The Pulse of Football

Nov

2025

Preview: Manchester City looking for result against Champions League strugglers Leverkusen

Man City are looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat against Newcastle United in the Premier League at the weekend as they host Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

By Matt Smith

Leverkusen, now managed by former Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand, have won their previous three games in all competitions, including a 1-0 victory over Benfica in Europe. This is the first meeting between the two sides in this competition, in a game where Man City will be hoping to climb to the top of the table.

Team news

Man City will be without midfield duo Rodri and Mateo Kovačić for this one, with both players remaining on the treatment table once again. Pep Guardiola could have a fully fit squad to choose from other than that, but the same can’t be said for Leverkusen heading into this game.

Hjulmand will be without a host of players, including Robert Andrich and Edmond Tapsoba, who are both suspended. Equi Fernández and Exequiel Palacios are also injured, leaving Leverkusen short of options in the middle of the park. Arthur, Lucas Vázquez, and Janis Blaswich could also miss out.

City yet to click in final third

Man City are yet to fully click in the final third in the Champions League, which might sound crazy considering they’ve won three out of four of their games so far this season, drawing once.

Guardiola’s side have scored 10 goals in the competition so far this season, but they’ve only produced 7 xG, ranking them 13th in the Champions League. They’ve also created just 12 big chances, so it’s scary to think how strong they could be if they start producing more chances in the final third over the coming weeks and months. It’s a real opportunity for the Citizens to go top of the table, bouncing back from their Premier League disappointment this weekend.

Leverkusen struggling at both ends

Leverkusen have found it difficult in the Champions League this season, despite an impressive result in the competition last time out. So far, they’ve averaged 2.5 goals conceded per game, which is going to make it incredibly difficult for them to advance into the next round.

The Bundesliga outfit currently sit in 21st position in the table, picking up five points from four games. As it stands, they will advance into the round of 16 playoffs, but that’s far from guaranteed, and they could drop out this week if results don’t go their way.

Foden flourishing in Europe this season

Erling Haaland is, understandably, taking a lot of the plaudits this season, which is nothing unusual. One player who has started to look like he could be getting back to his best is Phil Foden, and he’s flourished in the Champions League particularly.

*Best FotMob rated players in the Champions League*

The England international has been City’s highest-rated player this season, winning player of the match twice, ranking fifth in the whole competition. With three goals and assists combined including a brace last time out, Foden could be the player to watch in this one.

Prediction

Especially on their own turf, it’s difficult to see past a Man City win in this one. We’re going for a 3-1 victory to the English side.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Champions League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, physical metrics, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Nov

2025

Preview: Chelsea face Barcelona in Stamford Bridge throwback

It’s been one of the best matchups in the modern Champions League era, producing some of the competitions most memorable and dramatic moments. Chelsea host Barcelona for the first time in nearly a decade.

By Alex Roberts

Both sides have had their ups and downs in Europe’s elite club competitions so far this season, with unexpected draws against Club Brugge and Qarabağ in the previous round of fixtures in need of rectifying on Tuesday.

Whichever side wins this one will be handed a major boost in their pursuit of a top eight finish, avoided a potentially devastating play-off clash and earn a place in the round of 16.

Lamine Yamal vs Estêvão

Estêvão has only been at Chelsea for around six months, but his influence on and off the pitch has been tremendous. The Stamford Bridge faithful are already mentioning him in the same breath as Barcelona’s very own teenage saviour.

Yamal is obviously a little further ahead in his development considering he finished second in football’s biggest popularity contest earlier in the year (the Ballon d’Or), but Enzo Maresca continues to manage Estêvão’s minutes perfectly.

It’s unlikely that Estêvão will get the nod over Pedro Neto, who has been one of Chelsea’s best players this season, for such an important game. Still, this feels like a rivalry we’ll be talking about for years to come.

There should be goals

Both Chelsea and Barcelona are probably the best attacking sides in their respective leagues. Maresca’s side lead the way in terms of xG (22.5), shots on target per 90 (5.6), and big chances created (39), in the Premier League.

As for Hansi Flick’s lads, they top the charts for goals per match (2.8), shots on target per match (8.0), and big chances created (50) in LaLiga, although you could argue the standard of the division means they are facing some lower quality sides on a more regular basis.

These two teams have been incredibly impressive in front of goal this season, but at the other end of the pitch they’ve had their struggles, so expect plenty of chances and hopefully plenty of goals.

Team news

Maresca appeared to rest a few big names in Chelsea’s 2-0 Premier League win over Burnley on Saturday, so expect Moisés Caicedo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Wesley Fofana to come back into the starting 11 for this one.

Chelsea fans were anxious when Reece James was brought off at half time, but Maresca has since confirmed that there was no injury, and he’s in the frame to start.

They will be without star man Cole Palmer, however, after the talismanic number ten fractured his toe while at home. Roméo Lavia (thigh), Dário Essugo (thigh) and Levi Colwill (knee) are also still sidelined.

Marcus Rashford’s return to England has been thrown into doubt due to an illness, but luckily for Barcelona, they have Raphinha back from a hamstring injury.

Frenkie de Jong is back after serving a domestic suspension, but Pedri (hamstring), Gavi (knee) and Marc-André ter Stegen (back) are all out.

Prediction

As we said, there should be plenty of goals in this one, but there really isn’t that much between the two sides, and the home advantage will certainly help Chelsea, so we’re going with 2-2.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Champions League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Nov

2025

Preview: Monday Night Football from Old Trafford

Manchester United host Everton at Old Trafford on Monday night as Ruben Amorim’s side look to continue their unbeaten run.

By Matt Smith

The Toffees picked up an impressive 2-0 victory at home to Fulham last time out, while the Red Devils secured a point thanks to a late equaliser against Tottenham in their previous game.

The last competitive meeting between the two sides ended in a stalemate, with Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte both scoring in the second half to overturn a 2-0 deficit.

Team news

United will be without Benjamin Šeško after he picked up a knee injury against Tottenham last time out, while Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez are also likely unavailable. Matheus Cunha picked up an injury in training at the weekend, so he’s a doubt for the home side.

David Moyes recently confirmed that Merlin Rohl had undergone a minor surgery for a hernia problem, so he’s set to be on the treatment table for the next few weeks. Jarrad Branthwaite and Nathan Patterson remain out.

Man Utd struggling to convert

Producing opportunities hasn’t been an issue for United this season, but they might feel that they could be battling in the European places if they were a little more clinical in front of goal. The Red Devils have produced 5.1 shots on target per match, more than high-flying Arsenal, but they’ve converted just 12% of them.

*Shots on target per 90 in the Premier League*

Amorim has been looking to find a solution with Cunha regularly playing in a centre-forward role, but there’s a chance he is forced to deploy someone like Joshua Zirkzee, with Cunha a doubt and Šeško injured. There have certainly been signs of improvement for United this season, but they are far from perfect.

Everton blunt in front of goal

Everton’s production in front of goal is that of a relegation-threatened side this season. The Merseyside club have scored just 1.1 goals per game, ranking them 18th in the Premier League table. Moyes’ men have been creating more chances under him this term, predominantly due to the form of Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish.

Luckily for Everton, they’ve conceded just 1.2 goals per game, but they’ll have to start producing in the final third if they want to climb the table. A win would see Everton climb above Liverpool for the first time this season.

Mbeumo to take the responsibility

If Cunha is unavailable, there will be a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of Bryan Mbeumo in the attack. No player has scored more for United than the Cameroonian international this season, finding the back of the net four times in his last four games.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Amorim deploy him in a false nine role if Cunha is out. With Šeško also on the treatment table, that leaves United with just Zirkzee as a natural striker, but Amorim clearly doesn’t fancy the Dutch forward.

Prediction

Moyes’ record against the bigger sides hasn’t been great in his career, so we’re going for a 2-1 win to United at Old Trafford.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, physical metrics, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Nov

2025

Preview: Inter Miami face FC Cincinnati in Conference Semi

Inter Miami’s quest for a coveted MLS Cup continues in Ohio this weekend, where they travel to face Eastern Conference regular season runners-up FC Cincinnati.

By James Nalton

Were the regular season tables sorted on goal difference, Inter Miami would have hosted this game in Fort Lauderdale, but MLS uses wins before goal difference in its tiebreakers, and Cincinnati had one more victory.

Those narrow margins separating the two in the league table are also an indication that this will not be an easy game for Javier Mascherano’s side.

Messi returns to the scene of semifinal heroics

Inter Miami don’t have the best head-to-head record against Sunday’s opposition in recent years.

They have only defeated FC Cincinnati once in five games in MLS play since the arrival of Messi, Luis Suárez, et al — a 2-0 win at home in August 2024, which was a game Messi missed through injury.

Messi himself has never tasted victory in MLS against the team from Ohio, but he does have a memorable moment against them in knockout competition, which could bode well for Sunday.

Back in 2023, before MLS started to controversially exclude its top teams from the nation’s domestic cup competition, Messi inspired Inter Miami to a comeback against FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semifinal.

It remains one of the highlights of Messi’s time in US soccer to date, as two brilliant assists brought his team back from 2-0 down before they triumphed on penalties with Messi himself scoring the opening spot kick.

He’ll be looking to do the same in this conference semifinal, but will be hoping that it’s more straightforward and that no dramatic comeback is required on this occasion.

The Suárez conundrum

With Suárez back from suspension, he will likely be in the starting lineup alongside Messi, but some Inter Miami fans are beginning to suggest that the team might be stronger without him in the XI.

The Uruguayan’s output has still been good in 2025, as he scored ten goals and made ten assists in the regular season, though it is down on last season’s impressive return of 20 goals in 27 games.

The convincing 4-0 win in game three of the first round best-of-three against Nashville came with Suárez suspended for violent conduct in the previous game.

Such performances in his absence, where younger players come in in his stead, inevitably lead to suggestions that the additional energy gives Miami a better chance.

Suárez, however, retains the intelligence that saw him become one of the top strikers in the world, if not the physical attributes, and Messi would likely prefer him in the team than out of it.

Opposition watch: FC Cincinnati and Evander

In any other year, the performance of Cincinnati’s Brazilian attacking midfielder Evander would be considered an all-timer.

His 32 goals and assists combined in the 2025 regular season would have put him sixth on the league’s all-time list for this statistic, but this year saw several remarkable performances in this regard.

Messi recorded the most ever with 45 (per the global definition for assists — MLS includes some second assists, which puts Carlos Vela’s 2019 season top), while the league’s 2025 Newcomer of the Year, Anders Dreyer of San Diego FC, finished the regular season with 36.

This puts Evander eighth on the all-time list for this stat, but this kind of output nevertheless shows that Cincinnati themselves have a potential MLS all-timer on their hands, if he can maintain such a level.

Knocking Inter Miami and Messi out of the playoffs at home in Ohio would certainly contribute to that.

Prediction

With Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba retiring at the end of this season, Inter Miami need to win if they’re to give them the sendoff expected of the club, which is an MLS Cup win. With so much on the line, these experienced Miami stars should get the job done, but it won’t be easy.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every MLS game live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Nov

2025

Preview: The first North London Derby of the season

The North London rivals lock horns at The Emirates Stadium in the ‘Do We Have To?’ Derby on Sunday, as Arsenal seek to consolidate their position at the top of the Premier League.

By Ian King

Arsenal now have Manchester City plainly in their rear-view mirror

In the 92nd minute of Arsenal’s last match at Sunderland, Brian Brobbey blew a bit of a hole in the arguments that this year’s Premier League title race is already done and dusted by equalising for the home team, and the question now is whether Mikel Arteta has had his puncture repair kit out over the international break.

Arsenal have been the best team in the Premier League so far this season and deserve the four point lead they had over the chasing pack going in to the weekend, but Manchester City’s 3-0 mauling of Liverpool left them firmly in their rear-view mirror. Objects in your mirror are closer than they appear, and all that.

Spurs, meanwhile, remain something of a curate’s egg of a team, though if you believed some of the more hysterical responses to their recent matches you’d think they were fifth from bottom in the table rather from fifth from the top. They reached Peak Spurs by taking the lead in injury-time against Manchester United in their last outing before losing it again a couple of minutes later.

Spurs recent record against Arsenal is…not good

There can be no sugarcoating the fact that Spurs have only taken one point from their last six games in the North London Derby, and their record at The Emirates Stadium is pretty abysmal. By next summer, Arsenal will have been there for twenty years, and Spurs have only ever won there twice, 2-0 in the League Cup in December 2018 and 3-2 in the League in November 2010.

It could be a long afternoon for Spurs’ central defence

With injuries having affected much of their front line so far this season, much may depend on Leandro Trossard, who came off the bench to put Arsenal 2-1 up at Sunderland a fortnight ago and who may start this one, if injuries are continuing to bite. If they’re planning a set-piece assault on the Spurs defence, Micky van de Ven will need to be on top of his defensive game for Spurs. He could be in for a busy afternoon.

The Gabriel injury is a big loss for Mikel Arteta

The big Premier League international break news was of an injury to Gabriel during Brazil’s friendly match against Senegal at – *checks notes* – The Emirates Stadium. He’s going to be out for a few weeks. Viktor Gyökeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus are all (or have been) varying degrees of injured, but Gyökeres, Martinelli and Madueke could return, though at the time of writing no word has been given that any of them will.

Spurs remain without James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Dominic Solanke, Ben Davies, Radu Dragusin, Yves Bissouma, Archie Gray, Kota Takai and Lucas Bergvall. In addition to these players, Randal Kolo Muani is also now out with a jaw injury. There’s better news on the Mohammed Kudus front, though. He ended up missing both Spurs’ last game against Manchester United and both of Ghana’s matches during the international break, but could return for this one, though I’ve said this before. Bergvall, Takai and Gray could return, while Cristian Romero and Pape Sarr should also be okay to play.

This derby may not be a thriller, and that’s just the way Arsenal like it

Spurs’ recent abysmal record in this fixture doesn’t offer much hope for their supporters of anything beyond a comfortable home win. Some of the criticism of Thomas Frank’s team this season has been a little over the top, but it remains the case that they exist in a curious state of being simultaneously completely predictable and utterly unpredictable. Schrodinger’s XI, if you will. If they’re completely on their game, they could take something from this, but few of the omens look positive.

Arsenal dropping points at Sunderland in their last match before the international break allowed Manchester City to trim their lead at the top of the table, but we’ll need to see more evidence before it can be said with any degree of certainty that they’re wobbling at the top of the Premier League table. The reliance on set-pieces may look a little agricultural at times, but it’s been working, and their lead at the top of a Premier League that is so tight below them gives them a valuable buffer.

With all of that in mind, it’s difficult to see past the home win, so I’ll say 1-0 to the Arsenal, and, just as we’ve already seen three times in the Premier League already this season, that’s just the way they like it.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Nov

2025

Preview: Real Madrid aim to get back to winning ways against Elche

Real Madrid travel to face Elche on Sunday evening in LaLiga as they look to bounce back to winning ways domestically.

By Ross Kilvington

In their last match before the international break, Madrid drew 0-0 with a stubborn Rayo Vallecano side, although the club still hold a three-point advantage at the top of the table.

Several Real Madrid players suffered injuries during the international break

Xabi Alonso will be glad that this was the final international break until March, with several of his players being sent home early.

Defender Éder Militão was brought off by Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti against Tunisia after suffering an adductor injury.

Elsewhere, Dean Huijsen withdrew from the Spanish squad due to a groin issue and both players remain doubts for the match against Elche.

Given the fact Antonio Rüdiger and Dani Carvajal also remain missing, Alonso may be forced to play David Alaba – who has suffered his own injury issues of late – and Raúl Asencio at the heart of the defence.

For the second international break in a row, Kylian Mbappé was sent home from the French squad, while compatriot Eduardo Camavinga was also sent back to Madrid to undergo tests.

The games are piling up thick and fast for Madrid between now and Christmas. Hardly the ideal time for Alonso to start losing some of his regular starters.

Elche eyeing upset

Former Madrid academy player and Elche defender, Victor Chust, is eyeing up a famous win against Los Blancos this weekend.

“We are capable of beating Madrid, we believe we can. The group has a lot of confidence, and we are working very hard every day for it. I’m sure we’ll get a good result if we go out there and play our style of football and enjoy ourselves.” Said the Spaniard.

Elche are sitting comfortably in mid-table after 12 matches, losing just three times in LaLiga this season. They have already taken points from Atlético Madrid, Celta Vigo, Real Sociedad and Real Betis this season, scoring 13 goals in the process.

With injuries at the Bernabéu piling up, now could be the perfect opportunity to welcome the club to the Estadio Martínez Valero.

Team news

Defender Pedro Bigas remains the only absentee for the home side, with manager Eder Sarabia having a near full strength squad to choose from.

As mentioned, Alonso has a major injury crisis on his hands. Rüdiger, Carvajal, Franco Mastantuono, Aurélien Tchouaméni are all definitely missing for this match.

Furthermore, doubts remain over Militão, Huijsen, Mbappé, Camavinga, Thibaut Courtois and Federico Valverde ahead of Sunday evening.

Alonso will be aiming at least some of the doubts are able to take part in the game.

Prediction

Despite Madrid likely traveling with a threadbare squad, they should have enough to see off Elche on Sunday evening.

The home side have lost three of their previous five LaLiga games, failing to win any of the other two. As such, we at FotMob predict a straightforward 2-0 win for Madrid.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow all the games from LaLiga on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Nov

2025

Preview: Barca host Athletic Club as they return to the Camp Nou after 909 days away

The defending Spanish champions host Nico Williams’ Athletic at Spotify Camp Nou’s grand reopening

By Filip Mishov

Barça return home, ending a two-and-a-half-year wait

Barcelona’s long-awaited homecoming is set for Saturday after LaLiga finally authorised the Spanish champions’ return to Spotify Camp Nou for the upcoming clash against Athletic Club, in what would be the first match at the now-renovated stadium since May 2023. With Hansi Flick‘s squad already boasting a flawless record with five wins at the various home venues they’ve used in Spain’s top tier this season, Barça are now scheduled to play five home matches across all competitions over the next month, the return to Camp Nou comes at a perfect time.

Unlike the Culers, the Basque visitors will not be thrilled about the news, as Athletic Club are without a league win at Barcelona in 24 years, or more precisely since 2001/02. Furthermore, the Red and Whites have left Catalonia without defeat on only five occasions across all competitions in the past couple of decades, most recently in 2018. This season, the record of Ernesto Valverde‘s squad away from Bilbao is not one to be proud of, with only one win, one draw, and three defeats accompanied by negative goal difference (-3).

Key players

Robert Lewandowski resumed goalscoring and leadership duties in a Barca shirt just before the November international break with an emphatic hat-trick against Celta Vigo, earning him a FotMob rating of 9.6 despite having the fewest touches (28) of any outfield player to play 90 minutes. The 37-year-old continued his impressive form by scoring one goal and recording a couple of assists for Poland as well, and the prolific striker’s performances will continue to be key for his club given Lamine Yamal and Raphinha‘s questionable availability.

Fittingly, Joan Laporta’s no. 1 target over the past couple of summer transfer windows – Nico Williams will step out as the first “villain” since the stadium’s reopening. The lethal forward rejected a move to Barça both in the last window and last year, and even though the 23-year-old is still finding his form this season, the Spanish international is Athletic’s best and most dangerous player. With two goals, an assist and nine chances created, the younger Williams brother is the Bilbao-based club’s joint-top scorer and assist maker.

Team news

The feud between Barcelona and Spain’s FA continued for yet another international window with Lamine Yamal the centre of attention after a late injury ruled the prodigy out of international duty. The 18-year-old has since returned to training ahead of Saturday’s clash, as did Marc Casadó. Frenkie de Jong serves a one-match suspension after his recent red card, while Marc-André ter Stegen, Gavi and Pedri remain out, but on a positive note, Joan García and Raphinha are also back in training and expected to play.

Things are not must better among Athletic’s squad with key players like Beñat Prados, Maroan Sannadi and Iñaki Williams all ruled out with injuries. Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams, however, are expected to start after recovering from injury.

Prediction

Barça are heavy favourites given their quality, form and most importantly, the big occasion. Also, Hansi Flick and all those players who’ve joined or broken through to the first team are yet to experience the magic of Camp Nou, making a win almost a certainty. As always, though, do not rule out Barca conceding a goal thanks to Flick’s favoured high risk high line.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from LaLiga with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings. Download the free app here.

Nov

2025

Preview: Manchester City head to the Toon

Manchester City could move to within one point of Arsenal with another statement result away to Newcastle United on Saturday.

By Graham Ruthven

City’s title statement

The November international break came at a bad time for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s team pulled off a big win against Liverpool in their last outing, but that was two weeks ago. They were denied the chance to build further momentum.

Another result away to Newcastle United on Saturday, however, would move City to within one point of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League with the Gunners not playing until Sunday.

Conversely, the international break gave Newcastle an opportunity to reset after two defeats in their previous three league games. Eddie Howe will expect a much better showing than the one produced in the defeats to Brentford and West Ham.

Under Howe, Newcastle have made St James’ Park one of the Premier League’s toughest venues to visit. The home fans could play an important role in Saturday’s game.

Three points in the North East on Saturday evening would be a big moment in Manchester City’s season, potentially causing many to question whether they wrote off their title chances too early.

Key players

Newcastle’s midfield unit will physically test Manchester City with Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali capable of dominating any opponent on their day. Guimarães in particular will be valuable as the Magpies’ anchor.

Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw will have to be in top form to keep City’s forward line – and one forward in particular – at arm’s length. The pair will be Newcastle’s defensive basis.

If Newcastle are to inflict some damage of their own on the visitors, though, Nick Woltemade is likely to be key. The German has netted four goals in eight league games and will lead the line for the Magpies on Saturday.

Erling Haaland can’t stop scoring. This has been true for the majority of the Norwegian’s career to date, but he has reached new heights this season, netting 14 times in just 11 league games.

If anything, City have been too reliant on Haaland’s goals this season even if Jérémy Doku has made a step up. The Belgian was outstanding against Liverpool and will be a threat out wide at St James’ Park too.

Nico O’Reilly could also be key to preventing Newcastle from causing damage on the break. Manchester City suffered badly in defensive transition last season and O’Reilly has shown himself to be a solution.

Team news

Dan Burn will miss out for Newcastle through suspension after seeing red at Brentford with Tino Livramento also sidelined. Yoane Wissa is still awaiting his debut for the Magpies while Anthony Gordon and Nick Pope will face late fitness tests.

Rodri hasn’t started a league game for September and is expected to be unavailable for the trip to the North East this weekend. Mateo Kovačić is another midfield absentee for the away team.

Otherwise, Manchester City have a clean bill of health for the away match against Newcastle.

Prediction

With the frontline strikers from both sides having an excellent international break, we’re expecting goals in this one, and perhaps an improved, albeit ultimately fruitless, performance from the Magpies: Newcastle United 1-2 Man City.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025/26 Premier League season with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Nov

2025

Preview: Liverpool gearing up for Forest clash

Nottingham Forest, under former Everton boss Sean Dyche, travel to Anfield on Saturday afternoon looking to extend Liverpool’s run of poor form.

By Sam McGuire

The story so far

Liverpool’s start to the season was perfect. Granted, performances weren’t great, Arne Slot’s side kept finding ways to win and it felt like a matter of when and not if the new-look side would finally click.

However, this wasn’t the case. Performances didn’t improve and the reigning champions just stopped winning. They lost four on the bounce in the Premier League, were defeated by Galatasaray in the Champions League and were ruthlessly knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Crystal Palace.

The Reds looked a little more themselves against Aston Villa but were brought back down to earth with a bump at the Etihad in a 3-0 loss before the international break. Slot’s side find themselves eighth in the English top flight. Over the last five matches, only Wolves (one) have picked up fewer points.

They really have been in freefall and they’re up against a team in Nottingham Forest who Slot is yet to defeat.

Forest, meanwhile, are onto their third manager of the season following the sackings of Nuno Espírito Santo and Ange Postecoglou.

Their form has improved following the hiring of Dyche too, with Forest drawing with Manchester United and beating Leeds United. They head into this game at Anfield having lost just one of their previous five outings across all competitions and they’re actually above Liverpool in the form table, despite still finding themselves in the relegation zone.

Recent form

It is feast or famine for Liverpool. They either win or they lose. The Reds are yet to be involved in a draw this season. The 2024/25 champions are also finding clean sheets hard to come by, keeping just one in the league since their 1-0 win over Burnley in September.

Forest, despite their horrendous start to the season, have conceded just three more goals than their hosts. Their problem, however, is in attack. Wolves (seven) are the only team to have scored fewer goals (10), but things have looked brighter under Dyche with Forest scoring five in their last two Premier League outings.

Key Players

For Liverpool, it has to be Mohamed Salah. There’s been a lot of talk over the international break whether the Reds should drop the legendary left-winger with him failing to really impact things this term. The four-time Golden Boot winner is away for the AFCON from the end of December so his window to really put a stamp on things this season is shortening. Sooner or later, the champions are going to figure out a way to get their No. 11 involved again. This could be the game.

For Forest, it could well be Igor Jesus. He started the last three in the Premier League and was a real threat against Leeds United. The 24-year-old didn’t find the back of the net but did manage five shots in 59 minutes, racking up an xG total of 0.61, showing he’s a genuine goal threat.

Team News

The Reds should be able to recall Alisson Becker this weekend but Florian Wirtz, Conor Bradley, Stefan Bajčetić, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni and all out injured. Alexander Isak was on the bench against Manchester City and went away with Sweden during the international break so should be back fit for this clash.

Forest are without a host of names, including Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chris Wood and Ola Aina for the trip to Anfield.

Prediction

Dyche’s side can, and likely will, cause problems on Saturday but we’re still going with a Liverpool win. It won’t be comfortable though, so we’re saying 2-1 to the hosts.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Nov

2025

Preview: Chelsea visit Scott Parker’s Burnley in early KO

Enzo Maresca’s inconsistent Chelsea head to Turf Moor for Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off knowing a win would make them three points off league leaders Arsenal…temporarily at least.

By Alex Roberts

Burnley on the other hand are starting to fall further towards the bottom after a decent start with their 3-2 defeat to West Ham on Matchday 11 looking more and more like a relegation fighting six-pointer lost.

Moisés Caicedo needs a rest

He’s arguably the best central midfielder in the Premier League at the moment but there is only so much he can do, even Maresca has admitted that Caicedo has been playing through the pain at points this season.

Roméo Lavia was the man signed to be his understudy, but he can’t last five minutes on the pitch without something happening, and fans are starting to lose faith after just 30 appearances in two-and-a-half seasons.

Dário Essugo was brought in this summer, but he isn’t expected to return until the new year. Chelsea have some season defining games coming up, and they’ll need Caicedo at his best. Would it be wise to give him a break against Burnley?

Jaidon Anthony is Burnley’s best hope

Scott Parker’s side have ten points, three wins, one draw, and seven defeats from their opening 11 Premier League games. It’s not the end of the world, worse sides have survived with worse, but things are looking dicey.

Thankfully, they have Jaidon Anthony. The winger has been at the centre of everything good Burnley have done this season, not only scoring against some of the league’s big boys but performing when it matters too.

Anthony got a goal and an assist in their crucial 2-0 win over Sunderland as well as the equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest. Parker needs to get him on the ball as much as possible if he wants to keep his side in the Premier League come the end of the season.

Team news

The big team news for this one is that Cole Palmer was expected to return to the squad but has since suffered a further injury setback. Maresca reported that the mercurial forward has now fractured a toe and will miss Chelsea’s upcoming games against Barcelona and Arsenal, at least.

Maresca is sweating over the fitness of Enzo Fernández (knee), Pedro Neto (groin) and Benoît Badiashile (unspecified), while Essugo (thigh), Levi Colwill (knee), and Lavia (thigh) are all definitely out.

As for Burnley, ex-Chelsea academy product Armando Broja, he was stretchered off while on international duty with Albania, but it’s looking like his ankle injury isn’t as bad as initially feared, thankfully.

The striker will still likely miss a reunion with his old teammates, however, with Jordan Beyer (thigh), Zeki Amdouni (knee) and Connor Roberts (Achilles) also out.

Prediction

This feels like one of those games Chelsea drops points in. The 2-1 defeat to Sunderland and the 2-2 draw with Qarabağ will doubtless be on the minds of fans, and Burnley have done well against the bigger sides, having some rotten luck.

So, we’re going with a 1-1 draw at a rainy Turf Moor.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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