Page 6 – The Pulse of Football

Apr

2025

Premier League Team of the Week: Matchday 31

It was a weekend full of surprises. Everton held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park, Fulham beat runaway league leaders Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City played out a 0-0 draw while Fabian Schär almost scored from inside his own half in Newcastle United’s game against Leicester City. I know what you’re wondering though and, no, the Swiss centre-back didn’t make the FotMob Team of the Week.

By Sam McGuire

A few of his teammates did. With that in mind, here’s your Matchday 31 Team of the Week.

Goalkeeper: Mark Flekken

The Brentford shot-stopper put in a Man of the Match showing for the Bees in their 0-0 draw with Chelsea on Sunday. Flekken made six saves and faced shots with an Expected Goals on Target value of 1.09 on his way to a clean sheet. The 31-year-old made a total of three saves from shots inside the penalty area too, showing off his impressive shot-stopping ability as Thomas Frank’s side claimed a decent point against the Champions League chasing side.

Right-Back: Pedro Porro

Porro was back to his best for Spurs in their 3-1 win over Southampton on Sunday. The Spanish full-back created three chances, completed 78% of his passes, and completed 50% of his dribbles against the Saints. He won two of his three tackles, made four clearances and completed one interception. Porro won eight of his 14 duels and was fouled on four occasions. All in all, it was a good showing from the 25-year-old right-back.

Centre-Back: Axel Disasi

Disasi put in a dominant showing for Aston Villa in their big important win over Nottingham Forest. The on-loan Chelsea centre-back was good in possession, completing 90% of his attempted passes while also creating one chance for Unai Emery’s men. He won 100% of his tackles and this included a last man challenge. Disasi also won 100% of his duels in what was a monstrous showing against an in-form Forest team.

Centre-Back: Dara O’Shea

O’Shea was on the losing team on Saturday but he put in an impressive showing for Ipswich Town as they lost ground in the race to avoid the drop. The centre-back assisted Liam Delap for the opener in the 2-1 home defeat to Wolves. He also completed 80% of his passes, made two blocks, cleared one effort off of the line and made a key interception. The Republic of Ireland international won 50% of his ground duels and 63% of his aerial duels in what was a dominant outing in a losing side.

Left-Back: Tino Livramento

The Newcastle United full-back is staking a claim to not only be the best right-back in the Premier League this term but also the best left-back. Following an injury to Lewis Hall, the former Chelsea youngster has been deployed at left-back for the Magpies and he’s not missed a beat. He created the most chances for Eddie Howe’s team in their 3-0 win over Leicester City on Monday evening while also claiming an assist. He was dominant in ground duels too, winning 71% against the Foxes on his way to a FotMob rating of 8.2.

Midfield: Casemiro

Casemiro rolled back the years against Manchester City to put in a dominant showing for the hosts at Old Trafford. The 33-year-old made the most tackles (seven), won the most duels (13), made two interceptions and recovered the ball on three occasions, playing a key role in the Red Devils keeping a clean sheet against the reigning Premier League champions. Remarkably, he won 92% of his ground duels in what was an utterly destructive display in the middle of the pitch.

Midfield: Youri Tielemans

Tielemans has been a revelation for Aston Villa this term and he continued his fine form for the Villans in the 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening. Tielemans assisted a goal while also creating two chances. He completed 89% of his passes. The Belgian maestro won 50% of his tackles and 60% of his duels to round-off an all-action display in the heart of the midfield.

Attack: Brennan Johnson

Johnson was impactful against Southampton. The Spurs winger had the least number of touches (36) of any outfield player to play 90 minutes, but scored two goals, had three shots and won a penalty. The 23-year-old also completed two of his three attempted dribbles and was a menace for the hosts throughout the game against the Saints. The showing earned him a 9.2 FotMob rating.

Attack: Eberechi Eze

Eze was the difference-maker for Crystal Palace as they claimed a 2-1 win over Brighton. The versatile attacker assisted both goals for the Eagles as Oliver Glasner’s nine-man side got over the line against the Seagulls. The 26-year-old also completed the most dribbles (four) and was accurate with 100% of his attempted long passes. The England international now has eight assists this term, a figure that only seven players in the Premier League can better.

*Assist leaders, Premier League 2024/25*

Attack: Jacob Murphy

Murphy was the main beneficiary of the outrageous Schär effort. The winger followed in the shot and was alert enough to react to it bouncing back off of the crossbar to fire home his second of the night against Leicester. The 30-year-old finished with an xG total of 1.57, comfortably the most of the game. Outside of the goals, he didn’t do much, but when the game is won inside the opening 11 minutes, there’s not much to do, is there?

Attack: Evanilson

The former Porto attacker now has six goals in his last six starts for Bournemouth following his double against West Ham United this weekend. He had a total of three shots against the Hammers and created one chance for the Cherries as he continued his fine form in front of goal. Evanilson showed his goalscoring instincts, netting two times from inside the six yard box to take his tally for the season to nine in the Premier League.

(Images from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Preview: Arsenal host holders Madrid as the UCL quarterfinals get underway

If Arsenal are to win their first Champions League, they first have to get past the competition’s greatest force of nature.

By Ian King

Second in England vs. Second in Spain

Both teams have been having a bit of a domestic wobble recently. Arsenal have only won two of their last six in the Premier League, while Real were somewhat surprisingly beaten at home by struggling Valencia last weekend. In Europe, however, both have shown their strength, with Arsenal destroying PSV 7-1 in Eindhoven in the last round while Real Madrid have already seen off two extremely difficult knockout matches, brushing Manchester City aside with barely a thought in the playoffs and then beating city rival Atlético on penalties in the last round.

History

Somewhat surprisingly, these two clubs have only ever met in Europe once before, and this makes for good omens for Arsenal. In 2006 they won 1-0 at the Bernabéu and then drew the return match 0-0 on the way to their only appearance in a Champions League final. But if we’re talking history, no-one needs much telling about Real’s pedigree. Of the 69 previous iterations of the Champions League and European Cup they’ve won it 15 times. Nice.

Key players

Despite the PSV battering, Arsenal have been struggling a little in front of goal recently. They’ve only scored more than two goals in a Premier League match once since New Year’s Day. But with top scorer Kai Havertz out for the season, where are those goals coming from? Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka are their joint highest league scorers in the league behind Havertz with six each, but Leandro Trossard’s spritely performance and goal at Goodison on Saturday could mean that he starts and he may be their best chance of ensuring that a lead is taken to Madrid for the second leg. Real were concerned that Kylian Mbappé, Dani Ceballos, Antonio Rüdiger and Vinícius Júnior would miss this match due to suspension, but they escaped with fines after a UEFA investigation into their celebrations against Atlético. That would have been quite a quartet to miss.

*Champions League xG leaders, with Arsenal’s figure shown as comparison*

Team News

Saka returned to the Arsenal team with no ill effects last weekend and should start again. Otherwise, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Magalhães are all long-term absentees for Arsenal, while Riccardo Calafiori is injured and Raheem Sterling is suspended. Aurélien Tchouaméni is suspended for Real while Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão are long-term injuries. Ferland Mendy, Thibaut Courtois and Dani Ceballos all missed the Valencia game but should all return for this.

Prediction

When you play Real Madrid, you’re playing an entire weight of history. That’s the scale of the task ahead of Arsenal in this quarter-final. It’s now been almost twenty years since they reached their only Champions League final, but home advantage will count for something and recent domestic defeats against Real Betis and Valencia have left a little bit of a question mark over this Real team, so I’ll go for a relatively low-key 1-1 draw and all back to the Bernabéu for a tense second leg.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Ferguson vs. McTominay, Scots Abroad set to clash in Serie A top four battle

Serie A is shaping up for an exciting title run in over the next few weeks. Inter currently sit top of the table but Napoli are certainly hot on their heels.

By Ross Kilvington

Indeed, only four points separate the two teams, who will battle it out to the end to see who can claim the 2024/25 Scudetto.

With heavyweights Milan and Juventus struggling this season, already sacking one manager apiece, the door has been opened for others to sneak into the Champions League places.

Atalanta may have seen their title hopes falter following consecutive defeats against Lazio, Fiorentina, and Inter, but they should still hope to finish in third place.

Elsewhere, Bologna have come good at just the right time, starting the day fourth in Serie A having won their previous five league matches, which included an impressive 2-1 victory over Milan.

That all set us up nicely for the Monday night game: Bologna vs. Napoli. Only eight points separate the clubs. A win for Napoli will allow them to keep the pressure on Inter, while Bologna can bolster their chances of qualifying for the Champions League for the second year in a row by extending their run of victories.

Antonio Conte vs. Vincenzo Italiano. North vs. East. Scott McTominay vs. Lewis Ferguson.

The match is hotly anticipated and the focus will be on two Scotsmen who have held their own in Serie A since their respective moves to Italy.

Scott McTominay has been a breath of fresh air for Napoli

McTominay was perhaps underappreciated during his time with Manchester United, despite making 255 appearances for the Red Devils.

The midfielder started only 27 of his 43 games for United during the 2023/24 season, with Erik ten Hag often preferring to bring him into the game as a substitute.

This worked to perfection on a few occasions, most notably against Brentford in October 2023. McTominay scored twice in injury time to seal a comeback victory.

Another late goal against Aston Villa bailed out United once again a few months later and he netted vital goals against Liverpool and Coventry in the quarter-final and semi-final of the FA Cup.

*McTominay player traits – comparison made against midfielders in big five leagues*

A £25m move to Napoli last summer came as a surprise, then, especially given his performances for United. He hasn’t looked back, starring under Conte as the club seek a second league title in just three seasons.

Across 28 games for the club, McTominay has already registered 11 goal contributions – seven goals and four assists – proving his worth from the heart of the midfield.

Only Romelu Lukaku has recorded more contributions in front of goal this season for Napoli. The Scot ranks in the top 3% for goals(six), total shots (58), successful dribbles (29) and touches in the opposition penalty area (90) in Serie A this season.

Not only can he control the midfield and be solid from a defensive point of view, but the Scot is clearly at his best when he makes those trademark late runs into the opposition box.

It will be interesting indeed to see how he copes playing against international teammate Ferguson when Napoli take on Bologna.

Lewis Ferguson is back to his best following injury

Ferguson had the world at his feet towards the end of the 2023/24 season. The former Aberdeen starlet had featured in all but one of Bologna’s league games ahead of a clash against Monza, scoring six goals in the process.

During that game, he suffered an ACL injury which not only ruled him out for the remainder of the club season, but ended his chances of representing Scotland at Euro 2024.

Given how well he had performed in his second season for Bologna, it was a major blow for Scotland, who naturally failed to make it out of the group stages in Germany.

The 25-year-old recovered well from the serious injury, making his first appearance of the season against Lecce at the start of November, featuring for eight minutes.

Since then, the Scot has played a further 20 games for Bologna, scoring once in the league while also chipping in with an assist too.

Of course, it was going to take him a few months to get back to full fitness given the severity of his injury, but after returning to the fold for Scotland during the most recent international break, he is ready to propel his club to a top-four finish. He’s also been integral to Bologna’s Coppa Italia campaign, where they are currently three goals up against Empoli after the first leg of their semi-final.

Ferguson may not be as effective as McTominay this season in terms of contributions in front of goal, but he does rank in the top 26% for pass accuracy (88.5%) and in the top 23% for successful passes per 90 (49.49) in the Italian top flight this season.

Considering he missed nearly four months of the campaign, these statistics show he can still dictate the play in one of the toughest leagues in Europe.

*Ferguson player traits – comparison made against midfielders in big five leagues*

With McTominay becoming the latest Scotsman to shine in Serie A following his move from Man United, plus Ferguson returning to action in recent months, the clash between Napoli and Bologna could come down to whether these two are at their best.

Not since the halcyon days of the 1980s has the Italian top flight seen as many Scottish internationals ply their trade. Back then it was Graeme Souness and Joe Jordan lighting the flame for Scotland on the continent.

Now, both Ferguson and McTominay have the chance to eclipse their predecessors achievements should they lead their respective teams to Coppa Italia or Serie A glory this season.

(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.

Apr

2025

Preview: Inter Miami host Toronto in MLS

Inter Miami will face Canadian opposition for the first time this season when they host Toronto in Fort Lauderdale this weekend. Lionel Messi has been back in the team after missing Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers, but will he play on Sunday night?

By James Nalton

Inter Miami re-take their place at the top

It feels like Inter Miami still haven’t hit their stride this season, yet they can return to the top of both the Eastern Conference and the overall standings with a win here. And they’ll still have a game in hand on most of their rivals.

Even at this early stage, they look set to successfully defend the Supporters’ Shield they won last season in record-breaking fashion.

Who can stop them? On this early evidence, it seems no one will, at least not in the MLS regular season…

A Champions Cup hiccup

Most of Inter Miami’s early season MLS games have arrived in the context of their involvement in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

That tournament is reaching the business end as Miami face fellow MLS heavyweight Los Angeles FC in the quarterfinals.

LAFC won the first leg in California last week and take a 1-0 lead to Miami for the second leg this Wednesday night (or the early hours of early Thursday morning for those in a European time zone).

That was Inter Miami’s first loss of 2025 and ended a run of seven consecutive wins — an indication of how well they have started the season not just in MLS, but in the Champions Cup, too.

Messi is back, but will he play?

Messi returned to MLS action last week having missed Argentina’s recent World Cup qualifiers through injury.

He came off the bench in Inter Miami’s 2-1 win against Philadelphia Union, scoring what turned out to be the winning goal.

Messi then played the full 90 minutes in Los Angeles in midweek, but his involvement is never guaranteed.

Indeed, LAFC sent a response to some ticket holders informing them that “LAFC cannot guarantee specific player appearances,” which was clearly a reference to Messi.

There’s a chance he might not start against Toronto, as head coach Javier Mascherano will have the important Concacaf game in mind, but you’d imagine he’d make some kind of appearance to maintain some rhythm.

Do Toronto have a chance?

It’s safe to say that Toronto FC’s much-hyped big-name Italian signings have not lived up to expectations.

Despite this, Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernadeschi did not get their reputations by chance and can still be difference-makers on their day.

Toronto also has a goalkeeper, Sean Johnson, who can also put in a matchwinning performance, or at least one that means his team doesn’t lose.

Like many players TFC have signed, Johnson hasn’t shown the form he did at his previous club, in this case New York City FC where he was a key part of a MLS Cup-winning team, but the American, who has 13 caps to his name, was named Man of the Match in Toronto’s draw with Vancouver last week, and will need to put in another standout display in Sunday Night Football.

Prediction

Inter Miami should navigate this game with minimal fuss compared to many of their others so far this season. If Messi is fit and firing, even only for part of the game, then it could be their biggest margin of victory this season so far.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from MLS live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Apr

2025

Why Arne Slot will want Liverpool to sign another Curtis Jones

Curtis Jones produced an accomplished display in only his second start as a right-back as Liverpool overcame Everton in the season’s second Merseyside derby – and in his assessment, Arne Slot gave a number of clues over the players he wants to work with.

By Jack Lusby, ThisIsAnfield.com

Speaking the morning after his side’s 1-0 win, the Dutchman held Jones up as possessing a quality he and sporting director Richard Hughes have frequently discussed with an eye to the future.

“Of course, me and Richard talk a lot about this season and next season, and it’s nice to have versatile players,” Slot told reporters assembled at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre. “And Curtis is definitely one of them.”

Though Jones sees himself as a midfielder, most comfortable as a No. 8 or No. 10, first and foremost the 24-year-old describes himself as a “footballer.”

“If I’m playing eight, if I’m playing 10, if I’m playing off the left, if I’m playing as a false nine which I’ve played as well, as a defender, it’s fine, I’ll go out there,” he told Optus Sport after the Merseyside derby.

In his 38 appearances under Slot so far, Jones has already played seven different roles – adding to his own list with additional duties as a No. 6 and a supporting striker.

*Jones player traits – comparison against similar players in top five leagues*

There is no surprise, then, that the academy graduate has become a firm favourite of Liverpool’s new head coach, and that should point to where the club are aiming in the transfer market.

While Slot has installed certain players as specialists within his squad – Cody Gakpo has almost exclusively been used as a left winger, for example – it is clear that he prefers flexibility wherever possible.

That includes Dominik Szoboszlai playing as a striker; Luis Díaz splitting duties between the left wing and centre-forward; Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez being employed as full-backs; and Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch filling in at centre-back.

Jones is the gold standard where that is concerned, though, and that is why he has been used the most out of any other player outside of Slot’s preferred starting XI – on course to break his own record for minutes in a single season.

It allows Slot to work with a smaller core squad, which he seemingly prefers, knowing that he can rely on the flexibility of certain players to adapt when required.

“And he has this mentality, if you give him a challenge, he likes to be challenged. Yesterday was a challenge for him, because it wasn’t his normal position,” he continued in his praise of the No. 17.

“Some players hate to be challenged, they want to stay in their comfort zone, but Curtis is the type of player who wants to be challenged.”

That desire to take on a challenge was evident from his first day training under Slot, knowing that Liverpool had appointed a coach more aligned with his own ideals as a possession-hungry player.

While Harvey Elliott‘s short stature and lack of pace has seen him struggle to break into the regular rotation, the physical qualities that made Jones such a favourite under Jürgen Klopp have translated perfectly to this new setup.

And where Elliott may find himself surplus to requirements in the summer, with reports the club would accept the right offer for the 22-year-old, there is every sign that Jones would be the blueprint for any signings brought in.

Young, hungry, confident, tactically astute, technically superb and, crucially, willing and able to play in a variety of roles.

Links with Ajax defender Jorrel Hato and Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapié – equally comfortable as centre-back or left-back – adhere to that brief, as does reported interest in Southampton’s utility youngster Tyler Dibling.

In Jones, though, Slot inherited an even more valuable asset in that he combines that skillset and mindset with the intangible benefits of being Liverpool through-and-through.

Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s imminent departure to Real Madrid will create a vacancy for a new Scouse poster boy and the lad from Toxteth – who went viral this week for a lighthearted exchange with a young Everton fan at a petrol station – is readymade to fill it.

Liverpool will want as many of those characters as they can, but while it may be impossible to fulfil the dream of a team full of Scousers, Slot and Hughes will look for second-best in targeting the same versatility in the transfer market.

Expect the Reds to bring in even more flexible players in the summer ahead, as Jones’ successful outing at right-back has shown how valuable that can be.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Preview: Brentford host near-neighbours Chelsea in West London

Chelsea remain in the top four thanks to a 1-0 win over Tottenham, even if they have been at their best for the past few months, while Brentford will be hoping for some sort of consistency going into the last few games of the season. It’s the derby that isn’t quite a derby.

By Alex Roberts

Thomas Frank’s side have 12 wins, five draws, and 13 defeats in their 30 Premier League games. They’ve been hot and cold all season, particularly away from home – as evidenced by the 2-1 defeat in the earlier fixture between these two this season.

Champions League qualification is the ultimate goal for Enzo Maresca’s side, and they appear to be on track to achieve just that. Still, inconsistency and defeats to ‘lesser’ sides have frustrated fans. The Italian is in need of a statement win.

Cole Palmer is back baby

It took ten games, but Palmer finally bagged a goal contribution, providing the assist for Enzo Fernández’s winner against Spurs in midweek. That’s not for the want of trying, however, he remains top of the charts for Premier League chance creation.

Brentford have been somewhat of a bogey team for Palmer, he’s provided one assist in his four games against them. Only champions elect Liverpool have managed to keep him quieter since he joined the Blues.

Chelsea will need him at his best for their last few games and Palmer will doubtless be desperate to challenge himself against the best of the best next season.

One of the best duos in the league

Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo have been electric all season, scoring 30 of Brentford’s 51 Premier League goals so far this campaign between them. Integral isn’t a strong enough word to describe how important they are to Franks’s side.

It’s the type of strike partnership that Chelsea would dream of at the moment, only Palmer has similar numbers for Maresca’s side, and they’ve only scored three Premier League goals more than Brentford across their 30 games.

*Brentford top goalscorer, Premier League 2024/25*

The issue for Brentford is the other end, conceding 47 goals. There is still an outside chance of European qualification but they’ll have to sort that defence out for what’s left of the season.

Poor Wesley Fofana

It’s been another season to forget for the French centre back. He was ruled out for the game against Tottenham due to yet another injury, and it remains to be seen exactly when he’ll be back.

Thankfully for Chelsea, Trevoh Chalobah has been arguably their best player since making the return from his loan at Crystal Palace, stepping in like he never even left in the first place.

Chelsea spent a lot of money to bring Fofana to the club and when he’s played, he’s impressed. That injury record is starting to become a worry, however, and the club may be forced to cash in should it not improve in the near future.

Prediction

This is exactly the kind of game Chelsea have struggled in this season. Brentford are no pushovers, that’s for sure, so we’re going to go with a hard-fought 2-0 win for the home side.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Preview: The Manchester Derby

It’s been a rough season for both Manchester clubs, although admittedly it’s been a lot worse for the red half than it has been for the blue one. At least City still have something other than pride to play for in the last derby of the season.

By Alex Roberts

Funnily enough, Champions League qualification is still possible for both sides with Pep Guardiola’s side hoping to finish in the top four, potentially five should the Premier League secure an extra spot based on UEFA coefficient rating, while United’s only hope is through the Europa League.

The impetus is on City to win this game, and while they are the favourites, form usually goes out the window in the Manchester derby. It’s a cliché, but it will likely come down to who wants it more.

*Shot map and xG from the last Manchester Derby*

No Haaland, no problem

The big Norwegian will have to watch this, and potentially the rest of the season, from the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury in City’s 2-1 FA Cup win over Bournemouth last month. He will be missed, but his side have options.

Omar Marmoush is already looking like a quality piece of business for the current champions, scoring six goals in his 12 games across all competitions, five of which have come in the league.

He’s a different kind of handful to Haaland, instead of relying on brute strength, it’s smart movement and pace that makes Marmoush such an impressive forward. The United defenders may be glad to see the robot isn’t playing, but they can’t keep their eyes off his understudy.

*Marmoush player traits – comparison made against strikers in big five leagues*

Playing the hand he was dealt

It took Ruben Amorim roughly five months before he stuck Harry Maguire up top. Remarkably he accumulated more xG in added time against Nottingham Forest than Rasmus Højlund has in his last 15 appearances.

Amorim’s attacking options, other than Bruno Fernandes, simply aren’t good enough. Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are so bereft of confidence it’s unlikely they’ll get it back so long as they’re at the club.

He now faces the same dilemma that haunted Erik ten Hag. Does he deviate from his system to help accommodate players that can’t seem to grasp it in hopes of short-term success? Or does he stick with it, knowing it will likely get worse before it gets better? Perhaps he should have insisted on taking the job in the summer.

Going out with a bang?

It’s official, Kevin de Bruyne will be leaving Man City once his contract expires at the end of the season. He’s be departing with one hell of a legacy, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and a Champions League, among others.

So, this WILL be his last Manchester derby, something we’re sure City fans across the globe were dreading. The Belgian has not been up to his own very high standards this season but no one at City has.

He was uncharacteristically invisible in the last derby as Fernandes and Amad Diallo secured a smash and grab win. There is a little more at stake here, and De Bruyne will no doubt be hoping to make at least one more memory for himself and the fans.

Prediction

This is one of the hardest games to predict in the Premier League but that won’t stop us. We reckon bragging rights will go to United, 2-1.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Preview: Champions-elect Liverpool travel to Fulham

The title race is inching closer towards a conclusion and this weekend offers up an unusual immediate comparison in fixture terms, as Liverpool face Fulham after beating Everton in midweek – while Arsenal could only draw with the Toffees after seeing off the Cottagers.

By Karl Matchett

Points over performances

For champions-elect Liverpool, the midweek Merseyside derby was all about getting the victory, however it happened. Ultimately, it was narrow and nervy as far as wins go, despite dominating the ball for long stretches – but after losing a cup final and being knocked out of Europe, only the points mattered. And, it’s important to note, they’ve kept doing that.

Those defeats and a long international break meant it was very nearly a month since the Reds had last played or picked up a win in the Premier League – probably contributing to a wider feeling of it not quite being all over yet. But, it’s four straight wins for Arne Slot’s team in the top flight. They’ve actually increased their lead at the top over that period, even if the other competitions gave the atmosphere around Anfield a more nervous and uncertain aura than should really be warranted. With a 11-point lead, they now need just 11 more to seal a first league championship in five years.

Europe on the agenda

But Fulham are not bystanders here. They have an uneven home record this term, true, but they are also still very much in the mix for a place in Europe next season: tenth in the table but just six points off fifth with eight games to play. Marco Silva’s side suffered FA Cup defeat at the weekend though as well as that midweek loss to Arsenal and while they can still spring a surprise, it might be they are running out of steam as the campaign draws towards a close.

Recent form

In all competitions it’s three defeats in the last four for Fulham, while at home they’ve only won three of the last ten. Four of those are draws though, and even that would be seen as a positive against the league leaders. Liverpool themselves have only lost away to Tottenham, PSV and Plymouth this term – a first leg loss which was overcome in the return, and two second-string lineups. More notably, their last two away games have been wins at Man City and PSG.

Team news

Harry Wilson and Kenny Tete should return before season’s end, but not likely for this game, and Reiss Nelson may not play at all again this term. For the visitors, Alisson Becker will be assessed after concussion but the game may be too soon for Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez, both in individual training. Trent Alexander-Arnold remains out, so Curtis Jones might play right-back again.

Key player

Diogo Jota finally found the net in midweek and with Mohamed Salah off the boil of late, that’s vital for Liverpool to get over the line. Jota ranks higher than 89% of similar players in assists, 96% in touches in the box and 91% for shots. Up his finishing a little and the Reds get the title in the bag.

Prediction

They might not be at their best but Liverpool found a way in midweek and can do the same again in West London: Fulham 1 Liverpool 2.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Preview: Barca play Betis in battle of LaLiga’s form teams

Real Betis will still be holding out hope of snatching a Champions League place, but table topping Barcelona will surely be too much for them.

By Ian King

Red hot form in both dressing rooms

Barcelona, it seems reasonable to say, are back. They had a bit of a disaster between the middle of November and the middle of January, winning just one of their eight league matches, but other than that they’ve dropped just three points all season in LaLiga and are currently on a run of nine straight wins in the league. And they are unbeaten across 21 games in all competitions since the turn of the year.

Real Betis are going pretty well themselves too, though. After an inconsistent season, they’ve now won six in a row, including 2-1 wins against Real Madrid AND arch-rivals Sevilla.

History

Perhaps predictably, Barcelona have a significant historical upper hand in this particular match up. Betis haven’t won in this fixture since December 2021, when they won 2-1 at Camp Nou. The two sides have already met twice this season. In the league, the two sides drew 2-2 at Estadio Benito Villamarín in December, with a stoppage-time equaliser rescuing a point for the home side. Somewhat ominously for the visitors, they also met at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in January in the Copa Del Rey, with Barcelona winning 5-1.

Key players

The extent to which Real Betis have an uphill task on Saturday night is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that both Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres have scored in each of their last three matches. Put simply, the attacking threat come from all over the place.

Real Betis feature a couple of names that will be familiar to Premier League watchers, but that which really stands out is Antony, who was loaned from Manchester United during the January transfer window and who’s scored four times and run up four assists since. His value to the squad is perhaps best summed up by the club captain Isco suggesting that “We have to crowdfund so he can stay at least another year.” High praise, from such an accomplished player.

Team News

Andreas Christensen has been out of the Barcelona team since the end of January but could be making his return in this match. Marc Bernal, Marc-André ter Stegen, Marc Casado and Dani Olmo remain longer-term absences. The big absentee for Real Betis is Marc Roca, who injured his foot against Real Sociedad in February and is unlikely to return before the end of this season.

Prediction

Real Betis are in their best form of the season, and they won’t be ruling themselves out of the chase for a Champions League place until it’s mathematically impossible. But Barcelona are good. They’re one of the best teams in Europe at the moment, and even though Betis are sixth in the table, Barca have scored more than twice as many goals as they have. This should be a comfortable evening for the league leaders, so a 3-0 home win feels about right.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Desire Doue: The future of French football

The old front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé had its cons, but was ultimately one of the most electric forward lines in the history of French football. All parties have since parted ways and PSG have started looking to the future, reaping the benefits in the present.

By Alex Roberts

PSG’s transition from signing aging superstars to hot prospects may well be the best decision QSI have made since taking over back in 2012. Not only are they running away with the Ligue 1 title, the Champions League doesn’t seem like a dream anymore.

Désiré Doué is one of those hot prospects, joining from Rennes for a reported fee €50 million last summer. His potential has been evident since he broke into the first team at Roazhan Park two seasons ago, and he quickly outgrew his old teammates.

Tottenham fullback Djed Spence, who spent six-months on loan at Rennes in 2023 described Doué as a ‘generational talent’, lauding him as one of the best players he’s ever played with. Just a reminder, he doesn’t turn 20 until June.

*Doué player traits – comparison made against similar players in big five leagues*

He’s fearless and versatile, able to play anywhere along the forward line as well as the centre of the park as a midfielder. For someone so young he appears wise beyond his years, dropping a shoulder and gliding past players who’ve been playing a helluva lot longer.

Luis Enrique has managed him perfectly, limiting his minutes at the beginning of the season, starting him in lower stakes games and brining him on for the last 30 in the more important ones, helping him get to grips with the Spaniard’s specific style of play rather than throw him in at the deep end.

At around mid-December, Doué became harder and harder to leave out. His breakout performance was the 3-1 Ligue 1 win over Lyon. It took just eight minutes for PSG to open the scoring, Doué expertly wriggled past Ainsley Maitland-Niles before setting Ousmane Dembélé up with a low cross.

Neither he or PSG have looked back since. Doue has featured in every PSG game that’s followed, primarily as a central midfielder alongside fellow wonderkid João Neves and Fabián Ruiz, providing 18 goal contributions in that time.

In an era that has become so concerned with tactical philosophies and systems, Doué is a genuine entertainer. In that way, he’s much like Cole Palmer, he looks so unbothered, supremely confident in his own ability.

A box-to-box playmaker who is a lot quicker than one might think, his ball carrying and dribbling ability helps bring opposition defenders out of position and open up space to help play in teammates or go for goal.

Perhaps the most impressive part of Doué’s game is his work rate. He’s an attacking threat, yes, but he will bust a lung to win the ball back for his side, winning possession in the final third 12 times, winning 114 duels, and making 12 interceptions. Doué is the complete package.

Don’t take our word for it, Enrique has praised Doué for his hard work, saying: “At Rennes, we saw his technical ability, physicality and personality. Now, he’s reaping the rewards of his hard work.

“There is still plenty to do, but he’s at the right place and club to grow and play high-stakes matches. The Champions League level, as I tell the players, is like international duty – you’re up against the best players and coaches.”

Speaking of the Champions League, Doué came off the bench to add a little je ne sais quoi to PSG’s already impressive performance in their 1-0 win at Anfield, replacing Bradley Barcola to help secure a place in the quarter final.

No, he didn’t score in normal or extra time, although PSG had enough chances he probably should have done. He did, however, step up and score the winning penalty. Another reminder that the lad is only 19, brushing the pressure off to send the early tournament favourites out of the competition.

Shortly after, the notoriously hard to impress Didier Deschamps handed Doué his first international call up, bringing him on in their UEFA Nations League quarter-final second leg win over Croatia.

It was a similar story to the Liverpool game, normal time flew by, and then extra time, going to penalties with the aggregate score at 2-2. Doué stepped up once again, scoring France’s fourth penalty before Dayot Upamecano scored the winner.

Six days later he was the player of the match in PSG’s 6-1 win over relegation threatened Saint Etienne, scoring two goals in a 13-minute spell, sending them a massive 21 points clear at the summit of the Ligue 1 table.

The French league continuously proves to be the best in the world when it comes to producing and nurturing young talent, even if a fourth consecutive title is nothing more than a formality for PSG at this point.

Few of those young talents are quite as well rounded as Doué, however, and even fewer have the potential to reach levels he surpassed some time ago. We’re not fortune tellers, and no one can truly predict anything in football, but we’re confident in saying the future of PSG and the France national team is in safe hands with this young man.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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