Preview

Jan

2025

Preview: Liverpool face Accrington Stanley in nostalgic FA Cup tie

Tempting as it is to start a look at this fixture by listing out why milk is the drink of football heroes of yesteryear*, there’s a somewhat more serious undertone to the game now for Arne Slot’s Premier League leaders, who have just shown the slightest wobble of form of late.

By Karl Matchett

*Before we go any further, and if you’re weren’t alive in the UK during the 1980s, here’s a link to the TV advert that will forever link these two clubs – watch here.

Top of everything, winless in two

Liverpool’s midweek League Cup defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, contentious as it was, means Slot’s side are two without a win in all competitions, following a surprise home draw to Manchester United. For most teams that would be nothing of note; for the Merseyside club it’s their worst run of the campaign.

Yet, as we’re told every year, the magic of the FA Cup means it’s not always about form, favourites or even footballers. Fourth tier Accrington Stanley visit the top side in the country and the storylines write themselves, not the least of which is Josh Woods being likely to lineup for the away side, when he can frequently be found in the stands instead, supporting the Anfield club. This is only the second-ever time the teams have met, after the Reds won 2-0 in the FA Cup third round in 1956.

Recent form

Prior to losing at Spurs it was 24 in a row unbeaten for Slot’s team, so there won’t be panic buttons being pummelled just yet. Accrington have actually won their last two, so come into this game as the in-form team…though if we want to add context, which we should, victories over Grimsby and Colchester don’t move the needle much – particularly coming after a winless run of eight beforehand. Bottom line: they’re 19th in League Two, away to the Premier League leaders.

Team news

Liverpool should be able to call upon the previously ill Dominik Szoboszlai, while Jarell Quansah went off in the first half midweek. Joe Gomez is the only other definite absentee after some recent returns to fitness for Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota and Ibrahima Konaté, but Slot will probably also start the likes of Caoimhin Kelleher, Darwin Núñez, Harvey Elliott and Wataru Endo.

Accrington have a full squad available and will likely go with a full-strength side in a bid to cause the biggest shock of the third round.

Key player

Tough to know exactly where Slot will go with his lineup, but given the Forest game is three days away, rotations in some areas are a necessity, including full-back. That gives Conor Bradley another chance to shine, particularly on the back of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s poor showing against Manchester United and the ongoing contract talks there. While Bradley’s 250-odd league minutes are nowhere near enough to be truly telling, his per-90 stats are alarmingly high across the board in shooting, passing, dribbling, recoveries and touches. The more we see of him, the more idea we’ll have of just how sustainable that is…and whether he could really be a long-term answer for the Reds.

Prediction

No cup shock this time around; Liverpool’s second string will ease aside Accrington and continue their domestic cup adventures. Liverpool 4-0 Accrington…exactly.

(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.

Jan

2025

Preview: Madrid and Mallorca meet in the second Supercopa semifinal

Real Madrid are hoping to make it back-to-back Spanish Super Cup triumphs as Carlo Ancelotti’s team look to continue a run of five wins in six games.

By Graham Ruthven

Real momentum

After an uncertain start to the season, Real Madrid are building momentum having won five of their last six matches in all competitions with last week’s victory over Valencia a classic comeback by Los Blancos.

Jude Bellingham’s stoppage time winner at Mestalla continued his scoring run of six goals in seven games and came with Real Madrid down to 10 men after the sending off of Vinícius Júnior. The Spanish champions backed this up with a 5-0 Copa del Rey win over Minera on Monday.

Three games in under a week could make fatigue a factor for Madrid against Mallorca, but the talent advantage will be in the favour of the Spanish champions.

Mallorca enter the Spanish Super Cup after making last season’s Copa del Rey final. More recently, though, Jagoba Arrasate’s team suffered an embarrassing cup exit at the hands of fourth tier Pontevedra as the defending Copa champions.

The Balearic Islands outfit will have to rediscover the magic of last season’s Copa del Rey run to stand any chance against Ancelotti‘s side in Riyadh.

Key players

Bellingham has been pushed forward into a more advanced role in recent weeks which has seen the England international score a number of important goals, including the late winner at Valencia.

Kylian Mbappé will lead the line for Real Madrid with Vinícius available despite being sent off on Monday night. The suspension only applies to LaLiga and so the Brazilian will likely line up on the left wing.

However, there are still questions over Ancelotti’s integration of Mbappé and Vinícius into the same forward line with Real Madrid recently playing better without the latter.

After naming a much-changed team for that Copa upset, the likes of Pablo Maffeo, Vedat Muriqi, Cyle Larin, Dominik Greif and Sergi Darder could come back into the lineup for Thursday’s match.

Muriqi scored against Real Madrid in the opening game of the season and will pose a physical and aerial threat with Mallorca’s game plan designed to get service into the 30-year-old centre forward.

Goalkeeper Greif should expect a busy evening against one of the most formidable frontlines in European football.

Team news

Madrid remain without Dani Carvajal who is expected to miss the rest of the season through injury, explaining why Los Blancos are reportedly keen to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold to fill the vacant right back spot.

Éder Militão and Jesús Vallejo will also miss Thursday’s match against Mallorca, although David Alaba is now back in training after a year on the sidelines. This game, however, will come too soon for the Austrian.

Defensive midfielder Samu Costa is the only Mallorca player expected to miss the Spanish Super Cup semi-final with Arrasate otherwise boasting a fully fit squad despite knocks to Antonio Raíllo and Antonio Sánchez.

Prediction

As one of the most successful clubs in world football, Madrid don’t often miss out on the opportunity to collect more silverware. We’re therefore predicting that they will make it safely through to Sunday’s final: Real Madrid 2-0 Mallorca

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2025

Preview: Athletic Club looking to extend Cup run against Barcelona

Just two days after the end of the Supercoppa Italiana, Saudi Arabia is hosting the Supercopa de España in a similar four-team format. Athletic Club and Barcelona will kick the action off in the first semi-final.

By Neel Shelat

Athletic’s impressive cup record against Barça

Athletic Club have not defeated Barcelona in any of their last nine league games, but their head-to-head record in cups is quite different. The Basque side have knocked the Catalan giants out of the Copa del Rey in their last two clashes in the competition, requiring extra time to do so on both occasions. They also triumphed in their last two Supercopa meetings, winning 5-1 on aggregate in 2015 and registering yet another extra-time win in 2020.

Barcelona eager for Lamine Yamal’s return

Barcelona have not done well after teenage superstar Lamine Yamal picked up an injury in mid-December. They lost the game he went off in at Leganés and suffered another defeat in the subsequent league match against Atlético Madrid, so their only win came against a lower-tier side in the Copa del Rey.

Head coach Hansi Flick was optimistic about the 17-year-old winger’s availability for this match, though he stopped short of confirming it. Either way, given Barcelona’s terrible track record with injury issues for young stars, they would be wise to carefully ease him back into the side.

In the meantime, Barça will hope to see some of their other creative players step up. Lamine Yamal is the outright assists leader in LaLiga ahead of Raphinha, who will be fresh after being rested on the weekend. However, no one else in the squad has more than three.

Unregistered players in Barcelona’s travelling squad

Barcelona had a two-week break around Christmas and the New Year, but they remained in the news thanks to their semiannual lever-pulling tradition. Even without any new signings made in the January window so far, they have squad registration issues to contend with as Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor can no longer feature for the team as things stand. However, the pair have travelled to Saudi Arabia with the squad.

On the bright side, Barça’s injury list is now down to just the two players with season-ending ACL injuries. Andreas Christensen is back after a long Achilles tendon issue, while Ronald Araújo made his return against Barbastro on the weekend.

Athletic’s impressive defensive solidity

Athletic Club have some injury issues of their own as top-scorer Oihan Sancet, centre-back Yeray Álvarez and defensive midfielder Íñigo Ruiz de Galarreta will all miss out. Nevertheless, they will back themselves to record yet another win over Barcelona thanks to their collective defensive solidity.

Under ex-Barça head coach Ernesto Valverde, the Basque side have consistently maintained one of the best defensive blocks in Spain. So far this season, they have conceded the third-lowest xG tally in LaLiga.

In the potential absence of creative players like Lamine Yamal and Olmo, Barcelona will surely find it tough to unlock this staunch defence.

Prediction

A minor format change has seen extra time eliminated from the Supercopa this season. Athletic may look to use that to their advantage having won each of their last five penalty shoot-outs, though their direct attacking threat might even make the difference in regulation time.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow the Spanish Supercopa live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2025

Preview: Spurs and Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final, first leg

Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool meet for the second time in just over two weeks with a place in the Carabao Cup final on the line.

By Graham Ruthven

Silverware symbolism

Ange Postecoglou’s assertion that he always wins silverware in his second season at a club will be tested as Tottenham come up against the best team in the country in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Spurs are struggling badly for league form having won just one of their last eight games. However, glory in the Carabao Cup would prove the North London outfit are still heading in the right direction.

There won’t be so much pressure on Liverpool such is their strong standing at the top of the Premier League table right now, but winning the first domestic trophy of the season would be symbolic for Arne Slot as the Reds’ new manager.

With both teams known for their attacking football, Tottenham and Liverpool could put on a spectacle. Indeed, there has been over 2.5 goals in eight of the last nine meetings between the two rivals.

Key players

While Tottenham have struggled for form in recent matches, Dominic Solanke has still impressed in the centre forward position, finding the back of the net in his most recent outing against Newcastle United on Saturday.

Dejan Kulusevski has also been a shining light for Spurs as a creative force in the final third. The Swede, along with Solanke, will be the biggest threat to the Liverpool defence on Wednesday night.

Son Heung-min could come into the lineup after starting on the bench against Newcastle with Brennan Johnson on the right side Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma in the central midfield unit.

Slot could rest some key players after a gruelling winter period, but Liverpool’s squad depth will see them still field a strong side that might include Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez in attack.

Conor Bradley is in line to start at right back and could steady Liverpool’s defence after a shaky performance by Trent Alexander-Arnold against Manchester United. Caoimhin Kelleher could start in goal.

Team news

Tottenham are still suffering something of an injury crisis with seven first team figures expected to be sidelined for the visit of Liverpool with a further two doubtful.

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven’s absence in central defence has been keenly felt in recent weeks with Destiny Udogie also sidelined through injury. Radu Drăgușin could similarly miss out after coming off at half time of Saturday’s match against Newcastle due to illness.

Fraser Forster could return to the lineup after missing Tottenham’s last match through that same sickness bug, although Brandon Austin’s impressive display against Newcastle may see him keep his place in goal.

James Maddison and Pape Sarr are both suspended and while Richarlison is back in training, Tuesday’s match will surely come too early for the Brazilian forward.

Joe Gomez is still out injured for Liverpool with Dominik Szoboszlai a doubt after missing the 2-2 draw against Manchester United on Sunday.

Prediction

With the importance of balancing this first leg tie with ongoing Premier League commitments, we’re expecting a score draw that’ll leave everything to play for in next month’s second leg at Anfield: Tottenham 2-2 Liverpool

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2025

Preview: Arsenal and Newcastle’s Carabao Cup semi-final, first leg

Arsenal and Newcastle United meet in the first of the EFL Cup semi-finals, but which of these two clubs needs a trophy more, and who might want to remain focussed on the League instead?

By Ian King

Two forms sides

Both teams come into this match in rich veins of form. Following their 1-1 draw at Brighton on Saturday, Arsenal are now ten games unbeaten and with their title chase back on. Newcastle, meanwhile, made slightly harder work of beating Spurs than had been expected at the weekend, but have now won their last five in a row in the league. Arsenal have beaten Bolton, Preston and Crystal Palace to get this far, while Newcastle, who entered a round earlier, have already beaten Nottingham Forest, Wimbledon, Chelsea and Brentford. On paper there’s not much between these two.

History

Newcastle have won three of their last four home matches against Arsenal, but the bigger issue comes when they’ve had to travel south. They haven’t beaten them away since 2010, and furthermore Arsenal have won all three of their previous meetings in the EFL Cup. You have to go back almost 73 years to the 1952 FA Cup final for Newcastle’s last win against Arsenal in any cup competition.

A chance to rotate?

With this being the Carabao we can probably expect changes from both Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe, but that opens the door to the question of who wants it more. Newcastle haven’t won a major trophy since – depending on whether you consider the former of these to be ‘major’ – the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup or the 1955 FA Cup. Arsenal haven’t won anything since the 2020 FA Cup. So the greater question here is probably who’ll take a greater interest in trying to end their dry spell in this competition.

Team News

Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Raheem Sterling (knee), Ben White (knee) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) are all missing for Arsenal, while Kai Havertz has been getting over an illness and may not be available, and there are doubts over Ethan Nwaneri following his early withdrawal at Brighton. Jurrien Timber returns from suspension.

Fabian Schär and Bruno Guimarães are both suspended for Newcastle, while Nick Pope (knee), Callum Wilson (thigh) and Jamaal Lascelles (knee) all remain injured. Lloyd Kelly, Sean Longstaff or Joe Willock could be drafted in. But as ever with the Carabao Cup, expect changes from the weekend.

Prediction

So, how important is this match to these two teams, then? For Newcastle, this year marks the 70th anniversary of their last major domestic trophy; so long ago that the competition they’re playing in tonight didn’t even exist at that time. For Arsenal, with the Champions League, the FA Cup and the Premier League still to play for, it may be a slightly lower priority. With Newcastle’s strong recent defensive record, it might be time for them to take something from a trip to Arsenal for the first time in years. With that, I’m going for a 1-1 draw, leaving all to play for at St James’ Park in the second leg (being played 5 Feb).

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2025

Preview: Real Madrid face minnows in the Copa Del Rey

David and Goliath, giant-killing exploits…domestic cup matches are all about the possibility, the opportunity and at times, the inevitably one-sided – and Real Madrid travelling to tiny Deportiva Minera fits that bill precisely.

By Karl Matchett

Madrid’s patchy record in the Copa

Carlo Ancelotti is used to fighting for major honours, the biggest pieces of silverware in the game. This year once more he’ll be expecting to go the distance in Europe and retain top spot in LaLiga, with Real Madrid a force domestically and abroad. But in the Copa del Rey, they’ve triumphed just once in the past decade. Weakened teams, priorities elsewhere and an opponent potentially facing the game of their lives can all mix to become a real banana skin for the top sides in the country.

Ancelotti with little reason to take risks

Minera ply their trade in Cartagena, a port city on Spain’s southeast coast in the region of Murcia. With a stadium holding around 2000 and a team which has just been promoted to the Segunda Federacion – that’s the fourth tier of Spanish football, where the group teams are allocated to play in are based on geographical location – this isn’t so much David against Goliath, more like David’s pet dog against a giant. Minera are tiny: they were in the seventh tier in 1980, haven’t been higher than the third tier ever and are eighth in their table, hardly among the mightiest even at their own respective status.

Even with alterations, rotations, youngsters getting a chance and those out of favour being handed minutes in the team, Ancelotti must surely feel his side will have too much, technically and physically, for a team who have never played even near the level of Los Blancos. Given they faced Valencia three days before and Mallorca in the Supercopa – with the travel that involves – three days later, there’s even less reason to suspect Ancelotti will go anywhere near full strength.

Recent form

Real went unbeaten in four in league and Champions League before Christmas, and reclaimed top spot in LaLiga following the dramatic victory over Valencia, on Friday, in their first match of the new year. By contrast, Minera’s only win in the last five was a penalty shootout success in the Copa – against another LaLiga side in Alavés, following a 2-2 draw.

Team news

Real Madrid continue to be without Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Éder Militão for the long haul. The likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé will surely all be rested after featuring against Valencia, but seniors such as Andrii Lunin, Dani Ceballos and Endrick might get rare starts. Minera’s best-known player – relative term here, perhaps – is likely Arturo Rodríguez, who spent a brief period with Dundee several years ago after playing at Cordoba.

Key player

As an international of some pedigree already, if Arda Güler is given the nod to start he’s an obvious star who will be leagues beyond anything Minera have seen or can cope with. Even he might not play in truth, depending on how Ancelotti manages players’ minutes, but in 600 LaLiga minutes only, he’s averaging 1.25 shots per 90, 2.67 chances created and 74 touches of the ball.

Prediction

No #Cupset this time around – Real Madrid’s much-changed side should pick up a win by several goals: Minera 1-4 Madrid.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2025

Preview: Inter meet AC Milan in the Supercoppa

The first trophy of the 2024/25 Italian football season will go to one of the Milan clubs as they will face off in the final of the Supercoppa in Saudi Arabia.

By Neel Shelat

Both sides looking to match rivals’ successes

Inter and Milan are two of the most successful clubs in Italian football, so it should be no surprise that they have some of the biggest trophy hauls in the Supercoppa Italiana.

Inter’s recent record as three-time defending champions has taken their tally up to eight, just one off record champions Juventus. Milan are close behind them with seven, so they will be looking to restore parity with their city rivals in this respect.

A reunion in Saudi Arabia

Despite their previous success, Inter and Milan have only met twice in the Supercoppa. Their first clash was in 2011 when goals from Zlatan Ibrahimović and Kevin-Prince Boateng won Milan the trophy in Beijing, while Inter eventually got their revenge a couple of years ago in Riyadh.

That match kicked off a streak of victories in the Derby della Madonnina for the Nerazzurri, who had the chance to set a head-to-head record of seven straight wins earlier this season. However, it was Milan who scored a late winner to mark one of the few highlights of Paulo Fonseca’s tenure in charge of the club.

Sérgio Conceição’s chance to make an instant impact

Milan hired Sérgio Conceição just a few days before the Supercoppa, tasking him with staging a turnaround after a pretty disappointing first half of the season. His contract reportedly includes a unilateral termination clause that the club can exercise at the end of the campaign, so the pressure is on him to convince them of his suitability for the job. Silverware of any form will go a long way for his case, so the Supercoppa will surely mean something to him.

The Portuguese tactician will have to pull off something pretty special if his side are to defeat the defending champions in the midst of a period of subpar performances. A run of just one win in four Serie A fixtures across December cost Fonseca his job, after which Milan’s Supercoppa semi-final win against Juventus came about thanks to a cheap penalty and freak own goal rather than an overly convincing display. With injury doubts surrounding four attackers including Rafael Leão and Samuel Chukwueze, Conceição will also have to fashion a makeshift front line for this match.

Inter firm favourites

Among many things, the form book favours the defending champions. Inter have won 13 of their last 14 domestic fixtures, including the Supercoppa opener against Serie A title rivals Atalanta.

Simone Inzaghi’s side have certainly looked quite close to their very best in recent months, showcasing exceptional attacking play with slick passing and perfectly executed positional rotations. They are the top scorers in Serie A this season with 45 goals in 17 games, so they should have more than enough firepower to contend with the potential absence of top-scorer Marcus Thuram in this match. The Nerazzurri also are on a run of five consecutive clean sheets, so their defence will be a tough nut to crack.

Prediction

While Milan’s players continue to familiarise themselves with Conceição’s tactics, Inter should be backed to get a resounding victory.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow the Supercoppa final and every game back in Serie A live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2025

Preview: Old rivals clash in the Premier League as Liverpool face Man United

Manchester United travel to Anfield on Sunday to take on the rampant Premier League leaders Liverpool.

By Sam McGuire

If form played a part in this fixture, it would very much be a case of David versus Goliath as these old rivals meet for the second time this season. However, we know that form counts for very little when the Red Devils take on the Reds.

The season so far

Liverpool are riding high at the top of the Premier League with 14 wins from 18 matches. Their only defeat in any competition this season arrived back in September. Since then, the Reds have been almost flawless under new manager Arne Slot.

Following back-to-back draws with Newcastle United and Fulham, Liverpool have won three on the bounce in the Premier League and have scored 14 goals in the process. Ahead of Saturday’s fixtures, the Merseyside club had a six point advantage at the top of the table with a game in hand (the postponed Merseyside derby) over nearest rivals Arsenal.

They have the player of the season at their disposal in Mohamed Salah. The 32-year-old has racked up 30 goal involvements in his 18 appearances and have either scored or assisted in 11 successive English top-flight matches. He is the form player, not just in the league but perhaps in the world.

The supporting cast are pulling their weight too with Cody Gakpo and Luis Díaz being amongst the goals recently.

The Reds top the charts for goals scored (2.5) per game and have conceded the joint-fewest (0.9 per game). They’ve kept the joint-most clean sheets (eight) and have carved out the most big chances (81). Slot’s side have been the best in the Premier League and deserve their place at the summit.

Manchester United, meanwhile, have had a season to forget. Erik Ten Hag was dismissed earlier in the campaign and was replaced by Rúben Amorim. The Portuguese tactician guided his new club to a 2-1 win over Manchester City recently but that is their only win in their last six Premier League matches. They’ve lost the other five.

They find themselves in 14th position and are without a clean sheet since the 4-0 win over Everton on December 1st. The Red Devils are averaging just 1.1 goals per 90 and are conceding 1.4 goals. Their underlying numbers are just as worrying, with an expected goals total of 26.9. For context, Liverpool’s xG this term is 42, and United have played a game more.

Arguably the most enlightening stat to highlight the incredible gap between these two sides this term is that Liverpool have missed (47) almost as many big chances as United have carved out (48).

Previous encounters

Liverpool won the first clash of the season between these two teams at Old Trafford. A Salah-inspired showing earned the Reds a 3-0 win. Things have changed since then though. There’s a new man in the dugout for the Red Devils and the pressure isn’t on him to beat Liverpool at Anfield. They’re going to want to frustrate the hosts and dent their title challenge. A draw would go a long way here for Amorim and United. Ten Hag, meanwhile, had to have a go at Liverpool in August.

The dynamic is different. The pressure is on the Reds so it will be interesting to see how they break down a United side who will want to soak up pressure. It was the same tactic deployed by the Red Devils last season as they went unbeaten against Liverpool and knocked them out of the FA Cup. Again, though, it was different. That was Jürgen Klopp versus Ten Hag. This is Slot versus Amorim.

The injury situation

Liverpool are without centre-back duo Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konaté for the clash while Conor Bradley is still ruled out following an injury he sustained against Real Madrid in November. The Reds are also without the suspended Dominik Szoboszlai after he picked up a fifth booking of the season in a brief cameo against West Ham United.

United are expected to be without Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof and Mason Mount for the visit to Anfield. Bruno Fernandes is set to return to the starting XI having missed the defeat to Newcastle United following his red card against Wolves.

On paper, Liverpool are missing two starters while United will be without one.

Prediction

It has to be a Liverpool win, doesn’t it? If they are serious about winning the title, this has to be three points on Sunday. They need to be breezing past struggling sides like United. We’re go with a 3-1 win for the Reds.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2025

Preview: Man City aiming to maintain momentum against West Ham

Manchester City host West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon as Pep Guardiola’s side look to gather some momentum after a win last time out. Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui will be feeling the pressure as he hopes to bounce back from a disappointing 5-0 hammering at home to Liverpool.

By Matt Smith

West Ham have little success at City

The Hammers haven’t won at the Etihad since 2015, with City winning 12 of the 13 times they’ve faced each other in Manchester in the Premier League. The last three games between the two teams have seen Guardiola’s men secure 3-1 victories, with City winning the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign thanks to an Erling Haaland hat-trick.

Dias yet to return

Guardiola has confirmed that Rúben Dias is ‘getting better’, but he’s set to be unavailable to face West Ham on the weekend. Ederson has returned to training, and the City boss hopes he will back soon.

It’s looking like City will have a similar squad against West Ham as they did versus Leicester last time out. Providing a small update on Rodri, Guardiola hopes that he will be ready at the end of the season.

Haaland back among the goals

Despite scoring 14 Premier League goals so far this season, Haaland hasn’t hit the heights expected of him in recent weeks. With the Norwegian being City’s only out-and-out striker, when he’s struggling to find the back of the net, Guardiola’s side find it difficult to pick up results.

*Haaland shooting stats, Premier League 2024/25*

His attacking numbers still look freakish, but before the win over Leicester City last time out, the former Borussia Dortmund man had scored just once in seven games. He was back among the goals last time out, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him scoring with ease in the coming weeks.

Star man Bowen on the treatment table

Julen Lopetegui has confirmed that it’s ‘not good news’ for Jarrod Bowen, who is now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The Hammers will now be without their captain for the trip to the Etihad Stadium.

Elsewhere, Tomáš Souček and Guido Rodríguez are back in contention after suspension, but Łukasz Fabiański will be unavailable.

Time for Füllkrug to step up

It’s been a disappointing start to life at West Ham for Niclas Füllkrug, but without their top goalscorer Bowen, he’s going to have to step up. Michail Antonio is also on the treatment table, meaning Füllkrug can make the centre-forward spot his own.

The German international hasn’t been given much of a chance to impress, but the Hammers are going to need someone to carry the burden left by Bowen. It could be his time to stamp his authority.

Prediction

Without Bowen, it’s difficult to see the Hammers getting a result at a place they notoriously struggle. Carrying on the trend, we’re going for a fourth 3-1 victory in a row for Manchester City.

(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.

Jan

2025

Preview: Chelsea look to put their festive form behind them at Palace

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca didn’t look particularly jolly after seeing his side fall to a shock 2-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Ipswich town in their last game of 2024, while Crystal Palace secured a much-needed win over Southampton.

By Alex Roberts

Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson made sure Chelsea’s shocking Christmas form continued, leaving them winless in their last three games over the hectic festive period. So much for good will to all men.

Palace, on the other hand, weren’t gifted their win over Southampton and had to come back from 1-0 down after Tyler Dibling’s 14^th minute opener to secure all three points and put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

Bah humbug

Chelsea’s poor run of form over Christmas has seen them fall down to fourth and talk of a potential title charge become nought but a whisper.

Sean Dyche was their very own ghost of Christmas past, warning Maresca’s side of what was to come as they failed to beat his struggling side, drawing 0-0 in the first game of their three-game winless streak.

Then there was Marco Silva, the ghost of Christmas present. Chelsea went 1-0 up, and everything seemed right in the world for the Stamford Bridge crowd, but it soon soured, and two late goals secured Fulham’s first win at Stamford Bridge in 45 years.

Liam Delap acted as the ghost of Christmas future. The man Chelsea see as a potential new striker tore them apart, later showing them a grave that had “Chelsea’s 2024-25 title hopes” engraved upon it.

It’s not all bad for the eagles

Oliver Glasner’s lads had a rough start to the season after looking so promising at the back end of 2023-24, failing to secure a Premier League win in their first eight, including a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the reverse fixture.

They have since picked up some form, losing just two of their last 11 league games, winning four and drawing five in the others. With games against Leicester City and West Ham, clubs in similar kinds of positions as Palace, coming up in January, they have every opportunity to start 2025 with a bang.

Eberechi Eze also seems to be back to his best, scoring a belter to beat Southampton after struggling with a few little injuries in the first half of the season.

A timely Reece James return

Axel Disasi seriously struggled in the defeat to Ipswich, failing to win a single tackle and ultimately being responsible for their second goal. It’s not entirely his fault; he simply isn’t a right-back.

Reece James is back from injury, making the bench in both defeats to Fulham and Ipswich but Maresca is airing on the side of caution when it comes to giving him serious game time again.

The right-back still has the ability to be a key player for Chelsea, the game against Palace may well be his rebirth.

Trevoh Chalobah will be missed

The lanky centre-back won’t be allowed to feature against his parent club on Saturday and he will be a huge miss for Palace after scoring the equaliser in their win over Southampton.

As a matter of fact, Chalobah is their third highest Premier League goal scorer so far this season on three goals, just one behind Ismaïla Sarr and the second highest scoring defender in the competitions all together.

His presence at both ends of the pitch will be a huge miss for Palace.

Prediction

While Chelsea haven’t been fantastic, Palace’s struggles in front of goal will likely be a factor. We’re going to go with a 1-1 draw in South London.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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