Inter Miami return to MLS action this weekend against FC Dallas. It’s a home game sandwiched between two big continental matches for Lionel Messi and co., and getting the balance right between rotation and momentum will be key.
Inter Miami have not set the league alight this season, and Messi has not stood out as obviously as he did at times last year.
Despite this, Messi remains the biggest attraction in the league, is undoubtedly still MLS’s best player, and Inter Miami are still the best team in the Eastern Conference on points per game.
Being the best player in the league and being the best performer in the league are not always the same thing, and Messi will probably need to do more than he has been doing if he’s to retain his status as the league’s MVP for a second year running.
Top average FotMob ratings in MLS this season
At this stage of the regular season, he’s happy to operate in cruise control, and he’ll be hoping that’s enough to help his Miami team maintain their record as the only unbeaten team in MLS this year.
That’s been as much thanks to their defensive record as it has been down to Messi, as head coach Javier Mascherano has arranged a team that boasts the joint-fewest goals conceded this season.
Canadian continental hangover
Inter Miami come into this game on the back of a high-profile defeat in the Concacaf Champions Cup on Thursday.
Messi’s team have reached the semifinals of the region’s version of the Champions League/Copa Libertadores, but were defeated 2-0 in the first leg by an increasingly impressive Vancouver Whitecaps team on Canada’s west coast.
A crowd of 53,837 turned up in Vancouver to watch the Whitecaps (an MLS-era record for the club) and no doubt had an eye on watching Messi, too.
They were treated to another top performance from the home team, typical of their season so far.
For Miami, as one of the favourites to win the tournament, it was a blow, and they’ll be looking to turn things around in the second leg, though it won’t be easy.
Preparation for that begins with this game against FC Dallas.
Dallas Stars
The Texas team swooped for one of the best players in the league, and indeed in MLS history, when they signed Luciano Acosta from FC Cincinnati during the off-season.
The Argentinian feels like an MLS veteran at this stage, having also played for DC United, but is still only 30 years old.
Luciano Acosta player traits
It promises to be a battle of the Argentine No. 10s should he and Messi take to the field.
Inter Miami will be relieved if they don’t have to contend with Croatian striker Petar Musa, who was Dallas’ top scorer last season with 16 and already had three goals and three assists in eight games in 2025 before picking up an ankle injury.
Prediction
FC Dallas have players capable of troubling the Miami defence, and will be looking to catch their opponents off guard as they prepare for a big game in the Champions Cup. It could well be another draw for Miami as they nevertheless retain their unbeaten record.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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It is a matter of when and not if the Premier League title makes it to Anfield this season. Following Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening, Liverpool are one point away from being named champions of England for the 20th time. They can win it in front of home fans on Sunday afternoon as they host Spurs.
Ange Postecoglou has faced the Reds five times as Spurs manager across all competitions.
He’s been the victor on two occasions. One was the controversial game in which Liverpool had Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota sent off, as well as a legitimate Luís Diaz goal wrongly ruled out after a VAR miscommunication. The other arrived earlier in the season in the first leg of the Carabao Cup. Again, there was some controversy with the match-winner, Lucas Bergvall, avoiding a red card just moments before scoring the only goal of the game.
Liverpool have won the other three matches. And when the Reds win, they do it emphatically. They romped to a 4-2 win under Jürgen Klopp, a 6-3 triumph in the league under Arne Slot and then a 4-0 victory in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
The Reds have scored 15 goals in five games against Postecoglou’s Tottenham, averaging three per game. You wouldn’t necessarily be shocked if they manage that again this weekend, with Spurs being a bit of a disaster defensively this season.
H2H results this season
Tottenham’s defensive woes
Only six teams are conceding more goals than Spurs (1.5) on a per 90 basis and three of those have been relegated to the Championship.
Tottenham are struggling. They have six clean sheets this term and only four teams have fewer. Again, three of them have already been relegated. Their xG Conceded total of 54.3 is the fourth worst in the English top-flight. Yep, you guessed it. The only teams with a higher xG Conceded total are Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton.
Spurs last kept a clean sheet in the Premier League in February. Their inability to defend is why they’re in real danger of finishing 17th this season. It’s why they’ve taken just three points from the last 15 on offer.
Right now, West Ham are occupying that position, one point behind Postecoglou’s men with five games remaining. And the two teams face off next weekend.
Are Liverpool stumbling over the line?
The narrative being pushed recently is that the Reds have struggled over recent weeks and their season has stuttered. Defeats to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League no doubt play a part in this idea. The loss to Fulham won’t have helped either.
But Slot’s men have actually taken 12 points from the last 15 on offer. In fact, they’ve won eight of their last nine in the Premier League. If this is stumbling over the line, what has Arsenal’s title challenge been? The Gunners have taken just 17 points from the past 30 available.
The Reds might not be sweeping teams aside, they’ve scored just nine across their last five outings, but they’re keeping clean sheets and winning games. They’re doing what is required to win the Premier League.
The current state of play
Joe Gomez is going to miss this game for Liverpool. The versatile defender is still out with a hamstring issue. Other than that, the Reds have a full squad to pick from. Trent Alexander-Arnold returned last week to score the winner against Leicester City and he might force Conor Bradley onto the bench for this game.
Spurs, meanwhile, might be without skipper Son Heung-Min while Radu Drăgușin is definitely out with a cruciate injury. Son missed the defeat to Nottingham Forest on Easter Monday and might be saved for the Europa League clashes.
Prediction
Liverpool only need a draw but we think they’re going to win. And we think they’ll do it in style with a 3-0 win.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Neither Bournemouth nor Manchester United come into this game in great form. Bournemouth have won just one of their last eight and have seen fleeting aspirations of European football fade from view, while United have only beaten Ipswich and Leicester in the League since the end of January. United had the dopamine hit of that last-gasp win against Lyon in the Europa League, but that didn’t seem to have had many lasting effects, if their performance against Wolves the following weekend was anything to go by.
The earlier meeting at Old Trafford this season
History
In 1957, when AFC Bournemouth were still Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, these two met in an FA Cup quarter-final at Dean Court. United won 2-1 that day, but 27 years later the Cherries got revenge, winning 2-0 in the Third Round under the leadership of a promising young manager called Harry Redknapp. Curiously, they were drawn together three times in six seasons in the 1980s. United won 3-0 at Old Trafford in 1985 and 2-1 after a replay in 1989. United haven’t won any of their last three meetings, and Bournemouth won the corresponding fixture in December, 3-0 at Old Trafford.
Key Players
Of all the most impressive cogs in the machine built by Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth this season, one that has really stood out has been Justin Kluivert. When he’s on his game, he brings an extra dimension to any attacking position as well as an air of unpredictability. Manchester United’s occasionally supine defence may look like something of an open invitation.
There haven’t been many bright spots to United’s season, though the growth of Kobbie Mainoo has stood out. His injury was a big blow, and his return is just about the only bit of good news to have come from Old Trafford these last few weeks. He demonstrated why he was missed with the equalising goal in that extraordinary 5-4 win against Lyon.
Team News
The latest addition to the Manchester United treatment room is Joshua Zirkzee, who won’t play again this season. Toby Collyer is understood to be close to returning, but isn’t quite there yet. Altay Bayındır missed the Wolves game, and whether he will start this one or whether Andre Onaná remains in goal is an open question. Bournemouth are definitely missing Enes Ünal and Ryan Christie and, while there’s been talk that Luis Sinisterra could return before the end of this season, there’s been no actual sign of it yet.
Prediction
Manhcester United may be distracted by their upcoming Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club, and Bournemouth are just the sort of team to be able to pick off opponents who aren’t paying attention. Their own form has been patchy, but they remain a fluid, organised unit of a team. United’s Premier League season is fading from view early, just like the last time around. 3-0 Bournemouth, with everything resting on Europe for their visitors.
(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.
No matter what happens over the final few weeks of the season, the 2024/25 campaign has been a memorable one for Nottingham Forest. Sunday’s match, however, could make it legendary.
The City Ground outfit are just one win away from their first FA Cup final in over three decades. Nuno Espírito Santo’s team have already beaten Manchester City once this season. Another victory over the same opponents would arguably be Forest’s biggest single result in a generation.
This season’s league meetings between the two
City won’t remember this season fondly, no matter what happens at Wembley this weekend. Nonetheless, winning the FA Cup would at least be something for Pep Guardiola and his players to celebrate.
Last season’s surprise defeat to Manchester United might still be lingering in the minds of the City squad and so this is an opportunity for redemption, especially after a season which has caused many to question the Citizens.
Key players
Few could have predicted that Chris Wood would become one of the most potent centre forwards in English football this season, but the numbers speak for themselves. Indeed, the 33-year-old has scored 19 league goals and will lead the line against City.
Elliot Anderson will be important to giving Forest dynamism through the centre of the pitch. If Nuno’s team are to counter attack effectively, they’ll need the former Newcastle midfielder to act as a valve.
Nikola Milenković and Murillo will need to be at their defensive best to keep City’s forward line at arm’s length, as will Matz Sels in between the posts.
Kevin De Bruyne could start in an advanced position once again with Omar Marmoush the attacker who will give Manchester City some verticality. The Egyptian has scored three goals in his last six games.
Marmoush’s season summary at Frankfurt and City
Nico O’Reilly and Matheus Nunes could be key to Guardiola’s game plan. They have been pushed into central midfield from the full back areas in recent weeks and this ploy could give City control of the match, certainly in terms of possession.
Team news
Ola Aina is Nottingham Forest’s biggest absentee. The right back has been a big miss in recent weeks and could force Nuno to start Neco Williams in his place with Àlex Moreno at left back.
Nuno also faces a decision over his attacking lineup with Callum Hudson-Odoi potentially a casualty of Forest’s need to have more defensive organisation against the ball in the centre of the pitch.
Erling Haaland and Rodri remain sidelined for Manchester City while Nathan Aké and John Stones are also injured and will miss the rest of the season including Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final at the national stadium.
Ederson is another absentee for City, meaning Stefan Ortega will start. Manuel Akanji has featured from the bench in his last two games following injury and could receive more game time this weekend.
Prediction
This is a big occasion for Forest, the 12th visit to Wembley in their history, and only their second since the famous old stadium was rebuilt. So perhaps City’s greater experience on the big stage will see them qualify for a third straight FA Cup final: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Man City.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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It’s the first FA Cup semi-final of 2024-25 as Crystal Palace and Aston Villa face off at Wembley on Saturday. One of these sides will earn the honour to play either Nottingham Forest or Man City under the famous arch once again next month.
We’ve reached the point where there are no dark horses, every side still in the tournament has earned the right to be here. It’s been 29 years since Villa last won a trophy, while Palace have never won a piece of ‘major’ silverware.
Both Unai Emery and Oliver Glasner will need to put that out of their respective minds, however. In order to make history, they need to focus on the present.
Trouble in paradise?
Star striker Ollie Watkins has found himself dropped for some of Villa’s biggest games of the season, including Tuesday’s defeat to Man City. Emery decided to go with Marcus Rashford in the number nine spot, a decision that paid off to an extent considering he scored, albeit a penalty.
Watkins recently admitted he was left ‘fuming’ after missing out on a starting place in both of the Champions League quarter final games against Paris Saint Germain, and although Emery brushed off any notion of a bust-up, things don’t appear like they once were.
Watkins’ season summary
Top quality number nines are hard to come by nowadays, and Watkins is certainly one of them. Emery is risking unsettling the England international. Despite what many may think, Rashford is not an out and out striker. Dropping Watkins in yet another massive cup tie would be risky business from Emery.
Daniel Muñoz is a star
The right-wingback is absolutely thriving under Oliver Glasner at Palace. Solid defensively as well as a consistent attacking threat, Muñoz has already scored twice in his four FA Cup games, playing a key role in getting them here.
In the league, he’s proven to be their best tackler with 2.2 successful tackles per 90 minutes and a 64.2% success rate. He’s genuinely hard to get past, and some of the best wingers in the country have tried and failed to get the better of him.
He fits Glasner’s system like a glove but of course links with a move away have started to circulate despite the recent signing of a new contract. Palace are a side on the up under the Austrian, reaching the FA Cup semi-final is testament to how far they’ve come. Showing that kind of ambition will keep players like Muñoz at the club.
An ex-wonderkid living up to the hype
For those of us who are old enough to have played FIFA 16, we all saw this Youri Tielemans renaissance coming from a mile away. It’s been a roundabout journey, from Anderlecht, to Monaco, and then Leicester City but now he’s finally the main man for one of the best sides in England.
Aging like fine wine, he’s arguably the best midfield general in the Premier League right now. Sitting just ahead of the defence or a little further forward, he has an impressive 88.3% pass accuracy rate, created five chances, and 12 accurate long balls in his previous four FA Cup appearances. A true midfield orchestrator.
Tielemans player traits, comparison against similar players in Europe’s top five leagues
He’s what every club in the world wants and needs, a player who turns up in the big games, and this may be the biggest of his Villa career… so far. Tielemans starred in the 3-2 win over PSG and then the 4-1 victory over Newcastle. We’ve now reached the business end of the season, it’s time to reach that 88 potential rating.
Prediction
To quote almost every pundit in the country, it’s going to depend on “who wants it more.” This is the type of game where form goes out the window but one of them needs to win. We’re going to go with 2-2 after extra time and then Villa on penalties.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow every game from the FA Cup with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.
The game means very little to the Toffees, who are now mathematically safe and are simply playing to finish as high in the league as possible.
The last time the two sides met, a 0-0 draw was played out at Goodison Park. Everton won’t want to remember their previous trip to Stamford Bridge, with the Merseyside club losing 6-0 under Sean Dyche.
Recent H2H results
Team news
Maresca‘s Chelsea have received a recent injury boost, with Roméo Lavia slowly making his way back to full fitness. Unfortunately, Malo Gusto has suffered a muscle injury, meaning we could see Reece James come into the starting XI at right-back.
James Tarkowski, who has started every Premier League game for Everton this season, pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring injury last time out. The English defender missed training this week, so he’s likely to miss out.
Neto the man of the moment
Chelsea’s attacking options haven’t been firing on all cylinders of late, but Pedro Neto was the man to step up last time out. It’s been a difficult season for the Portuguese international, but he struck late on against Fulham to secure the victory in their previous game.
Maresca will be hoping the goal is what he needed to start producing regularly for Chelsea. There’s no doubt Neto has plenty of talent, and the supporters at Stamford Bridge will be looking to see the player who was on fire for Wolves before they signed him.
Tarkowski will be a huge miss
Everton’s defensive solidity has undoubtedly been a key reason why they have comfortably escaped the drop this season. The Toffees have conceded just 1.2 goals per game, with only three sides in the Premier League managing fewer.
Tarkowski’s defensive numbers, Premier League 2024/25 – ranking against other Premier League centre-backs
The partnership of Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite has been imperative for David Moyes’ side, but that could be broken up on the weekend. With Tarkowski likely unavailable due to injury, it will be interesting to see whether Everton can maintain their stubbornness at the back.
Ndiaye v James
Iliman Ndiaye has been a bright spark in an underwhelming season for Everton, providing a real threat on the left-hand side of attack. His mazy dribbling and eye for goal make him a nightmare to play against, and Reece James could have a difficult afternoon on his hands.
The Chelsea right-back has struggled with fitness issues over the last few years, and he’s going to have to be at 100% to deal with Ndiaye at Stamford Bridge. James hasn’t played a lot of football in recent months, so it could be an area for the Toffees to target.
Prediction
With Everton having little to play for, Chelsea supporters will be hoping Maresca’s side will be more up for this one. The west London club are just three points off fourth, so a win would be crucial in their race for the Champions League. We’re going for a 2-1 victory to Chelsea.
(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.
Spain’s biggest two clubs are head-to-head for Spain’s biggest two trophies; this weekend the first will be decided as the Copa del Rey final hopes to see another dramatic edition of El Clásico.
While the meeting of Barcelona and Real Madrid is neither a new phenomenon nor an infrequent one when it comes to dishing out silverware, it does remain one of the game’s great spectacles. Midweek lineups from both teams attests to such, with some changes in place as each secured a narrow win in LaLiga.
It’s Barcelona who will feel they have comfortably the upper hand when it comes to enjoying the better 2024/25 season, but that may only mean Real go all out here to ensure this cup goes back to the capital. With the Supercopa won, top spot in the league being held and European success still a possibility, it could prove an incredibly memorable campaign for Hansi Flick and his side. For Carlo Ancelotti, then, the next month or so must be about trying to secure a domestic double before a potential exit – starting with this final.
The current situation back in LaLiga
Both sides have elite attacks, yet look precarious in defence at times. Playing to their strengths may just then see Saturday’s 90 minutes be one of the most attractive of the year – if tempers or officiating don’t get in the way.
Recent form
Aside from a second-leg defeat in Europe to Dortmund, Barcelona have been relentless: 27 games since the turn of the year, four draws and just that one loss. Otherwise, it’s wins all the way to put them in the driving seat in league terms and favourites elsewhere. Real Madrid have lost three and won three in the last six, on the other hand. Big games have too often passed them by when in previous years, form meant nothing and they’d raise their game. It won’t have gone unnoticed by Barcelona, who trounced them in the Supercopa final of course.
Barcelona have won the three competitive and non-competitive Clásicos played this season
With Lewandowski out, look to perhaps player of the season Raphinha to take the lead for Barca in a scoring and a creating capacity. The Brazilian has been excellent and in his last nine appearances has six goals and five assists. On a longer-term capacity he ranks higher than 97% of similar players in Europe’s top leagues over the last year for chances created, than 98% for shots taken and than 99% for goals scored. A magnificent campaign regardless of whether he’s playing right, left or centrally behind the No. 9.
Raphinha player traits
Prediction
Barcelona to make it two trophies from two in an event-filled encounter: Barcelona 4-2 Real Madrid.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow every game from LaLiga with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.
With two games to go, there’s everything to play for at the bottom of the Championship, with at least eight teams looking to avoid the drop in a line-up that would even leave David Mitchell struggling to keep up.
It’s 17 years since his iconic ‘watch the football’ Sky Sports parody aired on the BBC as part of That Mitchell and Webb Look’s second season opener. With Mitchell marching around the pitch, bombastically telling us various football fixtures in an increasingly dizzying and maniacal manner. And last week we came full circle as David Prutton, wearing the same suit, shirt and tie parodied the parody whilst promoting Sky’s Easter football coverage. So, let’s delve into what’s going on at the bottom of English football’s second tier, where watching the live league table this weekend will be just as absorbing as watching ALL of the football!
Mustapha Bundu was lucky to be on the pitch after a robust early challenge but the Sierra Leone international put in his best performance in an Argyle shirt in that superb Home Park showing over high-flying Coventry. Setting up Ryan Hardie after an excellent opener, he added a Bundu bundle in heading home for 3-1. The 6’6” January signing of Muhamed Tijani has given an extra option and freed up Bundu and Hardie to wreak havoc. Their defensive fragility under Rooney, however, means their total goals conceded is 85. That’s 16 more than the next worse in Cardiff and Portsmouth and a -37 goal difference makes staying up even more difficult. They will be relegated on Saturday if either Luton or Derby County better their result at Preston.
Muslić’s record stands up at Argyle
Bloomfield pulling a rabbit out of the Hat(ters)?
Whatever happens, Luton won’t go down this weekend. I had said that Matt Bloomfield felt like the right man at the wrong time but after a challenging start, he is now working his magic. Luton’s mid-February defeat to bitter rivals Watford felt terminal. They had gone 13 games without a win from Christmas but since then it’s been five victories and only two defeats from those next ten games. At times over the Easter weekend, they were tantalisingly close to having survival in their own hands with the live league table having them escaping the drop altogether.
Thelo Aasgaard has come good (as I predicted, if I can claim that!) with a string of strong showings, capped off with a well-struck opener against, play-off-chasing Bristol City. Bloomfield’s other January signings are all chipping in, particularly Milli Alli. Signed from Exeter, the 25-year-old, like Aasgaard, has stepped up a league and a level, with two goals in his last four games. That included a crucial winner against Derby County last Friday. Only Derby (45%) have scored more goals from set pieces than Luton (39%). Both enter this run-in knowing they will always have a chance.
Cardiff doomed?
Like Plymouth, Cardiff will be down if either Luton or Derby better their result. A goal difference that’s significantly worse than Hull and Derby also make things challenging for caretaker manager Aaron Ramsey. It’s been a diabolical campaign, with Omer Riza’s surly responses after their defeat at Bramall Lane showing just how much it has taken out of him. Having been unable to arrest the slide under Erol Bulut, he left the club following their defeat to Sheffield United. In February, I said Callum Robinson’s goals were the reason they weren’t further down the table. Since then, he has scored one, with January recruit Yousef Salech often given the nod ahead of him. To his credit, having been goalless in six, the Dane headed the first goal of a new era.
Ramsey was accompanied by Chris Gunter and Joe Ralls in Monday’s 1-1 draw with Oxford United. They looked transformed in a dominating performance but Cameron Brannagan’s venomous strike with 11 minutes to go hit them hard. Curiously, their final two games will also be against other caretaker managers in West Brom’s James Morrison and Norwich’s Jack Wilshire. All three clubs are playing the ‘new manager bounce’ game, but for Cardiff the stakes are much higher. However, as with Argyle, I feel it’s all too little too late.
Choppy waters for Derby and Oxford, Hull breached, Stoke on the beach and Preston plummeting
Looking at the fixtures, Derby have a crucial final two. Going to Hull on Saturday is huge. They end the season at home to Stoke City, who have been dragged into the mire. Leeds were rampant in what turned out to be a promotion-winning 6-0 victory but Stoke’s defending was appalling and having reached 50 points, they’ve got the beach towels out too soon.
The Rams took their damaging defeat to Luton in their stride to turn over an insipid West Brom and John Eustace has justified his move from Blackburn, winning five from ten, which is just two games fewer than Paul Warne managed all season. It’s all in their hands.
Eustace has given Derby hope
With Oxford facing two teams with little to play for in Sunderland who are already in the play-offs and Swansea, who under Alan Sheehan have been rescued, on paper they should be safe. However, having rested players and been met with defeats, Regis Le Bris is promising to field a stronger XI which means for Oxford, I think it will go down to the wire. They have struggled for goals but with victories over both Sheffield clubs and a stubborn if ultimately fruitless performance against Leeds, they’ve shown they can do enough to stay up.
Hull’s sacking of Liam Rosenior after taking them to 7th last season is even more ludicrous when you see they are now battling the drop. It’s added to the fact that the Englishman is challenging for Europe with Strasbourg. It was an aberration from owner Acun Ilıcalı, compounded with a mix and match transfer policy without adequate reinvestment after the sales of defender Jacob Greaves and winger Jaden Philogene. Whilst 20-year-old Charlie Hughes has impressed at the back, the loss of Philogene has seen them become the second-lowest scorers in the division. Hull are on the edge.
It’s a big ‘if’, but if Luton can pull off victories over Coventry and West Brom then I can see a nuclear scenario facing Preston North End. They’re not the third worst team in the division and I love my visits to Deepdale but on the pitch, a malaise has set in. The gravity of what’s at stake has seen the club reduce tickets to just £5 for the visit of Plymouth Argyle. A packed park will see a side with a wretched recent record; winless in six, including a damaging defeat to Hull last time out. In fact, they have just two league victories since January. Kaine Kessler-Hayden has been their shining light this season but he’s not even their player and will return to Aston Villa in the summer.
The author’s POV at Deepdale earlier in the season
The biggest ‘if’ here is if Miron Muslić’s side can win a second away game of the season. In this PNE crisis scenario I can’t see Paul Heckingbottom’s team getting a victory over Bristol City and by my calculations they could go down on 49 points. There’s a hot take for him to print out and stick up in the PNE dressing room!
It’s the finest of margins and with so little between the bottom eight, we’re in for a chaotic crescendo. So, dig out a pallid yellow shirt, get studying the fixtures and let’s get marching. In the Championship, anything can happen. There’s everything to play for and, for this season at least, only two games left to play it in.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow every game from the EFL Championship on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.
Espanyol looked set for an imminent return to the Spanish second tier after losing nine of their first 13 matches of the 2024/25 LaLiga season and occupying the relegation zone between Matchday 16 and Matchday 21. Since then, however, the Pericos have won five matches, drawn four, and lost twice. They’ve only conceded eight goals in that time span – the lowest tally alongside Barcelona and Athletic Club – and they sit seven points clear of the drop with a game in hand. And whilst there have been plenty of individual contributions, no player has had a bigger role in Espanyol’s turnaround than goalkeeper Joan García.
Born in Sallent, Spain, García played for local Catalan sides Manresa and Damm before joining Espanyol in 2016, where he ascended the ranks before eventually making his first-team debut on December 1, 2021. He made four appearances across all competitions in his first two seasons, whilst he would have to wait until March 2 to play his first match of the 2023/24 campaign after getting the nod ahead of Fernando Pacheco, nine years his senior. García quickly eliminated any lingering doubts with a Man of the Match display in a 0-0 draw vs. Huesca, and he hasn’t relinquished his starting spot ever since.
García player traits – comparison against keepers in Europe’s top five leagues
Espanyol finished fourth in the table thanks to a penurious backline that conceded just seven goals in their final 14 league matches with García in goal, in addition to one goal in their four promotion playoff matches vs. Sporting Gijón and Real Oviedo. García proved essential in Espanyol’s successful promotion chase, exhibiting poise under pressure, cat-like reflexes, and a willingness to come off his line and claim crosses, prompting him to be voted as the club’s Player of the Month for March 2024, April 2024 and May 2024, as well as their Male Player of the Season.
After serving as a backup in the Summer Olympics to PSG’s Arnau Tenas and winning a gold medal in France, García returned to Spain and continued his meteoric progression in between the sticks. At nearly 24 years of age, García has staked his claim as one of the finest goalkeepers on the continent, leading LaLiga with 8.3 Goals Prevented – nearly twice as much as second-placed David Soria (4.3) – as well as a league-high 3.8 saves per 90. What’s more, only Unai Simón (78.4%) and Thibaut Courtois (75%) have a higher save percentage than him (74.8%).
Standing at 6’3” (1.93m), García has the height and wingspan to impose himself in one-on-one situations, but this doesn’t stop him from zooming off his line to deal with a dangerous counter-attack, challenging the opposing attacker and forcing him to make a decision much earlier than he’d have liked. Whenever Espanyol are leaking opportunities and allowing the opponent to mount pressure (they’ve conceded the fourth-highest xG in LaLiga), García never lets his guard down, putting his quick reactions and acrobatic diving ability to good use and helping his team ride the storm out with his nerves of steel and superb anticipation. He has an adhesiveness to his shot-stopping where, even if he does have to lay out and prevent a shot from reaching the back of the net, he won’t allow the ball to slip out of his grasp and trickle towards an opponent.
Goals prevented in LaLiga, 2024/25
“García is a tall, albeit agile goalkeeper who’s assertive in the air and reliable in one-on-one situations, but above all, I’d highlight his great reflexes,” stated Emilio Blanco, a Spanish journalist who covers Espanyol for AS and La Grada. “Although he’s still young and inexperienced, it’s clear that he has everything it takes to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world. In terms of performances, he has been the best goalkeeper in LaLiga this season, and he’s the main reason why Espanyol haven’t suffered relegation. There are forwards who guarantee you 20 goals, but Espanyol have a goalkeeper who prevents them from conceding 20-30 goals.”
He isn’t just a reliable pair of gloves who finds himself in the right place at the right time more often than not – he’s someone who has the timing, precision, and composure to deliver world-class saves, the likes of which are typically only seen by legendary shot-stoppers like Manuel Neuer, Thibaut Courtois, Jan Oblak and Alisson. We saw this in February when, after leaving a trail of Espanyol players in his dust, Real Sociedad’s Luka Sučić looked set to convert from point-blank range, only to be denied by the outstretched leg of García. The following month, he got a strong palm to Cristhian Stuani’s volley, keeping out a ferocious shot that was traveling at supersonic speed. In doing so, García became the first-ever player to win the LaLiga Save of the Month on consecutive occasions.
Garcia’s shots faced, LaLiga 2024/25
In his first-ever season of playing regular minutes at the senior level, García is the highest-rated goalkeeper in FotMob’s LaLiga database (26th overall), whilst only Kylian Mbappé has received as many FotMob Player of the Match awards (8). One of those came in a 0-0 draw at Atlético Madrid, one in a 1-0 win vs. Real Madrid, one in a 1-0 win vs. Alavés, and one in a 2-1 win against Mallorca on March 15, before following that up with a 1-1 draw vs. Atlético Madrid. Since then, he’s been named the Man of the Match in each of his last four matches vs. Rayo Vallecano, Celta de Vigo, Getafe and Valencia, where he has made a total of 21 saves and conceded just one goal in the process. After his heroics against Getafe, Espanyol manager Manolo González declared: “We have a goalkeeper who makes the difference. It’s like when Barcelona had Lionel Messi. He’s going to be a worldwide reference point.”
García’s in-game intelligence enables him to prognosticate potential danger and get himself into the perfect position to prevent an attacker from taking an extra touch and cut off his shooting angle. He’s a modern sweeper keeper who is proactive rather than reactive, and who is always backing himself to come out on top, whether that’s challenging for an aerial duel or making himself big in a 1v1 situation, cutting off his opponent’s shooting angle, or confidently commanding his box and swatting away a ball. But whilst he’s made the highlight reels this season due to his extraordinary reflexes, he’s also more than capable of dribbling out of pressure and instigating a counter-attack with a pinpoint long ball or a measured chipped pass into the wide areas.
García has four FotMob Player of the Match awards in his last four appearances
With his contract set to expire in 2028, it’s seemingly only a matter of time before García leaves Estadi Cornellà-El Prat for greener pastures – the only two questions are, when, and where? Arsenal were linked with a move last summer and remain keen to find a genuine competitor for David Raya (29), whilst Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Atlético Madrid also find themselves looking for a younger option to challenge their starting goalkeepers, all of whom are on the wrong side of 30.
Whatever happens, Espanyol will be hoping to delay negotiations until after Spain’s UEFA Nations League Finals, which will take place in Germany from June 4 to June 8. García’s release clause will increase from €30 million to €35 million if he is called to the Spanish national team, and if he continues performing at this rate, Luís de la Fuente may have no other choice but to hand him his international debut this summer. Whilst he faces ample competition from Unai Simón, Raya, and Álex Remiro, Joan García has everything it takes to not only crack the Spain squad, but lock down a starting spot with La Roja before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Jonas is a 21 year old student who, like FotMob, hails from Norway. He was Fantasy Premier League champion for the 2023/24 season, finishing ahead of 11 million other managers. So who better to provide expert advice?
Read his expert advice every week.
*Don’t forget the FPL deadline for this round – make your transfers and get your team sorted before 11.00 BST on Saturday 26th April*
The Eye Test vs. The Stats
There are only seven fixtures in GW34 being played this weekend meaning some popular players coming off a double gameweek won’t have an opportunity to score big due to this weekend’s FA Cup semi-finals. This could force some FPL managers to use their Free Hit chip.
Matheus Cunha (6.9m) is worth considering in GW34. The Brazilian forward has missed a lot of action through suspension, but was on the pitch for 90 minutes against Manchester United and will start for Wolves against Leicester City.
Cunha player traits
Cunha registered an assist in the win at Old Trafford, winning the freekick from which Pablo Sarabia found the back of the net from. The 25-year-old played just 20 minutes against Tottenham Hotspur in GW32, but still managed to score in that time.
Having recorded five attacking returns in his last six appearances, Cunha has proven himself as a lovely striker who always causes havoc for opposition defences. He is also a threat from long distance and has an average of 0.49 Expected Goal Involvements per 90 minutes.
Wolves have Leicester at home in GW34 with the Foxes already relegated. Leicester have conceded the second-most goals of any team in the Premier League this season. They have also conceded the third-most Expected Goals Against. This should be a favourable fixture for the hosts.
Bryan Mbeumo (7.9m) should be on your radar for GW34 – and for the rest of the season.
The Brentford forward has registered more points (210) than any other player in FPL besides Mohamed Salah, highlighting the impact he has made for the Bees in the 2024/25 campaign.
Mbeumo added two goals and an assist to his tally against Brighton in GW33, taking him to 18 goals and assists for the season. One of his goals came from a one-on-one with the goalkeeper while the other was a powerful strike from the right-hand side of the box.
Brentford have a tougher match-up in GW34 against Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest, but Mbeumo has demonstrated his ability to make an impact against anyone.
After facing Forest, the Bees have a good run of fixtures to finish the season. Mbeumo, who is also a designated penalty talent, is someone you should certainly consider for your FPL team. We took a deeper look at Mbeumo’s underlying numbers in an article published earlier in the week – you can check that out – here.
Mbeumo’s shot map, Premier League 2024/25
Long shot
Ryan Sessegnon (4.1m) has struggled for game time this season, the Fulham wide player has enjoyed better fortunes in recent weeks.
Listed as a defender in FPL, Sessegnon has been playing as a right winger in Harry Wilson’s absence. In his last seven games, Sessegnon has started four times and has only blanked twice. This gives him genuine value.
It’s worth considering that Wilson came on for an 11-minute cameo against Chelsea in GW33, indicating Sessegnon might not be a nailed on starter for GW34. Nonetheless, the 24-year-old is owned by just 1.8% of FPL managers and could deliver a significant haul against Southampton.
Upcoming games to follow
While there are only seven fixtures this weekend, there is plenty to keep an eye on as the 2024/25 season gets closer to a conclusion.
Newcastle United host Ipswich Town in what is likely to be a one-sided encounter. The Magpies might be coming off a heavy 4-1 loss to Aston Villa, but they are firm favourites to get their Champions League challenge back on track this weekend.
The clash between Leicester and Wolves mentioned above could also hold some worth from a FPL point of view. Cunha, Jørgen Strand Larsen (5.4m) and Rayan Aït-Nouri (4.9m) are all capable of a points haul against the relegated Foxes.
Finally, Liverpool’s home match against Spurs is worth highlighting. The Reds will be looking to seal the Premier League title with Mohamed Salah (13.8m) standing out as the best option. Luis Díaz (7.5m), and Virgil van Dijk (6.6m) are also good assets while Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.2m) is also one to consider after his game-winning moment against Leicester last week.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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