The last weekend before the September international break promises to be a good one, especially in the Premier League. But there’s also key games in the Bundesliga and Ligue 1, as well as an Old Firm derby to contend with. And then there’s a tasty opportunity to catch not-so-Stoopid American Christian Pulisic on Friday. All listed times are CDT.

Friday, September 1st
11:30 AM Sassuolo – Hellas Verona (Paramount+). This is what’s on, but it should also be an interesting game. Verona beat Roma last weekend, while Sassuolo have yet to earn a point this season, though admittedly against difficult competition (Atalanta and Napoli).
1:45 PM Roma – AC Milan (Paramount+). Christian Pulisic has been on fire in the opening two games of the season for Milan, and will look to keep that record going against a struggling Roma side.

Saturday, September 2nd
6:30 AM Everton – Sheffield United (USA). Everton (who trail only Arsenal in their longevity in the top flight) and newly promoted Sheffield United are the only two teams who remain pointless after three games (Burnley and Luton Town have only played two games so far). Is it too early to call this a relegation six-pointer? You be the judge.
9:00 AM Chelsea – Nottingham Forest (USA) or 8:30 AM Hoffenheim – Wolfsburg (ESPN+). Most of us will probably stick with this intriguing Premier League fixture (Chelsea looks a work in progress, while Forest have lost narrowly to both Arsenal and Manchester United); but the most compelling of the four Bundesliga matches in this time slot is probably an equally good bet.
11:30 AM Brighton & Hove Albion – Newcastle United (NBC). Much as I hate to suggest a full day in a single league, it’s pretty hard to argue against watching this one.
1:45 PM Napoli – Lazio (Paramount+). Notwithstanding Lazio’s winless start, this seems like the late game to watch. If you opted for Real Betis – Rayo Vallecano (ESPN+) at 2:00 PM, I wouldn’t blame you, but keep in mind that Rayo have lost inspirational manager Andoni Iraola (now managing Bournemouth).

Sunday, September 3rd
6:00 AM Rangers – Celtic (CBS Sports Network). Rangers sit just a point behind Celtic going into this early-season Old Firm derby. But if you hate tradition (or just want to get away from the British Isles), you could always opt for Toulouse – Clermont Foot (BEIN Sports).
8:00 AM Liverpool – Aston Villa (USA). Unquestionably the best game in this time slot.
10:30 AM Union Berlin – RB Leipzig (ESPN+). I know that many viewers will opt for the high-profile Arsenal – Manchester United (NBC) clash at the same time; but I’m betting that this will be the better game. There’s also Internazionale – Fiorentina (CBS Sports Network) and Atlético Madrid – Sevilla (ESPN+), both starting at 11:30 AM in perhaps the most overloading time slot of the weekend.
1:45 PM Olympique Lyonnais – Paris Saint-Germain (BEIN Sports). Despite not managing a win until their third game, PSG has nonetheless managed a better start to the season than Lyon, who only have one point so far. Nonetheless, this is a huge game for Ligue 1. The other real option is Barcelona – Osasuna (ESPN+) at 2:00 PM.

Last Weekend Round-up: Truth compels me to acknowledge that the best games of last weekend were not the ones I recommended. On Friday night, AS Monaco came from behind to tie Nantes 3-3. On Saturday, Fulham scored in the opening 1′ and then came from behind to tie Arsenal 2-2. At the same time, Nottingham Forest scored twice in the opening 5′, but couldn’t hold on, losing 3-2 to Manchester United. Then West Ham United managed an impressive 3-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion to temporarily go top of the Premier League table. The best games of the weekend, however, were played simultaneously on Sunday. At the same time as Liverpool came back from going both a goal and a man down in the opening half hour to defeat Newcastle United 2-1 (a game I did recommend), Barcelona won a back-and-forth 4-3 battle away at Villarreal. Monday’s games were nothing special, though Atlético’s 7-0 demolition of Rayo Vallecano was certainly noteworthy.