Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was frustrated with the officials after watching his side draw 1-1 with Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium, having played the majority of the second half with 10 men.

Declan Rice was sent off for a second bookable offence after 49 minutes for delaying the restart from a Brighton free-kick, leaving Arteta to question the consistency of the referee's decision-making.

“If that happens throughout the game in a consistent way that’s fine,” he told TNT Sports in a post-match interview.

“But it didn’t happen. In the first half, there were a number of occasions where they kicked the ball away and nothing happened. 

“It’s inconsistency and it's in an area where it’s not critical. You made that call and you have to give a red card.

“If we have to play with 10, they have to play with 10 as well.”

Despite his annoyance at the red card, Arteta was able to find positives in the performance of his team.

Arsenal went 1-0 up after 38 minutes through Kai Havertz’s second goal of the season, before conceding a second-half equaliser following Rice’s dismissal.

“We started the game really good, created three or four big chances,” he said.

“We started the second half really good, had some good moments and momentum and obviously that decision changes the game completely.

“It was unbelievable the way the team reacted [after the goal] with 10 men, playing 48 minutes, we should have won the game.”

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler, meanwhile, had a different opinion to his counterpart.

“It was a red card, he shoots the ball away. He was wasting time,” said Hurzeler in his post-match press conference.

“If Arsenal think otherwise, there are now two opinions.”

When asked about a similar incident in which Joao Pedro seemed to avoid punishment for kicking the ball away, Hurzeler suggested the two events were not like-for-like.

“You can’t compare the two situations,” he said.

“In football, two situations are never the same. I was booked because I was complaining about the tackle against Joel [Veltman] in the first half. We can accept it’s in the Premier League, it’s a yellow card, but I think no one can complain if the referee gives the red card.”

Blackburn held out for a 1-1 draw away to Burnley in the East Lancashire derby, despite playing the final 33 minutes of the match with 10 men.

Burnley opened the scoring after 10 minutes at Turf Moor after new signing Jaidon Anthony whipped in a perfect cross for Lyle Foster - who remains at the club following a potential move to Ipswich breaking down - to head home.

The home side dominated the early proceedings of the match and deservedly led until Blackburn struck against the run of play in the 23rd minute.

Forward Andi Weimann hit a sumptuous dipping shot from outside the penalty area, which looped over goalkeeper James Trafford, to level the scores.

Rovers thought they had retaken the lead soon after, but Tyrhys Dolan’s finish was disallowed for offside.

Makhtar Gueye was then sent off for a second bookable offence in the 57th minute, picking up his second yellow for dissent after making a card gesture at the referee following a heavy tackle from Maxime Esteve.

Burnley were unable to make their numerical advantage count, despite applying plenty of pressure in the late stages. Indeed, it was Blackburn who arguably came closest to winning the match, with Lewis Travis firing high and wide in the 96th minute after Dolan had played a loose ball to him.

The point leaves Blackburn and Burnley third and fourth respectively in the Championship.

Elsewhere in the early kick-offs in the second tier, Middlesbrough picked up their first league win since the opening day of the season as they beat Cardiff 2-0 on the road.

A second-half header from Matt Clarke and an Aaron Ramsey own goal secured the points for Michael Carrick’s side, although Ramsey did hit the post for the hosts. The win leaves Middlesbrough sixth, while Cardiff are bottom.

Norwich also claimed their first three points of the season, with a 1-0 victory away to Coventry.

Borja Sainz scored the winning goal after 49 minutes, with his shot taking a big deflection to wrong-foot the goalkeeper before landing in the goal.

Brighton moved top of the Premier League after holding 10-man Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium.

Kai Havertz's first-half strike was cancelled out by Joao Pedro, while the hosts played most of the second half with a player less following Declan Rice's red card for two bookable offences.

The Gunners broke the deadlock seven minutes before half-time when Bukayo Saka outmuscled Lewis Dunk before teeing up Havertz, who lifted the ball into the empty net over the outrushing Bart Verbruggen.

However, Mikel Arteta's side were reduced to 10 men within four minutes of the restart, with Rice shown a second yellow card after he was deemed to have prevented the taking of a Brighton free-kick.

The Seagulls were level just nine minutes later when David Raya parried Yankuba Minteh's initial strike straight to Joao Pedro, who made no mistake from close range.

Fabian Hurzeler's side looked more likely to grab the game's decisive third goal as they dominated possession later on but, in the end, were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

Data Debrief: Saka matches Henry as Gunners' winning streak stalls

Arteta's side will count themselves fortunate to have taken a point from this contest, given they enjoyed just under 25% of the second-half possession at the Emirates - albeit a man light after the first red card of Rice's 245-match Premier League career.

The Gunners started well as they sought a ninth straight league win, and were deserving of their lead through Havertz's fourth goal in as many appearances against Brighton - and his seventh in nine home games.

His effort came after clever play from Saka, whose assist was his third in as many matches this term. The only Arsenal player to previously provide an assist in each of their opening three games of a Premier League season was a certain Thierry Henry in 2004-05.

Carlo Ancelotti has said he is pleased with the start Kylian Mbappe has made at Real Madrid, despite the fact he has not yet scored a league goal.

Mbappe joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain in June and scored in their 2-0 victory over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup but three weeks on, has yet to open his account in the league.

The 25-year-old has taken eight shots so far, five of which have been on target, missing some presentable chances, although his manager is not worried.

“(Mbappe) is playing very well even if he hasn’t scored yet. His influence creates danger,” said Ancelotti ahead of their clash with Real Betis this Sunday.

“For me (Vinicius Jr. and Mbappe) are teaming up well, the offensive work is being done very well. It hasn’t been a problem because we’ve scored goals in every game.

“With time, they will team up better, not just Vini and Mbappe but Mbappe with the midfielders as well.

“Offensively, we don’t have a problem. We haven’t had it these years and we’re not going to have it not that we have the best strikers in the world.”

Ancelotti also suggested that he is not worried about his team’s slow start to the LaLiga season, but appreciates that criticism is understandable.

Real Madrid have won one and drawn two of their opening three matches and are currently four points behind league leaders Barcelona, who have won all three.

“It’s absolutely normal because the demands on this team are at their highest,” he said.

“We are going to be criticised until May, this is normal for us. We are not happy because we are four points behind.”

But the Italian was quick to temper any overreactions.

“The season is very long and that (points difference) doesn’t mean much,” he said.

“We are trying to solve our problems. So far we have not been able to have a compact block and we have to improve this.

“I have talked about it with the players and they agree. When the problem is clear, it is easy to fix it.”

Diego Simeone insisted Atletico Madrid are merely focused on "game by game" during a tense press conference, following his side's mixed start to the LaLiga season.

Los Rojiblancos' head coach, who was speaking ahead of their trip to face Athletic Bilbao, offered short, vague answers to only a handful of questions as he addressed reporters for just four-and-a-half minutes.

Simeone has come under scrutiny after Atletico drew two of their opening three matches, with a drab goalless stalemate against promoted Espanyol already leaving them four points adrift of leaders Barcelona.

During the latter, the Argentine substituted Julian Alvarez and Samuel Lino at half-time, while he replaced striker Alexander Sorloth for defender Reinildo later on with his side still seeking the breakthrough that never arrived.

Atleti enjoyed a strong transfer window with the signings of Alvarez, Sorloth, Conor Gallagher and Robin Le Normand, but have struggled for consistency thus far.

When asked about the high expectations surrounding his squad and their aims for this season, Simeone told reporters: "Game by game. Since I arrived here 12 years ago, we try to compete in all competitions as best as we can."

On facing reigning Copa del Rey winners Bilbao, who defeated his side 3-0 in the semi-finals of last season's competition, he added: "Every time we play in Bilbao, we know how difficult it is.

"They are a strong rival at home, with their fans behind them. They are enjoying their best years and are the cup winners. 

"We predict a difficult match and that we have to take it to where we want it to be."

Lyon have confirmed the arrival of Wilfried Zaha on loan from Galatasaray for the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season. 

Zaha, who joined Galatasaray in 2023 from Crystal Palace, made 42 appearances in all competitions for the Turkish side, scoring 10 goals. 

Galatasaray have said that the French side will pay a temporary transfer fee of £2.52million for the services of the Ivory Coast international. 

However, the 31-year-old was limited to substitute outings for the latter stages of the campaign, starting two of Galatasaray's last 10 league games. 

Zaha's final appearance came in their Turkish Super Cup defeat to Besiktas in August, playing 15 minutes in a 5-0 defeat in Istanbul. 

He becomes Lyon's 12th signing of the transfer window as they aim to improve on their sixth place finish in Ligue 1 last campaign. 

Tammy Abraham has secured a move to Milan, signing a season-long loan deal from Roma for the Serie A season. 

Abraham suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear at the end of the 2022-23 campaign that restricted him to just 12 appearances in all competitions last year.

The 26-year-old netted 27 times in 53 outings in his debut season with Roma, helping the side led by Jose Mourinho to Europa Conference League glory. 

But the injury has seen him fail to regain his starting spot under Daniele de Rossi, with Roma signing LaLiga's leading marksman from last season, Artem Dovbyk. 

Abraham's arrival at the San Siro marks another attacking option, having already welcomed Alvaro Morata from Atletico Madrid earlier in the window. 

Eddie Howe insists Newcastle United’s dream of regular success may take a little longer than anticipated after a disappointing transfer window.

After the Magpies’ Saudi-backed takeover in 2021, Amanda Staveley claimed they could win a first Premier League title within 10 years of that.

But Newcastle’s failed pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi has shown where they are in the market, welcoming just five new faces at St James’ Park and keeping much of the squad that missed out on European football last year.

And ahead of this weekend’s meeting with Tottenham Hotspur, Howe urged supporters to trust the process and back the team when they take to the pitch on Sunday.

"I don't think the dream dies, necessarily, but I think it takes a lot longer,” Howe said.

"We've got to build our revenue streams, that is the biggest thing. We've got to bring more money into the football club, however we do that - through player sales, through sponsorship, through loads of various things.

"That's the big thing that we need to focus on now for the next, probably, 10 years.

"Whether I'm lucky enough to see any of that, who knows? But the dream is not over, it's just going to take a lot, lot longer."

Tottenham, meanwhile, will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season after cruising to a 4-0 win over Everton in their first home game of the campaign.

Ange Postecoglou is aiming to improve on Spurs’ fifth-placed finish last term that secured them Europa League football.

Spurs discovered their opponents in the new format of the competition on Friday, with a reunion with Jose Mourinho on the cards, while Postecoglou returns north of the border to face old foes Rangers.

And the Spurs boss believes the new format will allow his players to build a rhythm throughout the Premier League campaign due to the competitive nature of the tournament this year.

"It allows us to get into a rhythm of having two games a week until January pretty much. I much prefer having a programme now as opposed to last year.

“The new format is interesting, there will be less 'dead rubbers' in European football which can't be a bad thing.

"It's a tough game, they have got some outstanding players who are well coached. It's going to be a great challenge for us."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Newcastle – Alexander Isak

Alexander Isak has enjoyed Spurs’ visits to St James’ Park recently, scoring twice in both of his two Premier League home games against Tottenham.

Only two players have scored two or more goals in three consecutive home appearances against a club in the competition – Alan Shearer vs Everton (1992 to 1994) and Chris Sutton vs Liverpool (1994 to 1996).

Tottenham – James Maddison

James Maddison has provided an assist in four of his last five Premier League games, including both matches so far this season for Postecoglou’s side.

No Spurs player has ever assisted a goal in each of their first three games in a single campaign before.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Despite Opta’s data-led simulations predicting a close encounter in the North East, it has been Newcastle who have had the better of the results in recent years.

The Magpies have won three of their last four Premier League meetings with Spurs (L1), as many as in their previous 13 (D2 L8). Three of their last five league victories against Spurs have been by at least a four-goal margin.

Newcastle have also scored at least once in each of their last 20 Premier League home games, scoring with their only attempt on target in their last such match against Southampton. Only once have they had a longer scoring streak at St James’ Park in the competition, going 24 games between January 1995 and February 1996.

Tottenham have lost their last two Premier League away games against Newcastle by an aggregate score of 10-1. They’d only lost two of their previous 11 such visits to St James’ Park (W6 D3).

But having won four of their first six Premier League away games last season (D2), Spurs have now won just three of their last 14 on the road (D5 L6).

But expect goals on Sunday. Newcastle v Tottenham is the most played fixture in Premier League history to never finish 0-0 (58 games). Only Liverpool v Tottenham (191) and Arsenal v Liverpool (190) have seen more goals than this in the competition (186), while there have been 34 goals in the last seven meetings alone (4.9 per game).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Newcastle – 38.7%

Draw – 23.6%

Tottenham – 37.7%

Ivan Toney has sealed a permanent switch to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, ending his four-year spell with Brentford.

Toney, who scored 72 goals in 141 appearances for the Bees, departs the club for a reported £40million transfer fee on a three-year contract.

The 28-year-old made three substitute appearances for England at Euro 2024 but has not featured for Brentford this season amid rumours linking him with a move away. 

Toney enjoyed his most prolific season for the Bees in the 2020-21 season, scoring 31 goals and helping Thomas Frank's side secure promotion to the Premier League.

He netted 36 times in 85 Premier League outings, scoring four times in his first five matches last year after returning from suspension for breaching FA betting rules.

Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Arsenal were all touted as possible destinations for Toney, but he has opted for a move to Saudi Arabia and will join Roberto Firmino, Edouard Mendy and Franck Kessie at the club.

"It's been a pleasure to work with Ivan over the last four years," said Frank.

"He has averaged more than one goal every two games, which is an unbelievable number.

"On the pitch, he has been a fantastic goalscorer, link-up player and leader. He has pushed the team, the squad and himself."

Frank added: "Ivan leaves as a Brentford legend."

Raheem Sterling completed a season-long loan move to Arsenal from Chelsea at the eleventh hour on Deadline Day. 

Sterling, who made 81 appearances for Chelsea since his move from Manchester City in 2022, was told he was not in the plans of new Blues head coach Enzo Maresca.

After not being involved in the squad for their opening day defeat to his former side, Sterling's representatives sought clarity over his future and he was linked with a move to Manchester United.

But instead, he reunited with Mikel Arteta, having spent time with him at the Etihad when the Spaniard was assistant head coach to Pep Guardiola.

During his two-year stint at Stamford Bridge, the 29-year-old netted 19 goals and added 12 assists in that time, with 18 of those goal involvements coming last campaign.

His 45 completed dribbles in the league was a total only bettered by Cole Palmer (52) and Nicolas Jackson (54), while also creating 39 chances for Chelsea. 

Sterling provides a wealth of experience for the Gunners in their quest for the Premier League crown, having won the title four times with Man City.

"It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s really exciting. I’m buzzing. It’s one where we kind of left it late but it’s one I was hoping for," Sterling told Arsenal's official website. 

"Looking at everything, I’m just, like, ‘This is a perfect fit for me’, and I’m super happy that we got it over the line.

"I spoke with Edu and I said that it’s something you can see from the outside, you can see the real togetherness from Mikel’s time here and you see the journey that the boys are on, and you can see the hunger, and I keep saying again, the togetherness is something I’m looking to be a part of."

It offers another attacking option to Arteta for the remainder of the campaign, having allowed two of their forwards to depart the club on the final day of the window.

Eddie Nketiah completed a permanent transfer to Crystal Palace for an initial £25million fee, plus £5m in performance-related add-ons.

Reiss Nelson also secured a move away from the Emirates, signing a season-long loan deal with Fulham.

Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay is hopeful his team have settled into their new "identity" ahead of their trip to San Jose Earthquakes in MLS.

After snapping a winless streak in MLS before the Leagues Cup, Minnesota were beaten 3-2 by Seattle Sounders last time out, having come from behind to level twice before Albert Rusnak's winner.

They sit 11th in the Western Conference but still have the playoffs in sight.

Ramsay believes his team are starting to gel after introducing new signings and other returning from various injury setbacks.

"We're finding analyzing where we are now difficult as a group because the Seattle game felt like day one of a new season, and we've loved working with our new group over the last three weeks," Ramsay said.

"But we've got to analyze it with an element of urgency and desperation wrapped around it because it's a group that wants to reach the playoffs.

"We need to keep pushing to make sure we see the results on a weekend, and now we can start to see a real emergence of an identity in the team."

Meanwhile, San Jose Earthquakes got an impressive win over high-flying Real Salt Lake last time out, snapping their three-match losing streak in MLS.

They are still bottom of the table, but interim head coach Ian Russell was impressed with the manner of the win and is hoping they can continue their high-level performances on home soil.

"I told the guys the last six or seven games have been really, really good," he said.

"We haven't won them all, obviously, but ever since the Houston game at home, we started showing a lot of fight. And you know, we've had a couple losses late in games, but the win over Real Salt Lake was really good."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Cristian Espinoza

Cristian Espinoza has never scored in 10 career regular season matches against Minnesota.

The Loons are the only one of the 11 teams Espinoza has faced 10 or more times in his MLS career that he has never scored against.

Minnesota United – Kelvin Yeboah

Kelvin Yeboah scored both of Minnesota's goals against Seattle Sounders on Saturday, becoming the 22nd player in MLS history to score multiple goals on his debut and the first in over two years, since Nathan Fogaca did so for Portland in May 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Minnesota have lost only one of their last 11 matches against San Jose in all competitions (won six, drawn four) dating back to 2019 after the Earthquakes won each of the first four meetings between the sides in 2017 and 2018.

However, Minnesota are winless in eight straight road matches in all competitions (two draws, six losses). This is their longest winless run away from home since a 17-match stretch from March to October 2018.

Meanwhile, San Jose's 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Saturday was just their fifth win of the season, but four of those five wins have been against teams in the top five in the current Western Conference standings (Los Angeles FC, RSL, Colorado Rapids, Seattle).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 38.1%

Draw – 26.5%

Minnesota United – 35.4%

Houston Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen has urged his team to find their clinical edge in a tough test against Los Angeles FC on Saturday.

The Dynamo had lost just one of their last 10 MLS matches before the Leagues Cup break, winning four and drawing five of the other games in that streak.

However, they returned to league action with a 1-0 defeat to Toronto FC last time out and sit eighth in the Western Conference.

And Olsen has challenged his team to improve their end product against the Leagues Cup finalists.

"The last game was not the result we wanted, that's for sure," he said.

"I'm starting to sound like a broken record: we play well, we have a lot of chances. We can do all that stuff, but we don't make the play.

"If we're going to be the team we want to be, we need to be killers, be way more cut-throat in the final third. We can't keep expecting our defence to get shutouts in every game."

Meanwhile, LAFC bounced back from Leagues Cup final heartbreak by reaching the US Open Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Seattle Sounders.

In MLS, they are five points behind leaders LA Galaxy, having lost their last league match 3-1 to San Jose Earthquakes, but head coach Steve Cherundolo has confidence in his team.

"Our LAFC players are monsters," he said. "They show great heart and skill, and their physical side of the game is great.

"Simple mentality gives them the edge. I've also been happy with the control and managing of the minutes in recent matches."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LAFC – Denis Bouanga

Denis Bouanga has not been involved in a goal in any of his four meetings with the Dynamo (incl. playoffs).

They are the only MLS opponent he has faced more than twice and not recorded at least one goal involvement against.

Houston Dynamo – Hector Herrera

Hector Herrera completed 101 passes against Toronto FC on Saturday, his sixth match with at least 100 completed passes in regular season MLS play.

He is tied with Riqui Puig for the most such games to complete 100+ passes since making his MLS debut in July 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN

This will be the first meeting between Los Angeles and Houston since LAFC's 2-0 win in last season's Western Conference Final. That win was their only clean sheet against the Dynamo (14 meetings).

However, LAFC's last two regular-season home matches were a loss to Columbus Crew and a draw with Real Salt Lake. They have gone three such matches without a win only twice since the start of the 2019 season but have not done so since 2021.

Meanwhile, the Dynamo won their final two regular-season road matches before the Leagues Cup break, winning at San Jose and Vancouver Whitecaps. However, they have not won three consecutive such games since a four-match run spanning the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LAFC – 61.8%

Draw – 20.2%

Houston Dynamo – 18%

Josh Wolff believes Austin FC's new signings have given them a much-needed boost and hopes that will carry on against Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.

Austin added Mikkel Desler, Oleksandr Svatok and Osman Bukari, who scored in their 2-0 win over Nashville SC last time out, helping to snap a three-match winless streak.

It means they sit ninth in the Western Conference, though only have a one-point advantage over the two teams sitting just below them.

However, Wolff says he is excited to see how the team continues to grow in the second half of the season.

"The guys that we got in the summer have performed well and that helps create better overall performances for the team and creates competition in the group and I think it's helped us immensely," he said.

"We labored through 24 games, but I think you see a team now that's competing home and away and generating goals.

"We're coming into good form, but we need to maintain that."

Meanwhile, Vancouver sit three places and four points above their opponents, with their form on the road particularly eye-catching in MLS this season, going unbeaten in the last three.

They return to league action after an extended break due to their Canadian Championship semi-final, and head coach Vanni Sartini aims to get his team back up and running in the competition as soon as possible.

"We need to go there knowing that we need to make points because that's the only curse when you're doing well," he said.

"We want to stay in the high position. We've done well on the road this season, and we need to keep doing it by being smart."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin FC – Jon Gallagher

Jon Gallagher scored his 12th goal for Austin in their win over Nashville last time out.

Only Sebastian Driussi (43) and Diego Fagundez (15) have scored more in regular-season play for the Verde.

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

Brian White has scored a goal in each of his last three regular season away matches.

White had a four-match road scoring streak in 2023 and could become the first Whitecaps player to score in four straight MLS road games more than once.

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

Vancouver have lost only one of their seven all-time meetings with Austin (winning four, drawing two), though Austin have managed draws in two of the last three meetings, including a scoreless match in Vancouver on May 4.

The Whitecaps are unbeaten in five straight road matches in all competitions (three wins, two draws) for the second time in 2024 (also in March-May). This is the first time since the club joined MLS in 2011 that they have had multiple five-match road unbeaten runs in a single year.

However, Austin have won three of their last four matches in all competitions, including a 2-0 win over Nashville (lost one). Austin had managed just two wins in their previous 11 matches beforehand (three draws, six losses).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin FC – 30.8%

Draw – 25.1%

Vancouver Whitecaps – 44.1%

Oscar Pareja is keen to ensure Orlando City's positive momentum does not dissipate after one poor result, as they look to return to winning ways against Nashville SC.

Orlando occupy the final automatic playoff place in the Eastern Conference, but their five-match unbeaten run in MLS play was halted by a 3-0 defeat to Sporting Kansas City last week.

With struggling Nashville the visitors to Inter&Co Stadium this week, Pareja is not worried about that defeat being a turning point.

"We recognise that we didn't have our best game in Kansas," Pareja said. 

"We tried to get our energy back during this week, understanding that we have had a good time with good results and good football. 

"We want to continue with that momentum, we feel it. We are just ready to play the next games here.

"We agreed with the players that we lost energy at Kansas, but it's not something that is common for our team."

Nashville, meanwhile, sit 14th in the standings, eight points adrift of Orlando, after losing seven straight regular-season games.

The last of those was their first MLS outing under B.J. Callaghan as they went down 2-0 to Austin FC, but the new head coach saw positive signs in their performance. 

"I think we played a game where the performance was good enough to win," he said. "We had a few moments that we lapsed. 

"That's unacceptable, we have to learn from it, we have to improve it. You have to give credit to Austin, they were able to capitalise on those moments.

"We just need to continue to sort of pound repetitions to get the timing right, get the technique right, get the service right."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Orlando City – Nicolas Lodeiro 

Six different Orlando City players have recorded at least four assists this season, led by Lodeiro's eight. 

Only Inter Miami (seven) have more players with at least four assists this MLS season, but Lodeiro is certainly the creative fulcrum for the hosts.

Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar

Mukhtar has scored six goals against Orlando City in MLS play (including playoffs), tied for his most against any opponent (also six versus Atlanta and Chicago), though he has not scored in any of his last four meetings with the Lions.

MATCH PREDICTION – ORLANDO CITY WIN

Orlando have won four straight matches against Nashville, including in last season's playoffs, keeping clean sheets in all four matches.

The Lions saw their five-match regular-season unbeaten run (four wins, one draw) halted by a 3-0 loss at Sporting Kansas City last time out, conceding as many goals in that defeat as in their previous five outings combined.

However, they should bounce back here. Nashville's club-record regular-season losing streak extended to seven matches with a 2-0 loss at Austin last Saturday, and they have lost their last four on the road in MLS.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 58.7%

Nashville SC – 19.8%

Draw – 21.5%

Xabi Alonso is looking for a big improvement from Bayer Leverkusen against fellow Champions League side RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday. 

After a 3-2 league win at Borussia Monchengladbach, Leverkusen edged to a narrow 1-0 victory at fourth-tier FC Carl Zeiss Jena in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday.

Despite winning their opening two games of the season, and maintaining their impressive unbeaten streak, Alonso said his double-winning side are far from their best selves.

"We know that we can play better and have not yet reached our top level yet. We need to work on that," Alonso told reporters on Friday.

"That's why we want to carry on working. It's a process to achieve that level, but it's our aim, and we're focused on that. And I'm confident we can do it too.

"The players know exactly what they have to do. We have a good flow in our game, and we have to maintain that so that we can work both with and without the ball."

Leverkusen and Leipzig will both play Liverpool, Inter and Atletico Madrid in the revamped Champions League, with Alonso conceding that Saturday's match could be a test of his side's potential in that competition.

"The game with Leipzig is a top match at Champions League level. They are very good opponents with very strong individual and collective quality and a great coach [Marco Rose]."

"We have eight great opponents, and it will for sure be intense, and obviously I am looking forward to going back to Anfield."

Leverkusen captain Lukas Hradecky has been ruled out due to illness and will be replaced by Matej Kovar in goal, Alonso also confirmed.