In honour of Queen Elizabeth II, all Premier League games that had been previously scheduled for this weekend have now been postponed.
The decision was announced on Friday morning, just a day before matchday 7 fixtures would have kicked off and now fans will have to make do without the most exciting league in the world until further notice.
But in the absence of the Premier League’s distinct brand of entertainment and excitement, here are some other matches that could fill the void and provide similar if not equal value to the pining fans this weekend.
Marseille v Lille
Some Premier League would have seen Marseille in their last game as they gave Tottenham a difficult time in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
But that game was their first and only defeat of the season so far as Igor Tudor’s men have been playing fantastic football and getting good results this season.
Marseille are second in Ligue 1 with five wins and a draw going into their next game at home to Lille who currently sit sixth on the log, six points behind Marseille.
Both Marseille and Lille are among the highest-scoring teams in the French league and there will be a good number of ex-Premier League players on show.
Eric Bailly, Matteo Guendouzi, Nuno Tavares, Sead Kolasinac, Chancel Mbemba, Jordan Veretout, Cengiz Under, Alexis Sanchez and Dimitri Payet are the ex-Premier League contingent on Marseille’s books.
Andre Gomes, Angel Gomes, Remy Cabella and Jose Fonte are the Lille players who will be familiar to the Premier League fans watching as the game kicks off at the Stade Velodrome at 8:00 pm Nigerian time
RB Leipzig v Borussia Dortmund
2:30 pm on Saturday at the Red Bull Arena, RB Leipzig will host Borussia Dortmund in what promises to be an exciting, entertaining goal fest.
The previous six instalments of this game have ended with both teams scoring and the same can be expected in this one as well with the two main challengers to Bayern Munich’s throne going head to head.
Leipzig’s Timo Werner is the only ex-Premier League talent on show here but there are plenty of quality players on both sides to pique the interest of fans around the world.
Monaco v Lyon
Two of French football’s traditional top teams in Monaco and Lyon will clash in Ligue 1’s Sunday night late kick-off by 7:45 pm Nigerian time.
This is a match that doesn’t require much in the way of build-up, two of the best teams in France -historically and presently- are going at it, it is a must-watch.
Malang Sarr and Takumi Minamino will be the most recognisable Monaco players to watching Premier League fans while Alexandre Lacazette and Jeff Reine-Adelaide are the equivalents for Lyon.
Real Betis v Villarreal
It’s third v fourth in La Liga this weekend and this is the biggest game in Spain this weekend on the balance of both teams involved.
Both teams are separated by one point, having each won three out of their four league games thus far and they will meet at the Estadio Benito Villamarin to determine superiority at 8 pm on Sunday.
Premier League fans will be familiar with some players on the Villarreal squad such as Francis Coquelin, Giovanni Lo Celso, Ettienne Capoue, Arnaut Danjuma, Juan Foyth, Dani Parejo and even head coach Unai Emery who all spent time in the English top-flight.
William Jose, Sergio Canales, Martin Montoya and Victor Camarasa are the ex-Premier League contingent for Real Betis.
Royale Union Saint Gilloise v KRC Genk
Royale USG and KRC Genk will clash at the Stade Joseph Marien on Sunday by 5:30 pm in what promises to be an exciting game.
The hosts have won four games while the visitors have won five out of seven so far with just three points separating two of the highest-scoring teams in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League.
Premier League fans might know Genk striker Alli Samatta from his short stint with Aston Villa but Nigerians will be more familiar with Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu who leads the line for Genk while Victor Boniface, another Nigerian striker is on the other side for Royale USG.