
There are some promising catch-up games from the Premier League this week, semifinals in the German Pokal Cup and the CONCACAF Champions League, and a group stage round of the Copa Libertadores. Italy and Spain also fit in a round of games, but nothing too exciting there. Here’s my recommendations on what to watch:
Tuesday, May 2nd
DFB Pokal Semifinal: SC Frieburg – RB Leipzig (ESPNU, ESPN+ 2:45 PM EST, 1:45 PM CST) – 4th and 5th in the Bundesliga square off in the semis of the German equivalent of the FA Cup. This is probably the best European evening game, though it’s a competitive spot. Alternates: Arsenal – Chelsea (Peacock, 3:00 PM EST, 2:00 PM CST) or Real Sociedad – Real Madrid (ESPN+, 4:00 PM EST, 3:00 PM CST) both feature clear favorites who have wobbled somewhat lately, . If you opt for La Liga, you’ll also be able to fit in Barcelona – Osasuna (ESPN+, 1:30 PM EST, 12:30 PM CST) or, if you’re a real glutton for punishment, a bottom-of-the-table clash between Almería and Elche (ESPN+).
Copa Libertadores Group Stage: Liverpool Montevideo – Argentinos Juniors (beIn Sports, 6:00 PM EST, 5:00 PM CST) – I’ll be taking a break for dinner, but if you’re a South American junkie, there are worse games than this more or less mid-table battle.
Copa Libertadores Group Stage: Fluminense – River Plate (beIN Sports, 8:00 PM EST, 7:00 PM CST) – The top side in Argentina and Brazil’s 3rd place finisher last season (Brazil’s current season is only 3 games in at the moment) face off in matchday 3 of the group stage. River Plate need a win to tie Fluminese, who are thus far undefeated in the group.
CONCACAF Champions League Semifinal: Los Angeles FC – Philadelphia Union (Fox Sports 1, 10:00 PM EST, 9:00 PM CST) – I still can’t work out whether anyone cares about this competition, but this second leg, tied 1-1 on aggregate, should be a good one for MLS fans.
Wednesday, May 3rd
Salernitana – Fiorentina (Paramount+, 12:00 PM EST, 11:00 AM CST) – This is my recommendation of the early Italian games; probably you’re best just staying at work.
Liverpool – Fulham (Peacock, 3:00 PM EST, 2:00 PM CST) – Here’s hoping for a repeat of the Tottenham match at the weekend. Liverpool aren’t entirely out of the race for the final Champions League spot, so they definitely have something to play for.
Copa Libertadores Group Stage: SC Internacional – Nacional (beIN Sports, 6:00 PM EST, 5:00 PM CST) – It’s a show down between 2nd-place teams (last season for Brazil’s Internacional, and this Apetura for Uruguay’s Nacional–who won the previous Clausura). Nacional leads the group by two points over Internacional.
Copa Libertadores Group Stage: Colo Colo – Boca Juniors (beIN Sports, 8:00 PM EST, 7:00 PM CST) – Chilean giants Colo Colo are struggling a bit this season, but not nearly as much as their currently mid-table Argentine visitors. At least they are tied at the top of the group, though each has drawn a game already.
CONCACAF Champions League Semifinal: León – Tigres UANL (Fox Sports 1, 10:00 PM EST, 9:00 PM CST) – Tigres have a one-goal edge from the first leg in a solid Liga MX match-up, RESULT FROM THIS WEEKEND. The winner of this game will be in the driver’s seat to win the competition (though whether anyone cares is less clear).
Thursday, May 4th
Girona – Mallorca (ESPN+, 1:30 PM EST, 12:30 PM CST) – A mid-table La Liga battle, you may want to switch over before the end for . . .
Brighton & Hove Albion – Manchester United (USA, 3:00 PM EST, 2:00 PM CST) – If you haven’t been watching Brighton this season, do yourself a favor. This should be a big game, as a win would make it difficult for anyone to pry the final Champions League spot out of United’s hands.
Copa Libertadores Group Stage: Racing Club de Avellaneda – Flamengo (beIN Sports, 6:00 PM EST, 5:00 PM CST) – Though they finished 2nd behind Boca Juniors last season, Racing Club are struggling in the middle of the Argentine Primera division (ironically, still one spot behind a similarly struggling Boca). Flamengo, who finished 5th last season, are similarly mid-table in the Brazilian Série A. Racing are undefeated in the group, which means that Flamengo will be hoping for a win to catch up (and likely keep Ecuadorian side Aucas from pulling ahead of them) in the group.
Copa Libertadores Group Stage: Club Libertad – Athletico Paranaense (beIN Sports, 8:00 PM EST, 7:00 PM CST) – Only one point separate Paraguayan Libertad and Brazilian Athletico in one of the tightest Libertadores groups at the moment.
Copa Libertadores Group Stage: Deportivo Pereira – Monagas SC (beIN Sports, 10:00 PM EST, 9:00 PM CST) – These sides from Colombia and Venezuela, respectively, round out the group led by Boca Juniors and Colo Colo. Seriously, though, just go to bed.