Preview

Dec

2024

Preview: Arsenal aiming to do a job on the Tractor Boys

Arsenal sat third going in to Christmas, not a terrible position on the face of it for an Arsenal side expected to be one of three teams capable of challenging for the title.

By Karl Matchett

Following the Boxing Day games however, the Gunners have slipped to fourth and as ever, context is king: they’re now nine points off the pace, while those above them include last year’s distant third-placed team and two sides who weren’t even in the conversation.

Job No.1: Staying in touch

Manchester City’s dramatic fall from grace should, in theory, have presented Arsenal with an opportunity – but their own decisions on and off the pitch, more pragmatic and with solid rather than spectacular transfer work, have seen them fall away too. If ten winless games throughout the Premier League season is effectively a cut-off point for title race involvement, the Gunners are 80 percent of the way there already. Most games are now must-win for them, especially home to newly promoted sides such as Ipswich Town. All Arsenal can aim for, for now at least, is to do exactly that and trust to hope that another opportunity to overhaul the teams above them will roll their way.

Staying in touch isn’t just the message at the top though. Ipswich are three points adrift of safety, 19th in the table – but probably somewhere about where they expected to be after promotion and signing for the future in the summer. That’s not to say they don’t want to try staying up, but they don’t need it to be done by the new year. Keeping in contact with those above them is all important, such as the win over Wolves recently, not defeats to Newcastle last time out or potentially at the Emirates. Their quality in attack means they cannot be dismissed but they’ll target mini runs against Everton, Brentford and Leicester, not the Magpies, the Gunners and Chelsea.

Good runs and bad runs

Being off the pace can make it feel Arsenal are in a bad run, but they’re not right now – seven wins from the last nine in all competitions, four wins in the last six in the league. It’s just that for the title, margins are so fine, but they are scoring and winning, netting eight in two matches against Crystal Palace in the past week.

Even if winning matches against bigger clubs isn’t the absolute key, the Tractor Boys do need to keep nicking points here and there. Four defeats from their last five isn’t sustainable either, and they have only two victories in all competitions all season. They’ve only kept one clean sheet, too – back in September.

Team news

The biggest loss is the biggest news: Bukayo Saka’s absence for “weeks” through a hamstring injury means Gabriel Jesus must really step up in productivity and consistency, and Mikel Arteta needs to find an alternative threat from Saka’s position on the right flank. Ipswich are without suspended Sam Morsy, injured George Hirst and sidelined Chiedozie Ogbene.

Key player

Gabriel Jesus has come into the side of late and immediately rediscovered his scoring touch – Mikel Arteta is desperate for that to continue. It also makes a mockery of him playing 266 league minutes before last week. If he can now play more but keep averaging 3.84 shots and 8.2 touches in the box per 90 minutes, they have another dangerous forward to rely on.

Prediction

Arsenal won’t – can’t – have any trouble seeing off strugglers at home if they are to rebuild any sort of momentum at the top into the new year: Arsenal 3-1 Ipswich.

(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.

Dec

2024

Preview: Everton out to add to Manchester City’s misery

Manchester City will kick off the Boxing Day fixtures by hosting Everton, though there might not be too much festive cheer around a side that has lost nine of its last 12 games.

By Neel Shelat

City showing few signs of ending the slump

Even as Manchester City started a streak of losses in November, few could have believed that their form would remain just as dismal at Christmas time. Worse yet, their performances have not looked much better either.

Pep Guardiola’s side have shown signs of promise on occasion, but they have struggled to sustain a decent performance for the full 90 minutes. Their dramatic loss in the recent Manchester derby exposed their sudden inability to see out a lead, but last weekend’s defeat to Aston Villa was arguably even more concerning as City simply looked second best.

Villa, for their part, contrived an excellent game plan that precisely targeted the defending champions’ weak spots. They were happy to drop back defensively and let City circulate possession, exposing a rather toothless attack. After turnovers, they ran straight at the visitors’ back line and cut them open on counterattacks. They were even able to deal damage with settled possession, baiting Manchester City’s disjointed press before slicing through it with slick passing.

This relatively straightforward blueprint has suddenly become effective against Guardiola’s side, as the former Barcelona tactician has changed little despite such poor results and injury issues. Once again, he will have to fashion a makeshift defensive unit for this match after John Stones suffered a recurring issue over the weekend while Rúben Dias remains out with a calf injury. Rodri, of course, is out for the season, and Matheus Nunes is unlikely to be an option in midfield either. Goalkeeper Ederson also did not make the squad last weekend and remains a doubt.

Everton aiming for a fourth-straight clean sheet

It has been far from smooth sailing for Everton for most of the season as they have struggled to string together a good run of results, largely hovering around the relegation zone. However, they seem to be turning a page heading towards the new year.

The Toffees have lost just one of their last six games, keeping clean sheets in all five others including their latest fixtures against Arsenal and Chelsea. Indeed, their defence has been excellent as they are among the top half teams for both goals and xG conceded in the league, while they have the joint-most clean sheets.

Given City’s attacking struggles, another shutout could well be on the cards.

Could Everton stage another upset?

Everton have lost 13 of their last 14 matches against Manchester City, so they will be happy with any sort of points from this fixture. The Toffees have gotten the better of Pep Guardiola’s side once, though – all the way back in 2017, when they won 4-0 at Goodison Park.

Everton have the league’s second-worst attack this term, making a similar result all the more unlikely. Six of their 14 goals have come from set-pieces, so deal ball situations might just be their only scoring hope.

Prediction

Despite everything, Manchester City should be backed to grind out a win against Everton.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Dec

2024

Preview: Amorim meets Pereira as United go to Wolves

This Boxing Day match between two of the Premier League’s most underachieving teams this season promises some degree of drama, no matter what happens.

By Ian King

Two new Portuguese managers getting their feet under the desk

Manchester United continue to play as though the very notion of form is close to an alien concept to them. They followed up their best performance of the season at Manchester City with an utterly chaotic defeat to Spurs in the EFL Cup and a home loss against Bournemouth about which the best that can probably be said is that it justified the gap between them in the league at the moment. Wolves replaced Gary O’Neil with Vítor Pereira following their dismal start to the season and the effect was immediate, with a 3-0 win at Leicester after he’d been in post for just three days.

A long history lesson

There is, of course, a lot. When Newton Heath first played Wolverhampton Wanderers in October 1892 they beat them 10-1. There’s little prospect of that happening this time around. When the two teams last met at Molineux on New Year’s Day, United won 4-3 with a Kobbie Mainoo goal seven minutes into stoppage-time after Pedro Neto had equalised for Wolves two minutes earlier. Wolves last win against Manchester United came in January 2022, and that had been their first at Old Trafford since 1980. Their last wins against them at Molineux came within a couple of weeks of each other in 2019, one in the League and the other in the FA Cup.

Key players

Manchester United’s key weakness this season has been a failure to defend set-pieces, and as such the two key players for Wolves are probably their set-piece takers, Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Cunha.

Amad Diallo has been the one bright spot on the pitch for United in recent weeks, but United should be careful to overburden a young player with too much expectation.

Team News

Two of the four players that Pereira brought in to the Wolves team, Gonçalo Guedes and Rodrigo Gomes, scored in his first match against Leicester and will likely start again. Indeed, having made his changes for his first match, the only question mark hangs over Mario Lemina, who missed the Leicester game but should be fit for this one.

Matthijs de Ligt may return for United after missing the Bournemouth match with illness, but longer-term injuries – Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Victor Lindelof – remain their bigger issue. There has been no indication that Marcus Rashford will return to the matchday squad.

Prediction

There are two key questions upon which the result of this match ultimately depends. Firstly, which Manchester United team turn up? The one that beat Manchester City, or the one that lost to Bournemouth? Because the only thing that Manchester United have consistently been this season has been inconsistent. And secondly, how much new manager bounce can Vítor Pereira sustain at Wolves? If his start was anything to go by, it could be another long evening for Rúben Amorim. But with Manchester United, who knows? The worst defence versus this version of them? Let’s stay in the Christmas spirit and go for the 3-3 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.

Dec

2024

Preview: West London showdown between Chelsea and Fulham

Chelsea host Fulham on Boxing Day in a West London Derby that could have consequences for both rivals in the top half of the Premier League table.

By Graham Ruthven

West London bragging rights

The rivalry between Chelsea and Fulham dates back over a century with the first meeting between the two sides taking place in 1910.

While the two teams spent decades competing in different divisions to each other, the Blues and the Cottagers are now very much on a similar level, although Enzo Maresca’s side will be favourites to claim three points on Boxing Day.

Chelsea come into the match on the back of a disappointing goalless draw against Everton which allowed Liverpool to stretch their lead at the top of the table to four points. The Blues can apply pressure by narrowing the gap to one point before Liverpool play later in the evening.

Meanwhile, Fulham are similarly fresh from a goalless draw of their own with Marco Silva’s team drawing 0-0 against Southampton on Sunday. The Cottagers have drawn their last three matches, winning just one of their last six.

For both Chelsea and Fulham, Boxing Day’s West London Derby could be a catalyst for a positive run of form over the Christmas period and into 2025.

Plenty of in form performers on show

Cole Palmer is one of the most reliable attacking forces in the Premier League and will be a threat for Chelsea in Thursday’s West London Derby. The 22-year-old has 11 goals and six assists in the league this season and could add to that against Fulham.

Nicolas Jackson has forged a strong understanding with Palmer at the head of the Chelsea attack. The Senegalese striker has netted three goals in his last five appearances and has added conviction to his game this season.

Enzo Fernández continues to grow as a goal-scoring midfielder in the Frank Lampard mould with the Argentinean expected to continue alongside Moisés Caicedo in the centre of the pitch.

Fulham’s left side will be key to their chances of pulling off a result at Stamford Bridge with Antonee Robinson currently one of the best full backs in the Premier League. The USA international dovetails well with Alex Iwobi ahead of him, giving Fulham genuine threat out wide.

Rodrigo Muniz could keep his place in the Fulham lineup after starting against Southampton although Raúl Jiménez is another option in the centre forward role for Silva. Adama Traoré will also be a threat to the Chelsea backline, particularly if he can find a final product.

Team news

Roméo Lavia remains a doubt for Chelsea having missed the last two weeks through injury and could be absent for the home match against Fulham, meaning Caicedo and Fernández are likely to start in central midfield again.

Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashille are also sidelined with Mykhailo Mudryk provisionally suspended after failing a drugs test.

Emile Smith Rowe and Sander Berge are both nursing knocks and could miss the trip to Stamford Bridge with Kenny Tete, Reiss Nelson and Harrison Reed expected to be sidelined for the derby.

Prediction

Chelsea can apply some pressure to leaders Liverpool with a win, at least until the Reds kick off their evening game against Leicester, and we’ll back Maresca’s side to pull that off: Chelsea 2-1 Fulham.

(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.

Dec

2024

Preview: League leaders Liverpool host troubled Leicester

Leicester City could well end Boxing Day in the relegation zone as they make the trip to Premier League leaders Liverpool. It is safe to say that the new manager-bounce under Ruud Van Nistelrooy did not last long.

By Sam McGuire

The season so far

Liverpool ran riot against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points with a game in hand following Chelsea’s draw with Everton.

The Reds hit Ange Postecoglu’s side for six to return to winning ways following back-to-back draws in the English top flight. The pace setters have lost just once all season across all competitions. That was a shock defeat at Anfield to, at the time, a surprise package Nottingham Forest. Nuno Espírito’s Santo’s men, however, are currently fourth and just eight points off the top. Looking back now, it isn’t that much of a shock result.

Arne Slot’s team are now 21 games unbeaten. During this time, they have a win rate of 86%. This sheer dominance is why they sit top of the Premier League, lead the way in the Champions League with a 100% record, and they’re into the semi-final of the Carabao Cup.

Leicester, meanwhile, are struggling.

The Foxes lost manager Enzo Maresca in the summer and have already replaced his successor. Steve Cooper didn’t last long, overseeing just 15 matches before being dismissed. Van Nistelrooy was hired as his replacement and though he started well, with a win over West Ham United and a draw with Brighton, Leicester has since lost 4-0 to Newcastle United and 3-0 to relegation rivals Wolves.

Van Nistelrooy’s side aren’t scoring (just 1.2 goals per game) and they are conceding (2.2 per game). It is a dreadful combo. They have kept just one clean sheet all season and only two sides, Ipswich Town (35.6) and Southampton (38.9), have a higher Expected Goals Conceded total this season.

Previous encounters

The Reds have won 11 of the last 15 clashes, including the last four on the bounce against the Foxes, scoring 10 and conceding two. Leicester have picked up three wins but their last victory at Anfield was back in the year 2000. It is a fairly one-sided fixture and, in truth, this one should be a formality. But the beauty of the Premier League, especially over the festive period, is that the sheer volume of football can be an equaliser. Quality suffers and upsets happen.

The Injury situation

Liverpool are still without Ibrahima Konaté and Conor Bradley, both injured in the Champions League win over Real Madrid. Other than that though, Arne Slot has a full squad to pick from.

There’s depth in attack, with the Dutchman able to leave three from Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa and Darwin Núñez on the bench now.

Leicester are without a number of players.

First choice goalkeeper Mads Hermansen is expected to miss another game meaning the out of form, and former Liverpool shot-stopper, Danny Ward is going to start. Odsonne Édouard, Ricardo Pereira and Wilfred Ndidi are out until early next year while Abdul Fatawa is going to miss the best part of 2025 due to a cruciate ligament injury.

Prediction

It should be a home win, shouldn’t it? Liverpool are ruthless. Leicester are toothless. If the Reds are serious about winning the title, this will be three points. We’re backing them to show the mental fortitude to see this game through despite the makings of a potential banana skin. We’re going 3-1 to the hosts.

(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.

Dec

2024

Preview: Bournemouth looking to repeat last season’s trick at Old Trafford

Manchester United host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday as Rúben Amorim’s side look to build some momentum after an impressive victory over rivals Manchester City last time out.

By Matt Smith

The Cherries have been a bit of a surprise package this season, currently sitting in eighth place in the table, and United are still getting used to a new era under Amorim.

The Cherries got the better of United last season

In this fixture last season, also played in December, Bournemouth came away with a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford. The last time the two sides met, a 2-2 draw was played out at the Vitality Stadium, with Bruno Fernandes grabbing a brace for the Red Devils away from home.

In the Premier League era, United have nine wins against Bournemouth. They’ve drawn on two occasions, while the Cherries have picked up three victories.

Mount set for a spell on the treatment table

Amorim has confirmed that Mason Mount is set for a spell on the treatment table after picking up an injury against Manchester City, with the former Chelsea man likely to be out for ‘several weeks’.

Marcus Rashford was omitted from United’s last two fixtures due to a technical decision from Amorim, so it will be interesting to see whether he makes this one.

Amad the star of the show

Amad Diallo’s form has picked up drastically under Amorim, with the Portuguese manager showing immense faith in the youngster. After stealing the limelight against Man City, Amad picked up another goal and an assist against Tottenham in the EFL Cup this week.

The 22-year-old has been a standout star under Amorim so far, quickly becoming undroppable in the Premier League. Amad has produced eight goals and assists combined in the Premier League this season from just nine starts.

No fresh injury concerns for Iraola

Andoni Iraola has confirmed that it’s likely to be a ‘very similar’ squad to face United as we saw against West Ham United on Monday.

Enes Ünal came off the bench to score a superb equaliser against the Hammers, so he could be pushing for a starting place on Sunday.

Bournemouth creating chances at will

Bournemouth have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in the Premier League this season, creating 32.9 expected goals (xG), with only Chelsea managing more.

The Cherries have been producing chances all over the pitch, with the front three behind Evanilson – Dango Ouattara, Justin Kluivert, and Antoine Semenyo last time out – all providing a strong threat in the final third. Keeping the Bournemouth trio quiet will be Amorim’s biggest task on Sunday afternoon.

Prediction

Amorim’s side have shown signs of inconsistency and teething problems since his arrival, as expected, and Bournemouth will be looking to capitalise.

United’s last four games have seen both teams score, while Bournemouth have hit the back of the net in every match since early October. We’re going for a lively score draw at Old Trafford on Sunday.

(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.

Dec

2024

Preview: Chelsea’s Blues visit the blue half of Merseyside

Chelsea travel to Merseyside knowing a win over Sean Dyche’s struggling Everton will see them go top of the Premier League, temporarily at least, with Liverpool facing Tottenham in the late game on Sunday.

By Alex Roberts

Enzo Maresca remains adamant Chelsea aren’t ready to compete for the Premier League title, however, despite winning their last five league games, making them the most in-form side in the English top-flight.

Everton will have had over a week’s rest after their dogged 0-0 draw with Arsenal in the previous round of fixtures, taking them three points above Ipswich in 18^th, although the relegation zone’s skeletal fingers still grasp at their heels.

Everton’s tough run continues

The Toffee’s easily have the hardest run of fixtures throughout the festive period. A point against Arsenal was a good start but upcoming games with Man City, Nottingham Forest, and Bournemouth after the Chelsea game, means Dyche needs to get something out of this one.

Dyche is the Ronseal of managers, he does exactly what it says on the tin. Everton’s defence is solid, failing to concede in four of their last five league games, but with that comes a worrying lack of goals.

Dwight McNeil remains their top league goal scorer with three, but he hasn’t bagged in seven games and Everton don’t seem to have many other ideas.

Title race? Not a chance!

At this point last season, eventual Premier League champions Man City were on 34 points after 16 games, the exact same as Chelsea. Maresca has taken one of the hardest jobs in football in his stride, but don’t you dare call them title contenders.

Not only are they winning game after game, but they’re also doing it in style, scoring 37 goals, making Chelsea the most potent side in front of goal in the league, with Cole Palmer leading the way having scored 11 goals.

The last time the West London club played Everton, they ended up as 6-0 winners, with Palmer scoring four goals, which is remarkably not the last time he’d do that.

Where would Everton be without Jordan Pickford?

In the Championship probably. Yes, there has been the odd high-profile error, but the England goalkeeper has been key to Everton’s continued survival in the Premier League over the last few seasons.

That became abundantly clear in their 0-0 draw with Arsenal. Pickford ended the game having made 10 recoveries, five saves, and had 49 touches, keeping Dyche’s side in it as they faced wave after wave of Arsenal attack.

Enzo Fernández is worth every penny

It’s taken nearly two years, but Enzo Fernandez is finally starting to show exactly why Chelsea spent the big bucks to secure his signature after his impressive 2022 World Cup campaign.

The central midfielder scored seven goals and provided three assists throughout the entirety of last season (40 appearances); he’s managed to beat that goal contribution tally in his last seven games across all competitions, scoring three goals and providing seven assists.

Prediction

Chelsea are doing a much better job of dispatching teams they should be beating this season. Everton’s defence full of man mountains won’t make it easy, but we’re going to go with 2-0 to Maresca’s side.

(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.

Dec

2024

Preview: Liverpool face Spurs trip while aiming to be top at Christmas

In a surprising turn of events, Tottenham Hotspur could do Arsenal a huge favour on Sunday afternoon when they host Premier League leaders Liverpool.

By Sam McGuire

The season so far

The Reds arrive in North London looking to top the Premier League on Christmas Day.

Come kick-off on Sunday, Arne Slot’s men could find themselves in second position. Chelsea are two points behind Liverpool but play Merseyside neighbours Everton in the 2pm kick-off. A win for the Blues against the Toffees would see them move one point clear, albeit having played two more games.

Liverpool have been almost perfect this season across all competitions. Slot has guided his side to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. They’re the only team in the Champions League with a 100% record after six games and their record in the Premier League currently stands at played 15, won 11, and lost one.

The Dutchman has Mohamed Salah firing with the No.11 currently the joint-top scorer in the league with 13 while Bukayo Saka (10) is the only player able to surpass his nine assists.

However, they’ve struggled in their last few outings in the Premier League. Newcastle United held the Reds to a 3-3 draw at St James’ Park while Fulham claimed a 2-2 draw at Anfield.

Spurs, by comparison, have been the definition of hot and cold this season.

Ange Postecoglou’s men currently find themselves in 10th position. Only Chelsea (37) have more goals than Tottenham (36) but while the Blues have 10 wins to their name, Spurs have just seven.

It has very much been a case of feast or famine this season.

Postecoglou watched on as his side scored four in games against Everton, West Ham, Aston Villa and reigning champions Manchester City. They hit five against Southampton and found the back of the net on three occasions in wins over Brentford and Manchester United.

Simply put, in every win this term, they have scored a minimum of three goals. In their nine other English top flight matches though, they have just nine goals. That seems to be the problem. There’s no middle ground here and that is why they have been so inconsistent.

When they’re on form, they’re incredible. When they aren’t at their best, they struggle massively. Postecoglou isn’t under pressure just yet but if results don’t improve, he could well be.

Recent history favours the Reds

Liverpool have an impressive record against their Sunday opponents.

Following a 4-1 loss to Spurs in October 2017, the Reds went 12 unbeaten. This run included seven wins on the bounce. The streak ended last season in the controversial game in which Luis Díaz had a valid goal ruled out due to a VAR misunderstanding. Liverpool won the return tie at Anfield 4-2, having taken a 4-0 lead just prior to the hour mark.

The Injury situation

Liverpool’s injury crisis appears to be over. Federico Chiesa returned to the first-team picture against Southampton in the Carabao Cup and Diogo Jota was given another run out, as was Kostas Tsimikas. With Alisson also now back it means the Reds are only missing Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konaté. The cavalry really has arrived for the Premier League table toppers and just at the right time too.

Spurs, on the other hand, have a threadbare squad. Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended while Cristian Romero, Micky Van de Ven, Ben Davies, Richarlison, Guglielmo Vicario and Wilson Odobert are all ruled out with injury. Destiny Udogie is currently touch and go whether he’ll be fit for the game.

Postecoglou is going to have to get creative with his starting XI.

Prediction

Liverpool have depth and momentum. Spurs are scrambling for consistency and just looking to control a game for 90 minutes right now. We’re going with a 3-1 win for the away side.

(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.

Dec

2024

Preview: Real Madrid need Sevilla win to keep up with title rivals

It hasn’t been as plain-sailing a season as Real Madrid might have wanted or expected so far, coming off the back of a Champions League and LaLiga double-winning campaign and then signing Kylian Mbappé.

By Karl Matchett

Instead of sweeping all before them, they have at times stumbled and looked an ill-fitting combination of too many central characters, not enough facilitators. Despite that, they’re still in touch at the top – a point down on Barcelona with two games in hand, four points down on new leaders Atlético.

Real against Sevilla has over the past decade or two felt like a meeting of relative heavyweights in LaLiga, the nation’s favourite against a cup specialist capable of causing an upset. Except, in this particular head to head, they rarely do. In the last eight meetings Sevilla have won precisely none of them. There used to also be the possibility of former players from one side lining up for the other; that’s less of a factor now given how far and fast Sevilla have fallen domestically over the past few seasons.

Form

Real Madrid are chugging along, keeping tabs at the top…but not excelling. It’s three months since they’ve managed to string four wins in a row together in all competitions, while in LaLiga they’ve won one from three recently. A dramatic draw at Rayo Vallecano last time out in the league highlighted both the good and the bad from Carlo Ancelotti’s side. The 3-0 win over Pachuca, to claim the Intercontinental Cup during midweek was expected, albeit not guaranteed for the continental football specialists, so they’ll be happy to add that silverware to the bulging trophy cabinet at the Bernabéu.

As for Sevilla, it’s predictably mixed. Their inconsistency is wild, in particular away from home where they won none of five initially, beat Espanyol and then lost the next two. Home form alone won’t get them closer to the European spots they crave once more though and defensive resilience needs to improve significantly to trouble Real this time out.

Team news

Real Madrid’s long-term absentees are still sidelined, including defenders David Alaba, Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal. They also have Vinícius Júnior suspended and Ferland Mendy likely to miss out, so Mbappé and Rodrygo should pair up in attack once more. Sevilla are missing Djibril Sow, Tanguy Nianzou and Adria Pedrosa, but their key winger Dodi Lukebakio is fit.

Madrid’s key man

Real Madrid will be looking to Jude Bellingham to continue his great form of late, but with other key attacking performers out it’s Rodrygo who has been stepping up too. He scored and assisted last week and ranks above 93% of similar forwards for creating chances, 83% for winning duels, 95% for pass accuracy and 90% for cross accuracy. He’s an all-round talent and threat and they need that against this defence, which has been porous and susceptible to movement, pace and runs in behind.

Prediction

Real Madrid simply shouldn’t have any trouble in taking the three points. They could in fact rack up a heavy scoreline. Real 4-1 Sevilla.

(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.

Dec

2024

Preview: First vs. second as Barcelona meet Atletico in LaLiga

A potentially season-defining encounter for both Barcelona and Atlético Madrid looms on Saturday with the two rivals separated by only goal difference at the top of LaLiga.

By Graham Ruthven

A title duel

Not so long ago, it appeared Barcelona might run away with the Spanish title. Hansi Flick’s team started the season strongly, winning their opening seven league fixtures, blowing away opponents in the process.

Since then, though, the Catalans have lost their way. Barca have won just one of their last six league games, opening the door for Real Madrid and a resurgent Atlético Madrid to make their presence felt at the top of LaLiga.

Atleti’s season has had the opposite arc with Diego Simeone’s team currently on an 11-game winning run in all competitions after a difficult start to the campaign which even had many questioning the Argentine manger’s future at the club.

An away win for Atlético Madrid at Montjuïc would lift them above Barcelona in the table and could make them title favourites such is the run of form they are on right now.

Key players

Raphinha has been the surprise package of the season so far, registering an astonishing 17 goal contributions (11 goals and six assists) in just 18 league appearances. The Brazilian has been unstoppable and will be a goal threat this weekend.

Robert Lewandowski is also enjoying an excellent campaign having notched 16 goals in 17 league games. Around the Polish striker, the likes of Dani Olmo and Pedri will give Barcelona invention through the midfield and into the forward line.

In central midfield, Marc Casadó will be charged with holding it all together for Barcelona as their number six. The youngster could face a difficult evening up against the dynamic Atleti midfield pairing of Pablo Barrios and Rodrigo de Paul.

Atlético Madrid will hope to cause some attacking problems of their own with Julián Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann forging a strong partnership as a front two in recent weeks. They will have plenty space to exploit in behind Barca’s high defensive line.

*Griezmann and Alvarez stat comparison, LaLiga 2024/25*

Giuliano Simeone’s work ethic will be key to Atleti’s chances of stopping the threat of Raphinha down the left side. At the back, José Giménez and Clément Lenglet will need to keep it tight to give the visitors a solid defensive foundation.

Team news

Lamine Yamal will be unavailable for Saturday’s match with the teenager set for another period on the sidelines after sustaining ligament damage in the home defeat to Leganés. Without the Euro 2024 winner, Barca sometimes lack creativity in the attacking third.

Marc Bernal, Andreas Christensen and Marc-André ter Stegen will also be missing for the home side as long-term absentees. Otherwise, Flick has a fully fit squad to choose from.

Reports in Spain claim Simeone experimented with a 4-5-1 shape in a training game during the week, hinting at a potential tactical shift by the longterm manager for Saturday’s showdown.

Prediction

With the weight of expectation around this match, we’re expecting goals, and for both teams to perform. But we also think that the home side may reassert their title credentials: Barcelona 2-1 Atlético 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.