Preview

Mar

2025

Preview: Benfica and Barcelona go again in the Champions League

Benfica and Barcelona meet for the second time in this season’s Champions League with a place in the quarter-finals on the line this time.

By Graham Ruthven

High expectations

Nine goals were shared between Benfica and Barcelona the last time they met in this season’s Champions League with the Catalans leaving Lisbon with a famous 5-4 win which saw them score three goals in the closing stages.

The Portuguese side have made a habit of generating such excitement in the Champions League this season having made the last 16 with a 4-3 aggregate win over Monaco. Bruno Lage would surely settle for something calmer on Wednesday.

Barcelona, however, aren’t involved in many calm games. They were the top scorers of the league phase, netting 28 goals in just eight matches, and come into Wednesday’s fixture against Benfica having scored eight goals in their last two outings.

Benfica also enter the last 16 tie in strong form, winning seven of their last eight in all competitions. They have also scored in all but one of their home games this season. Barcelona will be tested.

Key players

Vangelis Pavlidis has scored an impressive seven goals in nine Champions League matches, making him one of the most prolific forwards in the competition so far this season. The Greek will be a big threat in behind Barcelona’s high defensive line.

Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Ángel Di María will also carry a threat in the wide areas, although the latter is carrying a knock and might have to start Wednesday’s game on the bench.

At the back, Nicolás Otamendi and Anatoliy Trubin will have to be in top form to keep Barcelona’s incredible attacking line at arm’s length. Benfica might need some fortune on their side to get through the game.

Barca have an array of attacking talent, most of whom could make the difference at the Estadio da Luz. Two of the top four scorers in this season’s Champions League are Barcelona players with Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha combining for 17 goals.

Lamine Yamal continues to get better and better with the teenage sensation set to start on the right side of the Barcelona attacking. His dribbling ability and natural creativity makes him so difficult to play against.

Ronald Araújo is expected to keep his place in central defence alongside Pau Cubarsí, but can Barca keep things together at the back when so many opponents have been able to expose them defensively this season?

Team news

Florentino Luís will miss out through injury for Benfica with Alexander Bah, Manu Silva, Tiago Gouveia and Renato Sanches also sidelined for the Portuguese side. Di María could also miss out.

Bruma, however, will return to the fold after a three-game ban carried over from the Europa League when he was a Braga player. The Portuguese international could start in the attacking line if Di María is absent.

Gavi missed the weekend win over Real Sociedad due to illness, but should be available to start against Benfica on Wednesday. The 20-year-old could come into Barca’s midfield unit for the match.

Andreas Christensen is injured again after suffering another calf strain while Marc-André Ter Stegen and Marc Bernal are still working their way back from long-term injuries.

Prediction

We think there will be goals, again, and that Barca will take home a narrow advantage to defend in next week’s second leg: Benfica 2-3 Barcelona

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Mar

2025

Preview: Arsenal travel to PSV in the Champions League Round of 16

The ‘new’ Champions League moves into its ‘old’ format now: two legs, no do-overs, win and in or give up the ghost and wait until next year. The one intriguing alteration: teams can already map out their route to the final from this point on, and Arsenal might feel aggrieved at their potential path.

By Karl Matchett

Tough side of the draw

Flip a coin as to whether you see foresight as a motivational factor or a mood-killer – it’ll probably depend on your own team and their possible options. For Arsenal, that means if they come through a last-16 tie against PSV, they know lying in wait will be either giant from Madrid, then probably Liverpool or Paris Saint-Germain. None of those are easy, but it’s the Champions League: it’s not supposed to be easy!

Focus on the job in hand

For Mikel Arteta and his underperforming squad, there’s a different response too: your so-called easy game is this one. PSV are not just in one of the weaker top leagues in Europe, they’re also wildly out of form themselves.

But it’s time for the Gunners to forget about visions of glory right now; instead, they need to concentrate on the “one step at a time” approach, the methodology of just getting the job done which lies ahead of them – especially considering they haven’t done that in three of their last four matches, beating only relegation certainties Leicester since that thumping 5-1 win over Man City. Until consistency is back on the agenda, forget talk of trophies.

Recent form

PSV still sit second in the Eredivisie, but they have fallen to eight points off Ajax following a run of one win in seven in the league, and just two wins in eight in a packed fixture list across all competitions since the start of February. Arsenal played only five times in that period, winning twice, while in Europe their record was strong in the league phase: six wins from eight saw them finish third.

Team news

Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi are the big absentees for PSV, but they’re also without Serginio Dest and ex-Arsenal striker Lucas Pérez, now a 36-year-old veteran who has just joined on a short-term deal. On-loan Man United man Tyrell Malacia may also be left out.

Arsenal are missing forward foursome Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, while Takehiro Tomiyasu is still absent for the long haul too. Mikel Merino seems set to continue up front.

Key player

If Arsenal want any chance at real success this year, they need Martin Ødegaard to step up again and rediscover top form. Naturally for a player as creative as him, he needs great movement ahead of him to really maximise his talent, but the captain simply has to find a way. Compared to Europe’s other midfielders he’s 91st percentile for shots, 98th percentile for chance creation. Make it count.

*Ødegaard player traits – comparison against similar players in Europe’s Top 5 Leagues*

Prediction

Over two legs, this is an Arsenal victory all the way – there’s an argument to say it’s the most one-sided tie of the last 16: PSV 1 Arsenal 2.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Mar

2025

Preview: Madrid derby to set the tone on opening day of UCL Round of 16

There are a good few thrilling ties in store in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League’s Round of 16, but none will likely be as fierce as the battle between Madrid rivals Real and Atlético.

By Neel Shelat

Draws galore in recent derbies

There has been incredibly little to separate the two Madrid giants over the last year or so. Each of the last three meetings between these two teams has ended in a 1-1 draw, while the two cup matches in early 2024 required extra time to settle each tie.

Evidently, goals have been flowing in recent Madrid derbies. In fact, neither side has managed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 10 clashes. Across that period, the goals per game averages out at 3.3.

Atleti out to end rotten UCL record against Real

Atlético Madrid have never won a UEFA Champions League knockout tie against their local rivals. They have come across Los Blancos four times in the competition, with all the meetings coming in a three-year stretch.

The first of these matches was the famous 2014 final when Sergio Ramos’ stoppage-time header took the game to extra time, in which Carlo Ancelotti’s side eventually ran away to register a 4-1 victory. Atléti then lost to a late Chicharito goal – the only strike across two legs – in the 2014/15 quarter-finals, before suffering even more disappointment in a penalty shoot-out defeat in the 2016 final. The record UCL champions would go on to defend their title in 2017, defeating Atlético en route in the semi-final.

Los Colchoneros also fell short in the only Madrid derby tie in the old European Cup. That was all the way back in 1959, when goals from Alfredo Di Stéfano and Ferenc Puskás decided the play-off match after a 2-2 aggregate draw in the semi-final.

Atleti did win the most recent continental meeting between these teams in the 2018 UEFA Super Cup, but they will need something special to break a nine-match winless streak at the Santiago Bernabéu if they are to replicate such a result.

Big misses in Real’s midfield

Injuries and absences have been a big talking point for Real Madrid throughout the season, and this game will be no exception. While Ancelotti’s side seem to have found a way to make do without Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão, the short-term absences of Dani Ceballos and Jude Bellingham due to a hamstring issue and suspension respectively could well prove much tougher to mask.

Following Toni Kroos’ retirement, one of Real’s biggest challenges this season has been replacing his playmaking and connecting qualities in midfield. Ceballos and Bellingham have proven critical in that respect, so the hosts could be in for a frustrating night without them.

Atléti building another head of steam

Atlético do not have any major injury issues to worry about and are only expected to miss César Azpilicueta and Koke for this game. With a near full-strength squad, they have gone unbeaten for 10 matches in their second-best run of the season after the 15-match winning streak from late 2024.

Prediction

With some serious firepower in both attacks, a score draw should be expected. The 1-1 streak could well keep going.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Mar

2025

Preview: Inter Miami face road trip to Houston

Inter Miami will be seeking their first win of the new MLS season when they face Houston Dynamo in Texas on Sunday night. Lionel Messi registered assists for both goals in his team’s opener against New York City FC last week, which finished 2-2. He and teammate Luis Suárez will now be looking to get off the mark in the goals column in MLS.

By James Nalton

Messi contributing in all comps

As was the case with Inter Miami’s 2025 MLS opener against New York City, the game against Houston comes on the back of a midweek Champions Cup game against Sporting Kansas City.

Wednesday’s second leg was a much more comfortable affair compared to the first, both in terms of the weather conditions and the scoreline, as Inter Miami cruised to a 3-1 win to progress 4-1 on aggregate.

Messi got on the scoresheet once again, making it two in two in the Champions Cup so far, while Suárez scored his first goal of the season.

Inter Miami are in four competitions this season, with the Club World Cup and Leagues Cup to come, and are back in Champions Cup action against Cavalier of Jamaica next week.

Their focus is currently split between two tournaments, as it might be for much of the season, but Messi’s involvement in goals has been constant, with two goals and two assists in three games across all competitions so far.

One to watch – Telasco Segovia

When Inter Miami were a goal behind and a man down against New York City last week, a goal from the 21-year-old Venezuelan rescued a point in the 10th minute of added time.

It was a coolly taken finish in the circumstances, lifted over the onrushing NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese following the pass from Messi. The type of finish you might see from Messi himself.

Segovia came off the bench in that game, but started both Champions Cup matches.

Coach Javier Mascherano obviously sees him as a key part of the team, and he could end up being the replacement for Diego Gómez who left for Brighton in the January transfer window.

Shaky defence

When Playing Out From The Back Goes Wrong took plenty of headlines in MLS last weekend, with ten goals coming from such defensive errors.

Inter Miami were involved in one of these as Jordi Alba passed straight to NYCFC forward Alonso Martínez to score.

There were other such moments that produced chances for the opposition that didn’t result in goals, so it’s an area Mascherano will have to work on if his team are to become more convincing.

Will Miami have a problem in Houston?

Dynamo have paired one of the most underrated deep-lying midfielders in the league, Artur, with one of the highest-rated young American playmakers around, Jack McGlynn, as they look to service forward and designated player Ezequiel Ponce.

McGlynn joined Houston from Philadelphia Union in the offseason in one of the league’s first cash-for-player trades.

The move made waves, especially as McGlynn was a Union homegrown player and widely considered one of the most gifted American talents on the verge of the national team.

Dynamo hope Artur and others will pick up the defensive work while McGlynn executes his Andrea-Pirlo-like-but-left-footed passing, set-piece delivery, and long shooting; though Artur’s own passing and distribution is not to be underestimated.

Prediction

Houston lost their opening game of the season against FC Dallas so will be looking for their first points. Miami seek their first win but might have to settle for a draw once again as their defence still looks vulnerable.

(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

Preview: Barcelona looking to continue title charge against Real Sociedad

Barcelona host Real Sociedad on Sunday as they look to continue their excellent form in LaLiga. Hansi Flick’s side will be aiming to extend their run of straight wins to six in the league against La Real, who have a strong record against Barcelona in recent years.

By Matt Smith

When the two sides met earlier in the season, Real Sociedad secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Sheraldo Becker. Their last win at Camp Nou came back in 2023, and they’ll be hoping for a repeat of that result once again.

Flick could receive a defensive boost

Barcelona will be without long-term absentees Marc-André ter Stegen and Marc Bernal, but Flick shouldn’t have any fresh injury troubles to contend with.

Andreas Christensen could return for the home side after recovering from his recent fitness problem. We could see a host of changes from Barcelona after resting key stars such as Ronald Araújo, Gavi, and Robert Lewandowski in the Copa del Rey semi-final last time out.

Raphinha unstoppable for Barcelona

Brazilian winger Raphinha has been a major standout for Barcelona so far this season, contributing 20 goals and assists combined in LaLiga. The former Leeds United man has created a whopping 73 chances, more than any other player in the league.

*Raphinha’s passing stats, LaLiga 2024/25*

Only Lewandowski has contributed with more goals and assists combined in LaLiga, while he also has the highest average FotMob rating at 8.04. Raphinha has already surpassed his goals and assists tally from last season and will undoubtedly play a crucial role in Barcelona’s race for the title.

La Real hit with double suspension blow

Real Sociedad will be without both Becker and Takefusa Kubo to face Barcelona with the duo missing the game due to suspension. Igor Zubeldia will be back and available for selection, however, after serving his LaLiga ban in their previous match.

The away side could be without Arsen Zakharyan for the trip to Barcelona after he suffered a minor injury in La Real’s game against Leganés last time out. Jon Pacheco also looks set to miss out.

Zubimendi the enforcer

Although Martin Zubimendi is often known for his quality on the ball, his ability off it can sometimes go underrated. When facing a side of the quality of Barcelona, with La Real likely to have less of the possession, Zubimendi’s defensive side of the game could shine through.

The Spanish midfielder’s numbers when it comes to recoveries, tackles, and winning duels are up there with the best in LaLiga. Although comfortable in possession, Zubimendi can do the dirty side, and that will undoubtedly be imperative if they want to get a result against Barcelona.

Prediction

With Barcelona playing on their own turf, it’s difficult to see past a victory for Flick’s side. Real Sociedad have only conceded on average 0.9 goals per game, fewer than Barcelona, so it should still be a tight affair. We’re going for a 2-1 victory to Barcelona.

(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: Man United face Fulham in FA Cup showdown

Look at this fixture from a Premier League perspective and it’s 14th against ninth – a candidate for a bog standard Saturday 3pm kick-off, you’d be thinking. As it is, this is the FA Cup and it’s a huge chance for both to make a statement for very different reasons.

By Karl Matchett

Can the magic of the cup be restorative?

Every time it seems Manchester United have hit new lows over the past couple of seasons, they find a way to produce another. They very nearly did that in a more literal sense in midweek, more than once being in danger of losing to relegation-threatened Ipswich which would have seen them drop to 16th in the table, improbably.

Instead they turned that game around – and now sit 14th! Upwards! – and can hope for home comforts to help them through in the FA Cup. In recent years this competition has been dominated for the most part by the biggest and most in-form sides or those with the deepest squads – but United themselves won it last year and there’s reason for fans and players alike to believe they could replicate it.

Consider: Liverpool are already out, United knocked out Arsenal themselves, Man City are a shadow of previous years. This competition is wide open at the last-16 stage, and one big performance now followed by a kind draw in the quarters means a Wembley day is very much within reach.

*The last meeting between the two sides back in January*

Eyes on the prize – but which?

It’s worth factoring in Fulham’s priorities here, though. What is of more value to the club and to manager Marco Silva? They’ve been largely good this term, if inconsistent from time to time, but ninth in the league table isn’t the whole story – they are only four points off fifth which carries a probable Champions League spot.

Europe of some sort is definitely within reach with a strong finish to the season – but the aforementioned open nature of the cup goes for Fulham, too. Their honours list is effectively the Intertoto Cup of 2002 and a few Second Division (or Championship) titles. They’ve reached the FA Cup final once, and lost.

Do they gamble league form on going for potentially the best-ever day in their history?

Recent form

At home, United have won three and lost two of the last five under Rúben Amorim. On a longer basis it’s seven wins in 11 games, though that includes questionable quality levels of opposition. For Fulham it’s five wins in seven of late, with four wins on the bounce away from home.

Team news

United have seven still out injured including Amad Diallo and Lisandro Martínez. Patrick Dorgu was sent off last time out and it wouldn’t be a shock to see Amorim sideline Alejandro Garnacho for his petulant reaction to being subbed. The same absentees for Fulham as recently: Reiss Nelson, Kenny Tete, Harry Wilson. Emile Smith Rowe could be fit to return, however.

Key player

Rasmus Højlund hasn’t scored since playing Viktoria Plzeň in December. Joshua Zirkzee isn’t first choice but has two goals in cups since then. United remain reliant on Bruno Fernandes for creating and scoring alike.

*Manchester United goals + assists, Premier League 2024/25*

Prediction

Rotations might benefit the hosts more than the visitors so a narrow win for Amorim: Man United 1 Fulham 0.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Feb

2025

Preview: Betis meet Madrid in Battle Real

It’s usually right around this time of year that whatever has happened in the last six months or so at Real Madrid is entirely forgotten, and the focus narrows to just what’s on the horizon. Namely: the chance at three major trophies.

By Karl Matchett

It could have been far worse for Los Blancos at this point – but that’s kind of what is always said. A propensity for not shining in Europe early on in the season, dropped points domestically, managerial conversations and injuries: these always seem to happen at the Santiago Bernabéu, before matters are turbocharged from March to May.

The Champions League form has been overcome, and so too Manchester City. A huge derby tie is next but the champions of Europe fear nobody. In LaLiga, a big potential gap to Barcelona is now merely goal difference. And they have a first-leg lead in the Copa del Rey semi-final, too. Suddenly, it all looks very familiar for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, as they head to their next test at Real Betis.

Almost iconic

If you’ve not seen Real Betis recently or glanced at their squad list, you could be forgiven for raising an eyebrow or two at some of the names.

Indeed, at the high point of their respective careers it’s a collection of title-winners, big-money transfer names and those who constantly seemed on the brink of greatness but never quite got there: Isco, Giovani Lo Celso, Antony, Ricardo Rodriguez, Héctor Bellerín, Pablo Fornals, William Carvalho, Abde Ezzalzouli, Diego Llorente, Adrian, Marc Bartra. You can decide for yourself which category each belongs in.

Under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini – he fits a few of those categories too as head coach – they’re fun to watch, almost very good and definitely capable of upsets.

Recent form

It’s only one defeat in five for Real Betis in LaLiga, though their inconsistency means it’s also only four wins in 14. Since the turn of the year they’ve played 11 and have both won and lost five times, with maybe a packed campaign including European action taking it out of them.

Real Madrid ended a rare run of three without a win in LaLiga by beating Girona last weekend but they are actually unbeaten across seven games in all competitions. They won the first leg of their Copa Del Rey semifinal at another Real, Real Sociedad, 1-0 on Wednesday night.

Team news

A host of sidelined players weakens the Betis squad somewhat, including long-term absentee William Carvalho, fellow midfielders Gio Lo Celso and Pablo Fornals, plus Héctor Bellerín and winger Abde Ezzalzouli. Real Madrid will be likewise missing Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão with cruciate ligament injuries, plus Jesús Vallejo and now Dani Ceballos on shorter-term injuries after their midweek Copa win. Jude Bellingham remains suspended for league action.

Key player

Kylian Mbappé is the man in form but if Real Madrid are to beat the below prediction, it’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois who will have to be at his best. He perhaps hasn’t been all season: eighth in LaLiga save percentage terms, 19th in saves per 90, ninth in goals prevented – at just 0.1 for the campaign.

*Courtois’ goalkeeping numbers per 90, LaLiga 2024/25*

Prediction

One loves a draw at home, the other loves a draw away. Hard to imagine either will be distraught if that’s the eventual outcome: Betis 2 Madrid 2.

(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.

Feb

2025

Preview: Serie A’s top two meet as Inter host Napoli

Serie A leaders Inter host Napoli, on Saturday evening, with just a point separating the two sides ahead of a pivotal match in the title race.

By Neel Shelat

Napoli’s attack looking lost post-Kvaratskhelia

Napoli’s surprise title charge was always built on a rock-solid defence, but they obviously needed a decent attack to keep the wins flowing. They managed to replace Victor Osimhen’s goals to a good extent with Romelu Lukaku, while Kvicha Kvaratskhelia’s individual brilliance helped them create something out of nothing in times of need.

Unsurprisingly, then, the Georgian international’s mid-season departure to Paris Saint-Germain has quickly impacted the Neapolitans’ form. Although they won two big games against Atalanta and Juventus after he left, they have since gone on a four-match winless streak.

Despite scoring in each of these games, Napoli’s attack has looked quite uninspiring for long stretches. In fact, they have failed to register five shots on target in any of their last six games, while their xG tally has been limited to under 1 on three occasions. As a result, there are reports that Antonio Conte could revert to the 4-3-3 formation for this big game.

Inter’s drop in form amid growing injury issues

Inter, for their part, are also enduring something of a slump. Simone Inzaghi’s side have only won three of their last six games, losing on the road against Fiorentina and Juventus. Some of their recent performances have also been subpar, though that can be largely explained by the amount of rotation they have had to do.

Besides load management, the Nerazzurri have been forced to change their starters because of a slew of recent injuries. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer fractured his thumb last week and will remain unavailable for the near future, top-scorer Marcus Thuram sprained his ankle at the start of the month and is yet to return to full fitness, and Matteo Darmian went off with a thigh problem in midweek against Lazio. Left wing back options Carlos Augusto and Nicola Zalewski have also missed recent matches.

Three-way title race on the cards

Irrespective of which way this match goes, we are sure to get a thrilling three-way title race in Serie A. Inter and Napoli have always been going neck and neck, but both sides’ recent downturn in form has brought Atalanta right back into the picture. La Dea are just three points off the top of the standings going into the weekend, meaning they could well be up to second by the time this match kicks off as they host relegation-battlers Venezia earlier in the day.

Inter set to compete in three competitions

Most Serie A experts will agree that Inter are the best team in Italy on paper, but the reason they will find it tough to simply march to the title is the fact that they have three major titles to compete for while their rivals can solely focus on the league. The Nerazzurri have a big cup semi-final against Milan coming up in April, and they could well have a Champions League quarter-final against one of Germany’s top two teams between those two legs.

Prediction

A tight contest is to be expected, but Inter might just have enough to squeeze out a 1-0 win.

(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.

Feb

2025

Preview: Giantkillers Plymouth go to Manchester City

Following wins against Brentford and Liverpool, Plymouth Argyle will be looking to complete a hat-trick of sensational FA Cup wins against Premier League teams, but will Manchester City prove a step too far?

By Ian King

Pride and silverware to fight for

Plymouth have been struggling near the foot of the Championship all season, and their form since the Liverpool match has been mixed. They followed it up with a 5-1 win against Millwall the following Wednesday, but since then they’ve lost 2-0 at Blackburn and had two draws against fellow strugglers, Cardiff and Luton. They’re no longer bottom of the Championship table, but they’re still three points from safety.

Manchester City’s 1-0 win at Spurs on Wednesday night continued their recent rollercoaster-like trajectory. They’ve won-lost-won-lost their last four Premier League matches, while elimination from the Champions League came at the hands of Real Madrid. This is their last chance of silverware, this season.

*Plymouth’s precarious league position in the Championship*

Distant history

SInce Plymouth have never played top-flight football, their only previous meetings with City have come when their spells in the second tier coincided or in cup matches. They haven’t played each other since 1989, when City won 2-0 at Maine Road. Plymouth’s last win against City came with a 3-2 win at Home Park back in January 1988.

Key players

Since this is City’s last chance of winning anything this season, we might expect a strong line-up for this match to build on their recent win at Spurs. Erling Haaland is back from injury, and Pep Guardiola may well feel that a game against moderate opposition should be fertile ground for his main striker to keep his eye in. Goalkeeper Conor Hazard was the star of the show during Plymouth’s win against Liverpool in the last game with a string of excellent saves, and Plymouth will need more of the same from him if they’re to cause another shock in this round.

*Haaland’s shot map in the Premier League, 2024/25*

Team News

Manchester City emerged from their midweek trip to North London untroubled by any fresh injuries, so their absent list remains Rodri, Oscar Bobb, John Stones and Manuel Akanji. Plymouth’s most notable absentee is striker Ryan Hardie, who scored the winning goal from the penalty spot against Liverpool but is now out until the middle of March with a back injury. It had been hoped that the Plymouth captain Joe Edwards, who hasn’t played since the end of October, might return for this match, but it now seems likely that he’ll just miss out.

Prediction

Plymouth have been further than this in the FA Cup before, you know. In 1984, while in the Third Division (!), they went all the way to the semi-finals before losing 1-0 to Watford at Villa Park. But football is a very different game now to then, and City have exactly the reputation of being dream-wreckers to make a Premier League hat-trick feel very remote indeed, although they were knocked out of the Cup by League One Wigan Athletic in 2018. City’s up and down form makes predicting them difficult, but they should win this at least 3-1, shouldn’t they?

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Feb

2025

Preview: Madrid travel to Real Sociedad for semifinal, first leg

Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid could swing in either direction.

By Graham Ruthven

Season-defining opportunity

This season has been a difficult one for Real Sociedad. The Basque outfit are currently slumped in eighth place in the league table, 14 points short of the fourth spot (incidentally occupied by rivals Athletic Club) that would lead to Champions League qualification.

La Real, however, have more then held their own in this season’s cup competitions. Imanol Alguacil’s team are in the last 16 of the Europa League as well as the final four of the Copa del Rey.

Victory over two legs against Real Madrid would be a season-defining moment for Real Sociedad who come into Wednesday’s game on the back of six wins in their last seven matches in all competitions. They have some momentum.

Real Madrid also have momentum behind them having backed up last week’s win over Manchester City in the Champions League win a home victory against Girona on Sunday.

An away win at the Anoeta would add more weight to the idea this could be a Treble-winning season for Los Blancos. At their best, they have the attacking firepower to beat anyone, but do they have a strong enough structure as a team?

Key players

Nobody has scored more goals for Real Sociedad this season than Takefusa Kubo. The Japanese has found the back of the net in two of his last three games and will be a threat coming in off the right wing against his former club.

*Real Sociedad top scorers, LaLiga 2024/25*

While La Real have struggled for attacking firepower in LaLiga this season, scoring just 23 goals in 25 games, they have netted eight goals in their last two outings.

Mikel Oyarzabal come come back into the starting lineup after coming off the bench in the weekend win over Leganés. Igor Zubeldia might also replace Nayef Aguerd in the Real Sociedad backline.

Carlo Ancelotti is expected to field a full-strength team for the trip to the Basque County with Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior likely to feature in the attack.

Jude Bellingham could return to the lineup after missing the win over Girona through suspension while Fede Valverde might come back in after being rested over the weekend. This could push Luka Modrić back to the bench.

*Real Madrid top scorers, LaLiga 2024/25*

Team news

Luka Sučić, Hamari Traoré and Jon Pacheco will all miss the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Real Madrid through injury with Aguerd also set to be sidelined.

Zubeldia and Sheraldo Becker are available again after missing Sunday’s win over Leganés through suspension. Otherwise, Imanol has a strong squad of players and options to pick from.

Bellingham’s suspension only applies to matches in LaLiga, but Éder Militão, Dani Carvajal are both still injured, leaving Real Madrid somewhat short of defensive options.

Andriy Lunin has been Real Madrid’s Copa keeper so far this season and is expected to replace Thibaut Courtois for this match.

Prediction

Ancelotti’s side should come away with a lead that they can defend back at the Bernabéu in the second leg of this semi-final: Real Sociedad 1-2 Real Madrid.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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