Preview

Feb

2025

Preview: Man City meet Newcastle in potentially pivotal Premier League clash

It’s a must-win match for Manchester City against Newcastle, following a difficult couple of weeks.

By Ian King

Five goals are all that separate the sides

How quickly things change. It’s only been a couple of weeks since Manchester City were BACK, but now they’re BACK IN CRISIS following a fortnight which has taken in getting their buttocks handed to them on a silver platter by Arsenal, making rather too hard work of beating Leyton Orient in the Cup, and surrendering a winning lead in the closing few minutes of their Champions League match against Real Madrid.

It’s unclear whether losing consecutive home games to Bournemouth and Fulham constitutes a CRISIS or not, but Newcastle got past Birmingham in the FA Cup following a bit of a scare and eased past Arsenal in the Carabao Cup over two legs, winning both matches comfortably. They’re separated from Manchester City in the League by goals scored only, with the teams tied on both points and goal difference.

History

These two have met at Wembley in the finals of both the FA Cup and the League Cup, with Newcastle beating City to win the FA Cup in 1955 and City beating Newcastle to win the League Cup in 1976. Newcastle’s form in the modern form of this fixture has, however, been atrocious for so long that it even predates the Abu Dhabi years. These two have met 39 times in all competitions since the start of 2006, and Newcastle have won precisely three games, two of which have come in the League Cup.

The earlier league fixture between the sides this season ended in a 1-1 draw.

Key players

Alexander Isak has been Newcastle’s starboy so far this season, with seventeen goals. He was the Premier League’s player of the month for December, having registered eight goals and two assists throughout that calendar month alone. Can Manchester City’s creaking defence cope with him? The two late goals conceded on Tuesday night certainly indicated that there are gaps that can be exploited. This could be a big game for John Stones, who will likely have his work cut out.

Team News

Jack Grealish and Manuel Akanji are fresh injury doubts for Pep Guardiola. Both were withdrawn during the Real Madrid match, while Oscar Bobb remains sidelined and Rodri won’t be back any time soon. Matheus Nunes was back on the bench on Wednesday and could return. It looks like Anthony Gordon, Dan Burn, and Sven Botman, all of whom were possible absentees for this match, will be okay for Newcastle, though Joelinton, Harvey Barnes and Jamaal Lascelles all remain injured.

Prediction

With the two teams so tight in the table and both having had patchy form of late, this is a difficult match to call. The Newcastle who beat Arsenal so convincingly in the Carabao Cup (twice!) could easily beat the Manchester City who lost to Arsenal, but the City team who breezed past Chelsea just three weeks ago could easily do the same to the Newcastle team who forgot that they had to play a second half against Fulham. Defensive wobbliness and mercurial attacking talent on both teams hints at something like a 2-2 draw.

(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.

Feb

2025

Preview: Leicester host Arsenal in early Saturday kickoff

Rested but injury-stricken, Arsenal should still be too strong for defensively frail Leicester.

By Ian King

Contrasting form

Leicester’s brief bump, which came through beating Spurs away, came crashing back to earth with a 4-0 defeat at Everton a fortnight ago. The Spurs win had been their first since 3 December, but the Everton performance didn’t indicate that it would be repeated particularly soon, though they were unfortunate not to take Manchester United to extra-time in the FA Cup last weekend.

Arsenal, of course, continue to ride the crest of a wave in the League following their 5-1 win against Manchester City a fortnight ago. Putting five past The Erling Haaland Team made something of a mockery of all the chatter about their need for a number nine, though they were then well beaten by Newcastle in the Carabao Cup. They’re still unbeaten in the League since early November and have had a little FA Cup-related break.

History

This game is a record-breaker. When they drew 6-6 on the 21st April 1930, it set a record for the highest scoring draw in the top flight which still stands today. In more recent times, Leicester’s record against the Gunners hasn’t been so great. They’ve lost their last six in a row, although they did win four and draw one of the seven prior to that. When the two met earlier this season Arsenal eventually won 4-2, but not before losing a two-goal lead and then recovering to win in stoppage-time.

Key players

Leicester have been pretty poor up front this season, but they did score twice at The Emirates in September with both scored by a defender; James Justin. Jamie Vardy’s goal at Spurs was his first in the Premier League since the 8 December. He’s scored seven but no-one else has scored more than four. Leicester really need his goals if they’re to stay up this season.

Arsenal, meanwhile, had five different goalscorers against Manchester City, but the one of those five who drew the most attention was Myles Lewes-Skelly, whose post-goal celebration grabbed the headlines the following morning. It was his first for the club, and it came from his very first shot recorded in the Premier League! Might he have another in him this weekend?

*Myles Lewis-Skelly’s unique shot map, Premier League 2024/25*

Team News

It never crisis, it crises. Kai Havertz is now reported as out for the season, joining Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka on the Arsenal injury list.

Jamie Vardy, Jannik Vestergaard, and Victor Kristiansen may all return for Leicester following the Manchester United game, though Issahaku Fatawu and Ricardo Pereira are absent, Fatawu for the season.

Prediction

This match is third from bottom against second in the table, and there’s little to recommend Leicester being able to get a result from this one. Liverpool’s midweek draw in the final Goodison Park Merseyside Derby means that the gap will be seven rather than nine, so the chase is on for an Arsenal team who also had a bit of rest as a result of their early FA Cup elimination. A comfortable 3-0 win against a team likely to be relegated come the end of this season sounds about right.

(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.

Feb

2025

Preview: Bayern Munich out to wrestle the title back from Bayer Leverkusen

Defending Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen host league leaders Bayern Munich, who have the chance to build a double-digit lead at the top of the standings.

By Neel Shelat

Bayern Munich’s imperious form

There were a good few doubters when Vincent Kompany was appointed as Bayern Munich’s head coach ahead of this season, but the signs were always there that he could lead the team to success. He looks well on course to doing just that as the Rekordmeister are taking an eight-point lead into this fixture and have won all but one of their last 10 games.

Bayern have absolutely dominated the vast majority of their Bundesliga matches this season. They have scored the most goals with an average of over three per game, conceded the fewest times, and maintained a staggering possession average of over 70%! Without a doubt, they have been the best team in Germany this term.

Draws set to cost Leverkusen the title

Bayer Leverkusen were never likely to match the highs of their invincible domestic campaign in 2023/24, so their ongoing campaign should be considered a success in the bigger picture. While their chances of defending the title willl remain slim even if they manage to win this match, they are arguably the favourites in the DFB Pokal and have a spot in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. So, more silverware could well be on the cards for Die Werkself.

In the Bundesliga, though, Xabi Alonso’s side will likely point to draws as the cause of their failure to retain the title. Like Bayern, they too have lost just one league game, so dropped points against the likes of Holstien Kiel, Bochum, Werder Bremen and Wolfsburg have opened up the points deficit.

Leverkusen on their best-ever head-to-head streak

Bayer Leverkusen have played over a hundred games against Bayern, but they have only managed to put together one five-game unbeaten streak against Die Roten. That run started a couple of years ago and is currently ongoing, with their narrow cup victory in December being the most recent meeting. That means Xabi Alonso is yet to taste defeat against Bayern as a head coach, the club where he ended his playing career.

Bayern Munich still in with a shot at a record points haul

Bayern Munich will effectively have one hand on the title if they win this game, but they should have some extra motivation to keep going at 100% until the end of the season.

Die Roten are still in with a chance of breaking the Bundesliga points record that they themselves set over a decade ago, but the margin for error is absolutely zero. They are currently on course for a final tally of 93 points if they win all of their matches, so even one more draw will make it impossible for them to overtake the 91-point record.

Prediction

A high-quality tactical match-up is pretty much guaranteed between these two teams and coaches, but Bayern might just have the quality and momentum to edge out a narrow one-goal victory.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Feb

2025

Preview: Brighton vs. Chelsea 2.0

It’s déjà vu for Brighton and Chelsea as the two sides face off on Friday, for the second time in a week, with the South Coast side beating the West Londoners 2-1 in the FA Cup, knocking them out of a tournament Enzo Maresca should have had his eyes on.

By Alex Roberts

There is no love lost between these two sides that aren’t quite rivals but kind of are as Chelsea travel south on Valentine’s Day. Maresca, who is in need of a result as his side’s rocky run continues, will doubtless be hoping to solidify Chelsea’s place in the top four.

There is only so much Cole Palmer can do

Last season, Cole Palmer almost single-handedly carried Chelsea to a sixth-place finish, he’s still their main man, leading the way for Premier League goals and assists. Unfortunately for the lanky genius, he continues to be let down by those around him.

Palmer has created more chances (66) than any other player in the Premier League season. He’s also created 32 chances since 4 December without registering a single assist in that time.

His body language is becoming more and more frustrated, it’s easy to tell he’s starting to lose a little faith in his fellow attackers. Chelsea fans will be hoping he doesn’t lose faith in the clubs ‘project’ too.

Which Brighton will turn up?

After an impressive start to the season, it’s been one step forward, one step back for Brighton. Their impressive 3-1 win over Man United at Old Trafford was undone by two consecutive defeats to Everton and Nottingham Forest.

Brighton were by far the better side in the two club’s FA Cup tie, despite Chelsea’s domination in terms of possession, but that doesn’t mean the same side will turn up on Friday.

Chelsea didn’t field their best XI, although a good chunk of them were in there. Should they add the final couple of pieces to the puzzle, it may throw the Seagulls off a little.

Burn out in central midfield

It’s wild that Chelsea have spent all that money but only have two top class options in the centre of the park. Enzo Fernández is clearly still getting to grip with playing in the Premier League, despite a purple patch earlier in the season, but the improvement is clear.

Outside of Palmer, former-Brighton player Moisés Caicedo has arguably been Chelsea’s best performer this season, making a massive 139 recoveries, 45 tackles, and 33 interceptions. He’s channelling his inner N’Golo Kanté, and the fans love him for it.

Caicedo is starting to look a little leggy though, and should the Ecuadorian pick up any kind of serious injury, Chelsea’s midfield wouldn’t just be exposed, it would be wide open.

*Caicedo defensive numbers, Premier League 2024/25*

The Georginio Rutter show

A few eyebrows were raised when Brighton decided to splash a club-record transfer fee to secure the Frenchman’s signature from Leeds, despite his impressive season in the Championship. It’s fair to say he’s silenced the doubters.

Rutter was the star of the show in the FA Cup game, bagging Brighton’s equaliser and providing the assist for Kaoru Mitoma’s winner.

He scored in the reverse Premier League fixture too. He clearly loves playing against Chelsea, don’t be surprised if he ends up either scoring or assisting against the Blues yet again.

Prediction

Brighton deserved their win the other day, but we don’t see them pulling off a similar kind of result on Valentine’s Day. We reckon the points will be shared, and it’ll be 1-1 at the AMEX.

(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.

Feb

2025

Preview: Celtic face Bayern in the Champions League knockouts

Celtic host Bayern Munich in a Champions League last 24 match that could hold upset potential for the German giants.

By Graham Ruthven

A long time coming

It’s been 12 years since Celtic Park last hosted a Champions League knockout tie. That in itself makes Wednesday’s match between the Scottish champions and Bayern Munich an historic one.

The German giants are firm favourites to win the tie over two legs. However, Celtic could be set up to give them a scare such is their threat in quick transition. Brendan Rodgers’ team could benefit from the tactical match-up.

Only Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund scored more goals than Bayern in the league phase. They have the highest Expected Goals (22.5) in the competition and have created the most Big Chances (41).

If, however, Celtic can find a way to stay compact at the back, their speed in attack through the likes of Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kühn could give them threat on the counter-attack.

Celtic have already beaten one Bundesliga team in this season’s Champions League, sweeping aside RB Leipzig in November. The Hoops will need to find similar performance levels to get the better of Bayern Munich.

Key players

Maeda’s pace will be key to Celtic’s game plan against Bayern Munich with the Japanese forward available to play on Wednesday after his suspension for a red card against Young Boys was downgraded to just one match from two.

Rodgers faces a decision between Kühn and Filipe Jota on the wing with Adam Idah expected to start through the middle having scored twice in Celtic’s last Champions League match against Aston Villa.

Defensively, Kasper Schmeichel will likely need to find his best form to keep out the formidable Bayern forward line with Cameron Carter-Vickers also key to the Hoops’ defensive game plan.

*Celtic’s top goalscorers in the Champions League*

Harry Kane will lead the line for the visitors to the east end of Glasgow. The England international has notched six goals in seven Champions League games this season and will be a threat inside the penalty box.

Jamal Musiala will be a danger in between the lines with Kingsley Coman and Michael Olise predicted to start on the wings. Leroy Sané scored against Werder Bremen on Friday and could start, but Vincent Kompany may also use him off the bench against tired legs.

*Bayern’s top performers in the Champions League*

Kim Min-Jae and Dayot Upamecano will have their hands full against an energetic Celtic attack. Considering their previous struggles against opponents that play in quick transition, this could be a key battle.

Team news

The reduction of Maeda’s suspension means he will be free to face Bayern Munich. James Forrest, however, will miss the match with a foot injury that will keep him out until the end of the month. Otherwise, Rodgers has a fully fit squad to choose from.

Alphonso Davies and João Palhinha will be assessed before Wednesday’s match as both are carrying knocks. Davies’ absence would see Raphaël Guerreiro fill in at left back for the Bundesliga table-toppers.

Prediction

The Celtic Park faithful have waited a long time for Champions League knockout football, and they deserve a goal for their patience. That being said, they might not get the result on the night, but our prediction of a 2-1 away win for Bayern would at least mean Celtic are still in the tie when it comes to next week’s return leg.

(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.

Feb

2025

Preview: Depleted giants face off as Real Madrid visit Manchester City

A titanic battle is in store for us on the first day of the revamped UEFA Champions League knockouts as the competition’s last two winners face off. Manchester City have been drawn against Real Madrid in the UCL knockouts for the fourth consecutive season, but both teams are far from their best this time around.

By Neel Shelat

Real Madrid still searching for their first win at the Etihad

This will be Real Madrid’s seventh visit to Manchester City’s home, but they are still yet to register an outright win at the venue. In fact, the Etihad Stadium is the only ground that the Spanish giants have visited over five times without success.

Los Blancos have lost three and drawn as many games at the Etihad, but they did emerge victorious on penalties in their most recent meeting. That result broke the trend of the first-leg hosts losing all ties in this head-to-head.

Manchester City’s home form on the mend

While the worst patch of Manchester City’s downturned form is likely behind them, they certainly aren’t back to their best yet. They were defeated in two of their last five games, conceding over three goals on both occasions. On the whole, they have lost precisely half of their last 22 matches.

However, Pep Guardiola’s side seem to quietly be getting back on track on their own turf at least. They have won all four of their home matches in 2025, including a couple of big games such as Chelsea’s Premier League visit and their UCL league phase finale against Club Brugge. They will be desperate to extend this streak at the start of a formidable looking fixture list.

New signings and injury issues for Manchester City

Manchester City went big in the January window, recording the second-highest mid-season transfer spend in football history. They added four players to their first-team squad, but only three could make the cut in their revised UCL squad. So, teenage centre-back Vitor Reis will not feature in Europe this season.

€60 million midfield signing Nico González was widely seen as Manchester City’s interim Rodri replacement, but he had to go off injured less than half an hour into his debut ironically enough. Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov scored his first goal for the club in that match, though he is unlikely to feature ahead of more senior figures tonight. Versatile attacker Omar Marmoush is the likeliest of the trio to make his Champions League debut in this big game, most probably off the bench.

Jérémy Doku, Nathan Aké, Ederson and Oscar Bobb are the other doubts in City’s squad.

Real Madrid’s defensive injury crisis compounded

Real Madrid’s injury crisis is even worse as key defenders Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão are out for the season, while David Alaba is yet to start a game and recently suffered another setback. Antonio Rüdiger picked up a minor hamstring injury earlier this month, and matters were made worse this week when stand-in right back Lucas Vázquez suffered a similar issue.

So, Carlo Ancelotti will have to field Federico Valverde to the right of a makeshift centre-back pairing of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Raúl Asencio.

Prediction

Given Real Madrid’s depleted state, City should aim to record a multi-goal win.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Feb

2025

Preview: Everton vs. Liverpool, the rearranged final Derby at Goodison

There’s more at stake than just three points on Wednesday evening as Everton host Premier League leaders Liverpool for the final time at Goodison Park. Both sides will head into the game looking to return to winning ways after the Reds and the Blues crashed out of the FA Cup at the weekend.

By Sam McGuire

Changes since December

This game was initially scheduled for the first weekend of December. However, the havoc caused by Storm Darragh forced the Premier League to rearrange this tie.

Everton now head into this clash in much better form.

Back then, the Toffees had won just one of their previous five matches heading into the December clash. Sean Dyche’s side were struggling for goals having scored just four in those five outings.

Fast forward two months and David Moyes’ Everton have won three of their last five across all competitions, scoring eight goals in the process. They are nine points clear of the drop zone and despite a disappointing home defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, things seem much more positive at Goodison Park at the minute.

Liverpool haven’t been as relentless over recent weeks because they haven’t needed to be. They’re six points clear at the summit with this game in hand. They topped the Champions League group stage which allowed them to rest players against PSV Eindhoven and having reached the Carabao Cup final, Arne Slot decided to make nine changes to his XI for the (still a) shock FA Cup defeat against Plymouth.

The important thing here is that the Reds are winning the games they have to win.

Bragging rights and more

Nobody wants to lose a derby.

Everton will be even more desperate than usual to avoid defeat though.

This is the final Merseyside derby to be played at Goodison Park. They aren’t going to go out on a whimper. They will want to go out on a high, all while seriously denting Liverpool’s title hopes.

The Reds will want to extend their lead at the top to nine points. They’ll want to extend their unbeaten run. Slot will want to win his first Merseyside derby too, all while looking to stop Everton from making it back-to-back wins against their Stanley Park neighbours. So there’s lots at stake.

But there’s something else to factor in. A win for Liverpool would be their 100th against Everton. Can you imagine the bragging rights if they achieve that? They strengthen their title charge while etching themselves into history having won the final derby at Goodison, while also racking up their 100th win over the Blues.

The Mohamed Salah show continues

Salah has been the best player in the Premier League this season.

He’s already on 34 goal involvements this term, that’s one more than Cole Palmer, the most productive player in the league last season, managed during the 2023/24 campaign. He leads the way for goals (21) and assists (13).

Slot made the decision to rest his No. 11 for the match against Plymouth and if recent form is anything to go off, Everton should be worried.

Salah had the international break off before a brace against Southampton. He had the Carabao Cup game off before a brace and two assists versus Spurs in the 6-3 win, and missed the Champions League game against PSV before scoring twice against Bournemouth.

After missing a game, Salah always seems to deliver.

And if this is to be his final season with the Reds, he’ll want to go out on a high in the derby. Only Ian Rush (13), Steven Gerrard (nine) and Harry Chambers (eight) have scored more league goals for Liverpool against Everton than Salah (seven).

Favourable timing for Liverpool

Liverpool’s injuries have cleared up.

Slot is expected to be without Trent Alexander-Arnold for the Merseyside derby, with the right-back a doubt, but everyone else is available for the Dutchman.

Moyes is having no such luck. Everton have a number of players on the treatment table with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dwight McNeil, Orel Mangala, Seamus Coleman, Youssef Chermiti all missing this clash.

The Blues aren’t spoilt for choice but Moyes does still have players at his disposal to make life difficult for Liverpool and he’ll be looking to do just that in his first Merseyside derby back in the Goodison Park dugout.

Prediction

Both sides need to make amends for their FA Cup exits. Both are in good form back in the league and both will be out to win rather than playing to avoid defeat. The home crowd will be up for this which could level the playing field a bit. We’re going to go with a 2-2 draw though.

(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.

Feb

2025

Preview: Aston Villa meet Spurs in the FA Cup

Inconsistency, meet inconsistency. Despite erratic results, a big name all-Premier League clash in the FA Cup between two sides desperate for progress and trophies means Sunday’s game should be a hell-for-leather classic.

By Karl Matchett

Villa need a return, Spurs need a response

Aston Villa don’t really have the label of inconsistency in the way Tottenham Hotspur do, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t deserve it. Yes, they’re ten points above their cup rivals in league terms, but they also haven’t had their disastrous injury issues – and clearly have a bigger pull than them in the transfer market right now too, as was shown by the January face-offs they engaged in.

Axel Disasi opted for the Midlands over north London, while Marcus Rashford heading to Villa Park would not have been considered remotely probable even a couple of years ago. And he’s far from the only attacking reinforcement, with Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen joining last month too – though it remains to be seen how pleased the latter is after immediately being left out of the Champions League squad. How much can Villa get out of their new recruits in four months? It will be telling.

Just as telling will be Spurs’ response after they were hammered in the press for being hammered at Anfield. It’s not so much losing to Liverpool as the manner of their semi-final capitulation which irked some, and the long stretch without a trophy goes on a little longer. Can the FA Cup be their salvation? Not if they don’t find a way to get their own new forward Mathys Tel firing quickly – or perhaps get some of their injured defenders back on the pitch.

Matching form records

Home side: Eight wins in 23. Away side: Eight wins in 23. As above, Villa don’t have the same inconsistent tag, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve it. Villa’s winning runs tend to be more streaky, while Spurs earn scattered victories. Of late, Villa have won one and drawn two in their last five; Spurs have won three, lost two.

Team news

There’s injuries on both sides, with Spurs’ casualty list the longer. Disasi is cup tied, while starters Pau Torres, Matty Cash and Ollie Watkins are out, as well as Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley for Villa. Spurs are without (deep breath): Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Radu Drăgușin, Destiny Udogie, James Maddison, Wilson Odobert, Timo Werner, Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke and, presumably once again, Richarlison. Assuming they get a squad together, Micky van de Ven will be carefully assessed before playing a part to ensure he doesn’t rejoin the absentees.

Key player

As shown midweek, gaps in Spurs’ midfield and a slowness to react to dangerous situations will be costly. Villa have Morgan Rogers who is excellent at manipulating the ball and using space well. He averages two dribbles, 1.75 shots, nearly 1.5 chances created and 1.5 fouls won every 90 minutes in the league – he’s such an all-round handful.

Prediction

Spurs have a great record at Villa of late but those injuries are just too much: Villa 2 Spurs 1.

(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: Barcelona keen to keep the good times rolling against subpar Sevilla

After the two Madrid clubs took centre stage last night, Barcelona will be keen to reinforce their title credentials against an underwhelming Sevilla side.

By Neel Shelat

Barcelona back on song in 2025

After a scintillating start to the season, Barcelona seemed to run out of steam towards the end of 2024. They won just one and lost four of their last seven LaLiga matches of the year, going from a six-point lead at the top of the standings to an equivalent deficit. However, they have looked much better since the turn of the year.

The 5-2 Supercopa win over Real Madrid must have done a world of good to their confidence as they went on to put five past Real Betis, staged a dramatic turnaround to win a nine-goal Champions League thriller against Benfica and scored 12 times in two recent fixtures against Valencia.

While it has not been all smooth sailing for Hansi Flick’s side as they have drawn a couple of games, it is safe to say that they are much closer to their best now than they were two months ago.

Ferran Torres delivering as Barcelona’s fourth forward option

One of the major issues Barcelona had to contend with in the first half of the season was their lack of quality depth beyond the first-choice front three of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha. Indeed, it was no coincidence that their downturn in form coincided with their teenage winger’s ankle issues.

Lamine Yamal still looks quite irreplaceable, but the good news for the Blaugrana is that they seem to have a decent backup for the other two as Ferran Torres has shown himself capable of doing a job in the more central positions. He has five goals and an assist in his last seven appearances, including a hat-trick in his second start of the year at Valencia in midweek.

As the stakes get ever higher in the second half of the season, having a rotation option like Torres could prove invaluable for Barcelona to not only get an impact off the bench but also rest their stars in certain games.

García Pimienta’s reunion with his boyhood club

García Pimienta was affiliated with FC Barcelona for well over half his life, starting as a prospect in their youth academy and going on to spend about two decades as a coach. However, he was sacked from the B team post in 2021 in a move that still confounds many, himself included.

The Spanish tactician was soon hired by Las Palmas, with whom he won promotion to LaLiga. His incredibly possession-based style of play attracted a lot of attention and earned him a move to Sevilla this summer, but he has not been able to turn around the fortunes of the consistent underperformers’ so far.

Sevilla’s last league victory over Barcelona was all the way back in 2015, so the likelihood of García Pimienta earning his first points against his boyhood club at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán is quite low.

Prediction

All signs point to a comfortable multi-goal win for 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.

Feb

2025

Preview: Liverpool go to Championship strugglers Plymouth in the FA Cup

Liverpool can build on making the Carabao Cup final during the week by taking another step forward in the FA Cup against Plymouth Argyle.

By Graham Ruthven

Is the Quadruple on?

Top of the Premier League. Through to the Champions League last 16 after finishing top of the 32-team league phase. Through to the Carabao Cup final. A win over Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup this weekend would add to the growing sense Liverpool could win the Quadruple this season.

By every measure, Liverpool are the strongest team in England right now, making them firm favourites to sweep aside their struggling Championship opponents on Sunday afternoon.

On the face of it, this could be a mismatch. Plymouth are currently marooned at the foot of the Championship table and are on their second manager of the season after Miron Muslić replaced Wayne Rooney. Argyle haven’t had their problems to seek.

However, the Devon outfit are fresh from a 2-1 win over West Brom and a very respectable 2-2 draw away to Sunderland which suggest Plymouth are turning a corner under their new manager.

A win over the Premier League table-toppers might be beyond The Pilgrims, but Sunday’s David v Goliath clash could epitomise the ‘Magic of the Cup.’

Key players

Ryan Hardie bagged a brace against West Brom on Saturday and could be in line to start against Liverpool. Mustapha Bundu could drop out of the team to make way for the Scottish striker.

After the departure of star player Morgan Whittaker to Middlesbrough in the transfer window, Plymouth are lacking an attacking dimension. Whittaker’s stunning strike against Brentford put Argyle into the FA Cup fourth round in the first place.

*Plymouth goals + assists, Championship 2024/25*

January signing and former Rangers defender Nikola Katić made his Argyle debut against the Baggies and will likely start in the centre of a back three

Arne Slot is expected to rotate his squad for the trip to Devon this weekend. This would have been likely anyway, but the exerts of Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final win over Tottenham Hotspur make it even more probable.

Jarell Quansah, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa could all be in line for a start at Home Park. Even still, Liverpool should have the strength in depth to make the fifth round.

*Liverpool goals + assists, Premier League 2024/25*

Team news

Brendan Galloway, Kornél Szűcs and Joe Edwards are all expected to be sidelined through injury for Plymouth as they welcome the eight-times FA Cup winners to Home Park.

Nigerian forward Muhamed Tijani was back on the bench for the draw away to Sunderland after missing a number of months of action with a hamstring injury. He could feature against Liverpool on Sunday.

Trent Alexander-Arnold missed Thursday’s Carabao Cup win over Spurs and could be unavailable for this weekend’s FA Cup fourth round tie. This might hand another first team opportunity to Conor Bradley.

Darwin Núñez started ahead of Diogo Jota in the win over Tottenham on Thursday and so the Portuguese forward could be rotated into the starting lineup.

Prediction

Unless the Magic of the Cup springs a surprise, this should be a routine win for a rotated Liverpool squad: 3-0 to the away side.

(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.