The most astonishing set of results yet, in an already very unpredictable Premier League season, and the different environment in which the English top flight is operating have raised the prospect of unexpected champions.
Congrats, you made it through the week and it's time to forget about politics and global pandemics and gather around a true water-cooler topic: the Fantasy Premier League. I'm currently in the process of improving the current algorithm, and a fresh data-driven article about that will be out soon. I'm sure you're all thrilled with that news, so stay tuned.
The clubs competing in the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League group stage have been announced and boy oh boy do we have some great games to look forward to. Let’s skip the chit-chat and show you the full look of the groups and the takeaways.
The official result of the #UCLdraw!
Most exciting group stage match? pic.twitter.com/d7ynuEjPq3
It was one of football's most successful midfield partnerships: on the one hand, the snarling, combative Gennaro Gattuso, and on the other, the thoughtful, elegant, unflappable Andrea Pirlo.
The pair formed the backbone of a memorable AC Milan team for more than a decade and helped Italy win the 2006 World Cup.
The biggest matchup in Germany will see its latest edition play out on Tuesday as Bayern Munich will take on Borussia Dortmund with the German Supercup on the line.
Bring on the Supercup
FC Bayern
Supercup
9/30/20
2:30 PM ET / 19:30 BST / 20:30 CEST
Allianz Arena pic.twitter.com/WpywCSUPYm— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) September 29, 2020
To understand how Euro qualifying works these days you need a mastery of calculus, knowledge of four different languages and a degree in astrophysics, and that's before you even consider the UEFA Nations League implications.
To add to the confusion, the playoffs were supposed to be played back in March but were postponed until October because of COVID-19.
Luckily, we've simplified it all for you.
The first ever Gold Cup Group Stage Draw has pitted the USMNT against the foes from up north, Canada. Joining the U.S. and Canada in Group B is Martinique and the winner of a play-in round that will be one of the following teams: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Bermuda, Barbados or Haiti.
In case you are unfamiliar with the structure of the 2021 Gold Cup, I refer you here.
After an exciting weekend of NWSL matches with plenty of goals and quality plays, the games continue on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 10:00 p.m. EST with the Portland Thorns welcoming OL Reign to Providence Park.
The Thorns are coming off their first match — and win — of the Fall Series after defeating the Utah Royals 3-0 on Sunday, Sept. 20. Simone Charley, Lindsey Horan and Sophia Smith all tallied goals. Smith debuted for Portland, scored her first professional goal and truly showed why she was the No. 1 draft pick in 2020.
In Champions League playoff action, Ukraine's Dynamo Kyiv will take on Belgian side Gent on Tuesday in the second leg of their tie.
Match-by-match facts and statistics ahead of the third round of the Premier League on Sept. 26-28
(All timings in GMT):
Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United (1130)
* A victory for Brighton would be the first time they have picked up back-to-back league wins since November last year.
* Brighton's Pascal Gross has scored three goals, including two winners, in his last four games against United.