UEFA Champions League action might be over until after the October international break but the big games do not stop coming just yet. Kylian Mbappe’s Real Madrid vs. Villarreal, UCL heroes Aston Villa vs. Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United headlines the weekend. This is Jonathan Johnson to take you through it.
Footy Fix
All times U.S./Eastern
Friday, October 4
Serie A: Napoli vs. Como, 12:30 p.m. Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network
EFL Championship: Sunderland vs. Leeds United, 3 p.m. Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network
Saturday, October 5
EFL Championship: Burnley vs. Preston North End, 7:30 a.m. Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network
EPL: Manchester City vs. Fulham, 10 a.m. Peacock Premium
EFL League One: Wrexham vs. Northampton Town, 10 a.m. Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network
La Liga: Real Madrid vs. Villarreal, 3 p.m. ESPN+
Sunday, October 6
Serie A: Juventus vs. Cagliari, 6:30 a.m. Paramount+
EPL: Aston Villa vs. Manchester United, 9 a.m. USA Network
Bundesliga: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Bayern Munchen, 11:30 a.m. ESPN+
Serie A: Fiorentina vs. Milan, 12:30 p.m. Paramount+
The Forward Line
Aston Villa vs. Man United pairs mixed UEFA midweeks
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Aston Villa vs. Manchester United in the Premier League this Sunday is a massive game for a variety of reasons. The hosts come into it off of the high of beating Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League while the visitors scraped a draw away at FC Porto and it very much feels like this could be it for Erik ten Hag — regardless of the result at Villa Park. The result in Birmingham does matter, though, with six points separating these two ahead of the game and a gulf between Unai Emery’s strong work with the Villans and his Dutch counterpart’s destruction job which has the Red Devils languishing in 13th.
Had Villa held on to win away at Ipswich Town last weekend then they could have been level on points with EPL leaders Liverpool, but 13 points from a possible 18 still places Emery’s high flyers in fifth. Jhon Duran was the hero in midweek as the Second City powerhouse rolled back the years to beat Bayern over 40 years on from their European Cup triumph over the Bavarians in Rotterdam. That continental stage used to United’s, but now they find themselves consigned to Thursday evening action which does not seem likely to change unless drastic action is taken against Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
United usually enjoy a good record against Villa, so ordinarily this could be targeted as a rebound game for the Mancunians, but that does not really feel true here with the Dutchman’s time with the fallen giants of English soccer seemingly at increasing risk of coming to an end imminently. Their time together has felt like one of regression rather rather than progression and Villa are the perfect barometer of that slide, given where they were when Emery arrived and — fittingly — won his opening game at home to United, which was also the beginning of Ten Hag’s nightmare.
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Midfield Link Play
Teams desperate for the international break
Few people truly look forward to the international break, but this October is likely to be an exception with the pause coming at just the right time given how their respective seasons are going so far. United have already been mentioned but they aren’t the only top side struggling as Real Madrid lost for the first time in 37 matches. There are levels to this of course, and Ancelotti placing his side within reach of top spot in La Liga is hardly the same level of crisis as the dumpster fire that is currently threatening to engulf Old Trafford for not even the first time in the past few months.
Things could be worse, although it seem marginal, given that Wolverhampton Wanderers, Southampton, Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Ipswich Town are all currently winless in the Premier League — that is real desperation. In fact, open that up beyond the EPL and there are strugglers in each major European league who will be relieved that the internationals are almost here. Angers SCO in France’s Ligue 1, Serie A pair Monza and Venezia, as well as VfL Bochum and Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga and Las Palmas in La Liga are all yet to taste victory.
United could finally part ways with Ten Hag during this break while Mbappe will join up with France as he bids to recover from the injury which had threatened to keep him out for multiple weeks. However, a win away at Villa for the Red Devils reels Emery’s men in to within three points while the right combination of results could see Real close the gap further to Barca who are currently leading the way in La Liga.
Top Stories
Champions League Power Rankings: Barcelona, Aston Villa and Juventus are all on the rise as defending titleholders Real Madrid stumbled during matchday 2.
Champions League Team of the Week: Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah came up big in Matchday 2 plus a bonus player who delivered the win for Unai Emery.
Man United’s latest Europa League farce: Why moving on from Erik ten Hag is unlikely to fix problems despite United stretching their winless run to four games with their draw to Porto where they blew a two-goal lead.
Chris Rigg and Sunderland’s youth movement: How the Black Cats’ young guns are bringing back memories of Manchester United’s 1995 vintage with the youngest team in the Championship out to prove it is also the best one in the second tier.
Messi and Miami win Supporters’ Shield: The Argentina international scored twice as Inter claimed silverware with more on the horizon with the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Pochettino’s USMNT debut: The Argentine tactician has U.S. fans thrilled about the long term but here is why the short term should excite with the former Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea boss is set to debut this month.
The Back Line
Best Bet
- Serie A: Fiorentina vs. Milan, Sunday, 2:45 p.m. ET
THE PICK: Christian Pulisic first goal (+650) — Milan are back on the up in Serie A with three consecutive wins despite two straight losses in the UEFA Champions League. Paulo Fonseca’s men are into the reckoning and within two points of leaders Napoli after wins over Venezia, Inter and Lecce. Next up for US Men’s National Team star Christian Pulisic and his teammates is a trip to take on Fiorentina with Viola in the bottom half of the table after just one win so far. It feels like the Rossoneri will at least score in this one — if not take all three points — so do not be surprised if it is Pulisic who gets Milan off the mark and potentially in the points here.
For more picks, predictions, expert tips and the latest betting news, don’t miss out on CBSSports.com’s betting home page.
What’s on CBS Sports Golazo Network
Morning Footy (Weekdays 8-10 a.m.): Hosts Susannah Collins, Charlie Davies, Nico Cantor and Alexis Guerreros help fans get their day started on the network’s flagship morning show with highlights, interviews and the biggest soccer storylines. Morning Footy is also available in podcast form, so you’ll never have to miss an episode.
3⃣ Attacking Third (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 breaking down the USWNT, NWSL and European domestic season all year long. And don’t miss Wednesday live streams on YouTube at 11 a.m. ET.
Call it What You Want (Monday night): A weekly podcast where Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies and co. cover all things USMNT and the state of the beautiful game in the United States. You can also catch the show streaming live on YouTube every Monday at 11 a.m. ET.
Scoreline (Daily): Scoreline is the newest place for fans to catch up on all the biggest news and results impacting global football, match highlights from the top soccer competitions and all the can’t-miss goals from the day’s action, starting Thursday and airing seven days a week.
How to watch: CBS Sports Golazo Network is a free 24/7 channel exclusively dedicated to offering unparalleled coverage of all the top soccer competitions worldwide. You can stream for free on the CBS Sports app, Pluto TV and Paramount+.
