Preview

Nov

2024

Preview: Holders Real Madrid face AC Milan in the Champions League

Carlo Ancelotti welcomes the side for whom he has both played and managed, with distinction, to Madrid for this meeting between European giants in the Champions League

By Ian King

The Considerable History

Well, how long have you got? Real Madrid and Milan are, after all, the two most successful clubs in the history of this competition. They’ve won it 22 times between them and have played in 28 finals, though curiously only one of these was against each other in 1958, when Real won 3-2 in Brussels. But they haven’t played each other recently. Their last meeting in this competition came fourteen years ago, when the two sides drew 2-2 at the San Siro and Real won the return match 2-0.

Have Madrid got over their Clásico nightmare?

Real’s away match at Valencia was understandably postponed last weekend, but their last home match brought their first league defeat of the season, and quite a defeat it was. There’s no way of sugar-coating a 4-0 loss at the Bernabéu to Barcelona, but will the ten days between that match and this have allowed insecurities to fester or a desire to prove a point to flourish?

Milan won their last game at Monza on Saturday, but form has been patchy, with two defeats in their last four games – to Napoli and Fiorentina – and a somewhat underwhelming current position in Serie A of seventh. They haven’t been much better in the Champions League, with only one win and two defeats from their first three matches.

Key players

For Real Madrid, the key player going into this match is probably Vinícius Jr., who was the subject of the club’s weird and not entirely dignified recent decision to not bother to turn up to the Ballon d’Or awards. Such behaviour turns the heat up under him. Will he go out to show the award voters what they could have voted for?

The key player for Milan is Christian Pulisic, who has been their star performer so far this season. His seven goals in all competitions from midfield is more than have been scored by all of Milan’s attacking players between them, and he jointly leads their assists table alongside Rafael Leão.

Team News

Both teams have injuries. Dani Carvajal, Thibaut Courtois, Rodrygo and David Alaba are all expected to miss out for Real, though there is hope that Antonio Rüdiger and Lucas Vázquez will be fit again after picking up knocks against Barcelona.

Milan also have injuries, with Luka Jović, Matteo Gabbia, Ismaël Bennacer and Alessandro Florenzi all expected to be absent. But there is some good news for them. Tammy Abraham is expected to return, while Rafael Leão also a possible returnee after having missed their trip to Monza.

Prediction

Real Madrid could be considered vulnerable. They roared back to life against Borussia Dortmund in their last CL game, but that Barcelona defeat was chastening and showed how they can be beaten. But the problem with this is that Milan are a pretty limited team at the moment. They haven’t really impressed much in Serie A or this competition yet at all this season, so consequently it’s difficult to see past a comfortable win for the defending champions.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Nov

2024

Preview: Van Nistelrooy looks for another uplifting win as Man United host Chelsea

Ruud van Nistelrooy and Manchester United take on Enzo Maresca’s in-form Chelsea side in their first Premier League game of the post-Erik ten Hag era at Old Trafford on Sunday.

By Alex Roberts

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co finally read the writing on the walls and decided to part ways with Ten Hag after the Dutchman led the 20-time champions to their worst-ever start to a Premier League season.

Sporting boss Rúben Amorim will be taking over once he’s got his pesky contract obligations out of the way, but for the time being, former-United striker Van Nistelrooy is the man who has been entrusted with the responsibility of guiding 14^th placed United to a win over fifth placed Chelsea.

Expect a totally different Chelsea side

Since taking over in the summer, Maresca has implemented a two-squad system at Chelsea, utilising their immense depth and favouring certain players for certain competitions.

The Italian made eleven changes for their 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle in midweek and will likely do the same against Manchester United as they seek to keep their good league form going.

Enzo Fernández is the latest casualty to Maresca’s methods, after captaining Chelsea in their first league game against Man City, the central midfielder has been dropped with his manager preferring a double pivot of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia in the recent games against Liverpool and Newcastle.

Ruud van Nistelrooy gets Manchester United scoring

United scored more goals in their 5-2 League Cup win over Leicester than they had in their previous four games across all competitions under Ten Hag.

Brazilian midfielder Casemiro has scored in consecutive games for the first time since joining the club, netting in their 2-1 Premier League defeat to West Ham, and bagging a beautiful brace in midweek.

With just eight goals from their opening nine league games, United have the second worst-scoring record in the league, two more than strugglers Crystal Palace and Southampton.

If there’s one thing Van Nistelrooy knows, however, it’s how to find the back of the net.

Cole Palmer set to haunt Man United again?

The last time these two faced off, Palmer stole the show, clutching victory from the jaws of defeat with a remarkable added time winner to round off a hattrick and secure a vital three points for Chelsea in their 4-3 win.

Chelsea aren’t quite as chaotic under Maresca as they were under Mauricio Pochettino last season, but the England international has continued to thrive at the club.

Not even robotic goal machine Erling Haaland or the Egyptian king Mohamed Salah have had more goal involvements than Palmer so far this season. His goal in their 2-1 win over Newcastle on matchday nine has him top of the tree with 12 goals and assists.

Prediction

This one could go either way. United are somewhat of an unknown quantity now that Ten Hag has been given the boot, and despite their impressive start to the season, Chelsea have lost 100% of their games against the traditional ‘top six’ so far this season.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Nov

2024

Preview: Spurs continue search for consistency against Emery’s Villans

After being pipped to fourth place last season and denied the subsequent entry to this season’s Champions League by Aston Villa, Tottenham have now established a newfound rivalry with Unai Emery’s men – one that sees the next chapter penned on Sunday.

By Dan Tracey

With the hosts missing out on fourth by two points back in May, Spurs already found themselves five behind the visitors as we headed in to the weekend and Ange Postecoglou will be fully aware that he can’t afford for that margin to get any greater.

The Form Guide

Tottenham’s last six league outings have seen them record three wins and just as many defeats. The only consistency they have of late is their ability to be painfully inconsistent and if they are to surge their way up the table, they must start stringing victories together in succession.

As for Aston Villa, they arrive in London having not lost any of their last six league outings, and perhaps more importantly, they have only suffered one league defeat since the start of the campaign – the one blot on their copybook being the 2-0 reverse at home to Arsenal in the second round of the season. Villa fans would also like to remind you that they are top of the Champions League league phase table.

The potential keys to proceedings

Tottenham’s talisman Heung-min Son has missed the last two games (all comps) but is reportedly winning the race to be fit for Sunday and although Timo Werner scored in the midweek Carabao Cup win against Manchester City, the South Korean forward is expected to join top scorer Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke in attack.

An attack that Emi Martínez, the now two-time Yashin Trophy winner, will look to foil in the Villa goal as the base of a very solid spine that also includes the likes of Ezri Konsa and Amadou Onana. With that spine in place, England’s Ollie Watkins will have licence to take the game to the opposition.

Who’s in and who’s out?

After suffering a hamstring injury in that midweek cup tie, Tottenham look set to be without defender Micky van de Ven for at least a couple of weeks and although bad news for the Dutchman, it does mean Romanian international Radu Drăgușin will likely get a start instead.

Villa boss Unai Emery currently has a clean bill of health and although forward Jhon Durán started in the League Cup defeat to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, he is likely to return to the role of super sub on Sunday.

Prediction

Although Tottenham’s propensity to blow hot and cold in equal measures has made any recent predictions difficult, their midweek win over Manchester City, coupled with impressive home form could prove to be the difference on Sunday.

Boosted by that progress in the Carabao Cup, Spurs will now look to return to winning ways in the Premier League and although Villa won last season’s corresponding fixture in North London, this time I expect the hosts to exact some form of revenge.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Nov

2024

Preview: Barcelona host City rivals in reunion with promoted Espanyol

The gulf between Barcelona and Espanyol is almost always a wide one, but even by the usual standards of this derby, Sunday’s match between these two rivals could be a complete mismatch.

By Graham Ruthven

Derby Day form

While Hansi Flick’s team are currently flying having thumped Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the last week, the Periquitos are above the relegation in LaLiga by just one point. One side of Barcelona’s divide has dreams of the title. The other, however, just wants to stay in the division.

Under Flick, Barca have become the most exhilarating attacking outfit in Spain, possibly Europe. They have scored an incredible 37 goals in just 11 league games with Flick’s high-risk, high-intensity approach getting the best out of his players.

On the flip side, Espanyol have lost five of their last six league games, conceding 14 times in the process. Keeping Barcelona at arm’s length could prove to be an impossible task.

Familiar surroundings for the visitors

Espanyol will make the 12km east on Saturday to a stadium they called home for over a decade. Montjuic was where the Periquitos played between 1997 and 2009 and it is where Barcelona are currently playing while Camp Nou is being redeveloped. It has become a home from home for Barca who have won four from four at Montjuic this season.

Barcelona haven’t lost to their city rivals in LaLiga since 2009 and there appears to be little chance that their unbeaten run will come to an end this weekend, particularly considering Espanyol have the worst away record in the division.

Key players

Robert Lewandowski is leading the Pichichi race in La Liga and will spearhead Barcelona’s attack on derby day having netted five goals in his last three games. The Polish striker has looked back to his best this season.

Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Raphinha will also be a big part of Barca’s attacking game plan. The latter’s resurgence has been one of the stories of the season so far with Flick dramatically turning around the Brazilian’s fortunes.

To stand any chance of securing a result at their old stadium, Espanyol will require goalkeeper Joan García to be in top form. Centre backs Leandro Cabrera and Marash Kumbulla might be wise to drop deep to prevent Barca from exploiting any space in behind.

Team news

Barcelona have more than their fair share of injury concerns at the moment, but Flick will be thankful that no new players have been added to the unavailable list recently.

Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, Marc-André ter Stegen, Ferran Torres and Eric García will also be sidelined for Saturday’s visit of Espanyol, but Barca have already shown they can cope without this contingent.

Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo could be in line to start having missed a number of recent matches through injury. Gavi could also see more minutes.

Fernando Calero, Edu Exposito, Jose Gragera and Naci Unuvar are all injury doubts for Espanyol, but the Periquitos will otherwise be at full strength for the Catalan derby.

Prediction

Barcelona 4-1 Espanyol. As mentioned, history suggests another Derby Day win for the league leaders.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Nov

2024

Preview: Liverpool and Brighton renew hostilities in the League

Just a few short days after their last meeting – a frenzied midweek Carabao Cup clash which the Reds won 3-2 – the two meet again, this time at Anfield, in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

By Karl Matchett

Despite that, this next encounter could look very different, given the changes to both lineups, and there’s every reason to imagine the Seagulls will have an eye on improving a recent record which has seen the two teams win three, draw three and lose three each of the last nine clashes between them.

Liverpool’s draughting form

It’s been nothing but excellence for Arne Slot’s team this season, with the Dutch coach having taken charge of 12 wins from 14 games since replacing Jürgen Klopp at the helm. A draw at Arsenal last time out was a reasonable result, if not the team’s finest performance, though a shock home defeat to Nottingham Forest is far from forgotten even if it was followed by eight straight wins.

For Brighton, some excellent attacking performances haven’t always been rewarded with wins: a late collapse against Wolves was shocking and yielded only a draw, though perhaps that merely equals out being torn about by Tottenham – before they in turn went Spursy and gave up three goals and three points in the second half. Two ways to view the Seagulls’ results lead to the same single conclusion: three wins in nine, two defeats in 12, wildly fun but inconsistent so far under Fabian Hürzeler.

Stars of the midweek game hoping to keep their places

Liverpool remain without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, centre-forward Diogo Jota and squad attacking options Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott. Kostas Tsimikas could come in at left-back and Cody Gakpo, who scored twice on Wednesday night, is pushing to start up front.

Brighton have more doubts than definite outs, with only Adam Webster, Solly March and James Milner longer-term absentees. There are fitness tests in line for Yankuba Minteh and Lewis Dunk, who might start, and João Pedro and Matt O’Riley, who probably wouldn’t for a first game back. Simon Adingra may stay in the side after a great midweek showing.

Key players

Only Cole Palmer (12) has more goals and assists than Mohamed Salah (11) this term, though it’s not exactly news to point out the Egyptian as a big threat. More notable is the excellent form being shown at the other end by stand-in goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, averaging three saves a game so far and preventing 0.38 goals per 90, not far off Alisson’s 0.45. Few games to pick stats from, to be sure, but the Irishman has been excellent.

For Brighton, look to Georginio Rutter. The £40m summer signing has been a revelation playing just off the front man, hard-working and full of clever movement, scoring two and assisting two but also top of the squad for shots per 90 (4.0) and big chances created (3). An all-round threat.

Prediction

Defensively the Reds have been mostly excellent but Brighton’s movement and speed in the final third will cause them some problems. Even so, Slot’s team look a well-oiled machine right now – so another high-scoring home victory is on the cards. A repeat of midweek and 3-2 to Liverpool is as fair a shout as any.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Nov

2024

Preview: Champions City visit upwardly mobile Cherries

Manchester City travel to the Dorset coast to play their favourite opponents this week, but is the time right for Bournemouth to upset their dismal record against the champions?

By Ian King

Bournemouth’s bogey team!

Since Bournemouth first landed in the Premier League in 2015, Manchester City have won all 15 meetings between the two clubs in all competitions, running up four goals or more in seven of those wins, and with an overall goal difference of 43-8. The history books don’t give the home side much hope of taking much from this game.

Recent form a boost for the home side

Form, if anything, is Bournemouth’s glimmer of hope, because City haven’t been playing especially well of late. An underpowered team was knocked out of the EFL Cup by Spurs in the week, and weren’t especially inspiring in either of their previous two Premier League games against Wolves and Southampton, arguably the division’s two worst teams at the moment. Bournemouth, on the other hand, arrive at this game off the back of taking four points from six against Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Key players

Evanilson is the key Bournemouth player. His 96th-minute goal at Villa Park last weekend was only his second of the season, but the club’s record signing (and Brazil international) has settled in well since his £40m signing from Porto during the summer. Manchester City, of course, have more ‘key players’ than you can shake a stick at, though their current injury problems will likely give the team a slightly unusual look.

City’s long injury list

Pep Guardiola’s claim that City are down to their last “13 players” have been a little overblown, but his team are certainly struggling with injuries at the moment. Savinho was stretchered off during the Spurs game, while Manuel Akanji pulled up injured beforehand and Joško Gvardiol required attention afterwards. Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Jérémy Doku, Kyle Walker are all expected to be absent, alongside longer-term absentees, the Ballon d’Or winning Rodri and Oscar Bobb.

For Bournemouth, Alex Scott underwent an operation on a knee injury last week and is expected to be out for another few weeks, while goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Luis Sinisterra and Philip Billing will all be undergoing fitness tests ahead of the match after missing last weekend’s 1-1 at Villa Park.

Prediction

There will come a point at which Bournemouth’s dismal run against Manchester City has to end, and this match could be their best opportunity to do so. They impressed against Arsenal a couple of weeks ago, and their point against Aston Villa provided further proof that they should be strong enough for a relegation fight to not be on the cards this season.

And while Guardiola may be overstating the injuries that he faces – every Premier League manager believes that his injury list is the worst – it is fair to say that City failed to impress in their last three matches. You still back City to win, but this one could be tight.

Prediction: Bournemouth 0-1 Manchester City

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Nov

2024

Preview: Newcastle and Arsenal kick off the Premier League weekend

This week’s early Premier League kick-off comes from St James’ Park as 12^th placed Newcastle host third placed Arsenal. In this fixture last season, the Magpies came out on top with a 1-0 victory thanks to an Anthony Gordon strike.

By Matt Smith

Gordon escapes serious injury

Eddie Howe received a major boost in the week as Gordon returned to Newcastle’s starting XI in the Carabao Cup win over Chelsea having missed the league trip to Chelsea last weekend. The North East side will be without a host of players, with the likes of Callum Wilson, Jacob Murphy, and Sven Botman on the treatment table.

Alexander Isak, who has endured multiple injury troubles throughout the campaign, hobbled off against Chelsea on Wednesday night, and Howe has stated that he hopes it’s nothing too serious.

Newcastle struggling for consistency

It’s been a tricky season for the Magpies so far who are struggling to find the back of the net, especially when Isak has been watching from the sidelines. Newcastle have averaged just one goal per game, with only four sides managing fewer strikes.

Howe will understandably be desperate for Isak to be fit enough to face the Gunners, but the Swedish striker hasn’t been as consistent as expected in front of goal. Isak has scored just twice from an xG of 3.5, producing 21 shots in the Premier League.

Gabriel could be passed fit

Against Liverpool last time out in the Premier League, Gabriel Magalhaes limped off in the second half, adding to Mikel Arteta’s injury troubles. William Saliba missed the game due to suspension meaning the Gunners ended the game with a makeshift back four.

Martin Ødegaard hasn’t featured for Arsenal since September after picking up an ankle injury, and he could struggle to be fit enough to face Newcastle on Saturday. Before the Gunners travelled to Preston North End in the Carabao Cup during the week, Arteta confirmed that there were ‘still a few boxes to tick’ before he could play again.

Saka has taken his game to another level

The Gunners have been heavily relying on the contributions of Bukayo Saka once again this season with the England international a goalscoring and creative force in the final third. The Arsenal academy graduate has provided 10 goals and assists combined in just eight matches.

*Saka passing stats, Premier League 2024/25*

Arteta might be concerned that the North London outfit are already starting to fall behind in the Premier League title race after some disappointing results in recent weeks. The Gunners have won just twice in their last five fixtures and currently find themselves sitting in third place, five points behind leaders Manchester City.

Water-tight defences go head-to-head

Arsenal and Newcastle have been two of the most defensively organised sides in the Premier League this season, so we should be expecting a low-scoring affair. The Magpies will have the support of a packed-out St James’ Park behind them, and another 1-0 victory, just like last season’s fixture, wouldn’t be a surprise.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Serie A contenders Inter and Juve meet in the Derby d’Italia

Juventus and Inter are Italy’s most successful teams as far as Serie A titles are concerned, but they have not had a one-two finish in the league in the 2020s. Their early form suggests both will be in the mix at the top of the standings this term, so the season’s first Derby d’Italia could end up proving to be a critical juncture in the title race.

By Neel Shelat

Inter slightly off the pace

Simone Inzaghi’s Inter have been one of the best and most tactically intriguing teams in Europe in recent years. Their fluid possession-play and solid defending have enabled them to compete on all fronts, with top-class players in all positions across the squad starring as well.

Having enjoyed a quiet summer transfer window, the Nerazzurri naturally did not need to change their system for the new season. As one would expect, the defending Serie A champions’ results look pretty good as they have lost just once in all competitions so far, but their recent performances have been a bit concerning.

After losing to city rivals Milan, Inter have won their last five games. Apart from the convincing 4-0 win over Red Star Belgrade, though, each of those showings has been subpar in one way or another. Inzaghi’s side sat too deep and threw away an early lead against Udinese, getting bailed out by Lautaro Martínez’s goals on either side of half-time. They also had a five-goal game against Torino, which they won largely thanks to an early red card. This week, their attack hardly got going against Roma, and they needed a stoppage-time winner to beat Young Boys.

Juventus’ scoring struggles

Regardless of what sort of showing Inter put together, Juventus know that they have major issues of their own to contend with. While their defensive record in the league is mightily impressive as they have conceded just once in eight games, they have had some issues with scoring goals.

The Old Lady’s tally of 11 goals is only the ninth-highest in the division right now; certainly not befitting prospective title challengers. The bigger problem, though, is the fact that they have no reliable source of goals other than striker Dušan Vlahović, who is the only member of their squad with multiple league goals. However, he has never scored at San Siro.

Having put up with a very boring style of play under Massimiliano Allegri, Juve fans were quickly enamoured by Thiago Motta’s eye-catching possession-play, but they could quickly become annoyed again if their scoring problems persist.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Lopetegui and Ten Hag search for consistency as West Ham face Man United

West Ham United and Manchester United go head-to-head at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon with both sides looking to get their season’s back on track.

By Matt Smith

t’s been a tricky opening few months for Julen Lopetegui and Erik ten Hag, who are both competing in the bottom half of the table.

The Hammers will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing defeat away to London rivals Tottenham. West Ham lost the game 4-1, with Mohammed Kudus sent off. The Ghanaian attacker will now be suspended as they host the Red Devils this weekend.

West Ham currently sit in 15^th place in the Premier League, just five points above the relegation zone. Lopetegui’s side are conceding 1.9 goals per game on average while creating just 11.7 expected goals (xG).

The summer transfer window looked a pretty one on paper for the Hammers, but their additions have yielded mixed results. Technical Director Tim Steidten and his team have revamped the midfield, but Tomáš Souček has dealt with the competition superbly.

Averaging more goals per 90 minutes than any other West Ham player, the towering midfielder has been keeping the likes of Carlos Soler and Edson Álvarez out of the starting XI.

Manchester United recently secured an impressive victory over Brentford last time out in the Premier League, but it’s been an inconsistent season so far.

The Red Devils have scored just seven goals, with only Ipswich, Southampton, and Crystal Palace managing fewer. Creating chances hasn’t been the issue as United have produced 12.4 expected goals, but they’re struggling to put the ball in the back of the net.

André Onana has been a strong candidate for United’s player of the season, which says a lot about their struggles on the pitch. The Cameroonian has prevented 3.33 goals so far, with only Leicester City’s Mads Hermansen managing more.

*Onana goalkeeping stats, Premier League 2024/25*

Joshua Zirkzee, Alejandro Garnacho, and Bruno Fernandes have had 7.9 expected goals between them, but the United trio have only found the back of the net three times. Their troubles in front of goal have cost them plenty of points so far and Ten Hag needs to find a way of making it click in the final third.

With West Ham having plenty of problems defensively, it could be an ideal opportunity for the Manchester outfit to find their feet in front of goal and gather some momentum ahead of the tricky winter period.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Spurs head to Selhurst Park for Eagles test

Things have been looking better for Tottenham Hotspur in recent weeks and they have a chance to win two games on the bounce, when they take on Crystal Palace on Sunday.

By Kaustubh Pandey

The season has been full of some inconsistencies for Spurs, who lost to Brighton despite a brilliant performance in the first half before succumbing to an unlikely comeback. They also lost 1-0 to Arsenal in a game where they had a lot of possession and this came before they trounced Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Ange Postecoglou‘s side did have to come back from a goal down against West Ham, last time out, but they blew the Hammers away in the second half and put in a trademark attacking show. The win over AZ in the Europa League during midweek was only a 1-0 triumph but it gave them more momentum, keeping them in second in the league phase table.

While their defensive lapses during defensive transitions are obvious, Spurs are arguably one of the most threatening attacking sides in England right now.

Only Manchester City have a higher xG in the Premier League this season, and that obviously takes in to account City playing a game more, earlier this weekend. They attack constantly during the game, dominating possession by keeping over 60 percent on average and it is an identity that they have carved out for themselves.

Despite the limitations in defence, they create impressively in attack and that is what struggling Palace will have to contend with on Sunday.

Oliver Glasner‘s side have proved to be a half-season-wonder, having failed to recreate their wonders from last season and that is why they find themselves 18th in the table.

They also lie at the opposite end of the attacking spectrum – so far. No team in the Premier League has scored less goals per game than the Eagles, who have seen their return fade since last season, when Jean-Philippe Mateta was on fire.

While last season saw them over perform on their Expected Goals metric by about +7, they have underperformed on it by a solid -4, showcasing that in a lot of cases, finishing the chances they get has also become a huge issue.

Spurs too are problematic when it comes to the finishing as they have missed the most number of big chances in the league, the amount of chances they create is massive, especially as compared to Glasner’s side.

Postecoglou’s team will most definitely dominate possession, as they always do, but at the same time, their tendency to give away chances at the other end will give Palace hope. Even West Ham were struggling going into their game against Tottenham but they led for a good portion of the game, and Palace will take inspiration from that.

Eberechi Eze‘s presence will be vital in that regard but Palace will also be encouraged by the fact that Son Heung-min is likely to miss the trip. Mikey Moore, who impressed against AZ, could feature in the Premier League this time around and it could be another game where Dejan Kulusevski runs the show for the Lilywhites.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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