Page 9 – The Pulse of Football

Mar

2025

FPL tips from the reigning champ: GW30, a midweek round

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

By Graham Ruthven, in conversation with Jonas Sand Låbakk

Introducing our expert

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

Read his expert advice every week.

*Don’t forget the FPL deadline for this round – make your transfers and get your team sorted before 18:15 BST on Tuesday 01st April*

The Eye Test vs. The Stats

Ismaïla Sarr (5.6m) has really come into his own for Crystal Palace recently.

Indeed, the winger has scored three times in his last two Premier League appearances and also found the back of the net as the Eagles beat Fulham 3-0 on Saturday to make the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

With his lighting quick speed and ability to create something out of nothing, Sarr is a constant threat to opposition teams.

The Senegal international’s stats make for good reading too. Sarr is averaging 0.6 Expected Goal Involvements (xGI) per 90 minutes in the Premier League and registered 1.81 xGI (1.35 xG and 0.46 xA) against Ipswich Town in GW28. This is impressive for a player who is priced at just 5.6 million.

Crystal Palace face Southampton away from home in GW30. This could be a fruitful fixture for the Eagles in terms of attacking returns.

No Premier League team has conceded more xG (69.6) than Southampton this season with the Saints currently rooted to the bottom of the table.

On top of this, Palace have a double gameweek coming up in GW32 and another one likely in GW33 due to the club’s involvement in the FA Cup final four.

*Palace’s next five fixtures, as things stand*

Omar Marmoush (7.3m) has made a fast start to life as a Manchester City player.

The Egyptian has registered four goals and one assist in the Premier League since making the January move from Eintracht Frankfurt to the Etihad Stadium. He already looks worth the €70m fee City paid for him.

Marmoush has given Manchester City the energy and attacking electricity they have lacked since Julian Alvarez left and with Erling Haaland suffering an injury against Bournemouth in the FA Cup, it’s likely he will start up front in GW30.

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

Statistically, Marmoush is averaging just 0.39 xGI per 90 minutes in the Premier League. However, the Egyptian will likely have more opportunities to find the net as a centre forward.

City face Leicester City at home in GW30. The Foxes have conceded the second-most goals in the Premier League this season and so this could be a match for Marmoush to add to his tally.

The 2024/25 champions will also have a double gameweek at some point later in the season due to their run in the FA Cup. Marmoush is an attacking asset who should be on your radar.

Long shot

Only 1.9% of FPL managers own Tino Livramento (4.5m), hinting at the battle he has had with Lewis Hall for game time on the left side of Newcastle’s defence.

However, with Hall sidelined until the end of the season, Livramento is now a nailed on starter for the Magpies with Newcastle about to embark on a favourable run-in, starting with games against Brentford and Leicester. This will be followed by a double gameweek in GW32.

*Livramento defensive numbers, Premier League 2024/25*

It would make sense to load up on three Newcastle assets for the remainder of the season.

Alexander Isak can’t stop scoring and will be in most FPL teams. Anthony Gordon will also be a popular pick once he returns from suspension while Dan Burn and Livramento could be attractive defensive options.

Upcoming games to follow

After a long break from FPL action due to the international break and FA Cup weekend, there will be plenty to keep an eye on in GW30.

Bournemouth’s home match against Ipswich Town could be a fruitful one for Justin Kluivert (6.3m), Antoine Semenyo (5.7m), Evanilson (5.7m) and Milos Kerkez (5.2m), all of whom could deliver returns against the struggling Tractor Boys.

Manchester City are at home to Leicester City. The aforementioned Marmoush could be a good option while Joško Gvardiol (6.0m) and Phil Foden (9.2m) could also deliver.

Finally, Crystal Palace’s clash with Southampton deserves some attention from a FPL point of view.

The Eagles have many options worth highlighting, with Sarr, Jean-Philipe Mateta (7.5m), Eberechi Eze (6.7m) and Daniel Munoz (5.1m) chief among them.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Mar

2025

Preview: Bournemouth and Man City round off the FA Cup quarterfinals

Bournemouth host Manchester City in the quarter-final of the FA Cup at the Vitality Stadium as the Cherries go in search of their first major trophy.

By Matt Smith

Andoni Iraola’s side have in fact never reached the semi-final of the FA Cup, but they come up against serial trophy winners Manchester City, who are looking to find a silver lining in what has been a disappointing season.

Bournemouth actually got the better of Pep Guardiola’s men the last time the two sides met, securing a 2-1 victory in their first meeting of the 2024/2025 Premier League campaign. Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson struck for the home side that day, with Joško Gvardiol netting a late consolation.

Team news

Iraola will be without two of his star performers for this one, with Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen both suspended after picking up two yellow cards in the competition. It’s a crucial blow for the Cherries, but Iraola has confirmed that Marcos Senesi is edging closer to full fitness and could replace Huijsen.

City should have no fresh injury concerns heading into this game. Rodri, John Stones, Nathan Aké, and Manuel Akanji remain on the treatment table, but Oscar Bobb has recently returned to action for the U21s.

Bournemouth dropping off after impressive start

Bournemouth enjoyed a sensational start to the Premier League season, which saw them in contention for a European place. However, in recent weeks, the Cherries have dropped off drastically, failing to win (in 90 minutes) in their previous five matches.

Iraola’s side have been one of the most impressive sides going forward in the competition so far. Only Manchester City (12.9) have created more expected goals in the FA Cup this campaign than Bournemouth (8.9) Justin Kluivert has created eight chances for his team-mates in the competition, but he’s only provided one assist.

City scoring at will in the FA Cup

Although Guardiola’s side have struggled in the Premier League and Europe, they’ve been finding the back of the net with ease in the competition. The Citizens have scored 4.3 goals per match this campaign, more than any other side.

City have also created a whopping 26 big chances, double the number of Wolves who have created the second-most in the competition. The attacking quality of City needs no introduction, and on their day, the majority of sides in Europe will struggle to contend them.

Doku the danger man

Jérémy Doku hasn’t featured too heavily in the FA Cup so far, but with City only competing for one trophy, we could see Guardiola go full strength and start the winger. In the Premier League this season, Doku has produced 6.82 successful dribbles per game, comfortably more than any other player.

*Doku’s possession stats, Premier League 2024/25*

Due to injuries, Bournemouth are likely to line up with Lewis Cook at right-back. Although he’s performed impressively in that position, he’s naturally a midfielder, so that could be an interesting match-up at the Vitality Stadium.

Prediction

Although City have struggled this season, the thought of Guardiola’s side going without a trophy feels unfathomable. We’re going for a 1-1 draw, with City advancing in extra-time.

(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.

Mar

2025

Preview: Top of the table Barcelona face Girona

Barcelona players barely had any time to recover from a grueling international break, earning an impressive 3-0 win over Osasuna on Thursday night – just 72 hours after jumping off the plane. It’s something they’ll have to get used to; Hansi Flick’s side face Girona as their manic schedule continues.

By Alex Roberts

Without a win in their last five games and sitting down in 13^th, it’s fair to say Girona have failed to build on last season’s Champions League qualification. Losing Artem Dovbyk and Savinho has essentially made their attack impotent.

Top of LaLiga, Barcelona have no such issues, actually, they can’t stop scoring. In the league alone they’ve bagged 78 goals. It’s getting a bit out of hand to be quite honest.

*Barca average 2.8 goals per game in LaLiga*

Real Madrid thought THEY had scheduling issues

Earlier in the season, Carlo Ancelotti bullishly said his side would refuse to play if they didn’t have at least 72 hours rest. Barcelona would be so lucky. The Catalonians have a massive EIGHT games (including this one) over the next three weeks.

Flick wasn’t quite so entitled about the situation, but he was clearly furious about their hectic next few weeks in his presser ahead of the win over Osasuna, saying: “I don’t want to speak about my reaction, I think it is not good.”

He of course went on to speak about it, in some depth, but he has every right to be annoyed. The Osasuna game was ‘indefinitely’ postponed because of the unfortunate and untimely death of beloved club doctor Carles Miñarro Garcia. The powers that be should have been more sympathetic.

A stand out in a struggling side

Girona have been poor this season, but Yangel Herrera has not. The Venezuelan is the heart beat of Michel’s squad, sitting in the pocket between the defence and his fellow central midfielders.

Herrera’s four goals and three assists can only be bettered by veteran striker Cristhian Stuani, who has eight goal contributions for Girona this season. That’s not bad for defensive midfielder whose main job is to start attacks rather than finish them.

Barcelona’s midfield is arguably the best in the world at the moment, at the very least it’s the most balanced, even with Dani Olmo set to miss the next couple of weeks. Herrera will have his work cut out, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t up to the challenge.

Maybe Barca shouldn’t sell Frenkie de Jong after all

The Dutchman has been linked with a move away from Camp Nou since he walked through the door. It’s not entirely his fault, the club’s ongoing financial issues have forced them to try to sell one of their prized assets.

De Jong has refused to leave, however, and over the past few weeks, he’s shown exactly why Flick and Co should do absolutely everything they can to keep him around. Much like Herrera for Girona, he is the base from which everything builds.

With a 94.1% pass accuracy and a 66.7% long ball accuracy, he’s one of the best ball players in the world, never mind LaLiga. Barcelona have had plenty of transfer flops over the past decade or so, De Jong isn’t one of them.

*LaLiga as it stands before Sunday’s games*

Prediction

Barcelona score loads of goals and Girona don’t, it’s as simple as that really. We’re going to go with a comprehensive 4-0 win for the league leaders, to restore Barca’s three point advantage over Madrid.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Mar

2025

Preview: Real Madrid looking for routine win as Leganés visit the Bernabeu

Think about Real Madrid and it’s usually, glitz, glamour, trophies and transfers. But the truth of arriving at those big-ticket moments is about doing the job during the more mundane, run-of-the-mill matches like this: a home match against a relegation struggler where the expectation is of nothing more than a forgettable, routine victory.

By Karl Matchett

The cucumber growers are not a banana skin

It’s Leganés who come to town on this occasion, with both they and Los Blancos just a single position and a handful of points in the table shy of their seasonal objectives – but there any similarities end. Real Madrid are second in LaLiga, chasing down Barcelona who have a three-point lead with ten games to go. For Leganés, it’s relegation they seek to avoid, but they lie 18th, the final drop-spot, in a congested battle to avoid falling to La Segunda.

Los pepineros don’t have a great track record of spoiling the party against Madrid; they’ve never won a game against them from nine LaLiga meetings and results this term were 0-3 in league play and 2-3 in the Copa, both games at the Butarque rather than the Bernabéu and the latter featuring a heavily-rotated Real side.

Recent form

More recently, Real have won seven of their last eight and haven’t lost a fixture played at the Santiago Bernabéu since November. They have LaLiga’s best home record too this year, four points more than Barcelona after the same games, or the same points as Atlético after playing two at home fewer. For Leganés, it’s six defeats from the last eight and one away win in LaLiga all season – though, to be fair, that did come against Barcelona of all teams. It’s reasonable to expect that if they survive it will be based on home form – five wins from 14 so far – not trips to the title challengers, yet even a surprise draw would go a long way to helping considering the four teams 15th to 18th are separated by just one point.

Team news

The usual suspects are unavailable for the long haul for Real, including Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão, and the shorter-term doubts such as Thibaut Courtois and Ferland Mendy are unlikely to be risked either given the Copa semifinal coming up in midweek. Leganés have their own long-term issues with left-backs Borna Barišić and Enric Franquesa both sidelined but are otherwise at full capacity.

Key player

Ultimately these types of matches tend to be settled by greater final-third quality, even if performance levels aren’t in top gear. But sometimes that means someone needs to be the spark to turn a stroll into a success and Federico Valverde is frequently that someone for Real Madrid. He’s won more duels than 98% of similar LaLiga players, won the ball back in the final third more than 84% and has had more shots on target than any other central midfielder. A true team dynamo from deep.

*Valverde’s defensive numbers, LaLiga 2024/25*

Prediction

Bringing it back to the top then: an ultimately forgettable result in the context of the season with a routine Real Madrid win, 3-0.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Mar

2025

Preview: Inter Miami return to action vs. Philadelphia

Inter Miami get back to it against Philadelphia Union having been one of only two MLS teams not to play during the international break. Will Lionel Messi be rested and recovered enough to feature as they face the league leaders?

By James Nalton

An international break for Inter Miami but not for MLS

Inter Miami, along with their would-be opponent that week, New England Revolution, were spared from playing during the international break while all other MLS teams did.

This means they have played one game less than the rest of the league, but despite that are still just two points off the top of the table.

Inter Miami’s ability to keep up with the other teams while balancing games in the Concacaf Champions Cup, playing a good chunk of the season down to ten men, and the absence of Messi for several games is a good sign as they look to retain their Supporters’ Shield trophy and finish top of the overall MLS standings once again.

This weekend’s opponents will be a good test of this, as they have already threatened to be one of Miami’s challengers at the top of the table.

Philadelphia Union’s impressive start

Philadelphia Union have just entered their first season since 2014 without Jim Curtin as their head coach at the start of it.

Former St. Louis City coach Bradley Carnell took over ahead of the new campaign and has the team playing their brand of pressing football with renewed vigour.

They shot to the top of the Eastern Conference thanks to the goals of Tai Baribo and the creativity of left-back Kai Wagner, along with the team ethic instilled by Curtin and continued by Carnell.

Only Columbus Crew have won possession in the final third more than the Union, and they the highest FotMob rating in the league so far in 2025.

If Carnell’s side click, they could cause problems for Miami in and out of possession.

See Messi Play?

It’s becoming a regular section in these previews. Will Messi play?

Messi didn’t make the Argentina squad for this international break after picking up a groin injury in Inter Miami’s game against Atlanta the week before.

He’s been back in training, but not fully and has clearly been nursing the injury.

It would be a surprise to see him miss international duty and play so soon after, and there’s a chance the club are eyeing one of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal legs against LAFC for his return.

*Top FotMob average ratings in MLS, Messi and Wagner in the top three*

The Champions Cup balancing act

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has done well to balance his squad and manage early season progress in two competitions.

However, Concacaf’s Champions League and Copa Libertadores equivalent, the Champions Cup, has now reached the quarterfinals stage, where Inter Miami will face one of the strongest continental teams in MLS, Los Angeles FC.

LAFC have qualified for the Champions Cup twice in the last five seasons and finished as runners-up on both occasions.

It will be a big test for Mascherano’s team, and if they are prioritising continental progress early in the season, then this could affect their lineup for the game against Philadelphia.

Prediction

Union have won all three of their road games this season, and if Tai Baribo continues his goal-scoring form, they could cause an upset and head back to Pennsylvania with a memorable 2-1 victory.

(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.

Mar

2025

Joshua Kimmich: Dominating at home and in Europe after signing new Bayern contract

March 2025 has been a mixed bag for Bayern Munich.

By Zach Lowy

Dayot Upamecano, who has formed a stalwart central defensive pairing with Kim Min-jae, is out for the rest of the season after suffering knee cartilage damage whilst representing France in the UEFA Nations League. Alphonso Davies, who has proven indispensable at left back, also damaged his knee cartilage and tore his ACL whilst on international duty with Canada, and he will miss the next 6-8 months.

Their form has been equally ambivalent: Bayern brushed aside Bayer Leverkusen with a 5-0 aggregate victory in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, but they also failed to beat two relegation-battling sides, losing 3-2 to Bochum and drawing 1-1 at Union Berlin.

Apart from their qualification to Europe’s elite eight, perhaps the biggest positive from March has come off the pitch, rather than on it. Joshua Kimmich extended his contract through 2029, becoming the latest starter to commit their long-term future to Bayern after Jamal Musiala (2030) and Davies (2030) and putting an end to months of speculation. Rather than departing on a free transfer this summer, Kimmich has penned a deal that will see him earn a reported €20 million per season, bonuses included. Kimmich was 20 when he left Saxony for Bavaria – by the time his current deal expires, he will be 34.

“Mentality and identity – that is what Joshua Kimmich represents,” stated Bayern’s Director of Sport Max Eberl. “He has internalized the DNA of FC Bayern over the years and embodies it both on and off the field. Where others stop, he starts. We are very happy that he will continue to drive our team forward.”

After developing at Stuttgart’s academy, Kimmich spent two years at RB Leipzig before joining Bayern for €7 million in 2015. One year after playing in Germany’s second tier, Kimmich was competing in the Champions League, learning from Pep Guardiola, playing a key role in Bayern’s domestic double, and deputizing in a variety of positions from center back to central midfielder to right winger. Between Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, Hansi Flick, Thomas Tuchel, and Jupp Heynckes, Kimmich has worked under some of the game’s greatest managers during his time in Munich, and it’s clear that this privileged footballing education has helped him emerge as a world-class contributor in not one, but two positions.

When Philipp Lahm retired in 2017, Kimmich went from jack-of-all-trades to full-time right back. When Thiago Alcântara departed for Liverpool three years later, Kimmich went from Bayern’s #32 to their #6 and filled the Spaniard’s void as Bayern’s deep-lying midfield playmaker, although this didn’t stop him from reaching 20+ goal contributions for the fourth consecutive campaign. Whatever position he’s been used at, Kimmich has proven crucial in Bayern’s domestic dominance, racking up 20 trophies across his decade in Bavaria. And whilst he came up empty last season amidst Leverkusen’s ruthless domination, he is poised to add a ninth Bundesliga championship to his resume and potentially even a second Champions League title.

Bayern sit six points clear of second-placed Leverkusen with eight matches remaining, and they’ve done so thanks in large part to the consistently world-class performances of Kimmich. Having been forced to deputise at right back over the final months of the 2023/24 campaign, Kimmich is back in his preferred central midfield position, and the results have been clear as day.

Kimmich is the second-highest FotMob player (7.90) of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season after Omar Marmoush (8.23), who joined Manchester City in January. Paired alongside the more physically imposing box-to-box midfielder Leon Goretzka in the double pivot, Kimmich has the license to roam around the pitch and orchestrate moves from deeper areas. At 5’10″, he has a fairly low centre of gravity that enables him to wiggle out of pressure and keep the ball glued to his feet whilst carrying the ball forward, but his modest stature doesn’t impede him from holding his own in 1v1 battles, winning an impressive 63.3% of his duels. Such is his leadership and never-say-die spirit that both Vincent Kompany and Julian Nagelsmann have entrusted him with the captain’s armband with increasing regularity for Bayern and Germany.

Similar to the dogs that hail from his hometown of Rottweil, Kimmich isn’t afraid to bear his fangs and get his paws dirty in order to win the ball back. Whilst he’d prefer to stall his opponent and wait for a slip-up before making his move, he isn’t afraid to put in a lunging tackle in order to prevent his defence from being exposed. Thanks to his positional awareness and self-confidence, he constantly has his head on a swivel and is constantly backing himself to step up and intercept a dangerous ball or track back and outmuscle his opponent, racking up 6.09 recoveries per 90. Moreover, his proactivity and in-game intelligence permit him to not only put out fires but catch the opponent napping, pounce on an errant pass or a sloppy touch and recover possession in advanced areas, before shredding the backline with a razor-sharp pass.

*The top rated players in the Bundesliga, 2024/25*

Kimmich’s moneymaker is arguably his long passing and overall ball-striking. He thrives at dropping between Bayern’s central defenders, alleviating pressure on the backline, enabling his fullbacks to push forward, and spreading the possession into deeper areas with his measured through balls. Kimmich ensures that all 11 players are beating to the same drum and receiving the ball in the best possible areas to make a positive impact. He leads the Bundesliga with 101.8 accurate passes completed per 90 and 65 chances created, whilst only Dortmund’s defensive colossus Nico Schlotterbeck (6.1) is playing more accurate long balls per 90 than Kimmich (5.8).

*Kimmich’s passing stats, Bundesliga 2024/25*

But he isn’t just a midfield metronome – he’s also their creative protagonist, capable of unpicking deep blocks with a sumptuous chipped pass, or bewildering the goalkeeper with a swerving cross into the box, or playing a quick give-and-go and feeding his teammate with just the right amount of pace on the ball. All told, Kimmich is one of the most complete players in world football, a player who is equally capable of blitzing down the flank and conjuring up a tap-in for his centre forward as he is jockeying his opponent and shepherding him into safety. A player who not only ranks amongst the best central midfielders in the world and the best right backs, but also one of the greatest players in club history. Kimmich is the 14th-leading appearance maker at Bayern, having played more times (430) than the likes of Franck Ribéry, Robert Lewandowski and Lothar Matthäus.

The 30-year-old leads all UEFA Champions League players for chances created (35), big chances created (11), and expected assists (4.2), whilst he showcased his attacking prowess in Germany’s recent matches against Italy. Germany found themselves behind until the 49th minute when Kimmich lined up a cross from deep and took aim, launching a perfectly weighted cross for Tim Kleindienst to head home, before completing the comeback with a brilliant corner kick to the near post for Goretzka to nod past Gianluigi Donnarumma. The second leg would see Kimmich open the scoring from the penalty spot before assisting Musiala and Kleindienst, leading them past an Azzurri side that featured various Inter players like Nicolò Barella, Alessandro Bastoni and Davide Frattesi, and into the UEFA Nations League semifinals.

Bayern will face St. Pauli and Augsburg before competing against Inter in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. It remains to be seen whether Kompany’s side can weather a storm which has seen various key players like Upamecano, Davies, Manuel Neuer and Aleksandar Pavlović succumb to injury, but one thing’s for sure: if Bayern are to get past the Italian champions and advance to the final four, they’ll need Kimmich to bring his A-game in both legs.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Mar

2025

The promotion race in England’s fourth tier is wide open

It’s weird, it’s wonderful and no-one wants to win it. Welcome to EFL League Two.

By Sanny Rudravajhala

With just six games to go, we are into the Business End of the Season™. There should be no margin for error and yet, here we are. Looking at the top eight teams and their form over the last three games, ALL eight have lost at least one of them.

It’s a maddening maelstrom. Here, anyone can beat anyone else. It’s Heath Ledger’s Joker and every team is a dog chasing a car, not knowing what to do if they’d ever catch one. You just don’t get this higher up the leagues. Take Crewe in ninth. They were in the promotion spots from October onwards but thanks to a 4-1 home defeat to Fleetwood and three draws in a row, they too have stumbled out of the play-offs. Give them a couple more victories however, and they could be back into the automatic promotion places!

Walsall wobbling after Nathan Lowe blow

Let’s take league leaders, Walsall. Nine consecutive wins by mid-January put them 12 points clear at the top of the table. That advantage has been virtually wiped away.

Blowing a margin on this scale leads, inevitably, to memories of Kevin Keegan’s maverick 1996 Newcastle side and his infamous ‘I will love it’ rant, live on Sky Sports. The rot had set in long before his Monday Night Football outburst, but given Walsall are down to the solitary point, you could forgive Mat Sadler for also getting emotional in a cupboard.

The pressure, mind games and an Alex Ferguson-led Manchester United cut Keegan and his men down but for Sadler it’s down to losing just one man, Nathan Lowe.

Rule number one with transfers in the lower leagues is ‘don’t fall in love with a loanee’. There will always be a break-up. I once painstakingly sewed ‘Kasper Schmeichel’ onto a Denmark flag in homage to one of Bury’s finest temporary shot-stoppers. He came back for a second season but the same won’t be happening for Lowe. Scoring 15 and setting up another five in just 22 league games, the 6’4” 19-year-old was too good for the fourth tier, and Stoke City recalled him in January. In his absence, I’ve seen Lowe’s abandoned strike partner, Jamille Matt, have the ball lumped up to him, ploughing away in the mud, with his side in the mire.

*Nathan Lowe’s shot map while in League Two*

Aside from losing Lowe, the data clearly tells you Walsall’s style of play. They are hard-working in winning the ball in the final third – better than anyone else in fact (4.3 times per game). They’ll move the ball quickly and have the third lowest possession in the league (43.7%).

And, added to this has been set pieces. 22 of their 67 goals have come from set-plays, only Lincoln City (25) have scored more this season across all four of England’s professional divisions. It’s worked a treat but right now, their opponents have their number.

The Wombles one Wimbledon are coming to town

Next up for Walsall is third-placed AFC Wimbledon, and I’m looking forward to my trip to the Bescot Stadium on Saturday. We’ll also have a glimpse into the past as the ‘Matt Attack’ is reunited. Just when Jamile Matt is getting over losing Lowe, he’s confronted with another old partner in Matty Stevens. At Forest Green Rovers they plundered 42 goals between them to help take the League Two title back in 2021. But as far Walsall’s current woes, both players can relate to a wobble at the top.

Leading by 10 points in mid-February with only two defeats all season, Rob Edwards’ FGR went completely off the boil. They ended with just one victory in their final seven games and clinched the title from Exeter City on goal difference only.

Three automatic promotion spots mean you can stumble over the line but with Port Vale on the same points-tally as Wimbledon and with Doncaster Rovers having just one fewer, this time around Walsall are in real danger of falling far if things don’t turnaround quickly.

Add to that, Wimbledon are just hard to beat. They have the best defence in the league, conceding just 28 goals all season and have kept 18 clean sheets. Walsall misfired in their stalemate at Gillingham and just to make things worse, Stevens is the division’s joint-top scorer (17) along with Alassana Jata and Michael Cheek. Remember though, as this is League Two, of course Stevens’ 85th minute finish to make it 2-0 against Barrow last time out wasn’t enough for three points! An 85th minute Wimbledon corner led to Dean Campbell pulling one back at the other end before Connor Mahoney’s injury-time equaliser stunned Plough Lane. Even the division’s best defence can completely switch off.

Valley trophy Parade in May?

So, if Walsall can’t get it together, enter second-placed Bradford City. For the longest time they’ve been expert at finding new and exciting ways to fail. The division’s best supported side are now into their sixth tier in the EFL basement.

As an away fan, Valley Parade is one of my favourite football memories. Visiting players have raised their game as the home side shrank in front of its towering stands, until now. Their record up aside from this campaign has been abysmal. But, given time, Graham Alexander has taken last season’s 16^th best home side and made them the top team on their own turf.

Valley Parade’s strength was demonstrated ‘scarf day’ against Colchester United, where a league-record 23,381 saw them run out 4-1 victors. Colchester were spirited and arrived off the back of five wins in a row and 13 unbeaten, and on a promotion push of their own. Despite this, a relentless City side were able to put them away. George Lapslie has impressed since his January arrival and has been just the tonic for the ACL injury that’s ruled out Bradford talisman, Andy Cook.

All of this sets us up for a thrilling finale. I’ve not even managed to mention the evergreen David McGoldrick, now aged 37, turning it on at just the right time again which, combined with Alassana Jatta’s exploits, put Notts County in a fantastic position to push on after they’d fallen away.

Nor have I told you how mesmerised I was at seeing the mercurial Luke Molyneux, effervescent Jordan Gibson and clinical Rob Street play for Doncaster. I should probably have noted Jaden Stockley finding his feet under Darren Moore at Port Vale and you would have thought I’d have made time for a Bury old-boy in Danny Rose at Grimsby Town but no, this is League Two, and by next week the promotion picture will have completely changed again!

The world’s best fourth tier continues to be as brilliant as it is baffling. And this time, we’re in for a hell of a finale.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Mar

2025

Ten games stand between Bournemouth and a historic sliding doors moment

Given they now feel so established as a Premier League team, it’s easy to forget that even as recently as a decade ago, the Cherries had never played in the top flight before. Now they are facing another opportunity to add a new chapter of history – but also to alter their future.

By Karl Matchett

Andoni Iraola’s team have impressed this term enormously: a tactically astute side making the most of a decidedly mixed top end of the table to perhaps go further than they ever have before. They almost did that last season – a 12th-place finish was the joint-second best in their history, with only one occasion in more than a century of existence seeing them finish among the ten best clubs in the land.

They very much have the chance to eclipse that this time around; with nine fixtures left in the 2024/25 campaign, they sit tenth in the congested top half just four points off fourth. Perhaps they’ll feel it would be warranted to be even higher – they have registered the third-highest total xG for the season (53.7), created the third-highest tally of big chances (88), won possession in the final third more than any other team (6.3) and put over the joint-second highest volume of accurate crosses (4.9 per 90).

Impressively, Bournemouth have not just one but two chances to write history this term: they are in the FA Cup quarter-final too, and while they face a big ask to beat Man City, if they do then the trophy is there for the taking, for themselves or for any of the other seven remaining sides.

Combative, energetic and deadly down the flanks, Iraola has structured this team into one which is equal parts technique and tenacity, while coaching individuals to get more out of them than many have managed in previous seasons. Kepa Arrizabalaga’s resurgence is a noteworthy point. Justin Kluivert has finally added consistency to his productivity. And as for the younger talents…well, more on those in a moment.

But Bournemouth have even more to aim for here across this final stretch – not just for a record finish in their history, but to potentially alter their immediate future.

Because while finishing seventh or eighth would be justifiably celebrated, it would also feasibly be…well, if not the end of the journey, then more than likely a turning point, with no guarantee the new direction would remain as forwards. After all, Iraola has done such a good job that there will inevitably be clubs hoping to lure him away and with just one year left on his contract, the Cherries might feel it’s better to take a big fee for him rather than force him to stay. But what comes after has no guarantees.

And it wouldn’t just be Iraola lured away either. Already rumours have linked Antoine Semenyo with a possible move away, while in defence, all three talents clearly have a much higher ceiling: Illya Zabarnyi (22 years old), Milos Kerkez (21) and most excitingly, Dean Huijsen (19) have all shown maturity in their game as well as quality. All three could feasibly form a defensive unit for the next half-decade, were they already in place at a bigger club.

*Huijsen player traits – comparison made against top five leagues*

While Bournemouth might not have to sell each of them immediately, there’s doubtless a ticking clock on one or two at least; it’s great to be at such a progressive club and playing regularly, but ultimately, there is financially only so much the Cherries can do given the current stadium capacity of just over 11,000.

So a different carrot is required, and it’s here Bournemouth must group together and hope to play their trump card for players and head coach alike: qualify for Europe.

While sometimes that might not seem an enormous deal these days, there’s a good chance it might be for at least a handful of those aforementioned names. After all, while two of that defensive trio have limited exposure to continental action – Zabarnyi at Dynamo Kyiv, Kerkez very briefly with AZ – there’s still a huge amount of progression to come in their games and getting game time in Europe will significantly aid that.

For Huijsen it would be entirely new – and so too for Iraola, clearly a coach with huge potential who will doubtless manage many games in Europe in the future, but is yet to start that part of his journey.

There is a very, very big case to make that most of those individuals would be well-served by taking initial steps into the arena outside of the spotlight that the biggest clubs operate in, gaining a year in the Europa or the Conference League before perhaps moving on to those with expectations to win one or the other whenever they’re in it. And, of course, there’s nothing to say Bournemouth themselves wouldn’t be capable of challenging for one of those trophies, if the manager and star names remained for a year.

All that has knock-on effects too: it’s possibly easier to recruit better names if you’re in Europe, probably easier to retain them, potentially giving the club more chance to stay among the contenders once they are there the first time. The reverse is also true too though – if they miss out this year and others improve next term, this opening might well be closed for several seasons to come.

They’ve never won a cup. They’ve never played in Europe. Bournemouth now have the chance to do both, and secure another shot at challenging next year into the bargain.

(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.

Mar

2025

Como 1907: Coach Fabregas is eying Serie A safety and the tourist trade

It turns out there is more than just a lake in Como, Italy. Having earned promotion to Serie A for the first time in 21 years last season, Cesc Fàbregas and his lads are making waves both on and off the pitch.

By Alex Roberts

Sitting in 13^th at the time of writing, many had expected Como to go straight back down, and although they can’t rest on their laurels, AND there is still a chance of exactly that happening, all signs are pointing towards survival.

Much of that is down to Fábregas, who is also a minority owner, the latest trendy young Spanish manager to burst onto the scene. Those of us who’re older than 15 will remember him as a player, it wasn’t so long ago he was tearing it up for Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea.

There are a few players who appear destined to become a top coach, Fábregas was one of them. The way he controlled the game, his eye for a pass, it was easy to tell he has the kind of mind that would translate well to his new role.

Unsurprisingly, the centre of the park plays a crucial role in the Spaniard’s style of play. Como primarily play with a 4-3-3, focusing on quick, short passing while maintaining a compact midfield.

Fábregas loves a quick transition, overloading the midfield with versatile midfielders who rotate through the three positions, catching opponents who believe they may have escaped the best ball winner out.

That’s exactly what club president Mirwan Suwarso wants to see. Instead of ceding ground to the bigger sides, Como go at them toe-to-toe. Boring, defensive football was never an option, entertainment value had to come first.

Indonesian tobacco magnates and brothers Roberto Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono purchased the club over five years ago, while they were still in Serie D, with one mission, establishing Como as a brand.

Suwarso hasn’t shied away from that either, saying: “We chose to invest in Como because investing exclusively in soccer comes with unpredictable risks. Here we’re relying on a brand: We want to make this the top soccer tourism destination in the world.”

The club’s transfer activity reflects that. Como have brought in a good mixture of well-known veterans like Pepe Reina, Raphaël Varane (who was forced to retire after picking up an injury in his debut), and now Dele Alli with foreign prospects.

Nico Paz is undoubtedly the most exciting of those prospects. Joining from Real Madrid last summer, the wonderkid has starred in that number ten role, scoring six goals and providing five assists in his 27 game across all competitions so far.

*Nico Paz player traits – comparison made across top five leagues*

Perhaps most impressively, a lot of those goal contributions have come against the bigger clubs. Paz has either a goal or an assist against Roma, Atalanta, Fiorentina, Napoli, and AC Milan. Each of those sides are battling it out at the top end of the Serie A table.

The deal to bring him to Como came with a certain stipulation, however. Real Madrid have an incredibly favourable buy-back clause in his contract, retaining the option to re-sign him for €8 million this summer, €9 million in 2026, and €10 million in 2027.

Paz’s stock is high, but Madrid’s squad is pretty well stocked, especially in the final third. Don’t be surprised to see the Spanish giants activate the clause and then sell him for triple the value shortly after.

The powers that be at Como aren’t stupid though. They know things on the pitch can change at any given time. Players get injured, form is fickle, and star players can be picked off by the big boys at any given moment.

As part of their brand building initiative, Como have seen multiple Hollywood A-listers attend their games. The area has long been a hotspot for the rich and famous, George Clooney famously owns a property on the lake.

Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Michael Fassbender, Kate Beckinsale and Benedict Cumberbatch are just a few famous faces to have been spotted at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia so far this season.

They may all be massive football fans, Knightley’s breakout role was as Juliette Paxton in Bend It Like Beckham after all, but it’s unlikely they would have made the time to go to a Como game without some sort of initiative.

*Fassbender and Knightley at Como this season*

Finally, there are the kits. Fellow water-based Italian side Venezia proved just how powerful a really nice shirt and a beautifully executed marketing campaign can be a few years ago. Unfortunately for them, it didn’t translate on the pitch.

While Venezia focused on the artistic history and landmarks of their fine city, Como once again turned to Hollywood. Actors Emma Roberts, Chace Crawford, and Tom Ellis were utilised to show off their home, away, and third shirts in a recent campaign.

As a result, roughly 40% of Como tickets are purchased by tourists. That should come as no surprise. Como the town is beautiful, but when it comes to things to do, don’t expect to be too busy outside of sightseeing and lounging by the lake.

Should Como survive their first season back in the Italian top flight, the club will have a fantastic footballing foundation to build upon. Yes, it may feel a little bit plastic, but it’s hard to argue with the work that has already been put into establishing the club as a destination.

Como will be busy in the coming transfer window, and they might make a few moves that surprise a lot of people. At a time when Italian football is struggling financially, perhaps it’s not such a bad thing after all.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Mar

2025

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: The final piece in the puzzle for Luis Enrique’s PSG?

Back in January, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had a difficult decision to make: Liverpool or Paris Saint Germain.

By Ben Bocsák

Back in his homeland on the streets of Tbilisi and the coastlines of Batumi, conversations around Kvaratskhelia’s future were the main topic in bars, cafes and football pitches.

“There was a lot of feedback in Georgia,” one of Kvaratskhelia’s former coaches Gela Davitadze recalls to FotMob.

“One side was divided by saying that he should move to Liverpool and the other side said PSG was the right team for him, which led to discussions everywhere.”

Georgians have a profound love for Kvaratskhelia, who has very much put the country on the map.

In the end, the 24-year-old made the decision to follow in the footsteps of some of the modern era’s best players such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar by opting to for Paris.

It was a bold decision. Paris Saint Germain are undergoing a metamorphosis at the moment.

Under Luis Enrique, the squad has been transformed from elite superstars to a young exuberant side full of ravenous appetite to prove themselves among Europe’s elite.

Kvaratskhelia’s arrival is very much the beginning of Paris’ emergence from that cocoon and the dawn of the club’s transformation into a breathtaking butterfly ready to spread its wings.

Since the Georgian has joined PSG, Enrique’s side have been unbeaten in Ligue 1 and knocked out Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League with Kvaratskhelia playing a key role dismantling the side he could have been lining up for had he made a different choice in January.

“I think Luis Enrique makes the most of his abilities,” Davitadze says.

“Sometimes he tactically takes up in three different positions during the game which makes him unpredictable, and this is a great luxury for the coach to him as well as a great puzzle for opponent defenders to solve.”

Indeed, if we look at his time in Paris so far, Kvaratskhelia has predominantly played on the left flank, but he’s also started games in a central position, playing as a false nine and has at times been shifted to the right-wing as well.

Davitadze believes this flexibility to pop up anywhere on the pitch combined with his ability to dazzle defenders in one vs. one situations is his strongest asset.

“He has many qualities, but I will tell you just one of his most valuable qualities, and the most valuable quality in football in general is that he is an unpredictable player, you don’t know where he will be and what he will do with the ball.

“I think he is becoming more and more unpredictable under Luis Enrique.”

You can see that in some of his performances. Kvaratskhelia is flourishing in PSG colours. He’s attempted 64 dribbles and completed 32 of them so far – the most of any PSG player in the same period.

A huge benefit has also been the fact that he hasn’t been burned out in his minutes since arriving at PSG. Unlike, Napoli, Enrique’s side isn’t over reliant on Kvaratskhelia.

He’s started 11 matches from a possible 14, in all competitions, but has played the full 90 minutes in just four appearances.

This is largely because Enrique possesses an embarrassing of riches at his disposal when it comes to PSG’s attack, enabling him to rotate and rest his players accordingly – something that could be of huge benefit to the longevity of Kvaratskhelia’s career.

“PSG is a very good team and they have very good young players,” Davitadze agrees.

“When they played with Liverpool when extra time began, they made substitutions and took advantage of extra time, they have the great potential to win the Champions League in the future.”

That future might not even be as distant. PSG are one of the best teams remaining in the competition. Their route to the final is undoubtedly more difficult than other teams but there is a strong possibility they can advance to the semi-finals at the very least. From there on, anything is possible. Kvaratskhelia will know that first hand, having led his Georgian national team to historic heights over the last few years.

In terms of the most important markets for an attacker, he’s averaging 0.57 goal contributions per 90. He’s netted two goals although his xG suggests that number should be three (not to mention he’s had a few goals disallowed by VAR too) and he’s provided three assists as well.

*Kvaratskhelia’s season summary at both Napoli and PSG*

These numbers are not incredible, but they are a good sign of things to come. Importantly, Enrique is giving Kvaratskhelia more of the ball, he’s averaging 10 more passes per 90 minutes for PSG than he was averaging for Napoli – and this will in turn make him a better and more rounded player.

It’s an exciting notion to think, there’s still a lot more that Kvaratskhelia can offer this PSG side. For the rest of Europe, that’s a frightening prospect.

“I think he’s still in the adaptation period and if he can fully manoeuvre, he’ll bring more benefit to the team. He probably needs to improve his physical abilities,” Davitadze says.

“We’ll probably see his full potential next season, he has even greater potential.”

What that potential can be remains to be seen. The sky is the limit, and Paris may not even be the final destination according to his former coach.

“He can become a PSG legend, but I think in a few years time he should find another team like Liverpool or Barcelona because those teams will take him to a different level.

“I think he can play at the highest level in both the Premier League and LaLiga.”

(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.