Patrick Beach’s ES Troyes could go three games undefeated in Ligue 1 as the newly promoted side hope to continue their form against Strasbourg this week.
Elsewhere, Hayden Matthews could debut for Bradford City after making the move on loan midweek, while our exciting youngsters continue to find their feet at their new clubs after one of the most exciting transfer windows in Australian football history.
In Focus
ES Troyes building in Ligue 1
Newly promoted ES Troyes have looked at home in Ligue 1 so far this season, and they will be hoping to continue that form this weekend against Strasbourg.
23-year-old goalkeeper Patrick Beach has adapted like a fish to water in his new country and was named Player of the Match in the team’s first Ligue 1 victory in over three years last week.
He will no doubt continue to be a huge part of the team’s success this season as they not only hope to remain in the league, but look to build a platform to catapult them to even greater success in the campaign.
Fixture: ESTAC Troyes v Strasbourg, Sunday 6 September, 11.00pm AEST
Youngsters continue to find feet at new clubs
The European summer transfer window has been touted by some as one of the most exciting in Australian football history, and now, our exciting young talents are hoping to continue to establish themselves as their new clubs.
The likes of Nestory Irankunda, Lucas Herrington, Paul Okon-Engstler and Alessandro Circati have debuted for their new sides in recent weeks, and each weekend provides an opportunity for a breakout performance.
All eyes will be on Herrington’s Hull City on Sunday (AEST). The newly promoted side have been the surprise packet of the Premier League so far, with two wins from two games – the teenager featuring in both – and he could make his Premier League starting debut against Aston Villa.
Match minutes and three points would be a wonderful reward for Herrington on his nineteenth birthday as he continues to show why he is one of Australia’s most exciting young talents.
Fixture: Hull City v Aston Villa, Sunday 6 September, 2.30am AEST
Matthews moves to Bradford City
Hayden Matthews has gone out on loan this week, tasked with helping promotion hopefuls Bradford City lift out of League One.
The 22-year-old made his debut for the CommBank Socceroos in November 2024 in a World Cup qualifier against Bahrain. On the back of his national team debut, and impressive performances for Sydney FC, he moved to EFL Championship side Portsmouth in January 2025.
He was called up by Head Coach Tony Popovic for the Pre-World Cup Training Camp in May this year, but a lack of game time at club level due to injuries and competition for places meant that he was not selected in the final squad.
The young defender will hope that this move can remind both Popovic and the Portsmouth hierarchy of his talent as he guns for another shot at the top level.
Fixture: Bradford City v Mansfield, Sunday 6 September, 12.00am AEST
Midweek Headlines
Jackson Irvine continued his fantastic start to life in Japan, playing the full match to help Cerezo Osaka to their 2-0 victory over Kashiwa Reysol. He created three chances and made nine defensive contributions in the victory, including the interception that led directly to his team winning the penalty for the second goal. Osaka’s record currently reads three wins and two losses in the J1 League this season.
Result: Cerezo Osaka 2 – 0 Kashiwa Reysol
Harry Souttar continues to impress in a Leicester City shirt, helping his side keep a clean sheet in their 2-0 victory against Plymouth. He made three tackles and seven clearances, winning 6/7 of his ground duels and all four of his duels in the air. The Foxes will hope the midweek win can spur them back to their form of old after a disappointing start to life in League One.
Result: Leicester City 2 – 0 Plymouth
Midweek Results
Cristian Volpato (Sassuolo, Serie A) – 54 minutes in 4-3 penalty victory (1-1 after extra time) v Frosinone in Coppa Italia
Alessandro Circati (SL Benfica, Liga Portugal) – unused substitute in 2-1 victory over Estoril
Mohamed Toure (Norwich City, EFL Championship) – 71 minutes in 1-0 defeat to Stoke City
Alex Robertson (Cardiff City, EFL Championship) – 89 minutes in 2-1 defeat to QPR
Joe Gauci (Lincoln City, EFL Championship) – unused substitute in 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers
Sam Silvera (MK Dons, EFL League One) – 38 minutes in 3-1 defeat to Wigan Athletic
Cammy Devlin (Rangers, Scottish Premiership) – 58 minutes in 2-1 victory over Falkirk
Martin Boyle (Hibernian, Scottish Premiership) – 73 minutes in 3-1 defeat to Hearts
Nicholas D’Agostino (Viking FK, Eliteserien) – not in matchday squad for 3-1 victory against Brodd in Norwegian Cup
Gianni Stensness (Viking FK, Eliteserien) – not in matchday squad for 3-1 victory against Brodd in Norwegian Cup
Tete Yengi (Machida Zelvia, J1 League) – 60 minutes in 2-1 come-from-behind victory against Kawasaki to go top of table
Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata; J2 League) – started and played full game in 2-1 victory over Thespa Gunma in the League Cup
Upcoming fixtures
Nestory Irankunda (Sporting CP, Liga Portugal) – v Nacional, Sunday 6 September, 5.30am AEST
Alessandro Circati (SL Benfica, Liga Portugal) – v Maritimo, Sunday 6 September, 3.00am AEST
Maty Ryan (Levante, La Liga) – v Málaga, Monday 7 September, 2.30am AEST
Cristian Volpato (Sassuolo, Serie A) – v Bologna, Monday 7 September, 2.00am AEST
Paul Okon-Engstler (FC Köln, Bundesliga) – v VfB Stuttgart, Saturday 5 September, 4.30am AEST
Alex Robertson (Cardiff City, EFL Championship) – v Portsmouth, Sunday 6 September, 12.00am AEST
Joe Gauci (Lincoln City, EFL Championship) – v Southhampton, Saturday 5 September, 9.30pm AEST
Riley McGree (Middlesbrough, EFL Championship) – v QPR, Sunday 6 September, 12.00am AEST
Mohamed Toure (Norwich City, EFL Championship) – v Sheffield United, Sunday 6 September, 12.00am AEST
Harry Souttar (Leicester City, EFL League One) – v Oxford United, Sunday 12.00am AEST
Sam Silvera (MK Dons, EFL League One) – v Wycombe, Sunday 12.00am AEST
Martin Boyle (Hibernian, Scottish Premiership) – v St Johnstone, Monday 7 September, 12.00am AEST
Cammy Devlin (Rangers, Scottish Premiership) – v Motherwell, Sunday 12.00am AEST
Connor Metcalfe (FC St. Pauli, 2. Bundesliga) – v Arminia Bielefeld, Saturday 5 September, 2.30am AEST
Nishan Velupillay (FC Ingolstadt, 3. Liga) – v Alemannia Aachen, Saturday 5 September, 5.00am AEST
Paul Izzo (Randers, Danish Superliga) – v Brøndby IF, Monday 7 September, 2.00am AEST
Ryan Teague (KV Mechelen, Belgian Pro League) – v Westerlo, Sunday 6 September, 2.15am AEST
Jacob Italiano (Grazer AK, Austrian Bundesliga) – v FC Kitzbühel, Monday 7 September, 12.00am AEST
Nicholas D’Agostino (Viking FK, Eliteserien) – v Sandefjord, Saturday 5.00am AEST
Gianni Stensness (Viking FK, Eliteserien) – v Sandefjord, Saturday 5.00am AEST
Deni Juric (Wisla Plock, Ekstraklasa) – v Pogon Szczecin, Tuesday 8 September, 4.30am AEST
Patrick Yazbek (Nashville SC, MLS) – v New York City FC, Saturday 5 September, 9.30am AEST
Max Balard (NAC Breda, Eerste Divisie) – v RKC Waalwijk, Sunday 6 September, 4.00am AEST
Tete Yengi (Machida Zelvia, J1 League) – v Nagoya Grampus, Sunday 7 September, 7.00pm AEST
Jackson Irvine (Cerezo Osaka, J1 League) – v Tokyo Verdy, Sunday 7 September, 8.00pm AEST
Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata; J2 League) – v Yokohama FC, Sunday 6 September, 7.00pm AEST
Ajdin Hrustic (Al Nasr; UAE Pro League) – v Ajman, Monday 7 September, 10.45pm AEST
Unavailable
Kai Trewin (New York City FC, MLS) – Injured
Aiden O’Neill (New York City FC, MLS) – Injured
Kye Rowles (D.C United, MLS) – Injured
Jordy Bos (Feyenoord, Eredivisie) – Injured
Lewis Miller (Blackburn, EFL Championship) – Injured
Cameron Burgess (Swansea City; EFL Championship) – Injured