Preview

Mar

2025

Preview: Man United face Fulham in FA Cup showdown

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

By Karl Matchett

Can the magic of the cup be restorative?

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

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

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

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

Eyes on the prize – but which?

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

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

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

Recent form

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

Team news

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

Key player

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

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

Prediction

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

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Feb

2025

Preview: Betis meet Madrid in Battle Real

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

By Karl Matchett

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

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

Almost iconic

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

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

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

Recent form

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

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

Team news

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

Key player

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

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

Prediction

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

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Feb

2025

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

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

By Neel Shelat

Napoli’s attack looking lost post-Kvaratskhelia

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

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

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

Inter’s drop in form amid growing injury issues

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

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

Three-way title race on the cards

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

Inter set to compete in three competitions

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

Prediction

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

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Feb

2025

Preview: Giantkillers Plymouth go to Manchester City

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

By Ian King

Pride and silverware to fight for

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

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

*Plymouth’s precarious league position in the Championship*

Distant history

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

Key players

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

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

Team News

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

Prediction

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

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Feb

2025

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

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

By Graham Ruthven

Season-defining opportunity

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

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

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

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

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

Key players

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

*Real Sociedad top scorers, LaLiga 2024/25*

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

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

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

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

*Real Madrid top scorers, LaLiga 2024/25*

Team news

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

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

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

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

Prediction

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

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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.

Feb

2025

Preview: Man City go to Spurs needing a result

Tottenham Hotspur can build on their recent form by piling more misery on Pep Guardiola and Manchester City on Wednesday.

By Graham Ruthven

A turning point

Saturday’s win over Ipswich Town was a landmark moment for Tottenham Hotspur. It marked the first time all season that they had strung together three straight wins in the Premier League, hinting at how Spurs are slowly turning around their fortunes.

Of course, Ange Postecoglou’s team are still a long way from where they want to be, sitting in the bottom half of the table with just 12 games of the campaign left. But there are finally reasons for optimism around the North London club.

Optimism is something that is in short supply around Manchester City after a damaging week for the Premier League champions. Indeed, back-to-back defeats to Real Madrid and Liverpool highlighted the fundamental frailties in Pep Guardiola’s side.

Against Liverpool, Guardiola set up his team to control possession. City, however, failed to create many opportunities. They could lean into a more direct approach against Spurs, but that risks turning the game into a basketball match. Guardiola faces a tactical conundrum.

Key players

Son Heung-min was back to his best in Tottenham’s 4-1 win over Ipswich, contributing two excellent assists for Brennan Johnson. The South Korean has scored eight goals against City in his career and could add to that tally on Wednesday night.

Mathys Tel is expected to start as Spurs’ attacking focal point as Dominic Solanke continues to make his recovery from injury. The young Frenchman will dovetail with Son on the left wing.

Kevin Danso’s arrival has steadied Tottenham’s defence and the Austrian will need to produce a big performance to keep Manchester City’s attack at arm’s length. Djed Spence, however, will give Spurs a way to get out from the back, whether that’s as a left or right back.

With Erling Haaland a doubt to feature, Omar Marmoush could be asked to lead the line for City once again with Phil Foden another option in the final third.

Jérémy Doku and Savinho could keep their place after starting against Liverpool, although Kevin de Bruyne’s lacklustre display could push Guardiola towards another central midfielder alongside Nico González.

The pace of the Tottenham attack will keep Nathan Aké and Rúben Dias on their toes with Abdukodir Khusanov another defender who could start for City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Team news

While Tottenham’s injury troubles have eased in recent weeks, they still have a good number of important players sidelined.

Indeed, Solanke, Radu Drăgușin, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Richarlison will all miss Wednesday’s match against Manchester City with Timo Werner set to face a late fitness test ahead of kick-off.

Haaland’s true fitness is still the subject of speculation. The Norwegian wasn’t included in the squad to face Liverpool on Sunday, but Guardiola has remained coy on whether he could play against Tottenham.

Long-term absentees Rodri, John Stones and Manual Akanji will all miss the trip to North London with Oscar Bobb also a doubt.

Prediction

We’re going with goals, and the home side to shade it: Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 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.

Feb

2025

Preview: Forest host Arsenal in top four battle

Nottingham Forest and Arsenal both had a hiccup over the weekend, but who will react better to their recent defeats when they meet on Wednesday night?

By Ian King

Form

Nottingham Forest have now lost three of their last four, though the jarring little interjection into that run was their 7-0 demolition of Brighton. Qualification for the Champions League remains a realistic goal for this season, but they do need to regain the consistency of performance that got them this high in the first place.

Arsenal’s lack of a reliable goalscorer came to haunt them against West Ham, and there was a feeling that this result could have been coming following a relatively lacklustre performance at Leicester a week earlier which was partially masked by the surprise factor of Mikel Merino being so successful as a makeshift striker. A Forest win would close the gap between these two to just three points.

History

Arsenal’s 2-1 win at The City Ground in January 2024 ended an unwelcome run of them having lost their last three games there, two of which had come in the FA Cup while Forest were in the Championship. Arsenal comfortably won when they met earlier this season at the end of September, 3-0 at The Emirates.

Key players

Following their 90 minutes of blanks-firing on Saturday afternoon Arsenal need goals, but will Mikel Arteta keep faith with Merino in the absence of four other attacking players, who are all injured? He may need to think out of the box again; might this match even see a return to the first team for Raheem Sterling? Stranger things have happened.

Forest haven’t had a problem scoring goals but they have had one in conceding them, so Arsenal’s current lack of attacking potency is very much in their interests. Morgan Gibbs-White has been one of their key players in unlocking opposing defences this season, and Forest’s rugged attacking style could be difficult for Arsenal to cope with.

Team News

Ethan Nwaneri limped off late against West Ham. Arteta subsequently said, “It was just fatigue, I think”, but given their current wounded list it would be understandable if fans were holding their breath until the team is named. Ben White did return for a few minutes. Following his sending off against West Ham, Myles Lewis-Skelly is suspended. Taiwo Awoniyi returned to the bench for Forest at Newcastle on Sunday but didn’t get on the pitch. Forest’s only other current absentee is second-choice goalkeeper Carlos Miguel.

Prediction

Few would have predicted at the start of the season that Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal would be third vs second in the Premier League at the end of February (at the time of writing), but we are where we are and Forest are there on merit. Both teams have issues at present. Forest have been struggling defensively but are scoring goals. Arsenal’s defence is okay but they have no strikers, although they do have makeshift strikers and midfielders who can score goals. A 2-2 draw and a possible sigh of relief for Mikel Arteta it is, then.

(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: Can Liverpool and Newcastle produce another classic?

Liverpool and Newcastle United played out one of the games of the season at St James’ Park earlier in the campaign. There’s always something special about this clash.

By Sam McGuire

The potential for an all-time classic increases when there’s a bit more at stake than just three points. And this is the case this week as the table-topping Reds host the Champions League chasing Magpies at Anfield.

Fortress Anfield could deliver the Premier League title

Arne Slot’s men have 11 games left this season and seven of these fixtures are at Anfield.

If the Reds take maximum points from these games, the league title is all but guaranteed. Even five wins from these seven matches should stand them in good stead. Liverpool have enjoyed home comforts this season. They have the best home record in the Premier League with 29 points from 36 on offer. They’ve won nine matches, scored 26 goals and conceded on just 10 occasions.

They’re currently running at a rate of 2.41 points per game at Anfield. If they’re able to extend that across the remainder of the season, they’ll rack up a further 17 points on home turf and it’ll take their points haul to 81 with four away matches to play.

*Liverpool home/away points breakdown, Premier League 2024/25*

Looking at the current state of play, 85 points should be enough to win the title this term.

So, like we said, doing the business at Anfield sets Liverpool up for title success.

Mohamed Salah vs Alexander Isak

On Wednesday evening, two of the form strikers in the world face off.

Salah has nine goals and four assists in his last eight appearances for the Reds across all competitions. He’s comfortably the best player in the Premier League this term with 25 goals and 16 assists in 27 appearances.

He has 10 goals against Newcastle, four in his last two appearances against the Magpies and, perhaps more impressively, he has assisted at least one goal in each of his last five appearances against Eddie Howe’s side.

The three-time Golden Boot winner is the best attacker in world football right now. The only one who can get close to him, and he’s still a fair bit away from him, is Isak.

Since the turn of the year, Isak has eight goals and one assist in nine matches across all competitions. His double against Nottingham Forest 19 goals in the Premier League. The Liverpool transfer target has doubles in three of his last six outings for the Magpies. He also has a good record against the Reds with three goals and an assist since the move to England.

Seeing these two go head-to-head is something you aren’t going to want to miss out on. The winner of this battle could well determine the winner of the match.

Patchy form for both

Both teams won their last match in the Premier League but their form over recent weeks could best be described as patchy.

The Reds are unbeaten since September but haven’t been at their best in February. Arne Slot’s side have won three and drawn two across their last five in the English top-flight. They have given up leads in games against Everton and Aston Villa, settling for 2-2 draws in both games, while narrowly beating Wolves at Anfield.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have lost three of their last five in the Premier League. They ran out 4-3 winners over Nottingham Forest last time out to get things back on track. They are, once again, in contention to claim a top four finish. With better form, they’d be a shoo-in for it.

Their form has been erratic though. A 4-0 loss to an out-of-sorts Manchester City side was a red flag. As was the 2-1 loss to Fulham and a 4-1 defeat Bournemouth at St James’ Park.

Howe’s side are Jekyll and Hyde as of late. They have the quality to cause an upset at Anfield. There’s also every chance they get battered by the runaway leaders.

Key players out for both teams

Liverpool head into the game without Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton. The latter hasn’t been involved much this term but the absence of Bradley and Gomez severely limits Slot.

It means Jarell Quansah is cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk. And the Liverpool right-back has been looking a little leggy over recent weeks. He was given a torrid time by Jérémy Doku at the Etihad, winning just two of his 14 ground duels. He could do with a rest but Slot just doesn’t have the squad options to do that just now.

Newcastle are without Joelinton, Jamal Lascelles and Sven Botman. The former and the latter are starters for the Magpies and big losses for Howe. There is cover, Dan Burn is playing at centre-back while Joe Willock and Lewis Miley have come into midfield over recent weeks, but the team is weaker without those two players in the starting XI.

It’ll be interesting to see who gets the nod at Anfield.

Prediction

We’re going with a 2-1 win for the hosts. Salah really wants this Premier League title and he isn’t going to be stopped. We’re expecting another goal and assist.

(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: Amorim looking for home comforts as United face Ipswich

Was Manchester United’s comeback at Everton a(nother) sign of something stirring at Old Trafford, or was it a(nother) blip in their otherwise downward trajectory?

By Ian King

Bottom half battle

At half-time at Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime Manchester United looked well beaten, but then Everton tired, United scored twice, and then may have got slightly lucky with a stoppage-time penalty decision which might otherwise have changed the post-match discussion. But they’ve still only won three of their last seven and remain 15th in the Premier League, now separated from West Ham United by goal difference only.

Ipswich are starting to look slightly beaten. They’ve taken two points from their last seven and shipped another four at home to Tottenham on Saturday. They’re now five points from safety, with their 2-1 home defeat to Southampton setting off alarm bells that they might not have enough about them to get clear of the drop this season.

History

Two historic games between these two sides spring immediately to mind. On the 1st March 1980 at Portman Road, the match was hyped over the appearance of Gary Bailey, whose father Roy had played in goal for Ipswich’s 1962 First Division title-winning team. Bailey had an eventful afternoon. Ipswich won 6-0, but Bailey saved three penalties. But when they met at Old Trafford in 1995 with United in their pomp and Ipswich heading down, United won 9-0, with Andrew Cole scoring five. Ipswich haven’t beaten United since a 2-0 win in the League Cup in 1997. They played out a 1-1 draw back in November.

Key players

Bruno Fernandes was the orchestrator for United at Goodison Park on Saturday and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be for this match either, with ten goals and twelve assists in all competitions so far this season. But we all know that this Manchester United defence can be bullied, so much from an Ipswich perspective will be resting on the shoulders of Liam Delap, whose ten goals so far this season have made up more than 40% of their total in the Premier League.

*Delap shot map, Premier League 2024/25*

Team News

There has been yet another injury scare for United with the news that Noussair Mazraoui faces a fitness test after limping off against Everton. He may join Rúben Amorim’s eight-player injury list. On the upside, Christian Eriksen and Leny Yoro returned to the bench on Saturday, though only the latter got on the pitch. Ipswich also currently have eight players missing, with Jens Cajuste and – let’s face it, this is no surprise whatsoever – Kalvin Phillips limping off against Spurs.

Prediction

Manchester United have only beaten Southampton at home in the Premier League since 1st December and that raises questions no matter who they’re playing against, especially when considering that they could only draw 1-1 at Portman Road earlier this season. But Ipswich are on a clear downward curve and United did end their last match on a high, and with that in mind I’m favouring a narrow Manchester United win. But with their defence you can never guarantee a clean sheet and Liam Delap is an obvious menace, so 2-1 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: Chelsea looking for a response against Southampton

Chelsea host Southampton in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night as they look to bounce back after a disappointing run of form. The Saints themselves are struggling of late, but it’s been a familiar story all season.

By Matt Smith

When the two sides met earlier in the campaign, Chelsea secured an emphatic 5-1 victory at St Mary’s Stadium. Southampton could take confidence from the last Premier League fixture they played at Stamford Bridge when James Ward-Prowse’s goal saw them win 1-0.

Chelsea suffer Chalobah blow

Since returning from his loan spell at Crystal Palace, Trevoh Chalobah has played a crucial role for the Blues in defence. The English centre-back was substituted after just eight minutes against Aston Villa last time out due to injury, and Enzo Maresca has now provided an update on his fitness.

The Chelsea boss has confirmed that Chalobah will miss the game against Southampton. The 25-year-old is likely to be out for around seven to 10 days, but thankfully the Blues have a break until their next Premier League fixture.

Maresca needs Palmer firing once again

Cole Palmer’s emergence on the Premier League scene has been special since his move to Chelsea, and the England international has quickly become one of the most talented players in Europe.

Unfortunately for Chelsea, Palmer has endured a difficult few weeks, and subsequently the team’s form as a whole has dropped significantly. Palmer has failed to provide a goal or assist in his last six games, and you get the feeling that the Blues won’t be at their best until Palmer starts producing the magic once again.

Bednarek set to miss out

Like Chalobah, Jan Bednarek was substituted early on in Southampton’s previous fixture. Ivan Jurić confirmed when speaking to the media ahead of this game that the Polish defender will be unavailable, but it’s not thought to be a serious injury.

Jurić also suggested that Flynn Downes will play after the Southampton duo settled their differences. Downes was omitted from the squad over the last few weeks, with Jurić citing an attitude issue.

Fernandes slowly adapting to life in England

Mateus Fernandes has been a shining light for the Saints in what has been a disappointing season after moving from Portugal in the summer transfer window. The 20-year-old has showcased his talent and immense potential during his first few months at the club, but Jurić will want to see more.

*Fernandes passing stats, Premier League 2024/25*

Fernandes will be disappointed not to have more goal contributions to his name, and it will be partly down to Jurić to get more of out him by getting him higher up the pitch. The Portuguese midfielder has created 24 chances this season in the Premier League, but only produced two assists.

Prediction

Despite Chelsea’s poor form, it’s difficult to see Southampton getting a result in this one considering they’ve picked up just nine points in the Premier League this season.

We’re going for a comfortable 3-0 victory to Maresca’s side at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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