Weekend predictions: Arsenal take on Chelsea in a London derby, can PSG bounce back?
Ahead of the most recent weekend of European soccer, we select the must-watch matches from across the continent. We have the champions elite tackling the big-spending noisy neighbors, two irrepressible behemoths taking on fallen giants and a workforce hoping to make headlines again on the pitch after a difficult week.
We are throughout the Premier League, Ligue 1, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Women’s Super League as we preview the weekend’s motion.
– Tighe: Alternative transfer awards
– Connelly: Bold predictions for the 2026-27 season
– Ogden: Premier League’s summer transfer market is out of control
Champions need to put challengers again in their place
Arsenal vs. Chelsea
Champions need to put challengers again in their placePremier League, Matchday 3
Kickoff: Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. BST
With the switch window shut, consideration returns to the on-field motion. But there will likely be repercussions from one more document outlay from the Premier League, and in the case of Chelsea and Arsenal, it will likely be about alternatives missed.
Arsenal desperately wished a famous person to bolster the left aspect of their assault, whereas Chelsea noticed Enzo Fernández depart on switch deadline day and thought they’d a ready-made alternative in Lamine Camara, just for that latter deal to fall through after the window shut.
But this needs to be a fascinating recreation, and a true barometer of the place each golf equipment are. Arsenal have began life as champions with back-to-back victories: a comfy 3-0 stroll towards Coventry City and a far trickier 1-0 win at Aston Villa final time round. Mikel Arteta’s aspect spent in the area of £195 million to bolster their squad over the summer time, with a number of priceless squad gamers departing.
Despite lacking out on Vinícius Júnior and Julián Álvarez, Arsenal can have a host of attacking energy in their workforce, however you sense Arteta remains to be determining his first-choice entrance 4.
Over at Chelsea, there’s discuss of a potential tilt on the title. Xabi Alonso’s arrival has introduced nice pleasure to SW6, whereas their busy summer time noticed a wedge to the tune of £400M accrued, and £350M cash spent on Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Geovany Quenda, Pep Chavarría and Valentín Barco alongside the dear expertise of Emiliano Martínez, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck.
Martínez may but be the ultimate piece in the jigsaw for Chelsea to emerge as Arsenal’s best challengers for the title as he fixes their drawback keeper place. Chelsea have two victories from two beneath Alonso in the Premier League, after they won at Fulham after which at home towards Brighton & Hove Albion.
MY PREDICTION: Arsenal 2-2 Chelsea. The hope is that this will likely be a thriller. Both groups are fantastic going ahead, however Chelsea’s protection has regarded shaky given they’ve conceded 5 objectives in their first two matches. Martínez’s arrival will assist there, whereas their entrance three of João Pedro, Rogers and Cole Palmer is already one of the lethal assaults in the league. If Chelsea can get a level, it will be much more priceless for them than it will be to Arsenal.
Barça look to maneuver on from the one which received away
Valencia vs. Barcelona
Barça look to maneuver on from the one which received awayLaLiga, Matchday 4
Kickoff: Sunday, 10:15 a.m. ET / 3:15 p.m. BST
Barcelona journey to fallen giants Valencia on Sunday, trying to proceed their excellent begin to the 2026-27 season.
For a lot of the previous switch window, the main focus was on whether or not Barcelona would pull one other rabbit out of a hat and signal Álvarez from their rivals. In the top, Álvarez stayed put, with relations between Atlético Madrid and Barcelona at an all-time low. Without Álvarez, Barcelona have not changed Robert Lewandowski, however they nonetheless have a humiliation of riches. Anthony Gordon has slotted into Catalan life properly, whereas Raphinha is the person occupying the striker spot, neatly flanked by Lamine Yamal and with Dani Olmo behind.
Rodri remains to be settling in at Camp Nou, however we may see him make his first Barcelona begin this weekend, whereas Gabriel Jesus may additionally make his debut as Hansi Flick’s aspect look to make it 4 wins from 4 video games.
While Barcelona have been making an attempt to tempt Atleti with a nine-figure sum for Álvarez, Valencia proceed to buy in a fully completely different market. Their whole spend from the summer time is round €10M as they proceed their lengthy goodbye to their well-known Mestalla house forward of shifting into Nou Mestalla by 2027.
Fans stay aggrieved on the membership’s homeowners and their lack of funding in the workforce, however on the touchline, Carlos Corberan continues making an attempt to get his aspect going after a draw and two defeats. They additionally have new mortgage signing Harvey Elliott to boost morale.
MY PREDICTION: Valencia 1-3 Barcelona. The guests can have an excessive amount of for the hard-up hosts.
1:31
Gomez: Gabriel Jesus can have a second coming
Inter out to proceed successful begin to title protection
Internazionale vs. Napoli
Inter out to proceed successful begin to title protectionSerie A, Matchday 3
Kickoff: Saturday, 12:00 p.m ET / 5:00 p.m. BST
There are six groups in Italy which have began the brand new Serie A season with back-to-back wins: AS Roma, AC Milan, Juventus, Atalanta, Lazio and reigning champions Inter.
Inter knocked over Monza 4-1 in the opening round, then backed it up with a 1-0 win at Cagliari final day out. Inter have been ruthless towards Monza, however much more profligate towards Cagliari and really almost paid the worth.
There’s a dab of English graft at San Siro this 12 months with John Stones, Djed Spence and Curtis Jones all there after a busy summer time in which Inter signed that English trio alongside Aleksandar Stanković and Manuel Akanji, whereas bidding farewell to Denzel Dumfries amongst others.
Max Allegri’s Napoli have been underwhelming towards Como final weekend as they lost 2-1 at home. They have been far too unfavourable, and although there have been particular person errors to bemoan for Como’s two objectives, they are not but baring their enamel.
Kevin De Bruyne was benched and since then, Scott McTominay has announced he requires a procedure on his heart. We’re but to see a totally firing Napoli this time period.
MY PREDICTION: Inter 3-1 Napoli. Inter can have an excessive amount of. They’re a well-oiled machine, and Napoli are but to kick into life.
Andoni’s Liverpool want a win to kick-start a new Reds period
Ipswich Town vs. Liverpool
Andoni’s Liverpool want a win to kick-start a new Reds periodPremier League, Matchday 3
Kickoff: Friday, 3:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. BST
1:45
Iraola ‘very completely happy’ with Barcola forward of potential Liverpool debut
The strain is already mounting on new Liverpool supervisor Andoni Iraola, who has two attracts in his first two video games on the helm. Despite failing to bolster sufficiently in midfield, they did get their star proper on the finish of the switch window, with Bradley Barcola becoming a member of from Paris Saint-Germain for $167 million. He’ll be anticipated so as to add life to a starry ahead group that is but to actually hearth, although Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Víctor Muñoz have proven glimpses of excellence beneath Iraola to this point.
While Barcola will definitely bolster the assault, the protection should enhance after giving up two objectives in every of their two video games to this point. Not solely that, however they’ve conceded first and needed to come from behind each occasions in order to get a level; that luck finally runs out until they can begin controlling video games and look sharper towards the run of play at any time when they lose the ball excessive up the sector.
Newly promoted Ipswich will look to regroup after issues fell aside for them in the second half of their 5-2 loss to Manchester United. Their mission is extra modest — set up themselves in the English high flight after being promoted in 2023-24, relegated in 2024-25 and promoted once more in 2025-26 — however supervisor Gary O’Neil is able to getting outcomes at this stage, having saved Bournemouth up earlier than struggling at Wolves after which Strasbourg.
A busy summer time at Portman Road — the Tractor Boys had the second-highest web spend of all 20 Premier League groups — has seen 14 new first-team squad gamers arriving, with Julio Enciso (previously of Brighton) and heart ahead Emersonn (from Toulouse) certain to present the visiting Reds some issues on the counterattack. — Steve Palese
MY PREDICTION: Ipswich Town 1-3 Liverpool. It could possibly be a wrestle early for Liverpool however they need to be capable to put on the hosts down in the top given the expertise hole.
Ligue 1, Matchday 3
Kickoff: Friday, 3:05 p.m. ET / 8:05 p.m. BST
Monaco have been one of many tales of Tuesday’s switch deadline day. They managed to anger Chelsea and have been left annoyed by Folarin Balogun‘s decision to pull the plug on his move to Everton, and have been typically left maligned and depressing.
So to recap: when you have been dwelling beneath a rock, Monaco have been determined to chop a deal on Tuesday, any deal. It regarded prefer it was going to be Balogun to Everton, then that fell aside, so Chelsea pounced for Camara, however as soon as the Balogun deal received again on observe, Monaco backed out of the Camara switch. Chelsea have been indignant. Then Balogun left Everton with out signing. Phew. All removed from best.
But Monaco are 2-for-2 at the beginning of the Ligue 1 season with a 1-0 win at Le Havre and a 2-0 victory over Marseille. Paris Brunner has impressed, whereas Monaco are ticking alongside properly beneath new boss Filipe Luís.
They’ll be determined to place that behind them this weekend, they usually’ll must focus, as PSG would be the final take a look at. But if there’s a time to ship a assertion to Luis Enrique’s workforce, now’s the second. PSG have made a barely shaky begin to the 2026-27 marketing campaign with attracts on the street at each Rennes and Lille.
They wanted two last-gasp objectives towards Lille to snatch a draw last time out, with the equalizer coming in the 94th minute, when simply three minutes have been added on. Lille weren’t completely happy. Anyway, PSG will look to get again to enterprise as traditional once they welcome Monaco on Friday night.
MY PREDICTION: PSG 3-1 Monaco. Luís has made a formidable begin at Monaco, however PSG will remind them who the most important fish is in France.
2:20
Why Folarin Balogun’s Everton transfer broke down
Mourinho’s first problem of the brand new season
Real Betis vs. Real Madrid
Mourinho’s first problem of the brand new seasonSpanish LaLiga, Matchday 4
Kickoff: Friday, 3:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. BST (watch on ESPN+
Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid aspect is off to a excellent begin by way of three video games since his beautiful return to the Bernabeu after 13 years of gigs elsewhere in Europe. While it’s clear Real Madrid is a work in progress, they’ve proven flashes of brilliance In scoring 10 objectives to this point. Mbappe, Vini Jr. and Jude Bellingham have mixed extraordinarily nicely beneath the man who has rebranded himself as “the calm one” in latest years.
We’re nonetheless ready to see the perfect of Madrid — simply wait till their massive summer time signing, Yan Diomande, finds his toes in LaLiga — however this weekend’s journey to Seville to face Real Betis represents their hardest take a look at up to now. A pair of 1-0 wins to open their season was adopted by a heavy street defeat at Levante, however there’s heaps to understand about their squad, which revolves round veteran playmaker Isco, wingers Antony and Rodrigo Riquelme, and defender Marc Bartra. If they can be sharp in transition, they can harm a Real Madrid aspect that thrives on pushing numbers upfield. — Palese
MY PREDICTION: Real Betis 2-3 Real Madrid. Betis will likely be flying early in entrance of their raucous supporters, however Real Madrid’s high quality will finally make the distinction in a back-and-forth affair.
Women’s Super League, Matchday 1
Kickoff: Friday, 2:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. BST
In southeast London on Friday night, we’ll see a new, intriguing, rising energy in ladies’s soccer come up towards a workforce nonetheless making an attempt to throw their weight round after a turbulent summer time.
All eyes will likely be on London City’s debutants: two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, Kadidiatou Diani, Mapi León and former England goalkeeper Mary Earps are among the many eight signings they’ve revamped the summer time. But it is fiercely powerful to foretell how they will fare. The purpose is Champions League qualification, they usually’re in a rush to get there.
For Manchester United, they purpose to get again into Europe. It’s been a powerful summer time there, with Marc Skinner leaving and Eva Olid as the new manager. The summer time noticed a scramble to amass their squad with a number of first-team gamers leaving, together with Melvine Malard to Chelsea.
So there’s been a wind of change in Manchester with Andrea Medina, Janina Leitzig, Rebeca Bernal and Monica Jusu Bah all becoming a member of. Maya Le Tissier and Ella Toone stay their heartbeat, and Olid is promising attacking soccer, however that is going to be a fascinating early take a look at of each groups’ credentials.
MY PREDICTION: London City Lionesses 2-1 Manchester United. The new-look London City will get life off and working with a win over Olid’s aspect.
Classic rivalry reignited between previous foes
Schalke 04 vs. Bayern Munich
Classic rivalry reignited between previous foesBundesliga, Matchday 2
Kickoff: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. BST
It is fantastic to have Schalke again in the German high flight after their three-season hiatus in the second tier. But in the event that they have been beneath any illusions as to simply how powerful the duty will likely be to retain their Bundesliga standing, they got a brutal lesson final weekend when Augsburg knocked them over 3-0.
Come Saturday night, Veltins-Arena will likely be packed to the tune of 62,000, their loyal followers lastly having their starvation satiated with Bundesliga again in Gelsenkirchen. Miron Muslic, the previous Plymouth Argyle supervisor, has carried out a nice job at Schalke, as has Frank Baumann, their sporting director. But for all of the regular planning and constructing, their foundations will likely be robustly examined when Bayern come to city.
Bayern Munich have loved one other environment friendly summer time with Ismael Saibari and Nathaniel Brown each becoming a member of, with João Palhinha and Leon Goretzka leaving amongst a number of others. Vincent Kompany has the standard abundance of riches at his disposal and can look to Ballon d’Or hopeful Harry Kane to proceed scoring his ridiculous variety of objectives. This is a basic previous Bundesliga battle, two conventional German heavyweights going through up towards one another. But it is Bayern who head right here as overwhelming favorites.
They familiarly began their season with a 5-1 win over Stuttgart and a midweek 4-1 win at Osnabrück — complete with a rollercoaster tifo — in the DFB-Pokal. The remainder of the league is on discover. Nothing however the league title will suffice.
MY PREDICTION: Schalke 0-2 Bayern Munich. Schalke will battle onerous, however Bayern can have an excessive amount of class for Die Knappen.
Premier League, Matchday 3
Kickoff: Saturday, 10:00 a.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. BST
Manchester City continued to rebuild on the fly in the post-Pep Guardiola period with the addition of Enzo Fernández from Chelsea for $169 million. Will he give you the option fill the huge void left by Rodri? And what about Elliot Anderson, one other summer time arrival looking for his toes in a demanding midfield function?
While City work out find out how to make the items match in a difficult summer time rebuild, they’ve loads to really feel optimistic about. Rayan Cherki could be probably the most entertaining participant to observe in the world proper now, and Erling Haaland is coming off a two-goal efficiency at Crystal Palace. Will the Citizens be title contenders?
Standing in their means is Frank Lampard’s aspect that gained the English Championship final season. A summer time of huge spending to prep for this stage has yielded two defeats in two video games, with Arsenal being particularly ruthless on the opening day of the season and scoring thrice in the opening 50 minutes. Don’t anticipate a lot completely different on Saturday relating to the large membership displaying the way it’s carried out.
MY PREDICTION: Man City 4-0 Coventry City. This one might get ugly in a hurry, because the hosts will look to make a assertion forward of the Manchester Derby.