Preview

Dec

2024

Preview: Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace Take One

The first part of a pre-Christmas double-header brings together two clubs whose ideas of what constitutes ‘patchy form’ have been somewhat different, so far this season.

By Ian King

Recent H2H record

Arsenal go into their League Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace having won their last four straight games against the Eagles, with the last meeting between the two clubs resulting in a 5-0 blowout at The Emirates Stadium in January. But prior to that, their record had been somewhat patchier, having won just one of their previous eight meetings, going back to October 2018.

League form indicators

Both clubs have had peaks and troughs this season. There are two very different ways of interpreting Arsenal’s recent Premier League form. On the one hand, they’re unbeaten in their last six. But on the other, they’ve only won three of their last nine matches and their last performance, a goalless home draw against Everton on Saturday, hinted at issues in front of goal which may have to be addressed in the January transfer window.

Crystal Palace had an abysmal start to the season, failing to win any of their first eight league games. But they’ve only lost once in the League since beating Spurs in October and last time out they had a both technically excellent and morale-boosting win 3-1 at fierce rivals Brighton.

Ex-Gunner primed to shine?

There’s one potential name on the teamsheet which stands out more than any other. Palace paid Arsenal £25m for Eddie Nketiah in the summer, but he’s only managed one goal for them so far, and that came in their Carabao Cup win against Queens Park Rangers in September. The narrative surely demands that he comes into the Palace team for this match and kick-starts his season against his former club, though how likely that actually is to happen is very much open to question.

Team News

This is the Carabao Cup, so who’ll be taking the pitch for these two teams would be complicated even if injuries weren’t a major factor. Both Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard absences remain a serious concern for Arsenal. Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain as injured as ever, while goalkeeper Neto is cup-tied and Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko both remain highly doubtful. For Palace, Joel Ward and Adam Wharton were in the squad for the Brighton match but whether they’re thrown back in for this match is open to question, while Chadi Riad and Matheus Franca remain injured. Expect changes.

And expect changes again when these two meet in the league this coming weekend.

Prediction

An Arsenal team coming into this match off the back of one of their weakest performances of the season against a Crystal Palace side arriving off their best makes for a match which may turn out to be a tight one. But goals had been something of an issue for Palace up to the last couple of matches, and even if it’s a little makeshift for a match like this in this age of injuries, Arsenal’s defence has been one of the most miserly in the Premier League and I’d still call them for a 1-0 win.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Dec

2024

Preview: Liverpool go to manager-less Saints in the League Cup

Southampton will host Liverpool in the Carabao Cup quarter-final at St Mary’s Stadium on Wednesday evening.

By Matt Smith

The Saints are set to enter a new era with Russell Martin sacked at the weekend, while Liverpool will be hoping to avoid an upset in search of Arne Slot’s first bit of silverware at the club. The last time the two sides met in this competition, Southampton scored a late winner to secure a place in the final, with Shane Long firing them in front in the 90^th minute at Anfield.

No fresh injuries for the Saints

Simon Rusk, who has stepped in as interim manager while Southampton search for a permanent successor to Martin, confirmed that there were no fresh injury updates ahead of the game against Liverpool.

First choice goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has recently been on the treatment table, but it’s unclear whether he’s going to be fit enough to return to action.

Southampton struggling at both ends

Southampton’s form this season, barring a strong run so far in the Carabao Cup, has been incredibly disappointing on their return to the Premier League. The Saints are struggling at both ends of the pitch, with no side scoring fewer goals per game than them, while they also concede 2.3 times per match.

The season stats for the front three who featured in Martin’s final game paint a disturbing picture, contributing just three goals between them during the 2024/2025 Premier League campaign. They are now preparing to face one of the most in-form teams in Europe, so it’s set to be a tough evening for the Saints.

Jota not expected to start

Slot was given a huge boost in the Premier League at the weekend with Diogo Jota making his return to action off the bench, coming on to score a late equaliser.

Slot has confirmed that Jota isn’t expected to start against Southampton as he ‘wasn’t fully fit’ after the game against Fulham. Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to come back into the starting XI, according to the Liverpool boss.

Liverpool’s attack could be too much for the Saints

The Reds have been carving out opportunities at will this season, creating 60 big chances in the Premier League, more than any other side. Containing Mohamed Salah has been an almost impossible task for many, with the Egyptian forward managing 22 goals and assists combined in England’s top flight.

Admirably, Slot has also coached his side superbly defensively, with Liverpool conceding just 0.9 goals per game in the Premier League this season. Only Arsenal have conceded fewer expected goals (xG), so it’s safe to say Southampton and Liverpool have been at opposite ends of the spectrum this term.

Prediction

Considering Liverpool’s phenomenal attacking form and Southampton’s struggles defensively, it’s difficult to see past an away win. The Saints have also found it difficult to hit the back of the net, while the Reds are compact at the back, so a comfortable 3-0 win for Liverpool is our prediction for this one.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Dec

2024

Preview: Barcelona look to extend LaLiga advantage against Leganes

LaLiga leaders Barcelona have been through a recent run which leaves top spot out of their own hands for now, with just one win in five allowing Real Madrid back into the hunt – they do remain one point clear due to Madrid’s draw last night, but Hansi Flick’s side know their rivals still have a game in hand.

By Karl Matchett

All Barca can do for now is continue trying to take maximum points in their own fixtures, with a home match against relegation-threatened Leganés surely a perfect opportunity to rebuild a winning run.

Leganés have been in the second tier for the past four years so there’s not much recent head to head form to speak of, promoted last term after winning La Segunda, but in their squad there remain a handful of notable players including former Schalke star Matija Nastasić and a link to their weekend hosts in forward Munir El Haddadi. The Moroccan left Barca in 2019 after breaking through as a youngster, and while it hasn’t perhaps gone to plan in his career as early expectations suggested, he remains an experienced attacker in the top flight with perhaps a point to prove.

Recent form

After a magnificent start, Flick’s side have taken a hit in league form of late, though a late win at Dortmund in Europe this week was a significant boost. A shock home defeat to Las Palmas only a fortnight ago shows they are not the finished product though and there remains scope for improvement.

As for Leganés, they’ve only won three all season in the top flight and those have all come at home – yet on the road it’s only three defeats in eight, as they prove the draw masters of LaLiga. All the same, they sit 17th after 16 games, with two teams below them having matches in hand. It’s another tough weekend in a tough overall campaign, with goalscoring a particular trouble for them so far.

Team news

Barcelona remain without goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, defender Andreas Christensen, midfielder Marc Bernal and winger Ansu Fati. Raphinha took a knock against Dortmund but could play anyway, as Flick looks to get his team back to winning ways on the domestic front.

Valentin Rosier is absent through suspension for Leganés, while Dani Raba and Enric Franquesa are out injured.

Player to watch

No need to overthink this one – Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal have expectation on them, especially if Raphinha misses out, but it’s a guarantee of goals they need to win the game. Robert Lewandowski already has 16 LaLiga goals this term from an xG of 15; that’s averaging out at better than a goal per 90 minutes, 3.6 shots per 90 and very nearly 2.0 per 90 on target. The Polish attacker is playing a more refined, restricted game under Flick and it’s keeping him in the most dangerous areas of the pitch more often – and he’s coming up with the goods to justify his place and his salary. Keep feeding him chances and Barcelona will more likely than not stay top.

Prediction

We’ll go with a home victory with room to spare. Barcelona 3 Leganés 0.

(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: Chelsea and Brentford clash in West London

After securing an impressive comeback win at Tottenham last Sunday, the debate around Chelsea’s place in the title race has raged back and forth and after also extending their perfect Conference League run on Thursday, the Blues will now look to extend their good form against local rivals Brentford.

By Dan Tracey

The Bees have been almost perfect when it comes to this season’s league outings at the GTech Community Stadium but Thomas Frank’s side have been largely forgettable on the road. It’s a conundrum we looked at in detail earlier in the week – in an article you can read here.

*Brentford’s contrasting home and away form*

The Form Guide

Enzo Maresca’s side return to Stamford Bridge having won their last six matches in all competitions and unbeaten in their last nine using the same criteria. Not since their Carabao Cup defeat at Newcastle in October have the Blues been second best when the final whistle blows.

As for opponents Brentford, this season they are a team that Jekyll and Hyde would be most proud of. The Bees have collected an impressive 22 league points from the 24 available at home but have picked up just a single point from the 21 offered on their travels.

Who Are The Key Players

This encounter could well be won by whose strike partnership performs best on the day. The visitors will have to be wary of the 19 league goals that Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson have scored between them this season.

But by comparison, the combined 18 league goals that Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbuemo have bagged should not be overlooked either and although there were fears that Brentford would decline when Ivan Toney cashed in his chips to move to Saudi Arabia, his two former teammates have more than picked up the slack.

Who’s in and who’s out?

After a busy week both home and abroad, Chelsea manager Maresca will ring the changes. Not only because of Pedro Neto’s one-game suspension for five bookings but also due to fitness doubts surrounding the midfield pair of Enzo Fernández and Roméo Lavia.

Brentford will monitor the fitness of Vitaly Janelt before they make the short trip across the capital but he is likely to appear. The same cannot be said for teammate Mathias Jensen who suffered a hamstring injury at the start of the month and is not expected to be fit for this one.

Prediction

Although Chelsea have had to cross continents with their trip to Kazakhstan this week, the additional time in the air should not hamper their bid to beat Brentford on Sunday – especially when you consider just how poor the Bees have been away from home this season.

(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: United meet City in the Manchester derby

The Etihad Stadium hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Manchester United in recent times. Indeed, the Red Devils haven’t won at the home of Manchester City since March 2021.

By Graham Ruthven

Sunday’s match, however, presents United with an opportunity to end their winless away run in the derby with City in bad shape.

Pep Guardiola is currently enduring his worst run of form as Manchester City manager. The Premier League champions have lost seven of their last 10 games in all competitions, winning just one. Incredibly, City have conceded more goals since the start of November than any other team in Europe’s Big Five leagues.

Manchester United have also endured their own struggles of late as Rúben Amorim instills his ideas on a team that lacked an identity under Erik ten Hag. However, Thursday’s comeback win over Viktoria Plzeň in the Europa League hinted at a group of players that is starting to fight under their new manager.

Sunday’s Manchester Derby will be one between two teams that have lost their way of late, placing additional significance on the outcome. A win for either side could be the catalyst for them to start a more positive run of form over the winter period.

Key players

Ordinarily, Erling Haaland would be pinpointed as Manchester City’s primary threat such is his standing as the best goalscorer of his generation. However, the Norwegian has scored just once in his last four league appearances and has cut an isolated figure as the English champions have struggled for positive results.

Kevin de Bruyne has started City’s last three matches and has been an important source of creativity in recent weeks. Jack Grealish could also play in central midfield as he did against Juventus.

At the back, Rúben Dias is expected to start in central defence. City need the Portugal international to steady a backline that has been extremely fragile over the last two months.

Manchester United will look to Bruno Fernandes as their creator-in-chief with Ramus Højlund entering Sunday’s match in the midst of a scoring run that has seen the Dane find the back of the net five times in his last four games.

Leny Yoro could start after making his first Premier League appearance in the defeat to Nottingham Forest with Amad Diallo likely to feature in the right wing back position having impressed in Amorim’s first few matches in charge.

Team news

Rodri remains sidelined with the Euro 2024 winner’s absence in the centre of the pitch still being keenly felt by Manchester City. They have nobody else who can do the job of the 28-year-old.

John Stones, Nathan Aké, Mateo Kovačić and Oscar Bobb are also expected to miss Sunday’s Manchester Derby with Phil Foden also a doubt after watching Wednesday’s defeat to Juventus as an unused substitute.

Rico Lewis will serve a one-match suspension after being sent off in last weekend’s 2-2 draw away to Crystal Palace, leaving Guardiola short of another option who can operate in defence and midfield.

Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof will all miss Sunday’s trip to the Etihad Stadium for Manchester United, but Amorim will otherwise have a fully fit squad to choose from.

Prediction

With both defences somewhat depleted or adapting to new circumstances, we’re expecting goals at both ends. So let’s go with a high scoring draw; Manchester City 2-2 Manchester United.

(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: Real visit Rayo as Madrid sides meet in LaLiga

Mid-table inconsistency against title favourites – only one way this goes, right? Rayo Vallecano hosting Real Madrid, 12th against potential table-toppers given the game in hand, isn’t generally one which stands out as a surprise result or banana skin for Carlo Ancelotti’s side – but even so maybe there’s pause for thought.

By Karl Matchett

Madrid have won just one of the last four LaLiga meetings between these teams, didn’t beat Rayo at all last term, and still have a host of big-name players out injured.

Stranger things have happened, but even so the odds will be stacked in Madrid’s favour, not the least of which is the scoring form of Jude Bellingham. The Englishman, pushed higher upfield of late once more, has netted in each of his last four games, while Kylian Mbappé has also scored in three of those. Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla has the highest save percentage of all stoppers in LaLiga, with 76.6%; there’s a good chance they’ll need him in that kind of form on Saturday night.

Form guide

Rayo have been wildly unpredictable this term, winning five but losing six, conceding six in three straight defeats before keeping a clean sheet to win 1-0 against Valencia last time out. Finishing 12th would of course be a big positive for them after ending 17th last term, though as that came at the end of one win in six they’ll hope for more consistency – key word again – this time around.

Real Madrid won the title at a canter last year but are chasing Barcelona this term. However, four wins in the last five mean they’re just two points off top spot with a game in hand now, so maintaining pressure on Hansi Flick’s side is of paramount importance. Five wins in the last seven across all competitions have only seen them beaten by Liverpool in Europe and Athletic Club domestically, but they’ve been remarkably regular in beating middle of the road sides.

Team news

Raúl de Tomás and Pelayo Feráandez are the only absent faces for Rayo, but Real continue to be without David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão and Ferland Mendy in a full potential defence. Eduardo Camavinga is also sidelined and Mbappé went off early in the midweek win at Atalanta, so will miss out here as a result.

Key player

It’s Bellingham for Real Madrid and not for the first time. The attacking midfielder has been able to regularly push on again over the past few matches, netting both from open play and the penalty spot. He has five league goals from an xG of 3.2, is in the 97th percentile for successful passes this season, 92nd for touches per 90 and 91st for duels won in his position. He’s an all-round force on and off the ball and now the goals are flowing again too.

Prediction

Real Madrid to get the win they need, but not without a struggle and this looks a game in which both teams get on the scoresheet in. Rayo 1 Real 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.

Dec

2024

Preview: Arsenal face an Everton who may have turned a corner

Arsenal will host Everton at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. The Gunners will be hoping to close the gap on Liverpool at the top of the table, while Sean Dyche’s side will be looking to build some momentum after an impressive victory last time out.

By Matt Smith

Arteta receives major injury boost

Mikel Arteta has confirmed ahead of the game against Everton that Gabriel Magalhães has been involved in first-team training and could be available to face the Toffees. The Brazilian defender has missed their last three matches in all competitions, but he could make his return on Saturday.

Riccardo Calafiori, who hasn’t played since the end of November, won’t be fit in time for this one.

Mr Reliable isn’t slowing down

Everton will have one huge mission on Saturday, and that’s to true and shut down Bukayo Saka. Many sides have attempted, and most have failed, with the England international producing a whopping 15 goals and assists combined in the Premier League this season.

His attacking production has been superb this season, and Arsenal are heavily relying on him in attack to produce. Saka sits top of the assists charts for the Gunners, with Declan Rice in second with just two. Set-pieces have been a key weapon for Arsenal this season, but they’re coming up against a side who are strong defensively.

Broja the secret weapon

Armando Broja, who signed for Everton on loan in the summer transfer window, has missed the majority of the season due to injury. Dyche confirmed this week that Broja would be ‘around it’ when it comes to a place in the starting XI, after making his return with a cameo against Wolves last week.

Broja played around 10 minutes vs Wolves, but it was an impressive cameo nonetheless, and he could be a bit of a secret weapon off the bench for Everton, who have no fresh injury concerns.

Everton have set the standard now

The Toffees secured an emphatic 4-0 victory over Wolves in the last Premier League game, despite scoring just 10 times in the previous 13 games before that. It was somewhat of an anomaly, but with all four goals coming from set pieces, it’s a sign that Dyche might be going back to basics.

*Big Chances Created, Premier League 2024/2025*

With just 24 big chances created this season, the lowest in the Premier League, Dyche needs to find a way of producing opportunities for his side, and he did just that against Wolves last time out.

Prediction

Everton’s only victories this season have come against Wolves, Ipswich, and Crystal Palace, who are 19^th, 18^th, and 17^th respectively. It’s been a campaign of minimal giant killings, while Arsenal are unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions.

The Gunners are also yet to lose at home, so it’s difficult to see past a straightforward victory for the London club. We’re going for a 3-1 win for Arteta’s side in this one.

(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 test themselves against in form Fulham

Liverpool host Fulham on Saturday afternoon looking to maintain their healthy lead the top of the Premier League. The game at Anfield has the potential to be a bit of a banana skin for the Reds though.

By Sam McGuire

The season so far

Arne Slot’s start to life as Liverpool manager has been near perfect.

The Reds have won 11 of their 14 Premier League games and currently have a four point lead at the top with a game in hand. The Merseysiders have a 100% record in the Champions League following their 1-0 win over Girona on Wednesday. They’re also into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Performances have been a little sluggish over recent outings though. A heavy schedule, combined with injuries to a number of players, have left Liverpool looking a little leggy. They weren’t at their best in the 3-3 draw with Newcastle United and struggled early on against LaLiga side Girona in midweek.

They can’t afford another uninspiring showing on Sunday. Not against a team like Fulham.

The Cottagers are 10th in the Premier League table but they are just four points behind fourth-placed Manchester City.

Marco Silva’s side held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw last time out and have frustrated big sides this season. They drew with Spurs and had Manchester City on the ropes in a 3-2 loss. Fulham actually had an xG haul of 2.3 at the Etihad and, on another day, likely surprise the reigning champions in a shock upset.

They are one or two positive results away from being genuine challengers for a European spot. If they pick up a positive result at Anfield, momentum could be on their side heading into the busy festive period.

Previous Encounters

Fulham have claimed victory against the Reds in just one of their previous 14 encounters. That win arrived during Liverpool’s forgettable run in 2020/21, when Jürgen Klopp was having to navigate his way through the worst injury crisis of his managerial career.

Liverpool have won 10 of these 14 meetings. They have won four of the last five across all competitions against the Cottagers but it is worth noting that they have only kept one clean sheet in these games. Fulham always cause the Reds some problems. Expect them to do the same on Saturday.

Current form

Over the past five matches in the English top-flight, Liverpool have the joint-best record along with Chelsea, with 13 points from 15 on offer. The Reds have scored 12 and conceded six in these matches, with their impervious start to the campaign slowing down a little. They’re now giving up goals.

However, they’re still difficult to defeat. In fact, their last loss came back in September.

Fulham’s form has been decent over the past five league games. They rank sixth with eight points over this period and they have lost just one match.

The Injury situation

Liverpool are without Ibrahima Konaté, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas. Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa could return to the matchday squad though which would be a welcome boost for an attack solely reliant on Mohamed Salah for their goals at the minute.

Alisson made his first appearance since October in the 1-0 win over Girona and put in a Man of the Match performance for the Reds. That is a huge boost for Slot.

Fulham are without a number of key players. Calvin Bassey and Joachim Andersen, the club’s first choice centre-back pairing, are both missing. The former is suspended while the latter has a calf issue. Tom Cairney is suspended while Harrison Reed and Reiss Nelson both miss out through injury.

Prediction

It won’t be pretty but we think another Liverpool win is on the cards. With the cavalry potentially returning for the Reds, they have multiple ways to win matches and their attacking depth will be the difference on the day.

(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: Rangers and Spurs set to test each other in the Europa League

Rangers take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League this evening with both sides fighting for a place in the top eight of the table, thus securing an automatic berth in the last 16.

By Ross Kilvington

Given the change of format across all three European club competitions, it was perhaps inevitable that two British Clubs would be drawn together.

With just two fixtures left after this one, a victory for either side could prove crucial to their European ambitions this season.

Battle of Britain clash

For those in the UK there is nothing quite like a Battle of Britain type clash in Europe. The last one Rangers were involved in ended in a 7-1 defeat to Liverpool at Ibrox, representing their heaviest ever home loss in Europe.

In recent years, Spurs have defeated Manchester City on the way to the 2019 Champions League final, while their last clash against Scottish opposition saw them secure a 5-0 aggregate win over Hearts in the Europa League playoff round back in 2011.

The two teams have combined to win four major European trophies, reaching a further six finals, indicating that this is a clash between two of Britain’s most successful clubs.

The Light Blues and Spurs have faced off once before, with the North Londoners coming out victors in the 1962/63 European Cup Winner’s Cup first round. Can you remember that one!?

Key players

Former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou will be hoping his return to Ibrox ends in a positive manner. Spurs’ Jekyll and Hyde form has seen them defeat Man City twice in recent weeks, yet also suffer defeats against Bournemouth and Ipswich Town.

Brennan Johnson could be the key man for Spurs, despite coming off with illness against Chelsea. The Welshman has scored three times in the Europa League, adding a further assist and he could line up alongside Will Lankshear and Heung-min Son.

Dejan Kulusevski was impressive against AS Roma last time out in Europe, recording an assist while registering four shots during the match and the Ibrox side will need to be wary of the threat he poses.

The Rangers attack is clicking into gear at exactly the right time. Nine goals were scored over their previous two games, with Hamza Igamane scoring twice in the process. The African starlet netted twice against OGC Nice last time out in Europe and he could offer a key attacking threat against Spurs.

Igamane should be supported by Nedim Bajrami and Václav Černý on the flanks. The pair have registered six goal contributions between them across five matches.

If this attacking trio can get firing, then they could cause Spurs some trouble.

Team news

Postecoglou has a few players on the treatment table. Richarlison, Mikey Moore and Wilson Odobert remain out, while centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero were forced off against Chelsea, ruling them out for the clash tonight.

For Rangers, Tom Lawrence and Oscar Cortes are still unavailable, while Rabbi Matondo is finally back in full training after injury.

Ianis Hagi and Danilo have been impressive recently, but the duo were omitted from the Europa League squad at the start of the season, meaning coach Philippe Clement will have to make do without.

Prediction

This is a match which is so hard to predict. Given how good Spurs can be when they are at full flow, everything points to a straightforward win for them. But recent defensive frailties suggest that if Rangers can click into gear going forward, they may well have a chance of gaining a positive result.

For these reasons, I predict an entertaining 2-2 draw.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Dec

2024

Preview: Man United face Viktoria Plzeň in Thursday night football

Rúben Amorim takes his United side to Czechia, where they face Viktoria Plzeň, the side who regularly battle it out with Prague powerhouses Sparta and Salvia for domestic honours in the Central European nation.

By Ian King

New Beginnings

These two clubs have never played each other before, so it’s a bit of a journey into the unknown for both. Manchester United, of course, are European club football royalty, three times champions of Europe and the first English club to win it all in 1968, these midweek nights under the floodlights are woven into the very fabric of the club.

Viktoria Plzeň, meanwhile, are this season completing the unusual hat-trick of having played in all three of the major European tournaments over the last three consecutive seasons, and last season went all the way to the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League before losing out in extra-time to Fiorentina.

Recent Form

United were the masters of their own misfortune last weekend against Nottingham Forest, and coupled with the sudden and unexpected departure of Sporting Director Dan Ashworth, they need a win to steady their ship ahead of this weekend’s Manchester derby. As ever, a trip to relatively modest European opponents is an opportunity to shake off some cobwebs, but Manchester United have been in this position more than once in recent years and have failed to do so.

Viktoria are unbeaten in seven games (all comps), and currently sit second in the Czech First League behind runaway leaders Slavia Prague, who’ve only dropped four points all season. Their record in this tournament so far is identical to United’s – three draws followed by two wins – and they’re only one goal behind United in the mega-league, in 13th place. As things stand, both are in the seeded section of the play-off places, but with three games yet to play this could all yet change.

Key players

Pavel Šulc is Viktoria’s top scorer this season with ten goals in all competitions, and given how leaky United’s defence was in their last match he could be a real threat. Also worth keeping an eye on is Prince Kwabena Adu, who was on the Guardian’s Next Generation list in 2020 and arrived at Viktoria in August from the Ukrainian club FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih. For Manchester United, Marcus Rashford had looked like he could thrive under Rúben Amorim, though he’s looked a little more anonymous in their last two games.

Team News

It will surprise precisely no-one to learn that Luke Shaw is injured again, and with Jonny Evans also missing the Manchester United defence may have something of a patchwork feel to it, although it’s possible that Victor Lindelhof may return. Viktoria will be missing Matej Valenta, Christopher Kabongo, Jan Sykora and Rafiu Durosinmi.

Prediction

United have kept just one clean sheet in the last five, whilst Viktoria Plzeň have kept two in the last nine, and this means that goals could be plentiful in this match. With the firepower that United have at their disposal this might ordinarily be considered a fairly straightforward win, but Viktoria have plenty of European experience and we’ve all seen United fail to finish off modest opposition in recent years. United should still find a way through, but it could be tight; 2-1 to United.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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