For the fifth of six league previews to kick of ACROSS THE CONTINENT, we're taking on France's LIGUE 1 and Portugal's LIGA PORTUGAL.

Over in France, we begin with the relegation battle and debate which of the recently promoted teams we like best, as well as why we think OG Nice could be in serious trouble.

Next, we tackle mid-table and European outsiders, including some clubs with unusual financial stability and upside for a league often strapped for cash.

Then, we hit on the usual suspects in the European races, including Lille, Lyon, Rennes, and Lens, sharing concerns for Marseille and excitement for new-challengers Paris FC. Can Liam Rosenior man-age his new side to glory? And finally, just how good do we think Monaco is? Can they actually compete for the title?

For the latter portion of the episode, we head to Portugal, where we're set for yet another photo-finish of a title race between Porto, Sporting, and Benfica. Porto has embraced continuity, Sporting has embraced change, and Benfica swapped Mourinho for Marco Silva – so who has the edge?

We then finish we a trip to the island of Madeira, where its two clubs, Marítimo and Nacional will reignite their derby this season after Marítimo's return to the top flight.

Cheers to Stéphane Dumont!

Chapters:

00:00 – the start

01:24 – Ligue 1 | intro

04:05 – Ligue 1 | relegation

13:45 – Ligue 1 | mid-table

21:18 – Ligue 1 | European push

27:28 – Ligue 1 | Champions League

35:40 – Liga Portugal | title race

41:58 – Liga Portgual | Medeira derby

The Europa League league phase is back, baby!

We begin by discussing Match-Day 1's top stories, including Benfica beating Milan at the San Siro, Besiktas taking it Marseille, Bournemouth's first European win at Real Sociedad, OFI Crete's triumphant return to Europe, and Torreense's famous win in Norway.

Then we revisit our pre-league phase power rankings and refresh the top ten, with a new number one and new additions to the top ten, before moving on to our week's winners and losers, and introducing our new PANIC METER. Spoiler: Marseille and NEC's high-line get high grades.

Finally, fortify our list of teams who can actually win the competition this season – no paper tigers allowed.

Cheers Christos Kontis!

Chapters:

00:00 – the start

2:16 – top stories | Benfica-Milan, Besiktas-Marseille, OFI-Hoffenheim, Bournemouth-Real Sociedad, Torreense-Lillestrom, Crystal Palace-Lech

27:50 – power rankings reflections

34:07 – winners & losers

37:06 – panic meter

45:45 – the teams that can win the Europa League

ACROSS THE CONTINENT returns with our 4th league preview – and this time we're heading over to Germany to take a look at the BUNDESLIGA.

We begin by getting the Bayern and Dortmund plaudits out of the way, including complimenting Dortmund's summer business, before delving into teams we like and dislike.

In the segment, we ask the hard questions. Can new coaches in Leipzig and Leverkusen put the pieces together in time to challenge for Champions League? Is Mainz's attack really this good? And is Gadblach destined for a relegation battle (recorded before the sacking of their coach)?

Naturally, we're aligned on two of our favorites German clubs of late, Stuttgart and Freiburg. What makes them such models of consistency?

Then we discuss the three promoted teams, including Elversberg's dream start to their first ever top flight campaign and Paderborn and Schalke's chances of survival. We also debate which established sides might find themselves in trouble come next spring.

Finally, we reveal our official table predictions for the year and wonder who the hell Vincent Kompany's stylist is.

Cheers to Vincent Kompany and Miron Muslić!

Chapters:

00:00 – the start

06:16 – Bayern & Dortmund

10:41 – teams we're out on

22:40 – teams we're in on

31:57 – promoted teams & relegation candidates

43:04 – official table predictions