Following an eventful weekend, Europe is gearing up for a busy week, commencing with the prestigious Ballon d`Or ceremony on Monday. Additionally, top Premier League clubs are set to join the EFL Cup in its third round. Here’s a summary of the latest football news and upcoming fixtures.
Upcoming Fixtures
All times U.S./Eastern
| Date | Competition | Match | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, Sept. 22 | 🏆 Ballon d`Or Ceremony | Awards | 2:00 p.m. |
| Monday, Sept. 22 | 🇮🇹 Serie A | Napoli vs. Pisa | 2:45 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 🏴 EFL Cup | Lincoln City vs. Chelsea | 2:45 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 🏴 EFL Cup | Liverpool vs. Southampton | 3:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 🇮🇹 Coppa Italia | AC Milan vs. Lecce | 3:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 🇪🇸 LaLiga | Levante vs. Real Madrid | 3:30 p.m. |
Ballon d`Or Anticipation: A New Era of Winners?
The football elite will gather in Paris on Monday for the Ballon d`Or awards ceremony, where new recipients are highly anticipated to claim soccer`s most coveted individual honors.
Men`s Award: Dembele Leads, Yamal Challenges
Ousmane Dembele emerges as the strong favorite for the men`s award, fresh off Paris Saint-Germain`s historic first UEFA Champions League title, where his pivotal contribution was undeniable. Under manager Luis Enrique, Dembele transitioned from a winger to a central role, flourishing with a career-best 35 goals in 53 appearances across all competitions, securing a treble for PSG.
Lamine Yamal poses the most significant challenge to Dembele, having been instrumental in Barcelona`s domestic double last season with 18 goals and 21 assists, all before turning 18. While his immediate victory might be a long shot, given Dembele`s career-defining season and the new era of the award post-Messi/Ronaldo, Yamal`s remarkable rise solidifies him as a strong contender for future Ballon d`Or honors.
Women`s Award: A Fiercely Contested Race
The women`s Ballon d`Or promises an even more intense contest. While Barcelona teammates Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati have dominated recent awards, victories by England in the Women`s Euro and Arsenal in the UEFA Women`s Champions League have opened the field significantly. Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly, having won both major titles, are strong frontrunners. Additionally, England and Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze or Spain and Arsenal midfielder Mariona Caldentey are notable dark horses following their impressive individual performances.
Potential Winners
EFL Cup & Premier League Updates
Liverpool and Chelsea Join EFL Cup Third Round
England`s EFL Cup third round commences on Tuesday, marking the entry of top Premier League clubs in their pursuit of the season`s first domestic trophy.
Contrasting Fortunes for Top Clubs
Liverpool and Chelsea face lower-league opponents following contrasting recent performances. The Reds maintain a perfect start to the season, securing a 2-1 Merseyside derby victory over Everton after a thrilling 3-2 Champions League win against Atletico Madrid. Their EFL Cup fixture against Championship side Southampton offers manager Arne Slot an opportunity for squad rotation, potentially seeing Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz make their first starts or register their initial goal contributions.
Conversely, Chelsea travels to League One`s Lincoln City, hoping to rebound from a challenging week that saw them winless in three matches, including a 3-1 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich and a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United after an early red card. Manager Enzo Maresca is also expected to rotate his squad, though he`ll be without Cole Palmer, who sustained an injury against United, further complicating Chelsea`s inconsistent start to the season.
Regarding Cole Palmer`s injury, manager Enzo Maresca stated: “The medical staff, they didn`t mention to me about surgery… He made a huge effort on Saturday to try to play the game. He did the test, he was OK but not 100%. But he wanted to be there to help his team-mates… Unfortunately, it was painful so we decided to change it. And it`s more day-by-day, week-by-week, game-by-game to see how it is and then decide what we do.”
Top Football Stories
- PSG`s Nominees: Despite a concurrent match, injured Ousmane Dembele is set to attend the Ballon d`Or ceremony in Paris, alongside several nominated teammates from PSG.
- Yamal`s Compelling Case: While Ousmane Dembele is the favorite for his first Ballon d`Or, Lamine Yamal presents a strong, compelling argument, also vying for his inaugural award.
- Arsenal, City Draw: Arsenal earned a point against Manchester City despite an early deficit. Both Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola adopted cautious tactics, which perhaps limited the game`s entertainment value and a potential victory for either team.
- Premier League Sack Race: Following a difficult week for several Premier League clubs, pressure is mounting on a number of managers, raising speculation about imminent sackings.
Betting Corner
Our Best Bets
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LaLiga: Levante vs. Real Madrid, Tuesday, 3:30 p.m. (U.S./Eastern)
THE PICK: More than 3.5 goals scored (+122) – While Xabi Alonso`s Real Madrid often secures wins with smaller margins, their visit to Levante, who have conceded nine goals in five LaLiga games this season, presents an opportunity for a high-scoring affair, even for a more disciplined Madrid side.
