Global Soccer Preview
Busy Slate of Continental and Domestic Soccer Fixtures Set for September
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Key Points
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Santos will be without Neymar because of a muscle injury, but the club has signed Philippe Coutinho through the end of the season to help fill the creative void.
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Palmeiras have conceded only one goal in their last five matches, a defensive run that could make LDU Quito’s attempt to overturn the first-leg deficit particularly difficult despite the home side’s altitude advantage.
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Olympiacos will host Jagiellonia Białystok at Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus; Olympiacos are managed by Imanol Alguacil, while Jagiellonia are led by Adrian Siemieniec. Both teams arrive after mixed domestic results, with Olympiacos losing to OFI Crete and Jagiellonia beating Slask Wroclaw before a 2-0 defeat by Wisla Krakow.
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Neither Anderlecht nor Lyon had confirmed injury or suspension news or a published probable lineup ahead of their match, with updates expected closer to kickoff.
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Everton’s Carabao Cup match against Wolves will be played at Hill Dickinson Stadium and broadcast live in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports+. The teams also met in last season’s competition, when Wolves won 2-0.
European, Asian, and South American soccer converge on September 15-16, 2026, in a packed continental weekend. In South America, Santos carry a commanding 2-0 lead into their Copa Sudamericana return leg against Atlético Mineiro, while Palmeiras travel to high-altitude Quito with a 1-0 advantage. Liverpool Echo reports Everton host Wolverhampton in England's Carabao Cup third round, and Real Madrid visit winless Elche in LaLiga after hammering Rayo Vallecano 4-1, with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice.
Across Europe, the UEFA Europa League features Olympiacos against Jagiellonia Białystok and Anderlecht facing Lyon. In Asia, Al Nassr open their AFC Champions League Elite campaign at unbeaten Al Ain, while India's East Bengal begin AFC Champions League Two away at Al Hussein. DailyHunt confirms East Bengal's match streams via FanCode for Indian audiences.
Santos Reinforce Attack With Coutinho Addition
Santos are without Neymar, sidelined by a grade 2B muscle injury, but have signed playmaker Philippe Coutinho through the season's end to replace his creativity. Coutinho revealed Neymar personally recruited him: "Neymar certainly played a very important role in my coming here." However, Coutinho remains ineligible for this Copa Sudamericana round due to registration deadlines.
Palmeiras' Iron Defense Poses Problem for Altitude Advantage
Palmeiras arrive in Quito with a slim 1-0 first-leg lead but boast a fortress defense. They have conceded only one goal in their last five matches, a run that could neutralize LDU Quito's home altitude advantage at nearly 10,000 feet. LDU face an uphill battle to overturn the deficit without a strong attack to exploit rare defensive cracks.
Santos' first leg showcased clinical finishing, with Willian Arão and Christian Oliva scoring in the 2-0 win at home. Atlético Mineiro must overcome this deficit at Arena MRV despite hosting the Copa Sudamericana second leg.
Olympiacos and Jagiellonia Enter Europa League After Domestic Stumbles
Olympiacos host Jagiellonia Białystok at Karaiskakis Stadium under new manager Imanol Alguacil, who replaced José Luis Mendilibar. The Greek side suffered a 1-0 home loss to OFI Crete in their last outing, while Jagiellonia arrive after beating Śląsk Wrocław 2-1 but losing 2-0 to Wisła Kraków. Both teams carry mixed form into this Europa League fixture.
Everton Face Wolves With Heavy Squad Rotation Expected
Everton host Wolverhampton at Hill Dickinson Stadium in the Carabao Cup third round at 7:45 p.m. BST, Sky Sports+ reports. Manager David Moyes has only 16 available outfield senior players, signaling likely squad rotation. The teams met last season in this competition, when Wolves won 2-0.
Wolves arrive following a 1-0 league victory over Sheffield United, with Raúl Jiménez scoring in stoppage time. Express notes Sky Sports+ will broadcast the match live in the United Kingdom, with Paramount+ carrying coverage in the United States.
Real Madrid Visit Elche After Mbappé's Rayo Rout
Real Madrid travel to face winless Elche in LaLiga after demolishing Rayo Vallecano 4-1. Kylian Mbappé scored twice in the dominant performance, showcasing Madrid's attacking form. Mirror confirms the match airs on ESPN2 in the United States and Premier Sports in the United Kingdom. Elche remain winless and face a Madrid side in peak offensive condition.
Asian Debuts: Al Nassr Travels to Unbeaten Al Ain
Al Nassr open their AFC Champions League Elite campaign away at unbeaten Al Ain, marking the tournament's kickoff for the Saudi club. Squad and coaching uncertainties surround Al Nassr as they begin their continental journey. Johor Darul Ta'zim face Buriram United while Al Shamal battle Al Ittihad in additional AFC fixtures on the weekend.
East Bengal Football Club begin AFC Champions League Two away at Al Hussein in Jordan at Amman International Stadium. DailyHunt reports FanCode will stream several AFC matches for Indian audiences, though East Bengal face coaching uncertainty heading into their opening fixture.
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