After a wild week of European action, domestic competitions return this weekend with some huge games from Europe to MLS to down to South America. El Traffico between the Los Angeles Galaxy and LAFC is this weekend, as is el Superclasico between Boca Juniors and River Plate.
Ahead of this weekend’s games, here are our picks for the matches you should definitely watch:
5. LA Galaxy vs. LAFC
Date: Sunday, Oct. 3 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN | Live stream: ESPN+
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: N/A
Why watch: This one is quite simple. There’s no better rivalry to watch in MLS, and it’s because of the goals. There have been multiple goals in every single one of their meetings. Their first meeting was a 4-3 win for the Galaxy in 2018 including Zlatan Ibrahimovic went off for two memorably late goals. Back in 2019 and 2020, they had back-to-back games that featured eight goals each. Their last meeting was a 3-3 draw in August. Yeah, you won’t want to miss this.
4. Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona
Date: Saturday, Oct. 2 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
Live stream: ESPN+
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: Atletico +100; Draw +240; Barca +290
Why watch: A big test here for Barca as they face former players Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann. Atleti are the reigning champs and one of the title favorites again, while Ronald Koeman is barely clinging to his job as Barcelona manager after the side’s latest embarrassment in the Champions League, a 3-0 loss away to Benfica. Barca are going to need something from this match to build momentum.
3. Atalanta vs. Milan
Date: Sunday, Oct. 3 | Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
TV and Live stream: Paramount+
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: Atalanta +112; Draw +255; Milan +235f
Why watch: Two of Italy’s best teams meet on Sunday with plenty of goals expected. Milan are reeling after back-to-back heart-breaking defeats in the Champions League, but they may just be the Serie A favorites where they currently sit in second place and have yet to lose a match. Atalanta, who have risen from average to consistently great, are goal-scoring machines in a match promising a lot of chances.
2. Liverpool vs. Manchester City
Date: Sunday, Oct. 3 | Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
TV: NBCSN | Live stream: fuboTV (try for free)
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: Liverpool +190; Draw +255; City +135
Why watch: It’s a battle of the main Premier League contenders from the last few years, one of these two sides has won the title each of the last four seasons. Both are looking to win the league again and also take home the Champions League crown. Liverpool are red hot and scoring goals like crazy while City are coming off a loss at PSG on Tuesday in Champions League. Always a frantic meeting, this is going to be another open match with plenty of chances, though elite goalkeepers may just keep it low scoring.
1. River Plate vs. Boca Juniors
Date: Sunday, Oct. 3 | Time: 4 p.m. ET
Live stream: Paramount+
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: River +130; Draw +220; Boca +210
Why watch: The biggest rivalry in all of world soccer, one that is often very physical, emotional and just straight hectic. And the timing works out quite well as the Argentine league welcomes fans back into the stadiums this coming weekend. Expect quite the atmosphere in the capital, as both are looking to earn those bragging rights. A win for River could see them move to the top of the table, while a Boca win could get them into the top four. Do Boca have enough in attack to get something from this one?
Honorable mentions
(All times U.S./Eastern)
Friday, Oct. 1: A game to watch in …
- Germany: Koln vs. Greuther Furth, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
- Argentina: Lanus vs. Central Cordoba, 8:15 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Spain: Athletic Club vs. Deportivo Alaves, 3 p.m. (ESPN+)
Saturday, Oct. 2: A game to watch in …
- MLS: FC Dallas vs. Minnesota United, 8 p.m. (ESPN+)
- England: Manchester United vs. Everton, 7:30 a.m. (Universo)
- Spain: Cadiz vs. Valencia, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
- Italy: Torino vs. Juventus, 12 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Germany: Dortmund vs. Augsburg 9:30 a.m. (ESPN+)
- France: Nice vs. Brest, 3 p.m. (beIN Sports and fuboTV — Try for free)
- Argentina: Velez vs. Independiente, 7:15 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Brazil: Atlético Mineiro vs. Internacional, 8 p.m. (Paramount+)
- NWSL: NC Courage vs. Washington Spirit, 7 p.m. (Paramount+)
Sunday, Oct. 3: A game to watch in….
- MLS: Seattle Sounders vs. Colorado Rapids, 10 p.m. (ESPN+)
- England: West Ham vs. Brentford, 9 a.m. (Peacock)
- Spain: Villarreal vs. Real Betis, 10:15 a.m. (ESPN+)
- Italy: Fiorentina vs. Napoli, 2:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Germany: Arminia Bielefeld vs. Bayer Leverkusen, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
- France: Rennes vs. PSG, 7 a.m. (beIN Sports and fuboTV — Try for free)
- Argentina: Racing vs. Estudiantes, 7:15 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Brazil: Flamengo vs. Athletico-PR, 10 a.m. (Paramount+)
- NWSL: Portland Thorns vs. OL Reign, 10 p.m. (Paramount+)
