diff --git a/espn_api/football/league.py b/espn_api/football/league.py
index b4abf564..a07a8166 100644
--- a/espn_api/football/league.py
+++ b/espn_api/football/league.py
@@ -185,9 +185,9 @@ def scoreboard(self, week: int = None) -> List[Matchup]:
 
         for team in self.teams:
             for matchup in matchups:
-                if matchup.home_team == team.team_id:
+                if matchup._home_team_id == team.team_id:
                     matchup.home_team = team
-                elif matchup.away_team == team.team_id:
+                elif matchup._away_team_id == team.team_id:
                     matchup.away_team = team
 
         return matchups
diff --git a/espn_api/football/matchup.py b/espn_api/football/matchup.py
index cbc397cd..b5fa5262 100644
--- a/espn_api/football/matchup.py
+++ b/espn_api/football/matchup.py
@@ -1,10 +1,14 @@
+from .team import Team
+
 class Matchup(object):
     '''Creates Matchup instance'''
     def __init__(self, data):
         self.matchup_type = data.get('playoffTierType', 'NONE')
         self.is_playoff = self.matchup_type != 'NONE'
-        (self.home_team, self.home_score) = self._fetch_matchup_info(data, 'home')
-        (self.away_team, self.away_score) = self._fetch_matchup_info(data, 'away')
+        (self._home_team_id, self.home_score) = self._fetch_matchup_info(data, 'home')
+        (self._away_team_id, self.away_score) = self._fetch_matchup_info(data, 'away')
+        self.home_team: Team
+        self.away_team: Team
 
     def __repr__(self):
         return f'Matchup({self.home_team}, {self.away_team})'