Page 18 – The Pulse of Football

Apr

2025

Premier League Preview, Matchday 31

We’ve not really had time to register the repercussions of the mid-week matches just yet but matchday 31 is already upon us.

By Sam McGuire

Once again, the random fixture generator has been awfully kind to us and thrown up a number of intriguing match-ups across the weekend.

Here’s a look at four that we believe are key ones in the grand scheme of things.

Everton can help Liverpool win the Premier League title

Everton put in a resilient showing at Anfield on Wednesday night but couldn’t keep the Premier League leaders out as Liverpool claimed a 1-0 win over their Merseyside neighbours.

It, once again, extended the lead at the top of the table to 12 points. Arsenal have the opportunity to, once again, cut that down to nine points as they make the trip to Goodison Park for the early kick-off on Saturday.

The Toffees won’t want to do any favours for the Reds but David Moyes has made them incredibly difficult to play against while Beto is in the best form of his career. With Gabriel now ruled out for the season, Arsenal, all of a sudden look much weaker defensively. Going forward, they’re looking stronger following the return of Bukayo Saka, the match-winner against Fulham on Tuesday, but they haven’t been entirely convincing. And an early kick-off away to the blue half of Merseyside could prove problematic.

Defeat here would make it almost impossible for the Gunners to chase down Liverpool. Even a draw might not be good enough. Moyes and his side could help Liverpool all but secure the title this weekend.

A relegation six-pointer

Wolves beat West Ham United 1-0 on Tuesday night to give themselves a twelve point lead over the drop zone. It was a win that many thought would guarantee their Premier League safety. But then Ipswich Town went and stunned Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, picking up a 2-1 victory to reduce the gap back down to nine points.

And now the two teams face off on Saturday at Portman Road. It is the definition of a six-pointer. A win for Wolves would basically relegate Ipswich. Vítor Pereira’s side would be 12 points clear of the relegation places with 21 points up for grabs. It would take a miraculous run of results for them to slip into the bottom three.

A win for the Tractor Boys, however, and suddenly, things look a little more positive for Kieran McKenna’s team. They’d be six points off their visitors with seven games to play and momentum on their side. There would still be a lot for them to do to avoid the drop but chasing down a six point difference is significantly easier than looking to run down a 12 point gap, isn’t it?

Ipswich go from needing a four game swing with seven games of the season remaining to needing to win just two more games than Wolves. Difficult but not impossible.

Aston Villa’s Champions League hopes

Aston Villa’s 3-0 win over Brighton on Wednesday evening saw them leapfrog their hosts. It also kept their Champions League hopes alive. Unai Emery’s side are in seventh position but it’s tight at the top. They are just nine points behind third-placed Nottingham Forest, the team they welcome to Villa Park on Saturday night.

A third win on the spin for the Villans would give them momentum heading into the run in. And that really does matter at this stage of the season. If they can cut that gap to six points, they’re going to fancy their chances of playing Champions League football again next season, aren’t they?

Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, are still in dreamland. They keep on winning. Their 1-0 win over Manchester United on Tuesday night made it three wins on the spin for Nuno Espírito Santo’s men and maintained the gap the team have over the fourth-place scramble.

Depending on what happens in the Arsenal game, Forest could move to within one point of the Gunners on Saturday.

This is a must not lose match for either side. A win for Villa could well change the entire landscape of the top four race.

A win for Forest and it all but ends Villa’s hopes of back-to-back top four finishes while strengthening their grasp on a top three finish.

Can the champions elect keep grinding out results?

If we’re being honest, Liverpool haven’t played well for quite some time now. The last time the Premier League leaders looked confident and competent was in the 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the end of February. Since then, they’ve had to come from behind against Southampton at Anfield, Paris Saint-Germain battered them in Paris before knocking them out on penalties at Anfield and Newcastle United ended a 70 year wait for a trophy with a 2-1 win in the Carabao Cup final.

The Reds did eke out a 1-0 victory over Everton on Wednesday but it was far from pretty. A moment of genius from Diogo Jota ensured Arne Slot’s side returned to winning ways.

But, sooner or later, these poor performances are going to catch up to them in the league. They travel to Fulham’s Craven Cottage on Sunday looking for a reaction. A positive result is the end goal. A positive performance, however, should guarantee the three points.

Marco Silva’s side can still claim a European finish. They’ve lost three of their last five, and lost 2-1 to Arsenal last time out, but have the potential to cause problems. They certainly troubled Liverpool at Anfield in the reverse fixtures. A similar showing here boosts their chances of playing European football next season while prolonging the title race.

*Liverpool and Fulham’s earlier meeting this season*

(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.

Apr

2025

FPL tips from the reigning champ: GW31

Get ahead of the Group Chat thanks to our new regular column from FPL expert Jonas Sand Låbakk.

By Graham Ruthven, in conversation with Jonas Sand Låbakk

Introducing our expert

Jonas is a 21 year old student who, like FotMob, hails from Norway. He was Fantasy Premier League champion for the 2023/24 season, finishing ahead of 11 million other managers. So who better to provide expert advice?

Read his expert advice every week.

*Don’t forget the FPL deadline for this round – make your transfers and get your team sorted before 11.00 BST on Saturday 05th April*

The Eye Test vs. The Stats

Bukayo Saka (10.3m) is back! The 23-year-old hadn’t featured for Arsenal since GW 17 due to injury, but returned to Premier League action against Fulham during the week, playing 24 minutes off the bench.

Saka made an immediate impact and rewarded his FPL owners with a goal and two bonus points, giving him eight points in total. The winger put up 0.89 in Expected Goal Involvements (xGI), slightly over his average of 0.74 per 90 minutes. These are good numbers.

Arsenal face a trip to Everton in GW31. This could be a cagey encounter, but Saka is good enough to deliver against anyone. He is a good bet to start for the Gunners as they look to finish the season strongly.

A favourable run of fixtures awaits Arsenal after this weekend’s game against Everton with a home match against Brentford followed by a potential double gameweek in GW33. This double-header would be against Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace.

This run could further boost Saka’s value with news on the re-arranged fixtures expected soon.

Jacob Murphy (5.0m) might not have received the acclaim of Newcastle United teammates Alexander Isak or Anthony Gordon this season, but his contribution has been extremely valuable.

The 30-year-old has registered more assists (nine) than any other Newcastle player, also scoring five times. Isak is the only Newcastle player to be ahead of Murphy for goal involvements this season.

*Newcastle goal + assists, Premier League 2024/25*

Murphy played 66 minutes of Newcastle’s win over Brentford in GW30, contributing one asset and finishing with six FPL points. His cross set up Isak for a finish inside the box, sending the Magpies on their way to three points.

At 5.0m, Murphy’s price makes him an attractive option. His upcoming fixtures are also appealing with Newcastle set to take on Leicester City before a double gameweek in GW32 against Manchester United and Crystal Palace at home and a GW33 game against Ipswich.

Gordon’s return from suspension and Harvey Barnes’ availability means Murphy could face some competition for his starting spot, but he is a cheap option who could be a bench player for your FPL team in anticipation of future favourable fixtures.

Long shot

Dean Henderson (4.6m) doesn’t fit the bill as a long shot in that he is owned by 13.7% of FPL managers.

However, the Crystal Palace goalkeeper should be on your radar due to the fact the Eagles have back-to-back double gameweeks coming up. They have one confirmed in GW32 and are in line for another one in GW 33.

*Henderson’s save shot map, Premier League 2024/25*

Within those double gameweeks, Palace have tricky fixtures against Manchester City, Newcastle, Bournemouth and Arsenal. Nonetheless, there is the potential for a lot of points.

Upcoming games to follow

There are a handful of fixtures to keep an eye on in GW31 from a FPL point of view.

Everton host Arsenal at 12:30pm on Saturday which could be a low-scoring affair. Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes could miss out through injury with Saka, William Saliba (6.3m), Mikel Merino (6.0m) and David Raya (5.5m) worth monitoring.

Brentford will come up against Chelsea on Sunday. Both teams have conceded a lot of goals this season, but also carry attacking threat which could lead to a high-scoring encounter this weekend. Bryan Mbeumo (8.1m) and Cole Palmer (10.7m) stand out as assets.

Finally, the fixture between Leicester and Newcastle warrants attention. The Foxes are on their way down having lost their last seven games in-a-row while the Magpies are fighting for European qualification.

Newcastle have won their last three games in all competitions with Isak (9.5m), Gordon (7.4m), Murphy and Livramento (4.5m) options.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Did you know that you can track live Fantasy points with FotMob? Simply select any Premier League game, swipe to the Lineup tab, and press the big ‘Fantasy’ button! Download the free app here.

Apr

2025

Premier League Team of the Week: Midweek Matchday 30

We’re into the final leg of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign. With just eight games left to play, there’s still plenty at stake in the English top-flight. But the outlook is a little different for a number of teams following results across Matchday 30. So, let’s take a look at the culprits for this with a deep drive into the Team of the Week for the mid-week matches.

By Sam McGuire

Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez

Martínez was at his brilliant best for Aston Villa in their 3-0 win over Brighton. The World Cup winner made four saves on his way to an invaluable clean sheet as the Villans push for a European finish. He also picked up a yellow card late on to make it a vintage Martínez masterclass. The 32-year-old faced shots with an xG on Target value of 0.66, made nine recoveries and earned himself an 8.3 FotMob rating.

Right-Back: Kieran Trippier

Trippier has looked back to his old self as of late following a surprise return to the first-team after Lewis Hall picked up an injury. This meant the backline was reshuffled and Trippier was brought back in. The 34-year-old caught the eye against Brentford as Newcastle claimed a 2-1 win over the Bees. He won the most tackles (seven), completed 73% of his passes, carved out two chances and won 90% of his ground duels before sustaining a reported groin injury.

Centre-Back: Matt Doherty

Doherty put in a dominant showing for Wolves in their important 1-0 win over West Ham United. The 33-year-old completed 80% of his attempted passes, carved out a chance, completed 100% of his attempted dribbles, won 100% of his tackles and made five ball recoveries. He also won four out of six ground duels and three out of three aerial duels. This showing against the Hammers earned him a FotMob score of 8.2.

Centre-Back: Murillo

The Nottingham Forest defender was back at it as Nuno Espírito Santo’s side claimed a 1-0 win over Manchester United to keep their hopes of a Champions League finish very much alive. Murillo won 100% of his tackles, made 12 clearances, three blocks and won 100% of his aerial duels as Forest kept a vital clean sheet and picked up an even more important three points at the City Ground.

Left-Back: Nico O’Reilly

O’Reilly got the nod at left-back for Manchester City in their 2-0 win over Leicester City and the 20-year-old caught the eye. He won the most duels (seven) of anyone, completed 88% of his attempted passes, completed 100% of his attempted dribbles and created one chance for the reigning champions. He made quite the impression and could well retain his place in the starting XI for the remainder of the season.

Midfield: Morgan Rogers

Rogers now has seven goals and six assists after claiming two assists in Aston Villa’s 3-0 win over Brighton. It was a strange showing by the former Manchester City academy graduate. He was barely involved, attempting just 14 passes, but he was impactful, carving out two chances. He also attempted two dribbles, won 50% of his tackles and 50% of his 12 duels on his way to a FotMob rating of 8.6.

Midfield: Sandro Tonali

Tonali was the match-winner for Newcastle against Brentford as he scored with a divisive effort. Some feel it was a cross that went wrong, others feel the Italy international purposely caught Mark Flekken out with a shot from an outrageous angle. Even without the goal, the former Milan man did well for the Magpies. He created one chance, completed 100% of his dribbles, won 100% of his tackles and 71% of his ground duels. He was key in Eddie Howe’s side getting the upper hand against Brentford at St James’ Park.

Midfield: Cole Palmer

Palmer brought an end to his drought in the Premier League by registering his first assist since December 1st as he set up the winner for the Blues in the 1-0 win over Spurs. The three points moved Chelsea back into the top four. Palmer set up two chances for Enzo Maresca’s side and had two shots as Chelsea leapfrogged Man City into fourth position in the Premier League. He also won 100% of his tackles and five of his nine duels in what was an all-round impressive showing.

Midfield: Luis Díaz

A lot of the time this season, Mohamed Salah has carried the Liverpool attack. Against Everton on Wednesday evening, it was very much the Luis Díaz show as the Premier League leaders extended their advantage at the top to 12 points. Díaz assisted the winner. He also created the most chances at Anfield (six) and completed the most dribbles (five) to really showcase how impactful he was in the final third against the Toffees.

Attack: Mateus Fernandes

Fernandes was the star of the show as Southampton claimed a 10th point of the season in the draw against Crystal Palace. The versatile midfielder assisted the opener for the Saints but his involvement in general was key. He completed the most dribbles (four), was the most fouled player (three), and he won nine of his 13 duels.

Attack: Omar Marmoush

Marmoush had a total of nine shots in Man City’s 2-0 victory against Leicester City. The No.7 is filling in for Erling Haaland, spearheading Pep Guardiola’s forward line, and he did an admirable job as the main man. He finished the game with an xG total of 1.45 and also completing 100% of his attempted dribbles. The former Eintracht Frankfurt man was responsible for 50% of the team’s attempts at the Etihad, showing just how important he was to the victory.

(Images from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

The Manchester Derby: Power, pride, and the fight for the city’s soul

There was a time when the Manchester Derby was strictly local. Blue-collar pride clashing with red empire swagger. Families were split by postcodes, pubs boiling with tension, and every match a battle for bragging rights in the workplaces of Greater Manchester.

By David Skilling

But that version of the derby feels like something from the history books now. In 2025, when Manchester United and Manchester City meet, as they do on Sunday, the stakes are different; they’re broader and richer. This isn’t just about control of the city anymore. It’s global, it’s about what type of football club should define modern greatness and represent the city on the world stage.

City, sleek and surgically dominant, has emerged as the current embodiment of football’s ambition, data-led, oil-fuelled, and almost mechanical in their execution. United, suffering but still carrying one of the game’s heaviest shirts, are clinging to identity, history, and the ghost of a dynasty that once ruled England like clockwork.

This derby? It’s not just a match. It’s a mirror reflecting football’s evolution and the fight over which legacy will define Manchester for the next decade.

There was once a running joke, a painful one for City fans, that the Manchester Derby wasn’t even a rivalry. Sir Alex Ferguson, with his empire in red, famously dismissed City as “noisy neighbours” while sweeping up Premier League titles. For decades, United operated on a different plane, winning trophies while City cycled through managers and mediocrity.

Abu Dhabi’s arrival flipped the Premier League’s power map. City, almost overnight, went from punchline to power player. The money came fast, and the football philosophy followed. Roberto Mancini gave the Sky Blues an identity. Manuel Pellegrini added some swagger. Then Pep Guardiola turned them into a machine. Now, City have become one of the most feared teams in world football, even with this season’s inconsistency.

Since Fergie retired in 2013, United have struggled to define themselves. They’ve spent big, changed managers, and held onto past glory and all of its nostalgic value. City, meanwhile, built a blueprint, a pipeline of talent, a clear tactical identity, and quite incredible global expansion. The once-mocked neighbours now walk with their chests and elbows out!

What’s fascinating now is how the derby exposes something deeper than football ability; it unearths the existential questions both clubs face.

For United, every derby feels like a gut check. Can they still stand toe-to-toe with their rivals? Do they even know who they are anymore? When they win, it’s often framed as a return to “the United way.” When they lose, it’s another data point in a decline too painful to ignore.

*The most recent Manchester Derby, won by United*

For City, the derby isn’t about proving themselves locally anymore, it’s about legacy-building and reminding their once-dominant neighbours that the tides have turned. Every win tightens their grip on the city and chips away at United’s mythology. It’s not enough to dominate on the pitch.

Can City dominate the conversation, the culture, and the story of Manchester on the global sports scene, not just in football? Something once in full control of the Reds.

This is why the rivalry has more weight now, not less. City are having a bit of a setback season after an incredible run, a bit of a blip in Pep’s relentless chase for perfection.

United are in a season of transition again, with what feels like half a squad, poor form, managerial questions, and desperately needing a spark, but there does seem to be some glimmers of positivity cultivating under Ruben Amorim’s watchful eye.

Both teams are facing their own challenges, though City are clearly faring better. Still, derbies have a way of throwing logic out the window. They don’t care about xG, form tables, or winning streaks. One mistake, one flash of brilliance, and the entire momentum can shift. The fans sing louder; the players feel it and are reminded of who they’re playing for and what this match means to the city. Tackles come in harder, tempers flare quicker, and the chaos breeds magic. That’s the derby effect.

For City, a win would help to maintain their current position as Manchester’s dominant force. But for United, it would be a reminder to the Premier League and the global football scene that they’re a sleeping giant capable of beating some of the biggest and best. Beating City won’t fix the club’s immediate problems, but it might offer a glimpse of identity and a show of resilience. And for what the fans are going through this season, those bragging rights at work on Monday morning will be priceless.

The Manchester Derby has always been emotional, it’s symbolic. A clash between tradition and innovation. Between a club that has reached the top and looking towards the future and one haunted by its past. The result won’t just echo through Manchester, it’ll ripple across fanbases and the media around the world.

Because in the modern football era, nothing is truly local anymore. But make no mistake, this is still a fight for the soul of Manchester.

(Images 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.

Apr

2025

Preview: Chelsea and Spurs close the midweek round in the Premier League

Chelsea’s form has been patchy since the end of January, but will Doctor Tottenham provide them with a cure for their recent ills?

By Ian King

Two out of form London rivals

Neither club are in especially stellar form at the moment, with Chelsea having won just four Premier League games in 2025 so far and Spurs having won just three and both clubs having been eliminated early from both the EFL and FA Cups. Chelsea’s only recent wins have come against relegation fodder in the form of Leicester City and Southampton, while Spurs have failed to win any of their last three Premier League matches.

History

Chelsea have long had the upper hand in this fixture, with Spurs having won just two of their last sixteen meetings, going back more than six years. They’ve won more Premier League matches against Spurs – 36 – than any other team, while earlier this season Chelsea won 4-3 at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Going back a little further, both sides have some degree of reason to be a little cheerful. Spurs won their last major trophy against Chelsea, the EFL Cup in 2008, and beat them in the 1967 FA Cup final. But the last time the two clubs met in a cup final, Chelsea beat Spurs 2-0 to win the 2015 EFL Cup.

Key players

Southampton aside, Chelsea haven’t scored more than a single goal in a Premier League match since the start of February. Enzo Maresca will, therefore, likely be pleased to see the return of Nicolas Jackson from injury. Jackson is Chelsea’s second highest goalscorer so far in the Premier League this season behind Cole Palmer with nine goals. But will Maresca throw him straight back in?

With the pressure starting to build on Ange Postecoglou, the Spurs manager needs big performances from his available big name players for this match. James Maddison scored the goal that finished off AZ in their recent Europa League last 16 match. Spurs will be needing his creativity in midfield if the Chelsea defence is to be unlocked.

Team News

Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson all returned to training for Chelsea during the international break, but Omari Kellyman and Marc Guiu both remain sidelined. The injury situation is worse for Spurs, who will be missing Radu Drăgușin and Dejan Kulusevski, while Kevin Danso, Richarlison and Lucas Bergvall all remain doubtful, though could be due to return after their combined international and FA Cup break.

Prediction

Ange Postecoglou needs a result, and while Chelsea away is a bit of a nightmare fixture for Spurs – they haven’t won at Stamford Bridge in seven years – another defeat would only continue to build the narrative that the manager will be on his way come the end of this season. Chelsea may still be patchy themselves, at times, but they have the necessary institutional arrogance to get through a game like this without too many worries. I’ll go for a comfortable 3-1 Chelsea win and the agony to continue to pile up for their London rivals.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

How to add and hide leagues in FotMob

Customise the leagues in your feed

Looking to get that perfect view of your football world? The unique list of leagues you care about, and nothing else?

You can create a personalised view in just a few steps by following the leagues you want to keep an eye on, sorting them into the order you like, and hiding those you’re not interested in.

First, head to the Leagues tab at the bottom of your screen and Follow the leagues you are interested in either by going to the country categories or searching for leagues at the top.

Then, tap Edit and drag on the right side of a leagues to re-order them into the order you’d like. This is the order used for your main Matches view in the app.

Once you’re finished there, go back to the Matches tab on the bottom left, where your leagues will now be in the order you chose.

Then, you can tap Hide All to clean up your view. We’ll let you know under the button if there’s anything important you’re missing out on.

For other tips and tricks, head to our FAQ.

Apr

2025

Ex-Premier League Reading need a new owner by the weekend

There’s hope for Reading but having lived through their worst-case scenario, football cannot allow them to become ‘the next Bury’.

By Sanny Rudravajhala

If you made a bullet-point list to describe yourself, how far would you get before you wrote down your football team? You might live and breathe it, travelling home and away. Perhaps you’re an exile and your club ties you to home. You could be a fan from afar, dreaming of seeing your team in the flesh.

What if it was taken from you? How would you cope? One minute it’s part of your identity and the next it’s in the past tense. This is the scenario that Reading fans are dreading.

“I’m terrified.” Ji-Min Lee, a Reading fan and fellow sports journalist tells me.

“Football is such a stabiliser in people’s lives. It’s that constant. You go to watch the games and it’s part of your routine. It helps you build relationships and friendships with people you will have gone and watched the football with for decades. It’s a bonding experience for parents and their kids. The thought of the club, that I’ve gone to watch since I was seven, not existing is terrifying.”

This isn’t hyperbole. I’ve lived this. I took my son to one single match before my own team, Bury FC, were expelled from the EFL in August 2019. For 125 years Bury were members of the Football League. Two-time FA Cup winners from a different era and north of Manchester’s footballing powerhouses, we would punch above our weight as part of the football family, until we weren’t.

When the EFL were unsatisfied that our owner had the funds to allow us to compete in League One, we were suspended and then expelled. 200 miles away and six years later, there is another club with its fans fretting over the nuclear option.

Reading have a deadline of Friday 4^th of April to have a new owner in place. Thankfully, there are enough steps to mean expulsion is a way down the track. Even suspension would put the entire League One competition into disarray. All clubs know, however, that there is a brink. Bury went beyond it and Reading are the next club drifting towards its edge.

What’s gone wrong at Reading?

Reading weren’t always a crisis club. The John Madejski-owned side reached a record 106 points in the Championship back in 2006. Following that, their first ever top flight campaign ended with them in eighth place and although they were relegated the following season, by 2012 they were back in the Premier League. Having bought Reading out of receivership in 1990, built a new stadium and turned them into a sustainable football club, John Madejski sold up that May.

Five years later and on the eve of the Championship play-off final, Dai Yongge became the latest custodian of the side formed on Christmas Day, 1871. Reading would go on to lose on spot-kicks to Huddersfield Town at Wembley.

“We were two penalties away from the Premier League and we had this billionaire takeover. We were all very positive about it. We were almost there. The dream looked very much on, but sadly, since then, it’s been a downward spiral.”

Yongge has spent around £200m of his own money in his attempts to get Reading back to the big time. This isn’t the tale of an owner who didn’t have the cash. Ji-Min says Yongge, with no knowledge of football, leaned on the wrong people for advice. Poor player recruitment and overspending saw the club falling foul of the EFL’s Financial Fair Play rules and they were deducted six points in November 2021.

“We signed players for extortionate amounts of money, which killed the football club’s financial operations. Around 200% of what the club was bringing in was being spent on wages. It was completely unsustainable, and the proof is in the pudding now. He’s very much washed his hands of the football club and we’re very much a shell of what we once were”, concludes Ji-Min.

With limited investment, the club continued to stumble into points deductions and winding up orders and were relegated to the third tier, by the end of the 22/23 season.

Now, things have come to a head after it was revealed in court last week that Yongge, due to proceedings against him in his native China, has been disqualified as an owner under the EFL’s ownership regulations. Therefore, a deadline for him to divest is now in place.

What next for Reading?

Sell Before We Dai have been waving the red flags since their inception in June 2023. They’ve marched, dressed as clowns, halted matches with tennis balls and even forced an outright abandonment in their attempts to shed light on what’s been happening in Berkshire.

“We’ve never heard from Dai Yongge. He’s never spoken to the local or national press; he’s never even given an interview to club media. He’s the invisible man and that’s why so many fans are concerned about the club. We don’t know his intentions”, says campaigner and supporters trust board member, Adam Jones.

With Yongge disengaged, the group know that any boycott would achieve little and have changed tack for this weekend. There are at least two interested parties, including Casa Pia owner, Robert Platek. The American is in an exclusivity period to buy Reading and as a result, Sell Before We Dai are pulling out all the stops for Wycombe’s visit on Saturday to try for a capacity crowd.

“Filling the ground makes us a more attractive option for investors, and that’s a key reason why we’re going with this plan. The players deserve our backing and have pulled off some remarkable results this season. This is something we can do and definitely influence, controlling the controllables has been quite a rewarding experience.”

Defying the odds

On the pitch, somehow, the second-youngest squad in League One, full of academy graduates and ex-Premier League youngsters, are doing the business. It’s even more impressive given manager Ruben Selles left for Hull City in December, with ex-striker Noel Hunt keeping them on course for a tilt at a Championship return.

25-year-old Harvey Knibbs has excelled since his move from Cambridge and is flying in his second season with 15 goals across all competitions. Lewis Wing’s player trait chart speaks for itself. He has been the division’s outstanding player in the middle of the park.

Without the money for overnight stays for away trips, unsurprisingly, their away performances place them 18^th in the table. At their own place though, they’ve channelled all that uncertainty into a siege mentality, losing just three at home all season in League One.

Women’s team turmoil

Not all of Reading’s teams have been quite so lucky. Fran Kirby is Reading’s home-grown heroine. The Euros-winning Lioness may be Chelsea Women’s all-time leading scorer and regarded as one of the best footballers of her generation, but she came through the ranks at Reading from 2001 aged 8 to fire them into the WSL by 2015.

With no funds forthcoming Reading Women were forced to resign from the Women’s Championship, despite a 10^th placed finish last season, dropping into the fifth tier.

“Last weekend, they lost 10-0 to Oxford City in the Southern Region Women’s Premier Division. I don’t think there’s any greater indictment of how drastic the demise has been at the club than that.”, says Ji-Min.

An entire generation has lost their pathway to senior football. The next Fran Kirby will not be turning out for Reading Women any time soon.

Whatever happens, stick together

What happened to Bury precipitated the formation of the UK government’s Football Governance Bill which is snaking its way through Parliament. Lessons should and have been learned. It means that Reading will be given every opportunity to be saved. Bury are now fan-owned and in division nine. Now, I don’t know where Lower Brek is, other than being three points behind us in the race for promotion from the North West Counties Football League. But we have a team, I get to take my children to Gigg Lane and that’s enough.

To Reading fans: whatever happens, it’s you that make the football club. So long as you’re together, you will still have a team to support somewhere, somehow.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Lewandowski and Mbappe’s hunt for goals could determine the Spanish title race

Barcelona and Real Madrid’s LaLiga title race is being defined by the goals of two relentless goalscorers chasing their own personal accolade.

By Graham Ruthven

Less than 24 hours after Kylian Mbappé had scored twice in Real Madrid’s 3-2 win over Leganés, Robert Lewandowski responded with a brace of his own. It’s been like this all season. While Lewandowski and Mbappé started the 2024/25 campaign with question marks against them for different reasons, both forwards can’t stop finding the net.

It’s an individual duel that is reminiscent of the peak Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo days when the pair dominated Spanish and European football. The rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid was defined by the goalscoring exploits of the two best players in the world for years. They drove each other on.

Between 2010 and 2021, the Pichichi (the award handed to LaLiga’s top scorer every season) was shared exclusively between Messi and Ronaldo. Now, Lewandowski and Mbappé are the ones scoring goals for fun, certainly in the case of the former who remains one of his generation’s best finishers even at the age of 36.

*Lewandowski’s shot map, LaLiga 2024/25*

Lewandowski and Mbappé aren’t quite putting up peak Messi or Ronaldo numbers – it’s worth remembering Messi scored 60 goals in all competitions in the 2011/12 season while Ronaldo scored over 50 for three seasons in a row around the same time – but they are very much providing the cutting edge as this season’s Spanish title race comes to a head.

There’s just three points between Barca and Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga. Until recently, Atlético Madrid were also part of the title equation. A run of just three wins in 10 leagues match, however, has seen Diego Simeone’s team drop off the pace. It would take a monumental effort for Atleti to claw back a nine-point deficit at this stage.

And so the race between Spain’s top two could come down to goals – who can score the most. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid are far stronger in the attack than they are at the back. They have made the bet that no matter how defensively vulnerable they are, Lewandowski and Mbappé will get them out of trouble.

As a strategy, it’s working out well for both. Lewandowski is currently leading the Pichichi pursuit with 25 goals in just 28 games. Impressively, the Polish striker is only slightly out-performing his Expected Goals (xG) of 24.0 for the season, suggesting he is converting at a sustainable rate. His goalscoring stands a good chance of continuing until the end of the season.

Mbappé’s xG for the season stands at 19.5 from which he has found the back of the net 22 times. There were questions over how Carlo Ancelotti would integrate the Frenchman into his forward line, but Mbappé has provided an emphatic answer time and time again. He is now Los Blancos’ main man in the final third.

“It’s difficult to compare different players,” said Ancelotti when asked if Mbappé could become one of Real Madrid’s best-ever players after matching Ronaldo’s tally of 22 goals in his first season at the club. “What I can hope for is that Mbappé can achieve what Cristiano Ronaldo achieved at Real Madrid. I think he has the possibility to do it. If he does that, he’ll be a legend at Real Madrid like Cristiano Ronaldo is.”

Of course, Mbappé and Ronaldo are very different players, as are Mbappé and Lewandowski. While the Frenchman likes to make cutting runs across the pitch from a starting position on the left, the Pole is more of a penalty box poacher. Either way, Lewandowski and Mbappé are perfect for their respective teams.

Barca are quite simply the most exhilarating team in Europe right now. Between Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Dani Olmo, Pedri and the rest, the Catalans boast an electric frontline. Hansi Flick has reinvigorated a team that had lost its way under Xavi Hernández. Barcelona play on the edge at times, but the results speak for themselves.

Real Madrid aren’t quite so clear in their identity, but have the talent to decide a match at any given moment. Mbappé has found his best form despite missing more Big Chances (22) than any other player in LaLiga this season. As good as 26-year-old has been in his first season in Spain, it’s scary to consider he could get even better as he grows more comfortable.

Ultimately, the finale of the 2024/25 campaign won’t be remembered for the player that lifts the Pichichi, but the team that clinches the title itself. That’s what really matters to Barcelona and Real Madrid. Nonetheless, Lewandowski and Mbappé are providing the firepower in the never-ending war between Spain’s two biggest clubs.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Apr

2025

Preview: Everton aim to dent Liverpool’s title hopes in the Merseyside Derby

Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League table is now down to single digits. Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Fulham on Tuesday night means the Reds find themselves just nine points clear at the summit, albeit with a game in hand over their title rivals.

By Sam McGuire

The Merseyside derby presents Arne Slot’s side with the opportunity to, once again, move 12 points clear with just eight games left to play.

Everton have already dented their neighbour’s title hopes this season. They’ll be hoping to repeat the trick at Anfield on Wednesday evening.

*The last Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park*

Are the Liverpool wheels falling off?

Liverpool are unbeaten in the Premier League since September. They have the best home record in the English top flight with 11 wins from 14 matches and that sole defeat against Nottingham Forest. They’ve varied dominant showings with grinding out results when it matters. They’ve shown they have the resilience of champions.

Their healthy lead at the top should be enough to get them over the line and if they fail to lift the Premier League title in May, it will have been a dramatic decline never seen before.

All things point to the Reds claiming their 20th league title. But there’s something niggling away in the background.

The Reds lost back-to-back matches prior to the international break. Paris Saint-Germain, at Anfield, knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League on penalties. Newcastle United then ended a 70-year wait for a trophy by beating Slot’s men in the Carabao Cup final.

The last time Liverpool put in a performance of champions was back in February when they swept Newcastle aside at Anfield. The longer the poor performances last, the smaller their lead at the gap will become.

This is a big one for the Reds. Bigger than people realise.

Sticky Toffees

If you’re a glass half full type of person, you’ll say that Everton are unbeaten in six.

If you’re a glass half empty kind of person, you’ll point out the Toffees have just one win in their last six in the Premier League.

David Moyes’ side are draw specialists. They’ve drawn three of their last four 1-1. During this six game spell, they’ve also picked up two 2-2 draws – this includes the game against Liverpool at Goodison Park.

Everton have been difficult to beat. With a bit more quality in attack, a number of these draws would likely have been turned into wins. The Blues are without key attackers in Dwight McNeil, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Iliman Ndiaye.

Here’s the thing though, they don’t need a win at Anfield. Everton are well clear of the dropzone – 17 points to be exact. They aren’t going to claim a European spot either. They have the luxury of just existing for the final nine matches and ruining the hopes and dreams of other teams, starting with Liverpool.

If they avoid defeat, they, once again, dent Liverpool’s title hopes. And that will be seen as a win by the blue half of Merseyside.

Mo Salah farewell tour continues

Latest reports seem to suggest Salah is interested in moving to Saudi Arabia when his contract expires at the end of the season.

If this is to be his last campaign in the English top-flight, he’s going out on a high.

He’s currently tied for the most goal involvements (44) in a 38-game season and there are still nine matches remaining. He’s just three goal involvements shy of the all-time Premier League record of 47 (recorded by Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole back when it was a 42 game season).

The Liverpool No. 11 looks destined to shatter that record. He could also become the first player since Thierry Henry to record 20+ goals and 20+ assists in a single campaign. And he’s doing this at the age of 32 while his time at Anfield is supposedly winding down.

If this is to be his last Merseyside Derby, he’s going to want to go out on a high.

The battle of the injuries

Liverpool are without a host of defenders for this clash.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is still ruled out with an ankle injury. Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley are both missing with hamstring injuries, though the latter is back training but this game has, according to reports, come too soon for the Northern Ireland international.

Slot’s options are limited, so Jarell Quansah will likely operate as a makeshift right-back once again.

Everton, meanwhile, are without attackers. Calvert-Lewin, Ndiaye and McNeil will all miss out, meaning Moyes can’t exactly tinker with his final third options. Will he be able to put out an attack to trouble Liverpool’s weakened backline or will the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté be enough to nullify whatever Everton can put together?

Prediction

If Liverpool want to win the title, this is a game they have to win. They’re going to want to put in a good showing as a reaction to the disappointments prior to the international break, so we’re going with a 2-1 win for the hosts.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Apr

2025

Preview: AC meets Inter in a Coppa semifinal edition of the Derby della Madonnina

Wednesday’s Derby della Madonnina will pit two historic rivals against each other with AC Milan and Inter in contrasting form.

By Graham Ruthven

Rivals by name only

Sérgio Conceição has only been at AC Milan for three months, but there is already a sense that the 50-year-old is losing his grip of the job. The Rossoneri are struggling badly for consistent form and everyone associated with the San Siro club is under pressure.

Sunday’s defeat to Napoli exposed many of the issues being suffered by Conceição’s team. AC Milan are struggling to get the best out of their attack. Christian Pulisic was anonymous against Napoli. So too was João Félix.

Defensively, AC Milan were all over the place and struggled for any sort of structure or shape in transition. This is something Inter could lay bare such is the speed and directness they have in attack.

Inter have no such problems. Simone Inzaghi’s side are on a five-game winning run in all competitions. They are top of Serie A and are shaping to be Champions League contenders. The Nerazzurri are currently the dominant force in the rivalry.

A place in the Coppa Italia final is on the line and Wednesday’s first leg will set the tone for what could be a memorable tie.

*AC Milan are unbeaten in the three previous derby games played*

Key players

Conceição has a number of decisions to make with his lineup. Santiago Giménez came off the bench against Napoli to make an impact and could start ahead of Tammy Abraham.

Luka Jović is another who could be rotated into the team with Álex Jiménez a possible option at right back over Kyle Walker who has still to find his best form since making the January move to San Siro.

Pulisic could be a difference-maker for AC Milan. However, the USA international has recently been a shadow of the player he was in the first half of the season.

With Lautaro Martínez out through injury, it will be on Marcus Thuram to lead the line for Inter in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final. The Frenchman has scored 16 goals in all competitions this season.

Inter’s midfield of Nicolo Barella, Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan will look to control the derby in the centre of the pitch. Meanwhile, Denzel Dumfries is a funnel into the attack down the right side.

Team news

Ruben Loftus-Cheek underwent appendix surgery over the weekend and will miss Wednesday’s derby encounter while Emerson Royal is still sidelined with an injury.

Yunus Musah missed Sunday’s league match against Napoli through suspension and is available again to face Inter in the Coppa Italia. The American could come into the midfield unit to provide some energy.

Martínez suffered a hamstring string on international duty with Argentina. In his absence, Inzaghi faces a choice between Joaquin Correa, and Marko Arnautović alongside Thuram with Mehdi Taremi struggling with illness.

Prediction

For all their struggles this season, AC Milan have been able to step it up in the derby games against their city rivals, so we expect a cagey encounter in this first leg. Late goals have also been a feature in both league matches this season, plus their meeting in the Super Cup. With that said, Simone Inzaghi’s side have been in brilliant form recently, so we’ll settle on a narrow ‘away’ win: AC Milan 1-2 Inter.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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