For the Reds, it is an opportunity to lift this trophy for the third time in four seasons. For the Magpies, famously, it’s a chance for them to win their first piece of domestic silverware since 1955.
Does momentum matter?
Newcastle warmed up for this cup final with a 1-0 win over West Ham United on Monday night. Bruno Guimarães scored just after the hour mark to move the Magpies up from 9th into sixth spot in the Premier League. They’re now level on points with fifth placed Manchester City and just two points off of Chelsea, the team currently in possession of the final Champions League position.
The win was just their second in five matches. During this run, they’ve lost to Manchester City (4-0), Liverpool (2-0) and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton (2-1).
They haven’t been in the greatest form.
Liverpool, meanwhile, had won four on the spin heading into their second-leg Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain. They’ve extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to 15 points during this run. But a penalty shootout loss to the French champions ended any hopes of a treble this term for the Reds.
It’ll be interesting to see how they react to this hammer blow.
History paints this fixture as very one-sided
The last time Newcastle United defeated Liverpool was in December 2015. Gini Wijnaldum scored for the Magpies in a 2-0 win. Since then, the Reds are on a 17-match unbeaten run against Sunday’s opponents.
Form goes out of the window in these games. Does history, though?
A final is a one-off event. Nothing should matter, yet we’ve seen it countless times in the past. Unbeaten runs remain intact because of the psychology of the situation rather than anything else. Eddie Howe hasn’t beaten Liverpool as Newcastle United manager. They’ve lost a variety of different ways too, including a smash and grab at St James’ Park last season when Darwin Núñez netted twice late on to stun the hosts. They were outplayed at Anfield last month.
Liverpool find ways to avoid defeat against the Magpies. Newcastle find ways to avoid beating the Reds. Will it continue?
The last league meeting between the two sides
Arne Slot versus Eddie Howe
Slot guided Feyenoord to their first KNVB Cup success since 2018 last season as they beat NEC 1-0 in the final. The Rotterdam-based club won the Eredivisie the season prior.
The Dutch tactician knows what it takes to win and that knowledge, insight, and winning mentality can be massive in these fixtures.
Howe, meanwhile, has been in this sort of high-pressure situation on just one other occasion during his managerial career. He guided Newcastle to the Carabao Cup final during the 2022/23 campaign, losing 2-0 to Manchester United in the final.
The Magpies also finished bottom of their Champions League group last season. It isn’t a dig at Howe either. He’s just not done exceptionally well in these big moments as manager of the North East club. Again, this could be a sticking point on Sunday.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle record and coaching summary
How are the squads looking?
Liverpool are still without defensive duo Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez. Ibrahima Konaté and Trent Alexander-Arnold hobbled off against PSG in midweek and could miss the game. This means Jarell Quansah will likely start at right-back with Wataru Endo at centre-back.
Howe is without the suspended Anthony Gordon while Lewis Hall and Sven Botman miss out with injuries. It means three of his best XI are missing for the final. They’re also without captain Jamal Lascelles.
Prediction
It’ll be a tight game but Liverpool should have the experience, as well as the squad depth, to get over the line here and deliver Slot’s first piece of silverware as manager. We’re going with a 2-1 win for the Reds.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola doesn’t often make mistakes, but selling Julián Alvarez to Atlético Madrid surely counts as one of his biggest during his time in England.
Indeed, the Spaniard even admitted that “it could be a problem” before the season started, should his side begin to pick up injuries. Which, of course, they have.
Man City announced the signing of Alvarez in January 2022 for a fee of just £14m, although he wouldn’t link up with his new teammates until the summer, spending the rest of the European season back on loan at boyhood club River Plate.
Alvarez matured during his spell at the Etihad, going on to become just the fifth player – after Cafu, Dida, Ronaldinho and Roque Júnior – to win the triumphant: The Champions League, Copa Libertadores and World Cup.
Judging by his superb form this season for Atlético Madrid, combined with City enduring their worst campaign since 2016/17, his move proves that City’s loss is very much Diego Simeone’s gain.
Living up to his transfer fee
When Atlético signed the Argentinian, paying an initial transfer fee of £64.4m, with a further £17m in potential add-ons, he became the second-most expensive signing in their history, behind only João Félix.
A total of 53 goal contributions – 36 goals and 17 assists – in Manchester was a solid return, but Alvarez started in just 64 of his 103 appearances. While the pressure was firmly on the forward to make an impact with Atlético, a fresh start was required in order to revitalise him.
So often used across a myriad of roles under Guardiola, including centre-forward, attacking midfield, and even as a second striker, Simeone knew that finding a settled position for the 25-year-old could prove crucial in bringing the best out of him.
At the 2022 World Cup, Alvarez displaced Lautaro Martínez as the main centre-forward for Argentina as they searched for world title number three, playing the quarter-final, semi-final and final in this position. He scored twice against Croatia to send his nation into the showpiece encounter against France.
Simeone has moved away from his usual 3-5-2 system to incorporate a 4-4-2 which allows Alvarez to play next to Antoine Griezmann, which has proved to be a potent combination, not only in LaLiga, but also in their run to the Round of 16 in the Champions League.
Atlético Madrid chasing their third title under Simeone
The 54-year-old has worked wonders with the club. LaLiga titles were won in 2013/14 and 2020/21, suggesting Atlético could go toe-to-toe with Real Madrid and Barcelona domestically.
Since their last league triumph, the club have finished third on two occasions before dropping down to fourth position last season.
In LaLiga, they rank first for least goals conceded per game (0.7), while also ranking first for most clean sheets (13). Attacking wise, they rank fifth for goals per match (1.6), sixth for shots on target per game (4.4) and fourth for big chances (77). This combination of attacking ability and defensive solidity has worked wonders for the club, who now find themselves in the mix for a third league title under Simeone’s leadership.
Alvarez’s impact has been excellent. Not only has the Argentinian scored ten goals and grabbed two assists in the top flight, but he has shone across a range of attacking metrics.
The former Man City forward currently ranks in the top 5% for shots on target (25), the top 7% for chances created (25) along with ranking in the top 5% for successful dribbles (23) when compared to his peers in the Spanish top flight.
Alvarez shooting stats, LaLiga 2024/25
His goal participation accounts for 27% of the 44 goals Atlético have scored in LaLiga this season, with only Griezmann (30%) boasting a higher percentage.
Hailed by his manager for being everything they needed him to be upon his arrival, Alvarez has exceeded expectations.
“When he still couldn’t reflect with facts what we were looking for when we signed him, I said that I was sure he had Atleti’s DNA.” Said the boss of the Rojiblancos.
Further Champions League glory will have to wait another season for the former River Plate starlet, as Atleti crashed out on penalties to arch rivals Real in the last-16.
He scored his spot kick in the penalty shoot-out, but VAR disallowed it due to a double kick, and Simeone’s side failed to recover, losing 4-2 on Wednesday evening. The controversy has continued to rage ever since.
Having scored seven goals and recorded one assist in ten Champions League matches this season, Alvarez has reinvented himself under the leadership of his compatriot.
A new role alongside Griezmann looks to have finally established the Argentinian forward as one of the finest players in Europe.
Winning LaLiga would be the ideal reward for someone who is evidently entering their peak.
With a vital tie against Barcelona coming up, Alvarez has the chance to make himself a hero at the Metropolitano all over again – on Sunday night.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Real Madrid travel to Villarreal in LaLiga just days after their thrilling encounter with Madrid rivals Atlético in the Champions League. Extra-time and penalties were needed to separate the two teams, and Villarreal will be hoping to take advantage of some tired legs in this one.
Those who are neutral and planning on tuning in to this one will be desperate to see a repeat of this same fixture last season. A 4-4 draw was played out on Villarreal’s home turf back in May last year, with all the goals coming within the first 56 minutes. Madrid did, however, win the most recent meeting, securing a 2-0 victory at home earlier this season.
The corresponding fixture last season!
Team News
A little rotation wouldn’t be a surprise for Madrid in this one considering they played 120 minutes on Wednesday evening. In terms of injuries, Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Dani Ceballos, and Ferland Mendy are all unavailable for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Kiko Femenía, Ilias Akhomach, and Gerard Moreno were all out injured in Villarreal’s previous match, and they are unlikely to return to face Madrid this weekend.
Villarreal need to bounce back
Villarreal have been in impressive form as they continue to push for the Champions League places. Marcelino’s side were previously unbeaten in six games, but then suffered a disappointing defeat away to relegation-threatened Deportivo Alavés last time out.
Momentum chart from Villarreal’s frustrating defeat at Alavés
Alavés ended the game with nine men, but Villarreal couldn’t find a way through as they succumbed to a 1-0 loss. Ignoring Barcelona and Real Madrid, Villarreal have created more big chances, expected goals (xG), and scored more goals than any other side in LaLiga this season.
Inconsistency growing for Madrid
Competing in multiple competitions could be taking its toll on Madrid when it comes to their league form. Ancelotti’s men have won just twice in their last five fixtures in the league, with Barcelona sitting a place above them going in to the weekend.
Madrid are frightening going forward when Ancelotti is able to play his best side, creating 53.3 expected goals in 27 league games so far this season. A win could see Madrid climb above Barcelona if the Catalan outfit lose or draw, but Hansi Flick’s side will still have a game in hand.
Mbappé the difference-maker
It’s been an impressive start to life in Madrid for Kylian Mbappé, providing 21 goals and assists in LaLiga this term. The French forward has been in unstoppable form since the turn of the year, domestically speaking, only failing to provide a goal contribution in three matches in 2025.
Madrid’s front four of Vinicíus Júnior, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Mbappé is up there with the best in the world at the moment, and Villarreal are going to have to be at their best to keep them quiet if Ancelotti starts the quartet once again.
Prediction
Tired legs could creep in with Madrid playing midweek and Villarreal having seven days rest, but Ancelotti’s men are in a seriously competitive race for the title.
We’re going for a 2-1 victory for Madrid in what will be a tight encounter.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Brighton arrive in Manchester for this match in excellent form, with four straight wins in the Premier League and a place in the FA Cup Quarter-Finals having been booked with an impressive win away to Newcastle United. Manchester City, meanwhile, have become the Premier League’s least consistent team, having alternated between winning and losing over their last five matches in the league.
Brighton looking for first win at City
That Brighton beat City 2-1 at The Amex earlier this season was a rare occurrence. The two clubs have met 16 times since Abu Dhabi bought City, and this was only Brighton’s second win. Their only other against them came at the end of the 2020/21 season when they beat them 3-2 at The Amex. Prior to that, their last League win came back in April 1989. Brighton have never won an away match against Manchester City.
Key players
The issue with playing against Brighton is that their goals can come from so many different sources. João Pedro has scored in his last three games, but there’s also Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck, Yankuba Minteh and Georginio Rutter to have to deal with. If Manchester City are to go on the front foot, the involvement of Omar Marmoush could be crucial. He was highly impressive in scoring a hat-trick against Newcastle last month but hasn’t scored since.
Team News
Well, at least there haven’t been any additions to the Manchester City walking wounded. Rodri, Nathan Ake, John Stones, Manuel Akaji and Oscar Bobb all remain on the long-term injured list. Kevin De Bruyne, Mateo Kovačić and Omar Marmoush did not start their 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest, though they could feature this time around.
Brighton have an even lengthier injury list. Joel Veltman should return soon but may not be ready in time for this one, while the same goes for Lewis Dunk and Matthew O’Riley. Any or all of those three could be called up for this one. Igor Junior, James Milner, Ferdi Kadıoğlu and Jason Steele are longer-term injuries.
Prediction
There are many conflicting factors which make trying to make a prediction for this match feel like peering through a particularly thick fog. There’s Manchester City’s inconsistency over recent matches, and the fug they’ve been in all season regardless. There’s Brighton’s abysmal record at The Etihad; it’s worth pointing out at this juncture that not only have Brighton never won away there, but they’ve never drawn there either.
And then there’s the fact that although they’ve been impressive in their last five games, Brighton do have that hint of the unpredictable about them. Their last defeat prior to the start of their recent little run was that 7-0 routing at Nottingham Forest. But Brighton are only a point behind City, and even the lengthiest runs without a win will end some time. So I’m going for a 3-2 Brighton win, though the score could be more unlikely even than this.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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The 2023/24 season was replete with memorable underdog stories throughout Germany’s top-flight, from Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten domestic double, to Heidenheim qualifying for Europe in their first-ever Bundesliga season, to Stuttgart’s transformation from relegation contenders to runners-up. This season, however, there’s one team in particular that are drawing headlines for all the right reasons and emerging as the revelation of the Bundesliga campaign: 1. FSV Mainz 05.
Founded in 1905, Mainz needed to wait an entire century to make their first appearance in the Bundesliga in 2004/05. They spent three consecutive seasons in Germany’s top-flight before dropping down to the 2. Bundesliga; after two years in the second tier, Mainz returned to the upper echelon in 2009/10, where they have remained ever since. However, Mainz’s top-flight status came under threat in 2023/24, taking three points from their first nine and prompting them to sack Bo Svensson after nearly three years at the helm. Former Academy Manager Jan Siewert was given the reins on 2 November, only to be dismissed after claiming just one win from 12 matches. They they turned to Bo Henriksen, who guided Mainz to their second win of the campaign in his first match in charge, beating Augsburg 1-0, before taking just one point from their next three matches.
They looked dead and buried after succumbing to an 8-1 thrashing at Bayern Munich on 9 March – with just nine matches remaining, two points separated them from the relegation playoff spot, whilst nine separated them from automatic safety. But as Mainz fans would come to find out, it was merely darkest before the dawn. Die Nullfünfer would go on to win five, draw four, and avoid relegation on the final day of the season.
One year after taking charge, Henriksen has Mainz sitting pretty in third place and challenging for a first-ever Champions League qualification. He’s averaging 1.8 points per match, better than the likes of previous Mainz managers Thomas Tuchel and Jürgen Klopp. But just how has he done it? Let’s take a look:
Evolution in Footballing Mentality
From Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth to Sebastian Hoeneß’s Stuttgart to Eric Roy’s Brest, we’ve seen quite a few managers come into a new team, overhaul the club’s footballing mentality, and revitalize them from basement-dwellers to breakout sensations. We got a glimpse of this from Henriksen in his first press conference, stating:
“We want to start developing this winning mentality. There are players with quality but without confidence. I think this team has lots of power, intensity and quality on the ball, but that doesn’t matter – we need to show it. We want to get the team’s belief back. We have to be ready to take risks. Having no fear is the most important thing.”
It might have seemed like a hackneyed soundbite at the time, but it’s this fearlessness that has enabled Mainz players to start enjoying their football again and approaching each match with vigor and intensity. They’re no longer scared of making mistakes – they have the self-confidence to play through these errors and execute the game plan.
Whereas in the past, they’d drop their heads after falling behind, now, they will fight back and put their opponent under the cosh. Whereas in the past, they’d sit back and soak up pressure after going ahead, now, they will keep the pedal to the metal and push to add onto the lead. We saw an example of this last weekend when, four minutes after conceding, Nadiem Amiri restored Mainz’s two-goal advantage in a 3-1 victory at Gladbach.
Shrewd Decision-making off the Pitch
Having won seven matches last season, Mainz have already won 13 of their 25 matches in 2024/25. They’ve done so despite losing key figures like Leandro Barreiro, Sepp van den Berg, and Brajan Gruda, selling the latter to Brighton for €30 million. Mainz were able to offload underperforming players and spend within their means to improve the squad, and they’ve done so under the watchful eye of Christian Heidel. A Mainz native, Heidel served as Mainz’s Director of Sport from 1992 to 2016 before leaving for Schalke, he returned in 2020 and has been able to sell key players for lucrative profits whilst replenishing their squad with promising youngsters and veteran leaders.
It’s this elixir of youth and experience that has proven vital for Mainz’s success. Moritz Jenz has provided a bedrock of stability since arriving from Wolfsburg, slotting into the middle of the back three alongside Danny da Costa and Dominik Kohr, whilst goalkeeper Robin Zentner has prevented 76% of the shots that he has faced and amassed a whopping 83 saves.
Further forward, Anthony Caci and Philipp Mwene have both thrived at charging up the flanks and whipping in crosses whilst diligently tracking back and shepherding their rival attackers into safety. Together, the wing-back duo has proven essential for a penurious defence that has conceded just 26 goals, only behind Bayern Munich (23).
Many of their new arrivals, however, haven’t even been transfers. Paul Nebel has gone from cutting his teeth on loan at lower-tier Karlsruher SC to excelling in attack, whilst teenage striker Nelson Weiper has gone from developing in Mainz’s academy to delivering the goods for the first team. It’s why, for the first time in a decade, Mainz fans are dreaming of continental football.
Burkardt and Amiri Leading the Chase
If there’s one thing that fans love more than watching their previously mid-table side challenge for European football, it’s seeing an academy product reach superstardom with the first-team. That’s proven to be the case with Jonathan Burkardt. The Mainz youth graduate finished as their top scorer in 2021/22 before being ravaged by injuries, but since getting back to full fitness, he’s emerged as one of the finest strikers in Germany.
Burkardt has scored 14 league goals this season, twice as many as any other Mainz player, and behind only Omar Marmoush, Patrik Schick and Harry Kane in the Bundesliga. As opposed to Mainz’s previous striker Ludovic Ajorque, a 6’5” target man, Burkardt is a smaller, technically gifted player who is capable of linking up with his teammates, squeezing out of tight areas, and swiveling past opponents before putting his ruthless efficiency to use.
Bundesliga top scorers, 2024/25
Whilst Burkardt is their attacking talisman, Nadiem Amiri is their creative facilitator. After arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in January 2024, Amiri has supplemented Burkardt’s tireless runs with incisive through balls and inch-perfect passes. Having broke onto the scene as an attacking midfielder, Amiri has excelled as a deep-lying playmaker with a knack for finding intricate passing lanes, transporting the ball from the first third to the final third, and putting chances on a platter for his teammates.
Top average player ratings at Mainz
High-intensity football
Mainz have taken the Bundesliga by storm this season thanks to a high-octane pressing style that has allowed them to suffocate their opponents and ensure that they’re recovering possession in advantageous areas. With a full preseason to work with, Henriksen has engrained his tactical approach into his players, who are committed to making selfless runs, being first to loose balls, and getting back in time to defend against the counter. Mainz sit third in the Bundesliga for aerial duels (555), sprints (5,925), and possession won in the final third per 90 (4.4), whilst they also top the league for interceptions per 90 (10.2).
“There is a footballing culture in Mainz in terms of the Gegenpressing and intensity, but it needed to be reawakened by a manager with something fresh to say, and that’s what Henriksen has done,” stated Mainz-based fan Conor Garratt, the co-host of the Mainz podcast Orderly Q-ing Pod. “Henriksen has been able to get his methods across and slowly tweak things, he’s looked at what he’s got and thought, ‘I can add a little bit of quality here,’ he’s managed to make players more confident and slightly adjust the tactics to make it more effective. Rather than doing one thing particularly well, he’s taken what’s available and made each element slightly better by making the right choices.”
The exhilarating high of avoiding relegation on the final day hasn’t worn off yet: instead, it’s only increased exponentially, with big-name players buying into the process, doing the dirty work out of possession, and pouring out their heart and soul into helping Mainz churn out a result. This intensity has proven contagious to their fanbase, who are packing the MEWA ARENA to the brim and flocking to away fixtures across Germany in order to cheer on their team. And on Saturday, they’ll be looking to rally their troops and spur them to a fifth straight victory against top-four rivals Freiburg.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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The Carabao Cup final deprives us of a full round of fixtures this weekend. Liverpool and Newcastle United face off at Wembley to determine who is going to claim the first piece of silverware of the season. Despite the Premier League leaders not being in action, there’s still a lot at stake. So, let’s take a look at some of the potential talking points across matchday 29.
Nottingham Forest travel to Portman Road on Saturday afternoon knowing a win over Ipswich Town could potentially give them a seven point lead over fifth placed Manchester City.
It wouldn’t put them in complete control but it would make them strong contenders to claim an unlikely top four finish. Who would’ve thought that at the start of the season?
Forest have been in sketchy form as of late. They were hammered 5-0 by Bournemouth, taken to penalties by Exeter City and Ipswich in the FA Cup and lost to Fulham (2-1) and Newcastle (4-3) before a 1-0 win over Manchester City last weekend seemed to steady the ship.
The Tractor Boys took Forest to penalties earlier this month, narrowly losing 5-4 after a 1-1 draw in normal time. Keiran McKenna’s side are winless in the Premier League since December but showed in the cup they can cause problems. They’re fighting for survival and have a home crowd behind them.
If they’re going to mount an unlikely escape from the dropzone, it needs to start now.
The pressure is on Pep Guardiola
It would’ve sounded unimaginable at the start of the season but there’s a very real possibility that Manchester City miss out on the Champions League.
The reigning champions are currently in fifth position following last weekend’s defeat to Nottingham Forest. That result, coupled with Chelsea’s win over Leicester City, saw the Blues leapfrog the Citizens into fourth position.
City are level on points with sixth-placed Newcastle United and just three ahead of ninth-placed Bournemouth.
They need a win this weekend. They might not get a win, though.
A win for Brighton would see them move ahead of their hosts. The Seagulls are in fine form too having won their last six matches on the spin across all competitions.
A loss for Man City doesn’t end their hopes of a top four finish but it would be a monumental blow.
Can Arsenal mount a comeback?
The Gunners can still win the Premier League title, but a lot needs to happen for Mikel Arteta to get his hands on the trophy.
Following a blip in form, Arsenal find themselves 15 points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand. The game they’re playing this weekend. It just so happens it is a fairly tricky game against a resurgent Chelsea team hoping to claim a top four finish this term.
The Blues beat Leicester on Sunday to regain a place in the Champions League spots, displacing Manchester City in fourth spot.
A win for Arsenal would make it 12 points with nine games to play. It prolongs their title hopes. Especially since they could cut the gap to nine points before Liverpool play again. So there’s pressure on the Gunners to make this a title challenge.
They haven’t been great lately. There was an unconvincing win over Leicester followed by a loss to West Ham and draws against Nottingham Forest and Manchester United. Outside of the Champions League, the goals haven’t been flowing. Understandably so, given their injuries.
It has to be now or never for Arsenal to make their move though. They need to put Liverpool under pressure, just to see how they’ll react. After all, a Carabao Cup final loss could derail their season.
Dead and buried?
Leicester City face an out of sorts Manchester United this weekend. A loss probably all but ensures they’ll be playing Championship football next season. A win gives them a glimmer of hope.
The Foxes have been struggling since the appointment of former Manchester United assistant coach Ruud Van Nistelrooy. They have lost six on the bounce and have won just one of their last 10 in the Premier League. In fact, they have two wins in 2025 – one was in the FA Cup against QPR, the other was a 2-1 victory over Spurs.
United, meanwhile, are safe from the drop. Well, it would take something special for Rúben Amorim’s side to be relegated now given they’re 17 clear with 10 games left. It is possible though, isn’t it? They’ll want to create a larger gap between themselves and the drop zone this weekend and this is the perfect match for them to do just that. If they picked up three points at the King Power, it’d be just their second win in their last six Premier League outings.
The relegation picture
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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FIFA has always known how to make the headlines. This time, it’s the staggering $1 billion in prize money for the expanded 32-team Club World Cup set to take place in the United States this summer.
The amount dwarfs previous Club World Cup rewards and signals an era of unprecedented financial muscle in club football. But beyond the surface excitement, there are crucial questions: Where does this money come from? Who truly benefits? And what does this mean for football’s financial ecosystem?
A billion dollars is a seismic sum, even in the cash-soaked world of modern football. FIFA claims this prize pool is backed by the $2 billion in expected revenue from the tournament, ensuring their reserves remain untouched. The promise that “FIFA will not keep a single dollar” may sound noble, but the reality is more layered.
Revenue streams largely stem from broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales, revenue models that have been fine-tuned for major international competitions like the World Cup. The organisation received a major financial boost from the exclusive $1 billion global media rights deal with streaming platform DAZN, a critical partnership that helps bring this tournament to life. However, FIFA had previously struggled to secure a broadcaster, raising concerns about long-term commercial viability.
Are these investments a sustainable financial commitment or a one-off spectacle designed to justify future monetisation strategies? After all, FIFA’s history is one of expanding tournaments, then commercialising them aggressively. This Club World Cup is also a strategic play to establish a stronger foothold in the U.S. market ahead of the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
On paper, this injection of funds benefits the clubs. But not all clubs are created equal.
For European giants like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain, this tournament is a lucrative bonus, an extra revenue stream rather than a financial necessity. European clubs will receive the lion’s share of prize money, reinforcing the financial divide in world football. Meanwhile, South American teams like Flamengo and River Plate stand to gain significantly, though they are still playing catch-up with European powerhouses.
Yet, a $1 billion prize pool could also further entrench football’s financial hierarchy. Smaller clubs, those outside the elite circles, will still struggle to compete with the superclubs, who now have yet another high-revenue tournament to solidify their dominance. Although FIFA has pledged an additional $250 million as “solidarity payments” to non-participating clubs, whether that amount is enough to make a meaningful impact remains to be seen.
This is more than just a tournament, it’s a branding move, a political play, and a commercial experiment all rolled into one.
For FIFA, the expanded Club World Cup is a calculated move to reduce UEFA’s influence in the global football economy. The Champions League is, without question, the premier club competition worldwide, with UEFA enjoying unrivaled financial control. By creating a blockbuster tournament of their own, FIFA not only secures a piece of the club football economy but also strengthens their leverage against UEFA’s monopoly.
At the same time, the United States is a crucial strategic battleground. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, FIFA is keen to build football’s profile in North America. The Club World Cup is a major step toward capturing American audiences who are still warming up to club football outside of the World Cup cycle.
This move isn’t happening in isolation. The football world is changing. We’ve seen Saudi Arabia pour billions into its domestic league, luring high-profile players away from Europe. We’ve seen clubs like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain backed by nation-states, altering the financial playing field. The introduction of a tournament with such a large prize pool fits into a broader trend: football is becoming more commercialised, and its biggest stakeholders are looking for ways to extract even greater value from the global game.
But what does that mean for fans? While some will enjoy the prospect of seeing the world’s best clubs face off in a new format, others might see this as another step towards football being dictated by financial interests rather than sporting merit. The influx of money doesn’t necessarily mean a better product, it means more matches, more commercialisation, and, inevitably, more financial barriers for clubs outside the elite.
This $1 billion prize pool is undeniably a game-changer. But whether it’s a positive one, as always, depends on your perspective.
For clubs, it’s an opportunity to earn unprecedented rewards, for FIFA, it’s a power move to control more of club football’s financial ecosystem. And for football itself? It’s another reminder that the sport’s future is increasingly shaped by money, marketing, and geopolitical maneuvering.
The real test will be what happens after 2025. If this tournament proves to be an American success story, expect FIFA to double down on its club competition ambitions. If it stumbles, however, it might just serve as a cautionary tale in football’s relentless pursuit of profit.
(Images from IMAGO)
You can follow every game from the FIFA Club World Cup on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.
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 13:30 GMT on Saturday 15 March*
The Eye Test vs. The Stats
Towards the end of last season, Joško Gvardiol (5.9m) was in the form of his life.
The Croatian was a key figure for a Manchester City team that won a fourth successive Premier League title and was widely seen as one of the best in the world.
This season has been more challenging for Gvardiol – and City in general – but he has still demonstrated his threat from left back, scoring five goals – more than any other defender.
City’s struggles continued with a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend, but Pep Guardiola’s team could still build some momentum between now and the end of the season, making Gvardiol a viable pick.
Gvardiol’s attacking numbers make for good reading. The 23-year-old is averaging 0.25 Expected Goal Involvements (xGI) per 90 minutes this season with 0.16 of that coming from his Expected Goals (xG).
Gvardiol’s attacking numbers – ranking is a comparison against similar players in the Premier League
It’s worth noting, however, that Gvardiol has registered 0 xG in his last four appearances. This is largely due to Matheus Nunes playing at right back with Guardiola keen to keep one of his full backs as part of the defensive structure. This has pinned Gvardiol back at times.
Nonetheless, Gvardiol still carries an attacking threat. With City facing Brighton and Leicester City in their next two fixtures, there is potential for him to rack up clean sheet points and attacking returns.
Anyone looking for a replacement for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.4m) or Lewis Hall (4.9m) should have Gvardiol on their radar.
Bournemouth have been one of the biggest success stories of this season in the Premier League and Justin Kluivert (6.1m) has been one of their best players.
Kluivert’s 18 goal involvements rank him eighth in the Premier League for that metric. He is also ranked eighth for total points earned in FPL this season. This comes from a solid xGI per 90 minutes of 0.6.
The Dutchman was lively against Tottenham Hotspur in Gameweek 28. Indeed, he registered an assist, also having a goal disallowed and hitting the post. On another day, he could have had a hat trick.
Kluivert is still outdoing his xG despite scoring six penalties this season
With Bournemouth chasing European football, their next two fixtures could prove fruitful from an attacking perspective. Indeed, the Cherries face Brentford in Gameweek 29 before Ipswich Town in Gameweek 30, with both matches at home.
Not only is Kluivert an attacking livewire for Andoni Iraola’s team, he is their designated penalty taker. He could be in line for another haul of points.
Long shot
This season has been a struggle for Wolves with the Molineux outfit just one place above the relegation zone.
However, Rayan Aït-Nouri (4.8m) and the suspended Matheus Cunha (7.0m) have been reliable performances from a FPL point of view. The former could be an option with so many FPL managers facing up to a blank gameweek for Liverpool and Newcastle United due to their participation in the Carabao Cup final.
Wolves have a game against bottom-of-the-table Southampton this weekend and so Aït-Nouri might be a solid pick for your FPL team this weekend. The Algerian has three goals and five assists to his name this season and is averaging 0.14 xGI per 90 minutes.
Upcoming games to follow
Only eight fixtures are on the docket for gameweek 29 due to this weekend’s Carabao Cup final.
The meeting between Bournemouth and Brentford promises to be an interesting one. Both teams are attack-minded, meaning there could be goals. Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo (5.7m), Evanilson (5.6m) and Milos Kerkez (5m) are the standout picks from Bournemouth while Bryan Mbeumo (8.1) and Yoane Wissa (6.5) are good options from Brentford.
Many managers might be tempted to sell Mohamed Salah for this weekend in order to buy Erling Haaland (14.7m) with Liverpool not playing in the league. Other City players to track are Gvardiol and Phil Foden (9.2m). João Pedro (5.5m) is my favourite pick from Brighton.
While United have struggled for firepower this season, Bruno Fernandes (8.3m) is my pick for this weekend with Diogo Dalot (5.0m) another good option against the relegation-threatened Foxes.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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The Steel City Derby plots the course of history of our game, from 1890 to present day. It splits workplaces, families, and the city in two. A Premier League dream could await the winner.
‘Alright, bin-dipper?!!’ Many years ago, I lived in Sheffield and spent a year working in a gym. As with every workplace in the Steel City, there was a split. You were either a Blade or an Owl, plus that one token Rotherham fan for good measure. Two of the duty supervisors had a years-long battle of back-biting banter. It centred around whether one had once fished a still-sealed sandwich out of a bin for their lunch. No-one knew the truth anymore, but a nickname was born. What powered its continual use, however, was that one of these middle-managers supported Sheffield United and the other, Sheffield Wednesday. A continually bubbling squabble, ready to boil over. It’s the Steel City Derby in a nutshell.
We live in polarising times. No doubt Sunday’s game will be billed as tribal warfare. The picture of an Orwellian Hate Week painted for the rest of the world to work themselves into a frenzy. It’s much simpler than that. This is a huge rivalry and indeed it takes over the city. This time around, it is high stakes for two-upwardly mobile sides. By Monday it will manifest in relentless ribbing from building site to Microsoft Teams meeting. It’s Chris Wilder, standing on a pub table changing the Wednesday chant for Danny Röhl, to ‘Sausage Roll’. And for the victor, sore heads will be quickly cured by looking at the league table and seeing how close they will be to the Premier League.
The table doesn’t lie – or does it?
Looking at the current table, Leeds United cruised to victory against Millwall to go back to the top of the Championship in midweek. After beating Preston last weekend, Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder said that it “does his nut in” that the standings do not include the club’s two point deduction. That was for defaulting on payments to other clubs in 2022-23. After dropping another two points by conceding an equaliser deep in to injury time against Bristol City on Tuesday his mood would have darkened further.
“Lethargic, leggy, and no energy really.” That’s how the Blades boss described their performance in their 1-1 draw. The boyhood Sheffield United fan is disarmingly honest in his interviews, and I’m sure his players will know what’s expected this weekend.
Wonderful week for Wednesday
As for Danny Röhl and Sheffield Wednesday, a chastening 4-0 defeat to Burnley in February was followed up by defeat at home to Sunderland two weekends ago. At that point, it looked like the season was done. Having saved them from relegation last season, the ex-German national team assistant could ride off into the sunset, with supporters serenading him with Bony M’s Daddy Cool, as he moved to pastures new. All that’s on pause now, thanks to a plundering at Plymouth and a Carrow Road comeback. Results that have seen them move back to within five points of the play-offs.
2-0 down at half-time in Norwich, the 35-year-old switched things up, telling his team to press higher and added a presence up front in Michael Smith. Smith is a bit of a strange one. A big man, who’s better with the ball at his feet than lumped up to him, but he’s able to draw defenders towards him and create space elsewhere, as capitalised upon by Djeidi Gassama and Josh Windass.
Gassama is having a breakout season going forward but digging deeper, the left-winger’s work rate across the pitch has been a huge boost for Wednesday. He excels at recovering the ball and has bulked up this season. The ex-PSG youngster is a handful on the ball and even if you get your hands on him, he’s got the strength to hold you off. He demonstrated that perfectly with his finish in their 3-0 victory at Argyle and was in the right place to tap home the winner from Windass’ cross at Norwich. The calls for a new contract for the 21-year-old are getting louder.
It’s the time of the season when everyone is exhausted, so I should also give a special mention to Callum Patterson. So often he’s been a utility-man, given a bit part despite being ready to start. His greying mop may shout tired dad, but the 30-year-old has entered the fray full of energy. Two goals in his last three games has propelled him to top the Championship charts for goals per 90 minutes. It looks like he’s getting a run of games, after revealing that the struggle of being on the fringes of the team had been affecting his mental health.
Shea Charles not getting booked against Norwich is another huge boost. Whilst we can read into why Chris Wilder didn’t start star defender Anel Ahmedhodzic in the week, Danny Röhl kept his midfielder in the XI. Both were one yellow from a two-match ban. That EFL rule of ten by match-day 37 is now cleared and for Wednesday, their midfield all-rounder has the chance to shine.
Campbell all souped up
I’ll be at Hillsborough on Sunday and call me cancelled but I have a feeling Wednesday will win this. Coming into the game off the back of those morale-boosting away trips, with the crowd onside and a team on the up, it may be enough to sway proceedings in their favour.
Having said all that, United will arrive with that midweek tiredness out of their system and when you look at just how jubilant Chris Wilder was at full time in the reverse fixture, you know they will be ready and have the quality to tear into Wednesday.
Tyrese Campbell got the well-taken winner back in November and like his forward runs, he’s timed his form to perfection; three goals in three games and it’s a perfect showreel for the 25-year-old. A swivel, set and drive from outside the box turned out to be the winner against QPR. That was followed up by a diving header full of desire against Preston, matched with perfect poise into the box against Bristol City.
He too has had a difficult season. Losing his father, the great Kevin Campbell last June, his contract was not renewed by Stoke City and he joined Blades with a point to prove. He emphatically did that scoring against his old club in October but only now are we seeing the best of him.
It’s at the back though where this Sheffield United team is truly built. They’ve missed the combative Vini de Souza in midfield and the loss of the talented Ollie Arblaster has been a blow but in Michael Cooper, they have a goalkeeper who gives the entire team confidence.
Once you remove the statistical freak that is Burnley’s James Trafford, Cooper tops the charts for save percentages and has the third most clean sheets (18) in the division, behind Trafford and Leeds’ Illan Meslier. Those numbers are more impressive given he’s made the 12th most saves in the division, Trafford and Meslier have made the least, which tells you United give teams more of a chance than either of their promotion rivals.
We could go through each player and no doubt that conversation is going on right now, across workplaces in South Yorkshire. It’s a fixture that runs through the history of our game and by Sunday evening, the pubs will be packed as the bleary-eyed belt out anthems and rattle cages. Let’s just hope that by the time we get to close of play on Monday, there’s been no calls to HR!
(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.
The circumstances could hardly have been any more challenging for Ayden Heaven. Thrown on at half time for his Premier League debut against the team he left just over a month ago, the 18-year-old could have folded. Instead, Manchester United’s latest young prospect showed why so many have tipped him for the top.
Physically, Heaven handled himself well against Arsenal, making two ball recoveries, three clearances and doing his part to keep the Gunners’ attack at arm’s length. Technically, the teenager was also impressive, helping United play out from the back when they had more joy in quick transition in the second half.
It was a performance that justified Manchester United’s decision to fast-track Heaven after luring him from Arsenal in January. While the 18-year-old was a developmental player at the Emirates Stadium, Heaven was immediately added to Rúben Amorim’s senior squad and is now receiving game time.
Chido Obi is another Arsenal academy graduate now getting a first team opportunity at Manchester United. The young forward made the move to Old Trafford last summer after catching the eye for the Gunners’ young teams and has continued to score prolifically for United’s Under-18 side. Now, he is being integrated into Amorim’s first team.
United need greater attacking quality. Rasmus Højlund has scored just two goals in 23 league appearances this season while Joshua Zirkzee is more of a second striker than a number nine to lead the line. Marcus Rashford, of course, is out on loan at Aston Villa and so the door is open for Obi to make an impact. He might already be a better finisher than anyone else in the United squad.
Man United’s top scorers in the Premier League, 2024/25
Heaven and Obi’s emergence comes at a time when Manchester United are facing up to a new financial reality. Sir Jim Ratcliffe gave an interview on Monday in which he revealed the club was set to go bankrupt by the end of the year without budget cuts and also spoke about the £89m in transfer debt United have to pay this summer.
In the past, Manchester United have spent big on big-name players to get themselves out of trouble (or at least try), but Amorim might not have the same luxury. Instead, the Old Trafford club will have to take a longer view of their rebuild and that could mean leaning into the strategy that led to the signing of Obi and Heaven.
This is where Manchester United’s weakness could be a strength. The club’s pitch to other young talents is a good one in that Amorim is more likely to fast-track an unproven proven into his first team with United in such a state of flux right now. Other clubs of a similar stature might not be so willing to do that. They have better players to choose from.
Manchester United’s signing of Patrick Dorgu was another indication that the club is targeting young players to rebuild their squad over the coming years. The 20-year-old had only been at Lecce for two seasons, but United saw enough in Dorgu to suggest he could be their left wing back of the future. The Dane has already started five matches.
Dorgu player traits
In the immediate term, Heaven is the youngster who could make the most profound impact between now and the end of the season. Leny Yoro’s injury could sideline him for a period of time and Heaven’s performance in the second half of the 1-1 draw against Arsenal proved he is capable of stepping into the back three. He looked the part.
“Ayden’s so relaxed. He seems so relaxed that sometimes he’s too relaxed,” said Amorim after Heaven made his Premier League debut against the Gunners on Sunday. “But I think we have a player there, so now we have to control and to tell him that was just the game, et cetera, et cetera.”
In the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, Manchester United have thrown numerous youngsters in at the deep end too early in their development. Adnan Januzaj, Axel Tuanzebe, Teden Mengi, Tahith Chong, James Garner, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, James Wilson, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and others are proof of this.
Old Trafford hasn’t been a healthy environment for young players in a long time. Amorim must be careful not to rush Heaven and Obi when they still have their formative footballing years ahead of them. Nonetheless, there is an opportunity for Manchester United to become a finishing school for some of the best academy products from across the country. Heaven and Obi might only be the start.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow every Manchester United game on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.
