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Christian Pulisic is back to rescue a weekend that looked like it might be a bit slow. Instead we’re off to a fast start on Friday with the latest American showdown in Italy taking place in the Italian Supercoppa semi-finals.
Friday
Juventus v Milan – 2p on Paramount+
Tim Weah and Weston McKennie host Christian Pulisic who returns for AC Milan and new manager Sergio Conceicao in the Italian Supercoppa semi-final. Yunus Musah may also be available for Milan as well. Milan sacked Paulo Fonseca after drawing with Roma heading into the January window and falling to eighth place in the Serie A table, eight points out of Champions League qualification despite Pulisic’s hot start to the season. Meanwhile, Juventus drew yet again and remain in sixth place though they also remain undefeated. The winner will play Inter Milan in the Supercoppa final on Monday as Inter defeated Atalanta 2-0 on Thursday.
Saturday
Venezia v Empoli – 9a on CBSSN
Gianluca Busio and Venezia fell to league leading Napoli and remain three points from safety heading into their match against an Empoli side that have lost three straight matches.
Huesca v Real Betis – 9:30a on ESPN+
Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis will travel to Huesca to face segunda side SD Huesca in Copa del Ray action on Saturday morning.
AFC Bournemouth v Everton – 10a on USA Network
Tyler Adams was held out of Bournemouth’s last match of 2024 due to a “small muscle injury” which begs the question – can any muscle injury be considered small when you have the injury history that Adams does? Bournemouth drew the match with Fulham 2-2 and will now face Everton, here’s hoping that the injury was indeed minor and Adams is once again available.
Crystal Palace v Chelsea – 10a on Peacock
Chris Richards started Crystal Palaces’ 2-1 win over Southampton last weekend and played the full 90’. It was Richard’s second start in three matches.
Olympique Lyon v Montpellier – 3p on beIN Sport
Tanner Tessmann did not start Lyon’s final league match of 2024, sitting out a 3-1 loss to PSG but he did start and go the full 90’ in the team’s 2-1 Coupe de France win over fourth tier side Entente Feignies Aulnoye FC. Lyon return to league action this weekend as they host Montpellier.
Sunday
Fulham v Ipswich Town – 9a on USA Network
Antonee Robinson and Fulham drew Bournemouth 2-2 last weekend with Robinson picking up his seventh assist of the season. Fulham are in eighth place heading into their match against relegation threatened Ipswich Town.
Lens v Toulouse – 9a on beIN Sports
Mark McKenzie hast started ten straight matches for Toulouse who have won five of their past seven matches and will travel to Lens on Sunday.
Racing Santander v Celta Vigo – 9:30a on ESPN+
Luca de la Torre has not appeared in the past two league matches for Celta Vigo but did get his longest stint of the season – 27 minutes – in their last Copa del Ray match. They now face Racing Santander in the next round. It remains to be seen if de la Torre will be on the move this January for increased playing time.
Hit the comments section below to let us know what you’re watching this weekend.