29
Apr
2022
This Weekend: European Titles on the Line

This Weekend: European Titles on the Line

The best action to follow this weekend

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Saturday

?? With the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 already settled – La Liga should be the next major title to fall in the European season. Real Madrid need just a point, against lowly Espanyol, to confirm what will be their 35th Spanish title.

As confirmation of their dominance this season – this will be the first time they’ve won the league with as many as four games to spare since 1990. And with the capital preparing for a wild night of celebration, the title would also be a significant landmark for coach Carlo Ancelotti. He will complete his set of league honours in all five of Europe’s top leagues.

Look out for some significant changes to his line-up though, as Ancelotti has one eye on the second leg of their Champions League semi-final – against Manchester City on Wednesday.

Elsewhere in La Liga, watch out for the derby between city rivals – Valencia and Levante. The visitors are deep in relegation trouble, six points from safety and will be fighting for anything they can get.

??????? It’s a busy day in the Premier League but with so little separating Man City and Liverpool points-wise – nothing will be decided this weekend. Both of England’s Champions League semi-finalists are in action on Saturday though – with Liverpool featuring in the early kick-off, against in-form Newcastle United.

For their part, City visit Jesse Marsch’s Leeds United later in the day. The home side are by no means free from relegation concerns, so that should be a competitive game. Amongst the four other fixtures scheduled – the ‘six-pointer’ between Watford and manager-less, but by no means rudderless Burnley, is the most crucial.

? Both semi-finals in the Women’s Champions League will be played to a conclusion on Saturday evening, albeit – one does already feel like it’s settled.

Wolfsburg need a miracle if they’re to overturn the 5-1 first leg deficit against reigning champions Barcelona. The Catalan side haven’t lost a game in the Spanish league, or the Champions League this season, scoring a grand total of 183 goals in the process.

The other tie, between fierce French rivals PSG and Lyon does however look like being a close-fought game. Lyon lead 3-2 but the Parisians will be confident of producing a result in front of their passionate fanbase.

?? With Bayern wrapping up their 10th straight Bundesliga title in Der Klassiker last weekend, Saturday is all about their beaten rivals, Dortmund securing second place. A point, at home against Bochum would be enough but you can guarantee boss Marco Rose will want to end the season on a high in this – the first of their three remaining games.

The Champions play away at Mainz, who sit mid-table and without a win in their last five. Chance then, for Robert Lewandowski to add to his 33 league goals this season?

?? It should be a historic day in Turkish football, as Trabzonspor look for the points they need to secure their first Süper Lig title since way back in 1984. And if nearest rivals Fenerbahçe drop points on Friday night, Trabzonspor’s result – at home against Antalyaspor would be academic, they’ll have already won it!

Should it go their way, in either scenario, you can prepare for your social media timelines to be full of ecstatic Trabzonspor supporters.

Sunday

?? Napoli’s dip in form and Inter’s surprise midweek defeat to Bologna has left Milan with a two-point cushion at the top of Serie A. During the second half of the Serie A season, with the table being so congested – that constitutes a massive lead.

On Sunday, Milan face seventh placed, and usually competitive Fiorentina at the San Siro, whist Inter travel to Udinese – where they haven’t lost since 2013.

Juventus, who now look nailed on for a Champions League spot, feature in the early kick-off against bottom-side, Venezia.

??????? There’s three games in the Premier League on Sunday, where Frank Lampard’s Everton can expect no favours from former-side Chelsea – where he’s a club legend, in their bid to avoid the drop.

Elsewhere, the storylines are all about the battle for European places. Spurs could move in to the top four, at least for a couple of hours ahead of Arsenal’s trip to West Ham later in the day. Antonio Conte’s side face Leicester at home, the team Steven Bergwijn scored two injury-time goals to defeat at the King Power back in January.

Europa League semi-finalists, West Ham have a place in the top six in their sights – something that would guarantee them another tilt at the same competition next season. For their opponents Arsenal, the focus is staying above their North London rivals with a win.

??????? In Scotland, the peculiarities of the split-season format mean that we have the third instalment of the Old Firm Derby to be played within the past month.

Celtic beat Rangers back on April 3, to take what looked like a decisive lead in the league table whilst Rangers got their revenge – overcoming their rivals, after extra-time in the semi-finals of the Cup on April 17. Now, Rangers must raise themselves again, forced to play this game in between the two legs of their Europa League semi-final against RB Leipzig!

?? Sunday’s one fixture of note in La Liga comes as Xavi’s Barcelona take on Mallorca at Camp Nou.

Barca’s fans won’t be happy with a repeat of last weekend’s home defeat to Rayo Vallecano – that result being the reason Real Madrid have been afforded the opportunity the win the league so early in the season.

?? Another European title is on the line this weekend, this time with Sunday’s showdown between FC Basel and FC Zürich in Switzerland. The Super League has been a duopoly, won only by Basel or Young Boys in each of the past 12 seasons.

Now, Zürich – who were the last (other) team to win the league back in 2009, have the chance to break that cycle. But only if they take three points, at nearest rivals FC Basel!

? Away from league action, there are a couple of Cup Finals to point you in the direction of.

In Austria, Salzburg could seal an eighth league and cup double in the last nine seasons – should they overcome SV Reid in the final of the ÖFB Cup. A win for Reid would therefore constitute a massive upset. The side only returned to the top flight last season and currently sit second from bottom, in the Relegation Group standings.

And in Norway, we have the delayed 2021 final of the Cupen. Normally played at the end of our season, which remember is a summer tournament, last year’s format had to be adjusted due to coronavirus restrictions. That means we have the spectacle of Bodø/Glimt – playing in their first final since 2003, against Molde – who last won it back in 2014.

If you want to follow any of the games mentioned above, click on the relevant link and tap the bell icon to receive all the key match updates.

Or join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to discuss all the important football going on this weekend!

Cover Image from IMAGO

Posted by Bill Biss
23
Apr
2022
This Weekend: Merseyside Derby, Der Klassiker and more!

This Weekend: Merseyside Derby, Der Klassiker and more!

The best action to follow this weekend

If you would like to receive this weekly preview direct to your inbox, sign up to our FREE mailing list by clicking here.

Saturday

?? Big nationwide rivalries don’t come much bigger than Der Klassiker, the battle for supremacy in German football between Bayern and Dortmund. And truth be told, since 2012, there also aren’t many as lopsided as this one.

Win on Saturday and Bayern will claim their 10th consecutive Bundesliga title and extend their record run of victories over Dortmund to eight (in all competitions). Should Dortmund pull off a surprise result however, they’d likely only delay the inevitable. A victory leaves them seven points behind with three games remaining.

But where there’s hope, there’s a way, as they say…unless perhaps you’re a student of the German game over the last decade.

?? In Spain, the Copa del Rey takes centre-stage on Saturday with the two of the country’s less-heralded sides competing in the 2022 Final.

That said, Real Betis and Valencia do have 10 Copa titles between them, and Valencia did win it as recently as 2019 but this is the only the second time in 14 years that one, or two of the big three – Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atlético, haven’t featured in the showpiece.

Betis come in to the game off the back of a midweek defeat to Elche as they compete for Champions League qualification in the league (they currently sit fifth) whilst Valencia have won just one of their last six and are very much mid-table in La Liga.

??????? There’s five Premier League games scheduled across the day, with perhaps the most crucial coming in the early kick-off at the Emirates. Arsenal vs. Manchester United may have decided the title in years gone by but this time, it’s all about catching Spurs and more specifically, the fourth Champions League qualification spot.

A home win would put Arsenal above their London rivals whilst a victory for Ralf Rangnick’s under-pressure squad would leave all three sides level on 57 points.

Spurs do have the chance to remedy all that by winning their own game later in the day – they play away at Brentford, who appear to revel in causing an upset since their promotion to the top flight. There will also be an emotional reunion with former player Christian Eriksen.

In the battle for the title itself, Manchester City can extend their one-point lead at the top of the table, should they beat Watford at home. And in games featuring sides still fighting against relegation, Aston Villa go to Leicester City and Norwich City entertain Newcastle United.

?? The Serie A title race remains on a knife-edge with the top three separated by four points going in to a weekend where most sides have five games to play.

Inter, who sit second have the opportunity to move above rivals Milan on goal difference, if they can overcome former manager José Mourinho and his current club Roma, on Saturday evening. The Nerazzurri also have the advantage of having played a game less than the sides around them.

?? There was a full midweek round of games in Ligue 1 where the key result – a comeback win for Marseille at home to Nantes ensured that PSG had to put the title-winning champagne on ice and re-focus on their Saturday fixture against Lens.

A win at the Parc des Princes will give PSG their 10th league title, regardless of results elsewhere and perhaps grant Mauricio Pochettino a little more time at the helm after a difficult season on and off the pitch.

Sunday

??????? The Merseyside Derby dominates proceedings on Sunday as Liverpool look to reign in Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table and Everton search for all the points they can get in the battle to avoid the drop.

Burnley’s win over Southampton on Thursday night leaves Everton perilously close to the relegation zone so for the Blue half of the city, a repeat of the 2-0 win they enjoyed at Anfield last season would be very much welcomed. Anyone who watched Liverpool take Manchester United apart on Tuesday night however, might just fear for Frank Lampard’s defence.

Amongst the day’s other games, Chelsea will look to return to winning ways against London rivals West Ham and Brighton meet Southampton on the South Coast.

?? In Serie A on Sunday, the Milan vs. Rome double is completed as Milan go to Lazio 24 hours after Inter’s clash with Roma.

Prior to Milan’s 3-0 defeat to Inter in Tuesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final, the current leaders hadn’t conceded a goal in six games but you can expect Lazio’s Ciro Immobile, the league’s top scorer to test that record. The day’s other key fixture comes as Napoli go to Empoli hoping to keep themselves within touching distance of the Milan club’s above them.

?? There’s just one game in La Liga this weekend, and that is essentially the one game in hand that Barcelona have on the rest of the teams battling it out to finish second behind Real Madrid.

Xavi’s side picked up a vital win at Real Sociedad on Thursday night, meaning they are now unbeaten in 13 away games – their best run since 2019. But on Sunday, they’re back at Camp Nou, scene of recent calamities against Eintracht Frankfurt and Cadíz, to face mid-table Rayo Vallecano.

? The second of this season’s Women’s Champions League semi-finals takes place on Sunday, and that’s the battle between France’s two dominant clubs – Lyon and PSG.

Domestically, PSG managed to end Lyon’s 14-year run of league title wins last season but Lyon have fought back this year, beating their rivals 6-1 in November and boasting a healthy 5-point lead in the current standings. But at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League last season, PSG did knock out Lyon, the competition’s record winners so this tie remains in the balance!

? With FotMob based in Norway we always like to preach the gospel of Nordic football so we’ll end this week by pointing you in the direction of two massive games taking place here, and in Sweden.

Until the recent emergence and dominance of the Europa Conference League-bothering Bodø/Glimt, Rosenborg and Molde were the Eliteserien’s two biggest sides. They meet, in what is just the league’s fourth round of games, at Rosenborg on Sunday.

In Sweden, there’s also an early season clash between fierce Stockholm rivals AIK and Djurgården, which is often sited as the region’s most intense Derby fixture.

If you want to follow any of the games mentioned above, click on the relevant link and tap the bell icon to receive all the key match updates.

Or join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to discuss all the important football going on this weekend!

Cover Image from IMAGO

Posted by Bill Biss
22
Apr
2022
This Weekend: Merseyside Derby, Der Klassiker and more!

This Weekend: Merseyside Derby, Der Klassiker and more!

The best action to follow this weekend

If you would like to receive this weekly preview direct to your inbox, sign up to our FREE mailing list by clicking here.

Saturday

?? Big nationwide rivalries don’t come much bigger than Der Klassiker, the battle for supremacy in German football between Bayern and Dortmund. And truth be told, since 2012, there also aren’t many as lopsided as this one.

Win on Saturday and Bayern will claim their 10th consecutive Bundesliga title and extend their record run of victories over Dortmund to eight (in all competitions). Should Dortmund pull off a surprise result however, they’d likely only delay the inevitable. A victory leaves them seven points behind with three games remaining.

But where there’s hope, there’s a way, as they say…unless perhaps you’re a student of the German game over the last decade.

?? In Spain, the Copa del Rey takes centre-stage on Saturday with the two of the country’s less-heralded sides competing in the 2022 Final.

That said, Real Betis and Valencia do have 10 Copa titles between them, and Valencia did win it as recently as 2019 but this is the only the second time in 14 years that one, or two of the big three – Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atlético, haven’t featured in the showpiece.

Betis come in to the game off the back of a midweek defeat to Elche as they compete for Champions League qualification in the league (they currently sit fifth) whilst Valencia have won just one of their last six and are very much mid-table in La Liga.

??????? There’s five Premier League games scheduled across the day, with perhaps the most crucial coming in the early kick-off at the Emirates. Arsenal vs. Manchester United may have decided the title in years gone by but this time, it’s all about catching Spurs and more specifically, the fourth Champions League qualification spot.

A home win would put Arsenal above their London rivals whilst a victory for Ralf Rangnick’s under-pressure squad would leave all three sides level on 57 points.

Spurs do have the chance to remedy all that by winning their own game later in the day – they play away at Brentford, who appear to revel in causing an upset since their promotion to the top flight. There will also be an emotional reunion with former player Christian Eriksen.

In the battle for the title itself, Manchester City can extend their one-point lead at the top of the table, should they beat Watford at home. And in games featuring sides still fighting against relegation, Aston Villa go to Leicester City and Norwich City entertain Newcastle United.

?? The Serie A title race remains on a knife-edge with the top three separated by four points going in to a weekend where most sides have five games to play.

Inter, who sit second have the opportunity to move above rivals Milan on goal difference, if they can overcome former manager José Mourinho and his current club Roma, on Saturday evening. The Nerazzurri also have the advantage of having played a game less than the sides around them.

?? There was a full midweek round of games in Ligue 1 where the key result – a comeback win for Marseille at home to Nantes ensured that PSG had to put the title-winning champagne on ice and re-focus on their Saturday fixture against Lens.

A win at the Parc des Princes will give PSG their 10th league title, regardless of results elsewhere and perhaps grant Mauricio Pochettino a little more time at the helm after a difficult season on and off the pitch.

Sunday

??????? The Merseyside Derby dominates proceedings on Sunday as Liverpool look to reign in Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table and Everton search for all the points they can get in the battle to avoid the drop.

Burnley’s win over Southampton on Thursday night leaves Everton perilously close to the relegation zone so for the Blue half of the city, a repeat of the 2-0 win they enjoyed at Anfield last season would be very much welcomed. Anyone who watched Liverpool take Manchester United apart on Tuesday night however, might just fear for Frank Lampard’s defence.

Amongst the day’s other games, Chelsea will look to return to winning ways against London rivals West Ham and Brighton meet Southampton on the South Coast.

?? In Serie A on Sunday, the Milan vs. Rome double is completed as Milan go to Lazio 24 hours after Inter’s clash with Roma.

Prior to Milan’s 3-0 defeat to Inter in Tuesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final, the current leaders hadn’t conceded a goal in six games but you can expect Lazio’s Ciro Immobile, the league’s top scorer to test that record. The day’s other key fixture comes as Napoli go to Empoli hoping to keep themselves within touching distance of the Milan club’s above them.

?? There’s just one game in La Liga this weekend, and that is essentially the one game in hand that Barcelona have on the rest of the teams battling it out to finish second behind Real Madrid.

Xavi’s side picked up a vital win at Real Sociedad on Thursday night, meaning they are now unbeaten in 13 away games – their best run since 2019. But on Sunday, they’re back at Camp Nou, scene of recent calamities against Eintracht Frankfurt and Cadíz, to face mid-table Rayo Vallecano.

? The second of this season’s Women’s Champions League semi-finals takes place on Sunday, and that’s the battle between France’s two dominant clubs – Lyon and PSG.

Domestically, PSG managed to end Lyon’s 14-year run of league title wins last season but Lyon have fought back this year, beating their rivals 6-1 in November and boasting a healthy 5-point lead in the current standings. But at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League last season, PSG did knock out Lyon, the competition’s record winners so this tie remains in the balance!

? With FotMob based in Norway we always like to preach the gospel of Nordic football so we’ll end this week by pointing you in the direction of two massive games taking place here, and in Sweden.

Until the recent emergence and dominance of the Europa Conference League-bothering Bodø/Glimt, Rosenborg and Molde were the Eliteserien’s two biggest sides. They meet, in what is just the league’s fourth round of games, at Rosenborg on Sunday.

In Sweden, there’s also an early season clash between fierce Stockholm rivals AIK and Djurgården, which is often sited as the region’s most intense Derby fixture.

If you want to follow any of the games mentioned above, click on the relevant link and tap the bell icon to receive all the key match updates.

Or join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to discuss all the important football going on this weekend!

Cover Image from IMAGO

Posted by Bill Biss
16
Apr
2022
This Weekend: Easter Derbies and Giant Cup Clashes

This Weekend: Easter Derbies and Giant Cup Clashes

The best action to follow this weekend

If you would like to receive this weekly preview direct to your inbox, sign up to our FREE mailing list by clicking here.

Saturday

??????? You wait for one possibly Premier League season defining clash between Manchester City and Liverpool to come along and then you get an FA Cup semi-final between the same two sides just one week later! And this time, the beauty is that we’ll get a definitive result on the day! The league’s top two played out a very entertaining 2-2 draw at the Etihad last Sunday but we’ll have to wait to see what effect midweek’s events in the Champions League have on the pair when they meet again at Wembley.

Meanwhile back in the Premier League, there are four fixtures to look out for, including Manchester United‘s home game against struggling Norwich and Arsenal’s road-trip to Southampton.

??????? It’s a similar story in the Scottish Cup where again, just seven days after Hearts soundly beat Edinburgh rivals Hibernian 3-1 in the league, the pair meet again at the semi-final stage of what is, the world’s second oldest Cup competition. In fact, this game is just part one of two massive Scottish Derbies in the Cup this weekend.

?? There’s also a clash between major rivals in Ligue 1 as the Derby du Nord takes place between outgoing champions Lille and near-neighbours Lens. This will be their third meeting of the season, with Lens coming out on top in both the earlier league fixture and January’s R32 tie in the Coupe de France.

A single point separates the two, with Lille in seventh and Lens sitting eighth as both hunt down a European qualification spot.

?? You might be picking up on the weekend’s themes here but yes, the Bundesliga also provides Derby-day entertainment as Borussia Mönchengladbach and Rhineland rivals FC Köln clash at the Borussia Park.

Elsewhere, Dortmund play Wolfsburg, a side they’ve beaten in 12 of their last 13 meetings with the other game in a run that dates back to 2015 ending in a draw.

?? It’s a relatively quiet day in Serie A, if you ignore the fact that the title race is one of the most intriguing battles currently ongoing anywhere in football. Juventus are the only side from the top four in action, at home to Bologna.

At the time of writing, it’s a top four divided by six points but with leaders Milan and second-placed Inter both playing their fixtures on Friday night that could have stretched to nine by the time Juve kick-off.

Sunday

??????? Part two of the Derby drama in the Scottish Cup that we trailed earlier comes up on Sunday with the Old Firm switching hostilities from Parkhead or Ibrox to the relative neutrality of Glasgow’s other major stadium and the home of Scottish football, Hampden Park. The sides last met earlier this month with Celtic’s away win extending their lead in the league table to six points.

But after the high of Rangers’ qualification for the semi-finals of the Europa League, following their defeat of Braga on Thursday evening, could they be in the mood to turn the tide back home?

??????? In the second FA Cup semi-final, Chelsea must recover from their dramatic Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid in time to face recent form side Crystal Palace.

Patrick Vieira’s men might have lost to Leicester City in the Premier League last week but that was their first defeat in eight, a run that dates back to February, when they were beaten by Chelsea, at their Selhurst Park home.

Speaking of the Premier League, there’s two fixtures in England’s top flight on Sunday; Newcastle United vs. Leicester and the all-claret and blue clash between West Ham and Burnley.

?? Two of the Netherland’s biggest sides, and in fact the Eredivisie’s current top two are set to contest the 104th final of the KNVB Cup. Yes, PSV Eindhoven and Ajax must put aside their 3-point battle in the league to fight over the country’s other major honour.

And no doubt there will be a lot of eyes on Erik ten Hag as he not only looks to defend Ajax’s title in this competition but also add to his legacy at the club before his (all but confirmed) departure for Manchester United.

?? The Ligue 1 weekend is all building up to Le Classique on Sunday, the final showdown between PSG and Marseille scheduled to take place this season. France’s big two may be back leading the way in the table but don’t let that fool you in to thinking this is a title decider as PSG hold a 12-point lead over their southern rivals.

Having said that, with six rounds to play after this weekend, a win for Mauricio Pochettino’s side would put them just two wins away from what would be the club’s 10th league title in their 51-year history.

?? In Portugal, it’s time for another of the World’s most famous club matches, the Derby de Lisboa. Benfica make the short trip across the capital to face Sporting just days after their impressive but ultimately unsuccessful run in the Champions League came to an end at Liverpool.

Sporting have won the club’s previous two meetings during this campaign and overall, have lost just two of their games in the Liga Portugal but any hopes of defending the title won last season have been overshadowed somewhat by FC Porto going the whole season unbeaten! Consequently, Sporting are second in the table, six points back from Porto but nine points clear of third-placed Benfica.

?? As if all of the above wasn’t enough to whet your appetite for the weekend’s football, we’ll end this preview by highlighting the clash between Sevilla and Real Madrid in La Liga. For so long the nearest thing Madrid have had in terms of title rivals this season, at least until Barcelona’s recent resurgence, Sevilla still sit third but 12 points down on their opponents.

However, combine their impressive home run and the fact they have the best defensive record in the division and Sevilla will certainly be a stiff test for Benzema and co.

If you want to follow any of the games mentioned above, click on the relevant link and tap the bell icon to receive all the key match updates.

Or join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to discuss all the important football going on this weekend!

Cover Image from IMAGO

Posted by Bill Biss
15
Apr
2022
This Weekend: Easter Derbies and Giant Cup Clashes

This Weekend: Easter Derbies and Giant Cup Clashes

The best action to follow this weekend

If you would like to receive this weekly preview direct to your inbox, sign up to our FREE mailing list by clicking here.

Saturday

??????? You wait for one possibly Premier League season defining clash between Manchester City and Liverpool to come along and then you get an FA Cup semi-final between the same two sides just one week later! And this time, the beauty is that we’ll get a definitive result on the day! The league’s top two played out a very entertaining 2-2 draw at the Etihad last Sunday but we’ll have to wait to see what effect midweek’s events in the Champions League have on the pair when they meet again at Wembley.

Meanwhile back in the Premier League, there are four fixtures to look out for, including Manchester United‘s home game against struggling Norwich and Arsenal’s road-trip to Southampton.

??????? It’s a similar story in the Scottish Cup where again, just seven days after Hearts soundly beat Edinburgh rivals Hibernian 3-1 in the league, the pair meet again at the semi-final stage of what is, the world’s second oldest Cup competition. In fact, this game is just part one of two massive Scottish Derbies in the Cup this weekend.

?? There’s also a clash between major rivals in Ligue 1 as the Derby du Nord takes place between outgoing champions Lille and near-neighbours Lens. This will be their third meeting of the season, with Lens coming out on top in both the earlier league fixture and January’s R32 tie in the Coupe de France.

A single point separates the two, with Lille in seventh and Lens sitting eighth as both hunt down a European qualification spot.

?? You might be picking up on the weekend’s themes here but yes, the Bundesliga also provides Derby-day entertainment as Borussia Mönchengladbach and Rhineland rivals FC Köln clash at the Borussia Park.

Elsewhere, Dortmund play Wolfsburg, a side they’ve beaten in 12 of their last 13 meetings with the other game in a run that dates back to 2015 ending in a draw.

?? It’s a relatively quiet day in Serie A, if you ignore the fact that the title race is one of the most intriguing battles currently ongoing anywhere in football. Juventus are the only side from the top four in action, at home to Bologna.

At the time of writing, it’s a top four divided by six points but with leaders Milan and second-placed Inter both playing their fixtures on Friday night that could have stretched to nine by the time Juve kick-off.

Sunday

??????? Part two of the Derby drama in the Scottish Cup that we trailed earlier comes up on Sunday with the Old Firm switching hostilities from Parkhead or Ibrox to the relative neutrality of Glasgow’s other major stadium and the home of Scottish football, Hampden Park. The sides last met earlier this month with Celtic’s away win extending their lead in the league table to six points.

But after the high of Rangers’ qualification for the semi-finals of the Europa League, following their defeat of Braga on Thursday evening, could they be in the mood to turn the tide back home?

??????? In the second FA Cup semi-final, Chelsea must recover from their dramatic Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid in time to face recent form side Crystal Palace.

Patrick Vieira’s men might have lost to Leicester City in the Premier League last week but that was their first defeat in eight, a run that dates back to February, when they were beaten by Chelsea, at their Selhurst Park home.

Speaking of the Premier League, there’s two fixtures in England’s top flight on Sunday; Newcastle United vs. Leicester and the all-claret and blue clash between West Ham and Burnley.

?? Two of the Netherland’s biggest sides, and in fact the Eredivisie’s current top two are set to contest the 104th final of the KNVB Cup. Yes, PSV Eindhoven and Ajax must put aside their 3-point battle in the league to fight over the country’s other major honour.

And no doubt there will be a lot of eyes on Erik ten Hag as he not only looks to defend Ajax’s title in this competition but also add to his legacy at the club before his (all but confirmed) departure for Manchester United.

?? The Ligue 1 weekend is all building up to Le Classique on Sunday, the final showdown between PSG and Marseille scheduled to take place this season. France’s big two may be back leading the way in the table but don’t let that fool you in to thinking this is a title decider as PSG hold a 12-point lead over their southern rivals.

Having said that, with six rounds to play after this weekend, a win for Mauricio Pochettino’s side would put them just two wins away from what would be the club’s 10th league title in their 51-year history.

?? In Portugal, it’s time for another of the World’s most famous club matches, the Derby de Lisboa. Benfica make the short trip across the capital to face Sporting just days after their impressive but ultimately unsuccessful run in the Champions League came to an end at Liverpool.

Sporting have won the club’s previous two meetings during this campaign and overall, have lost just two of their games in the Liga Portugal but any hopes of defending the title won last season have been overshadowed somewhat by FC Porto going the whole season unbeaten! Consequently, Sporting are second in the table, six points back from Porto but nine points clear of third-placed Benfica.

?? As if all of the above wasn’t enough to whet your appetite for the weekend’s football, we’ll end this preview by highlighting the clash between Sevilla and Real Madrid in La Liga. For so long the nearest thing Madrid have had in terms of title rivals this season, at least until Barcelona’s recent resurgence, Sevilla still sit third but 12 points down on their opponents.

However, combine their impressive home run and the fact they have the best defensive record in the division and Sevilla will certainly be a stiff test for Benzema and co.

If you want to follow any of the games mentioned above, click on the relevant link and tap the bell icon to receive all the key match updates.

Or join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to discuss all the important football going on this weekend!

Cover Image from IMAGO

Posted by Bill Biss
09
Apr
2022
This Weekend: Berlin Derby and Crunch Time in the Premier League

This Weekend: Berlin Derby and Crunch Time in the Premier League

The best action to follow this weekend

If you would like to receive this weekly preview direct to your inbox, sign up to our FREE mailing list by clicking here.

Saturday

?? We start in Germany where the latest Berlin Derby falls on Saturday evening. Union, who sit seventh travel across town to face a Hertha side mired in relegation trouble. One win in their last 10 league games sees them 17th but level on points with Arminia, who currently sit in the relegation play-off place and a point below Stuttgart, who sit above the drop zone.

Since Union’s promotion in 2019 both sides have won two derbies a piece and there’s been one draw but Union did also beat Hertha in a 5-goal thriller in the DFB Pokal back in January.

Elsewhere, league leaders Bayern face fellow Bavarians Augsburg at the Allianz Arena. The visitors are in good form with three wins in their last four and they’ll be looking to complete an unlikely double having beaten Die Roten at home in November.

There’s also a big game in the 2. Bundesliga with leaders Werder Bremen going to third-placed St. Pauli. The title race in Germany’s second tier is always hotly disputed and at the time of writing the top four are separated by just two points!

??????? The Premier League has five games lined up for Saturday and they include a massive lunchtime kick-off for relegation-threatened Everton, at home to Manchester United. The defeat at Burnley in the week left Frank Lampard’s side one point above the relegation zone and he’ll be desperate for an upturn in results if he’s to maintain the club’s proud record – Only Arsenal have spent more consecutive seasons in the England’s top tier, 96 to Everton’s 68.

Chelsea must pick themselves up from defeat to Real Madrid by going to Southampton before they then look to rescue their Champions League title defence, in Madrid next Tuesday. Fourth-placed Tottenham visit Aston Villa whilst Arsenal entertain goal-shy Brighton and the day’s big six-pointer comes as Watford and Leeds United clash at the Hornets’ Vicarage Road.

?? All three of Spain’s Champions League quarter-finalists are in domestic action on Saturday. The aforementioned Madrid, led by mercurial top scorer Karim Benzema will be looking for revenge against Getafe who beat them in the away fixture at the turn of the year.

Villarreal, who lost to Cadíz and Levante between their famous wins over Champions League heavyweights Juventus and Bayern play Athletic Club who sit eighth, directly below them in the race to qualify for another European adventure next season!

Atlético Madrid face the long trip to Mallorca before returning to the capital ahead of their second leg against Manchester City.

?? In Serie A and after facing each other last weekend, both Inter and Juventus will be looking to close the gap on the top two with Milan and Napoli not playing until Sunday. Inter host Hellas Verona, a side they’ve not lost to in their last 14 meetings whilst Juve go to Cagliari, who haven’t kept a clean sheet in 18 games.

??????? The Scottish Premiership gave us an exciting Old Firm Derby last weekend but now it’s time for two more classic rivalries from the same division. Dundee United host near-neighbours Dundee – literally, their grounds are situated on the same street, and playing at the same time, Hearts meet Hibs in the big Edinburgh Derby.

?? Chronologically speaking, the last big Derby of the day to kick-off comes in MLS where LA Galaxy play LAFC. Although it’s a rivalry that dates back only as far as 2018, ‘El Tráfico’ has become a mainstay in the league and it almost always guarantees goals. In fact, there’s been at least two goals in all 13 meetings between the two and both sides have scored in all but three of those.

Sunday

??????? Despite there being seven rounds still to play after this weekend, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Premier League season comes to a head on Sunday when Manchester City clash with Liverpool. The league’s two dominate forces of the current era, managed by two of the world’s most revered coaches are separated by just a point in their battle for the title. There’s a lot riding on this one, something that’s only further complicated by the fact that it falls between the first and second legs of Champions League quarter-finals, for both sides.

There are three other Premier League games to warm you up before the day’s main event. Brentford host West Ham, in-form Crystal Palace go to Leicester City and in a really key battle at the bottom, Norwich City take on Burnley.

?? In La Liga, second-placed Barcelona head to Valencia where they’ll play Levante, a side capable of surprising some of the league’s best with wins against Atlético Madrid and Villarreal against their name in recent months.

Xavi’s side though are on a 14-game unbeaten run in all competitions, Thursday’s Europa League draw at Eintracht Frankfurt something of a comedown after back-to-back wins against Madrid and Sevilla.

?? The Serie A title race appears to be another one that’ll go down to the wire with Milan leading the way by a single point. They have seven games left to play, starting with Sunday’s trip to Torino, who haven’t won at home in their last four matches. This may be an ideal time for Milan to find their shooting boots after failing to score more than once in a game since mid-February.

Chasers Napoli are also in action, at home to Vincenzo Italiano’s Fiorentina and Roma, still smarting from their latest defeat to Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt are at home against bottom side Salernitana.

?? The Bundesliga’s chasing pack are the main draw in Germany on Sunday with Leverkusen (3rd) looking to sure up their Champions League qualification place at Bochum, Freiburg (5th) also playing away at Eintracht and RB Leipzig (4th) facing off against Hoffenheim (6th).

?? After the state championships that fill the early part of the year in Brazil it’s now time for the new Serie A season to start. Defending champions Atlético Mineiro, fresh from adding a 47th Campeonato Mineiro to their list of honours thanks to a Hulk-inspired win over Cruzeiro begin with a tough assignment, at home to Internacional.

If you want to follow any of the games mentioned above, click on the relevant link and tap the bell icon to receive all the key match updates.

Or join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to discuss all the important football going on this weekend!

Cover Image from IMAGO

Posted by Bill Biss
08
Apr
2022
This Weekend: Berlin Derby and Crunch Time in the Premier League

This Weekend: Berlin Derby and Crunch Time in the Premier League

The best action to follow this weekend

If you would like to receive this weekly preview direct to your inbox, sign up to our FREE mailing list by clicking here.

Saturday

?? We start in Germany where the latest Berlin Derby falls on Saturday evening. Union, who sit seventh travel across town to face a Hertha side mired in relegation trouble. One win in their last 10 league games sees them 17th but level on points with Arminia, who currently sit in the relegation play-off place and a point below Stuttgart, who sit above the drop zone.

Since Union’s promotion in 2019 both sides have won two derbies a piece and there’s been one draw but Union did also beat Hertha in a 5-goal thriller in the DFB Pokal back in January.

Elsewhere, league leaders Bayern face fellow Bavarians Augsburg at the Allianz Arena. The visitors are in good form with three wins in their last four and they’ll be looking to complete an unlikely double having beaten Die Roten at home in November.

There’s also a big game in the 2. Bundesliga with leaders Werder Bremen going to third-placed St. Pauli. The title race in Germany’s second tier is always hotly disputed and at the time of writing the top four are separated by just two points!

??????? The Premier League has five games lined up for Saturday and they include a massive lunchtime kick-off for relegation-threatened Everton, at home to Manchester United. The defeat at Burnley in the week left Frank Lampard’s side one point above the relegation zone and he’ll be desperate for an upturn in results if he’s to maintain the club’s proud record – Only Arsenal have spent more consecutive seasons in the England’s top tier, 96 to Everton’s 68.

Chelsea must pick themselves up from defeat to Real Madrid by going to Southampton before they then look to rescue their Champions League title defence, in Madrid next Tuesday. Fourth-placed Tottenham visit Aston Villa whilst Arsenal entertain goal-shy Brighton and the day’s big six-pointer comes as Watford and Leeds United clash at the Hornets’ Vicarage Road.

?? All three of Spain’s Champions League quarter-finalists are in domestic action on Saturday. The aforementioned Madrid, led by mercurial top scorer Karim Benzema will be looking for revenge against Getafe who beat them in the away fixture at the turn of the year.

Villarreal, who lost to Cadíz and Levante between their famous wins over Champions League heavyweights Juventus and Bayern play Athletic Club who sit eighth, directly below them in the race to qualify for another European adventure next season!

Atlético Madrid face the long trip to Mallorca before returning to the capital ahead of their second leg against Manchester City.

?? In Serie A and after facing each other last weekend, both Inter and Juventus will be looking to close the gap on the top two with Milan and Napoli not playing until Sunday. Inter host Hellas Verona, a side they’ve not lost to in their last 14 meetings whilst Juve go to Cagliari, who haven’t kept a clean sheet in 18 games.

??????? The Scottish Premiership gave us an exciting Old Firm Derby last weekend but now it’s time for two more classic rivalries from the same division. Dundee United host near-neighbours Dundee – literally, their grounds are situated on the same street, and playing at the same time, Hearts meet Hibs in the big Edinburgh Derby.

?? Chronologically speaking, the last big Derby of the day to kick-off comes in MLS where LA Galaxy play LAFC. Although it’s a rivalry that dates back only as far as 2018, ‘El Tráfico’ has become a mainstay in the league and it almost always guarantees goals. In fact, there’s been at least two goals in all 13 meetings between the two and both sides have scored in all but three of those.

Sunday

??????? Despite there being seven rounds still to play after this weekend, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Premier League season comes to a head on Sunday when Manchester City clash with Liverpool. The league’s two dominate forces of the current era, managed by two of the world’s most revered coaches are separated by just a point in their battle for the title. There’s a lot riding on this one, something that’s only further complicated by the fact that it falls between the first and second legs of Champions League quarter-finals, for both sides.

There are three other Premier League games to warm you up before the day’s main event. Brentford host West Ham, in-form Crystal Palace go to Leicester City and in a really key battle at the bottom, Norwich City take on Burnley.

?? In La Liga, second-placed Barcelona head to Valencia where they’ll play Levante, a side capable of surprising some of the league’s best with wins against Atlético Madrid and Villarreal against their name in recent months.

Xavi’s side though are on a 14-game unbeaten run in all competitions, Thursday’s Europa League draw at Eintracht Frankfurt something of a comedown after back-to-back wins against Madrid and Sevilla.

?? The Serie A title race appears to be another one that’ll go down to the wire with Milan leading the way by a single point. They have seven games left to play, starting with Sunday’s trip to Torino, who haven’t won at home in their last four matches. This may be an ideal time for Milan to find their shooting boots after failing to score more than once in a game since mid-February.

Chasers Napoli are also in action, at home to Vincenzo Italiano’s Fiorentina and Roma, still smarting from their latest defeat to Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt are at home against bottom side Salernitana.

?? The Bundesliga’s chasing pack are the main draw in Germany on Sunday with Leverkusen (3rd) looking to sure up their Champions League qualification place at Bochum, Freiburg (5th) also playing away at Eintracht and RB Leipzig (4th) facing off against Hoffenheim (6th).

?? After the state championships that fill the early part of the year in Brazil it’s now time for the new Serie A season to start. Defending champions Atlético Mineiro, fresh from adding a 47th Campeonato Mineiro to their list of honours thanks to a Hulk-inspired win over Cruzeiro begin with a tough assignment, at home to Internacional.

If you want to follow any of the games mentioned above, click on the relevant link and tap the bell icon to receive all the key match updates.

Or join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to discuss all the important football going on this weekend!

Cover Image from IMAGO

Posted by Bill Biss
02
Apr
2022
This Weekend: Club Football returns with the Old Firm and Derby d’Italia

This Weekend: Club Football returns with the Old Firm and Derby d’Italia

The best action to follow this weekend

If you would like to receive this weekly preview direct to your inbox, sign up to our FREE mailing list by clicking here.

Saturday

??????? After a crucial, but extensive international break it’s time to get back to the bread and butter of domestic top flight action and where better to start than the Premier League. Particularly with the Champions League quarter-finals coming up in the week meaning that England’s three representatives all play on Saturday.

Liverpool warm up for their trip to Benfica in the early kick-off against Watford before later in the day, Manchester City prepare for the visit of Diego Simeone’s Atlético by playing at Sean Dyche’s Burnley. Chelsea meanwhile face West London rivals Brentford before then welcoming Real Madrid to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Manchester United are also in action as they come up against Europa Conference quarter-finalists Leicester City.

In case you needed a reminder, here’s the current picture at the top of the English table.

Staying in England, and specifically West London there’s also an important game in the second tier as runaway Championship leaders Fulham go to near neighbours Queens Park Rangers, themselves looking to break in to the play-off places in pursuit of promotion.

?? Real Madrid, who currently sit nine points clear in La Liga are also on their travels. They visit Celta Vigo, a side they’ve not lost to in any competition since 2017 and at who’s ground they’re unbeaten for the best part of eight years.

Fourth-placed Atlético will be looking to extend their good run of form with a win at home to Deportivo Alavés potentially giving them their sixth straight victory.

?? There’s intrigue in the Bundesliga fixture list where the biggest game of the day pits Borussia Dortmund against fellow perennial challengers, RB Leipzig. Sitting second and fourth in the table respectively, the win is probably more important for the visitors as Leipzig are embroiled in a battle for a Champions League spot.

Just four points separates Leverkusen in third to Hoffenheim in sixth with seven rounds to play – meaning any dropped points could now be costly. Freiburg are the other side involved in that mini-league within a league but they’ve drawn the short straw this weekend. They play Bayern München.

?? From Australia, we get the third instalment of the Sydney Derby in the current season. In truth, both Sydney and Western Sydney Wanderers are way off the pace in the A-League Men’s table but these games always bring some top Derby-day action. With Western Sydney holding the bragging rights having won one, drawn one from the previous two clashes, the blue half of the city will be out for revenge.

?? With not even PSG fans seemingly enjoying their own club’s table topping form this season, Saturday gives us a chance to watch two Ligue 1 sides that have entertained, fourth placed Nice against third placed Rennes. The Breton club have outgunned everyone, including PSG by scoring 63 goals across their 29 games but in Nice, they will come up against the league’s meanest defence – The Eaglets have conceded an average of just 0.8 goals per game.

Sunday

??????? There’s nothing like scheduling a potential title decider that also happens to be the league’s most talked about fixture (and that’s an understatement) on the first weekend after the international break. Rangers vs. Celtic is exactly that game and with the visitors unbeaten in 25 but only leading Rangers by three points in the table, this is Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s best chance of stopping their arch-rivals from taking back the Scottish title.

?? In Spain too, there’s another massive game lined up for Sunday evening with Barcelona hosting Sevilla at the Camp Nou. A stadium probably still recovering from Barcelona Femini’s Champions League quarter-final in the week when the attendance of 91,553 broke the world record for women’s football.

A win for the men’s team would put them level on points with their second-placed opponents but also leapfrog them on goal difference, all whilst having a game in hand. That’s some motivation for Xavi’s in-form side.

?? Serie A have followed the Scottish Premiership’s lead and arranged for one of their biggest rivalries to headline the weekend in Italy. Juventus vs. Inter, aka the Derby d’Italia isn’t quite a title decider but with just a point between them, the result should indicate who is best placed to chase down the only two sides above them, Napoli and Milan.

For their part, Napoli could go above Milan, again on goal difference should they win their fixture at fifth placed Atalanta earlier in the day.

??????? There’s just two games in the Premier League but both are relevant to the various battles going on as sides jostle for the European qualification spots or attempt to stay clear of the dreaded relegation zone. West Ham host Everton, who sit perilously close to the bottom three and Spurs entertain Newcastle United.

☀️ Closer to FotMob’s heart, this weekend marks the season start in two of Europe’s summer leagues – Norway’s Eliteserien and Sweden’s Allsvenskan.

Here in Norway, we’re going big with Molde playing Vålerenga on Saturday before Sunday brings the clash between defending champions and current darlings of the Europa Conference League, Bodø/Glimt, and giants Rosenborg. In Sweden, Malmö kick-off their title defence with a trip to Kalmer in the South East of the country.

? Elsewhere in Europe, there’s the usual scattering of big local derbies and important match ups. In Switzerland, after runaway leaders FC Zürich play city rivals Grasshoppers on Saturday, the country’s biggest game between FC Basel and Young Boys takes place on Sunday. In Austria too, there’s Salzburg vs. Rapid Wien and in Turkey, outgoing champions Beşiktaş go to this season’s most likely winners, Trabzonspor.

If you want to follow any of the games mentioned above, click on the relevant link and tap the bell icon to receive all the key match updates.

Or join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to discuss all the important football going on this weekend!

Cover Image from IMAGO

Posted by Bill Biss
01
Apr
2022
This Weekend: Club Football returns with the Old Firm and Derby d’Italia

This Weekend: Club Football returns with the Old Firm and Derby d’Italia

The best action to follow this weekend

If you would like to receive this weekly preview direct to your inbox, sign up to our FREE mailing list by clicking here.

Saturday

??????? After a crucial, but extensive international break it’s time to get back to the bread and butter of domestic top flight action and where better to start than the Premier League. Particularly with the Champions League quarter-finals coming up in the week meaning that England’s three representatives all play on Saturday.

Liverpool warm up for their trip to Benfica in the early kick-off against Watford before later in the day, Manchester City prepare for the visit of Diego Simeone’s Atlético by playing at Sean Dyche’s Burnley. Chelsea meanwhile face West London rivals Brentford before then welcoming Real Madrid to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Manchester United are also in action as they come up against Europa Conference quarter-finalists Leicester City.

In case you needed a reminder, here’s the current picture at the top of the English table.

Staying in England, and specifically West London there’s also an important game in the second tier as runaway Championship leaders Fulham go to near neighbours Queens Park Rangers, themselves looking to break in to the play-off places in pursuit of promotion.

?? Real Madrid, who currently sit nine points clear in La Liga are also on their travels. They visit Celta Vigo, a side they’ve not lost to in any competition since 2017 and at who’s ground they’re unbeaten for the best part of eight years.

Fourth-placed Atlético will be looking to extend their good run of form with a win at home to Deportivo Alavés potentially giving them their sixth straight victory.

?? There’s intrigue in the Bundesliga fixture list where the biggest game of the day pits Borussia Dortmund against fellow perennial challengers, RB Leipzig. Sitting second and fourth in the table respectively, the win is probably more important for the visitors as Leipzig are embroiled in a battle for a Champions League spot.

Just four points separates Leverkusen in third to Hoffenheim in sixth with seven rounds to play – meaning any dropped points could now be costly. Freiburg are the other side involved in that mini-league within a league but they’ve drawn the short straw this weekend. They play Bayern München.

?? From Australia, we get the third instalment of the Sydney Derby in the current season. In truth, both Sydney and Western Sydney Wanderers are way off the pace in the A-League Men’s table but these games always bring some top Derby-day action. With Western Sydney holding the bragging rights having won one, drawn one from the previous two clashes, the blue half of the city will be out for revenge.

?? With not even PSG fans seemingly enjoying their own club’s table topping form this season, Saturday gives us a chance to watch two Ligue 1 sides that have entertained, fourth placed Nice against third placed Rennes. The Breton club have outgunned everyone, including PSG by scoring 63 goals across their 29 games but in Nice, they will come up against the league’s meanest defence – The Eaglets have conceded an average of just 0.8 goals per game.

Sunday

??????? There’s nothing like scheduling a potential title decider that also happens to be the league’s most talked about fixture (and that’s an understatement) on the first weekend after the international break. Rangers vs. Celtic is exactly that game and with the visitors unbeaten in 25 but only leading Rangers by three points in the table, this is Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s best chance of stopping their arch-rivals from taking back the Scottish title.

?? In Spain too, there’s another massive game lined up for Sunday evening with Barcelona hosting Sevilla at the Camp Nou. A stadium probably still recovering from Barcelona Femini’s Champions League quarter-final in the week when the attendance of 91,553 broke the world record for women’s football.

A win for the men’s team would put them level on points with their second-placed opponents but also leapfrog them on goal difference, all whilst having a game in hand. That’s some motivation for Xavi’s in-form side.

?? Serie A have followed the Scottish Premiership’s lead and arranged for one of their biggest rivalries to headline the weekend in Italy. Juventus vs. Inter, aka the Derby d’Italia isn’t quite a title decider but with just a point between them, the result should indicate who is best placed to chase down the only two sides above them, Napoli and Milan.

For their part, Napoli could go above Milan, again on goal difference should they win their fixture at fifth placed Atalanta earlier in the day.

??????? There’s just two games in the Premier League but both are relevant to the various battles going on as sides jostle for the European qualification spots or attempt to stay clear of the dreaded relegation zone. West Ham host Everton, who sit perilously close to the bottom three and Spurs entertain Newcastle United.

☀️ Closer to FotMob’s heart, this weekend marks the season start in two of Europe’s summer leagues – Norway’s Eliteserien and Sweden’s Allsvenskan.

Here in Norway, we’re going big with Molde playing Vålerenga on Saturday before Sunday brings the clash between defending champions and current darlings of the Europa Conference League, Bodø/Glimt, and giants Rosenborg. In Sweden, Malmö kick-off their title defence with a trip to Kalmer in the South East of the country.

? Elsewhere in Europe, there’s the usual scattering of big local derbies and important match ups. In Switzerland, after runaway leaders FC Zürich play city rivals Grasshoppers on Saturday, the country’s biggest game between FC Basel and Young Boys takes place on Sunday. In Austria too, there’s Salzburg vs. Rapid Wien and in Turkey, outgoing champions Beşiktaş go to this season’s most likely winners, Trabzonspor.

If you want to follow any of the games mentioned above, click on the relevant link and tap the bell icon to receive all the key match updates.

Or join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to discuss all the important football going on this weekend!

Cover Image from IMAGO

Posted by Bill Biss
19
Mar
2022
Orange County and the UK Coaching Team out to Defend their Title

Orange County and the UK Coaching Team out to Defend their Title

With their home opener approaching, we spoke to the familiar faces building a squad set to compete for the Championship in the second tier of US soccer.

Based in Irvine, a town in the Californian region that lends it’s name to the club, Orange County SC is the current home of two ex-pros hardened in the Premier League and EFL; Head Coach Richard Chaplow and his newly appointed assistant, the former Welsh international striker and hat-trick specialist Robert Earnshaw.

Speaking to FotMob.com whilst flanked by the club’s first USL Championship trophy (won in 2021) and in front of a stunning backdrop looking out across a sun-kissed skyline, Earnshaw describes his decision to join Chaplow’s staff. Almost, but failing to keep a straight face.

“As you can see it’s horrible here.”

“But listen, the USL is a very good league, it’s always progressing every year and the standard of the players is getting better. It’s always been competitive and it continues to be. And this is what we’re here for, we’re here for that challenge.”

Chaplow, who played over 300 games for the likes of Burnley, West Brom and Southampton made the same call much earlier in the club’s rise, joining first as a player in 2016 before working as assistant coach and then stepping up to Head Coach after the dismissal of Braeden Cloutier last August.

Orange County never looked back, losing just three games from September onwards as they finished second in their division before going on to win the Western Conference in a post-season campaign that culminated with victory in the Championship Final, away at the much-fancied Tampa Bay Rowdies.

“Obviously last year was a difficult season for many reasons off and on the field due to the situation everyone’s been through with the pandemic, but I think to go through that, it really built a tight-knit group within the locker room and that served us very well. Going in to the play-offs we had a mindset and a mentality about the group that we felt that we could overcome what was in front of us.”

The club formed in 1998 under the original name of Los Angeles Blues but following a change of ownership in 2017 rebranded to better represent the community they seek to represent, moving to their current home in the same year. As part of their continued growth, Orange County agreed a partnership with Glasgow Rangers in 2020 with a focus on player development and opportunities to move between the clubs.

Chaplow’s affection for the place that he’s come to call home is clear.

“I’ve been on some journey with this club, coming over six years ago. It was somewhere where first and foremost I could see myself settling with my family and then the project was really the thing that interested me the most, because what we see here today wasn’t here, but that was the vision.”

“Obviously what we achieved last season was something special, we know that having been in the game for many years. So to achieve that so early on in our existence, to achieve that as a coach so early on in my Head Coach tenure, it was a special moment and something I’ll cherish and look to build on this season.”

One of the success stories from the side that won the title last year was 17-year-old centre-back Kobi Henry. Having broken in to the side at 16, he has already gone on to captain the USMNT at under-20 level and even spent time at a training camp for the full national side in December – the first player in USL history to receive that call-up.

“It’s been unreal to be honest, it’s been so great to move up the ranks and establish myself at a club level and on a national level. Playing next to the same guys I’ve grown up seeing on TV was a great personal moment for me.”

Also in defence last year was the experienced head of Michael Orozco, himself a former USMNT international. Now 36, Orozco played almost every minute of every game in Orange County’s run to the title and alongside Henry, was another player Chaplow was keen on retaining for the new season.

“Ultimately those guys worked fantastically well for us last season, we still have a lot of faith and belief in those players. We’ve tried to recruit wisely but also bring a lot of the old players back from last season on the roster because it’s important to have that continuity.”

Chaplow’s intention to recruit well appears to be paying off, a task presumably made easier with the club’s status as defending champions.

Amongst the players coming in are Erick ‘Cubo’ Torres – a former Mexican international who’s previous clubs include Chivas and Atlanta United, Albi Skendi who’s moved from English football, and midfielder Daniel Pedersen. After a career spent in the Danish and Norwegian top flights, Pedersen has swapped Brann, the club based in FotMob’s home city of Bergen and famed for its annual rainfall, for the Californian sun.

With Chaplow and Earnshaw at the helm and Orange County’s ambitious project it’s easy to see why, as Earnshaw concludes.

“The aim for us is to be the best that we can and keep pressing forward. We have good players and with Rich as Head Coach we’ll continue to progress where we are. It’s great for me to be sat here next to him, to help support him, to help support the club. We’re going for the Championship.”

To keep track of OCSC’s progress this season, follow the club on FotMob. And if you want to learn more about the USL Championship, add the league to your match feed here.

Images provided, with thanks to the Orange County Soccer Club

Posted by Bill Biss