Preview

Apr

2025

Preview: Barcelona face midweek test against Mallorca

Barcelona can take another step towards the Spanish title just days after the sheer chaos of a 4-3 comeback win over Celta Vigo.

By Graham Ruthven

Catalan chaos

If ever there was a match to encapsulate the inherent chaos of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, it came in the 4-3 win over Celta Vigo when the Catalans had to fight back from 3-1 down to claim three crucial points.

As many opponents have done this season, Celta exploited the space behind Barca’s extremely Hugh defensive line. This gives Mallorca hope that they could do the same, although Los Piratas have drawn a blank in two of their last four games.

However, Barca also demonstrated their unmatched attacking firepower by ultimately beating Celta Vigo 4-3 with Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo impactful off the bench. They could start on Tuesday.

Barcelona can open up a seven-point advantage at the top of LaLiga before Real Madrid take on Getafe 24 hours later. This is another opportunity for the Catalans to pile the pressure on their fiercest rivals.

Key players

Flick has openly spoken about the fatigue being suffered by his Barcelona players who are facing their fifth match in just over two weeks. This could be a factor in his lineup decision for Tuesday’s match.

Lamine Yamal, however, will surely play some part against Mallorca. The teenager is Barca’s creator in-chief and has forged a strong understanding with Raphinha – no two players have combined for more goals (four) in LaLiga this season.

Ferran Torres is in line to lead the line for Barcelona after Robert Lewandowski suffered an injury at the weekend while Gavi may start alongside Pedri and Frenkie de Jong having come off the bench in the second leg on Saturday.

Cyle Larin has netted six league goals this season and will have the opportunity to add to this with Mallorca’s top scorer Vedat Muriqi out injured. Jagoba Arrasate will set up his team in a back three with Toni Lato and Mateu Morey providing the width.

The reality is that Dominik Greif will need to find top form to keep the Barcelona forward line at arm’s length. The Slovakian goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in his last outing against Leganés.

Team news

Lewandowski’s hamstring injury will keep him out for the next three weeks, meaning the Polish striker will miss Tuesday’s match against Mallorca as well as Saturday’s Copa del Rey final.

Marc-André Ter Stegen, Marc Casadó, Alex Balde and Marc Bernal remain sidelined for Barcelona. Balde’s absence means Gerard Martín will continue at left back after a difficult game against Celta Vigo. Mallorca could target the 23-year-old and the space around him.

*Martín’s player traits – comparison against similar players in top five leagues*

Muriqi is sidelined through injury and will be a big miss for Mallorca who are strongest when they have the Kosovan striker to play into and off. Manu Morlanes is also injured while Robert Navarro and Takuma Asano will late fitness tests before the match at Montjuïc.

Prediction

In keeping with Barca’s form since the turn of the year, we have to go with a home win. And by multiple goals: Barcelona 3-1 Mallorca.

(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.

Apr

2025

Preview: Inter and Bayern face season-defining second leg at San Siro

Simone Inzaghi’s Inter have one foot in the Champions League semi-finals after last week’s away win over Bayern Munich.

By Graham Ruthven

Halfway there

In their biggest game of the season so far, Inter executed their game plan to perfection. Away to a Bayern Munich team many expected to make the Champions League semi-finals, the Italian champions counter-attacked their way to a 2-1 victory.

It was a classic Inter performance. Simone Inzaghi set up his side to be resolute in defence and razor sharp in attack. While Bayern struggled to find a way through, the visitors had no such issues in the other direction.

Lautaro Martínez’s opener was one of the goals of the season as Inter went from one end of the pitch to the other in a matter of seconds. Davide Frattesi’s late winner was another instance of Inter’s quick transition threat.

No team has averaged more possession per 90 minutes in the Champions League this season than Bayern Munich. Vincent Kompany will want his team to control the ball at San Siro, but can the Bavarians translate this into chance creation? They failed to do so in the first leg.

Both Inter and Bayern Munich are in a strong position to win their respective domestic titles, but their season could be defined by what unfolds on Wednesday night in the Champions League.

Key players

Martínez and Marcus Thuram demonstrated their understanding in the attacking third by putting Bayern Munich to the sword in last week’s first leg at the Allianz Arena. They will be a threat once more in the second leg.

Nicolo Barella is key to the way Inter get forward in quick transition with the Italian international a valve in the centre of the pitch. Alessandro Bastoni is also an important figure for the Nerazzurri such is the quality of his distribution out from the back.

Only Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Serhou Guirassy have scored more goals in the Champions League this season than Harry Kane who has netted 10 goals in 12 games. The English striker is still one of the best goalscorers of his generation.

However, Kane lacked service in the first leg against Inter. This is where the likes of Michael Olise, Thomas Müller and Leroy Sané must step up. With Jamal Musiala out injured, Bayern Munich have become too predictable as an attacking outfit in recent weeks.

Team news

Denzel Dumfries and Piotr Zieliński will miss Wednesday’s match against Bayern for Inter with Bastoni, Thuram and Henrikh Mkhitaryan expected to come back into the lineup after being rested for the win over Cagliari.

Musiala is still sidelined for Bayern Munich. The German international has been desperately missed in recent matches with Kompany using Müller and Raphaël Guerreiro as a number 10 in his absence. This is a choice he will face again.

Defensively, Bayern Munich are also depleted. Jonas Urbig will continue to fill in for Manuel Neuer with Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano also missing for the Bundesliga table-toppers.

Prediction

After the goal-driven drama of Tuesday’s second legs, perhaps we’re due a calmer evening? We’re expecting Inter to do enough to pull through on aggregate: Inter 1-1 Bayern Munich

(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.

Apr

2025

Preview: Madrid looking for a second leg miracle as Arsenal visit the Bernabéu

Three goals down from the first leg, the reigning European champions have a whole lot of work to do if they are to continue their recent continental dominance – though their situation is not without precedence.

By Karl Matchett

Spanish sides know the feeling

Not that Real Madrid often want to take inspiration from the likes of their biggest rivals Barcelona, but they are one of the few teams to have been involved in this type of comeback before; from an even worse situation in fact, the famous remontada comeback, beating PSG 6-1 after losing 4-0 in the first leg. Real are only 3-0 down here by comparison, though Barcelona have experienced that scoreline too, in reverse: they lost 4-0 to Liverpool in 2019 are being three up from the first leg, and a year earlier gave up a 4-1 lead to go out on away goals at Roma. Plenty for Madrid to realise, then, that big leads can work both ways – and of course Los Blancos have their own history of comebacks to point to as evidence that the tie isn’t all over just yet.

All or nothing for Arsenal

The Gunners could scarcely have dreamed of being in a better position after the first leg, but it also reinforces the fact all their eggs for this season are in a Champions League-shaped basket. While Real have a Copa del Rey final and a LaLiga title battle to contend with, it’s just this competition for Mikel Arteta’s men. Another weekend draw leaves them 13 points off the pace in the Premier League – it’s European glory or another empty-handed year therefore. The path ahead is still tough, with PSG likely semi-final opponents, but there’s no use being concerned about one tough challenge when, too often, they’ve shown themselves capable of collapsing when the pressure is really on. With this three-goal cushion, they have to start to show they can shed that tag at last.

Recent form

Not stellar from either side in truth, but Arsenal are unbeaten in nine – five draws in that time – and haven’t lost a game by three or more all season long. That’s all they have to do, with the pressure very much on the hosts. Real won at the weekend despite a Kylian Mbappé red card, but that was their first win in four. At home this season they’ve won by three or more on eight occasions.

Team news

Eduardo Camavinga is suspended and the same names are out long term for Madrid – Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão and Ferland Mendy. For Arsenal, centre-back Gabriel is out for the season and Kai Havertz is out until at least May. Jurrien Timber might have to start right-back as Thomas Partey went off injured at the weekend and midfielder Jorginho is a doubt too.

Key player

David Raya has been largely impressive for the Gunners this season, not just with shot-stopping but also his concentration and ability to sweep through balls. His 82% save rate is third-highest in the Champions League, but 3.9 goals prevented is top. Arsenal may need that form.

*Not much to separate Raya and Courtois in the Champions League this season*

Prediction

Real to win the night, but Arsenal to win the tie. That third goal may prove all-important: Madrid 3-1 Arsenal

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Apr

2025

Preview: Barcelona travel to Dortmund for second leg formality

Barcelona have one foot in the Champions League semi-final after comprehensively beating Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in the first leg. There is little to play for other than the opportunity to make it respectable for the Germans.

By Alex Roberts

The atmosphere at the Signal Iduna Park will be as electric as ever, the Yellow Wall has had little to celebrate domestically this season, it’s just a shame it’s going to take a genuine footballing miracle for them to go through.

Hansi Flick’s side are on the other end of the spectrum. Sitting at the summit of LaLiga as well as being favourites to win the Champions League, it’s a good time to be a Barca fan.

Jamie Gittens has disappeared

Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho 2.0 has struggled of late, scoring just one goal in his last 19 games. That wouldn’t be so bad if he was creating but he’s also failed to register a single assist in that time.

It’s quite the drop off. Gittens registered 14 goal contributions in his previous 25 games, earning him links with some of the biggest clubs both back home and on the continent. Those links are still there, for now at least.

Niko Kovač’s side had little to no attacking threat in the first leg, Barca took control of the game from the first whistle. They’re going to need more than Gittens but when he’s in form he can certainly make a difference.

Aging like a fine wine

Veteran striker Robert Lewandowski has been getting all the headlines, and rightly so, bagging 40 goals in 46 games across all competitions, but he isn’t the only elder statesman ripping it up for Barca this season.

*Lewandowski’s best numbers since the 2021/22 season*

Iñigo Martínez may well be Barcelona’s best centre-back at the moment. He’s exactly what Flick wants, calm under pressure, able to play out from the back, and most importantly, hard to get past.

He won 100% of his tackles in the reverse fixture. He also won 50% of his duels and was dribbled past zero times. With young Pau Cubarsí beside him, Barca are set for the present and the future.

Finally finding his feet

A lot was expected from Maximilian Beier when he joined from Hoffenheim last summer. It’s taken a little while, but he’s starting to look like the player Dortmund thought they were getting.

Eight goal contributions in his last ten games across all competitions, including the opener in Der Klassiker on Saturday, makes him their chief attacking threat over the past couple of months.

Beier still has a little way to go if he’s going to be the next big thing at Dortmund. Football is a confidence game, an impressive performance against Barca would likely do wonders for him.

Alejandro Balde will be a big miss

The Catalan club’s hectic schedule has claimed its first victim. Balde will likely be out of action for the next few weeks after picking up a hamstring injury in their edgy 1-0 win over Leganés on Saturday.

Balde is Hansi Flick’s undisputed favourite in the left-back position, making 43 appearances across all competitions, scoring one goal, and providing eight assists. Fellow La Masia graduate Gerard Martín is currently their only other option in that position.

Barca will certainly be without a pretty potent attacking threat now that Balde is out but thankfully they have plenty of those at the moment.

Prediction

Barcelona should go through to the semi-finals without getting out of first gear thanks to their massive first-leg win. Having said that, we don’t predict them to take their eye off the ball. We’re going to go with a 2-0 win for Barca.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Apr

2025

Preview: Aston Villa meet PSG for second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal

It remains difficult to see past this being the end of Aston Villa’s European adventure, as they entertain an awesome-looking PSG team.

By Ian King

PSG’s season-long good form

PSG looked as strong as they have all season in winning the first leg 3-1 last week. They’ve dropped just ten points all season and have already been crowned champions in Ligue 1, where they remain unbeaten, and have won their last nine league matches in a row. Their only shaky patch came in the League Phase of this competition, when they lost three games. Villa were patchy between January and February, but they’ve won their last four Premier League matches in a row and finished above PSG back in that gigantic group stage, winning five and losing two.

History recap

The first leg between these two sides was their first meeting in a competitive match. Villa have only played French opposition in Europe once before, drawing 0-0 in Bordeaux before winning the return match 1-0 in the 1997/98 UEFA Cup First Round. The last time Villa played in this competition came in 1982/83, when as holders they reached the quarter-finals before losing over two legs to Juventus, losing 2-1 at Villa Park 3-1 in Turin in the second leg.

Key Players

Morgan Rogers scored the Villa goal in Paris, and he has felt a little under the radar for much of this season. But his influence in attacking positions is huge, and while Ollie Watkins remains top scorer, Rogers has a broader remit as a player. That isn’t to understate his goal contribution, either; he’s scored 14 in all competitions so far this season, just one fewer than Watkins.

PSG have ended their Galacticos impersonation spell and in the process have built something far more resilient-looking. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is a fascinating example of their smarter transfer business policies. At 26 years old, he’s made 400 club appearances in all competitions, while he also already has 72 Italy caps. At the other end, Ousmane Dembélé has scored 32 in 41 matches, an incredible recovery from the wretched time he had in his later years at Barcelona.

Team News

Villa’s only absentee is Leon Bailey. He’s on the way back, but won’t be in time for this match. Changes from Saturday are certain. Ollie Watkins, John McGinn and Donyell Malen were rested but then called off the bench to score at Southampton. Ominously, PSG should be even stronger this time, with their captain Marquinhos returning after having missed the first leg through suspension. Lucas Beraldo will likely make way for him.

*PSG’s total domination in Ligue 1 this season*

Prediction

Aston Villa have been outstanding in this year’s Champions League. Beating Bayern Munich 1-0, as they had 43 years earlier, will live long in the memories of supporters. But being entirely pragmatic about things, it’s difficult to see past another PSG win. They’ve been doing things differently, and it’s really starting to bear fruit. An early Villa goal might shake things up – let’s see what they’re made of, and all that – but you still have to favour another PSG win. Perhaps 2-1, to completely mirror Villa’s 1983 European Cup exit.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Apr

2025

Preview: Inter Miami head to the Windy City

Inter Miami return to MLS action fresh from a Messi-inspired win in the Champions Cup quarterfinals. They’ll be hoping for more of the same at the historic Soldier Field stadium in Chicago against the Fire on Sunday night.

By James Nalton

Messi leads the way

Lionel Messi’s season so far has been sporadic due to injury, but the last two games suggest he is back to full fitness and back in his groove.

There was a moment in the previous league game against Toronto where he beat a defender in a small space near the byline before getting a shot away that was reminiscent of the Barcelona Messi.

He netted Miami’s only goal in that game and scored a wonderful goal in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday to help his team back from two goals down on aggregate against Los Angeles FC. His penalty late in the game gave Miami a 3-2 win and a place in the semifinals.

Messi already tops FotMob’s MLS average rating chart for 2025 as well as leading the way on a per 90 basis for shots and shots on target, expected assists, xG plus xA, and successful dribbles.

Chicago reignited?

Chicago Fire have been in the doldrums for years, finishing outside the playoff places for 13 of the past 15 seasons.

During that time, they were handed the Wooden Spoon twice and last season finished 28th out of 29 teams.

The four-time US Open Cup winners will be hoping for a revival in 2025 under new head coach Gregg Berhalter.

The former United States men’s national team coach has taken on a dual role as head coach and sporting director, similar to that of an old-fashioned English-style manager who oversees both coaching and recruitment.

They have made a promising start to the season, and Inter Miami will have to watch out for the threat of striker Hugo Cuypers — who has the second-highest total xG in the league so far this season behind Christian Benteke — and fellow attackers Jonathan Bamba and Philip Zinckernagel.

Potential Miami slip-ups

Though they are the favourites to claim the MLS Supporters’ Shield trophy once again, Inter Miami won’t always look entirely convincing within games.

Even on their way to a record-breaking points haul in 2024, they lost four games and drew eight, and their expected goal difference last season placed them in the lower regions of mid-table.

There is always a sense that their defence can give up goals, and their wins are often decided by moments rather than sustained good play.

Anyone regularly predicting Inter Miami games (see below) might have expected the dropped points to come in recent games against Philadelphia, Atlanta, or Charlotte, but the fact that such a game and result played out against struggling Toronto FC shows the unpredictable nature of MLS.

Toronto could even have won that game, and Chicago Fire will take some heart from this going into this weekend.

Prediction

All of that said, you still have to go with an Inter Miami win in Chicago, though maybe more narrow than might normally have been predicted, given the Fire, like Miami, have scored at least one goal in each of their MLS games so far this season.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from MLS live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Apr

2025

Preview: Champions League chasing Newcastle take on midtable Man United

Newcastle can consolidate their position in the chase for a Champions League place against a still out-of-sorts Manchester United.

By Ian King

United on United

Newcastle had some good news this week without even kicking a ball, with Arsenal’s win against Real Madrid guaranteeing five English qualifiers into next year’s Champions League. They’ve also won four in a row since getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton last month.

News of Manchester United’s revival may have been slightly over-exaggerated. They’ve only lost one of their last five, but it remains the case that, of the four League wins they’ve managed in the 15 games played since their 2-1 win at Manchester City in the middle of December, three of them have come against those occupying the relegation places.

Newcastle aiming for a historic double

Newcastle have won three of the last four meetings between these two, including a 2-0 win at Old Trafford in December. A Newcastle win would complete their first League double against Manchester United since 1930/31, when they won 7-4 at Old Trafford and 4-3 at St James’ Park.

Key players

Two Newcastle players will need to be on their best behaviour. Dan Burn and Joelinton must get through their next two Premier League games while avoiding yellow cards or face a two match suspension. The cut-off point for collecting 10 yellow cards and being served a two match ban falls after this match and their upcoming midweek game against Crystal Palace, next Wednesday.

From a Manchester United perspective, all eyes will be on goalkeeper André Onana following two pretty egregious goalkeeping mistakes which handed Lyon a 2-2 draw in their Europa League match. This sort of thing just keeps on happening, doesn’t it? On a more positive front, Leny Yoro scored his first goal for the club during this match; his performances in an otherwise struggling team have been one of the few standouts of their season so far.

Team News

Newcastle have two potential key absentees for this match. Joe Willock will definitely be out because of FA concussion protocols following a head injury towards the end of their recent match at Brentford, while it remains to be seen whether Anthony Gordon will be considered fit enough to play after picking up a groin injury on international duty for England. Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles and Lewis Hall will also be absent.

Manchester United’s injury problems are easing somewhat, with Kobbie Mainoo making a brief appearance against Lyon, though Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven and Toby Collyer will all be missing alongside Amad Diallo, who’s out for the rest of this season.

Prediction

It doesn’t take much to cast a dark cloud over Manchester United these days, and Onana’s antics in France on Thursday night have had precisely that effect. United’s mushiness in front of goal coupled with Newcastle’s fire power and need for points to maintain their Champions League chase indicates a comfortable home win. I’ll go for a 2-0 home win and no end to Manchester United’s 2024/25 purgatory of form.

(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.

Apr

2025

Preview: Chelsea meet Ipswich at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea are limping towards Champions League qualification. They remain in touch with the top four but only by the grace of results going their way. It can only last so long, a win against Ipswich is much needed if they want to fulfil their ultimate ambitions.

By Alex Roberts

Ipswich are all but relegated at this point, sitting 18^th, 12 points off Wolves in 17^th. It’ll be the second consecutive season all three promoted sides go right back down but only the third time it’s happened in Premier League history.

Still, they did manage to beat Chelsea in the reverse fixture and this is exactly the kind of game Enzo Maresca’s side have struggled in all season. Could a great escape be on!?

An audition for Liam Delap

Ipswich may well go down but it’s unlikely that Liam Delap will. The striker has been linked with almost every side in the Premier League but few more than Chelsea. The West London side have been in need of a striker for around three years. Delap may well fancy himself as the man to fill that spot.

With 12 Premier League goals, the only Chelsea player to have scored more is fellow Man City academy graduate Cole Palmer. He’s also in red-hot form, scoring in his last two league games.

Chelsea will be making moves in the summer, there is no doubt about that. Delap will have plenty of options but considering Palmer’s rise to prominence, a move to the capital may well be at the top of his list.

Some puzzling decisions from Enzo Maresca

It’s been an odd week for the Italian. He decided to rest Palmer and Nicolas Jackson for what was arguably the more important game against Brentford, only to go and do the same this for the 3-0 win over Legia Warsaw.

The fans are starting to get a little antsy. Maresca’s football isn’t exactly entertaining and some of his decisions are starting to confuse. There are only seven games of the Premier League campaign left, it would be in his best interests to field his best eleven for all of them.

Failure to qualify for the Champions League could well be the final nail in the coffin of Maresca’s relationship with the fans. It remains to be seen whether it would cost him his job, however.

Dara O’Shea is leading from the back

Speaking of players that could well stay in the Premier League even if Ipswich don’t, O’Shea has impressed this season. He was fantastic in the unfortunate 2-1 defeat to Wolves last time out, providing the assist for Delap’s goal as well as being solid at the back.

The Republic of Ireland international made ten clearances, including one off the line, two blocks, and four recoveries. Unfortunately, his hard work was undone by a little bit of magic from Pablo Sarabia and a goal from Jørgen Strand Larsen.

It’s been a tough season for defenders in newly-promoted sides. Being asked to play out from the back when they simply don’t have the facilities is a tall order. O’shea has acquitted himself well, however, and Ipswich would do well to keep him.

*O’Shea player traits – comparison against similar players in big five leagues*

Prediction

This one is probably a little harder to predict than it should be on paper. On one hand, Ipswich are destined to go down, on the other, Chelsea have failed to impress since the start of December. We’re going with a 1-0 Chelsea win.

(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.

Apr

2025

Preview: Carlo Ancelotti needs a response from his Madrid side as they visit Alaves

Real Madrid must bounce back from the damaging defeats to Arsenal and Valencia which have left Los Blancos’ season hanging by a thread.

By Graham Ruthven

Bouncebackability

A lot has changed for Real Madrid in the past week. First, the home defeat to Valencia saw Carlo Ancelotti’s team lose ground in the Spanish title race. Three days later, the 3-0 loss to Arsenal hit Los Blancos’ chances of winning the Champions League hard.

Real Madrid could be under even more pressure by the time they kick off against Alavés on Sunday depending on Barcelona’s result against Leganés on Saturday. There could be a seven-point gap between the two rivals.

The Bernabéu outfit are on the brink of a full-blown crisis. Ancelotti is facing criticism with many now of the belief that the Italian will depart as Real Madrid manager at the end of the season. Another defeat would further deepen the malaise around the club.

Sitting just two points above the bottom three, Alavés are fighting the threat of relegation, but enter Sunday’s match on the back of an extremely valuable away win over Girona.

Alavés have lost just one of their last five league matches and will make themselves difficult to beat. There’s plenty at stake for both teams despite their contrasting positions in the table.

Key players

Kylian Mbappé failed to make much of an impression in the loss to Arsenal, but the Frenchman has still notched 22 goals in LaLiga this season. He will be an obvious threat against Alavés, presuming he features.

Vinícius Júnior is struggling for his best form at the moment. The Brazilian missed a penalty in the home defeat to Valencia and is clearly low on confidence. Ancelotti might take the opportunity to play him back into form.

Brahim Díaz could be rotated into the lineup. The Morocco international has proved himself as a good depth over the course of the season and is the sort of cohesion player Real Madrid missed against Arsenal during the week.

Carlos Vicente scored the Alavés winner against Girona last weekend and will give the Basque hosts a threat down the right side. He could be key considering Real Madrid’s weakness in behind the full backs.

Kike García has netted 11 times in LaLiga this season and will lead the line for Alavés. If he can exploit the space in behind the Real Madrid backline as Valencia did, he could enjoy a fruitful afternoon.

Team news

Ancelotti will surely rotate his team for the match against Alavés to boost Real Madrid’s slim chances of a comeback against Arsenal next week.

Dani Ceballos, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy and Éder Militão are all long-term absentees. Ancelotti faces a decision between Lucas Vázquez and Fede Valverde at right back while Brahim could start after playing just five minutes against Arsenal.

Antonio Sivera, Jon Guridi and Tomás Conechny will all miss the match at Mendizorrotza through suspension. Otherwise, Eduardo Coudet will have a full squad to choose from.

Prediction

In a way, this is a very similar match up to last weekend’s game for Madrid. Alavés are desperate for points in their bid to avoid the drop, just like Valencia, and will be motivated by seeing what Valencia managed to achieve at the Bernabéu. But surely Madrid can’t let that happened again? We’ll go with Alavés 0-2 Real Madrid.

(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.

Apr

2025

Preview: Liverpool look to get back to winning ways as West Ham visit Anfield

Liverpool’s 26-match unbeaten run was ended by Fulham last weekend as the Cottagers claimed a 3-2 win over the champions elect at Craven Cottage. That result had been on the cards for a while for Arne Slot’s men.

By Sam McGuire

The Reds are threatening to limp over the line to claim a 20th league title. They’ll want to put any lingering doubts to bed this weekend as they host West Ham United at Anfield.

Running out of steam?

Liverpool found themselves 3-1 down to Fulham at half-time on Sunday afternoon having taken an early lead courtesy of Alexis Mac Allister’s worldie.

The Reds looked sluggish and defensively fragile despite the back four only missing Trent Alexander-Arnold. Caoimhin Kelleher, again, started in place of Alisson who missed out due to the concussion protocol.

It was Liverpool’s experienced players in their backline who looked nervy. Ibrahima Konaté nearly gifted Fulham a goal early on with a loose touch in his own penalty area. Andrew Robertson had three chances to clear the ball prior to Alex Iwobi’s goal while Virgil van Dijk was done by Rodrigo Muniz for the third.

Is it nerves or have these players just played too much football this season? Slot barely rotates and both Robertson and Van Dijk aren’t getting any younger.

It is a difficult question to answer right now, but these players have won it all, a title run in should be their bread and butter. If it isn’t nerves, uncomfortable conversations might need to be had.

No new manager bounce but still plenty to prove

Graham Potter was hired by West Ham United in January and the idea was he’d be able to get them playing football while moving them up the table.

There was supposed to be a spark. There wasn’t.

In his 11 league matches as manager, they have won just three matches – beating Fulham, Arsenal and Leicester City. They’ve suffered defeats to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Brentford, Newcastle and Wolves during this period.

Heading to Anfield, the Hammers are winless in four. They are in no danger of relegation. They are also in no danger of playing European football next season. They’re in purgatory right now just waiting for the campaign to end. Potter will be assessing his options and seeing who has a role to play for him next term.

So while there’s nothing at stake, a good performance against the runaway leaders could prolong a West Ham career or two.

A peek into the future for Liverpool

For the last two Premier League games, the Reds have been without Trent Alexander-Arnold. The right-back suffered an ankle injury against Paris Saint-Germain and Slot was forced to use Jarell Quansah at full-back in the Carabao Cup final before opting to use Curtis Jones there against Everton and Fulham.

Alexander-Arnold’s absence coincides with Liverpool forgetting how to attack. Prior to the international break, the Reds had an xG per 90 average of 2.27 in the Premier League. In the two games since the break, the xG average has been 1.5.

Liverpool haven’t figured out how to attack without the No. 66 in their team. They haven’t really figured out how to get the ball to Mohamed Salah either, with the Premier League’s top scorer blanking in both games.

Injury issues

Slot is still without Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez but Alisson should be available for the game against the Hammers while the return of Conor Bradley has come at the perfect time. The flying right-back transformed the Liverpool attack in the final 20 minutes against Fulham and he grabbed an assist.

If he’s fit enough to start on Sunday, the Reds will have an entirely different dynamic to their right flank, and Salah might be much more involved.

West Ham, meanwhile, are without Michail Antonio and Crysencio Summerville, a one-time Liverpool transfer target. Other than that, Potter has no injury or suspension concerns to navigate or manage.

Prediction

Liverpool need a reaction to the loss. They need a reaction to a number of poor performances dating back to February. With Anfield behind them and the title up for grabs, we’re saying it’ll be a 3-1 win for the hosts.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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