Get ready for the return of Major League Soccer with our Western Conference and Eastern Conference previews and then stick around for the Los Angeles Galaxy hosting the reigning MLS Champions New York City FC. The relegation race in Germany is heating up while Barcelona finds their form in La Liga. There’s also a cup final too with Liverpool and Chelsea playing for the EFL Cup in what is a packed weekend of wall to wall soccer.
Here are five matches to keep an eye on this weekend:
5. Sassuolo vs. Fiorentina
Date: Saturday, Feb. 26 | Time: 2:50 p.m. ET
Live stream: Paramount+
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: Sassuolo +170; Draw +245; Fiorentina +155
Why watch: Life after Dusan Vlahovic isn’t going too badly for Fiorentina as they’ve won three of their last five matches and also advanced to the Coppa Italia semifinal where they’ll meet their former striker. Fiorentina have actually already bettered their points total from last year and are only two points behind Atalanta for a Europa League place. New striker Krzysztof Piatek has scored in his last two games and will be looking to make it three in a row versus a Sassuolo squad coming off of a big victory over Inter Milan.
4. Borussia Mochengladbach vs. Wolfsburg
Date: Saturday, Feb. 26 | Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
Live Stream: ESPN+
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: Gladbach +110; Draw +240; Wolfsburg +260
Why watch: In a matchup featuring two teams closer to the drop zone than they’d like to be, if Wolfsburg and Gladbach don’t kick it on soon, they could find themselves in the relegation playoff. Gladbach are in freefall after losing 6-0 to Dortmund after recording a win over fellow relegation threatened Augsburg. Wolfsburg have been in slightly better form after getting their defense in order only allowing four goals in their last five matches but they can’t let the pressure get to them in this match.
3. Barcelona vs. Athletic Club
Date: Sunday, Feb. 27 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
Live stream: ESPN+
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: Barcelona -170; Draw +285; Athletic +525
Why watch: Adama Traore cannot be stopped as he continues to set up Barcelona attackers for fun. The new-look forward line of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ferran Torres and Traore are doing Xavi proud. Barcelona are now in the driver’s seat for a Champions League place, sitting forth and only trailing third place Real Betis by four points while having a game in hand. While the start to Xavi’s time at Barcelona seemed shaky, he’s now finding his footing and so is the team in return. Athletic will look to contain them with one of the best defenses in La Liga but they can’t forget that they have to score goals too.
2. LA Galaxy vs. New York City
Date: Sunday, Feb. 27 | Time: 5 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN | Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: LA Galaxy +150; Draw +245; New York +175
Why watch: Two frontrunners for the golden boot will square off as Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez faces off with Taty Castellanos. New York City FC have already played two games this season advancing to the last eight of Concacaf Champions League while the Galaxy are set for their first competitive match with all of their new faces. Douglas Costa could also make his Galaxy debut in what is primed to be a must-watch match. Can Greg Vanney get one over on the defending MLS Cup champions?
1. West Ham United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Date: Sunday, Feb. 27 | Time: 9 a.m. ET
TV: USA | Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: West Ham +109; Draw +210; Wolves +300
Why watch: Top four hopes are hanging on by a thread for both of these teams as they trail Arsenal and Manchester United. Wolves will look to bounce back from losing to Arsenal deep into stoppage time while West Ham come off of a disappointing draw with Newcastle United. Michail Antonio’s form is a concern for the Hammers as the forward hasn’t scored in six straight matches and counting as he seems worn out leading the line. It’s a cause for concern since West Ham don’t have other options to play at forward and could give Wolves an opening to win this match.
Honorable mentions
(All times U.S./Eastern)
Saturday, Feb. 26: A game to watch in …
- MLS: Portland Timbers vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m. (fuboTV — Try for free)
- England: Everton vs. Manchester City, 12:30 p.m. (Peacock)
- Spain: Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
- Italy: Empoli vs. Juventus, 12 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Germany: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Bayern Munich, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
- France: PSG vs. Saint-Etienne 3 p.m. (beIN Sports and fuboTV — Try for free)
- Argentina: Independiente vs. Boca Juniors, 7:30 p.m. (Paramount+)
Sunday, Feb. 27: A game to watch in …
- MLS: Atlanta United vs. Sporting Kansas City, 3 p.m. (FS1 and fuboTV — Try for free)
- England (League Cup): Chelsea vs. Liverpool,11:30 a.m. (ESPN+)
- Spain: Sevilla vs. Real Betis, 10:15 a.m. (ESPN+)
- Italy: Lazio vs. Napoli, 2:50 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Germany: Augsburg vs. Borussia Dortmund, 11:30 a.m. (ESPN+)
- France: Olympique Lyon vs. Lille, 2:45 p.m. (beIN Sports and fuboTV — Try for free)
- Argentina: River Plate vs. Racing Club, 5:15 p.m. (Paramount+)