The 2023 soccer calendar is packed with handsomely-looking encounters, giving supporters across the globe plenty to look forward to over the next 11 months.
From Europe’s top-five leagues to the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, let’s take a look at the best soccer games that you can stream live thanks to TheSportsToday this calender year:
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1. Derby della Madonnina – February 6
Not many rivalries in world soccer draw as much attention as the famous Derby della Madonnina, especially now that AC Milan and Inter Milan are going head-to-head for the Serie A title.
Old foes shared the spoils in the reverse fixture back in November as Stefan de Vrij’s own goal cancelled out Hakan Calhanoglu’s deadlock-breaker from the spot.
With five points currently separating the sides and Inter having a game in hand, Milan will see the upcoming showdown as their best opportunity to whittle down the gap.
However, the Rossoneri will have to defy their underwhelming recent H2H record if they are to beat Simone Inzaghi’s high-flyers, having won just one of their last ten Serie A meetings with bitter rivals.
2. Manchester derby – March 3
Manchester City and Manchester United are set to trade tackles at the Etihad Stadium in one of the most highly anticipated fixtures on the Premier League soccer schedule.
Pep Guardiola’s team cruised to a scintillating 2-0 win at Old Trafford back in November and will be looking to complete their first top-flight double over cross-town rivals since 2018/19.
Though we are only past the half-point of the season, the Cityzens seem to be on course of defending the Premier League title following another stunning run of form.
In the meantime, United’s abysmal form in the first half of the season saw the Theatre of Dreams chiefs appoint Ralf Rangnick as a new chief of staff at the expense of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, back in November.
3. Liverpool vs Manchester United – March 19
Anfield will play host to a mouth-watering Premier League meeting between Liverpool and Man United on March 19.
The Red Devils will have revenge looming in the forefront of their minds when they take this trip following a humiliating 5-0 defeat in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford earlier this season.
Since parting ways with Solskjaer in November, the three-time European champions have enjoyed quite a renaissance, going unbeaten in nine of their ten top-flight matches.
Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp’s men remain in contention for the league crown as they trail pacesetters Man City by 12 points, albeit they have two games in hand.
4. El Clasico – March 20
Ordinarily this mammoth La Liga match-up between Real Madrid and Barcelona- two giants of Spanish and European football – would have a significant bearing on the title race.
But while Los Merengues have met high expectations so far this season, the mighty Catalans have suffered an epic downfall on the back of Lionel Messi’s departure for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.
With Messi and his arch-nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo no longer in the picture, El Clasico has lost some of its lustre.
However, the latest installment of this long-standing rivalry reminded soccer fans around the globe of the high-octane intensity El Clasico has often delivered throughout the years.
Madrid squeezed past the Camp Nou outfit 3-2 in their Supercopa de Espana semi-final tie in January, courtesy of Federico Valverde’s extra-time winner.
5. Der Klassiker – April 23
The 108th edition of the famed Bundesliga Der Klassiker pits Bayern Munich against arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena on April 23.
Even though the Bavarians remain firmly in the driving seat to land a record-extending tenth Bundesliga title in a row, Die Borussen still harbour faint hopes of dethroning fierce opposition come May.
Much could change between now and April, but Marco Rose’s men remain the only viable candidates to end Bayern’s long-term reign of dominance in Germany’s top-flight.
If they can keep pace with Julian Nagelsmann’s overachieving team, Dortmund will fancy their chances in Munich, where they last won a Bundesliga match in April 2014.
6. El Derbi Madrileno – May 8
Unlike last season, where they were going blow-for-blow and stride-for-stride for most of the league campaign, miles are separating Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid this time around.
Atletico’s hopes of winning back-to-back La Liga crowns for the first time in over 70 years already look far-fetched as they sit a whopping 13 points adrift of leaders Real.
Though Los Rojiblancos are unlikely to bridge the gap by the time the 170th edition of La Liga El Derbi takes place at the Wanda Metropolitano, Diego Simeone’s warriors won’t go down without a fight.
After falling to a 2-0 loss at the Santiago Bernabeu in December, the reigning Spanish champions could lose both seasonal meetings with Los Merengues in La Liga for the first time since 2012/13.
7. Champions League Final – May 28
Arguably the most significant fixture on the European soccer schedule of any club season is scheduled to take place at the Krestovsky Stadium on May 28.
In addition to defending champions Chelsea, all of the remaining three Premier League sides, Man City, Man United and Liverpool, will stake their claim for the coveted prize.
But watch out for a star-studded PSG that boasts one of the most intimidating rosters in modern football history, even though they have yet to find their identity under Mauricio Pochettino.
Bayern, who lifted the crown in 2019/20 in a truly dominant fashion, can never be written off as genuine contenders, with the same going for Real and Inter.
8. World Cup Final – December 18
Often considered a pinnacle of soccer professionals’ careers, the World Cup Final is one of the most prestigious events in the world of sports.
The 2023 showpiece that will be staged at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on December 18 will be an absolute highlight of the 2023 soccer calendar.
Reigning world champions France will be looking to become the first national team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win the tournament twice on the trot.
However, competition for worldwide glory will be fierce, with Germany and Brazil emerging as out-and-out candidates to spoil Les Bleus’ efforts.
