Page 10 – The Pulse of Football

Oct

2024

Preview: Manchester City looking for an improved performance against Sparta

Can Haaland rediscover his goalscoring instinct without De Bruyne’s help?

By Filip Mishov

Even though the Cityzens snatched a last-gasp win (1-2) at Molineux through John Stones‘ clinical header over the weekend, Pep Guardiola surely is not too happy with his squad’s overall performance and especially the offensive line as the defenders stole the goalscoring show. Additionally, Erling Haaland was isolated in attack, barely touching the ball, and extended his personal goalscoring drought to a couple of matches.

Something which speaks volumes about Kevin De Bruyne‘s importance and the flamboyant Belgian is back in training ahead of Sparta Prague’s visit to Etihad, although it is difficult to see him go straight into the starting XI given his recent injury record.

With Sparta, the reigning Czech champions coming to Manchester as complete strangers but boasting an identical European record (1W, 1D) in the Champions League this season as the hosts, City might need a creative spark in this, the first-ever meeting between the two clubs. And for Pep, actions speak louder than words, and Jérémy Doku and Savinho‘s unconvincing performances might sprung the Spaniard into making changes with Jack Grealish and Phil Foden coming into the side.

*Possible Man City starting XI, made with the FotMob lineup builder*

Unlike the Blues’ forwards as of late, their versatile centre-backs are flourishing on both sides of the pitch as Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol, and John Stones all registered a shot on target against Wolverhampton Wanderers and furthermore, Manchester City’s defence has yet to concede a goal in Europe, being one of only six clubs to keep consecutive clean sheets. The Croatian defender, Gvardiol is at the heart of everything City do, both defensively as well as offensively and the ever-improving 22-year-old scored another scorcher from distance with his weaker foot at Molineux.

On the other side, the Iron Sparta(ns) are travelling to England on the back off a 1. Liga win after the international break, sitting in second place in the standings, just like Manchester City in the Premier League.

The Lars Friis-led squad upset the odds in Europe as they recorded a home win (3-0) against Salzburg and a respectable away draw (1-1) against VfB Stuttgart in the opening two rounds of the Champions League. Kaan Kairinen is one Sparta’s main trump cards and the Finish midfielder is their top goalscorer in the Champions League with two goals scored.

Obviously, Manchester City’s undefeated start this season is more likely to be extended than cut short, but Pep Guardiola is fully aware that the Cityzens’ performances must improve and Sparta Prague have already shown resilience to secure positive results on the European stage. Lastly, don’t be surprised if the loud Czechs outsing the home supporters at Etihad as the visitors enjoy passionate support from the stands as their loyal fans follow their team everywhere.

(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.

Oct

2024

Preview: Liverpool defence set for Leipzig test

It has been a tale of two competitions for RB Leipzig this season.

By Sam McGuire

Die Roten Bullen are currently joint-top of the Bundesliga alongside Bayern Munich with an identical record to the German juggernauts. Marco Rose’s men have taken 17 points from their opening seven matches.

They have the best defensive record in the German top-flight having conceded two goals while keeping six clean sheets.

*Leipzig keeping pace in the Bundesliga*

It is a completely different story in the Champions League.

RB Leipzig have lost both of their outings in Europe this term.

Against Atlético Madrid, the German side scored after four minutes but conceded a 90th minute goal to lose 2-1. Against Juventus, they, again, took the lead before ultimately suffering a 3-2 loss.

In-demand forward Benjamin Šeško is the only player to score in the competition for Rose’s men. He’s on three goals across his two outings. Only Harry Kane (four) has found the back of the net with greater regularity in the Champions League this term.

Rose and his team welcome Liverpool to the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday hoping to kickstart their European adventure.

They’re up against one of the most in-form sides in Europe this term. The Reds are just one of seven teams to have a 100% record in the Champions League this term having picked up wins over AC Milan and Bologna.

Arne Slot’s men have also won seven of their eight games in the Premier League. Unlike RB Leipzig, Liverpool’s impressive defensive record extends beyond their domestic league. The Reds have conceded just five goals across 11 matches in all competitions this term.

They are yet to concede more than one goal in a game.

*Liverpool sitting pretty in the Premier League*

Liverpool are potent in the final third too, scoring 25 goals in their 11 outings. For added context, this term, RB Leipzig have 17 goals in 10 outings.

On paper, this should be a routine win for the Reds. But this is the sort of game that could cause Liverpool problems, especially if Slot looks to rotate to keep things fresh ahead of the high profile trip to the Emirates on Sunday.

The greatest threat to Liverpool’s 100% record in the Champions League could well be Liverpool. RB Leipzig could take advantage of Slot and his team potentially having one eye on Arsenal.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Oct

2024

Preview: Hansi Flick faces former club as Barca and Bayern go head-to-head

Headline-makers are storylines from yesteryear are everywhere in the Champions League this midweek, as Barcelona host Bayern Munich in the third matchday.

By Karl Matchett

Both teams are looking dominant domestically, but with matters to prove on the continent. The biggest factor is set to be in the dugout, though, with Hansi Flick facing his former club having shown a capacity to deal with setbacks at his new side already – as well as make them look a formidable attacking outfit once more.

Flick has Barcelona top of LaLiga, free-scoring as a team but led by a re-energised Robert Lewandowski. The Pole already has two in two in Europe, but also 12 in ten domestically. He has his killer touch in front of goal back, but the buildup play around him is arguably the biggest improvement Flick has made on the team.

*Follow @FotMobapp on IG for more like this*

Despite a host of injuries to contend with, a string of youngsters and rejuvenated senior players have raised their game considerably – perhaps none more so than Raphinha. The Brazilian has even worn the captain’s armband this term, such has been his impact: only Lewandowski has scored more, only Lamine Yamal has assisted more than him. He has created a team-high 13 big chances – nobody in the Bayern side has fashioned more than four in the Bundesliga, albeit they’ve played fewer matches thus far.

Bayern themselves have been attacking at will and scoring plenty – 3.4 per league game is slightly above Barca’s 3.3 – but it’s still hard to see them troubling Barcelona quite as frequently, if nothing else because of how they struggled to really break down Aston Villa last time out in Europe.

Vincent Kompany has yet to prove himself on a tactical level as being among the game’s finest, and Flick will be backed to come up with a game plan to keep the best of Bayern away from dangerous areas. The returning Gavi and Frenkie de Jong give the Catalan outfit more options to control the game in midfield, and if it turns into a shootout…well, Bayern are scoring lots, but they’ve created 26 big chances so far in the league – 3.7 a game. Barcelona are at 50, equating to five a match.

*Bayern are back dominating the Bundesliga*

Ultimately, this new format is set up so that the biggest and best teams – certainly the best attacks – have all the chance in the world of progression, be it in the top eight or with a playoff later. Both sides will surely then progress – but Flick might be looking to put a marker down now for later in the competition regardless.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Oct

2024

Premier League Team of the Week: Matchday Eight

Erling Haaland’s longest run without a Premier League goal is four. After failing to find the back of the net this weekend, the Manchester City No. 9 is currently three games without a goal in the English top-flight. Thankfully for him, others stepped up. Both goalscorers for the champions find themselves in the FotMob Team of the Week. But who joins John Stones and Joško Gvardiol in the XI?

By Sam McGuire

Goalkeeper: Bart Verbruggen

The Brighton shot-stopper put in a Man of the Match performance for the Seagulls against Newcastle United this weekend. The 22-year-old kept a clean sheet having made six saves. The Magpies racked up an Expected Goals total of 2.02 but just couldn’t find a way past the Dutch goalkeeper. His performance earned him a FotMob rating of 8.7.

Right-Back: Ashley Young

Young rolled back the years for Everton in their win over Ipswich Town. The 39-year-old completed 79% of his passes at Portman Road while also creating two chances for the Toffees. The right-back attempted four tackles, two dribbles, recovered the ball on six occasions, and won six of his nine duels.

Centre-Back: John Stones

For the second time this season, Stones has scored a late goal to turn a game around for Manchester City. He netted the equaliser against Arsenal a few weeks back and he powered home a header against Wolves on Sunday to complete the turnaround for the champions. It capped off a fairly dominant showing with Stones winning 100% of his ground duels, 67% of his aerial duels and completing 86% of his 92 attempted passes.

Centre-Back: Ethan Pinnock

Pinnock made it two goals in his last two Premier League appearances for Brentford. He opened the scoring for the Bees against Manchester United, though Thomas Frank’s side conceded two second half goals to lose the match. Pinnock was impressive though. The 31-year-old completed 95% of his passes, made a last man tackle, won 100% of his ground duels and was involved in seven aerial duels.

Left-Back: Joško Gvardiol

The Manchester City full-back scored his second goal of the season this weekend, finding the back of the net against Wolves with a right footed effort from outside of the box. He was busy at Molineux, attempting 119 passes, carving out three chances and winning 100% of his tackles and ground duels. His showing earned him an 8.6 FotMob.

Midfield: Curtis Jones

Jones started back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since February. He got the nod against Chelsea with Alexis Mac Allister only fit enough for the bench. He made the most of the opportunity. The versatile midfielder won Liverpool’s penalty and scored what turned out to be the winner. He also completed 90% of his passes, won two of his three tackles and six of his eight ground duels.

Midfield: Youri Tielemans

Tielemans was a class above for Aston Villa in their win over Fulham. The 27-year-old completed 91% of his passes while also carving out four chances for Unai Emery’s men, the most of any player on the pitch. He finished with an assist and an 8.4 FotMob rating. The Belgium international also completed 100% of his dribbles, won one of his two attempted tackles, recovered the ball on six occasions and won six of his nine duels.

Attack: Mohamed Salah

Another game, another two goal involvements for Salah. The Liverpool attacker now has five goals and five assists for the Reds in the Premier League this season following his goal and assist in the win over Chelsea. He put in a strong showing against his former employees, completing three of four dribbles and winning five of his nine ground duels. His 8.6 rating was well deserved.

*Premier League Goals + Assists, 2024/25*

Attack: Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes was influential for Manchester United in their comeback victory over Brentford. The 30-year-old carved out two chances, one of which was classed as a big chance. He claimed an assist and had a total of five shots on Saturday afternoon. The United skipper won 100% of his aerial duels, 57% of his ground duels and made seven ball recoveries. He was busy with and without the ball, putting in a real captain’s performance.

Attack: Alejandro Garnacho

Garnacho was almost like a one-man attack for Manchester United against Brentford. The 20-year-old had eight shots and created two chances for the Red Devils. He scored the equaliser just after the break. The Argentine also attempted four dribbles, won 100% of his tackles and was involved in 15 duels.

*Garnacho’s shot map vs. Brentford, Oct 2024*

Attack: Jamie Vardy

The 37-year-old put in a quintessential Vardy performance in Leicester’s comeback win over Southampton. He was barely involved, having just 12 touches, the fewest of any outfield player, and he managed just five passes. He had a total of four shots though. He won the penalty and scored from the spot.

(Images from IMAGO)

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

Oct

2024

Preview: Madrid take on Dortmund in a re-run of last season’s Champions League Final

The nature of the new group stage in this year’s Champions League means that this likely won’t stay the same for long, but Real Madrid will take to the pitch for their third match of the series against Borussia Dortmund in an unfamiliarly low position in the table.

By Ian King

Few were anticipating defeat in their second group match in Lille, but having comfortably beaten Stuttgart in their first match they came unstuck in the north-west tip of France, losing to a penalty converted by Jonathan David in first half stoppage-time.

It was their first defeat of the season in any competition and it left them in 17th place in the Champions league table, but there hasn’t been a slump since, with two wins in LaLiga – against Villareal and Celta Vigo – keeping them on the coat-tails of Barcelona’s explosive start to the season.

Kylian Mbappé returned from injury at the end of last month and is expected to start. Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Brahim Díaz will all be absent. Mid-table is not where they’ll have expected to be after two games, though the six remaining games offer plenty of opportunity to set that straight.

Of course, Real beat Dortmund 2-0 in last year’s final and there is a case for saying that their opponents haven’t quite recovered from that yet. They’re currently 7th in the Bundesliga having already been beaten 5-1 by Stuttgart and 2-1 by Union Berlin.

They arrive in Madrid off the back of a nervy 2-1 against St-Pauli with injury worries. Karim Adeyemi scored a hat-trick in their last Champions League match against Celtic, but he suffered a severe hamstring injury at the start of the second half and won’t be back until the end of next month.

Other injuries Julien Duranville, Giovanni Reyna and Yan Couto, while Pascal Gross and Niklas Süle are both doubtful. Gross was replaced at half-time in the St-Pauli game, and it is not clear whether he will be fit to play. Süle missed the game ill and will be travelling, though it’s also doubtful he’ll be in a condition to play.

With such players missing and form patchy, there’s little to indicate that Dortmund will pose more of a threat to Real than they did on the 1st June, but a lot of people wrote off Lille’s chances against them too. This is their chance to get back on track and maintain their lofty top spot in the Champions League.

(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.

Oct

2024

Preview: Arsenal look to put the weekend behind them when they take on Shakhtar

With four points from two tricky opening games in the Champions League, Arsenal have had a decent start to their campaign, but they will arrive at The Emirates for their third match against Shakhtar Donetsk in a tetchy frame of mind.

By Ian King

Because regardless of the debate over the sending off of William Saliba during the match, there was little question that losing 2-0 at Bournemouth on Saturday was both their worst result and worst performance of the season so far. It was, considering that they’d just come back from an international break, a surprisingly tired looking performance from the title-chasers.

Saliba will start against Shakhtar (his one game suspension comes against Liverpool at the weekend), but Arsenal’s list of absentees remains long. Martin Ødegaard is unlikely to return until the end of the month and Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber will both face fitness tests before the match.

Shakhtar Donetsk have had a slightly troubled start to the season, both in this competition and domestically. In the Champions League they started off with a reasonable goalless draw away to Bologna, but their second game ended in a 3-0 ‘home’ defeat to Atalanta (they’re playing their home matches in Lviv, 1200 kilometres from home, at the moment due to Russia’s invasion). For what it’s worth, they are currently in 27th place out of 36 in UEFA’s new, byzantine Swiss Model group stage.

Their league season got off to a surprisingly weak start, losing two of their first three matches, but they’ve recovered since then, with a five match unbeaten run having lifted them back up to fourth place in the Ukrainian Premier League behind Dynamo Kyiv, Oleksandriya and Polissya Zhytomyr, and six points off the top of the table. Despite the obstacles being thrown in their way, Shakhtar are expected to be pretty much at full strength.

These two sides have met four times before, stretched across two Champions League groups a decade apart. In 2000/01 Arsenal won 3-2 at Highbury but lost the return match 3-0. A decade later, and by this time at The Emirates, they won 5-1 but then lost the return match 2-1. The Gunners will start this match as strong favourites to win, especially since the nature of their defeat on the south coast of England and the weekend surely demands one. Mikel Arteta surely knows that he needs a big performance in this match.

(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.

Oct

2024

The top performances in MLS on Decision Day, Matchday 38

Our Major League Soccer expert James Nalton picks the standout players from the latest round of games in MLS, including his two votes for the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) MLS Player of the Matchday.

By James Nalton

The Top Two

9.7 FotMob rating: Luis Suárez, Inter Miami

Lionel Messi will likely take the plaudits for the impact he had off the bench and his brilliant hat-trick, but Suárez was just as good, if not better, for Inter Miami in their 6-2 dismantling of New England Revolution.

The win saw Inter Miami break Major League Soccer’s regular season points record, edging the previous record of 73 set by Saturday’s opponents New England in 2021.

This version of New England looks a far cry from that one as they finished 14th in the Eastern Conference in 2024, but at the same time, Inter Miami are a far cry from the one who themselves finished 14th in 2023.

Suárez, as much as Messi, has epitomised their turnaround and scored twice in the first half to get Miami back in the game having gone two goals down.

He set the platform for Messi’s magic hat-trick and assisted two of those three goals himself.

Suárez finished the season with the same number of goals as Messi on 20, and just one assist fewer than his teammate for the season, with nine. Six of those assists were for Messi goals.

If Messi wins the 2024 MLS MVP award as expected, it will be Suárez’s biggest assist of the season.

9.6 FotMob rating: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami

And now to Messi himself. He came off the bench in the 58th minute against New England and immediately made an impact, sending Jordi Alba through to assist the go-ahead goal for Benjamin Cremaschi.

That was just the starter though. The main course came in the form of a hat-trick – his first in MLS. It feels like he does this kind of thing every time he plays.

Despite starting just 15 games in the 34-game MLS regular season, he still has a case to be named its best player.

This hat-trick, scored in the space of 11 minutes, was a good example of why.

It put him on 1.21 goals per 90 in MLS this season, a single-season league record for players who have played more than 300 minutes.

Three more standout performers

8.9 FotMob rating: Daniel Steres, Houston Dynamo

It was a goal that changed the outlook at the top of the Western Conference, not just for the Dynamo themselves as they moved into a more favourable playoff spot, but especially for their opponents, LA Galaxy.

The Galaxy had led the Western Conference standings since July and needed a win or a draw to claim top spot and with it home advantage for the majority of the playoffs.

They went behind when Steres, himself a former Galaxy player, glanced a free-kick from Héctor Herrera to assist a goal for Ezequiel Ponce just before halftime.

A Gabriel Pec penalty in the 6th minute of added time in the second half looked to have done enough for the Galaxy to achieve their aims, but the drama was not over.

In the 11th minute of added time, Steres got in front of his marker to score a great header from Griffin Dorsey’s cross to defeat the Galaxy.

It meant LAFC’s 3-1 win against San Jose Earthquakes was enough to see them overtake the Galaxy to claim top spot in the West by a single goal on goal difference.

8.9 FotMob rating: Elliot Panicco, Nashville SC

Goalkeepers being among the top performers has been a feature of the season, and this week was the turn of Panicco, of Nashville.

He was making just his sixth start of the season in place of usual No. 1 Joe Willis, and he certainly made an impact.

He helped his side keep a clean sheet in a 3-0 win, facing an xG on target figure of 1.78.

There were good saves from Chris Mueller, Georgios Koutsias, Brian Gutierrez, and Hugo Cuypers, with six saves in total.

There was no chance of playoff qualification on Decision Day for Nashville, but they will nevertheless be pleased to end the season on a high, and Panicco will be pushing to make more appearances next season.

8.1 FotMob rating: Eduard Atuesta, Los Angeles FC

While Steres’ late goal for Houston against LA Galaxy was one part of the equation that could see LAFC finish top of the Western Conference, they still needed to win their own game by a two-goal margin.

Having gone behind to a goal from San Jose’s Jackson Yueill, this was not as simple a task as it might have been.

Denis Bouanga levelled the scores, but it was substitute Atuesta whose contributions made the difference, scoring a great goal of his own before assisting the vital third, sending in a free kick for Marlon to head home in the 90th minute.

It all made for a dramatic final day at the top of the Western Conference table, and a turnaround that saw LAFC finish as the top seed on that side of the league.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

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

Oct

2024

Preview: Barcelona face Sevilla at the start of a huge week for the club

Does García Pimienta know something that his Sevilla predecessors did not to finally beat Barça?

By Filip Mishov

LaLiga leaders Barcelona have a big week ahead of them as they are set to host Sevilla on Sunday, and Bayern Munich, on Wednesday, at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys before making the trip to Spain’s capital to face arch-rivals Real Madrid all in the space of six day.

With that being said, Hansi Flick will be pressured to rotate in order to keep the squad fresh, but at the same time, the German tactician will hope to avoid the mistake of making too many changes as Osasuna taught the Champions League’s winning coach a harsh lesson, when Bryan Zaragoza & co. inflicted them their first defeat in the Spanish top-tier back in September.

Also, Flick’s faith in youth will be put to a test as the Catalonia-based club is the only one among Europe’s top five leagues to feature three 17-year-olds (Pau Cubarsi, Marc Bernal and Lamine Yamal) who have played more than 200 minutes. With the defensive midfielder – Bernal ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury and Yamal sustaining a hamstring strain while on international duty with La Roja, that is almost certain to change as Barça have not put a timescale on the wonderkid’s possible return yet.

However, it is not all doom and gloom as Fermín López is back in training and Gavi is finally nearing a return from long-term injury with the Spanish prodigy taking part in first team training during the international break. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres remain on the sidelines and with Yamal out, the in-form vice-captain, Raphinha is expected to occupy the right wing spot, but Flick has to decide between giving Pau Víctor another opportunity at left wing or giving Ansu Fati his first start of the season.

*Possible Barca starting XI, made with the new line-up builder at FotMob.com*

As for Rojiblancos, Barcelona represent one of, if not the most difficult opponents to face because Sevilla’s last league win against Barça at Camp Nou dates back to 2002 and the Andalusia-based club has recorded only three league home wins against them over that same period. But the Sevillistas are hoping for a change of scenario as now, García Pimienta is at the helm, a former Barcelona player, and coach of La Masia’s youth teams and finally, Barcelona B. The Catalan has not enjoyed the best start of the season at his new club but Sevilla did defeat city rivals Betis before the international break and to extend their current unbeaten run to three games, something that sees them sat 12th in the standings. Additionally, unlike Flick, Pimienta enjoys a clean bill of health within his squad with only Saúl Ñíguez unavailable, which should give him plenty of options to choose from and provide support for Belgian forward Dodi Lukebakio, who has been their best player this season.

Finally, the Blaugrana boast a perfect home record in LaLiga with three wins under their belt, while Sevilla are still winless on the road this season with three draws and one loss, and given their struggles when facing Barça, it would take a monumental performance to break their Catalan curse, but hope dies last and who knows what Pimienta has up his sleeve from his time spent in Barcelona.

(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.

Oct

2024

Preview: Liverpool and Chelsea put their strong starts to the season on the line at Anfield

Many are tipping Manchester City and Arsenal to battle it out for the Premier League title this season but on current form, Liverpool and Chelsea are the two best teams in the English top flight.

By Sam McGuire

The Reds host the Blues this weekend in a pivotal game for both managers and projects.

As Arne Slot keeps pointing out, his side have had favourable fixtures so far this season. Their record of six wins from seven attests to that.

An away win at Old Trafford sounds impressive on paper but Manchester United have, yet again, been awful this season. The game against Chelsea is the first time his Liverpool team are coming up against a recognised top team in good form.

After a number of lacklustre showings before the international break, he’ll want a reaction from his players. He’ll want a good showing and a positive result.

Enzo Maresca finds himself in a similar situation. Chelsea are unbeaten since their opening-day defeat to Manchester City. They’ve had some big wins this season over Wolves, Brighton and West Ham United. However, they’ve also dropped points in games against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.

The former Leicester City manager has his side playing good football. He has them playing as a team. He’s also figured out a way to get the best out of Cole Palmer. He’s yet to record a statement victory over an established top team.

Winning at Anfield could force people to take notice of this Chelsea team. A win on Sunday would also end the terrible recent record the Blues have against the Reds – they’re winless in nine matches across all competitions. Their last victory arrived in 2021 during that terrible run of form for Liverpool under Jürgen Klopp. Liverpool fans may remember that in that particular game, Fabinho partnered Ozan Kabak at centre-back.

This should be a good game for the neutral.

Both sides are attack-minded with Chelsea ranking second for Expected Goals this season and Liverpool currently sat in third for this metric. The Reds top the charts for Big Chances Created while the Blues are second. In the alternative, Expected Points table, we have Slot’s men sat top with Maresca’s side in second.

This really is the two most in-form teams in the league so far this season facing off. These are two teams with stacked attacks and impressive defensive units. These are two teams under new management, looking to show their good start is the real deal, not just a honeymoon period. This is a game you do not want to miss.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Oct

2024

Preview: The league’s leakiest defence take on the meanest attack as Wolves host Man City

Although the international break is now behind us, Wolves manager Gary O’Neil may be wishing for another week off, with his Molineux men currently sitting bottom of the Premier League table, and with the visit of Manchester City coming up on Sunday.

By Dan Tracey

Gary O’Neil will almost certainly be looking at ways to shore up Wolves’ defence, with 21 goals conceded across their first seven league games of the season, at an average of three goals per game is not one that is sustainable in either the short or long-term.

In the long-term, it is the kind of metric that points to a relegation battle, at best, and demotion to the EFL Championship at worst. In the short-term, failure to land a first league win of the season in the next couple of weeks may lead to a change in the dugout.

That is not to suggest that the visit of Manchester City represents a free hit for O’Neil and his players and if they are to suffer another heavy defeat at home, a change may even have to be made before next weekend’s clash with Brighton.

In fairness to the team that is currently propping up 19 others in the Premier League, their attacking output has been far better from what you would expect from a team in their position, and with nine goals to their name, they rank joint 12^th on that measure alone.

However, it is not goals scored that matter the most, it is league points and with both they and Manchester City needing them for far differing reasons, this clash has all the hallmarks of an ideal warm-up for matters at Anfield – where Liverpool take on Chelsea just a couple of hours later.

It must be noted that City have shown their own defensive deficiencies at times this season, but whereas Wolves can’t seem to convert the necessary chances to get them out of trouble, the defending champions never seem to panic even when finding themselves going behind.

A scenario that played out against Fulham a fortnight ago, and one that they would rather avoid when referee Chris Kavanagh gets Sunday’s game underway. Should the defending league champions pick up the win in the West Midlands, they could even find themselves going back to the top of the table.

That would put the pressure back on to Liverpool as it will be down to Arne Slot’s side to then find a way to pick up maximum points against Chelsea. But first, City need to make sure they clear the hurdle placed in front of them before placing one in front of one of their title rivals.

(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.