Page 20 – The Pulse of Football

Feb

2025

Preview: In form Bournemouth out to test leaders Liverpool

Bournemouth will host Liverpool in the Premier League at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday as two of the most in-form sides go head-to-head.

By Matt Smith

The Cherries could find themselves venturing into the top four with a victory, while Arne Slot’s men will be hoping to extend their lead at the top.

When the two teams met earlier in the season, Liverpool secured a comfortable 3-0 win at Anfield, with Luis Díaz scoring a brace and Darwin Núñez grabbing the other.

Sinisterra could return for the Cherries

Andoni Iraola has been forced to deal with a host of injury troubles this season, and the Cherries still have a significant number of players on the treatment table.

The Bournemouth boss did confirm that there are no new injury concerns heading into the game against Liverpool, and Luis Sinisterra could be back in contention. After recovering from a hamstring injury, Iraola said he needs to be ‘assessed again’ before they make a decision as to whether he will be available.

Kluivert untouchable for Bournemouth

Justin Kluivert hasn’t always been a guaranteed starter since arriving at Bournemouth, but he’s beginning to flourish under Iraola this season. In the last four games, the Dutch attacker has provided nine goals and assists combined, helping the Cherries score 16 goals during that time.

The 25-year-old is arguably in the form of his life – something we covered here – so Liverpool will have a task on their hands keeping him quiet. The former Roma forward has often been deployed in wide areas during his career, but Iraola is getting the best out of him in an attacking midfield role.

Slot receives triple boost

Arne Slot confirmed in his press conference ahead of the trip to Bournemouth that Diogo Jota, Darwin Núñez, and Joe Gomez all trained on Friday.

The Reds were able to rest a host of players against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League during the week, allowing some of their more senior players plenty of recovery time.

Gakpo red hot for Slot’s side

Naturally, Mohamed Salah is the danger man for Liverpool and takes the majority of the plaudits, but Cody Gakpo’s form of late has been seriously impressive. The Dutch attacker is starting to make the left forward position his own in Slot’s system.

Against Ipswich last time out in the Premier League, Gakpo found the back of the net twice while also providing an assist. The 25-year-old is providing a real threat off the left for the Reds, cutting inside on his right foot regularly. That’s where a couple of his goals this season have come from, while he’s also proving to be a danger in the air.

Prediction

Liverpool haven’t lost away from home this season, but Bournemouth have won six of their 11 games at the Vitality Stadium. Both sides are unbeaten in their last five league games and have accumulated the same number of points. We’re going to go for a 1-1 draw in this one.

(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.

Jan

2025

Antonio Conte has revitalised Napoli and the hunt for the Scudetto is on

Antonio Conte inherited a mess as Napoli manager, but has since transformed the Partenopei who are genuine Scudetto challengers once again.

By Graham Ruthven

Napoli’s season hardly could’ve got off to a worse start. An opening day defeat to Verona reflected a chaotic summer that culminated with a public plea by Antonio Conte for new signings. Piotr Zielinski had left the club. Victor Osimhen was on his way out. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia would follow him six months later. Many Napoli fans were braced for a difficult campaign.

Instead, Conte has moulded Napoli in his own image. They are sitting top of the Serie A table having won their last seven league games in-a-row with the recent victories over Atalanta and Juventus a sign of how formidable a force Conte’s side have become. The turnaround from the start of the season has been remarkable.

Of course, Napoli’s success isn’t surprising in the context of Conte’s managerial career. He is the greatest Italian coach of his generation having won titles in Italy and England. The 55-year-old is a natural born winner with an unwavering strength of character that makes him a formidable force of nature in the dugout.

Even accounting for this, though, what Conte is doing right now at Napoli is unprecedented. He had better squads at Juventus, Inter and Chelsea. He had never before taken over a club in such a damaged condition. All things considered, winning the Scudetto with Napoli this season would be the greatest triumph of Conte’s career to date.

Conte had to tactically rebuild Napoli from the ground up. Under Luciano Spalletti, they had played a high-energy, high-intensity game that made Napoli one of the most entertaining teams anywhere in Europe, but ultimately wore them out. The drop off was evident last season as the defending champions finished a lowly 10th.

Handed a group of players in desperate need of revitalisation, Conte focused most of all on his midfield. This is the engine room of any Conte team and it would be the same for Napoli. Scott McTominay was signed from Manchester United with Billy Gilmour also brought in from Brighton for depth.

Moving away from the back three for the first time in his managerial career, Conte established André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Stanislav Lobotka and McTominay as his starting trio in the centre of the pitch with Anguissa and McTominay given the freedom to get forward, leaving Lobotka as the anchor.

This set-up was clear in the way Napoli attacked Atalanta in a season-defining win over the Bergamo outfit two weeks ago when McTominay found the back of the net from a box-crashing run and Anguissa recorded two assists. The two free number eights have been central to Napoli’s resurgence this season.

Romelu Lukaku has also become a central pillar of Conte’s team, silencing those who believed the Belgian striker was washed up after a difficult period at Roma. He has registered a goal involvement in his each of his last four league appearances with Lukaku once again the focal point of a Conte team targeting trophies.

In some ways, Conte has changed his ways to point Napoli in the right direction again. There wouldn’t have been a role for a player like McTominay in his previous title-winning teams. As already referenced, he has abandoned the back three shape that had worked so well for him in the past. There are no wing backs as such in this Napoli side, although Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Mathías Olivera are still expected to get forward.

At the same time, though, Conte has instilled so many of the same principles that turned Chelsea, Inter and Juventus into frontrunners. Conte’s players don’t just play for him, they fight for him. When Matteo Politano won a throw-in to wind down the clock late on against Atalanta, he celebrated like he’d scored a goal. This was after Giovanni Simeone made a tackle on the floor with his head.

“We must never extinguish the enthusiasm because it’s our lifeblood,” said Conte when asked about the spirit that has grown within his team over the course of the season so far. “However, we must stay grounded because what we’ve done so far is extraordinary. It’s nice to see that, despite the difficulties with the [transfer] market and injuries, nothing changes.”

There’s a long way to go for Napoli to win their second Serie A title in three seasons. Inter still have a game in-hand that could take them to the top of the table. The Nerazzurri’s superior depth might give them the edge down the final stretch of the title race. Having already matched their points tally from last season, though, Napoli could achieve something special, even by Conte’s standards.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2025

Alex Iwobi: Fulham’s creative spark this season

On February 11, 2024, Alex Iwobi suffered one of the lowest moments in his entire career. His Nigeria side relinquished an early lead and lost 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations Final, narrowly missing out on their first AFCON title since 2013. Over the following days, Iwobi was subject to a barrage of threats and insults on social media, prompting him to delete over 100 Instagram posts.

By Zach Lowy

Fast forward a year, and Alex Iwobi is in the best form of his life for Marco Silva’s Fulham, who occupy 10th place. Iwobi sits atop Fulham’s squad for Premier League goal contributions (10) alongside Raúl Jiménez, as well as big chances created (7) alongside Adama Traoré. He’s created 43 chances – six more than any other player – and he (7.41) is the second-highest-rated player in their squad after Antonee Robinson (7.50) according to the FotMob player ratings.

After joining Fulham for £22 million in September 2023, Iwobi quickly established himself as a dynamic attacking threat with six goals and two assists in 33 appearances. He’s already outdone last season’s tally, racking up seven goals and three assists in 26 matches for the Cottagers.

“Following the departure of Willian, Fulham needed a midfield conductor and maestro, and it is Iwobi rather than big-money signing Emile Smith Rowe who has stepped into this role,” stated Fulham tactical analyst The Cottage Tactico. “Beyond the dribbles, passes, and shots, he’s trusted by Silva to execute his game plan and patterns. The trust Marco Silva has in him is such that he’ll often play multiple positions in a single game, with his location on the pitch determining where Fulham concentrate play, be it on the left, right or in the middle.”

Willian’s departure has freed up space for Iwobi to become the team’s chief playmaker and take his game to the next level at Craven Cottage. Whether it’s carrying the ball from one penalty box to the other or slicing through a web of opponents with a lofted pass, Iwobi is capable of making the difference in the final third and swinging the tide of events in the blink of an eye. He is adept at advancing possession from the middle third to the final third, boasting the physical prowess and technical finesse to jostle opponents whilst keeping the ball glued to his feet, and he has the vision to unleash Antonee Robinson’s overlapping runs down the left flank with an inch-pefect pass. Iwobi constantly has his head on a swivel, able to detect the slightest intervention from an opposition player and quickly shuffle the ball onto his other foot in order to maintain possession.

*Iwobi possession stats, Premier League 2024/25*

Moreover, Iwobi’s versatility, intelligence and decision-making have enabled him to deputise in a variety of positions whilst avoiding the ‘Jack of all trades, master of none’ tag. The Lagos-born technician has delivered his best form on the left side of attack in Silva’s 4-2-3-1 formation, but he’s also been utilised in several other roles, be that slotting into central midfield to help Fulham cope with Newcastle’s physically imposing midfield, or filling in at right wing-back and enabling Traoré the freedom to run riot against Manchester City. He’s a team player who has the defensive acumen, work rate and physical mettle to do the dirty work and chip in out of possession in a way that other attacking midfielders simply don’t have in their locker.

“He’s been our best player this season,” said Jack Collins, co-host of the Fulhamish podcast. “Iwobi is a multidimensional attacking threat – when we see him in different positions, he’s not just doing the same things from different angles. On the left wing, he’s taken up Willian’s role from last season by cutting inside and allowing Robinson to overlap, but when he’s playing on the right, he can still deliver a dangerous cross into the box. He’s changing and adapting his game to best fulfil the needs of the team, and I think that’s what’s elevated him this season from being a good squad player who starts most weeks to being the first name on the sheet to being Fulham’s creative fulcrum.”

*Iwobi passing stats, Premier League 2024/25*

Iwobi is proving indispensable for Fulham – only Calvin Bassey, Bernd Leno and Robinson have played more minutes in the Premier League – but as good as he’s been this season, his importance is highlighted even more when he’s not on the pitch. Fulham don’t have another player in their roster who can thread the needle and unlock a deep block, who can attract rivals, free up space, and find their unmarked teammate with a precise through ball, and who can conjure up a moment of magic when all else seems lost.

In contrast to other teams like Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, and Brentford, Fulham don’t have a prolific centre forward in their squad – not since Aleksandar Mitrović’s move to Al-Hilal in 2023. Rodrigo Muniz (9) was their top scorer last season, whilst Raúl Jiménez (8) currently leads their scoring charts. As such, whilst his compatriots Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi are dreaming of Champions League football at the City Ground, Iwobi will have to content himself with yet another season of safely avoiding the threat of relegation.

This lack of a proven finisher means that many of the golden opportunities that Iwobi concocts do not achieve their desired end product, and it also means that Iwobi has had to step up as a consistent source of goals. Having scored 9 goals in 140 Everton appearances and 15 appearances in 149 Arsenal appearances, he’s already racked up 13 goals in 59 appearances for Fulham.

At 28, Iwobi has cemented his status as a veteran leader in Fulham’s well-drilled unit, a player who steps up and delivers the goods when his team needs him the most, and he’ll be looking to come up clutch on Saturday in Newcastle. The last time these two sides met, Iwobi delivered a Man of the Match display, creating five chances (including an assist) and registering 3 shots in a 3-1 win. If Fulham are to come away with their first Premier League victory at St. James’ Park since 2009, they’ll need Iwobi to be at his brilliant best.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2025

FPL tips from the reigning champ: GW24

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 1 February*

The Eye Test vs. The Stats

Bryan Mbeumo (7.8m) has delivered the goods for Brentford this season.

The 25-year-old is the Bees’ top scorer this season with 14 goals. Mbeumo has also registered three assists for good measure, underlining his value as one of the most reliable FPL assets.

Thomas Frank deployed Mbeumo in a wide position for a period of five matches which resulted in the Cameroonian international recording just one shot and Expected Goals (xG) of 0.09 over this stretch.

More recently, though. Mbeumo has looked more like his old self in a central attacking role, scoring four goals and assisting another in his last five gameweeks. Those who kept faith in the Brentford man amid a difficult run of fixtures against Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal were rewarded.

*Mbeumo shooting stats per 90, Premier League 2024/25*

GW23 saw Mbeumo convert a penalty against Crystal Palace despite some drama over a re-take. The 25-year-old also delivered two bonus points as he carried a threat for Brentford in the attacking third.

Looking ahead, Brentford’s upcoming fixtures appear favourable, starting with a match against an out-of-form Tottenham Hotspur in GW24 this weekend. Mbeumo could be in line for a haul of points against an opponent with clear defensive vulnerabilities.

After facing Spurs, Brentford will take on West Ham and Leicester City and with Mbeumo a near certainty to play 90 minutes and the Bees’ designated penalty taker, he could be a good choice for your FPL team.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.3m) holds the title of being the most expensive defender in FPL, but for good reason.

The Liverpool right back has the highest Expected Goal Involvements (xGI) per 90 (0.42) among all defenders. For context, this is higher than popular FPL attacking assets João Pedro and Chris Wood.

GW24 is a double gameweek for Liverpool who face Bournemouth and Everton before a home fixture against Wolves in GW25. These matches present Alexander-Arnold with the opportunity to add to his already impressive points tally for the season of 101.

Alexander-Arnold is the creative hub of Arne Slot’s team. His passing ability is second to none. He takes corners. He takes freekicks. This is without even mentioning that Liverpool boast the best defensive record in the whole division.

The way Liverpool are playing this season, Alexander-Arnold is a good bet to deliver bonus points should the Reds register a clean sheet and the right back registers an attacking return, as he did in the recent 2-0 win over Brentford when he finished on 11 points.

In his last five games, Alexander-Arnold has averaged 6.6 points, the most of any defender in FPL over that time.

Long shot

Vitalii Mykolenko (4.4m) is the cheapest starting Everton defender and should be on your FPL radar ahead of the Toffees’ double gameweek.

Mykolenko is being used as a full back by new Everton manager David Moyes, putting him in line for some attacking returns. The Ukrainian is registering just 0.06 xGI per 90 this season, but this could improve as Everton build momentum.

Everton face relegation-threatened Leicester City in the first fixture of their double gameweek in GW24, making the Toffees’ defenders attractive for your FPL team.

James Tarkowski (4.8m) and Jarrad Branthwaite (4.8m) could be good picks with both centre backs a threat from corner kicks. Jordan Pickford (5.0m) could deliver save points while Jake O’Brien (4.5m) could be a good differential.

Upcoming games to follow

GW24 has the potential to be a dramatic one with a selection of potentially high-scoring fixtures across the gameweek.

Everton and Liverpool both have two fixtures in a double gameweek, making them teams to target. Assets such as Iliman Ndiaye (5.4m), Ibrahima Konaté (5.1m) and Cody Gakpo (7.6m) could all be good picks with the capacity for a big points haul. It goes without saying that Mohamed Salah (13.7m) could also score big.

Chelsea’s assets are similarly worth your attention with Enzo Maresca’s team at home to West Ham on Monday night.

The Blues have allowed their form to slump in recent weeks, winning just one of their last seven league games. West Ham, however, are also in poor form having won one of their last five. They will be underdogs at Stamford Bridge.

Nicolas Jackson (7.8m) and Cole Palmer (11.3m) could make an impact against the Hammers with the pair in the ‘don’t buy, don’t sell’ category.

Reece James (4.8m) deserves highlighting as an under-the-radar pick after starting consecutive matches against Wolves and Manchester City. The right back carries an attacking threat and could be a shrewd pick despite his injury record.

(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.

Jan

2025

Premier League Preview, Matchday 24

At the start of the season, people would’ve looked at the fixtures for Matchday 24 and circled one game as a must-not-miss as Arsenal, title hopefuls, take on reigning champions Manchester City at the Emirates. And while that is still one of the most anticipated clashes this weekend, there are a host of other games that are threatening to take centre stage this weekend.

By Sam McGuire

One of which kicks off at 12.30 on Saturday at the City ground.

How will Forest respond?

Nottingham Forest suffered just their fifth defeat of the season last time out. But it was quite a significant defeat as Nuno Espírito Santo’s side fell to an emphatic 5-0 loss to Bournemouth.

It was their first defeat of 2025 and their first loss in well over a month.

While we’ve seen Forest bounce back from setbacks previously, the severity of such a defeat will really test the mentality of the team.

Bournemouth had twice as many efforts on target as Nottingham Forest and double the Expected Goals haul on the day. Forest’s goal difference took a significant hit and there’s a possibility they end this weekend in fifth position.

They host an inconsistent but effective Brighton at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon. Last time out, the Seagulls fell to a 1-0 defeat to Everton to bring their seven match unbeaten run to an end. During this run, they held Arsenal to a draw and romped to a 3-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Brighton have the players to cause problems.

Back-to-back losses could see Forest spiral. A win for Brighton could give them a boost to mount a challenge for European football. Things are finely balanced.

The Richard Hughes derby

Liverpool are currently six points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand. They’re unbeaten in the English top-flight since their shock loss to Nottingham Forest in September. Richard Hughes hasn’t been able to put his stamp on the playing squad just yet, with just the one senior signing in Federico Chiesa, but he did play a part in bringing manager Arne Slot to the club.

This weekend, the Reds travel to Hughes’ former team, Bournemouth. While with the Cherries, Hughes helped assemble the squad and hire manager Andoni Iraola. The former Sporting Director at the Vitality Stadium is a key reason why they’re one of the form teams in the Premier League right now, despite leaving the club in the summer.

The Cherries battered Newcastle at St James’ Park a fortnight ago and then romped to a 5-0 win over an in-form Nottingham Forest last time out. Their last defeat arrived in November and they’re currently on an unbeaten run stretching 12 matches.

If results go their way this weekend, they could end up in fourth position.

Despite hosting the league leaders on Saturday, they’ll fancy their chances. Slot’s side haven’t been at their brilliant best recently. They’ve been picking up results but performances haven’t been what they were earlier in the season. They’re giving up goals and letting leads slip. If they’re to avoid defeat this weekend, they’ll need to be completely focused on the task at hand.

Bournemouth have already claimed scalps this season. There’s a possibility they add the Reds to this list.

All of the pressure on Arsenal

For the first time in a long time, the pressure is on Arsenal to pick up a result against Manchester City. In fact, there’s an expectation that the Gunners pick up all three points against the reigning champions.

Mikel Arteta’s side are on home turf. They’re against a City side who are out of the title race. They’re only clinging onto fourth position on goal difference. One of three teams could leapfrog them this weekend depending on results.

This isn’t a wounded animal. City have added to their ranks this month but, ultimately, this is a team on the decline and in dire need of fresh blood. It is a squad that looks old because it is.

If Arsenal have any real aspirations of winning the title this season, they need to be picking up all three points this weekend. A point isn’t enough. This is an opportunity to make a statement. Yes, Arteta is missing some key players but so are City. Arsenal have home advantage on Sunday. They have to make it count.

They can’t win the title this weekend but there’s a good chance they lose it. They need to channel that fear and turn it into a positive. Think about it, a loss here would see them fall nine points off the pace having played a game more. They start looking over their shoulder at clubs chasing them rather than looking ahead at Liverpool.

This game is pivotal in the title race.

Cole Palmer has gone cold

Chelsea host West Ham United this weekend looking to get their campaign back on track.

It’ll be the first time Graham Potter will return to Stamford Bridge following his dismissal as Chelsea boss in April 2023.

*Graham Potter’s win percentages as manager*

The Blues are a little out of sorts right now. They halted a five-match unbeaten run with a 3-1 win over Wolves before a 3-1 loss to Manchester City last weekend. They took the lead against the champions but looked out of their depth when the hosts ramped things up. Robert Sánchez had a horror show between the sticks and the defeat left Enzo Maresca’s side in sixth position.

The bigger concern though will be the form of Cole Palmer. He was flying earlier in the season but now has just three goal involvements across his last nine appearances for the Blues. He was anonymous at the Etihad last weekend and he’s going to need a big showing soon if Chelsea are to get their campaign back on track.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2025

The Championship promotion race is on, despite Burnley and Leeds stalemate

We’ve all been there. Wondering what else you could have done with your day, as your extremities start to go numb. “Did I really have to be here?”

By Sanny Rudravajhala

By minute 89, when Dan James hit the one and only shot on target in Leeds United’s 0-0 draw at Burnley, I had made my peace with the situation. The fans behind James Trafford’s goal had faced sideways rain all evening and for those travelling to Turf Moor from across the Pennines there was more toil to come. We could have all participated in this Monday night EFL extravaganza from the warm embrace of our sofas. For 21,329 souls, it’s time we’ll never get back.

Beyond this being the worst game in the history of football, the shifting sands at top of The Championship are settling, so let’s put the past behind us and see where we’re at.

Leeds may have been nullified by a defence that’s conceded just nine all season but they’re the division’s standout side. Dan James flickered in Burnley but his evolution over the past two seasons has illuminated Elland Road. He’s their top chance creator so far (11) and is hitting the sort of numbers that precipitated Manchester United to buy him from Swansea in June 2019.

The one position where they are missing out though, is having a recognised No. 9 up front. Joël Piroe has scored ten and set up five more. He links the play well but was anonymous against the imperious Maxime Estève and CJ Egan Riley and I think he can do just as well back in that hole behind a front man. A fit-again Patrick Bamford could be an answer but either way, a physical presence with an eye for goal is a necessity for Daniel Farke, if not now, then in the Premier League.

Boring Boring Burnley?

Building for the top flight is what Scott Parker is doing at Burnley. A ninth 0-0 of the season (I’ve attended two of them) and a twentieth, yes twentieth clean sheet of the campaign will have commentators saying “Burnley are boring their way to the promised land!” Defensive rigidity is one thing but their frigidity up front with home stalemates to QPR, Derby and Stoke will be costly if they don’t catch Sheffield United in second.

You can however, defend Scott Parker’s approach. Look at the 53 and 47 goals conceded by Southampton and Ipswich respectively and there is method in their blandness. The ex-Bournemouth and Fulham boss knows how to get out of this division and had an unwieldy 37 players to contend with when he first took over from Vincent Kompany.

From the remainers, James Trafford’s rebirth after losing his place during their relegation from the Premier League is something I think that England fans should keep an eye on. The ex-Man City starlet is saving nearly 90% of everything thrown at him and at 22, still has room to develop. I haven’t spotted Thomas Tuchel at Turf Moor yet but I’m sure he’s using his FotMob app to keep an eye on his impressive season stats!

*Trafford shot map faced, Championship 2024/25*

Sharpening Blades

Onto Sheffield United in second. The recent aberration against Hull City aside, it’s been a very positive campaign for Chris Wilder. He sees this team as a completely different one to that which went down together with Burnley and Luton. They’ve missed Palace loanee Jesurun Rak-Sakyi on the right through injury but moving Harrison Burrows up from left back has looked inspired on the other flank.

Gus Hamer taking up a wide position at times too has seen a new creative energy in him and when he’s nearly scoring from the half way line like against Norwich, you know he’s feeling confident. Tyrese Campbell is another one awaiting a return from injury. Nobody is scoring as many goals per 90 minutes as he is and bringing in Tom Cannon and a homecoming for Ben Brereton-Díaz, gives them even more options going forward.

Outsiders and an outlier

As for the other contenders for promotion, Sunderland’s young side, I feel, are still a work in progress. What I’d hate to see is them go up, get pulled apart and all that talent get poached. Having passed his driving test this month 17-year-old Chris Rigg has more miles on the pitch than the road!

Jobe Bellingham is of course a name that catches the eye, and his performances will mean his time at the Stadium of Light will be finite. But, Dan Neil, Dennis Cirkin and Trai Hume are also young English players performing brilliantly on a big stage.

From the others in the play-off spots and beyond, the side I’m most excited for is West Bromwich Albion. Tony Mowbray won the title and took Albion to an FA Cup semi-final in his first spell. 15 years later, he talked of letting the players release their inner child in their 5-1 demolition of Portsmouth. His positivity around Grady Diangana will leave the 26-year-old feeling ten feet tall and I think we’ll be seeing him start more than the eight games he has this season.

Looking at that eleven against Pompey, the side looks formidable. Under Carlos Corberán they were, like Burnley, just a tad too defensive. The out-ball on the flank of Tom Fellows linked brilliantly with Josh Maja earlier in the season but with the goals drying up and the Nigerian international out on the sidelines, we may see more of Diangana in the middle and in the goals.

My one wildcard right now is Norwich City – they’ve got Josh Sargent back from injury and immediately scoring. Once the division’s top marksman, Borja Sainz, returns from his six-match ban for spitting at Sunderland’s Chris Mepham, we could see a formidable front line in Norfolk and hear yet more of Bellini’s Samba de Janeiro pumped out of the PA at Carrow Road.

There’s so much to be optimistic about this run-in that surely, I can put that miserable Monday at Turf Moor behind me? I know it made me question my very existence but on balance, I’m glad I was there. If nothing else, there are now 20 odd thousand others who will treasure every shot on target, every attempt on goal and from now on, every game can only be a thriller!

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2025

Antony’s loan move to Betis suits all parties

Antony’s Manchester United nightmare is over after joining Real Betis where the Brazilian winger will attempt to revive his elite level career.

By Graham Ruthven

By the looks of it, Real Betis scrimped on their video to announce the loan signing of Antony. The low-budget production showed the Brazilian winger standing behind a series of pictures illustrating every club he has played for to this point. Manchester United, of course, didn’t scrimp when they paid €95m for the same player.

Antony was a flop at Old Trafford. An expensive one. He will be widely remembered as the worst-value signing in Premier League history, scoring just 12 goals in 96 appearances over two-and-a-half seasons. For €95m, United thought they were getting a match-winner. Instead, they got a one-dimensional show pony with no final product.

At Ajax, Antony was a different proposition altogether. The 2021/22 season saw him register 22 goal involvements in all competitions. He was an important part of an exciting and dynamic team coached by Erik ten Hag that won the Eredivisie and made an impression on the Champions League.

Now that his Manchester United nightmare is finally over, Antony can focus on rediscovering the form that made him such a standout performer for Ajax, and Betis could be a good fit. The Brazilian might never justify the €95m fee United paid for him, but he could still become a difference-maker again.

This season has been a frustrating one for Betis. Currently sitting 10th in LaLiga, Manuel Pellegrini’s team have struggled for consistency over the course of the campaign. Los Verdiblancos looked to have turned a corner before Christmas, going six games unbeaten in all competitions. Since then, though, they have lost three of their last four.

The right wing has been a problem position for Real Betis. Seven different players – Pablo Fornals, Chimy Ávila, Jesús Rodríguez, Giovani Lo Celso, Iker Losada, Aitor Ruibal and Rodri – have occupied that place in the team this season and so the hope is that Antony will make the position his own.

Betis need a way to create more opportunities in open play. The Seville-based team are ranked 12th for open play chances in LaLiga this season and so the hope is that Antony’s ability in possession will help improve this. The Brazilian is in the 89th percentile for touches per 90 minutes among players in his position. Pellegrini will allow him to take plenty of touches in his set-up.

43% of Real Betis’ attacks this season have come down the left side where they have Abde Ezzalzouli to carry the ball and get forward at pace. No other team in LaLiga this season has been more left-leaning, not even Real Madrid who have Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior on that side of their team.

On the right side, though, Real Betis are less likely to pose a threat. Only Las Palmas, Getafe and Real Madrid are averaging a lower percentage of right-sided attacks in LaLiga this season, highlighting Los Verdiblancos’ need for someone to balance out their forward line. This requirement led to the loan signing of Antony.

Ultimately, Antony became a symbol of the mistakes made by Manchester United in recent times. His signing was reflective of the chaotic nature United approached the transfer market, joining for €95m just two months after Ajax had originally quoted the Old Trafford club €50m. Manchester United’s indecision cost them tens of millions.

Ten Hag was also the one who pushed for Antony to join him in the Premier League, retrospectively highlighting the Dutchman’s excessive say over United’s transfer strategy. Indeed, the club made a habit of signing players who had previously worked under ten Hag without much research of their own.

Manchester United have now been left to pay for their transfer market recklessness. While Real Betis will pay a percentage of Antony’s wages, they have only signed him temporarily until the end of the season. Recouping a respectable portion of the €95m fee paid for the Brazilian winger remains a challenge. There will be PSR implications as long as Antony is on the wage bill.

None of this is Antony’s problem, though. The 24-year-old could be liberated by his departure from Old Trafford in the same way Scott McTominay, Romelu Lukaku, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Antony Elanga, Andreas Pereira, Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian and Memphis Depay among others have been over the years.

In Real Betis, Antony has joined a vibrant club with a real connection to its local community and fanbase. He will be embraced by the Benito Villamarín faithful, and by a manager who could get the best out of him in the way ten Hag and Rúben Amorim never did. After Antony’s Manchester United nightmare, this could be a dream move.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2025

Preview: Spurs take on Swedish side Elfsborg in the Europa

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

By Ian King

Form…the dreaded question

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

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

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

History

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

Key players

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

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

Team News

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

Prediction

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

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

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2025

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

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

By Alex Roberts

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

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

They have a history

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

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

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

A potential solution to one of many problems

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

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

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

The return of a familiar, and terrifying face

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

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

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

Bereft of confidence

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

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

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

Prediction

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

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Jan

2025

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

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

By David Skilling

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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