Preview

Apr

2025

Preview: Inter Miami head to the Windy City

Inter Miami return to MLS action fresh from a Messi-inspired win in the Champions Cup quarterfinals. They’ll be hoping for more of the same at the historic Soldier Field stadium in Chicago against the Fire on Sunday night.

By James Nalton

Messi leads the way

Lionel Messi’s season so far has been sporadic due to injury, but the last two games suggest he is back to full fitness and back in his groove.

There was a moment in the previous league game against Toronto where he beat a defender in a small space near the byline before getting a shot away that was reminiscent of the Barcelona Messi.

He netted Miami’s only goal in that game and scored a wonderful goal in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday to help his team back from two goals down on aggregate against Los Angeles FC. His penalty late in the game gave Miami a 3-2 win and a place in the semifinals.

Messi already tops FotMob’s MLS average rating chart for 2025 as well as leading the way on a per 90 basis for shots and shots on target, expected assists, xG plus xA, and successful dribbles.

Chicago reignited?

Chicago Fire have been in the doldrums for years, finishing outside the playoff places for 13 of the past 15 seasons.

During that time, they were handed the Wooden Spoon twice and last season finished 28th out of 29 teams.

The four-time US Open Cup winners will be hoping for a revival in 2025 under new head coach Gregg Berhalter.

The former United States men’s national team coach has taken on a dual role as head coach and sporting director, similar to that of an old-fashioned English-style manager who oversees both coaching and recruitment.

They have made a promising start to the season, and Inter Miami will have to watch out for the threat of striker Hugo Cuypers — who has the second-highest total xG in the league so far this season behind Christian Benteke — and fellow attackers Jonathan Bamba and Philip Zinckernagel.

Potential Miami slip-ups

Though they are the favourites to claim the MLS Supporters’ Shield trophy once again, Inter Miami won’t always look entirely convincing within games.

Even on their way to a record-breaking points haul in 2024, they lost four games and drew eight, and their expected goal difference last season placed them in the lower regions of mid-table.

There is always a sense that their defence can give up goals, and their wins are often decided by moments rather than sustained good play.

Anyone regularly predicting Inter Miami games (see below) might have expected the dropped points to come in recent games against Philadelphia, Atlanta, or Charlotte, but the fact that such a game and result played out against struggling Toronto FC shows the unpredictable nature of MLS.

Toronto could even have won that game, and Chicago Fire will take some heart from this going into this weekend.

Prediction

All of that said, you still have to go with an Inter Miami win in Chicago, though maybe more narrow than might normally have been predicted, given the Fire, like Miami, have scored at least one goal in each of their MLS games so far this season.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Preview: Champions League chasing Newcastle take on midtable Man United

Newcastle can consolidate their position in the chase for a Champions League place against a still out-of-sorts Manchester United.

By Ian King

United on United

Newcastle had some good news this week without even kicking a ball, with Arsenal’s win against Real Madrid guaranteeing five English qualifiers into next year’s Champions League. They’ve also won four in a row since getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton last month.

News of Manchester United’s revival may have been slightly over-exaggerated. They’ve only lost one of their last five, but it remains the case that, of the four League wins they’ve managed in the 15 games played since their 2-1 win at Manchester City in the middle of December, three of them have come against those occupying the relegation places.

Newcastle aiming for a historic double

Newcastle have won three of the last four meetings between these two, including a 2-0 win at Old Trafford in December. A Newcastle win would complete their first League double against Manchester United since 1930/31, when they won 7-4 at Old Trafford and 4-3 at St James’ Park.

Key players

Two Newcastle players will need to be on their best behaviour. Dan Burn and Joelinton must get through their next two Premier League games while avoiding yellow cards or face a two match suspension. The cut-off point for collecting 10 yellow cards and being served a two match ban falls after this match and their upcoming midweek game against Crystal Palace, next Wednesday.

From a Manchester United perspective, all eyes will be on goalkeeper André Onana following two pretty egregious goalkeeping mistakes which handed Lyon a 2-2 draw in their Europa League match. This sort of thing just keeps on happening, doesn’t it? On a more positive front, Leny Yoro scored his first goal for the club during this match; his performances in an otherwise struggling team have been one of the few standouts of their season so far.

Team News

Newcastle have two potential key absentees for this match. Joe Willock will definitely be out because of FA concussion protocols following a head injury towards the end of their recent match at Brentford, while it remains to be seen whether Anthony Gordon will be considered fit enough to play after picking up a groin injury on international duty for England. Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles and Lewis Hall will also be absent.

Manchester United’s injury problems are easing somewhat, with Kobbie Mainoo making a brief appearance against Lyon, though Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven and Toby Collyer will all be missing alongside Amad Diallo, who’s out for the rest of this season.

Prediction

It doesn’t take much to cast a dark cloud over Manchester United these days, and Onana’s antics in France on Thursday night have had precisely that effect. United’s mushiness in front of goal coupled with Newcastle’s fire power and need for points to maintain their Champions League chase indicates a comfortable home win. I’ll go for a 2-0 home win and no end to Manchester United’s 2024/25 purgatory of form.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Preview: Chelsea meet Ipswich at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea are limping towards Champions League qualification. They remain in touch with the top four but only by the grace of results going their way. It can only last so long, a win against Ipswich is much needed if they want to fulfil their ultimate ambitions.

By Alex Roberts

Ipswich are all but relegated at this point, sitting 18^th, 12 points off Wolves in 17^th. It’ll be the second consecutive season all three promoted sides go right back down but only the third time it’s happened in Premier League history.

Still, they did manage to beat Chelsea in the reverse fixture and this is exactly the kind of game Enzo Maresca’s side have struggled in all season. Could a great escape be on!?

An audition for Liam Delap

Ipswich may well go down but it’s unlikely that Liam Delap will. The striker has been linked with almost every side in the Premier League but few more than Chelsea. The West London side have been in need of a striker for around three years. Delap may well fancy himself as the man to fill that spot.

With 12 Premier League goals, the only Chelsea player to have scored more is fellow Man City academy graduate Cole Palmer. He’s also in red-hot form, scoring in his last two league games.

Chelsea will be making moves in the summer, there is no doubt about that. Delap will have plenty of options but considering Palmer’s rise to prominence, a move to the capital may well be at the top of his list.

Some puzzling decisions from Enzo Maresca

It’s been an odd week for the Italian. He decided to rest Palmer and Nicolas Jackson for what was arguably the more important game against Brentford, only to go and do the same this for the 3-0 win over Legia Warsaw.

The fans are starting to get a little antsy. Maresca’s football isn’t exactly entertaining and some of his decisions are starting to confuse. There are only seven games of the Premier League campaign left, it would be in his best interests to field his best eleven for all of them.

Failure to qualify for the Champions League could well be the final nail in the coffin of Maresca’s relationship with the fans. It remains to be seen whether it would cost him his job, however.

Dara O’Shea is leading from the back

Speaking of players that could well stay in the Premier League even if Ipswich don’t, O’Shea has impressed this season. He was fantastic in the unfortunate 2-1 defeat to Wolves last time out, providing the assist for Delap’s goal as well as being solid at the back.

The Republic of Ireland international made ten clearances, including one off the line, two blocks, and four recoveries. Unfortunately, his hard work was undone by a little bit of magic from Pablo Sarabia and a goal from Jørgen Strand Larsen.

It’s been a tough season for defenders in newly-promoted sides. Being asked to play out from the back when they simply don’t have the facilities is a tall order. O’shea has acquitted himself well, however, and Ipswich would do well to keep him.

*O’Shea player traits – comparison against similar players in big five leagues*

Prediction

This one is probably a little harder to predict than it should be on paper. On one hand, Ipswich are destined to go down, on the other, Chelsea have failed to impress since the start of December. We’re going with a 1-0 Chelsea win.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Preview: Carlo Ancelotti needs a response from his Madrid side as they visit Alaves

Real Madrid must bounce back from the damaging defeats to Arsenal and Valencia which have left Los Blancos’ season hanging by a thread.

By Graham Ruthven

Bouncebackability

A lot has changed for Real Madrid in the past week. First, the home defeat to Valencia saw Carlo Ancelotti’s team lose ground in the Spanish title race. Three days later, the 3-0 loss to Arsenal hit Los Blancos’ chances of winning the Champions League hard.

Real Madrid could be under even more pressure by the time they kick off against Alavés on Sunday depending on Barcelona’s result against Leganés on Saturday. There could be a seven-point gap between the two rivals.

The Bernabéu outfit are on the brink of a full-blown crisis. Ancelotti is facing criticism with many now of the belief that the Italian will depart as Real Madrid manager at the end of the season. Another defeat would further deepen the malaise around the club.

Sitting just two points above the bottom three, Alavés are fighting the threat of relegation, but enter Sunday’s match on the back of an extremely valuable away win over Girona.

Alavés have lost just one of their last five league matches and will make themselves difficult to beat. There’s plenty at stake for both teams despite their contrasting positions in the table.

Key players

Kylian Mbappé failed to make much of an impression in the loss to Arsenal, but the Frenchman has still notched 22 goals in LaLiga this season. He will be an obvious threat against Alavés, presuming he features.

Vinícius Júnior is struggling for his best form at the moment. The Brazilian missed a penalty in the home defeat to Valencia and is clearly low on confidence. Ancelotti might take the opportunity to play him back into form.

Brahim Díaz could be rotated into the lineup. The Morocco international has proved himself as a good depth over the course of the season and is the sort of cohesion player Real Madrid missed against Arsenal during the week.

Carlos Vicente scored the Alavés winner against Girona last weekend and will give the Basque hosts a threat down the right side. He could be key considering Real Madrid’s weakness in behind the full backs.

Kike García has netted 11 times in LaLiga this season and will lead the line for Alavés. If he can exploit the space in behind the Real Madrid backline as Valencia did, he could enjoy a fruitful afternoon.

Team news

Ancelotti will surely rotate his team for the match against Alavés to boost Real Madrid’s slim chances of a comeback against Arsenal next week.

Dani Ceballos, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy and Éder Militão are all long-term absentees. Ancelotti faces a decision between Lucas Vázquez and Fede Valverde at right back while Brahim could start after playing just five minutes against Arsenal.

Antonio Sivera, Jon Guridi and Tomás Conechny will all miss the match at Mendizorrotza through suspension. Otherwise, Eduardo Coudet will have a full squad to choose from.

Prediction

In a way, this is a very similar match up to last weekend’s game for Madrid. Alavés are desperate for points in their bid to avoid the drop, just like Valencia, and will be motivated by seeing what Valencia managed to achieve at the Bernabéu. But surely Madrid can’t let that happened again? We’ll go with Alavés 0-2 Real 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.

Apr

2025

Preview: Liverpool look to get back to winning ways as West Ham visit Anfield

Liverpool’s 26-match unbeaten run was ended by Fulham last weekend as the Cottagers claimed a 3-2 win over the champions elect at Craven Cottage. That result had been on the cards for a while for Arne Slot’s men.

By Sam McGuire

The Reds are threatening to limp over the line to claim a 20th league title. They’ll want to put any lingering doubts to bed this weekend as they host West Ham United at Anfield.

Running out of steam?

Liverpool found themselves 3-1 down to Fulham at half-time on Sunday afternoon having taken an early lead courtesy of Alexis Mac Allister’s worldie.

The Reds looked sluggish and defensively fragile despite the back four only missing Trent Alexander-Arnold. Caoimhin Kelleher, again, started in place of Alisson who missed out due to the concussion protocol.

It was Liverpool’s experienced players in their backline who looked nervy. Ibrahima Konaté nearly gifted Fulham a goal early on with a loose touch in his own penalty area. Andrew Robertson had three chances to clear the ball prior to Alex Iwobi’s goal while Virgil van Dijk was done by Rodrigo Muniz for the third.

Is it nerves or have these players just played too much football this season? Slot barely rotates and both Robertson and Van Dijk aren’t getting any younger.

It is a difficult question to answer right now, but these players have won it all, a title run in should be their bread and butter. If it isn’t nerves, uncomfortable conversations might need to be had.

No new manager bounce but still plenty to prove

Graham Potter was hired by West Ham United in January and the idea was he’d be able to get them playing football while moving them up the table.

There was supposed to be a spark. There wasn’t.

In his 11 league matches as manager, they have won just three matches – beating Fulham, Arsenal and Leicester City. They’ve suffered defeats to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Brentford, Newcastle and Wolves during this period.

Heading to Anfield, the Hammers are winless in four. They are in no danger of relegation. They are also in no danger of playing European football next season. They’re in purgatory right now just waiting for the campaign to end. Potter will be assessing his options and seeing who has a role to play for him next term.

So while there’s nothing at stake, a good performance against the runaway leaders could prolong a West Ham career or two.

A peek into the future for Liverpool

For the last two Premier League games, the Reds have been without Trent Alexander-Arnold. The right-back suffered an ankle injury against Paris Saint-Germain and Slot was forced to use Jarell Quansah at full-back in the Carabao Cup final before opting to use Curtis Jones there against Everton and Fulham.

Alexander-Arnold’s absence coincides with Liverpool forgetting how to attack. Prior to the international break, the Reds had an xG per 90 average of 2.27 in the Premier League. In the two games since the break, the xG average has been 1.5.

Liverpool haven’t figured out how to attack without the No. 66 in their team. They haven’t really figured out how to get the ball to Mohamed Salah either, with the Premier League’s top scorer blanking in both games.

Injury issues

Slot is still without Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez but Alisson should be available for the game against the Hammers while the return of Conor Bradley has come at the perfect time. The flying right-back transformed the Liverpool attack in the final 20 minutes against Fulham and he grabbed an assist.

If he’s fit enough to start on Sunday, the Reds will have an entirely different dynamic to their right flank, and Salah might be much more involved.

West Ham, meanwhile, are without Michail Antonio and Crysencio Summerville, a one-time Liverpool transfer target. Other than that, Potter has no injury or suspension concerns to navigate or manage.

Prediction

Liverpool need a reaction to the loss. They need a reaction to a number of poor performances dating back to February. With Anfield behind them and the title up for grabs, we’re saying it’ll be a 3-1 win for the hosts.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Preview: Arsenal entertain Brentford at the Emirates

Arsenal host Brentford in the Premier League, although Mikel Arteta will surely have one eye on next week’s Champions League match.

By Graham Ruthven

European distraction

Tuesday night was momentous for Arsenal as they put Real Madrid to the sword in the Champions League quarter-finals. However, the job isn’t done with the second leg in Spain next week.

This could see Mikel Arteta rotate his team as he did against Everton last week. Arsenal aren’t going to catch Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table and are comfortable in the top five. It could make sense to prioritise Europe at this point.

Brentford have won just one of their last five league games and are losing ground in their efforts to secure a top-half finish. Nonetheless, the Bees can match anyone on their day and were a late Kai Havertz winner away from a point at the Emirates Stadium last season.

The 2024/25 Premier League season is fizzling out for both Arsenal and Brentford and this weekend’s meeting at the Emirates Stadium could reflect that.

Key players

Arteta could turn to Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling to keep Arsenal fresh in the attacking third. The pair started against Everton and could be in line for another appearance as Arsenal prepare for the trip to Madrid next week.

Mikel Merino might have to go again due to a lack of centre forward options. The Spaniard has scored five goals in his last seven games as a centre forward and could improve that tally against Brentford. Leandro Trossard could be another option to lead the line.

Jorginho could be another depth option given an opportunity from the start. The Italian midfielder would give Arsenal control on the ball in the centre of the pitch which could help mitigate some of the effects of fatigue from Tuesday night.

Thomas Frank will set up his Brentford side to play in quick transition. This will place an emphasis on the likes of Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo to get forward at pace when there is the opportunity.

Keane Lewis-Potter was impressive in the goalless draw against Chelsea and could hurt Arsenal down the right side. Christian Nørgaard also has the ability to make an impression in central midfield on both sides of the ball.

Team news

Havertz will miss the rest of the season through injury for Arsenal, as is Gabriel Magalhães whose absence could shake the Gunners in a defensive sense. The Brazilian is a big miss, although Jakub Kiwior has deputised well as William Saliba’s centre back partner.

Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all sidelined, but Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are back. With the Real Madrid game looming, though, Arteta might rest his two best wingers.

Josh Dasilva, Fabio Carvalho and Igor Thiago are missing through injury for Brentford. Otherwise, Frank will have a full squad to pick from for the weekend visit to North London.

Prediction

A rotated Arsenal side should do enough to keep the Premier League title race alive for another week, with a Gunners’ second string keeping momentum up before next week’s trip to Madrid: Arsenal 1-0 Brentford.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Preview: Bayern meet Dortmund in Der Klassiker

Once one of the most exciting games in European football and a title tussle in the Bundesliga, a meeting of Germany’s giants this season, in isolation, is partly an exercise in assessing how far at least one of them has fallen.

By Karl Matchett

Fallen giants

Bayern Munich, at least, are still in the hunt for trophies this year. Yet even if they end up with a league title – and six points ahead with six to play, they should do – it certainly doesn’t feel close to a vintage year for the Bavarians. Bayer Leverkusen were always likely to have a bit of a hangover from last year’s success, of course. So while finishing above them would be an achievement, it does still feel…the minimum achievement, somewhat. It’s not a dominant, runaway year for Bayern, it’s not an unbeaten one – they lost to relegation-threatened Bochum a few weeks ago – and there remain long-term questions over some parts of the squad.

*27 points separates the two sides before kick-off*

That’s even without considering whether head coach Vincent Kompany really is cut out for elite level coaching, after he certainly wasn’t first choice last summer. Perhaps it’s a little harsh, but that is the type of standard Bayern have set for themselves: title at least, and a European challenge at best. The latter is in danger after a home defeat to Inter Milan.

Lost direction

At least Bayern still have a chance to reach the Champions League semis – Dortmund must be wondering what the point of their second leg is after a 4-0 drubbing at Barcelona. It’s not as if they can point to their yellow wall screaming them on to victory either; BVB have won precisely three home matches in three and a half months.

On the road they have more wins, but are as erratic as it gets: six defeats and five wins since the turn of the year. Dortmund have lost their way, turning over head coaches with rapidity, failing to replicate earlier successes in the transfer market and unlikely to be in Europe at all next term – they’re eighth in the table. The Westfalenstadion team need a hard reset.

Recent results

With 11 wins from their last 16, Bayern look in good form on the face of it – but they continually drop points or results at key moments and performances have fluctuated wildly. Celtic, Leverkusen and Union Berlin are among the sides to halt them, as well as Inter and Bochum. Consistency?

As for Dortmund, it’s now two league wins on the spin, but also four wins and four losses in eight.

Team news

Alphonso Davies is out for the long haul, Manuel Neuer is sidelined, Jamal Musiala might miss a month and Kingsley Coman always seems one game away from injury, even if he’s passed fit again for this match. Dortmund are without Nico Schlotterbeck for the rest of the season but Yan Couto is back from suspension.

Key man

Michael Olise tops or nearly tops the Bundesliga for xA (10.5), big chances created (24), possession won in final third (1.43/90) and penalties won (two).

*Olise player traits, comparison made against similar players from big five leagues*

Prediction

Home win but perhaps more goals than quality in this game: Bayern 3-1 Dortmund.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Preview: Man City and Crystal Palace kick off the Premier League weekend

Pep Guardiola’s team need points to boost their chances of finishing in the top five and qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

By Graham Ruthven

Soaring Eagles

Last weekend’s Manchester Derby was one to forget. Manchester City must find a higher level to get the better of high-flying Crystal Palace on Saturday with the Eagles currently on a run of six wins in their last seven games.

City struggled without Erling Haaland at Old Trafford. Omar Marmoush led the line, but struggled for space as Manchester United sat deep and stayed compact. The Egyptian must do more to affect things in the final third this weekend.

Palace aren’t exactly struggling for attacking firepower at the moment. Indeed, they have found the back of the net 14 times in their last six games in all competitions with Jean-Philippe Mateta back from injury.

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

Mateta found the back of the net in Crystal Palace’s 2-1 win over Brighton last weekend. Eberechi Eze has also been in excellent form of late, registering four goal involvements in his last three appearances. He will be a threat at the Etihad Stadium.

There’s only two points between fourth and seventh in the Premier League table with City in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League. A positive result on Saturday would point them in the right direction again.

Key players

While Marmoush was quiet against Manchester United in the derby, the Egyptian has still made a strong start to life at City, scoring five goals in just nine Premier League appearances.

Pep Guardiola deployed Kevin de Bruyne as a ‘False Nine’ against United, but is more likely to drop the Belgian back into the midfield unit to face Crystal Palace. City need the out-going creator to be at his inventive best.

*De Bruyne player traits, comparison against similar players in top five leagues*

Phil Foden has been a shadow of the player who was Player of the Year in the Premier League last season. Nonetheless, the England international is capable of producing something out of nothing and will almost certainly feature on Saturday.

Palace’s frontline of Mateta, Eze and Ismaïla Sarr has the potential to cause Manchester City all kinds of problems. Oliver Glasner likes his team to play at speed and this could expose the space in behind Guardiola’s backline.

Adam Wharton is also the sort of central midfielder Guardiola wishes he had. The England international is back to his best after a slow start to the season and will give Palace a foothold in the centre of the pitch.

Team news

Haaland is still unavailable through injury with the Norwegian striker expected to miss the rest of the season. Rodri is another long-term absentee, although the Spaniard could be back before the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Manuel Akanji, Nathan Aké and John Stones are missing for Manchester City, leaving Guardiola short of options at the back. This could see Nico O’Reilly and Matheus Nunes continue in the full back positions.

Marc Guéhi and Eddie Nketiah are both suspended for the trip to the Etihad Stadium after seeing red in the win over Brighton while Cheick Doucouré and Chadi Riad are still sidelined through injury.

Otherwise, Glasner has a fully fit and available squad to choose from. Palace have the potential to shock City in front of their own fans.

Prediction

This could be another stumbling block in City’s efforts to reach next season’s Champions League with the visiting Eagles more than capable of securing an away win: Man City 1-2 Crystal Palace.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Preview: Manchester United go to Lyon for Europa League quarterfinal

If a trophy can be simultaneously on the line and yet feel a million miles away, then that’s the prospect when Lyon face Manchester United in their Europa League quarter-final first leg on Thursday.

By Karl Matchett

Progress, or just halting the slide?

The bookies might list the Red Devils as second-favourites for this particular trophy, but it’s hard to suggest that’s anything other than optimistic on the evidence of performances and results under Ruben Amorim so far. United might have seen off Real Sociedad with ease and European cup competition certainly provides a mental release from their domestic struggles, but even so they don’t look to have the consistency, the quality or the belief at present to beat a succession of teams in the latter stages of a big competition.

And yet, a single result can change much. Going to France and earning a decent first-leg scoreline might raise spirits, expectations and ambitions to such an extent that those failing to find their feet in the Premier League suddenly look £30, 40, 50m players again. And so there remains hope that while this will undoubtedly be United’s worst-ever season in the Premier League era in positional terms, they might yet salvage something from the campaign to give a springboard for next year.

End-of-season sprint

By contrast, Lyon will head into the tie in arguably the form of their season and, while they are nowhere near the favourites in terms of odds to lift this trophy, that might not be hugely relevant to the tie. The Ligue 1 side have, for example, lost only once in this competition all season – an irrelevant league phase defeat to a Beşiktaş side who didn’t even make the playoffs. They’ve already beaten Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt too, two more sides left in at the last eight stage. Should they really fear this Manchester United?

Recent form

Lyon have won eight of their last ten matches in all competitions, with the only defeats coming to PSG and Strasbourg in that time. Paulo Fonseca has his team scoring plenty, with former United man Nemanja Matić a regular in midfield and the super talented Rayan Cherki finally showing the end product to go with his undoubtedly outsized potential. As for United, it’s three wins in ten over a similar timeframe, with those victories against the aforementioned Real Sociedad plus relegation-bound Leicester and Ipswich. It doesn’t inspire terror, despite a 0-0 draw with Man City.

Team news

Malick Fofana is Lyon’s big absentee, so Cherki and Georges Mikautadze should both be handed starting roles – the latter may be up front rather than from wide. For the visitors, Matthijs de Ligt is the doubt in defence but Kobbie Mainoo may be fit to feature in midfield.

*Lyon goal + assist leaders, Ligue 1 2024/25*

Key player

The Georgian, Mikautadze is a creator as well as scorer for Lyon, averaging four shots per 90 in this competition. He’s 90th percentile or better for box touches, dribbles, assists and shots in the Europa League.

Prediction

A home win, but not enough of one to end the tie: Lyon 1-0 Man United.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Preview: Chelsea visit Poland for their Conference League quarterfinal at Legia

Chelsea face an away trip for the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final. They were less than convincing in the last round but a win over Legia Warszawa should be a given for the heavy tournament favourites.

By Alex Roberts

Legia have found some solace on the continent as they struggle domestically. They overturned a first-leg defeat against Molde thanks to a 2-0 home win last time out, but this one might be a step too far, however.

A chance to score some goals

It’s been a real Jekyll and Hyde season for Chelsea. In the first half, they were scoring goals for fun, the players had smiles on their faces, and Enzo Maresca was beloved as ‘we’ve got our Chelsea back’ was sung by the fans up and down the country.

A few months later, things aren’t quite as rosy. The football is dull and not even Cole Palmer can do anything about it. Chelsea have won three of their last five games across all competitions 1-0, drawing and losing the other two.

Maresca rested Palmer and Nicolas Jackson for the 0-0 draw against Brentford, then went to the press to say his plan ‘nearly worked’. The funny thing about something nearly working, is that it still didn’t. The game against Legia is a good chance to build some confidence in front of goal, let’s see if the Italian has a better plan this time out.

Luquinhas is a menace

Legia do have a few players that can do some damage to Chelsea, none more so than Brazilian winger/midfielder Luquinhas. He’s the Polish side’s Conference League top scorer with four goals (plus one in the qualifiers).

Surprisingly, he barely featured in the previous round against Molde, but he did come off the bench to score in the first-leg 3-2 defeat. Surely manager Gonçalo Feio can’t leave out their most potent attacking asset for their biggest game of the season!?

Capable of playing anywhere from the number eight position to left-wing, his versatility makes him a genuine threat to Chelsea, even if it will likely take the performance of a lifetime to beat them.

Christopher Nkunku is fighting for his future… if he wants it

When the Frenchman finally returned from his lengthy spell on the sidelines at the very end of last season, fans were convinced he was the missing piece to the puzzle. An impressive pre-season did little to change that mindset.

Unfortunately, it was pretty clear at the start of the season that Maresca didn’t fancy him. Nkunku was shoved behind Jackson in the pecking order, although he did shine in Europe, becoming Chelsea’s top scorer for a time.

Jackson picked up an injury at the start of the year and Nkunku was finally given his chance, he just hasn’t taken it. He very rarely makes the kind of runs his teammates need but most importantly, it doesn’t look like he cares to.

His future at the club is in serious doubt, now is the time to make a difference, unless, of course, he’s already got his heart set on a move.

*Nkunku player traits, comparison against similar players in big five leagues*

Prediction

We reckon Chelsea will manage to score more than one goal tonight, but not much more. FotMob’s prediction is 2-0 to the visitors.

(Cover image from IMAGO)