Page 13 – The Pulse of Football

Jan

2025

Preview: Spurs take on Swedish side Elfsborg in the Europa

There’s been an element of “Stop, stop, he’s already dead” to media coverage of Spurs of late, but can they confound their critics against Sweden’s seventh-best team in the Europa League?

By Ian King

Form…the dreaded question

Still the torment continues for Spurs. Another home match against mediocre opposition. Another half-time lead. Another full-time defeat. Another round of soul-searching. Daniel Levy has said that Spurs are sticking with Ange Postecoglou, but for how much longer can the club bear this strain? They’re eight points above the relegation places at the moment and seem unable to beat anyone.

IK Elfsborg have no league form. Because they’re a Swedish club, they play a summer league in the Allsvenskan, so their domestic season doesn’t start until the end of March. Last season they finished 7th, with European qualification having been determined by them having been runners-up to Malmö back in 2023.

But they’ve been in this competition since the First Qualifying Round on the 11th July, and with nine wins in it so far, they’ve won more games in this year’s Europa League than Spurs have in this year’s Premier League. They’re in 20th place in the 36-team mega-group and they’ve already beaten Roma, Nice and Qarabağ in the group stages.

History

These two clubs have never met before, and Elfsborg have never faced English opposition in Europe before. Spurs have only played one Swedish team in Europe themselves, and under pretty ignominious circumstances; a 2-1 ‘home’ defeat to Östers IF in a 1995 Intertoto Cup match played at the now defunct Goldstone Ground in Brighton.

Key players

Mikey Moore is clearly a player to watch, but he hasn’t quite yet shown his full potential in the Spurs first team and may be hoping to give people something to remember should he start.

For Elfsborg, keep an eye on Niklas Hult, who’s 34 and has played in France, Germany and Greece, as well as having made eight appearances for the Sweden national team.

Team News

James Maddison missed the weekend’s match against his former club with injury, and Dominic Solanke will also be absent. Otherwise, the current Spurs injury news remains “more or less all of them”. With their domestic season having ended more than two months ago, Elfsborg are expected to be at full strength, though they did lose their top goalscorer Michael Baidoo to Plymouth Argyle earlier this month.

Prediction

Spurs’ win in Hoffenheim last week was a sign that their season isn’t quite over and they only need a win against modest opposition to get automatic qualification to the next round without a pesky playoff match in between. They should win this comfortably, but then again Everton and Leicester were both modest opposition and we all know what happened there.

But Elfsborg had an average domestic league season in 2024 and their progress through the group stage has been somewhat stop-start. They should go through regardless of the result on Thursday, and even a patched-up Spurs side should be good enough to ease through 2-0 against them… shouldn’t they?

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Europa League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings, and a new super-intuitive knockout stage bracket. Download the free app here.

Jan

2025

Preview: Man United need something from their trip to Romanian giants FCSB

Bucharest isn’t as cold as it usually is this year, shout out global warming, so Man United have no real excuses as they travel to Romania in search of at least a point from their final Europa League league phase game against FCSB on Thursday.

By Alex Roberts

It took a late Bruno Fernandes goal to secure an edgy 2-1 win over Scottish side Rangers in United’s previous fixture, a side who beat FCSB 4-0 earlier in the campaign. Sitting four places below United in eighth, it’s fair to say they’re punching above their weight.

A draw would likely see Rúben Amorim’s side avoid a potentially tricky two-legged play-off fixture, but a win would guarantee it. The last thing the Premier League side need right now is another spanner thrown in the works.

They have a history

For many, the name FCSB won’t ring any bells, but Steaua Bucharest should. The 1985-86 European Cup winners are, arguably, Romania’s biggest club, and the only side in the proud nation’s history to win a major European trophy.

They changed their name to FCSB back in 2017 after being sued by the Romanian army, who believed they were the rightful owners of the name, badge, colours, and trophies the club had won.

Led by Ilias Charalampous, they’ve earned some impressive results in Europe this season, notably beating FC Midtjylland, LASK, RFS, and Qarabağ ahead of their game against the Premier League giants.

A potential solution to one of many problems

Amorim has struggled at United, his side simply doesn’t have the necessary balance required for his 3-4-3 system, and one of the most obvious areas in need of improvement in central midfield.

Modern day Ebenezer Scrooge, Sir Jim Ratcliffe appears reluctant to put his hands in his overflowing pockets, instead preferring to increase ticket prices and inflict further misery on the hard-working people of Manchester.

The manager has scoured the youth ranks in hope of finding someone to help fill their midfield gap, and he’s found Toby Collyer. The youngster was fantasic in his full debut against Rangers, winning ¾ ground duels, making eight recoveries, and having a 94% pass accuracy rate. Perhaps the kids are alright after all.

The return of a familiar, and terrifying face

Former Tottenham centre-back Vlad Chiricheș could be in line to make his first appearance against Man United for the first time since leaving Spurs for Napoli back in 2015.

Back at his boyhood club, the big 35-year-old centre-back may not be playing for much longer, and will no doubt want one of the biggest scalps in European football under his belt before that day finally comes.

He had a fairly good record against them while in North London, winning one, and drawing two of his three games against the 20-time Champions. Now, he’s in a weaker side, but according to Amorim, this is the worst United team in history. Who knows what might happen.

Bereft of confidence

Rasmus Højlund is straight up not having a good time at United this season, but he has found some solace in the Europa league. Five of his seven goals this season have come against European opposition.

Goalless in his last 11 appearances across all competitions, the Danish forward is in dire need of a one, with many of the Old Trafford failthful losing faith in the youngster they originally thought was ready to compete with Erling Haaland.

Joshua Zirkzee hasn’t been any better, and much like Højlund, is unlikely to find top form any time soon. Progress in the Europa League, and qualification for the Champions League would be crucial if United want to improve their forward line.

Prediction

Like many of United’s games this season, we reckon this is going to be a lot closer than it should be. FCSB will take the lead, then United will score three goals in the last 20 minutes, and thus guarantee themselves that guaranteed last 16 berth.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Jan

2025

Marcus Rashford: The Mental Strain of a Player in a Slump

The weight of expectation on Marcus Rashford has always been heavy, but in recent times, it has felt even more intense.

By David Skilling

The Manchester United star, once hailed as the club’s golden boy, has endured a turbulent period, particularly under manager Rúben Amorim, where he has found himself sidelined and lacking his usual spark. The decline in his form is evident – not just in his performances, but in his demeanour. His body language appears flat, and for me, that’s the most crucial aspect he needs to address.

For a young man who joined the club as a child, the expectations that come with such a role can feel like an enormous weight. Manchester United, one of the most storied clubs in football, demands success, and in recent years, the team has failed to meet its lofty standards. For someone like Marcus Rashford, who has risen through the ranks at the club, the pressure is compounded by the knowledge that the club’s hopes and future aspirations have rested, in part, on his shoulders.

His status as one of the highest-paid players adds another layer to this burden. The wages come with immense responsibility – not only for his personal performance but for carrying the hopes of a fanbase desperate for a return to former glory. Rashford’s contract, which places him among the top earners at the club, ensures that he faces an unforgiving level of scrutiny when results aren’t positive.

It’s common for professional athletes to hit a slump. After all, they are humans, not machines. The highs and lows of sport are well-documented, and players often go through phases where they simply can’t find their rhythm. Rashford’s recent struggles are a case in point, as he’s transitioned from being one of Manchester United’s brightest talents to a player who seems to lack his usual spark.

At first glance, his drop in form suggests to some that he’s “lost it” with fewer goals and less impact on games, but the reality is far more nuanced. Football, like any sport at the top level, demands extraordinary mental and physical sharpness. Even the most resilient players can falter under pressure.

I’m no psychologist, but for Rashford, a loss of confidence seems to be at the core of his struggles, not helped by the general lack of confidence running through the Manchester United team. A loss of belief, when compounded with a lack of game time, can erode a player’s effectiveness on the pitch, leaving them in a cycle that’s difficult to break.

Slumps like this often occur when athletes face mental fatigue or emotional exhaustion. Professional footballers are under constant pressure to perform, and even the most mentally tough individuals can struggle to stay sharp when faced with persistent self-doubt. Confidence, as any sports professional will tell you, is not a constant; it’s something that needs to be nurtured and worked on daily. The challenge for Rashford lies in finding a way to rebuild that belief, which in turn would help him rediscover the physical sharpness that made him a key player in the first place.

*Rashford’s player traits – these comparisons have taken a hit in recent times*

To turn things around, the first step for Rashford might be to focus on refocusing. It’s about remembering why he started playing the game: the joy, the passion, the connection to the fans. Yes, the weight of expectation is real, especially given his position at Manchester United, but it’s crucial for him to find a way to detach from those pressures and start enjoying football again.

The January transfer window is drawing to a close, and there is much speculation around a potential move. A fresh start might just be the best course of action. He’s been at Manchester United since he was a boy, and while that deep connection to the club is invaluable, it can also cloud his ability to see things from a new perspective. A move away from Manchester United could offer him a new beginning, with a change of environment providing the mental reset he needs to rediscover his form and confidence.

That said, the decision to leave is never easy. Moving to another club brings its own set of pressures, and there’s always the risk of it not working out. But for a player of Rashford’s quality, a new challenge might be just what he needs to remind himself why he fell in love with the game in the first place.

Ultimately, the question is whether Marcus Rashford can turn this situation around, and I think he can. If he can regain his mental composure I think he’ll rediscover the form that once made him one of Europe’s most exciting young talents.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2025

Federico Chiesa is no lost cause – he can still be a killer for Liverpool

Federico Chiesa to Liverpool was one of the surprise transfers of the summer, but everything that has unfolded since has left him a mere footnote on the campaign so far.

By Jack Lusby, ThisIsAnfield.com

Saturday’s 4-1 win over Ipswich saw Chiesa and Jayden Danns become the first players since George Latham in 1906 to win their first eight competitive appearances for Liverpool, though for the Italian it is far from the distinction he may have hoped for.

Seven of those eight games have come from the bench, with the sum total of Chiesa’s time on the pitch so far amounting to 190 minutes; an average of 23.8 minutes per outing, reduced to 18.7 minutes per substitute appearance.

He already has a goal and an assist to his name – a goal contribution every 95 minutes, if we’re keeping track – but the player himself will be the first to admit things have not panned out as he had hoped when he agreed to swap Juventus for Liverpool back in August.

Chiesa is, by and large, victim of the circumstances of that £12.5 million deal.

With contract talks having broken down at Juventus the decision was made to part ways with the 27-year-old in the summer, and he was subsequently frozen out of pre-season training in the buildup to the current campaign.

Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United, Tottenham and AC Milan were among the clubs linked, but in waiting until the very end of the summer transfer window, Liverpool were able to finalise terms that would see them pay just £10 million up front.

That meant a player with 284 games’ experience for Fiorentina and Juventus and 51 caps for Italy including a winner’s medal from Euro 2020 joined the club for less than half the fee received from Brentford for Fabio Carvalho.

However, it also meant that Chiesa made the switch to a new country and a new league, with a significantly higher intensity, later than Arne Slot and his performance staff would have liked – Liverpool had already seen through a crucial first pre-season under the new head coach and played their first two league games before the No. 14 arrived.

But even then, there has been a surprise at the slow pace of Chiesa’s integration, with Slot in no rush to bring him into the fold, repeatedly referencing his lack of pre-season.

“He missed a complete pre-season, I’ve said this many times. And going to a league where the intensity may be higher than the Italian league, that makes it difficult for him to make the step towards the intensity levels the rest of the team is at,” he told reporters in one such update in October.

“That has not so much to do with the Italian league or Premier League but has more to do with him missing a complete pre-season. Then it is so difficult for every player to, when the games are constantly there, to build them up towards the levels we are at.”

That step up in intensity has been exacerbated by a series of setbacks, whether injury or illness, for a player whose enthusiasm and commitment simply cannot be questioned. Chiesa is unfortunate, rather than unwilling.

Such has been his positive attitude since moving to Liverpool along with wife Lucia Bramani that ongoing rumours linking him with a swift return to Serie A, either on loan or permanently, have been continually dismissed by sources on Merseyside.

This stance has been reinforced by Chiesa finally stepping up his game time in recent weeks: the 27-year-old has come off the bench in four of the last five games, scoring against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup and gaining over an hour in his legs.

*Chiesa goal vs. Accrington Stanley…who are they?*

There is an urgency to his game that suggests he can complement Slot’s more regular core of attackers when fully fit, his ability to carve out opportunities for himself and others already hugely impressive given his lack of exposure.

Chiesa has already had 15 shots on goal in his eight appearances – one every 12.7 minutes – with Darwin Núñez (48.1 percent from 52 shots) the only Liverpool player with 10 or more shots to hit the target with a higher percentage than his 46.7 percent.

He is comfortably leading the squad for shots on target per 90 (3.26), which given his much smaller sample size speaks less about the rest of the team than it does his own eye for goal.

Liverpool certainly have a vacancy for another killer around the penalty area, and that Chiesa has already been used on both the left and right wings as well as up front earlier in the season suggests he could become a valuable squad option for Slot.

That makes the coming run of fixtures particularly key for both player and coach, perhaps starting with the Champions League closer at PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.

Part of an enthralling final night of the competition’s new league phase, Liverpool need only a point from their trip to the Netherlands to guarantee top spot, but will be seeking all three to make it eight wins from eight for a small piece of history.

There is a sense that Slot will not rotate against his old rivals as much as fans would perhaps like, but after a bright cameo against Lille last time out in Europe there is clearly an opportunity for Chiesa at least from the bench.

Also coming up is the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at home to Tottenham and an FA Cup fourth-round trip to Championship strugglers Plymouth, sandwiched between league clashes with Bournemouth and Everton away.

Having come off the bench in four of the last five, Chiesa will surely be setting his sights on starting at least one of those next five and perhaps even more, which could allow Mohamed Salah a necessary rest on the right or reduce the workload on Luis Díaz as ad hoc striker.

When the time eventually comes for Chiesa it will certainly be viewed as belated, but there are already signs that Liverpool’s only summer signing will be a dangerous asset for Slot’s side and not an all-too-soon cast-off back to Serie A.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

To keep up to date with everything Liverpool, make sure you click follow on the team profile in the FotMob app. Download the free app here.

Jan

2025

Preview: Real Madrid can finally afford to rest against Brest

Real Madrid’s Champions League campaign has not been the smoothest so far, but they are safely through to the knockouts ahead of the final round of league phase matches. In a busy period of fixtures for home side, they could well look to rotate against Stade Brestois.

By Neel Shelat

Both sides bound for playoff round

Brest and Real Madrid will start the day in 13th and 16th place respectively, with enough points to be sure of a place within the top 24 at worst. However, both also have an outside shot at breaking into the top eight.

Even if Brest pull off an unlikely victory, they will need a few other results to go their way if they are to make up the five positions they need in the 36-team table. They should not be too bothered about where they finish because merely qualifying for the knockouts in their debut UEFA Champions League campaign has to be considered a resounding success. Furthermore, with sides like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain battling to just sneak into the top 24, a higher table position will not necessarily guarantee a favourable knockout draw.

Real Madrid will need to win big and hope that at least four other results go precisely their way if they are to skip the playoff round, so they will most likely have to prepare for a couple more games in mid-February.

Brest’s left back injury crisis

A lot has been made of the long-term injuries that a couple of Real Madrid’s key defenders are currently recovering from, but Brest are in an even worse position. They will be without four defenders and a more defensive-minded midfielder for this game.

Young left back Bradley Locko is the biggest miss, although he has been out with an Achilles tendon injury since the start of the season. French duo Jonas Martin and Julien Le Cardinal have accompanied him on the treatment table for the last couple of months, but the recent injuries to left backs Massadio Haïdara and Jordan Amavi have dealt the biggest blows to the squad.

Les Pirates have been forced to alternate between teenage defender Luck Zogbe and experienced winger Mathias Pereria-Lage on the left of their back four in recent matches, so it certainly is a potential weakness in their side.

A chance for Real Madrid’s backups to impress

Besides Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão, Real Madrid will be without the suspended Vinícius Júnior and injured Eduardo Camavinga for this match. Given the unlikelihood of a top-eight finish regardless of their result, Los Blancos might be best advised to rest some of their stars for this match.

Jude Bellingham, for one, certainly deserves a rest having started every single one of his side’s league and Champions League matches since September. The likes of Arda Güler, Endrick and Brahim Díaz will be raring to go if given a start, especially with the knowledge that they can get at the left side of Brest’s defence.

Prediction

Anything is possible in a relatively low-stakes encounter, but as ever, Real Madrid’s quality certainly makes them strong favourites.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Champions League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings, and a new super-intuitive knockout stage bracket. Download the free app here.

Jan

2025

Preview: Qualification is on the line for Man City and Club Brugge

Pep Guardiola and co may not be In Bruges but they do play them in the Champions League on Wednesday, knowing they may not see the knock-out rounds of Europe’s elite competition for the first time since the Spaniard coach joined the club.

By Alex Roberts

City’s 4-2 capitulation against PSG in their previous fixture was somewhat offset by a 3-1 Premier League win over Chelsea over the weekend but the cracks were still visible, and they’ll have to work hard to get the better of Club Brugge.

The Belgian club currently sit 20th, five places above City in the new-look league phase table, and have claimed a Premier League scalp already, beating Aston Villa 1-0 back in early November 2024.

A rocky start for Abdukodir Khusanov

The Uzbek centre-back wasn’t at his best on his debut. A clear miscommunication between himself and Ederson allowed for Chelsea to open the scoring after just three minutes through Noni Madueke.

Khusanov allowed the ball to bounce while under immense pressure from Nicolas Jackson, heading it back to his ‘keeper but it was too light, and the striker latched on to it before laying it off to Madueke.

Guardiola admitted it was a baptism of fire for the 20-year-old having hooked him off in the 54^th minute, but a relatively low-pressure game against Club Brugge might be the perfect opportunity to ease him in a little.

Struggled in the Prem, thriving in Belgium

When Norwich signed Greek winger Christos Tzolis from PAOK in 2021, they thought they were picking up one of Europe’s hottest prospects, and for good reason, he was tearing it up back in his home country.

Unfortunately for everyone involved it didn’t work out, and he was eventually sold to Fortuna Dusseldorf, where he scored 24 goals and provided eight assists in his 37 games across all competitions.

Now at Club Brugge, and still only 22-years-old, he’s continued his fine form, bagging 19 goal contributions in his 33 games so far. Tzolis’ confidence is brimming, City should be wary.

An unexpected Kyle Walker replacement

Kyle Walker is gone, joining AC Milan on loan for the rest of the season, having spent seven-and-a-half years at City, winning 19 trophies in the process and establishing himself as arguably the best right-back in Premier League history. With apologies to Gary Neville.

Although he hadn’t exactly set the world alight for City this season, he will be missed, and Guardiola needs to work out how to fill his void. Matheus Nunes has stepped up for their last three games and done a pretty good job.

Against Chelsea he was one of their stand-out performers, providing the assist for Joško Gvardiol’s equaliser, winning 100% of his tackles, and making eight defensive actions. He may not be there forever, but he’s doing well in the meantime.

Hans Vanaken rolling back the years

In footballing terms, if you’re 32, you’re essentially on life support. OK, that might be a little harsh, but in a world where 17-year-old’s can become one of the best in the world – we’re looking at you Lamine Yamal – Vanaken is an elder statesman.

He earned the player of the match award in their 0-0 draw with Juventus, a side who beat Man City 2-0 earlier in the season, in Brugge’s previous Champions League game.

It was a fairly dull contest, but the attacking midfielder shined, creating one chance, having 2/3 successful dribbles, and made seven passes into the final third. Considering City aren’t the best defensively at the moment, he’s another they need to keep an eye on.

Prediction

However shocking it would be to see City get knocked out of the Champions League so soon, it really is unlikely to happen. Against Club Brugge, at the Etihad, we’re going to go with a 4-0 win for the home side.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Jan

2025

Preview: Barcelona face an Atalanta side hunting for points

Champions League top spot is just about still up for grabs for Barcelona after their wild comeback win at Benfica last time out, but for Hansi Flick the bigger picture is about a return to form in the new year as he chases major titles.

By Karl Matchett

Bounceback for Barca

After a fine first third of the new campaign, Barca were looking strong at the top of LaLiga, flying well enough in Europe and picking up notable results along the way – such as the demolishing of Real Madrid. Fast forward to mid-November and the wheels started to come off, though. A nine-game run in all competitions yielded three wins and, in the relentless nature of elite domestic competition, that’s enough to see you fall off the pace these days.

Post-Christmas, though, Flick’s side have won the Supercopa, won another Clásico, rediscovered their scoring touch and plundered 12 goals in their last two games, including smashing seven past Valencia.

Flick doesn’t need his side to finish top of the initial Champions League phase to show how they’ll be a danger in the knockouts, and the boss has noted winning LaLiga remains the priority. But he also won’t want to give up momentum again and that means possible trouble for Atalanta, who themselves need a result to guarantee a top-eight finish.

The Serie A side are seventh, one point above the dotted line – but 14 points probably won’t be enough to see them avoid the playoffs. It’ll take an almighty effort for them to win this game…but with three wins from three on the road, they do actually have the best away record in the Champions League this term (along with Liverpool.)

Recent form

After going from late September to late December with just a single defeat to Real Madrid against them, Atalanta then recently went five without a win. That unhelpful spell has been ended by two straight victories, but Barcelona is a different test to Sturm Graz and Como. They may well see a draw as a great result on the night but a disappointing outcome overall, if the likes of Aston Villa and Feyenoord or Lille find a win of their own.

Barcelona have won six and drawn one of their last seven in all competitions, scoring an amazing 29 goals in that time. They have hit five or more in four of their last five games.

Team news

Dani Olmo has joined the treatment table which already had Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal and Iñigo Martínez on it. Ademola Lookman – star of last season’s Europa League triumph, Odilon Koussounou and Gianluca Scamacca are all missing in action for the visitors.

Key player

Not to put too much expectation on Barcelona scoring a hatful more if they rotate their team too much, but Atalanta’s back line needs to be on point. Berat Djimsiti has been their main man: the do-everything defender tops their stats for tackles, interceptions, clearances and blocks per 90 this season.

Prediction

Barcelona to wrap up their campaign with another high-scoring game – which will probably see Atalanta just miss out on the top eight: Barcelona 3-2 Atalanta.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Jan

2025

5 in-form strikers to watch in the Champions League and Europa League’s final rounds

The league phases of UEFA’s top two club competitions reach a dramatic conclusion this week.

By Filip Mishov

With the Champions League and Europa League‘s league phase entering the final round, Europe’s in-form strikers will be the main protagonists for their clubs in the race to reach the knockout stage, and FotMob analyses five prolific forwards who have displayed impressive consistency and efficiency in 2024/25.

Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP)

Without a shadow of a doubt, the Swedish centre-forward is putting in one of the most prolific seasons by a striker in recent years, and whenever someone questions a part of the 26-year-old’s rich attacking repertoire, Gyökeres answers the doubters on the pitch in no time. Right foot or left foot, his remarkable shot map speaks volumes for a complete forward who has scored 34 goals (including six in his debut campaign in the Champions League) and recorded six assists in just 33 appearances across all competitions this season.

*Gyökeres shot map, Liga Portugal 2024/25*

And Gyökeres has still found a way to impress further in recent weeks. Sporting’s no. 9 came off the bench in two of the past three matches and even with only 44 minutes combined, Gyökeres managed to make an impact and score against both Rio Ave and RB Leipzig, respectively. With the Lisbon-based club sitting in 23rd place in the Champions League ahead of the group stage’s final round, Gyökeres’ performance from the start or off the bench will be crucial against Bologna to whether Sporting CP will secure a place in the round of 16 playoff.

Santiago Giménez (Feyenoord)

With a winning brace past Manuel Neuer in the penultimate round of the group phase and four goals and one assist noted in four matches in the Champions League overall, Santiago Giménez has fully announced himself on Europe’s biggest stage this season.

The Mexican may have scored a career-best 26 goals across all competitions last campaign, but this feels like the season when Feyenoord’s no. 29 truly rose to prominence with eye-catching performances against Manchester City, Sparta Prague and Bayern München, respectively, and Europe’s top clubs took note of his goalscoring consistency.

Additionally, the 23-year-old is fuelling the Rotterdam-based club’s bid to close the gap on the leading trio – PSV, Ajax, and Utrecht in the Eredivisie with seven goals and one assist in 11 league matches. Simultaneously, with Feyenoord sitting in 11th place and aiming to book a direct ticket to the Champions League’s round of 16, Giménez will have a big say in whether they will avoid the lottery of the knockout phase playoffs.

Jonathan David (Lille)

The Canadian may be the least familiar name on the list, but Jonathan David is the joint-third top scorer in the Champions League this season, with a couple of goals scored in the qualifying playoff round, and five goals scored in the league phase, with only Raphinha (8) and Robert Lewandowski (9) eclipsing his record. The 25-year-old is Lille’s joint-second best rated player with a 7.31 average rating from FotMob this season.

*David’s shooting and passing numbers, Ligue 1 2024/25*

The two-footed striker was at the heart of Lille’s record-breaking 21-match unbeaten run across all competitions earlier this season, a run which stretched from mid-September right up until last week when Liverpool ended beat them at Anfield. David still managed to find the back of the net though!

With David’s contract expiring at the end of this season, the Canadian is playing for his future and seems to be on a mission to prove his value. It is fair to say that he has achieved that, with 18 goals scored in all competitions, including goals against Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Real Madrid among others. Interestingly enough, Lille will welcome Feyenoord in the final round of the Champions League’s group phase with both currently level on points and with a possible place in the top eight on the line, it will be interesting to see who will come on top: Santiago Giménez or Jonathan David.

Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt)

After spending a couple of years in the spotlight and enduring a difficult 18 months in the France capital with Paris Saint-Germain, Hugo Ekitike is finally finding his groove back in Germany as the 22-year-old is up and firing for Eintracht Frankfurt this season.

With five goals scored in his last four matches and 14 goals scored in total across all competitions, Ekitike’s form is peaking just at the right time. Especially when Frankfurt may need him to step up following the departure of usual strike partner Omar Marmoush to Manchester City.

Ekitike is not a traditional centre-forward, but rather one who likes to run the channels and possesses a technical ability to even play deeper, which makes him an exciting talent. Even though Eintracht Frankfurt’s place in the Europa League’s top 8 is all but secured, the group stage’s final round presents an opportunity for Ekitike to continue his goalscoring streak, against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.

Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig)

The only goalscorer on the list whose current club are definitely ending their journey in European competition this season, is Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško.

Leipzig have endured an abysmal campaign in the Champions League by securing only one win from seven matches ahead of their final match against Sturm Graz, but when speaking about the most in-form strikers in Europe, one simply can’t leave ‘Big Ben’ out. Particularly because his move to another European giant has all but been confirmed.

*Šeško’s shooting numbers, Champions League 2024/25*

Responsible for half of Die Roten Bullen’s eight goals in the Champions League and scoring in all but one match in 2025, to date, the Slovenian’s form might have been the club’s only hope for salvaging the season, with 14 goals and three assists recorded across all competitions. Now, we’ll see whether Šeško can transfer that conversion rate to a new league and a new challenge.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Jan

2025

Preview: Arsenal travel to Girona looking to secure direct path to the R16

Girona will host Arsenal in the Champions League at the Estadi Motilivi in a game that means very little to one side and plenty to the other. The Spanish outfit have already succumbed to an early exit, while the Gunners could secure their place in the next round.

By Matt Smith

This will be the first time the two sides have met in their history, with it being the first season Girona have ever competed in the Champions League. The Gunners are currently sitting in third place in the table and need just one point to ensure their place in the final 16.

Tottenham loanee will miss out

Girona coach Michel will be without tricky attacker Bryan Gil for the clash with Arsenal after the Tottenham loanee picked up his third yellow card of the competition, meaning he will serve a one-game ban.

Paulo Gazzaniga and Daley Blind both suffered injuries against Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga last time out, so they might not be available for this one.

Girona’s lack of pressing won’t suit Arsenal

Arsenal have struggled at times this season against sides who sit deep and look to absorb the pressure. Girona have set up just like that in their debut Champions League appearance, rarely pressing high up the pitch and allowing opposition teams to play.

*Girona sit 36/36 in terms of possession won in the final third*

In fact, no side in the competition has won possession in the final third than Girona, doing so just 2.4 times per game. In possession, Girona will look to keep the ball, but without it, they could frustrate an Arsenal side who will be desperate to secure the three points.

Arteta will be sweating on Ødegaard readiness

Martin Ødegaard missed Arsenal’s trip to Wolves last time out, alongside Mikel Merino. The duo had been involved in recent weeks, but were unexpectedly absent from their previous match in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta will be hoping they’ve shaken off their troubles and will be available to face Girona.

Long-term absentees Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus, and Bukayo Saka will all be unavailable for the Gunners as they continue their recovery from injury.

Havertz flying high in Europe

Despite some inconsistent form in the Premier League, Kai Havertz has been prolific in front of goal in the Champions League. The German international has scored four times overall, finding the back of the net in three consecutive games.

With Jesus out injured at the moment, there is plenty of pressure on the shoulders of Havertz. The Gunners are yet to sign a new centre-forward in the January transfer window, so it’s an opportunity for the former Bayer Leverkusen man to prove that he’s the man to lead the line for Arteta for the rest of the campaign.

Prediction

Arsenal should have too much quality for Girona. Arteta’s side are playing for qualification, while it’s a meaningless game for Girona due to the Spanish side already being eliminated.

We’re going for a 2-0 victory to the Premier League giants.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Jan

2025

Preview: Liverpool visit PSV looking to complete unbeaten League Phase

PSV and Liverpool have already secured their place in the Champions League knockout rounds, but both teams are aiming to finish their league phase on a high note.

By Graham Ruthven

Mission accomplished

On a night that promises chaos across 18 simultaneous matches to conclude the league phase of this season’s Champions League, this game doesn’t have so much riding on it.

Liverpool arrive in Eindhoven at the top of the 32-team table having won seven out of seven so far while PSV have already secured their place in the knockout rounds. For both teams, the hard work has already been done.

Nonetheless, Wednesday’s encounter at the Philips Stadium promises to be an entertaining one between two sides that like to attack – both teams are the current top scorers in their respective domestic leagues.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool are widely considered the strongest team in English, and European, football right now, but the former Feyenoord boss has won just one of his previous seven matches against PSV.

Of course, this will have little bearing now that Slot is at the helm of a different team, but Liverpool will have to improve on a stodgy performance in their last Champions League outing against Lille.

While a top eight finish might be beyond PSV, a positive result in their final league phase fixture could see them secure a seeded position for the first round of the knockouts.

Key players

Ricardo Pepi is PSV’s top scorer this season and increased his tally to 11 goals by finding the back of the net in the weekend win over NAC Breda.

However, Pepi is likely to start on the bench with Luuk de Jong favoured as Peter Bosz’s first-choice number nine. Johan Bakayoko and Noa Lang will also provide goal threat from the wide areas.

*PSV’s top goalscorers, Eredivisie 2024/25*

Jerdy Schouten and Joey Veerman will have their work cut out to disrupt Liverpool’s rhythm in central midfield. Indeed, the Reds are expected to field a formidable midfield unit including Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.

Darwin Núñez is in line for another start at the head of Liverpool’s forward line even though the Uruguayan striker has only scored once in seven Champions League appearances this season.

Naturally, Mohamed Salah will be Liverpool’s biggest goal threat having registered 23 strikes in all competitions this season. Cody Gakpo is also in good goal-scoring form and is fresh from bagging a brace against Ipswich Town.

Team news

After seeing red against Crvena Zvedza, the wonderfully named Ryan Flamingo will miss Wednesday’s match through suspension while Sergino Dest remains a long-term absentee through injury. This leaves PSV short of options at right back.

Malik Tillman similarly would have missed the match against Liverpool through suspension, but the USA international is currently injured anyway. Adam Nagolo is also a doubt for the Eredivisie table-toppers.

Curtis Jones could be sidelined after being forced off against Lille last week with Diogo Jota and Joe Gomez still not ready to return to action. Otherwise, Slot has a full squad to choose from.

Prediction

As the current league leaders, and top scorers in the Netherlands, PSV should get on the scoresheet, but they might not be the side to halt Liverpool’s perfect record in the Champions League this season: PSV 1-3 Liverpool.

(Cover image from IMAGO)