Preview

Oct

2024

Preview: Arsenal look to put the weekend behind them when they take on Shakhtar

With four points from two tricky opening games in the Champions League, Arsenal have had a decent start to their campaign, but they will arrive at The Emirates for their third match against Shakhtar Donetsk in a tetchy frame of mind.

By Ian King

Because regardless of the debate over the sending off of William Saliba during the match, there was little question that losing 2-0 at Bournemouth on Saturday was both their worst result and worst performance of the season so far. It was, considering that they’d just come back from an international break, a surprisingly tired looking performance from the title-chasers.

Saliba will start against Shakhtar (his one game suspension comes against Liverpool at the weekend), but Arsenal’s list of absentees remains long. Martin Ødegaard is unlikely to return until the end of the month and Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber will both face fitness tests before the match.

Shakhtar Donetsk have had a slightly troubled start to the season, both in this competition and domestically. In the Champions League they started off with a reasonable goalless draw away to Bologna, but their second game ended in a 3-0 ‘home’ defeat to Atalanta (they’re playing their home matches in Lviv, 1200 kilometres from home, at the moment due to Russia’s invasion). For what it’s worth, they are currently in 27th place out of 36 in UEFA’s new, byzantine Swiss Model group stage.

Their league season got off to a surprisingly weak start, losing two of their first three matches, but they’ve recovered since then, with a five match unbeaten run having lifted them back up to fourth place in the Ukrainian Premier League behind Dynamo Kyiv, Oleksandriya and Polissya Zhytomyr, and six points off the top of the table. Despite the obstacles being thrown in their way, Shakhtar are expected to be pretty much at full strength.

These two sides have met four times before, stretched across two Champions League groups a decade apart. In 2000/01 Arsenal won 3-2 at Highbury but lost the return match 3-0. A decade later, and by this time at The Emirates, they won 5-1 but then lost the return match 2-1. The Gunners will start this match as strong favourites to win, especially since the nature of their defeat on the south coast of England and the weekend surely demands one. Mikel Arteta surely knows that he needs a big performance in this match.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Barcelona face Sevilla at the start of a huge week for the club

Does García Pimienta know something that his Sevilla predecessors did not to finally beat Barça?

By Filip Mishov

LaLiga leaders Barcelona have a big week ahead of them as they are set to host Sevilla on Sunday, and Bayern Munich, on Wednesday, at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys before making the trip to Spain’s capital to face arch-rivals Real Madrid all in the space of six day.

With that being said, Hansi Flick will be pressured to rotate in order to keep the squad fresh, but at the same time, the German tactician will hope to avoid the mistake of making too many changes as Osasuna taught the Champions League’s winning coach a harsh lesson, when Bryan Zaragoza & co. inflicted them their first defeat in the Spanish top-tier back in September.

Also, Flick’s faith in youth will be put to a test as the Catalonia-based club is the only one among Europe’s top five leagues to feature three 17-year-olds (Pau Cubarsi, Marc Bernal and Lamine Yamal) who have played more than 200 minutes. With the defensive midfielder – Bernal ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury and Yamal sustaining a hamstring strain while on international duty with La Roja, that is almost certain to change as Barça have not put a timescale on the wonderkid’s possible return yet.

However, it is not all doom and gloom as Fermín López is back in training and Gavi is finally nearing a return from long-term injury with the Spanish prodigy taking part in first team training during the international break. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres remain on the sidelines and with Yamal out, the in-form vice-captain, Raphinha is expected to occupy the right wing spot, but Flick has to decide between giving Pau Víctor another opportunity at left wing or giving Ansu Fati his first start of the season.

*Possible Barca starting XI, made with the new line-up builder at FotMob.com*

As for Rojiblancos, Barcelona represent one of, if not the most difficult opponents to face because Sevilla’s last league win against Barça at Camp Nou dates back to 2002 and the Andalusia-based club has recorded only three league home wins against them over that same period. But the Sevillistas are hoping for a change of scenario as now, García Pimienta is at the helm, a former Barcelona player, and coach of La Masia’s youth teams and finally, Barcelona B. The Catalan has not enjoyed the best start of the season at his new club but Sevilla did defeat city rivals Betis before the international break and to extend their current unbeaten run to three games, something that sees them sat 12th in the standings. Additionally, unlike Flick, Pimienta enjoys a clean bill of health within his squad with only Saúl Ñíguez unavailable, which should give him plenty of options to choose from and provide support for Belgian forward Dodi Lukebakio, who has been their best player this season.

Finally, the Blaugrana boast a perfect home record in LaLiga with three wins under their belt, while Sevilla are still winless on the road this season with three draws and one loss, and given their struggles when facing Barça, it would take a monumental performance to break their Catalan curse, but hope dies last and who knows what Pimienta has up his sleeve from his time spent in Barcelona.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Liverpool and Chelsea put their strong starts to the season on the line at Anfield

Many are tipping Manchester City and Arsenal to battle it out for the Premier League title this season but on current form, Liverpool and Chelsea are the two best teams in the English top flight.

By Sam McGuire

The Reds host the Blues this weekend in a pivotal game for both managers and projects.

As Arne Slot keeps pointing out, his side have had favourable fixtures so far this season. Their record of six wins from seven attests to that.

An away win at Old Trafford sounds impressive on paper but Manchester United have, yet again, been awful this season. The game against Chelsea is the first time his Liverpool team are coming up against a recognised top team in good form.

After a number of lacklustre showings before the international break, he’ll want a reaction from his players. He’ll want a good showing and a positive result.

Enzo Maresca finds himself in a similar situation. Chelsea are unbeaten since their opening-day defeat to Manchester City. They’ve had some big wins this season over Wolves, Brighton and West Ham United. However, they’ve also dropped points in games against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.

The former Leicester City manager has his side playing good football. He has them playing as a team. He’s also figured out a way to get the best out of Cole Palmer. He’s yet to record a statement victory over an established top team.

Winning at Anfield could force people to take notice of this Chelsea team. A win on Sunday would also end the terrible recent record the Blues have against the Reds – they’re winless in nine matches across all competitions. Their last victory arrived in 2021 during that terrible run of form for Liverpool under Jürgen Klopp. Liverpool fans may remember that in that particular game, Fabinho partnered Ozan Kabak at centre-back.

This should be a good game for the neutral.

Both sides are attack-minded with Chelsea ranking second for Expected Goals this season and Liverpool currently sat in third for this metric. The Reds top the charts for Big Chances Created while the Blues are second. In the alternative, Expected Points table, we have Slot’s men sat top with Maresca’s side in second.

This really is the two most in-form teams in the league so far this season facing off. These are two teams with stacked attacks and impressive defensive units. These are two teams under new management, looking to show their good start is the real deal, not just a honeymoon period. This is a game you do not want to miss.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: The league’s leakiest defence take on the meanest attack as Wolves host Man City

Although the international break is now behind us, Wolves manager Gary O’Neil may be wishing for another week off, with his Molineux men currently sitting bottom of the Premier League table, and with the visit of Manchester City coming up on Sunday.

By Dan Tracey

Gary O’Neil will almost certainly be looking at ways to shore up Wolves’ defence, with 21 goals conceded across their first seven league games of the season, at an average of three goals per game is not one that is sustainable in either the short or long-term.

In the long-term, it is the kind of metric that points to a relegation battle, at best, and demotion to the EFL Championship at worst. In the short-term, failure to land a first league win of the season in the next couple of weeks may lead to a change in the dugout.

That is not to suggest that the visit of Manchester City represents a free hit for O’Neil and his players and if they are to suffer another heavy defeat at home, a change may even have to be made before next weekend’s clash with Brighton.

In fairness to the team that is currently propping up 19 others in the Premier League, their attacking output has been far better from what you would expect from a team in their position, and with nine goals to their name, they rank joint 12^th on that measure alone.

However, it is not goals scored that matter the most, it is league points and with both they and Manchester City needing them for far differing reasons, this clash has all the hallmarks of an ideal warm-up for matters at Anfield – where Liverpool take on Chelsea just a couple of hours later.

It must be noted that City have shown their own defensive deficiencies at times this season, but whereas Wolves can’t seem to convert the necessary chances to get them out of trouble, the defending champions never seem to panic even when finding themselves going behind.

A scenario that played out against Fulham a fortnight ago, and one that they would rather avoid when referee Chris Kavanagh gets Sunday’s game underway. Should the defending league champions pick up the win in the West Midlands, they could even find themselves going back to the top of the table.

That would put the pressure back on to Liverpool as it will be down to Arne Slot’s side to then find a way to pick up maximum points against Chelsea. But first, City need to make sure they clear the hurdle placed in front of them before placing one in front of one of their title rivals.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Madrid travel to Celta Vigo, one of LaLiga’s great entertainers this season

After two weeks off thanks to the international break, LaLiga champions Real Madrid are back in action. Their tenth league match of the season will see them visit Balaídos to take on the eye-catching Celta Vigo.

By Neel Shelat

Celta promise goals galore

Celta Vigo are unquestionably among the most exciting teams in LaLiga this season. Led by Claudio Giráldez in his first full season in charge of a professional club, they are third in the division in terms of total goals (scored and conceded) per game.

They have a dynamic attack led by Borja Iglesias and Iago Aspas, although the latter is suspended for this game after being sent off in the win over Las Palmas. Celta Vigo kept their only clean sheet of the season in that match, despite playing with nine men for over half an hour!

The most intriguing part of this Celta side has to be Óscar Mingueza, the former Barcelona defender. He was a sturdy centre-back or at most a defensive full-back for Xavi’s side, but Giráldez has refashioned him into a flying right wing-back. He has been doing his best Trent Alexander-Arnold impression in Vigo, already breaking his personal seasonal record for goal involvements with six in just eight games. Real Madrid will have to keep a close eye on him.

Will a refreshed Real Madrid attack click?

The two-week break and a favourable fixture against a frail Celta Vigo defence might just be what the doctor ordered for Real Madrid’s misfiring attack. Although they have the second-most goals and the second-highest xG tally in the league, they haven’t been able to create chances at anywhere near the same consistency as their main title rivals, Barcelona.

Thanks to the world-class quality of their players, their clinical finishing has helped them get over the line in most cases, but Carlo Ancelotti will surely be a lot happier if he can get his star forwards to click. Both Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior did not travel with their national teams in this break so they should be well-rested and refreshed, though they were also nursing slight injury issues. Should either of them fail to feature, the likes of Rodrygo, Endrick, Arda Güler and Brahim Díaz will be keen to make the most of the opportunity they get.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Arsenal head to Dorset looking to extend their winning streak against the Cherries

With seven games of the Premier League season now played Arsenal have still dropped just four points, and at a glance it looks as though a Saturday afternoon trip to the south coast should be one of their easier away trips of the season.

By Ian King

Arsenal scored nine goals in their last three games before the international break, which hints at the scale of the job ahead for Bournemouth.

The historical record certainly seems to back that assessment. In the nine years since the Cherries found their way into the top flight they’ve only taken five points off Arsenal in fourteen attempts; a 2-1 win in January 2018 and 3-3 and 1-1 draws in January 2017 and December 2019. Arsenal have won each of their other eleven League meetings, including the last seven in a row.

Arsenal have one or two minor injury worries ahead of this match. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are both at risk of absence following knocks picked up during the international break for England and Brazil respectively. Both will be assessed before the match on Friday tea-time. Martin Ødegaard is also still likely to be absent, though it seems fair to say that Mikel Arteta has coped pretty well without his usual captain.

For Bournemouth, the most significant question is whether Tyler Adams, who’s been out since the summer following back surgery, is fit to return to the team. This is the game that had been targeted for his return, but it’s unconfirmed that he will, and if he does return in this match, it may turn out to be from the substitutes bench. Bournemouth’s recent form has been inconsistent of late, with 2 wins and 3 defeats in their last 5 matches.

If there is a potential weakness to be exploited, it could be Arsenal’s defence. They only conceded 29 in 38 games last season but they’ve conceded five in their last three games since last keeping a clean sheet in the League against Spurs four weeks ago, three of which came against somewhat modest opposition, in the form of the newly-promoted Leicester City and Southampton.

It’s not much, but it is at least a glimmer of hope for Bournemouth, and considering both Arsenal’s recent form and Bournemouth’s record against them in recent years, it’s difficult to see past the Gunners continuing to keep pressurising both Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Man United aim to change the narrative at home to Brentford

It’s over a month since Manchester United last won a Premier League game, over two months since they last won one at Old Trafford and, quite incredibly, more than ten months since they won back-to-back home league matches in the same season.

By Karl Matchett

Quite how Erik ten Hag has lasted long enough to keep sight of that particularly niche anniversary remains a mystery, but for United to even have a chance at ending the run soon, they need to first put an end to successive 3-0 home league defeats.

Solace for the beleaguered boss comes in the fact that their next opponents, Brentford, remain without a single away league win themselves this term. While their home form puts United’s to shame – four wins from five in all competitions in 2024/25 – Thomas Frank has been unable to translate that to being on the road, with the Bees’ last top-flight victory outside of their own ground coming in May.

And yet despite that, there won’t be too many away fans who think a result is impossible in the north west on Saturday. Brentford are 11th, United 14th. Brentford have two points more and a goal difference which is superior by three. And if they have plenty of players missing through injury in attack, limiting the options for Frank to shuffle the pack, that might still be preferable to United’s absent bodies being scattered throughout the porous defence and soft centre which has been so brittle again this year.

As an example, Bryan Mbeumo – top ten in the league for goals, big chances created and expected assists, while United have nobody at all on any of those lists – remains available, and is in prime form. United have no player, attacker or otherwise, who has more than a single goal or a single assist in the Premier League this term. While individuality isn’t everything, it certainly helps to have a reliable source of chances.

*Bryan Mbeumo shot map, Premier League 2024/25*

And as a team? Well, Brentford have a better xG than United, have created more big chances and win the ball in the attacking third more times per game. United do, it should be noted, have the edge in xG conceded; however, given that the only half-dozen teams below them in that category are the relegation battlers, newly promoted teams and Brentford themselves, it’s dubious if Ten Hag would realistically highlight that as a positive. Then again, given league results over the past 300-odd days at Old Trafford, it’s hard to know any more exactly where they draw the line on something being negative either.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Spurs and West Ham kick off the Premier League weekend

Tottenham Hotspur host West Ham United in the lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League on Saturday. It’s two sides who may be slightly disappointed with how their season has started, and we could be set for an exciting encounter in the capital.

By Matt Smith

Spurs have shown plenty of inconsistency so far this campaign, producing some exceptional performances and results while also unnecessarily throwing away comfortable leads and dropping points. Sitting in ninth with three wins, three losses, and a draw, Ange Postecoglou’s side haven’t quite kicked into gear just yet.

Despite their disappointing performances, Spurs might consider themselves unfortunate not to have picked up more points. The north London outfit have created 15 expected goals, more than any other Premier League side.

Dejan Kulusevski has been tasked with a central, deeper role in midfield of late, and he’s beginning to flourish under Postecoglou. Although providing just two goals and assists combined, the Swedish star has been a creative threat in the middle of the park, given the freedom to drift into wide areas from a central position.

After throwing away a two-goal lead against Brighton, losing the game 3-2, Postecoglou’s men will be desperate to bounce back in a London derby against the Hammers.

It’s been an inconsistent start to the campaign for Julen Lopetegui’s side who currently find themselves sitting in 12^th position in the table. An emphatic 4-1 victory against Ipswich last time out has allowed them to create a bit of breathing room from the relegation zone.

Disappointingly, West Ham have conceded 11 goals this term, but Lopetegui has taken some time to bring in the likes of Jean-Clair Todibo after joining in the summer. Niclas Füllkrug, who also joined in the transfer window, is yet to get going after picking up regular injuries.

Jarrod Bowen has undoubtedly been a standout for the Hammers this year. The England international is a consistent performer and provider in the final third, producing four goals and assists combined this season. Despite West Ham bringing in a host of new midfielders in the summer, Tomáš Souček is continuing to prove his worth, scoring twice in just five games.

In this fixture last season, West Ham came away with a 2-1 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, so Lopetegui’s side will be hoping for a repeat performance as they make the short trip to north London.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Germany vs. Netherlands, two of Europe’s oldest rivals meet in Munich

One of international football’s more enduring grudge matches turns another chapter on Monday evening when Germany face the Netherlands in the Nations League.

By Ian King

The match will also mark the passing of a Dutch football legend; Johan Neeskens, the midfielder who starred in their team in the World Cup final in both 1974 and 1978, died earlier last week at 73 years of age.

The two sides met just a month ago at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam and played out an entertaining if inconclusive 2-2 draw. With three games now played Germany lead the group following Friday’s Deniz Undav-inspired win in Bosnia, while the Netherlands sit second after securing a late draw against Hungary following the sending off of captain Virgil van Dijk.

Germany remain in something of a state of flux. Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer, Ilkay Gündogan and Thomas Müller all retired following their quarter-final Euros loss to Spain in the summer. These four players had 451 caps between them, and that’s a lot of experience to lose. The upside to this is that it’s the sort of environment in which head coach Julian Nagelsmann has thrived before.

Furthermore, injuries to further key players including Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Niclas Füllkrug, leave their squad looking a little threadbare. The upshot of all of this is that 21 year-old Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz is their fifth most-experienced current player, and he has just 25 caps. Of their entire midfield and attack, only Wirtz, Serge Gnabry, Robert Andrich and Pascal Groß have more than ten, and only two have more than twenty.

A combination of van Dijk’s suspension for this match, and the enforced absence of Manchester City defender Nathan Aké, who was carried off with a hamstring injury during the corresponding match last month, will be the main pre-match concern in the Dutch camp. Memphis Depay is left out of the squad by Ronald Koeman again, following his transfer to the Brazilian club Corinthians last month. Frenkie de Jong is, as ever, still recovering from his latest injury and will not be risked for the national team just yet.

Although it won’t be the first match for either side since his passing, the memory of Johann Neeskens will hang heavy over the evening. Half a century ago this year, he was in the Netherlands team that took West Germany all the way in the 1974 World Cup final. This rivalry will surely be set aside to commemorate the passing of such an important and influential player. It is to be hoped that the players can come up with an appropriate tribute to him on the pitch, as well.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: England look to bounce back in Helsinki

After Thursday’s shock defeat to Greece at Wembley, it’s fair to say that the honeymoon period has ended for Lee Carsley, and although a first loss as interim England manager does not end his tenure, it may cast doubts on whether the former-Everton midfielder earns the role on a permanent basis.

By Dan Tracey

Carsley‘s tactical gamble was certainly a bold decision ahead of Thursday’s encounter, and with the question of who should play as England’s No. 10 being a hot topic over the summer, Carsley’s answer was to crowbar all of the potential candidates into the starting eleven against Greece.

It was a gamble that spectacularly backfired at Wembley and something that is unlikely to be repeated on Sunday when the Three Lions move on to Helsinki to face Finland – a team that that has already beaten by England in this current Nations League cycle.

That was the night where Harry Kane celebrated his 100^th international cap by scoring a second-half brace and after not being risked on Thursday, the Bayern Munich talisman will be itching to help his country return to winning ways.

Especially as only top spot in this four team mini-league secures automatic promotion to League A and following defeat in midweek, England find themselves three points off the pace now set by the 2004 European Champions.

A scenario that suggests that nothing less than a win will do in Finland and especially against a side that is yet to open their current Nations League account.

Things did look promising against Ireland on Thursday when Joel Pohjanpalo put Markku Kanerva’s men ahead in the first half. However Liam Scales would restore parity after the break and Robbie Brady would secure Ireland’s first win under new manager Heimir Hallgrimsson with just seconds of the game remaining.

A poor finish by the Finnish but with England’s lions currently wounded, Sunday’s hosts will now look to cause further anguish and it will be interesting to see if manager Kanerva unlocks the shackles that were on display at Wembley last month.

*Key stats, England vs. Finland, Sep 2024 (England represented by the lighter blue)*

Before Kane found his shooting boots after the interval, Finland’s resolve was rather robust in the first 45 minutes and if they can create the same levels of early frustration with a home support behind them, it may offer further impetus to attack their superstar opponents.

There’s no doubt that England will go into the game as favourites, but they had the same status against Greece a few days prior and if they fail to end the week on the high, the FA may have to re-think their plans as they continue the search for Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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