We’ve made it through to the end of July, and with that the climax of some of Europe’s major leagues ahead of an action packed August – which will see the culmination of both the Champions and Europa League. Plus, we’ll still be bringing you all the goals from all the regular league competitions that are ongoing around the world.
But back to this weekend, and all the matches you should be looking out for in the coming days!
? Friday Night
?? Another week and it’s another domestic Cup final for French giants PSG. Tonight, the Parisian side look to complete a domestic treble as they take on Lyon for the Coupe de la Ligue crown.
PSG’s 1-0 victory over Saint Etienne in the final of the Coupe de France last weekend didn’t come without cost – namely, the injury to Kylian Mbappé so they’ll be looking to get through this one with the minimum of fuss. For Lyon’s part, they’ll be looking for their first silverware since 2012.
?? Like France, the Netherlands was another country where the league season was suspended back in March, just at the onset of the pandemic. But unlike many of their European cousins, the Dutch authorities have yet to sanction the return of competitive action – instead, we have a new interim friendly tournament.
The Eredivisie Comeback competition features sides from the top two divisions and starts tonight, with a game between MVV Maastricht and ADO Den Haag. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see how Arjen Robben gets on having come out of retirement to join boyhood club, FC Groningen.
?? Traditionally a summer league, the top division in Ireland is also returning to the app today as the new 2020 season gets underway. There’s two games tonight, and we’ll be hoping for more of this as Dundalk take on St. Patrick’s Athletic.
? Saturday
??????? In the long history of the FA Cup, the world’s oldest national competition there’s never been a final played this late in the year.
So tomorrow’s meeting between London rivals, Arsenal and Chelsea – in what will be the 139th FA Cup Final is a particularly special occasion. Arsenal already hold the all-time record for most tournament wins, so they’ll be looking to add to their 13 previous titles whilst Chelsea, after their top four finish in the league will be trying to cap their domestic season with a 9th Cup win.
?? Tomorrow will see the start of the final round in Serie A’s most difficult of seasons. Top spot may already be taken, with Juve earning their 9th straight title but below them – there’s a three way battle for second.
Atalanta (3rd) vs. Inter (2nd) will be the headline game, it being a straight shoot out for that runners-up place but Lazio (4th) could leapfrog them both if they win and the game in Bergamo ends in a draw.
??????? We also welcome back the Scottish Premiership tomorrow, with the league beginning its new campaign. Aberdeen and Rangers were sat 3rd and 2nd in the table, respectively when the last season was suspended and ultimately awarded to Celtic back in March.
Now, the two sides meet at Pittodrie to start the new season with a bang.
?? In Portugal, FC Porto have had the upper hand over Benfica all year – beating them home and away in a league campaign in which they finished 5 points clear of their rivals. Tomorrow though, the side from Lisbon will have a chance of revenge in the final of the Taça de Portugal.
Benfica will be boosted by the return of former-manager Jorge Jesus, who has just ended an epic 13-month spell with Flamengo to come back to restore the club’s fortunes. He won 5 major honours during his time in Brazil, and also provided this priceless content.
? Sunday
?? On the last day of the season in Italy, two clubs will be fighting over the 3rd and final relegation spot. The maths is fairly simple – Lecce need to beat Parma and hope that betters the result that Genoa earn against Hellas Verona.
??????? If you’re after a game of equal importance but perhaps at a lower tier, the Play-Off Final in England’s National League might be of interest. This is the game that decides the second promotion spot from the top flight of non-league to the English Football League itself – and it will feature the oldest professional side from anywhere in the world!
Established in 1862, Notts County have fallen on hard times of late, but on Sunday – they have the chance to return to the league structure which they helped found in the 1880s. Opposition side, Harrogate Town are looking to enter the upper echelons of the professional game for the very first time. ?
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