The best action to follow this weekend
Saturday
?? In simpler times we might have been enjoying a World Cup right about now but no matter – there are still plenty of leagues running around the world and there is a football fix to be found. That might well come in the form of MLS where there are a number of key games taking place in the Western Conference on Saturday.
Giorgio Chiellini’s new club, the table-topping LAFC, face a tough trip to recent Concacaf Champions League winners Seattle Sounders. The home side put four past Vancouver Whitecaps in midweek and are unbeaten in five games at Lumen Field.
Second placed Dallas welcome back the league’s top scorer Jesús Ferreira from his USMNT exploits as they now take on the Whitecaps whilst LA Galaxy face fellow perennial Play-off challengers, Portland Timbers.
?? In Japan, this weekend’s round of games will mark the halfway stage in what has been an exciting season so far. The three most recent winners of the league – Yokohama F. Marinos, Kashima Antlers and Kawasaki Frontale (who’ve won the last two) are separated by a single point at the top of the table.
Leaders Yokohama visit struggling Gamba Ozaka whilst Frontale and Kashima both have home games against mid-table opposition.
Meanwhile, Andrés Iniesta’s Vissel Kobe side sit rock bottom of the table and face fourth placed Kashiwa Reysol.
?? The Eliteserien, the top division in our home nation of Norway is what we like to think of as the best of Europe’s summer leagues. And on Saturday, the two-time defending champions Bodø/Glimt play at Kristiansund.
The North Norway side who shot to fame with their swashbuckling performances in the Europa Conference League have been a little off the pace this season but this will be a good opportunity for them to pick up that form with Kristiansund winless and sat on just one point after seven games.
Sunday
?? If you’re thinking Saturday’s schedule looks a little sparse then you would be correct but don’t worry – there should be more excitement on Sunday. Especially with a place in one of Europe’s top five leagues still up for grabs! That’s right – the second leg of the Segunda División play-off final takes place on Sunday evening with Tenerife and Girona having already played out a nervy goalless draw last weekend.
Something has to give though as both these sides will be determined to earn another shot at the big time – Girona after an absence of two seasons and Tenerife, who are looking to make their first return to the top flight since 2010.
?? Also on Sunday, there’s the first meeting of the year between Egyptian giants and Cairo clubs Al Ahly and Zamalek. The latter finally ended a five-year run of title wins by their rivals last season and its Zamalek who lead the way again – albeit by a single-point over Pyramids FC.
Al Ahly sit three points further back in third and will still be coming to terms with the loss of their continental title having recently been beaten in the final of the CAF Champions League.
The earlier game between the sides this season ended in an epic 5-3 away win for Al Ahly so if you’re after goals – this might be the match-up for you.
?? The Brasileiro campaign is 12 rounds in and defending champions Atlético Mineiro already find themselves seven points down on early pacesetters Palmeiras. Their next test comes in the form of tenth placed Flamengo at home.
The Rio side won the league in both 2019 and 2020 but are in a process of recovery after sacking Portuguese legend Paulo Sousa just four months after he oversaw his first game back in February.
With Palmeiras not playing until Tuesday, rivals Corinthians have a chance to go level on points with them at the top. They’ll be looking to extend their 14-game unbeaten home run against Goias.
?? Back in the Eliteserien, Lillestrøm – the only unbeaten side in the division take on Rosenborg. Having already picked up wins against Molde and arch-rivals Vålerenga this season this will prove to be another test of their perhaps unlikely title bid. Albeit one of the country’s most historic clubs LSK suffered relegation in 2019 before an impressive fourth placed finish on their return to the top flight in 2021.
?? A cross-conference game takes centre-stage in MLS as the weekend comes to a close with Eastern Conference leaders NYCFC facing Colorado Rapids (10th in the West) in their first game since coach Ronny Delia left for Belgian side Standard Liege.
Elsewhere, New England (6th in the East) play Minnesota (9th in the West) and Atlanta – fresh from being announced as one of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup face Phil Neville’s Inter Miami.
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Cover Image from IMAGO