THURSDAY

CONMEBOL WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: Argentina 1 Uruguay 0

Argentina go top of table

Leo ‘Drama King’ Messi just can’t stay away from the limelight.

The Barcelona battler was the center of attention throughout the summer’s Copa America tournament in the US of A. The blond-tinged terrier was the center of attention when he abruptly gave up playing for Argentina after another summer of suffering. The ginger-bearded final-blower was the center of attention on returning to the fold after a curtailed exile. And Messi is the talk of the town once again with a fitness race to be ready for Argentina’s storming clash against Uruguay, after picking up a hamstring strain against Athletic Bilbao.

The CONMEBOL qualifiers are back in business and after a sluggish start on the road to Russia 2018, the Albiceleste have picked up three wins in a row and are ready to take over top spot from Uruguay. Even without Messi in the ranks, Argentina still boasts a potent offensive attack against the defensive wall that is Uruguay’s back four. But there is a certain Luis Suarez looking to bite back for his country after a Copa stuffed with injury-filled frustration. If normal CONMEBOL games are solar systems of stars, this clash is the Milky Way.

FRIDAY

CONCACAF WC QUALIFIERS: St. Vincent & Grenadines 0 vs USA 6

USA takes care of business

After nearly a century of trying, one of the most torturous sports on the planets will be making its way into the American psyche on Friday as cricket takes center stage. Well, a cricket ground anyway as the USA continues its CONCACAF World Cup qualifying campaign to give those pesky Ruskies a bloody nose in 2018

The Arnos Vale stadium, Kingstown, is the host for TEAM USA who are taking on St. Vincent and the Grenadines – about nine islands to the west of Cuba -  a team that has lost all four of its Group C matches and will need to lose a fifth if the US are to finish top of the group. In fact, Jurgen Klinsmann’s men are in a fairly precarious position, second in the table but three points behind Trinidad and Tobago at the top but just one above Guatemala. The surroundings for Friday’s game may seem idyllic and tranquil – and probably very squishy after a week of rain - but the reaction will be the complete opposite if the US do not pick up three points in paradise.

SATURDAY

C-USA: NEW MEXICO STATE 22 UTEP 38 

All-American college football makes beIN SPORTS debut

beIN SPORTS is now bringing you even more football. Correction…Football. Double correction…All-American, tailgating, hot-dog chomping FOOTBALL FOOTBALL!!!!!!

Conference USA college football has a brand new home. Donovan McNabb, OJ McDuffie, and Ki-Jana Carter lead a crack team of hosts, reporters and experts as the Conference USA college football season gets going under Saturday night lights. Sadly, Ray Hudson will not be part of the commentary team, unless everyone writes in.

The season opener is the 101st edition of the 1-10 rivalry between UTEP Miners against the New Mexico State Aggies, a clash that UTEP has dominated in recent years with the Texans looking for their eighth straight win. Move that sofa into the driveway, wheel the TV outside, get some beers in the cooler and join beIN on a brave new journey into sport.