MATCHDAY: Expensive Chelsea lineup goes to West Ham; Barcelona 'home' at Olympic Stadium

2023-08-20 07:19

Chelsea’s new-look team gets a second run in the English Premier League with an away match at West Ham on Sunday

A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Sunday:

ENGLAND

Chelsea's new-look team gets a second run in the Premier League with an away match at West Ham. There could be a debut for Moises Caicedo, the central midfielder bought from Brighton for around $145 million — a record for a transfer in Britain. Right back and captain Reece James is out, however, after sustaining an injury in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool last weekend. Aston Villa and Everton opened the season with defeats so will be looking for their first points when they meet at Villa Park in the day's other game.

SPAIN

Barcelona plays its first competitive home game away from Camp Nou when it hosts Cadiz. Barcelona is playing this season at the Olympic Stadium, the main arena for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. It can hold 49,000 people compared to the 99,000-seat Camp Nou, the largest soccer stadium in Europe. Atletico Madrid travels to Seville to play Real Betis with both seeking a second victory in as many games to start the season. It will be without injured midfielder Koke Resurrección while goalkeeper Jan Oblak is doubtful. Getafe is also at Girona.

GERMANY

Union Berlin, the surprise team in the Bundesliga last season, starts the new league at home to Mainz. Union has reinforced the squad ahead of its first participation in the Champions League and new signings Robin Gosens and Kevin Volland could make their debuts. Rani Khedira is injured. Union is unbeaten in a club-record 23 consecutive Bundesliga games at home. Eintracht Frankfurt hosts promoted Darmstadt for a derby.

FRANCE

Lens looks to eliminate defensive errors when it hosts high-scoring Rennes. Lens started the league with a loss at Brest, while Rennes routed promoted Metz 5-1. New signing Nemanja Matic could make his Rennes debut. Meanwhile, Monaco hopes to extend its perfect start to the season against Strasbourg. Monaco beat Clermont 4-2 last weekend. Strasbourg also won its opening game, edging Lyon 2-1.

ITALY

Serie A has four games, including Roma hosting Salernitana and Juventus going to Udinese.

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