challenging clashes. Some teams were just unlucky to come out of the draw, like Paris Saint-Germain, who will feel the effects of the new format more than others. They were one of the losers in James Benge’s winners and losers column, with a tough schedule ahead of them.
- Benz: “Of the nine teams in pot one, can PSG be the early favourites to contend for the knockout stage, let alone the top eight? Certainly, their fixture list looks just as daunting as almost any other team in the draw, including trips to Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Salzburg and Stuttgart, while away games against Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, PSV Eindhoven and Girona are included at the Parc des Princes. There is undoubtedly the talent in the PSG ranks – especially with Luis Enrique on the bench – to not only get the points needed from those eight games but to truly prove themselves to be the dark horses for the competition, but a team in transition has been given a series of games that will test even their best iterations.”
While the draw answers the first questions about which teams will advance to the knockout rounds, it also gives a first glimpse of the biggest question of the season: how much fun will the new Champions League format actually be? PSG’s tough schedule, as well as several other high-profile matches, suggest there’s plenty of entertainment to be had. Expecting chaos could take on a whole new meaning as the competition transforms from a group stage to a single table of 36, when only the top 24 advance.
- Benz: “The early signs are pretty good. The old group stage may have ensured a more balanced schedule than this format, but it also had some shortcomings, as was evident in several Matchday-6s. … The league stage may prove to be the same, but, before the fixture list is finalised, there is likely to be meaningful competition in at least every week of the competition, continuing until the final week, where there are plenty of places at stake. The top eight berths could be like gold dust, providing much-needed relief to those competing on multiple fronts. Expect a fierce battle for 24th place to reach the knockout playoffs, with similar battles to get between ninth and 16th and get a valuable home leg for the second time.”
One more big announcement is expected before the league stage begins on September 17 – the schedule. UEFA is due to release the list of matches on Saturday, when teams and fans will hopefully be able to get an outline of the play to take place.
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🔗 Midfield Link Play
🤝Deadline day deal frustration
Transfer deadline day has officially arrived, and so has the uncertainty for many players and clubs, as there are just hours left before the window closes. American eyes are certainly on U.S. men’s national team starter Matt Turner, who is looking for minutes. Benz is reporting that He is getting close to being sent on loan to Crystal Palace,
On the other hand, Chelsea business could be front and center on Friday as the months-long saga about their finances and their bloated squad continues. New manager Enzo Maresca has continued to hint that Raheem Sterling needs an exit after being left out of their matchday squads at the start of the season, and he might not be the only man the Blues want off their books before the deadline. However, Chelsea are not entirely keen on trimming their 44-player roster – they have been linked with a number of high-profile players including Jadon Sancho and Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen is another player who could make headlines on deadline day as he awaits a summer move that appears destined to happen. He looks to be the best forward on the market after scoring 17 goals for Napoli, but apart from a move to the Saudi Pro League, there have been no serious links in the summer. Osimhen’s situation has become a big talking point as the deadline approaches, with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain among the clubs whose name has been dropped in recent weeks.
However, the long-running transfer sagas have epitomised a peculiar summer transfer window that has felt somewhat inactive. The desperation of clubs to sell – and the players they are trying to get rid of – has not been matched by potential buyers, with many of Europe’s top teams being selective with their signings this summer. Deadline day will answer one big question: will Friday’s action reverse the direction of a silent summer of transfers, or will it reflect the limited activity that has been on display throughout the season?
Follow our live blog as the teams do some last minute work.
🔗 Top News
UCL Draw: Here’s a ranking of the Champions League team schedules, a look at the best matches, dark horses and the US teams to keep an eye on this season. Plus, a look at the draws for Real Madrid, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Bayern Munich.
Lukaku to Napoli: Romelu Lukaku has signed a three-year deal with Napoli that will see him reunite with former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
no to racism: Vinicius Junior said he and his Real Madrid team-mates would walk off the pitch if they faced racist abuse again.
Uruguay was punished: Five Uruguay players were suspended for assaulting fans at the Copa America, with Darwin Nunez given the harshest punishment of a five-match ban.
Americans living abroad: Several USMNT players will be playing in Europe this weekend, including Tanner Tessmann, who could make his first appearance for Lyon.
Stars of the NWSL: Orlando Pride’s Summer Yates tops the NWSL Star Power Index, which honors players who are creating buzz in the league.
Matching problems: AC Milan have failed to secure a single win at the start of the season, begging the question: is new manager Paulo Fonseca in danger of losing his job?
LAFC’s Cup Wins: LAFC advanced to the U.S. Open Cup final after beating the Seattle Sounders in midweek.
Golazo Network Interview: Chelsea’s Millie Bright chats about New York Pizza during the club’s pre-season tour, while Sandro Schwartz discusses his first season in charge of the New York Red Bulls.
💰 back line
💵 Best Bets
- Bundesliga: Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig, Saturday, 12:30 PM
Selection: Patrik Schick will score (+120) — This clash between the German giants headlines the Bundesliga this weekend and although RB Leipzig have enough to compete, the odds favour defending champions Bayer Leverkusen. Xabi Alonso’s side have a number of goal scorers, including Patrik Schick, who has scored 13 goals and played a big role in winning the double. Leverkusen are aiming to make an early-season splash while defending their title, so betting on them is worth it. - Premier League: Manchester United vs Liverpool, Sunday, 11 am
Pick: Liverpool to win 2-1 (+750) — Arne Slot’s Liverpool have some freshness, but continuity is a central focus for both the Reds and Manchester United ahead of this key encounter. Slot’s strong start has been helped by the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp, which provides a sense of stability as the manager begins to make his mark at Anfield. United, on the other hand, also have continuity by sticking with manager Erik ten Hag, but last season’s problems are resurfacing, particularly after last week’s defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. As a result, things could turn in Liverpool’s favour on Sunday, giving Slot the chance to secure his first win on the job.
For more picks, predictions, expert tips and the latest betting news, don’t forget to check out CBSSports.com’s betting home page.
📺 What’s on CBS Sports Golazo Network
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3️⃣ Third invasion (Monday, Thursday): The leading women’s soccer podcast and social brand is now a live studio show. The NWSL season is back and our coverage of the women’s game is stronger than ever. Our analysts will be analyzing the USWNT, NWSL and European domestic seasons throughout the year. And don’t forget to watch the live stream on YouTube on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. ET.
Call it what you want (Monday nights): A weekly podcast in which Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davis and their friends talk all things USMNT and the state of the beautiful game in the United States. You can also watch it live streaming on YouTube every Monday at 11 a.m. ET.
score line (Daily): Scoreline is the latest destination for fans to find all the big news and results affecting global football, match highlights from top football competitions and all the important goals from the day’s action. It will air seven days a week, starting on Thursday.
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