We’ve reached the final weekend of club soccer for the 2025-26 European season but there is still a lot to be decided including Champions League spots in Serie A and European qualification in the Premier League plus some potential American influence on the relegation battle in England. Starting it out though we have Aidan Morris and Middlesbrough with a huge opportunity Saturday morning.
Saturday
Hull City v Middlesbrough – 10:30a on Paramount+: Aidan Morris and Middlesbrough were given second life in the
Promotion playoff following Southampton’s expulsion due to a spying scandal. Southampton had defeated Middlesbrough 2-1 in extra time of their second semi-final match after a scoreless first leg. However, Southampton were found to have spied on Middlesbrough prior to the match, as well as other times throughout the season, and as a result have forfeited the match and Middlesbrough will face Hull in their place. The winner of the one match final will see either Hull City or Middlesbrough promoted in what has become to be known as football’s richest game. Hull and Middlesbrough split their regular season series, with each team winning the away match. Morris missed the first match entirely due to injury and he was just coming back from the same layoff in the teams second match (played just three weeks later) so came in as a substitute for the final 31’. Morris has been playing well to close out the season and played every minute of the two-leg semifinal.
Espanyol v Real Sociedad – 3p on ESPN Select: Pellegrino Matarazzo and Real Sociedad look to close out their season on a high note as they face Espanyol on Saturday afternoon. Sociedad are currently in tenth place and the time under Matarazzo has largely been a success but the team is actually winless since lifting the Copa del Rey trophy.
MLS Season Pass Matches:
- Minnesota United v RSL – 4:30p: Diego Luna and Zavier Gozo head to Minnesota
- Charlotte v New England – 7:30p: Tim Ream vs Matt Turner
- Chicago Fire v Toronto FC – 8:30p: Chris Brady could be the third keeper this summer
- Nashville SC v NYCFC – 8:30p: Walker Zimmerman vs Matt Freese
- San Diego FC v Vancouver Whitecaps – 9:30p: Sebastian Berhalter
Sunday
Crystal Palace v Arsenal – 11a on CNBC: Chris Richards ankle injury has caused quite the stir this week with reports initially coming out that he had torn two ligaments. However, this seems to be a bit of a “translation” issues as follow up reports have indicated that Richards has an ankle sprain and could be available midweek for Palace’s Conference League final and the injury is not expected to impact his World Cup availability. However, Richards won’t be available for Palace this weekend as they face an Arsenal side doing a victory lap after clinching the Premier League title following Manchester City’s draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday.
Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth – 11a on Peacock: Tyler Adams started and played the full 90’ on Tuesday as Bournemouth held Man City to the aforementioned draw that clinched the title for Arsenal. The draw also kept Bournemouth in sixth place and just within reach of fifth place Liverpool who they trail by three points for Champions League qualification. To jump Liverpool in the standings Bournemouth would need a win, a Liverpool loss, and to make up the six goal differential that currently separates the two teams.
Fulham v Newcastle United – 11a on Peacock: Antonee Robinson and Fulham settled for a draw with last place Wolves their last time out and are now in 13th place, tied on points with this weekend’s opponent, 11th place Newcastle. Robinson played his third straight 90’ on Sunday and scored the club’s lone goal of the match, and his first of the season, as he made good on the opportunity he was given to convert a penalty chance.
West Ham United v Leeds United – 11a on USA Network: Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United travel to face a desperate West Ham side on Sunday. West Ham are two points back of Tottenham so need a victory, and with a twelve goal differential really need a Spurs loss to Everton as well. Leeds are in 14th place and wouldn’t seem to have much to play for but they are undefeated in their last eight league matches including a 1-1 draw with Tottenham and a 1-0 victory over Brighton last weekend that kept that club from moving into the top six, ahead of Bournemouth.
Torino v Juventus – 2:45p on Paramount+: Weston McKennie and Juventus fell to Fiorentina 2-0 last weekend and now need a victory in Torino and a lot of help to make the Champions League. Currently in sixth place Juventus will need at least two of three things to happen if they are to qualify:
- Como (who they are tied with) to draw or lose their match to Cremonese, a side who are currently in the final relegation spot though they could find safety with a win or a draw and some help of their own.
- Roma to drop points to Hellas Verona side that is already relegated.
- AC Milan to drop points as they host Cagliari.
AC Milan v Cagliari – 2:45p on Paramount+: Christian Pulisic came on as a sub last weekend and provided the assist on the eventual game winner as AC Milan defeated Genoa. With the win Milan moved into third place and control their own destiny this weekend as they cost Cagliari. To secure the top four though Milan really need a victory though as Juventus could jump them in the table if the two sides are level on points. The first Serie A tiebreaker for qualification is head to head points of the tied teams and up to four teams could be tied after Sunday so they options are quite varied.
Villarreal v Atletico Madrid – 3p on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Select: Alex Freeman was an unused substitute last weekend in Villarreal’s 2-0 loss to Rayo Vallecano but he has gone 90’ in three of the last five matches for his side. Villarreal will host Atletico Madrid, who they are tied with in the table, though both teams are guaranteed to make the top four and qualify for the Champions League. Unfortunately, we won’t get to see an American matchup in La Liga as Johnny Cardoso is out for the season due to his injury.
Columbus Crew v Atlanta United – 5p on MLS Season Pass: Max Arfsten and the Columbus Crew will host Atlanta United Sunday evening.
LAFC v Seattle Sounders – 9p on FOX: Cristian Roldan and the Seattle Sounders close out the weekend as they travel to LA.
