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What to Watch This Weekend: Aug 24-26

August 25, 2012 — by Suman

Second round of Premier League and La Liga matches this weekend, while Bundesliga and Serie A are also getting underway:

Friday, Aug 24

2:30pmET, Borussia Dortmund vs Werder Bremen (GolTV USA): Dortmund begins its quest for a 3rd consecutive Bundesliga title. For the 2nd straight year, they’ve lost a star to a bigger and richer club abroad–this summer it was Shinji Kagawa to Manchester United, the previous summer it was Nuri Şahin to Real Madrid (although looks like he will end up in England as well, at least for a season, on loan–to Liverpool?). But Dortmund are looking to pick up where they left off, with young star Marco Reus newly arrived from Borussia Mongengladbach.

 

Saturday, Aug 25

10amET, Manchester United vs Fulham (FSC, Fox Deportes): Two teams that got off to surprising starts last weekend, in opposite directions. MUFC lost at Everton 1-0, despite bringing on Robin van Persie as a late substitute. By all accounts, Kagawa was impressive, while Wayne Rooney was not. Fulham were impressive in a 5-0 demolition of , despite missing Clint Dempsey, whose situation is still unresolved.

12:30pmET, Chelsea vs Newcastle United (FSC, Fox Deportes): The match of the weekend. Chelsea expects to be challenging for the title, after big spending in the offseason and two straight wins to start this campaign. But although they’ve got plenty of talent going forward–new arrivals Edan Hazard and Oscar joining Juan Mata behind Fernando Torres–there are questions further back, in defensive midfield and in defense. Newcastle are looking to build upon last season’s impressive campaign and challenge for a spot in the top four.

 

Sunday, Aug 26

8:30amET, Stoke City vs Arsenal (FSC, Fox Deportes): Arsenal failed to score last weekend at home versus a Sunderland side that parked the bus. This match presents a clash of

11amET, Liverpool vs Manchester City (FSC, Fox Deportes):