Preview

Nov

2024

Preview: Chelsea face Armenians Noah in their next Conference League adventure

Noah will need an upset of biblical proportions to beat Chelsea in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday night. The Armenian side, who usually play in front of crowds of just a few thousand, have only been around since 2017 when they were founded, but have made great strides since then.

By Graham Ruthven

Context and form

While Chelsea will be strong favourites, Noah already have three points on the board in this season’s Conference League after beating Mlada Boleslav in their first fixture. Even as they were defeated away from home to Rapid Vienna, the Armenians were competitive, losing only 1-0. Chelsea can’t afford to be complacent.

Nonetheless, this has the potential to be mismatch with Chelsea currently on a run of back-to-back victories in this season’s Conference League. Enzo Maresca’s team will be expected to make it three from three against a relative minnow on Thursday.

Key players

Maresca has so far used the Conference League to rest his best players and give a run out to Chelsea’s second string and there’s no reason to believe the Italian will change tact for the visit of Noah on Thursday.

Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk and Christopher Nkunku could all be in line for a start after starting in Chelsea’s last two Conference League games against Panathinaikos and Gent. This could be another opportunity for them to prove they deserve more game time in the Premier League.

Benoit Badiashille, Kieran Dewsbury-Hall and Renato Veiga are among the others who could be picked to play against Noah. Filip Jorgensen could also start in goals just as he did against Panathinaikos and Gent.

Noah might not have the natural talent of even Chelsea’s second string, but Brazilian forward Matheus Aias has already scored in the Conference League this season with Portuguese Goncalo Gregorio also a threat in the final third.

In central midfield, Burkina Faso international Gustavo Sangare is expected to feature with Gor Manvelyan his most frequent partner in the middle of the pitch. They need to be in top form for Noah to stand any chance at Stamford Bridge.

Realistically, Ognjen Cancarevic will also need to have a good game for Noah to be competitive. The veteran goalkeeper has conceded just one goal in two Conference League matches this season, but Thursday will be his toughest test so far. He will most likely be extremely busy.

Team news

Jadon Sancho could return after missing Chelsea’s last two matches through illness, although Maresca might prefer to keep the winger fresh for this weekend’s Premier League clash with Arsenal.

Otherwise, the Blues have a fully fit squad to choose from, although Chelsea’s decision to largely register second string players for this season’s Conference League will limit Maresca’s lineup options.

This means Cole Palmer will be rested ahead of this weekend’s Premier League action, which will be a relief for Noah who won’t have to face the in-form England international.

Prediction – Chelsea 3-0 Noah

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Nov

2024

Preview: Inter and Arsenal put their spotless defensive records on the line at San Siro

Huge clubs on the face of things, reluctant attackers with a slightly closer look. Inter Milan and Arsenal is probably one of those fixtures that Uefa imagined would spark excitement, a big-game feel and all the razzmatazz they wanted to be front and centre in a new-look Champions League every single gameweek.

By Karl Matchett

In reality, we’ve got another match where the outcome won’t be a tell-all for progression, leaving less enticement than usual to go all-in on a win with key domestic matches on the horizon: Napoli and Chelsea at the weekend represent more important three points than these ones do.

A battle between impressive defences

Inter have home advantage and by far the better form of late, being unbeaten across their last eight in all competitions and keeping five clean sheets in the last seven. That certainly points to them being a side who can trouble the Gunners – plus they drew 0-0 with Man City back in September – but Arsenal will hope for a return to their own formidable defensive ways. At the start of the season the Gunners kept four clean sheets out of the first five – and they’ve managed three shutouts from three in Europe. With two wins and two defeats in their last five, though, they are not anywhere near the relentless level right now that they need to be to be among title contenders in all competitions.

Possible return for Arsenal skipper?

The influential Martin Ødegaard is back in training but this game is surely too soon for him, while Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also out. It likely means more of the same from Mikel Arteta, but a lack of impact from Leandro Trossard of late could see him lose his starting spot to either a third central midfielder or perhaps Gabriel Jesus. Inter are missing Carlos Augusto but otherwise have a full squad to choose from, so Federico Dimarco – the leading chance creator in Serie A this season (with 27) – should line up at left wing-back.

Key players

While Simone Inzaghi might have a full squad, it might not mean full strength. Lautaro Martínez for example has five goals in ten in Serie A and strike partner Marcus Thuram has seven in 11 – but they’ve made one Champions League start between them. Inzaghi has rotated for this competition, so Nicolo Barella – as one of the few regulars in both teams – is a must-perform player for the hosts.

He’s creating at a rate of 2.5 chances per 90, plays 4.5 accurate long balls and makes seven recoveries in Europe so far this term, highlighting his impact the entire length of the pitch. Arsenal meanwhile could do with a return to form for Kai Havertz, who has just one goal in his last five…and that came against lower league Preston in the cup. At the moment, it’s Bukayo Saka or nobody for chance creation.

Prediction

Unless Arsenal find a way to raise their game, they’ll struggle to break down Inter, who themselves don’t need to go all-out to find a win. A solitary strike on the night will decide the points and we’ll side with the home team. Inter 1-0 Arsenal.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Nov

2024

Preview: Barcelona looking to stay on song in Belgrade

Serbian champions Crvena zvezda (or Red Star Belgrade if you prefer) will host Barcelona for their first meeting in the UEFA Champions League era. The hosts will want to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat in Europe, but the visitors will be the overwhelming favourites.

By Neel Shelat

Red Star outmatched in the Champions League

Crvena zvezda have been absolutely dominant in Serbia in recent times. They have won each of the last seven Super Liga titles, also winning the Cup to complete domestic doubles in each of the last four seasons. Since 2020, their final points tallies have been quite something: 108, 100, 97 and 96 last term. They have completed two invincible seasons and lost just four league games in those four seasons.

Despite such dominance, Red Star used to be pushed to a decent extent by city rivals Partizan in the past. The 10-time Super Liga winners have been plagued by massive financial and management issues in the 2020s, so they have fallen off to a significant extent. This has left Crvena zvezda without any serious domestic competition, which hasn’t seemed to have helped them in Europe either.

In 2022/23, the Serbian giants finished at the bottom of their four-team group in the Europa League. Last term, they only managed to come away with one point from six games in the Champions League, and their current record is even worse as they have lost all three games in the league phase so far.

A chance for Barcelona to rotate?

Injury issues have been a major concern for Barcelona in recent years. At the moment, they are the only blot on an otherwise fantastic start to the season under Hansi Flick, as three defenders and three others are unavailable.

With an international break coming up after the weekend’s fixtures, Barcelona’s schedule isn’t too congested for the next couple of weeks, but of course, many of their stars will be quite busy as they go on international duty. So, they might want to use this opportunity to give some of them a bit of rest.

The trouble for Flick is that his first-team squad is pretty thin, so he does not have a great deal of senior options. Among them, the likes of Gavi and Frenkie de Jong have just returned from long injury layoffs and will need to be carefully handled. The Spanish teenager hasn’t started a game in all of 2024, while the Dutchman’s last full 90 was all the way back in February.

The swarms of talent coming through La Masia have been pivotal to Barcelona’s recent success, so a good few of them should be spotted in this match. At the same time, some key youngsters such as Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí could also do with some rest, though the lack of alternatives will make it difficult for them to get it.

Prediction

Crvena zvezda 1-4 Barcelona

Even if they rotate the team as much as reasonably possible, Barcelona surely have the quality to overwhelm Red Star. The Serbian champions’ domestic dominance means that their defence isn’t very solid as they have already shipped 11 goals in three Champions League match days so far.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Nov

2024

Preview: Ruben Amorim’s Sporting take on City with the world watching on

Rúben Amorim knows how Tuesday’s Champions League meeting between Sporting CP and Manchester City will be viewed. In the next Manchester United manager’s own words, a home win would have some label him the “new Alex Ferguson” before his arrival at Old Trafford later this month.

By Graham Ruthven

Context and form

The way Sporting are faring right now, victory over the Premier League champions isn’t out of the question. Indeed, Rúben Amorim’s team have won two of their three Champions League matches this season and will face a City team that has looked shaky in recent matches, particularly Saturday’s defeat to Bournemouth.

Even as Manchester City have won games recently, opponents have been able to cause them problems in attacking transition – see Brentford, Fulham and Wolves. Against a Sporting team that has scored an incredible 35 goals in just 10 league games this season, Pep Guardiola and his players could be set for an uncomfortable evening.

The two hottest strikers in Europe meet

This game will see two of Europe’s most potent centre forwards face each other – Viktor Gyökeres and Erling Haaland. The former has 20 goals in 14 games this season while the latter has 14 goals in 13 games. At a time when goalscoring strikers are increasingly difficult to find, Sporting and City have two Scandinavians that find the back of the net for fun.

It could be argued that Gyökeres is a more rounded centre forward than Haaland. The Swede is comfortable taking the ball into his feet and linking up play. However, Gyökeres is more dangerous when attacking open space – as he did for his sensational solo goal against Estrela da Amadora last week – and there could be plenty of that behind City’s backline.

By Haaland’s ridiculously high standards, a run of three goals in his last five games represents something of a lean streak. It’s also somewhat unusual that Manchester City have failed to score more than once in each of their last three games in all competitions – against Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth.

*Gyökeres vs. Haaland comparison, league stats only*

Nonetheless, City have several attackers capable of producing something out of nothing with Jérémy Doku, Phil Foden, Matheus Nunes and Savinho all in contention to start on Tuesday evening. Similar could be said of Sporting CP who have Pote and Trincão to provide attacking threat in the half spaces around Gyökeres.

This could be a match ultimately decided by which team can hold things together best in defensive transition. Amorim will hope that his back three formation allows Sporting to outnumber City in the attack while giving Morten Hjulmand and Hidemasa Morita the chance to control possession in midfield.

City’s injury headaches

Manchester City are still figuring out a way to cope in Rodri’s absence with the Ballon d’Or set to miss the rest of the season through injury. Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Rúben Dias, John Stones and Oscar Bobb are also currently sidelined for the Premier League champions.

Meanwhile, defender Eduardo Quaresma is the only player Sporting CP have unavailable through injury, giving Amorim a full squad to choose from. Geny Catamo missed Friday’s match against Estrela da Amadora, but is expected to return at right wing back for Tuesday’s game.

Prediction

Sporting 2-2 Man City – a respectable score draw for both sides, given current goalscoring form.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Nov

2024

Preview: Liverpool welcome Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen to Anfield

Liverpool are looking to extend their 100% record in the Champions League on Tuesday as they welcome Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen to Anfield.

By Sam McGuire

For the neutrals, it is one of the group games you aren’t going to want to miss. The potential is there for it to be one of the matches of the tournament so far.

The season so far in Europe

The Reds are one of just two sides to have won all three of their matches in Europe this term. Arne Slot has guided his team to wins over AC Milan, Bologna and RB Leipzig. He comes up against the man many felt would be the perfect Jürgen Klopp replacement, Xabi Alonso.

Had the former Spanish playmaker decided to leave B04 after their unlikely title success last season, he could have been in the home dugout on Tuesday. He instead opted to remain in Germany.

Despite many claiming Alonso wouldn’t be able to recapture the lightning in the bottle that was the 2023/24 campaign, Leverkusen have started well in Europe. They have claimed seven points from a possible nine having beaten Feyenoord and AC Milan. Their last outing, however, was a disappointing 1-1 draw with Brest in a game they took the lead in.

Interestingly, both Liverpool and Leverkusen have scored six goals and conceded one in Europe.

The not so recent history

It’s been almost two decades since these two sides faced off.

Liverpool have met the Bundesliga side on four occasions. There have been two two-legged match-ups and despite the Reds winning three of the four games, the aggregate scoreline of ties won stands at 1-1.

Leverkusen knocked the Merseyside club out of the Champions League in 2002 after overcoming a 1-0 first-leg deficit, winning 4-2 at home.

A Rafa Benítez-led Liverpool romped to a 6-2 aggregate scoreline win over Bayer on their way to success in 2005.

Back to the present day

Liverpool are top of the Premier League table having won eight of their opening 10 fixtures. The Reds came from behind on Saturday to beat Brighton at Anfield just one week after twice coming from behind to draw with Arsenal at the Emirates.

Slot’s side have the mental resilience this term and the defensive resilience required to really be a problem in every single competition. They have the best defensive record in the Premier League and lead the Expected Points table. The praise going their way is more than justified. It is fully deserved.

Leverkusen, on the other hand, have had a strange start to the season in the league. They’re currently fourth in the Bundesliga, seven points off of the top.

An issue for Alonso’s side this term has been the defence. B04 have conceded 15 in the league. For context, this is more than 13th-placed Mainz and 15th-placed St Pauli. When looking at the Expected Points table, Leverkusen have, performance-wise, done enough to be second. They have an Expected Points haul of 18. The reason they aren’t riding high in the league is because they’ve conceded four more goals than they should have, which points to poor goalkeeping.

The Injury situation

Both teams are missing players for this clash.

Liverpool are without Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott but Ibrahima Konaté should be available after coming off at half-time against Brighton with a hand injury.

The visitors are expected to be without Martin Terrier, though he could be fit enough to make the bench, while both Amine Adli and Nordi Mukiele are definitely missing from this game at Anfield.

Prediction

It’ll be a tactical battle but with momentum on their side and the backing of Anfield, a Liverpool win should be on the cards. It is an ideal opportunity for Slot to make a statement too, proving he was the right man for the job by picking up the win over someone many had at the top of their Klopp replacement list.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Nov

2024

Preview: Holders Real Madrid face AC Milan in the Champions League

Carlo Ancelotti welcomes the side for whom he has both played and managed, with distinction, to Madrid for this meeting between European giants in the Champions League

By Ian King

The Considerable History

Well, how long have you got? Real Madrid and Milan are, after all, the two most successful clubs in the history of this competition. They’ve won it 22 times between them and have played in 28 finals, though curiously only one of these was against each other in 1958, when Real won 3-2 in Brussels. But they haven’t played each other recently. Their last meeting in this competition came fourteen years ago, when the two sides drew 2-2 at the San Siro and Real won the return match 2-0.

Have Madrid got over their Clásico nightmare?

Real’s away match at Valencia was understandably postponed last weekend, but their last home match brought their first league defeat of the season, and quite a defeat it was. There’s no way of sugar-coating a 4-0 loss at the Bernabéu to Barcelona, but will the ten days between that match and this have allowed insecurities to fester or a desire to prove a point to flourish?

Milan won their last game at Monza on Saturday, but form has been patchy, with two defeats in their last four games – to Napoli and Fiorentina – and a somewhat underwhelming current position in Serie A of seventh. They haven’t been much better in the Champions League, with only one win and two defeats from their first three matches.

Key players

For Real Madrid, the key player going into this match is probably Vinícius Jr., who was the subject of the club’s weird and not entirely dignified recent decision to not bother to turn up to the Ballon d’Or awards. Such behaviour turns the heat up under him. Will he go out to show the award voters what they could have voted for?

The key player for Milan is Christian Pulisic, who has been their star performer so far this season. His seven goals in all competitions from midfield is more than have been scored by all of Milan’s attacking players between them, and he jointly leads their assists table alongside Rafael Leão.

Team News

Both teams have injuries. Dani Carvajal, Thibaut Courtois, Rodrygo and David Alaba are all expected to miss out for Real, though there is hope that Antonio Rüdiger and Lucas Vázquez will be fit again after picking up knocks against Barcelona.

Milan also have injuries, with Luka Jović, Matteo Gabbia, Ismaël Bennacer and Alessandro Florenzi all expected to be absent. But there is some good news for them. Tammy Abraham is expected to return, while Rafael Leão also a possible returnee after having missed their trip to Monza.

Prediction

Real Madrid could be considered vulnerable. They roared back to life against Borussia Dortmund in their last CL game, but that Barcelona defeat was chastening and showed how they can be beaten. But the problem with this is that Milan are a pretty limited team at the moment. They haven’t really impressed much in Serie A or this competition yet at all this season, so consequently it’s difficult to see past a comfortable win for the defending champions.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Nov

2024

Preview: Van Nistelrooy looks for another uplifting win as Man United host Chelsea

Ruud van Nistelrooy and Manchester United take on Enzo Maresca’s in-form Chelsea side in their first Premier League game of the post-Erik ten Hag era at Old Trafford on Sunday.

By Alex Roberts

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co finally read the writing on the walls and decided to part ways with Ten Hag after the Dutchman led the 20-time champions to their worst-ever start to a Premier League season.

Sporting boss Rúben Amorim will be taking over once he’s got his pesky contract obligations out of the way, but for the time being, former-United striker Van Nistelrooy is the man who has been entrusted with the responsibility of guiding 14^th placed United to a win over fifth placed Chelsea.

Expect a totally different Chelsea side

Since taking over in the summer, Maresca has implemented a two-squad system at Chelsea, utilising their immense depth and favouring certain players for certain competitions.

The Italian made eleven changes for their 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle in midweek and will likely do the same against Manchester United as they seek to keep their good league form going.

Enzo Fernández is the latest casualty to Maresca’s methods, after captaining Chelsea in their first league game against Man City, the central midfielder has been dropped with his manager preferring a double pivot of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia in the recent games against Liverpool and Newcastle.

Ruud van Nistelrooy gets Manchester United scoring

United scored more goals in their 5-2 League Cup win over Leicester than they had in their previous four games across all competitions under Ten Hag.

Brazilian midfielder Casemiro has scored in consecutive games for the first time since joining the club, netting in their 2-1 Premier League defeat to West Ham, and bagging a beautiful brace in midweek.

With just eight goals from their opening nine league games, United have the second worst-scoring record in the league, two more than strugglers Crystal Palace and Southampton.

If there’s one thing Van Nistelrooy knows, however, it’s how to find the back of the net.

Cole Palmer set to haunt Man United again?

The last time these two faced off, Palmer stole the show, clutching victory from the jaws of defeat with a remarkable added time winner to round off a hattrick and secure a vital three points for Chelsea in their 4-3 win.

Chelsea aren’t quite as chaotic under Maresca as they were under Mauricio Pochettino last season, but the England international has continued to thrive at the club.

Not even robotic goal machine Erling Haaland or the Egyptian king Mohamed Salah have had more goal involvements than Palmer so far this season. His goal in their 2-1 win over Newcastle on matchday nine has him top of the tree with 12 goals and assists.

Prediction

This one could go either way. United are somewhat of an unknown quantity now that Ten Hag has been given the boot, and despite their impressive start to the season, Chelsea have lost 100% of their games against the traditional ‘top six’ so far this season.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Nov

2024

Preview: Spurs continue search for consistency against Emery’s Villans

After being pipped to fourth place last season and denied the subsequent entry to this season’s Champions League by Aston Villa, Tottenham have now established a newfound rivalry with Unai Emery’s men – one that sees the next chapter penned on Sunday.

By Dan Tracey

With the hosts missing out on fourth by two points back in May, Spurs already found themselves five behind the visitors as we headed in to the weekend and Ange Postecoglou will be fully aware that he can’t afford for that margin to get any greater.

The Form Guide

Tottenham’s last six league outings have seen them record three wins and just as many defeats. The only consistency they have of late is their ability to be painfully inconsistent and if they are to surge their way up the table, they must start stringing victories together in succession.

As for Aston Villa, they arrive in London having not lost any of their last six league outings, and perhaps more importantly, they have only suffered one league defeat since the start of the campaign – the one blot on their copybook being the 2-0 reverse at home to Arsenal in the second round of the season. Villa fans would also like to remind you that they are top of the Champions League league phase table.

The potential keys to proceedings

Tottenham’s talisman Heung-min Son has missed the last two games (all comps) but is reportedly winning the race to be fit for Sunday and although Timo Werner scored in the midweek Carabao Cup win against Manchester City, the South Korean forward is expected to join top scorer Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke in attack.

An attack that Emi Martínez, the now two-time Yashin Trophy winner, will look to foil in the Villa goal as the base of a very solid spine that also includes the likes of Ezri Konsa and Amadou Onana. With that spine in place, England’s Ollie Watkins will have licence to take the game to the opposition.

Who’s in and who’s out?

After suffering a hamstring injury in that midweek cup tie, Tottenham look set to be without defender Micky van de Ven for at least a couple of weeks and although bad news for the Dutchman, it does mean Romanian international Radu Drăgușin will likely get a start instead.

Villa boss Unai Emery currently has a clean bill of health and although forward Jhon Durán started in the League Cup defeat to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, he is likely to return to the role of super sub on Sunday.

Prediction

Although Tottenham’s propensity to blow hot and cold in equal measures has made any recent predictions difficult, their midweek win over Manchester City, coupled with impressive home form could prove to be the difference on Sunday.

Boosted by that progress in the Carabao Cup, Spurs will now look to return to winning ways in the Premier League and although Villa won last season’s corresponding fixture in North London, this time I expect the hosts to exact some form of revenge.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Nov

2024

Preview: Barcelona host City rivals in reunion with promoted Espanyol

The gulf between Barcelona and Espanyol is almost always a wide one, but even by the usual standards of this derby, Sunday’s match between these two rivals could be a complete mismatch.

By Graham Ruthven

Derby Day form

While Hansi Flick’s team are currently flying having thumped Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the last week, the Periquitos are above the relegation in LaLiga by just one point. One side of Barcelona’s divide has dreams of the title. The other, however, just wants to stay in the division.

Under Flick, Barca have become the most exhilarating attacking outfit in Spain, possibly Europe. They have scored an incredible 37 goals in just 11 league games with Flick’s high-risk, high-intensity approach getting the best out of his players.

On the flip side, Espanyol have lost five of their last six league games, conceding 14 times in the process. Keeping Barcelona at arm’s length could prove to be an impossible task.

Familiar surroundings for the visitors

Espanyol will make the 12km east on Saturday to a stadium they called home for over a decade. Montjuic was where the Periquitos played between 1997 and 2009 and it is where Barcelona are currently playing while Camp Nou is being redeveloped. It has become a home from home for Barca who have won four from four at Montjuic this season.

Barcelona haven’t lost to their city rivals in LaLiga since 2009 and there appears to be little chance that their unbeaten run will come to an end this weekend, particularly considering Espanyol have the worst away record in the division.

Key players

Robert Lewandowski is leading the Pichichi race in La Liga and will spearhead Barcelona’s attack on derby day having netted five goals in his last three games. The Polish striker has looked back to his best this season.

Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Raphinha will also be a big part of Barca’s attacking game plan. The latter’s resurgence has been one of the stories of the season so far with Flick dramatically turning around the Brazilian’s fortunes.

To stand any chance of securing a result at their old stadium, Espanyol will require goalkeeper Joan García to be in top form. Centre backs Leandro Cabrera and Marash Kumbulla might be wise to drop deep to prevent Barca from exploiting any space in behind.

Team news

Barcelona have more than their fair share of injury concerns at the moment, but Flick will be thankful that no new players have been added to the unavailable list recently.

Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, Marc-André ter Stegen, Ferran Torres and Eric García will also be sidelined for Saturday’s visit of Espanyol, but Barca have already shown they can cope without this contingent.

Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo could be in line to start having missed a number of recent matches through injury. Gavi could also see more minutes.

Fernando Calero, Edu Exposito, Jose Gragera and Naci Unuvar are all injury doubts for Espanyol, but the Periquitos will otherwise be at full strength for the Catalan derby.

Prediction

Barcelona 4-1 Espanyol. As mentioned, history suggests another Derby Day win for the league leaders.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Nov

2024

Preview: Liverpool and Brighton renew hostilities in the League

Just a few short days after their last meeting – a frenzied midweek Carabao Cup clash which the Reds won 3-2 – the two meet again, this time at Anfield, in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

By Karl Matchett

Despite that, this next encounter could look very different, given the changes to both lineups, and there’s every reason to imagine the Seagulls will have an eye on improving a recent record which has seen the two teams win three, draw three and lose three each of the last nine clashes between them.

Liverpool’s draughting form

It’s been nothing but excellence for Arne Slot’s team this season, with the Dutch coach having taken charge of 12 wins from 14 games since replacing Jürgen Klopp at the helm. A draw at Arsenal last time out was a reasonable result, if not the team’s finest performance, though a shock home defeat to Nottingham Forest is far from forgotten even if it was followed by eight straight wins.

For Brighton, some excellent attacking performances haven’t always been rewarded with wins: a late collapse against Wolves was shocking and yielded only a draw, though perhaps that merely equals out being torn about by Tottenham – before they in turn went Spursy and gave up three goals and three points in the second half. Two ways to view the Seagulls’ results lead to the same single conclusion: three wins in nine, two defeats in 12, wildly fun but inconsistent so far under Fabian Hürzeler.

Stars of the midweek game hoping to keep their places

Liverpool remain without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, centre-forward Diogo Jota and squad attacking options Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott. Kostas Tsimikas could come in at left-back and Cody Gakpo, who scored twice on Wednesday night, is pushing to start up front.

Brighton have more doubts than definite outs, with only Adam Webster, Solly March and James Milner longer-term absentees. There are fitness tests in line for Yankuba Minteh and Lewis Dunk, who might start, and João Pedro and Matt O’Riley, who probably wouldn’t for a first game back. Simon Adingra may stay in the side after a great midweek showing.

Key players

Only Cole Palmer (12) has more goals and assists than Mohamed Salah (11) this term, though it’s not exactly news to point out the Egyptian as a big threat. More notable is the excellent form being shown at the other end by stand-in goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, averaging three saves a game so far and preventing 0.38 goals per 90, not far off Alisson’s 0.45. Few games to pick stats from, to be sure, but the Irishman has been excellent.

For Brighton, look to Georginio Rutter. The £40m summer signing has been a revelation playing just off the front man, hard-working and full of clever movement, scoring two and assisting two but also top of the squad for shots per 90 (4.0) and big chances created (3). An all-round threat.

Prediction

Defensively the Reds have been mostly excellent but Brighton’s movement and speed in the final third will cause them some problems. Even so, Slot’s team look a well-oiled machine right now – so another high-scoring home victory is on the cards. A repeat of midweek and 3-2 to Liverpool is as fair a shout as any.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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