5 matches you must not miss this weekend

The English Premier League will be the first league in Europe to begin the 2016/2017 season as matches will be played over the weekend across England.

However, there are also engagements in Spain for the Super Cup trophy as well as the quarter final matches in the football event at the ongoing Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil. Here are the top five matches to watch for the weekend

1. Hull City vs Leicester City: The Foxes will begin their title defence in the new Premier League season as they are guests to newly promoted Hull City at the Molineux.

With the exit of N’Golo Kante to Chelsea, Leicester are battling with to keep Riyad Mahrez at the King Power Stadium but with Ahmed Musa, Jamie Vardy and Okazaky in attack they are still a formidable side.

2. Liverpool vs Arsenal: Jurgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger renew their rivalry in the biggest match in England this weekend as The Reds with a bolstered squad take-on the last season’s runners-up.

Wenger has not made a big summer signing yet but with Sanchez and Ozil in the starting XI, the Gunners are equal to the task to compete against the Anfield giants.

3. Bournemouth vs Manchester United: For the first time in history, Jose Mourinho will be managing a rival team aside Chelsea as he intends to bring the back glamour back to Old Trafford.

Mourinho brought in Ibrahimovic, Mkhitaryan, Bailly and the world’s most expensive player Pogba, United will have no excuse not to pick-up maximum points away to their opponents.

4. Barcelona vs Sevilla: It will be an all Spanish affair as the Baulgrana lock horns with Sevilla in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup. It will be an explosive episode as both teams compete for bragging rights.

Messi and Suarez were the stars of the show when Barcelona defeated Sampdoria 3-2 and the pair will be looking to replicate their form in the Super Cup tie.

5. Nigeria vs Denmark: At this level of the competition there are no second chances for any team as the Samson Siasia-led Dream Team continue their quest in search for gold at the Rio Olympics.

The U-23 team have been plagued with financial difficulties and controversies, but Siasia and his boys will want to get fired-up for the quarter final match against their European opponent.

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Preview: Colombia vs Nigeria (Rio Olympics)

Group B’s top two teams Nigeria (6 points) and Colombia (2 points) face-off today, August 10 at the Arena Corinthians in São Paulo, as the group games of Rio Olympics men’s football tournament rounds off. 

While Nigeria will be looking to secure nine points and a 100% record in the competition, the game is a must-win for Colombia if they want to advance to the next round. However, Colombia should not expect any favours from their opponents, with captain and Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi maintaining that his team will not lose focus on their target to win the gold medal.

Although, Nigeria’s coach Samson Siasia has disclosed that he intends to rest some of his starters in the game, the 48-year-old still looks likely to feature a strong squad.

“I had to take this decision to rest some players because we have qualified for the quarter finals as group leaders, and secondly I need to rest some of the starters because in the next phase there is a possibility of going into extra time. “For now the boys have done well and I need to make the other players justify why I selected them for this tournament. This is not a tea party so everyone must stand up to be counted, and the only way they can be counted is if they play well against Colombia. Resting some starters does not mean we are under –rating the opposition,” he said. The Colombians on the other hand, have had a decent performance thus far at the competition, drawing both of their matches against Sweden and Japan by the score of 2-2. They relied on the greatness of striker Teofilo Gutierrez, who featured in this tournament instead of the Copa America last month.

This game promises to be a cracker. Kick-off time 11pm (Nigerian time).

Colombia XI: 1. Cristian Bonilla, 2. William Testillo, 3. Deivy Balanta, 8. Dorlan Pabon, 10. Teofilo Gutierrez (C), Harold Preciado, 12. Andres Roa, 13. Helibelton Palacios, 15. Wilmar Barrios, 16. Kevin Balanta, 17. Cristian Borja Subs: 18. Luis Hurtado (GK), 4. Deiver Machado, 6. Jefferson Lerma, 7. Arley Rodriguez, 9. Miguel Borja, 14. Sebastian Perez 

Nigeria XI: 1. Daniel Akpeyi (GK), 2. Muenfuh Sincere, 3. Kingsley Madu, 6. William Ekong, 7. Aminu Umar, 8. Oghenekaro Etebo, 10. John Obi Mikel (C), 12. Popoola Saliu, 13. Sadiq Umar, 14. Okechukwu Azubuike, 15. Ndifreke Udo Subs: 18. Emmanuel Daniel (GK), 4. Abdullahi Shehu, 5. Saturday Erimuya, 9. Imoh Ezekiel, 11. Oluwafemi Ajayi, 16. Stanley Amuzie

 

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