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Premiere with favorites in Germany and Italy - First big game in Cyprus
Saturday's schedule is full, with Italy, Germany, Greece and Cyprus making their debuts.
MANCHESTER CITY VS. TOTTENHAM (14:30)
The second matchday of the Premier League brings one of the most interesting pairings, with Manchester City welcoming Tottenham. Both teams started on the right, building psychology and optimism ahead of today's match.
City in the premiere impressively passed through the home of Wolves, prevailing 4-0 and showing their intentions early on. For its part, Tottenham prevailed 3-0 against Burnley, reacting after the shock they suffered in the European Super Cup, where although they led Paris Saint-Germain 2-0, they equalized and lost the title in the penalty shootout.
With their good start in the league, the two gladiators go to the game with a high level of psychology. City appear as favourites in front of their audience, but Tottenham want to confirm that they can rise to the occasion and look the big opponent in the eye.
Bayer Leverkusen is tested away from home against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga premiere, with goals of different ranges but with a good start as a common denominator.
Leverkusen officially started their obligations with an emphatic qualification for the cup, prevailing 4-0 against Sonenhof. In the summer, he invested almost 120 million euros in transfers, clearly showing that he aims to return to the top of German football.
On the other hand, Hoffenheim eliminated Hansa Rostock with the same score (0-4), also looking ready for the new season. In the transfer market, it moved mainly with free players, keeping its philosophy stable.
The premiere in Germany brings together two teams with different ambitions, with Leverkusen appearing as favorites against Hoffenheim who will try to make it difficult.
Sassuolo welcomes Napoli in the Serie A premiere, in a match with a clear favorite. The "Neroverdi" started the year on the right, eliminating Catanzaro Calcio 2011 in the first round of the cup with 1-0, showing that they can be competitive.
Against them, however, is the champion Napoli, which comes from a friendly victory over Olympiacos Piraeus with 2-1 and enters the marathon with the aim of defending its title and remaining at the top of Italian football.
Sassuolo aims for a decent course and a comfortable stay in the top flight, but their task against the "Partenopei" seems particularly difficult. Napoli is the big favorite for the victory, wanting to start the season strong and send a message of continuity to Italy and Europe.
Napoli was significantly strengthened. He spent over 100 million on transfers, while the crowning glory of the reinforcement is De Bruyne, who was acquired on a free transfer from Manchester City.
OLYMPIACOS PIRAEUS-ASTERAS TRIPOLIS (20:00)
Olympiacos Piraeus begins the defense of its title by welcoming Asteras Tripolis at the "Georgios Karaiskakis" stadium. The "reds" enter the new league as the absolute favorite, having worked hard during the summer to be ready from the first matchday.
Without the pressure of the European qualifiers, Olympiacos chose very strong friendlies in Italy, where they suffered defeats by small scores against Napoli (1-0) and Inter (2-0). Despite the results, the team's image was positive, showing good playing condition and room for improvement. With the transfer moves that have been announced, the Piraeus team is expected to raise their level even more.
On the other hand, Asteras Tripolis comes from a 2-1 defeat in the last friendly against Aris Thessaloniki and knows that they have a particularly difficult mission ahead of them.
The premiere brings a clear favorite, with Olympiacos seeking a convincing victory in front of its fans, in order to send a message of readiness and determination for another season at the top.
ANORTHOSIS-OMONIA ARADIPPOU (20:00)
Anorthosis makes its debut in the new league by facing Omonia Aradippou at the "Antonis Papadopoulos" stadium. Both teams are turning a page with new coaches, the Spaniard Joaquin Gomez for the "Lady" and Marino Sacchia for the "pigeons", wanting to start with the right.
The preparation brought concerns, but the many transfers (18 for Anorthosis, 14 for Omonia) give mitigating factors. In the last friendlies, the hosts defeated Spartakos 2-0, while the visitors were defeated 1-0 by Apollon.
Last year's premiere ended in a draw, but Anorthosis has the lead, especially in front of its audience, against an Omonia that will chase the surprise.
A local derby in Limassol with the "good morning", as Aris and Apollon cross their swords in the premiere of the league. The two teams want to start with a victory, but their image so far gives a slight lead to the "Light Brigade".
Aris was eliminated by AEK Athens in extra time with 3-1, but in none of the four 90 minutes of his European career he suffered defeat. Two victories over Puskas Academy and two draws against AEK show a team that is already in a competitive rhythm and enters the season as one of the favorites for the title.
On the other hand, Apollon with Sofronis Avgousti on the bench has been significantly strengthened and seems to have all the background for a better course than last year. In his last friendly he defeated Omonia Aradippou 1-0, confirming that he is on the right track ahead of the premiere.
The game is expected to be ambivalent, with Aris having the readiness of European matches and a small lead in odds, but without underestimating the dynamics of Apollon.