Page 2 – The Pulse of Football

Mar

2025

FPL tips from the reigning champ: GW28

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 GMT on Saturday 8 March*

The Eye Test vs. The Stats

Yoane Wissa (6.4m) has consistently delivered for Brentford this season, registering 13 goals and two assists in just 23 games. This makes him the seventh-highest scoring attacker in Fantasy Premier League.

Brentford’s recent favourable run of fixtures might be coming to an end, but the unavailability of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Matheus Cunha means you might have to look elsewhere for an attacking option.

When fit, Wissa plays almost every minute of every game for the Bees, playing 90 minutes in his last eight Premier League outings.

*Wissa’s shot map, Premier League 2024/25*

Wissa is a constant threat to opposition teams and this is reflected in his statistics. Indeed, he is ranked sixth for Expected Goals (xG) in the Premier League this season with 13.1. This is even more impressive when considering Wissa doesn’t take penalties.

The DR Conga international scored Brentford’s only goal in their GW 27 draw against Everton, finding himself in the right place at the right time to convert a 0.85 xG chance.

Brentford have tricky fixtures against Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Newcastle coming up in their next three gameweeks. However, the Bees scored eight goals across the same fixtures earlier in the season with Wissa notching three of those.

Thomas Frank’s team have proved their ability to score against any opponent and so Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo will be threats.

Daniel Muñoz (5.0m) is worth your attention ahead of GW28 with Crystal Palace in excellent form. With Ipswich Town and Southampton in their next two Premier League fixtures, the Eagles’ recent run could continue.

*Muñoz player trait – comparison against similar players in Europe’s top five leagues*

Muñoz is an attack-minded full back and is focused on getting into good positions high up the pitch. This is shown in his recent attacking returns. Indeed, the Colombian has registered six goal involvements (three goals and three assists) in his last seven games. These are ludicrous numbers for a defender.

Not only does Muñoz pass the eye tests, the statistics back up his FPL value. Only Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joško Gvardiol have better numbers than the Palace right back in an attacking sense. His average of 0.24 Expected Goal Involvements (xGI) per 90 minutes possibly makes him the best defender in FPL right now.

The only downside with Muñoz is that Crystal Palace don’t have a fixture in GW29. If you plan on using your Free Hit chip during that week, though, Muñoz should be high on your list.

Long shot

After a number of weeks out through injury, Evanilson (5.6m) is back for Bournemouth and he should be on your FPL radar.

While Dango Ouattara performed well in the Cherries striker’s absence, Evanilson is a level above and made his return to the starting lineup in last week’s penalty shootout win over Wolves in the FA Cup, finding the back of the net during the match.

Injury has dropped Evanilson’s FPL ownership to just 0.7%, meaning he could be a huge differential as Bournemouth look to continue their Champions League qualification challenge.

Bournemouth have a run of favourable fixtures ahead of them with games against Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford and Ipswich over the next three gameweeks.

However, the lack of information on how many minutes Evanilson will play still makes him a long shot. The Brazilian is a good bet to start against Spurs this weekend, but it’s a risk to pick him when Andoni Iraola could sub him out later in the game.

Upcoming games to follow

A number of interesting matches could make GW28 a high-scoring one from an FPL point of view.

Liverpool host Southampton on Saturday with the Saints on track for one of the worst seasons in Premier League history. Therefore, the table-toppers should destroy the visitors to Anfield this weekend.

My picks for big scores are Mohamed Salah (13.8m) and Alexander-Arnold (7.4m). Dominik Szoboszlai (6.4m) has also been in great form lately and is one to monitor.

At the same time on Saturday, Crystal Palace host Ipswich at Selhurst Park. Muñoz, Ismaïla Sarr (5.5m) and Eberechi Eze (6.7m) are worth targeting from this match.

Chelsea’s home match against Leicester City on Sunday is another one worth highlighting.

Enzo Maresca’s team battered Southampton 4-0 in the last gameweek. Cole Palmer (11.1m) was unfortunate not to score with an xGI of 1.4, but Christopher Nkunku (5.7m) and Pedro Neto (6.2m) both scored and assisted.

Marc Cucurella (5.1m) is another asset who could be set for a big points haul against the team in the relegation zone.

(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.

Mar

2025

Premier League Preview, Matchday 28

Looking at the fixtures across the Premier League this weekend, there are big games galore. Yet, at the start of the campaign, when the random fixture generator did its thing, few would’ve looked at Matchday 28 as one littered with season-shaping matches. But that is exactly what we have.

By Sam McGuire

We have a fair bit to look forward to this weekend.

The race for a top four finish

The wheels do appear to be falling off of Nottingham Forest’s push for a Champions League place.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s men have lost three of the last five in the Premier League. Their form has been a little erratic though. They hammered Brighton 7-0 and held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw at the City Ground. But then lost 5-0 to Bournemouth, 2-1 to Fulham and 4-3 to Newcastle United.

They’re currently in third position in the Premier League, one point clear of Manchester City, the team they host on Saturday afternoon. A loss for Forest could see them finish the weekend outside of the Champions League places and without momentum on their side, their pursuit of a top four finish could take a bit of a hit.

City, meanwhile, are just as erratic as their hosts.

The reigning champions have won three of their last five in the English top-flight but fell to defeats against Liverpool (2-0) and Arsenal (5-1). They needed a Man of the Match performance from Ederson to keep them in the game against Spurs, a match they ended up winning 1-0.

Somehow, they’ve managed to climb into fourth position and they could stumble their way into the Champions League if they keep managing to eke out results.

Saturday afternoon is a big one for both teams in their quest to be playing in the Champions League next term.

Making it count

It’s top versus bottom at Anfield on Saturday afternoon as Liverpool welcome Southampton to Anfield.

Earlier in the season, the Saints gave the Reds a bit of a scare, leading at St Marys’ until Mohamed Salah did what he does best and scored twice to give Arne Slot’s side a 3-2 win.

Three points should be a formality for the hosts. Liverpool are unbeaten in the Premier League since September and have won six of their last 10. Their lead at the top stands at 13 points and a win here could extend it to 16 before Arsenal kick a ball on Sunday. The amount of pressure on the Gunners to keep this title race alive would be huge.

Southampton, by comparison, have two wins since October. They have lost nine of their last 10 in the Premier League. Their only win during this period was against fellow strugglers Ipswich Town.

They’re as good as relegated, even if they did the unthinkable and beat the league leaders. But if they were to cause an upset, Arsenal would be buoyed by this ahead of their clash against Manchester United. And instead of there being a 16 point gap to chase down, it could well be cut down to 10.

Liverpool can’t take their eye off the ball. Yes, there’s a Champions League second-leg tie against PSG on the horizon but they need three vital points against Southampton.

Relegation relief

Everton appear to be clear of danger now. The appointment of David Moyes sparked the Toffees into life and they’re now 15 points clear of the drop zone. The Blues are on a seven match unbeaten run in the Premier League, winning four of those.

Barring a capitulation coupled with an upturn for a team horribly out of form, they’re free of a relegation scrap this season now.

And this comes at a good time for Moyes and his players given they have a tricky fixture this weekend, away at Molineux against a Wolves side in dire need of a win.

Vítor Pereira’s team are currently five points clear of the drop. They’ve won just three of their last 10 in the Premier League and are going to be without their talisman, Matheus Cunha, for a minimum of three matches. He’s been their star man this term, with 17 goal involvements. The next best for Wolves is Jørgen Strand Larsen with nine.

A win for the hosts could be pivotal in the grand scheme of things. It could give them an eight point gap, which is a hefty amount of breathing space, heading into the final few months of the 2024/25 campaign. Defeat, however, and they’re in a relegation dogfight without their most important player.

Old rivalries resume

Manchester United are in torrid form. The Red Devils crashed out of the FA Cup, at home, to Fulham last weekend. In their last Premier League outing, they narrowly claimed a 3-2 win over Ipswich Town. They’ve won just three of their last 10 in the English top flight and this run includes five defeats.

When they face off against Arsenal on Sunday, there should only be one winner.

The Gunners haven’t been at their brilliant best lately, likely because they have no fit forwards, but they romped to a 7-1 win over PSV in the Champions League in midweek.

That should’ve been the confidence boost needed to reignite their title challenge and if Liverpool slip up on Saturday, there’s a chance they could narrow the margin at the top.

But the issue is, form goes out of the window when these teams meet. Earlier in the campaign, Manchester United knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup. In the first Premier League meeting between the two sides, the Gunners claimed a narrow 2-0 win over the Red Devils.

There’s more at stake than just three points.

*Last five meetings – yes, they did play a shootout in that friendly despite Arsenal winning after 90 mins*

(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.

Mar

2025

Is Miami Becoming the Home of Football in the USA?

The landscape of global football is changing, and few cities have made as aggressive a push to establish themselves as a dominant force as Miami. Once primarily associated with sun-soaked beaches, Art Deco glamour, and its deep Latin American cultural influence, the Magic City is now becoming a powerhouse in world football. From the relocation of FIFA’s Legal & Compliance Division to its rise as a World Cup host city and the meteoric growth of Inter Miami CF, Miami is laying claim to being the capital of football in the United States.

By David Skilling

Once primarily associated with sun-soaked beaches, Art Deco glamour, and its deep Latin American cultural influence, the Magic City is now becoming a powerhouse in world football. From the relocation of FIFA’s Legal & Compliance Division to its rise as a World Cup host city and the meteoric growth of Inter Miami CF, Miami is laying claim to being the capital of football in the United States.

A significant moment in Miami’s footballing ascent came in 2024, when FIFA announced the relocation of its Legal & Compliance Division from Zurich to Miami. This move is more than just administrative reshuffling, it’s a strategic shift that reflects FIFA’s growing footprint in North America ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The presence of FIFA in Miami is a clear indicator of the city’s increasing relevance in world football governance. FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s comment that “to be global, one must be local” underscores the reasoning behind this decision. Miami provides FIFA with a base in the Western Hemisphere, closer to the rapidly expanding North American football market and crucial stakeholders in the US, Mexico, and Canada. Miami is also considered the gateway to Latin America.

This shift also signifies FIFA’s confidence in Miami as a footballing hub with international appeal. The city already boasts a well-connected international airport, a multicultural population deeply invested in football, and a corporate infrastructure that aligns with FIFA’s business objectives. This combination makes Miami an attractive headquarters for global football operations.

Miami is not just benefiting from FIFA’s administrative presence; it’s also securing its position on the world stage by hosting some of the biggest football events in history. The city was confirmed as one of the host locations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a landmark event that will bring a record-breaking 48 teams to North America. Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, will be one of the premier venues for the tournament, drawing global attention and economic impact.

Additionally, Miami has been selected as a major host city for the revamped FIFA Club World Cup this summer, another milestone in its growing football résumé. With this tournament expanding to 32 teams, it will bring some of the biggest clubs and players in the world to US soil, further cementing Miami as a footballing epicentre.

A city’s football identity is often shaped by its club football scene, and Inter Miami CF has played an enormous role in reshaping perceptions of football in the US. Since David Beckham officially launched the club in 2018, Inter Miami has grown from an ambitious expansion team to arguably the most internationally recognised MLS club.

The arrival of Lionel Messi in 2023 was a paradigm shift, not just for Inter Miami, but for football in the United States. His signing, along with high-profile teammates, instantly turned Inter Miami into a global brand. Matches featuring Inter Miami have been among the most-watched MLS games in history, ticket prices have skyrocketed, and the team has sold out stadiums across the country.

Moreover, Inter Miami’s commercial appeal has exploded. The club now ranks among the most valuable in MLS, and its international fanbase continues to grow. With Messi leading the charge, Miami has become a magnet for football tourism, with fans travelling from across the world to watch the Argentine maestro play. This level of global interest in an American club is unprecedented and has given Miami’s football culture an undeniable credibility boost.

What makes Miami unique is its deep cultural connection to the sport. Football is embedded in Miami’s DNA, thanks to its large Latin American and Caribbean communities, where the sport is a way of life. Unlike other American cities where soccer is still fighting for mainstream attention, Miami has long embraced football as a sport.

This cultural overlap is evident in the business and entertainment sectors, where football has increasingly taken centre stage. Miami’s football infrastructure is growing, with new training facilities, commercial deals, and grassroots initiatives developing rapidly. The city’s nightlife, music scene, and fashion industry also intertwine with football culture, making Miami a unique melting pot where the sport is celebrated both on and off the pitch.

From a business perspective, Miami’s rise aligns with the increasing commercialisation of football in the US. The city has become a favourite destination for pre-season tours and high-profile friendlies, with European giants like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United frequently choosing Miami as part of their US tours. The city’s ability to attract these teams speaks volumes about its relevance in the footballing ecosystem.

While Miami’s football credentials have skyrocketed, challenges remain. The city’s MLS team, despite its global appeal, still needs to dominate on the pitch to solidify its legacy. Moreover, while hosting major FIFA tournaments puts Miami in the spotlight, the city must continue developing long-term football infrastructure, such as youth academies and grassroots initiatives, to sustain its position beyond just high-profile events.

Additionally, Miami must navigate the broader landscape of American sports, where NFL, NBA, and MLB continue to command massive audiences. While Messi’s presence has supercharged Miami’s football economy, the city needs to build lasting fan engagement beyond superstar signings. What happens when Messi retires?

Miami has made a compelling case as the new capital of football in the United States. But the question remains: is this momentum sustainable? If Miami continues to cultivate its football infrastructure, expand its youth and professional development, and remain a global destination for football events, it could genuinely cement itself as the premier football city in the USA. One thing is certain, the world of football is watching Miami like never before.

(Images from IMAGO)

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

Mar

2025

Real Sociedad: Underachieving at home but still on the hunt in Europe

Real Sociedad welcome Rúben Amorim’s struggling Manchester United on Thursday with the Basque side suffering many of their own troubles.

By Graham Ruthven

Every match is an ordeal for Manchester United right now. Rúben Amorim’s side are currently at a lower ebb than any other United team in modern history, meaning Real Sociedad have a genuine shot at knocking out the Red Devils when they meet in the Europa League. La Real, however, have some troubles of their own.

In fact, there is overlap between the issues being experienced by Manchester United and those that have dragged down Real Sociedad this season. Most notably, both teams are struggling badly for attacking firepower. This is something that could make Thursday’s clash at the Anoeta a cagey one between two teams lacking in confidence.

La Real come into the match on the back of a 4-0 defeat too Barcelona. Of course, a loss to the team leading LaLiga isn’t exactly something to be ashamed of, and Aritz Elustondo’s early red card also tilted the game towards the Catalans, but the toothlessness of the visitors to Montjuïc was reflective of their season as a whole.

Only Getafe and Real Valladolid have scored fewer goals in the Spanish top flight this season than Real Sociedad. La Real are underperforming their Expected Goals (xG) of 29.1 having scored just 23, but not by enough that it would make a meaningful difference to their league position had their attackers been sharper in front of goal.

It should be noted that Real Sociedad have never been known for their attacking exploits with Imanol Alguacil at the helm. Even when Alexander Isak was at the club, La Real were known for being among the best at winning duels and competing all over the pitch, not for putting the ball in the back of the net.

Even still, La Real have been criticised for being too predictable in their attacking play this season. In Take Kubo and Mikel Oyarzabal, they boast two players who, on their day, are among the best natural creators in La Liga, but Real Sociedad have become one-dimensional in their possession play into the final third.

Real Sociedad are one of just six teams in LaLiga not to have scored a goal from a passing sequence of more than 10 passes this season. They have drawn a blank in three of their last five matches in all competitions and could struggle to find the back of the net against Manchester United on Thursday.

Manchester United have toiled in a similar way. Against low defensive blocks, Amorim has been unable to find a possession structure capable of opening up space in the attacking third. Alguacil has encountered the same issue despite boasting Martin Zubimendi, one of the best midfield pace-setters in Spain.

These issues have been even more acute in the periods when Kubo has been injured. Oyarzabal has also suffered injury troubles over the course of the campaign, playing 1,400 minutes in the league when Real Sociedad would ideally be able to call on the Euro 2024 winner in every match possible.

Last summer, Real Sociedad lost two key players in the shape of Mikel Merino and Robin Le Normand. Alguacil publicly pushed for the club to sign replacements who could deliver immediately in their place, but instead La Real focused on the future, spending the best part of €50m on players under the age of 23.

Luka Sučić, Javi López, Sergio Gómez, and Orri Óskarsson all arrived at the Anoeta and while all four have received regular game time this season, there is a sense that Real Sociedad are looking to the future rather than competing in the present. This has been frustrating for Alguacil whose physical approach requires experienced players to function at its best.

In past seasons, Real Sociedad have positioned themselves high up the pitch to win the ball and create opportunities from those situations. Now, though, their pressing structure isn’t coherent enough to do this with opponents regularly forcing them to play long. La Real have struggled against man-to-man marking systems.

After seven largely successful years with Alguacil in charge, Real Sociedad have reached a crossroads. Currently sitting ninth in the table, they are a long way from where they want to be and are being shown up by their Basque rivals Athletic Club who are on course for a place in the top four. As things stand, they will be in the Champions League next season.

La Real’s transfer model has sustained them at the top level of Spanish football for a long time, but with Zubimendi believed to be next on his way out of the Anoeta the San Sebastian club has put a lot of pressure on itself to self-renew once again. Manchester United are at the start of a rebuild and they’re aren’t the only ones.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Mar

2025

Preview: Chelsea visit Copenhagen in the Conference League

The odds-on favourites for the Europa Conference League have been struggling domestically, but they should still be too strong for FC København.

By Ian King

Recent form

Losing to Brighton in the FA Cup made the Europa Conference League Chelsea’s only hope of silverware this season, and they’re still the odds-on favourites to win this tournament overall. But recent form has been mixed, with West Ham, Wolves and Southampton (15th, 17th and 20th in the Premier League respectively) the only teams they’ve beaten in the League since before Christmas.

FC København are top of the Superliga by a point and haven’t lost domestically since the 14th September, though it should be added that the Danish season has a two and a half month winter break. They finished 18th in the Europa Conference League megagroup, winning 2, drawing 2 and losing 2.

European pedigree

These two have only met once in European competition before. In the 2010/11 Champions League Round of 16, they played a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge before Chelsea won the return match 2-0 in Copenhagen. FC København got through to the Round of 16 of the Champions League last season too, qualifying alongside Bayern Munchen while eliminating Galatasaray and Manchester United. They were beaten by Manchester City. Chelsea won the Champions League in 2021. How they got from this to being in this competition in the space of four years is a long and complicated story.

Key players

Cole Palmer has been the glue that has held this Chelsea team together this season. He’s their joint-highest scorer, but he was left out of their squad for the group stages. He’s back in now. Christopher Nkunku is the other joint-top scorer with Palmer because he’s scored seven in this very competition. He’s been coming in for a lot of criticism, perhaps a big performance in a higher profile European match might silence some of that.

FC København have an English connection in the form of goalkeeper Nathan Trott, who is on loan from West Ham. He played six games for England’s U20s, and also represented Bermuda at youth level.

Team News

Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile are all close to returning from injury, but may not quite be ready in time. Enzo Maresca may well err on the side of caution for a winnable-looking European match such as this. Their other injuries are longer term.

Andreas Cornelius, Lukas Lerager, Nicolai Boilsen and Roony Bardghji are all injury doubts for FC København, while Jordy ‘Son of Henrik’ Larsson missed their last match at Aalborg, and it’s not known whether he’ll be back for this one.

Prediction

Chelsea have been struggling in the Premier League since before Christmas, but the Europa Conference League has been their happy place. With six wins out of six in the megagroup, they’re clear favourites to win this tournament. FC København beat Manchester United 4-3 at home in last year’s Champions League, but the gulf is huge and the inclusion of Cole Palmer alone a potential game-changer. 2-0 Chelsea, and a reasonably uneventful evening.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Mar

2025

Preview: Manchester United face Real Sociedad in the Basque Country

After losing to Fulham in the FA Cup on penalties, the Europa League means more than ever to Manchester United this season.

By Ian King

Two sides with little else to play for

Elimination from the FA Cup on penalty kicks has hit Manchester United hard. The Europa League is now their only chance of silverware this season, but it’s not just that. They also now need to win this tournament to qualify for any form of European football next season, and considering the state of their finances the revenue from that is something they need more than ever. Real Sociedad have been up and down all season but their recent form hasn’t been great, with five defeats from their last seven matches in LaLiga as well as a recent elimination from the Copa Del Rey against Real Madrid.

Previous Meetings

The good news for Rúben Amorim is that Manchester United have only lost once in six previous matches against Real Sociedad. This was a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford in September 2022. United won the return match in San Sebastian by the same score. That win also marked the only time that Real Sociedad have ever scored in a competitive match against United, with United having won three previous meetings with a clean sheet and two goalless draws.

Key players

Nayef Aguerd has been a rock at the centre of the Real Sociedad defence this season since joining on loan from West Ham They’ve been dependent on this. With just 23 goals in 26 league matches, they’re the third-lowest scorers in the whole of LaLiga despite being 9th in the table. As for Manchester United… is it cheating to mention Bruno Fernandes again? It’s felt as though he’s been the bolt that has stopped them from completely falling apart in recent weeks.

*LaLiga 2024/25 stats – Real Sociedad don’t score many, don’t concede many*

Team News

Harry Maguire is another fresh injury doubt for United after limping off against Fulham. Patrick Dorgu is suspended from domestic competitions after being sent off against Ipswich, but could return for this match. Seventeen-year-old Chido Obi is ineligible after they failed to register him in their revised Europa League squad list that was submitted last month.

Real Sociedad have a number of injuries. Jon Pacheco remains injured and isn’t expected to return until later this month, while Arsen Zakharyan has joined him. Star players Sheraldo Becker, Takefusa Kubo and Aguerd are all available after missing their recent defeat at Barcelona through suspension.

Prediction

Manchester United looked as flaccid as ever against Fulham at the weekend and even their recent wins have looked some distance short of impressive, but they really do need a result from this match to take back to Old Trafford for the second leg. Considering Real Sociedad’s issues in front of goal this season and the fact that they’ve only ever scored once in six previous meetings – which would be no more than a statistical anomaly were it not for the fact that four of these meetings have been in the last four years – a goalless draw and a tense second leg feels realistic.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Mar

2025

Preview: Spurs go to Alkmaar in repeat of League Phase fixture

AZ Alkmaar host Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League Round of 16 first-leg tie at the AFAS Stadion.

By Matt Smith

Ange Postecoglou’s side are facing their final opportunity to win a trophy with the Premier League out of reach and them being out of every other competition. AZ have already reached a domestic final this season, but the Europa League is the real test for them.

Spurs will have confidence heading into this game having faced AZ earlier in the campaign, securing a 1-0 victory thanks to a Richarlison penalty.

Alkmaar without attacking quartet

Alkmaar are expected to be without attacking quartet Mexx Meerdink, Ruben van Bommel, Jayden Addai and Sven Mijnans for the home leg against Tottenham in the Europa League.

Former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott has been in and out of the side over the last few months, but with fewer options going forward, he could cement a regular place in the starting XI for the time being.

Former Spurs man flying for Alkmaar

Tottenham sold young striker Parrott to Alkmaar in the summer transfer window, and they could live to regret that after being drawn against them in this competition. The Republic of Ireland international has struck 17 times in all competitions this season, and he’s been a key provider in the Europa League.

Parrott has struck four times in Europe this term, providing a singular assist, scoring three times in his last four games in the competition. The 23-year-old may have a little extra motivation on Thursday night, looking to prove a point against his former club.

Tottenham dealt Kulusevski blow

Reports emerged earlier this week that Dejan Kulusevski had suffered a foot injury, with Postecoglou dealt yet another blow. Later confirmed by the club, the Swedish international had already posted a picture online wearing a protective boot.

In better news, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Dominic Solanke appear to be edging closer to full fitness, with Postecoglou’s squad starting to get back in better shape overall.

Maddison to step up again

If Kulusevski is unavailable, Tottenham will need James Maddison to step up once again in the attacking midfield position. The England international scored and provided an assist against Hoffenheim in the final League Phase match.

No player has produced more assists than Maddison for Spurs in the Europa League this season, and with Kulusevski potentially unavailable, the pressure will be on him to be the creative option in the middle of the park for Postecoglou’s side.

Prediction

Playing away from home in the opening leg, a draw wouldn’t be the worst for Spurs. The north London outfit have plenty of games to play before the international break, so we could see some rotation.

We’re going for a 1-1 draw in the Netherlands.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Mar

2025

What can the San Francisco 49ers bring to Glasgow Rangers?

The owners of the San Francisco 49ers are set to complete a takeover of Rangers with the Glasgow club in desperate need of a new direction.

By Graham Ruthven

Barry Ferguson’s honeymoon as Rangers manager didn’t last long. Less than a week, to be precise. This was all that was between the former club captain’s interim appointment and the 2-1 defeat to Motherwell in his home managerial debut. The home fans who were still inside Ibrox for the full time whistle booed. Loudly.

The boos weren’t necessarily for Ferguson, but for the situation Rangers find themselves in. The Govan outfit are a long way from title contention, trailing Celtic by 16 points at the top of the Scottish Premiership. On top of this, last month’s home defeat to second-tier Queen’s Park in the Cup was one of the most embarrassing results in Rangers’ modern history.

Amid the doom and gloom, though, Rangers fans have allowed themselves to dream of better times as reports of an imminent takeover have emerged. Indeed, the owners of the San Francisco 49ers are set to purchase a controlling stake in the Glasgow club which a deal reportedly to be ratified by the summer.

49ers Enterprises already own Leeds United, raising the prospect that Rangers could be placed into a multi-club ownership group. This might make some supporters nervous of becoming a feeder team to another club down south, but Rangers desperately need some new ideas – and investment – to catch Celtic.

Any takeover would have to be a long-term project. It might be years before Rangers can even think about challenging for the title again such is the gap that has opened up at the top of the Scottish game. How the 49ers would square this with the relentless desire for trophies at Ibrox is unclear. A realignment of expectations at the club might have to happen.

Rangers are still paying for a series of bad decisions made in the transfer market. After winning the Scottish title under Steven Gerrard in 2020/21 and reaching the Europa League final the following season, the club had a number of valuable assets. There was interest in the likes of Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, Glen Kamara and Borna Barišić who could have brought in £50m or more.

Rather than moving them on, though, Rangers kept most of their best players until they stagnated. Kent, Morelos and Barišić left as free agents while Kamara was sold for just £8m when clubs had been prepared to offer double that when the Finnish midfielder’s stock was highest. This left Rangers to rebuild their squad without anything to re-invest.

Celtic, on the other hand, have continued to sign young, develop and sell on. This has been their transfer model for over a decade and it has seen the club collect over €100m in fees over the last two seasons. And yet Brendan Rodgers’ side are strolling to a fourth straight title having made the knockout rounds of the Champions League this season.

To compound the mistakes made post-Gerrard, Rangers have bought poorly. Over £15m was spent at the start of Michael Beale’s ill-fated tenure only for almost every signing to be a dud. Last summer, another £15m was spent and while the hit rate was slightly better with Hamza Igamane and Mohamed Diomande showing potential, Rangers still aren’t getting bang for their buck.

If the 49ers’ takeover pushes Rangers towards a more coherent transfer strategy, this can only be a good thing for the club. Supporters might be impatient to get back to winning ways, but new foundations must be built before Rangers can truly start to target titles and trophies. This process will take some time.

The upside in buying Rangers, however, is clear. This is a club with an estimated support of nine million fans around the world. Rangers might not have access to the Premier League as Leeds United do, but they play in European competition virtually every season. It’s much easier for the 49ers to get Rangers into the Champions League than Leeds.

Scottish football in general is attracting a lot of outside investment at the moment as multi-club groups recognise the potential north of the border. Hibernian are part of the same multi-club network as Bournemouth while Hearts have a partnership with Brighton owner Tony Bloom which could lead to an injection of £10m.

Rangers need more than £10m to get on the straight and narrow again. The Ibrox club registered losses of £17m last year and clearly need a new direction on and off the pitch. Multi-club ownership comes with its own challenges, and Rangers should be wary of losing any autonomy, but the 49ers’ takeover could be the ladder they need to get out of the hole they dug for themselves.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Mar

2025

Liverpool vs. PSG shows the new Champions League format has a serious flaw

Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain may be dream opponents for UEFA in the first knockout round of the inaugural Champions League expansion, but it is a draw that leaves the Reds hard done by.

By Jack Lusby, ThisIsAnfield.com

“It could have been a Champions League final.”

PSG manager Luis Enrique summed it up in his assessment of a tantalising tie between his side and Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Heading into the first leg at the Parc des Princes both sides are 13 points clear at the top of their respective leagues and considered champions-elect. PSG need six wins from 10 games to guarantee the title, Liverpool need seven.

It is undoubtedly one of the toughest fixtures in the tournament’s first proper knockout stage and one that UEFA, presiding over the first Champions League with 36 teams and a new format, will have been rubbing their hands together over when the draw was completed.

This is, after all, the purpose of expanding the Champions League and introducing a new league phase to replace the traditional group stage: more high-profile ties, earlier in the tournament, and more eyes on the product.

But for Liverpool, who stormed to the top of the table with seven wins from eight, drawing the reigning French champions and a side, like themselves, on a 24-game unbeaten streak is little reward for their efforts over those league games.

Not that Arne Slot and his players will let on, with every challenge embraced in a remarkably strong season, including resounding wins over the Spanish, German and English champions Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester City already.

They head to Paris on the back to comfortable victories against Manchester City and Newcastle and with few injury problems to contend with, largely due to careful squad management and the eye for detail of lead physical performance coach Ruben Peeters.

Liverpool boast the world’s current best player in Mohamed Salah and the best centre-back in Virgil van Dijk, along with a number of others operating at elite form, such as Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Ibrahima Konaté and Cody Gakpo.

Bookmakers place the Reds as favourites to progress to the quarter-finals, aided by the second leg being held at Anfield, which they earned by virtue of avoiding the playoffs with a top-eight finish.

But the inclusion of a playoff round, pitting the sides who finished ninth to 24th against each other to determine the other eight sides to reach the last 16, has clouded any reward for a near-perfect league phase.

It meant Liverpool and second-placed Barcelona knew they would play one of the winners of two playoffs between PSG, Benfica, Monaco and Brest, the sides who finished 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th respectively.

Drawn against domestic opposition, PSG battered Brest 10-0 over two legs to reach the last 16 and make a mockery of their league placing after facing Arsenal, Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester City among their eight opponents.

Speaking in January, after a 2-1 win over Lille in the penultimate round of the league phase, Slot admitted even he wasn’t sure of the advantages of finishing top of the table, with the subsequent knockout draw so dependent on other teams’ performance.

“In tennis, when you are No. 1 seeded you know it’s always better to face the No. 24 than the No. 8 or the No. 12, because this is a ranking that is done for years,” he told reporters.

“But now we are in a new format where some teams are high in the league table because they had a lucky draw or some teams are low because they had a very difficult draw. So it’s far off to say that it’s an advantage to be one or two, we still don’t know yet if that’s an advantage or not.

“You might be lucky, you might be very unlucky, and ending up eighth can mean that you are maybe lucky. So for me, it doesn’t tell me anything.

“What’s, for me, the most important thing is that we’ve managed to skip a round, and that is definitely worth a bit.”

After the postponement of the December trip to Everton and a rescheduling due to their progress to the Carabao Cup final, Liverpool did not even enjoy the benefits of skipping the playoffs, with two midweek league games taking their place.

Either way, the fact remains that Aston Villa, who finished eighth, landed an objectively easier last-16 tie, with opponents Club Brugge finishing 24th in the league phase and only advancing after a defiant playoff win over Atalanta who finished ninth.

Again, this is exactly what UEFA will cherish when they look back on the first iteration of this new Champions League, but there is certainly a question over whether this is entirely fair.

Scrapping the playoffs and establishing a straightforward seeding for the knockout stages – first vs. 16th, second vs. 15th and so on – would surely serve as more justified reward for excelling in the marathon of an eight-game league phase.

Whether that will come into consideration when the European Club Association weigh up the pros and cons of this new format remains to be seen.

But it could lead the likes of Liverpool to alter their approach to the league phase in future, as ultimately five wins out of eight for Villa resulted in a better draw than their own seven wins and one dead-rubber defeat.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Mar

2025

Luis Enrique’s ‘proper’ PSG team pose a threat in the Champions League

Paris Saint-Germain are no longer pretenders to the crown.

By Sam McGuire

For years, they were labelled as one of the best teams in the world. This wasn’t ever really true. They may have had some of the best players in the world, but they didn’t operate as a team. They had too many egos to massage with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar all vying to be the King of Paris.

They’d attack as a team but would they defend as a team? Absolutely not.

Even after Messi and Neymar left, it felt like Mbappé plus 10 others on the pitch. They reached the Champions League semi-finals last season but, objectively speaking, weren’t great. They finished second in their group on eight points having won just two of their six matches. They only qualified for the knockout stage due to having a superior head-to-head goal difference against AC Milan.

They beat Real Sociedad in the round-of-16 and then lost the first-leg of their quarter-final clash 3-2 to Barcelona, at home. They did hammer Barca at the Camp Nou, 4-1, after an early red card to Ronald Araújo.

PSG then lost 2-0 on aggregate to Borussia Dortmund in the semi-final.

Given their spend over the years and the squad at their disposal, performances should’ve been better in European competition, right?

Domestically, they dominated last season.

They finished nine points clear of Monaco to win Ligue 1 and also beat Lyon in the final of the Coupe De France.

Mbappé finally departed in the summer, leaving for Real Madrid on a free transfer. PSG didn’t go big in the market to replace their poster boy. The highly-rated Désiré Doué joined from Rennes for €50million to bolster their attacking options. Other areas of the team were strengthened but it was sensible business rather than moves you’d associate with FIFA Ultimate Team.

Their Champions League campaign didn’t get off to the best of starts this season – they lost to Arsenal, Atlético Madrid and Bayern Munich. They also drew with PSV. However, three successive wins helped them make it to the play-offs. This included a 4-2 victory over Manchester City having been 2-0 down. They then destroyed Brest in the play-off game, racking up an aggregate 10-0 win.

They head into their game against Liverpool on a 10-match winning streak. In fact, they’re unbeaten since their 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in November.

During this winning run, Luis Enrique’s side have scored 40 goals and conceded just seven. Ousmane Dembélé is in the form of his career. He’s currently the leading scorer in Ligue 1 with 18.

PSG dominate the FotMob average player ratings too with Achraf Hakimi, Dembélé and João Neves making up the top three this term across Ligue 1.

Bradley Barcola has found his feet too, despite there being some concerns over his role within the squad following the arrival of Doué, and has 12 league goals to his name. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is a threat. The Georgian international joined from Napoli in January and has seamlessly slotted in to Enrique’s XI.

Doué is chipping in with goals and assists now and was the star of the show in the recent 4-1 win over Lille.

After that particular game, the manager added fuel to the fire, saying: “We’re not going to change much, today was a test, Liverpool and Lille have similar things, we put them under such pressure that they could no longer play from the back, they had to play long.

“It will be different, it will be very complicated of course, but we are in the best period of the season. We will play against the best team in Europe, qualified brilliantly, but it is not in our mentality to speculate, protect ourselves, stay defensive, we will attack and we will try to turn that in our favour.”

“I know Liverpool very well, without a doubt they are the team in the best form in Europe both in terms of results and play. It could have been a Champions League final, we’re going to try to do it with our weapons.”

Things are now just well balanced. Enrique has a team rather than a collection of players. And it is pretty evident when looking at the stats too.

They top Ligue 1 for goals scored, averaging 2.9 goals per 90. They have the highest xG – 63.9 (66 goals). They’ve carved out 131 big chances – the only team in France to be in triple digits. They’re robust defensively too, conceding 23 goals from an xG Against of 23.2.

In Europe, their record is alright too. They have the fourth highest xG and rank second for big chances created with 48. The games against Brest boosted these numbers but their output is still impressive when you consider they faced off against Arsenal, Atlético, Bayern and Manchester City.

PSG look well equipped. They have a fluid front three with a Plan B option in Gonçalo Ramos if needed. They can stack their midfield in a variety of different ways to either dominate the ball or dominate space. Defensively, they look fairly solid these days with Lucas Beraldo and Willian Pacho rotating alongside Marquinhos. Nuno Mendes is back at left-back and Hakimi is owning the right-flank.

This is no longer a FIFA Ultimate Team XI. This is a proper team with multiple ways to win a match. And that is why they’re a concern. PSG of yesteryear wouldn’t have worried me at all. Arne Slot’s ruthless Reds would’ve done a professional job on them. This iteration, however, could be more of a problem for the Premier League leaders.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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