Page 89 – The Pulse of Football

Jan

2024

Transfer of the Week: Tottenham’s Double Swoop for Radu Dragusin and Timo Werner

Over the course of the January transfer window, we will take a closer look at the best of the week’s business with our ‘Transfer of the Week’ columns. This time, we will turn our attention to Tottenham Hotspur’s swift business.

By Neel Shelat

Ange Postecogu’s instant impact at Tottenham Hotspur has been quite extraordinary. In just half a season, he has taken a team that failed to qualify for European football of any sort last season and placed them in firm contention for a Champions League place.

Moreover, he has done so using an incredibly attractive and eye-catching brand of football with a squad in which he seems to have fostered a very healthy team spirit. The mood around the club has turned around tremendously, making Postecoglu a fan favourite already.

The Australian coach is just getting started, though, as the players he has at his disposal at the moment are not all suited to his style of play. Even before he arrived, it was clear that Spurs would need a few windows’ worth of business to give Postecoglu his ideal squad, so there is a lot of potential for them to get even better yet.

Their business in the summer has proven to be pretty good so far, but they knew they could not afford to rest. Within just 10 days of the January window, Spurs sealed two important transfers. The first was a six-month loan for RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner, but probably the more important move was the permanent signing of Radu Drăgușin from Genoa.

Radu Drăgușin (Genoa to Tottenham Hotspur for €30 million)

This deal involved a bit of a transfer saga as the Romanian international intially looked set to be joining until Bayern Munich attempted to hijack the deal with a much more lucrative offer. He certainly was quite tempted by it, but ultimately decided to move to North London in favour of more regular game time under Postecoglu plus the added Premier League exposure.

A very important part of Postecoglu’s attacking playing style is to ensure that the two centre-backs are very strong defenders who can hold the fort on their own as the full-backs push forward freely. Drăgușin absolutely fits the bill in this respect. Standing at 6’3″ with a strong build, the Juventus academy graduate can be an imposing presence at the back.

Naturally, then, he is an excellent defender. He is a player who is very cautious when it comes to committing to challenges or duels, but when he does so he goes in with the conviction that he will emerge with the ball.

Postecoglu’s playing style demands precisely this type of centre-back, so the transfer makes a lot of sense in this respect.

Looking at some of his other stats, one might grow a little concerned about his very low passing numbers, but it is worth remembering that those have been registered playing for a newly-promoted Serie A side who adopt a very direct brand of football.

Upon watching him in action it becomes quite clear that he has many of the technical qualities of a good ball-playing centre-back, so he should be able to slot into Spurs’ system without too many problems.

As a bonus, his tall stature also makes him a serious threat from set-pieces, so he can add a dimension to Tottenham’s attacking play this way. Although right-footed, he has played on the left of defence for Genoa more often than not, so he will also be able to offer some versatility in this respect.

With both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven recovering from hamstring injuries, Drăgușin will undoubtedly come in and become an instant starter. At just 21 years old, he certainly has the potential to displace either of them in the long run too.

Timo Werner (RB Leipzig to Tottenham Hotspur on loan)

Tottenham’s need for an out-and-out number nine to suit Postecoglu’s system has been quite clear as well, so the signing of Timo Werner is quite an interesting deal.

Coming in on a six-month loan, the German striker clearly is a stopgap signing rather than a long-term solution. His immediate job will be to replace the Asian Cup-bound Heung-min Son, so it is worth comparing the two players.

Although a winger by trade, Son has spent most of this season playing centrally to better suit Postecoglu’s system. The South Korean international has done a great job as his clinical finishing has already taken him well into double digits in terms of league goals.

In addition to that, his ability to get into dangerous goal-scoring positions is also an important factor in his success. Werner can do a decent job of that, but it is his finishing that will raise a lot of question marks.

In seven full league seasons since joining RB Leipzig, Werner has underperformed his xG on five occasions. The other two times, though, he returned with 21 and 28 league goals respectively. It appears the ex-Chelsea forward can be a serious goal threat when he is on song, so Postecoglu, and Tottenham will aim to boost his confidence in order to get him going.

With that being said, it is worth noting that Werner is much better off with a free role in a front-two than as a sole line-leading forward, so a temporary loan deal makes sense. Spurs will hope he can pitch in with a few goals in the first half of 2024, but they will most likely re-enter the market for a long-term striker option in the summer.

(Images from IMAGO)

To keep up to date with all the latest Transfers, check out the FotMob Transfer Centre. Download the free app here.

Jan

2024

AFCON 2023 Preview: Favourites, Contenders, and Players to Watch

As the 134th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Saturday, we will be covering the tournament with regular previews, round-ups, and articles of interest. First up, a comprehensive group-by-group preview of all the nations competing.

By Neel Shelat

Group A: 🇨🇮🇳🇬🇬🇶🇬🇼

The Ivory Coast have to be considered among the firm favourites for the tournament, not least because they are the hosts but more pertinently because they have a very strong and well-rounded squad. They have top-class quality all over the pitch, right from Yahia Fofana in goal and the rock-solid Odilon Kossounou, Evan N’Dicka and young Ousmane Diomande as centre-back options to the strength of Seko Fofana, Ibrahim Sangaré and Franck Kessié in midfield and Sébastien Haller’s attacking firepower supported by the likes of Simon Adingra, Jeremie Boga and young Karim Konaté.

Indeed, it would not be a stretch to say that theirs is the best squad at the tournament, so Jean-Louis Gasset will be expected to make the most of it.

Nigeria should aim to give the hosts a tough fight in the group at least, although they have some issues that need resolving. The absence of Victor Boniface through injury will be a blow, but should not be quite so bad for a side that also has Victor Osimhen among an array of strikers that might well be enough to suffice for the entire continent. José Peseiro’s job will be to field an appropriately balanced side, which is something he and Nigeria have struggled to do in the lead-up to the tournament as well as recent times in general.

Equatorial Guinea are participating in back-to-back AFCONs for the first time in their history, but they are a side that should not be underestimated. In each of their three attempts, they have managed to exceed expectations by reaching the quarterfinals at least, although that record will be tough to maintain. They do not have any standout names in their squad, so Juan Micha deserves credit for consistently getting the very best out of them.

Having never made it to the AFCON before 2017, Guinea-Bissau should be quite proud too as they prepare for their fourth-consecutive tournament. They have never made it past the first stage, and that will be a very tough ask in this group. However, Nigeria know from experience during the qualifying campaign that they too cannot be written off.

Group B: 🇪🇬🇬🇭🇨🇻🇲🇿

Egypt are far from the most entertaining team to watch, and yet their record is quite good. The record champions have made it to two of the last three AFCON finals, although they have ended up losing both and are now trophyless in 13 years. Many believe this will be one of Mohamed Salah’s last chances to win a trophy with the national team, so he will hope the side rallies around him as Rui Vitória sets them up to do so.

Prior to Morocco’s incredible exploits in 2022, Ghana were the standard-setters for African teams at the World Cup, but they have been in a downward spiral for quite a while now.

They have been chopping and changing managers on a yearly basis since 2020, but no one seems to be able to get the team to click. The talent in the squad cannot be doubted, Mohamed Kudus and Mohammed Salisu among them, so the challenge for Chris Houghton will be to assemble a formidable and functional XI.

Cape Verde have made it out of the group in two of their three AFCON appearances, but the record will likely be evened this time. Their squad is not nearly at the level of the two top teams in the group, but they are also missing some key players through injury and have had a couple of rejected call-ups from youngsters preferring to focus on their club football.

Mozambique have periodically popped up at the AFCON since the 1980s, but they have never even managed to register a win. That must be their realistic target this time, and the match against Cape Verde should offer a golden opportunity for that. Anything more than that would be a massive upset.

Group C: 🇸🇳🇨🇲🇬🇳🇬🇲

Going into AFCON 2021, Senegal had not won a single international trophy at any level since independence. Their memorable triumph in Cameroon almost seemed to break a curse, as they have since gone on to lift the African Nations Championship as well as the Under-20 and Under-17 AFCONs. Their new generation is very exciting but not quite yet ready for senior football, so the defending champions will continue to rely on veterans like Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly.

Cameroon’s squad is quite strong and surely has the potential to compete for the title, as well as Senegal might, but they have one big problem: Rigobert Song. Even when the ex-Liverpool defender is not publicly falling out with his best players, his tactics are quite questionable, leading to a poor record in terms of results as well.

Should the Indomitable Lions stumble, Guinea will hope to be at hand to profit. They have a slightly underrated squad with decent quality all over, although Serhou Guirassy’s goals will be very important. The Stuttgart striker has been one of the most in-form forwards in the world this season, so they will hope his injury concern is not serious enough to make him miss matches.

Gambia produced one of the best stories of the previous tournament as they made it to the quarter-finals in their debut campaign. Head coach Tom Saintfelt earned a lot of plaudits for that, so he has unsurprisingly stuck around. He does not have a great deal of quality to draw from across the squad, so the Belgian tactician will hope to see Saudi Pro League forwards Musa Barrow and Assan Ceesay create some brilliance up front.

Group D: 🇩🇿🇧🇫🇲🇷🇦🇴

Having been dumped out of the group last time out at the AFCON and then failing to qualify for the World Cup, Algeria will be very keen to set things right. Despite these results, the federation has stuck with head coach Djamel Belmadi in what seems to be a smart decision as he will lead the team into the tournament on a 17-match unbeaten streak that stretches back to the start of 2023.

The squad is quite strong in the midfield and attack especially with household names like Riyad Mahrez and Ismaël Bennacer, but the centre-back position is a weakness. In fact, it is quite probable that Algeria will start without any recognised central defenders as full-backs Aïssa Mandi and Ramy Bensebaïni have taken up those positions in recent matches.

Burkina Faso’s recent AFCON record is mightily impressive. Three of their last four appearances have seen them reach the semi-finals at least, so they should be ones to watch. Their squad is clearly not among the top four at the tournament, but individuals like Edmond Tapsoba and Dango Ouattara will hope to shine through.

Mauritania are also among the teams looking for their first-ever AFCON win in what will be their third appearance. Amir Abdou’s record 18 months into his tenure is not bad at all, so he seems the right man to make the most out of this squad which lacks any real star power.

Angola will hope to make a good impression as they enter the tournament in fine form with just one defeat in their last 14 matches, but they will be without seasoned campaigners in the shape of Hélder Costa and M’Bala Nzola who both declined call-ups. Watch out for Cagliari youngster Zito Luvumbo, then, as Pedro Gonçalves should place a lot of faith in him to cause damage up front.

Group E: 🇹🇳🇲🇱🇿🇦🇳🇦

Tunisia are a very tough team to predict. Although they are currently the third-highest-ranked African team in the FIFA standings, few would call them the third-best team at this tournament. They don’t have any real superstars in their squad but have a number of players coming in from top European leagues as well as the Middle East and a strong domestic league, so as a whole they can form a formidable unit.

The Carthage Eagles’ results in 2023 include a win over Egypt and a draw with Algeria, but also feature a loss to Equatorial Guinea and a thrashing at the hands of South Korea. How Tunisia will fare at the AFCON may ultimately depend on which team turns up to the Ivory Coast.

Mali have also suffered a couple of blips in recent months, but their overall trend is more consistent and positive. They too have a similarly well-balanced squad with good strength in depth – particularly in midfield where they have eight players from Europe’ top-five leagues as well as African champion Aliou Dieng.

Mali have not made it beyond the Round of 16 in their last four AFCON appearances, so they will hope to at least do better than that this time.

To the outsider, South Africa might not look so strong as they are taking an almost entirely domestically-based squad to the Ivory Coast, but that might actually be their greatest strength. They are only one forward short of being able to field an all-Mamelodi Sundowns starting XI, so they can make up what they might lack in pure quality through club-like cohesion.

Speaking of Sundowns, their current top-scorer will be the star striker for Namibia. Their attacking hopes will rest very heavily on Peter Shalulile, but the rest of the side will have to work hard to keep things tight at the back and provide him with good service if they are to have any chance of getting out of their AFCON group, for what would be the first time in their history.

Group F: 🇲🇦🇨🇩🇿🇲🇹🇿

Group F features World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, whose goal will be to build on that memorable run in Qatar with a first AFCON title since 1976. They have remained largely unchanged since then, so it should be interesting to see how they fare at breaking down staunch defences rather than setting one up themselves. In that respect, the impact of someone like young Genk playmaker Bilal El Khannous could be decisive.

DR Congo’s squad also might go a little underrated, as it is very well-balanced. Chancel Mbemba will lead from the back, seasoned campaigners like Samuel Moutoussamy and Gaël Kakuta might feature in midfield, while the attack is filled with serious firepower from the likes of Silas, Yoanne Wissa and Simon Banza to name but a few.

Zambia have an interesting squad as well. There dare no well-known names in defence, but the strike partnership of Patson Daka and Fashion Sakala can cause serious problems for any opponents, especially with support from the likes of Kings Kangwa and Lameck Banda. Head coach Avram Grant (yes, you read that right) has seemingly done a good job of getting the balance of the XI right in his short tenure so far, so the Copper Bullets might have the potential to stage an upset or two.

Tanzania also have a decent squad with a strong contingent from domestic giants Simba SC and Young Africans, but it lacks the overall quality and star power of their rivals. They will need to conjure up something truly special to get out of the group in what is just their second appearance at the tournament, but it is important to keep in mind that nothing should be impossible, or even unthinkable at AFCON.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Africa Cup of Nations, with deep stats and players ratings, on FotMob. Download the free app here.

Jan

2024

Daley Blind: Enjoying a new lease of life as part of the Girona success story

When Daley Blind’s Bayern Munich stint came to a end, it seemed as if the Dutchman’s time at the highest level was up. But Blind is back, impressing with Girona in LaLiga, and seemingly at the top of his game, as he looks to prove former club Ajax wrong following an acrimonious exit in early 2023

By Kaustubh Pandey

The Netherlands international’s relationship with his childhood club pretty much broke down by the end of his time at Ajax. In what was a rather revealing interview with AD, in January last year, Blind spoke of how he stopped feeling welcome at Ajax by the club’s then manager Alfred Schreuder and director of football Klaas-Jan Huntelaar despite spending many seasons at the club across two spells in Amsterdam.

The second spell had come right after a period spent at Manchester United that petered out in a fashion that has become common at a club which has become synonymous with dysfunctionality.

The 33-year-old did win the Bundesliga, at Bayern, but he only featured four times in the league that season. Blind’s career resurgence at Girona has coincided with Spain’s surprise package picking up wins over Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, as they remain level on points with Real Madrid, at the very top of the standings.

A case can be made of the fact that the side managed by Míchel have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch this season and with Blind functioning in a preferred role and system, he has played a key role in that. He was misunderstood at United and under-utilised in a Bayern squad that went deep, but he often sets the tone for Míchel’s possession-based approach.

Girona’s system arguably mirrors that of Ajax, as they build with a back three and break down the opposition by controlling the ball, looking to exploit space, and their superior movement. Míchel’s side usually operate in a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-1-4-1 but can also use a 3-4-3 shape, but they predominantly operate in a back three while building from the back.

Blind operates on the left side of the backline when Girona start in the back four, playing a key role in dictating play and controlling possession. When the Catalan side start in a back three, he operates centrally, as it minimises the risk of him getting turned and having to recover – that isn’t one of his strengths.

And the approach suits Blind and brings forth his strengths as a footballer. For centre-backs, he is in the 93rd percentile for touches on the ball and 99th percentile for chances created. Having more touches shows how much Blind is trusted, in possession, by Míchel and how much reliance the team has on him, when it comes laying down the key values of the system.

The Dutchman has a passing accuracy of 90.2% and he is 12th in La Liga for the most accurate passes per 90 minutes, with his tally sitting pretty at 68.2 – the second best tally for Girona behind the impressive Aleix García.

Girona can boast of other ball-playing centre-backs such as Eric García and David López but the 33-year-old remains the most reliable for the functioning of the team, despite not being the quickest, and this comes to the fore in another off-the-ball department.

The Gironistes’s stern belief in counter-pressing allows them to win the ball as close to goal as possible and for this, their backline squeezes up to reduce the gaps between the midfield and defence. Blind, on the left, finds himself advanced on the pitch. And that has allowed him to win back possession 0.33 times per 90 minutes, essentially ironing out his potential weakness of being dribbled past fairly easily.

Even though Blind can be prone to getting turned and doesn’t always have the recovery speed to track runners in-behind, that is largely the reason why he operates centrally in a back three. He isn’t the quickest but as always, his impressive footballing IQ makes up for it and he provides a net positive in Girona’s system.

The credit for this does go to Míchel, who has tasked the veteran with a central role. And Blind has been full of praise for his manager, who has made him feel wanted and has very clear ideas about how the game should be played. Blind told The Independent:

“It’s always difficult to compare managers, each one has his own ID and way of playing. But what stands out is the manager is really clear in how he wants to play football, he has a really clear idea about every game we play and having a real tactical plan.

“He’s a manager who is human, who connects on a personal level as well. He joins in the rondo [training game of keep-ball] and is one of the guys; from the moment training really starts he’s then really on top of it and not holding back.”

Blind certainly isn’t the only technically proficient footballer at Girona, but at the Estadi Montilivi, he feels welcome, wanted and he is playing to his strengths. That wasn’t always the case for him earlier in his career but Blind is finally getting the credit he deserves.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from LaLiga on FotMob, with deep stats, xG, and players ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2024

FotMob to partner with SK Brann

We are very proud to announce that we have signed up to a partnership deal with the team we support in our home city of Bergen, Norway.

By Bill Biss

In a deal that runs until 2026, the FotMob logo will be worn on both the men’s first team shirts, who compete in the Eliteserien (Norway’s top flight), and on the training wear for the women’s team, who have claimed two of the last three Toppserien titles.

We will also be working with the club to improve the digital experience at Brann Stadion, showcasing the best stats and information that FotMob can offer, for match-going fans.

This is a big day for the company as our very origin comes from the desire to keep up to date with the live scores of our favourite team.

For more news on the deal, please check out this story from the Brann website – here (in Norwegian).

Jan

2024

Asian Cup Preview: Favourites, Contenders, and Players to Watch

As the 18th edition of the Asian Cup kicks off in a few days’ time, we will be covering the tournament with regular previews, round-ups, and articles of interest. First up, a comprehensive group-by-group preview of all the nations competing.

By Neel Shelat

Group A: 🇶🇦🇨🇳🇱🇧🇹🇯

As the hosts, and defending champions, Qatar will desperately want to give a good account of themselves just over a year on from a very disappointing FIFA World Cup campaign – also on home soil. They are not going into the tournament in the best of shape, though, having just sacked Carlos Queiroz less than a year into his tenure.

Tintín Márquez has been lifted mid-season from Qatar Stars League side Al-Wakrah, whom he has taken from being a lower-mid-table side to regular contenders for continental qualification in his nearly six-year tenure. This is his first job in international football, though, so he will be thrown in the deep end as his first competitive match in charge of the side will be the tournament opener.

For that reason, it is tough to predict how exactly Qatar might shape up. One thing is certain: they will rely on the quality of their attacking stars Akram Afif and Almoez Ali to deal damage to opponents. They should be strong enough to cruise through the group, but no one has high hopes for them in the knockouts.

China will likely be the other side to advance from this group even though they enter the tournament on a run of three straight defeats to South Korea, Oman, and Hong Kong. They were actually due to host the tournament initially, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused them to relinquish that opportunity.

Lebanon might have the potential to cause an upset on an off-day for one of the group favourites, but they are quite clearly underdogs. Tajikistan, the only debutantes at the tournament, will want to make an impression, and the nature of this group presents them with quite a good chance to do that.

Group B: 🇦🇺🇺🇿🇸🇾🇮🇳

On the back of a memorable run to the World Cup knockouts, 2015 Asian Cup champions Australia have to be considered among the strongest contenders at the tournament. The only question is how they might fare when asked to dominate matches with possession because they have seemed stronger when adopting a defence-first approach in Graham Arnold’s preferred 4-4-1-1/4-2-3-1 formation.

The Socceroos should have more than enough quality to power through the group, and if they make it to the later rounds of the knockouts, they are a side no one will want to face. In crunch matches like those, the defensive strength and solidity as well as the set-piece threat of centre-back Harry Souttar could prove decisive.

Uzbekistan will be a side to watch at this tournament as they have the potential to be dark horses. Their national team has been on an upward trajectory in the last five years and will continue to climb the FIFA rankings as their investment in the domestic league and local youth development facilities have seen their youngsters thoroughly impress at the recent Under-20 and Under-17 World Cups.

Syriaand India should be outmatched in this group, especially as their first two matches are against the top two. Of course, they will want to leave with their heads held high, with an added motivation for the Blue Tigers being the fact that this will be the last major tournament for legendary striker Sunil Chhetri.

Group C: 🇮🇷🇦🇪🇭🇰🇵🇸

There does not seem to be a lot of hype surrounding Iran, but they seem in strong shape to challenge for their first title since 1976. They are the second-highest-ranked team at the tournament coming in at #21 in the world.

Their attacking hopes will rest heavily on the very well-rounded FC Porto forward Mehdi Taremi, who has only scored three league goals this season, on the back of a 22-goal campaign last time out. Team Melli will hope to see him back to his best in Qatar.

Although they are ranked 64th in the world by FIFA, the United Arab Emirates should be considered outside contenders, at least, for what would be a first-ever Asian Cup title. They reached the semi-finals in each of the last two editions of the tournament but then fell short. Playing under Paulo Bento – a coach with a style of play suited to tournament football – they will hope to create history.

Hong Kong could be totally outclassed in this group as they are ranked 150th in the world, but their recent friendly win over China in the build-up to the tournament shows that they will certainly not lack fighting spirit. The same can be said of Palestine to a much higher degree, and they are sure to be universally supported in Qatar due to the war on Gaza. They have some notable quality in their squad too, most notably in the shape of Charleroi forward Oday Dabbagh, so they too cannot be completely written off.

Group D: 🇯🇵🇮🇩🇮🇶🇻🇳

Group D contains the clear favourites for the tournament: Japan. Not only are they the highest-ranked side in Asia, but they also have the strongest and most well-rounded squad as well as a manager who has worked with them for quite a while in Hajime Moriyasu. Anything short of a record-extending fifth title would be a disappointment.

Almost anyone in the Samurai Blue squad has the potential to be a key player, but we must give a special mention to Takefusa Kubo. Long billed as their most exciting talent, the now 22-year-old attacker has enjoyed a great season with Real Sociedad, so far, and will hope to finally play a starring role in his national team’s success.

Indonesia have gone on a bit of a recruitment spree lately, by convincing foreign-based dual nationals to join the national team, so they are somewhat stronger than their FIFA ranking of #146 would suggest. Iraq have also adopted a similar policy in the last couple of years and have what many are touting as their strongest-ever squad, with a significant contingent of players flying in from Scandinavia, and the lower tiers of Western European nations. So, they are the favourites to advance as the second team in the group.

This group might just end up having one of the best third-placed sides, which is what Vietnam might hope to be. Their recent run of results is not very encouraging, though, so they will want to be careful not to trip up against Indonesia.

Group E: 🇰🇷🇲🇾🇯🇴🇧🇭

South Korea are one of the strongest sides in Asia, so they have to be right up there when it comes to talk of favourites. Jürgen Klinsmann’s tenure did not get off to the best of starts, as he garnered criticism for his prolonged absence from the country during league action, which many saw as a sign of negligence. His end to 2023 could not have been better, though, as the Taegeuk Warriors ended the year with five straight wins and clean sheets, facing strong sides such as Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and China.

All eyes for them will be on Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min as he seeks to win his first major international trophy, but there is top-class quality all around the squad that can take them all the way.

Malaysia will be making their first appearance at an overseas Asian Cup in more than four decades, so there cannot be too many expectations on them. They too have recruited a good few dual nationals to build a pretty respectable squad, but the player to watch in their team must be young Arif Aiman, who is being touted as the hottest player in Malaysia right now.

Behind South Korea, second place in the group is quite open between Jordan and Bahrain, who also sit next to each other in the FIFA rankings. The former have some star quality in their squad – most notably in the form of Montpellier attacker Musa Al-Taamari – but Bahrain’s well-drilled collective of seasoned campaigners should not be underestimated.

Group F: 🇸🇦🇹🇭🇰🇬🇴🇲

Roberto Mancini’s first major tournament in charge of Saudi Arabia will only add to the global interest in football there, building on the Saudi Pro League boom. Of course, spending big to bring international stars into the league does not necessarily guarantee the improvement of the national team, but Saudi Arabia have always been contenders on the Asian stage, so even a small boost for them is significant.

Although they do have a number of talented younger players, the star of their show should still be Salem Al-Dawsari. Having forever etched his name into the history books with that memorable winning World Cup goal against Argentina, he has gone on to more than hold his own in the star-studded Al Hilal front line alongside the likes of Neymar, Aleksandar Mitrović and Malcolm.

Behind them, the group seems absolutely wide open so it is quite likely that three teams will progress from it. Thailand are the lowest-ranked side as far as FIFA are concerned and have had a very disrupted preparatory schedule, so they seem least likely to advance, although OH Leuven loanee Suphanat Mueanta might have something to say about that. Kyrgyzstan and Oman do not have any big-name stars, but their well-established and experienced squads should give everyone a tough fight – as they did in their most recent World Cup qualifier match which was decided by a solitary goal.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Asian Cup 2023, with deep stats and players ratings, on FotMob. Download the free app here.

Jan

2024

The complete list of Premier League players going to the Africa Cup of Nations

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on January 13 when hosts Ivory Coast face Guinea-Bissau in the first game of the group stage.

By that time, most of the players involved will have spent a good week or so preparing for the tournament in their respective national camps.

By James Nalton

The tournament’s move to the winter from its initial calendar slot of summer 2023 (to avoid the rainy season in Ivory Coast and retaining the name for branding and sponsorship reasons) means it will once again be played in the middle of many domestic club seasons.

This will not be the case for the 2025 edition in Morocco, or for the 2027 tournament jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, but this rearranged 2023 tournament will cause some disruption at club level.

The latest a player will be involved is February 11, the day of the final. Being knocked out in the semi-finals on February 7 doesn’t mean a return home, either, as there is a third-place game on the 10th.

Senegal and Morocco are the favourites, followed by the likes of Algeria, hosts Ivory Coast, and Egypt, with Cameroon, Nigeria and Tunisia also in the mix according to bookmakers, so players from these nations could be missing for the longest amount of time.

AFCON can be unpredictable, though, especially given the decline in quality, or at least consistency, of some of the traditionally strong teams, so there could be surprising early exits as well as unexpected runs.

Here is a look at the Premier League players who will be missing club football in January, and potentially February.

Arsenal

🇪🇬 Mohamed Elneny

This tournament comes at an important moment in Arsenal’s season, but shouldn’t affect them too much.

Though their title challenge has fallen away somewhat in recent weeks, they are still in a good position to mount a renewed effort to dethrone defending champions Manchester City and current league leaders Liverpool.

The only player they will be missing to AFCON is Mohamed Elneny, the Egyptian defensive midfielder who has only played one minute of football in the league for Arsenal this season. He may give them one less rotation option in cup competitions, but Arsenal won’t miss a player who has barely played.

Aston Villa

🇧🇫 Bertrand Traoré

If Arsenal are considered to be in the Premier League title race, then second-place Aston Villa, three points ahead of them, must be included in that mix too.

They have made a brilliant start to life under manager Unai Emery, progressing in the Europa Conference League as well as doing well in the Premier League.

Like Arsenal, they do have a player making the trip to Ivory Coast, but it may not impact them too much.

Bertrand Traoré will join up with a Burkina Faso side where he is a star player, but he has not featured much for Villa due to injury or remaining on the bench in most games he has been available.

Bournemouth

🇧🇫 Dango Ouattara

🇬🇭 Antoine Semenyo

Bournemouth fans will be keen to monitor the progress of Ouattara, the left-footed 21-year-old who has appeared sporadically for his club but features regularly for Burkina Faso.

There might also be interest to see how their own team does without Semenyo who has started a number of games recently.

Brentford

🇨🇩 Yoane Wissa

🇳🇬 Frank Onyeka

Wissa has started all but one of Brentford’s Premier League games so far this season and should play a key role for Congo anywhere across the forward line, most likely from the right wing.

The depth and rotation option provided by Onyeka will also be missed as he joins up with Nigeria where he can be in and out of the XI, as is the case at his club.

Brighton

🇨🇮 Simon Adingra

Despite carrying a hamstring injury, Adingra has been called up by the hosts as he continues his recovery.

Head coach Jean-Louis Gasset will hope to have the winger available for selection once the tournament is underway, while Brighton and Roberto De Zerbi will just be hoping he returns injury-free.

Chelsea

🇸🇳 Nicolas Jackson

Nicolas Jackson’s finishing has been criticised during his time at Chelsea so far, but he put in a good performance, including a nice assist for Cole Palmer, in their recent game at Luton Town.

Despite his troubles in front of goal he remained a regular starter for Mauricio Pochettino’s side and played a role in their system even if not scoring.

He’ll now join up with a much-fancied Senegal side so could be set for a deep run in the tournament.

If he can break into the starting XI and get among the goals, or get some off the bench, it could be a useful confidence boost ahead of his return to club football.

Crystal Palace

🇬🇭 Jordan Ayew

The youngest of Ghana’s Ayew brothers can be a key player for both club and country when he’s on his game.

One of the most gifted African players of his generation, he has forged a career at the highest level in the Premier League, settling at Palace more than at any of his previous clubs.

Palace have an array of talent in attacking midfield and forward areas such as Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, Odsonne Édouard and Jean-Philippe Mateta, but their experienced teammate will be missed.

Everton

🇸🇳 Idrissa Gana Gueye

Everton have impressed since being hit with a ten-point deduction in the Premier League this season.

Though perhaps lower profile than other standout players like Abdoulaye Doucouré and Jarrad Branthwaite, Gana Gueye has played a key role in midfield during this good run.

With Doucouré injured and Gana in Ivory Coast, it could now be a tough few weeks for Everton who sit just above the relegation zone.

Fulham

🇸🇳 Fodé Ballo-Touré

🇳🇬 Calvin Bassey

🇳🇬 Alex Iwobi

Fulham have enjoyed some good moments in the Premier League of late, drawing many plaudits following their victory against Arsenal and 5-0 wins against both West Ham and Nottingham Forest.

Disappointing defeats to Newcastle, Burnley, and Bournemouth have punctuated these good results, spoiling their run, and their search for consistency will not be helped by the departure of attacking midfielder Iwobi and centre-back Bassey who join up with the Nigeria squad.

Liverpool

🇪🇬 Mohamed Salah

Liverpool will be one of the clubs most affected by this tournament, not in terms of numbers on their way to AFCON, but in terms of the individual quality they are losing.

The current league leaders will lose Salah who will be looking to win his first AFCON with Egypt, further cementing his legacy as one of the best African players of all time.

It remains to be seen whether Jürgen Klopp’s side can fill the void left by a player who tops the league for goals and assists. Whether they will still be top of the league on Salah’s return.

Manchester City have no players on international duty this month, so will be looking to use upcoming games to recover some ground.

Luton Town

🇧🇫 Issa Kaboré

Luton have been one of the feelgood stories of the Premier League this season, holding their own and playing some good football against some of the best teams in the world.

Kaboré has been dynamic in and out of possession down the right when selected by Rob Edwards and will be another player who could help Burkina Faso spring some surprises.

Manchester United

🇨🇲 André Onana

🇲🇦 Sofyan Amrabat

It will be a last-minute dash to Ivory Coast for Onana, who will play in Manchester United’s game against Tottenham on January 14, one day before Cameroon’s opener against Guinea.

Onana is back in the Cameroon setup after a falling-out with the president of the Cameroon Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o, in 2022, but the smoothing of the relationship appears to have given him and United some leeway on his arrival time.

Amrabat will be looking to regain some of the form with his national team which attracted United to him in the first place.

Nottingham Forest

🇨🇮 Serge Aurier

🇨🇮 Willy Boly

🇨🇮 Ibrahim Sangaré

🇸🇳 Cheikou Kouyaté

🇸🇳 Moussa Niakhaté

🇳🇬 Ola Aina

Forest are the Premier League team most represented at AFCON with six players involved.

They have a big presence at hosts Ivory Coast and will lose a good chunk of their recent back four in Boly, Niakhate, and Aina.

They have performed well under new manager Nuno Espírito Santo, and now their squad depth will be truly tested, especially in those defensive areas.

Sheffield United

🇩🇿 Yasser Larouci

🇹🇳 Anis Ben Slimane

Slimane has enjoyed a run in the team of late under Chris Wilder, Larouci less so. Neither are guaranteed starters with their respective national teams, but if they can get game time the tournament could be good for both.

Tottenham Hotspur

🇸🇳 Pape Matar Sarr

🇲🇱 Yves Bissouma

Pape Matar Sarr is emerging as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and will be a big miss for Spurs as they look to break into the top four.

The loss in midfield compounded by Bissouma’s absence will add to an already injury-hit squad, which will also lose talisman Son Heung-min to the Asian Cup, which runs across a similar timeframe.

West Ham United

🇲🇦 Nayef Aguerd

🇬🇭 Mohammed Kudus

The departure of Kudus for a few games is one of the biggest AFCON Premier League losses.

He’s been a key part of the West Ham team since coming into the side and has been an exciting player for the fans to watch. They will miss him greatly.

Aguerd, meanwhile, has been a more than useful squad member, playing regularly in Europe and the league up until recently.

Wolves

🇲🇱 Boubacar Traoré

🇩🇿 Rayan Aït-Nouri

The 22-year-old Traoré is looking to break into the first team on a regular basis at both club and international level.

It remains to be seen whether he will see minutes with Mali, but he will be hoping to add to his solitary senior cap. Wolves might hope he gets some minutes too, but they’d rather have Aït-Nouri playing minutes for them at this moment in time.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from AFCON 2023 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2024

FA Cup Third Round Review

As a football fan, there’s nothing quite like the FA Cup Third Round. There are always intriguing matchups with the potential for an upset and, on occasion, you get two Premier League juggernauts unexpectedly facing off. The 2023/24 edition stuck to the script. Here are the biggest talking points from across the weekend.

By Sam McGuire

Light work for Newcastle against Sunderland

Heading into this game, the pressure was on Newcastle boss Eddie Howe. The Magpies had one win in eight and had been knocked out of Europe entirely after finishing bottom of their Champions League group. Defeat to neighbours Sunderland at the Stadium of Light could’ve sealed his fate.

By comparison, it was a chance for new Sunderland boss Michael Beale to become a cult hero by masterminding a victory over the Toon Army.

The hosts couldn’t deliver though and suffered a 3-0 defeat on Saturday afternoon. Daniel Ballard scored an own goal before Alexander Isak scored twice at either end of the second half.

Sunderland failed to have a single shot from inside the penalty area while the visitors dominated the ball (64%) and created high-value efforts, finishing the game with an Expected Goals haul of 1.92. This win could be a springboard for Howe and his players in the second half of the campaign.

A scare for the Seagulls

On multiple occasions throughout this game, it appeared as though Championship side Stoke City might take Brighton to a replay.

Steven Schumacher’s side took the lead in the first half courtesy of a Jan Paul Van Hecke own goal. Roberto De Zerbi’s men hit back in stoppage time of the opening 45 minutes with Pervis Estupiñán levelling things up. Lewis Dunk put the Premier League team ahead in the 52nd minute but Stoke pegged them back just after the hour mark. Lewis Baker converted from the spot.

João Pedro, once again, proved to be the match-winner for the Seagulls, scoring twice in the final 19 minutes to give the away side a 4-2 win and book their place in the next round of the FA Cup.

It was a deserved win for Brighton but the scoreline did paint a picture of a more dominant display, and that simply wasn’t the case.

Bournemouth bounce back

There was another scare at Loftus Road as Championship side QPR took a 2-0 lead against Premier League club Bournemouth.

The Cherries had been in fine form, losing just one of their last eight matches, and Andoni Iraola named a fairly strong team for the FA Cup tie.

Despite an even first half, Bournemouth found themselves two goals down at the break after the hosts scored twice in the space of two minutes just before the halftime whistle.

The away side dominated the second half though. For starters, they limited the hosts to zero shots and just 99 passes. Iraola’s men halved the deficit just three minutes after the break before levelling things up before the hour mark. Marcus Tavernier and Kieffer Moore, who started in place of Dominic Solanke, found the back of the net.

Justin Kluivert scored what turned out to be the winner with just 11 minutes remaining to complete a remarkable turnaround. Under Iraola, the Cherries really have clicked.

Forest extend their unbeaten run to three

On paper, a 2-2 draw with a League One side should be a disappointing result for Premier League team Nottingham Forest. Yet manager Nuno Espírito Santo will no doubt be thrilled with the spirit shown by his players at the City Ground.

Against the run of play, Blackpool took a 2-0 lead inside of the opening 30 minutes. It really was against the run of play too, with the visitors having just two efforts on goal in the first half. Both found the back of the net.

The hosts clawed one back before the break before Morgan Gibbs-White found the back of the net for the second successive match. Given how the game played out, the fact Forest found a way to get back into this game will be viewed as a positive. The fact they avoided defeat gives them something to build on and momentum really does matter at this stage of the season, regardless of what competition you are playing in.

Wrexham delight

Wrexham, of League Two fame, went toe-to-toe with League One side Shrewsbury Town at New Meadow. Not only that though, Phil Parkinson’s men actually won the match.

On one hand, it was a fairly even game, with both sides having 11 shots. However, Wrexham controlled possession (62%) while Shrewsbury had the better opportunities, finishing the match with an Expected Goals total of 1.65 to the away side’s 0.65.

A goal in the final 20 minutes was enough to separate the two rivals. It was an unlikely goalscorer with defender Thomas O’Conner popping up to be the match-winner for the Red Dragons. Cup games are difficult to analyse but Wrexham didn’t look out of place against a team from League One. And they’ll want to pit themselves against better opposition in the next round.

The Emirates silenced

Arsenal had a real opportunity on Sunday evening to make a statement. The Gunners had lost two on the bounce following the 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield in mid-December and questions were being asked of Mikel Arteta and his players.

They welcomed a weakened Liverpool team to the Emirates, with Jürgen Klopp without the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk, Thiago, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, Joel Matip, Andrew Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.

The hosts started well and should’ve been ahead in the first half but multiple chances were wasted.

Klopp made tactical tweaks at the break and the visitors grew into the game. They took a deserved lead in the 80th minute when Jakub Kiwior headed a Trent Alexander-Arnold free-kick past Aaron Ramsdale before Luis Díaz added an exclamation point in stoppage time to give the Reds a 2-0 win.

Arteta and Arsenal are now without a win since December 17th.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the FA Cup live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2024

Sensible Transfer Targets: League Two

With the January transfer window open, we take a look at five players who could be on the move this month from each of the English Football League’s divisions. From young prospects to in-form stars, we look outside the box a little to bring you our selection from League Two clubs.

By Nathan Evans

(All stats correct as of 04th January.)

Davis Keillor-Dunn – Mansfield Town

We begin this list with Davis Keillor-Dunn of Mansfield Town who at present is currently ranked as the best player in League Two with a FotMob average rating of 7.84 across his 24 appearances in the competition. That impressive ranking has been largely aided by his return of 14 goals and five assists from his attacking midfield position, netting three braces in the process as he continues to help his side towards potential promotion this campaign.

In fact, of all attacking midfielders and wingers in League Two, no player has recorded more touches in the opposition’s box (123), shots (95), shots on target (45) or accumulative xG (10.03) than the 26-year-old. He’s also created 56 chances for his teammates, whilst his ability to win the ball back in the final third has also aided his side to move up the pitch when needed.

But Mansfield could now struggle to keep hold of Keillor-Dunn this winter due to his impressive form and the fact he only has one more year remaining on his contract, especially with a number of sides higher up the English football pyramid said to be interested in acquiring his services.

Joe Tomlinson – MK Dons

Simply put, MK Dons’ Joe Tomlinson has been the best left-back in League Two this season. Since facing Sutton United in mid-September, the former Peterborough defender, who only joined his new club this summer, has put in performances ranked higher than 7.00 15 times in his 16 appearances according to FotMob.

Many of those top quality performances have been aided by Tomlinson’s attacking profile, with his return of five goals and four assists helping his side to make a play-off push this campaign. In fact, of all full-backs at this level, the 23-year-old ranks inside the top 10% of all players in his position for chances created (39), shots (37) and successful crosses (23) which could make him a target for a number of bigger clubs this winter.

Improvements still need to be made on the defensive front, as Tomlinson’s ball recovery and interception tallies remain low, but with 94 duels won at a 54% success rate, he’s definitely announced himself as a fantastic lower-league wing back during the 2023/24 season.

Ali Al Hamadi – AFC Wimbledon

Despite still only being 21-years-old, Iraq-born striker Ali Al Hamadi is proving to be a huge hit with AFC Wimbledon fans after he joined the London club this summer. Registering 0.89 goal contributions per 90 of League Two action this campaign, the former Tranmere and Swansea youth player remains in the hunt for the competition’s ‘Golden Boot’ with 13 strikes to his name, whilst his additional six assists highlight his strong all-round play.

That can be even further emphasised with a glance at his passing stats as his 33 chances created and 291 successful passes also beat most players in his position. But it’s still his pure finishing that remains his strongest suit and is likely the reason why other sides will look to sign him this January.

His touches in the opposition box (183), successful dribbles (39) and times winning possession in the final third (24) can’t be beaten by other strikes in the division, and although he’s currently falling behind his 15.52 xG total, there’s still plenty to come from Al Hamadi from a development perspective, given his age.

Brad Hills – Accrington Stanley

Currently on loan, from Championship side Norwich City, young defender Brad Hills is enjoying a fantastic season with Accrington Stanley in England’s fourth tier and could be a transfer target for sides higher up the football pyramid this winter.

The 19-year-old has so far played 2234 minutes of action in League Two, helping his side to recover from their relegation last season with a string of impressive performances. Despite his young age, Hills showcases maturity beyond his years with his awareness and control on the ball helping him to operate as an astute ball-playing central defender at this level.

However, it’s definitely with his defensive ability where Hills has shone most this campaign. Of all centre-backs in the division, none have won more duels overall (275) or aerial duels in particular (188), while he currently also holds the top tallies for both interceptions (48) and successful tackles (33) – all factors which could seriously tempt a side into making a move for him over the next month.

Dan Kemp – MK Dons

Last on our list is MK Dons midfielder Dan Kemp who spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Swindon Town where he produced stunning performance after stunning performance.

Through 25 starts whilst out on loan at the County Ground, the 24-year-old managed to record 22 direct goal contributions for the club, the second-most of any player in the league. 14 of those came in the form of goals – the most of any attacking midfielder or winger – with his return witnessing both strikes from distance and close range finishes in equal measure. In fact, his xG total of just 7.96 highlights just how clinical his approach has been in front of goal this campaign, as does his 19.2% conversion rate from his 73 attempted shots.

As well as his fantastic finishing this term, Kemp also proved himself as a crucial provider for his former teammates. Whilst his eight assists is the joint second-most in League Two at present, in his position, no player has created more chances (58) and his overall influence throughout matches can be best highlighted by his total of 1255 touches of the ball, a figure in the top 5%.

It does need to be mentioned though, that if MK Dons boss Mike Williamson opts to play Kemp during his side’s next outing versus Tranmere on January 13th, then he won’t be able to move clubs this winter and feature for his potential new side. That’s because the midfielder will have featured for two different clubs in one season, the maximum amount allowed, which gives rival clubs just over a week’s time in order to agree a deal to sign the 24-year-old.

(Images from IMAGO)

To keep up to date with all the latest Transfers, check out the FotMob Transfer Centre. Download the free app here.

Jan

2024

Sensible Transfer Targets: EFL Championship

By Nathan Evans

(All stats correct as of 04th January.)

Jacob Greaves – Hull City

After making over 150 first-team appearances for childhood club Hull City, 23-year-old Jacob Greaves has now developed into one of the Championship’s best all-round central defenders. As a result, he is again subject to interest from a number of Premier League clubs, according to reports, with a move away from MKM Stadium seeming feasible in January.

Equally as confident with the ball at his feet and he is with his positioning, anticipation and awareness, no center back in the competition this season has won more than his 164 successful duels to this point. That tally has in particular been aided by his aerial ability with Hull’s three-time ‘Young Player of the Year’ winning 69.4% of his aerial duels in addition.

With three assists to his name – the most of any central defender in England’s second-flight – Greaves has the skill set to operate as an elite ball-playing defender. His 16 chances created is also a league-high for his position, whilst his 2314 touches of the ball in general highlight his eagerness to get on the ball whenever possible. Due to that, and his young age to boot, expect a number of suitors to express interest in signing him this winter.

Morgan Whittaker – Plymouth Argyle

When Morgan Whittaker signed permanently for Plymouth for just £1million over the summer, few could have expected just how well he would settle into life as a Championship player. But with 13 goals, five assists and three man-to-the-match awards to his name so far, the former Swansea City and Derby County winger has been one of the division’s highest performers.

Currently in second spot for this season’s Golden Boot in the league, Whittaker has helped his newly-promoted side to keep well clear of the drop zone so far, especially due to his attacking output. As of the turn of the year, the 22-year-old has attempted more shots (106) and shots on target (39) than any other player in his position, whilst he ranks in the top 10% of wide midfielders for touches in the opposition’s penalty area (92), successful dribbles (45) and chances created (36) which all highlight why he’s already being linked with a potential move away from Home Park over the next month.

Jonathan Rowe – Norwich City

According to reports, Norwich City rejected a £15 million bid from Wolves in the summer for winger Jonathan Rowe and due to his performances ever since, that can only be viewed as a brilliant decision. With ten goals and two assists to his name across 24 Championship appearances so far this term, not only has the 20-year-old proved himself as a star at Carrow Road but he’s also operating as one of the best wide players in the league.

That’s ignited plenty of interest from Premier League clubs this January, especially as Rowe not only performs strongly in an attacking sense but is also able to help his side through his defensive output

With 126 duels won, 20 successful tackles and 11 interceptions this campaign, the 20-year-old is an all-round menace on the wing, whilst his 14 ball recoveries in the final third also emphasis his pressing qualities which could aid a big move away from Norfolk this winter.

Matt Grimes – Swansea City

After moving to Swansea City all the way back in January 2015, from Exeter, central midfielder Matt Grimes has gone on to make over 250 club appearances for the Welsh side – which has culminated in him captaining his side again this season.

With a hefty amount of time left on his contract, any potential suitors this winter may find it difficult to acquire his services but if they do, they’ll get a fantastic ball-playing midfielder who tends to heavily influence most of the matches that he features in. With 2479 touches and 1942 successful passes to his name this season, fewer players have been in possession of the ball as much as Grimes, and with two goals and four assists recorded in the process, he offers plenty of productivity from the centre of the park.

That doesn’t mean that the former England youth international shuns his defensive responsibilities though, as his 166 ball recoveries can attest to – a tally which ranks him within the top 5% of all players in his position in the Championship this term. Grimes also remains extremely efficient in winning his duels with a 60.7% success rate overall, another part of his game that interested clubs will have taken a keen interest in.

Daniel Ballard – Sunderland

After leaving boyhood club Arsenal for the Stadium of Light back in the summer of 2022, Daniel Ballard has grown into one of Sunderland’s most important players as they look to finally seal promotion back to the Premier League.

Starting all but one of his side’s 26 Championship matches this campaign, Ballard has racked up a 7.24 average FotMob rating for his performances, whilst looking strong at both ends of the field. As well as his consistent defensive performances which we’ll get to, his three goals from set pieces highlight that he can also influence matches in an attacking sense, especially as his tally of 48 touches in the opposition’s box and 26 attempted shots can only be bettered by a few other centre backs in the competition.

But it’s obviously in his defending where Ballard has looked a class above the rest this term, which could see a club higher up the English pyramid enquire about obtaining his services this winter.

This season, the defender has won 150 duels overall and has recovered possession for his side on 144 occasions, both figures at the higher end of the spectrum. His seven blocks have also helped Sunderland to keep eight clean sheets in the league and to concede just 1.1 goals per match on average, the fourth-lowest such tally in the division.

(Images from IMAGO)

To keep up to date with all the latest Transfers, check out the FotMob Transfer Centre. Download the free app here.

Jan

2024

FIVE games to follow this weekend: The big boys enter the domestic cups

In this weekend preview we summarise the best five games to follow on your match feed. And make a couple of suggestions for matches that you may otherwise miss.

By Bill Biss

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 FA Cup: Arsenal vs. Liverpool

When the draw for this round of England’s premier Cup competition was made, you couldn’t have put two more high profile, Premier League teams together. Liverpool and Arsenal appear to be key protagonists in the title race this season – they played a 1-1 draw at Anfield barely two weeks ago – and now we have the added bonus of Sunday’s side battle between the two in the Cup.

Both teams have a rich history in the competition, with Arsenal the record winners, and in fact, this tie has been the Final on three occasions (the last in 2001), so for the two to be drawn together so early is an anomaly. And it comes when the Gunners could do with a win – they’ve won just one of their last six (all comps) and have just lost consecutive games against West Ham and Fulham.

Liverpool’s only defeat since early November came in the Europa League, with qualification already secured, and with the side heavily rotated, and Jürgen Klopp’s side now sat top of the league by three points.

There may be the temptation for both managers to make significant changes to the line-ups that squared up against one another, back on 23 December, but considering both sides’ current momentum, and the pressure to get a result, perhaps that won’t be the case.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 FA Cup: Sunderland vs. Newcastle United

Before that tie though, on Saturday, rivalries are renewed in England’s North East, in another FA Cup tie, when Championship side Sunderland faced hated near-neighbours Newcastle.

The Tyne–Wear Derby (or Wear-Tyne) hasn’t been a regular feature in the schedules for a while, in fact their last meeting came in the Premier League back in 2016. Both clubs have been through their ups and downs since – Newcastle dropping out of the top flight at the end of that season, Sunderland doing the same the season after, then going down again, and spending four seasons in the third tier.

Back to the present day though, and Newcastle, now looking to establish themselves as Champions League regulars, have hit a bit of a blip. They’ve won just two games in the nine that they’ve played since the start of December (all comps) and they’ve lost their last three over the festive period – to Luton, Forest, and Liverpool.

For Sunderland, this campaign is about backing up their successful return to the Championship last season, and ensuring that they at least make the play-offs again. They currently sit sixth and come in to the game off the back of a three-game unbeaten run. For the fans, and the club, this should be a great opportunity to test themselves against their rivals. That message perhaps didn’t reach every department at the club, though, when one of the bars at Sunderland’s stadium got decorated in Newcastle colours, as a welcome for visiting guests, and then hastily redecorated.

🇪🇸 Copa Del Rey: Barbastro vs. Barcelona

Forgive us, if you’re unfamiliar with some of the team names mentioned in the column this week, but this really is the beauty of major Cup competitions.

Take a team like Unión Deportiva Barbastro, who, for example, have followed their recent promotion to Spain’s regional fourth tier, with a run in the Copa Del Rey that will see them take on the might of Barcelona in Spain’s Copa Del Rey on Sunday evening.

Xavi’s Catalan giants were in the Canary Islands on Thursday night, where they got a last gasp league win, thanks to İlkay Gündoğan’s 93rd minute penalty. They’ll now travel to the town of Barbastro, in the province of Huesca, where the 16,000 inhabitants have been desperately seeking tickets for the game at the club’s 3,000 capacity stadium.

That capacity has been doubled, temporarily, but not a lot has been done to the pitch, something that will no doubt, not be lost on the superstar visitors. The minnows have already beaten top flight Almería en route to this stage of the competition but this is by far and away the biggest game in the club’s history. Barcelona will be hoping it becomes nothing more than a footnote in their records.

🇫🇷 Coupe de France: Revel vs. PSG

France’s main domestic Cup competition is renowned for throwing up stories like Sunday’s clash between Revel and Paris Saint-Germain. After all, it’s a tournament that saw 5271 teams enter, from all levels of French football, and indeed from the country’s numerous overseas departments and territories. That has now been whittled down to 64, with the giants of Ligue 1 joining at this stage.

And sixth tier amateurs Revel were the lucky side to pull the biggest name possible out of the hat, and with ‘home advantage’, as is traditional – but then you may have already seen news of the draw when it went viral late last year.

Revel currently sit top of their division but for the squad, this game, is probably all they’ve been thinking about since that draw was made. Their run to the R64 has seen them defeat sides from the eighth tier and the fifth tier so far.

PSG come in to the contest five points clear in Ligue 1, and on the back of a week where they’ve already lifted silverware, thanks to a 2-0 victory over Toulouse in the Trophée des Champions, or Super Cup, on Wednesday night. We’ll have to wait and see how many of the star names from that line-up also feature in the weekend’s game.

🇮🇹 Serie A: Inter vs. Hellas Verona

In Italy, they dealt with the remaining round of 16 ties in the Coppa Italia during midweek, so it’s back to normal service over the weekend. And in the first game of the day, on Saturday, leaders Inter host Hellas Verona at the San Siro.

Having won the Coppa last season, Inter were surprisingly dumped out of the competition, by Bologna, in a game played before Christmas. Since then, they got back to winning ways against Lecce but were then held to a 1-1 draw by Genoa in what was their final Serie A fixture of 2023. To date, they’ve only lost one league game and they’ve conceded just eight goals across 18 rounds of action. Sadly for Simone Inzaghi, that particularly strong first half of the campaign has come at a time where Juventus are producing similar results – they too have lost only once and have let only three more goals. But they have won one fewer meaning Inter come in to the weekend with a two point advantage.

For their part, Verona travel to Milan having struggled to get going this season. The did win both their opening fixtures back in August but they then went 15 without a win, until a third victory came against Cagliari in the build-up to Christmas. A further defeat, at home to Salernitana, has left them 17th in the table, just outside the relegation zone on goal difference, at the time of writing.

Plus two hidden gems from a little deeper in your match feed…

🇫🇷 Coupe de France: LOSC vs. Golden Lion

We couldn’t resist another story from the Coupe de France! Similarly to PSG – fellow Ligue 1 side, and six time winners of the competition, Lille, will also be lining up against unfamiliar opposition. On Saturday, they face the magnificently named Golden Lion FC, who are based in Saint-Joseph on the isle of Martinique, in the eastern Caribbean Sea.

That’s right, the qualifiers from one of the overseas departments are making the near 7,000km journey having earned the right to face one of Frances’ most famous sides.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 FA Cup: Wigan Athletic vs. Manchester United

We’ve included this fixture because it has quite literally been hidden away from your match feed for the weekend, what with it being held over for the TV broadcast slot on Monday evening.

Under pressure Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag takes his side on the short journey to visit a side currently struggling, and placed 17th in League One. Nothing but a comfortable win will do for the Red Devils.

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Cover Image from IMAGO