Preview

Nov

2024

Preview: Champions City visit upwardly mobile Cherries

Manchester City travel to the Dorset coast to play their favourite opponents this week, but is the time right for Bournemouth to upset their dismal record against the champions?

By Ian King

Bournemouth’s bogey team!

Since Bournemouth first landed in the Premier League in 2015, Manchester City have won all 15 meetings between the two clubs in all competitions, running up four goals or more in seven of those wins, and with an overall goal difference of 43-8. The history books don’t give the home side much hope of taking much from this game.

Recent form a boost for the home side

Form, if anything, is Bournemouth’s glimmer of hope, because City haven’t been playing especially well of late. An underpowered team was knocked out of the EFL Cup by Spurs in the week, and weren’t especially inspiring in either of their previous two Premier League games against Wolves and Southampton, arguably the division’s two worst teams at the moment. Bournemouth, on the other hand, arrive at this game off the back of taking four points from six against Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Key players

Evanilson is the key Bournemouth player. His 96th-minute goal at Villa Park last weekend was only his second of the season, but the club’s record signing (and Brazil international) has settled in well since his £40m signing from Porto during the summer. Manchester City, of course, have more ‘key players’ than you can shake a stick at, though their current injury problems will likely give the team a slightly unusual look.

City’s long injury list

Pep Guardiola’s claim that City are down to their last “13 players” have been a little overblown, but his team are certainly struggling with injuries at the moment. Savinho was stretchered off during the Spurs game, while Manuel Akanji pulled up injured beforehand and Joško Gvardiol required attention afterwards. Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Jérémy Doku, Kyle Walker are all expected to be absent, alongside longer-term absentees, the Ballon d’Or winning Rodri and Oscar Bobb.

For Bournemouth, Alex Scott underwent an operation on a knee injury last week and is expected to be out for another few weeks, while goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Luis Sinisterra and Philip Billing will all be undergoing fitness tests ahead of the match after missing last weekend’s 1-1 at Villa Park.

Prediction

There will come a point at which Bournemouth’s dismal run against Manchester City has to end, and this match could be their best opportunity to do so. They impressed against Arsenal a couple of weeks ago, and their point against Aston Villa provided further proof that they should be strong enough for a relegation fight to not be on the cards this season.

And while Guardiola may be overstating the injuries that he faces – every Premier League manager believes that his injury list is the worst – it is fair to say that City failed to impress in their last three matches. You still back City to win, but this one could be tight.

Prediction: Bournemouth 0-1 Manchester City

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Nov

2024

Preview: Newcastle and Arsenal kick off the Premier League weekend

This week’s early Premier League kick-off comes from St James’ Park as 12^th placed Newcastle host third placed Arsenal. In this fixture last season, the Magpies came out on top with a 1-0 victory thanks to an Anthony Gordon strike.

By Matt Smith

Gordon escapes serious injury

Eddie Howe received a major boost in the week as Gordon returned to Newcastle’s starting XI in the Carabao Cup win over Chelsea having missed the league trip to Chelsea last weekend. The North East side will be without a host of players, with the likes of Callum Wilson, Jacob Murphy, and Sven Botman on the treatment table.

Alexander Isak, who has endured multiple injury troubles throughout the campaign, hobbled off against Chelsea on Wednesday night, and Howe has stated that he hopes it’s nothing too serious.

Newcastle struggling for consistency

It’s been a tricky season for the Magpies so far who are struggling to find the back of the net, especially when Isak has been watching from the sidelines. Newcastle have averaged just one goal per game, with only four sides managing fewer strikes.

Howe will understandably be desperate for Isak to be fit enough to face the Gunners, but the Swedish striker hasn’t been as consistent as expected in front of goal. Isak has scored just twice from an xG of 3.5, producing 21 shots in the Premier League.

Gabriel could be passed fit

Against Liverpool last time out in the Premier League, Gabriel Magalhaes limped off in the second half, adding to Mikel Arteta’s injury troubles. William Saliba missed the game due to suspension meaning the Gunners ended the game with a makeshift back four.

Martin Ødegaard hasn’t featured for Arsenal since September after picking up an ankle injury, and he could struggle to be fit enough to face Newcastle on Saturday. Before the Gunners travelled to Preston North End in the Carabao Cup during the week, Arteta confirmed that there were ‘still a few boxes to tick’ before he could play again.

Saka has taken his game to another level

The Gunners have been heavily relying on the contributions of Bukayo Saka once again this season with the England international a goalscoring and creative force in the final third. The Arsenal academy graduate has provided 10 goals and assists combined in just eight matches.

*Saka passing stats, Premier League 2024/25*

Arteta might be concerned that the North London outfit are already starting to fall behind in the Premier League title race after some disappointing results in recent weeks. The Gunners have won just twice in their last five fixtures and currently find themselves sitting in third place, five points behind leaders Manchester City.

Water-tight defences go head-to-head

Arsenal and Newcastle have been two of the most defensively organised sides in the Premier League this season, so we should be expecting a low-scoring affair. The Magpies will have the support of a packed-out St James’ Park behind them, and another 1-0 victory, just like last season’s fixture, wouldn’t be a surprise.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Serie A contenders Inter and Juve meet in the Derby d’Italia

Juventus and Inter are Italy’s most successful teams as far as Serie A titles are concerned, but they have not had a one-two finish in the league in the 2020s. Their early form suggests both will be in the mix at the top of the standings this term, so the season’s first Derby d’Italia could end up proving to be a critical juncture in the title race.

By Neel Shelat

Inter slightly off the pace

Simone Inzaghi’s Inter have been one of the best and most tactically intriguing teams in Europe in recent years. Their fluid possession-play and solid defending have enabled them to compete on all fronts, with top-class players in all positions across the squad starring as well.

Having enjoyed a quiet summer transfer window, the Nerazzurri naturally did not need to change their system for the new season. As one would expect, the defending Serie A champions’ results look pretty good as they have lost just once in all competitions so far, but their recent performances have been a bit concerning.

After losing to city rivals Milan, Inter have won their last five games. Apart from the convincing 4-0 win over Red Star Belgrade, though, each of those showings has been subpar in one way or another. Inzaghi’s side sat too deep and threw away an early lead against Udinese, getting bailed out by Lautaro Martínez’s goals on either side of half-time. They also had a five-goal game against Torino, which they won largely thanks to an early red card. This week, their attack hardly got going against Roma, and they needed a stoppage-time winner to beat Young Boys.

Juventus’ scoring struggles

Regardless of what sort of showing Inter put together, Juventus know that they have major issues of their own to contend with. While their defensive record in the league is mightily impressive as they have conceded just once in eight games, they have had some issues with scoring goals.

The Old Lady’s tally of 11 goals is only the ninth-highest in the division right now; certainly not befitting prospective title challengers. The bigger problem, though, is the fact that they have no reliable source of goals other than striker Dušan Vlahović, who is the only member of their squad with multiple league goals. However, he has never scored at San Siro.

Having put up with a very boring style of play under Massimiliano Allegri, Juve fans were quickly enamoured by Thiago Motta’s eye-catching possession-play, but they could quickly become annoyed again if their scoring problems persist.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Lopetegui and Ten Hag search for consistency as West Ham face Man United

West Ham United and Manchester United go head-to-head at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon with both sides looking to get their season’s back on track.

By Matt Smith

t’s been a tricky opening few months for Julen Lopetegui and Erik ten Hag, who are both competing in the bottom half of the table.

The Hammers will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing defeat away to London rivals Tottenham. West Ham lost the game 4-1, with Mohammed Kudus sent off. The Ghanaian attacker will now be suspended as they host the Red Devils this weekend.

West Ham currently sit in 15^th place in the Premier League, just five points above the relegation zone. Lopetegui’s side are conceding 1.9 goals per game on average while creating just 11.7 expected goals (xG).

The summer transfer window looked a pretty one on paper for the Hammers, but their additions have yielded mixed results. Technical Director Tim Steidten and his team have revamped the midfield, but Tomáš Souček has dealt with the competition superbly.

Averaging more goals per 90 minutes than any other West Ham player, the towering midfielder has been keeping the likes of Carlos Soler and Edson Álvarez out of the starting XI.

Manchester United recently secured an impressive victory over Brentford last time out in the Premier League, but it’s been an inconsistent season so far.

The Red Devils have scored just seven goals, with only Ipswich, Southampton, and Crystal Palace managing fewer. Creating chances hasn’t been the issue as United have produced 12.4 expected goals, but they’re struggling to put the ball in the back of the net.

André Onana has been a strong candidate for United’s player of the season, which says a lot about their struggles on the pitch. The Cameroonian has prevented 3.33 goals so far, with only Leicester City’s Mads Hermansen managing more.

*Onana goalkeeping stats, Premier League 2024/25*

Joshua Zirkzee, Alejandro Garnacho, and Bruno Fernandes have had 7.9 expected goals between them, but the United trio have only found the back of the net three times. Their troubles in front of goal have cost them plenty of points so far and Ten Hag needs to find a way of making it click in the final third.

With West Ham having plenty of problems defensively, it could be an ideal opportunity for the Manchester outfit to find their feet in front of goal and gather some momentum ahead of the tricky winter period.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Spurs head to Selhurst Park for Eagles test

Things have been looking better for Tottenham Hotspur in recent weeks and they have a chance to win two games on the bounce, when they take on Crystal Palace on Sunday.

By Kaustubh Pandey

The season has been full of some inconsistencies for Spurs, who lost to Brighton despite a brilliant performance in the first half before succumbing to an unlikely comeback. They also lost 1-0 to Arsenal in a game where they had a lot of possession and this came before they trounced Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Ange Postecoglou‘s side did have to come back from a goal down against West Ham, last time out, but they blew the Hammers away in the second half and put in a trademark attacking show. The win over AZ in the Europa League during midweek was only a 1-0 triumph but it gave them more momentum, keeping them in second in the league phase table.

While their defensive lapses during defensive transitions are obvious, Spurs are arguably one of the most threatening attacking sides in England right now.

Only Manchester City have a higher xG in the Premier League this season, and that obviously takes in to account City playing a game more, earlier this weekend. They attack constantly during the game, dominating possession by keeping over 60 percent on average and it is an identity that they have carved out for themselves.

Despite the limitations in defence, they create impressively in attack and that is what struggling Palace will have to contend with on Sunday.

Oliver Glasner‘s side have proved to be a half-season-wonder, having failed to recreate their wonders from last season and that is why they find themselves 18th in the table.

They also lie at the opposite end of the attacking spectrum – so far. No team in the Premier League has scored less goals per game than the Eagles, who have seen their return fade since last season, when Jean-Philippe Mateta was on fire.

While last season saw them over perform on their Expected Goals metric by about +7, they have underperformed on it by a solid -4, showcasing that in a lot of cases, finishing the chances they get has also become a huge issue.

Spurs too are problematic when it comes to the finishing as they have missed the most number of big chances in the league, the amount of chances they create is massive, especially as compared to Glasner’s side.

Postecoglou’s team will most definitely dominate possession, as they always do, but at the same time, their tendency to give away chances at the other end will give Palace hope. Even West Ham were struggling going into their game against Tottenham but they led for a good portion of the game, and Palace will take inspiration from that.

Eberechi Eze‘s presence will be vital in that regard but Palace will also be encouraged by the fact that Son Heung-min is likely to miss the trip. Mikey Moore, who impressed against AZ, could feature in the Premier League this time around and it could be another game where Dejan Kulusevski runs the show for the Lilywhites.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Chelsea host a Newcastle side searching for form

This time last week the discussion surrounding Chelsea was about their potential to be this season’s Premier League dark horse. Fast forward to the final whistle, at Anfield last Sunday, and that discussion felt like it had been put to bed for a while.

By Dan Tracey

Enzo Maresca’s men came out second best in an enthralling meeting on Merseyside and although they picked up nothing in the way of points, they still managed to take back some positives to West London.

Positives that come with going toe-to-toe with the current league leaders and with Nicolas Jackson’s strike soon after the break cancelling out Mohamed Salah’s penalty, there was a sense that the pendulum was swinging in the direction of the Blues.

However, a game that had plenty of ebb and flow would see another swing towards the hosts when Curtis Jones put Liverpool back in front. The goal sucked the life out of Chelsea’s fightback and was one that would go on to prove to be the difference between the two sides.

There was a huge gulf in quality on Thursday as Chelsea travelled to Panathinaikos for Matchday two in the Conference League and the Blues bounced back with a well deserved 4-1 win at the Athens Olympic Stadium.

With a European win behind them, focus now pivots back to the Premier League and the visit of a Newcastle side who have failed to win any of their last four outings in the competition – a run that sees them start the weekend lying ninth in the table.

That run was extended last Saturday and although Eddie Howe’s men huffed and puffed at home to Brighton, they failed to break down the Seagulls and a goal from the in-form Danny Welbeck continued Newcastle’s recent misery.

Large portions of the Magpies’ fanbase have been left rather frustrated this season, with the club itself finding equal frustration in the summer transfer window. A lack of world-class arrivals to continue the Tyneside project is quickly seeing Newcastle operate in reverse.

Which means they must avoid defeat at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, not only because their European aspirations cannot take another dent so early in the campaign, but also because manager Howe cannot afford to oversee another defeat.

That is not to say that the former Bournemouth manager is under any immediate pressure regarding the security of his job but with the lack of transfer activity, it’s believed in some quarters that he has been set up to fail this season.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Arne Slot’s Liverpool face their toughest test yet at they play Arsenal at the Emirates

The Emirates hosts a top of the table clash this weekend as Liverpool make the trip down south to take on title rivals Arsenal.

By Sam McGuire

Mikel Arteta‘s side bounced back from their loss to Bournemouth last weekend with a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday.

They did, however, add to their ever growing injury list. Riccardo Calafiori twisted his knee and is expected to miss the visit of the Premier League leaders. Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber are already doubts for the game, captain Martin Ødegaard is definitely missing while William Saliba is suspended following his red card against the Cherries last Saturday.

A potentially depleted Arsenal side are going to be put to the test. Liverpool may feel as though this is karma. The Reds went to the Emirates last term without a host of names. Andrew Robertson and Darwin Núñez were only fit enough for the bench. Kostas Tsimikas, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah were all missing with injuries. Trent Alexander-Arnold was carrying a knock and had to be replaced at halftime.

Jürgen Klopp’s men were overwhelmed by their title rivals in a 3-1 loss.

Revenge might be on the agenda for the current league leaders. Under Arne Slot this term, Liverpool have been ruthless. They’ve won 11 of their opening 12 matches. They have a 100% record in the Champions League and are a point clear at the top of the Premier League with 21 points from a possible 24.

This is an opportunity for Slot and his team to make a real statement. It is a chance to show they’re real title contenders with some still believing they’re nothing but pretenders having come up against inferior opposition in games they’ve been expected to win.

Victory at the Emirates would see a lot of people sit up and take note. Of course, Liverpool shouldn’t need to win here to be taken seriously.

The Reds have been the real deal this season. They lead the way for clean sheets with five. They’ve have the best defensive record in the English top-flight having conceded just three goals. Their underlying numbers support their claim of having the best defensive unit in the Premier League too. The Reds have given up chances worth just 6.2 Expected Goals.

For comparison, Arsenal, who built their title challenge last season on solid foundations, have kept just three clean sheets. They’ve conceded eight goals this term and have an Expected Goals Against total of 9.2 – a figure that five teams can better. They aren’t as resilient defensively while their attack isn’t necessarily firing on all cylinders just yet.

The pressure is on the Gunners. How will they deal with that and an injury crisis?

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Southampton head to Champions City in search of a change in fortunes

One of the biggest gaps in the Premier League in financial, quality and in terms of points haul will be attempted to be bridged on Saturday, with Manchester City hosting Southampton in a battle of the established elite and the idealistic but possibly naive.

By Karl Matchett

Second and 19th respectively, City undefeated and Saints winless, the differences in the stories of their season so far are profound and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see many predict one of the bigger scores of the campaign.

And yet, there are similarities, or at least the attempt to have them. Saints’ style of play has cost them so many goals already this year, but playing out from the back and attempting to dominate matches is their method and it’s no secret where that style stems from. Saints and City, indeed, make up a third of the top six in the Premier League this year by average possession. By accurate passes per match, they are half the teams in the top four. Sadly for Southampton, however, look even marginally deeper at what they both do with all that time on the ball and the paths quickly diverge.

City have had the most touches in the opposition box (404), won the most corners (76), average the most shots on target (7.0) and have scored the most goals (19). Respectively in each of those categories, Saints rank 13th (195), 12th (41), 17th (3.8) and 19th (six). Erling Haaland alone has netted not far off double that tally, already on ten.

If that’s the mark of having spent hundreds of millions on the most creative, dominant and efficient final-third players in the game, Saints’ defensive numbers therefore show the folly in trying to play the same way all over the pitch without the players to do so: the second-highest xG conceded (17.3) shows they are not stopping chances against them, and the second-lowest save percentage (59%) of any goalkeeper in the league shows Aaron Ramsdale isn’t stopping those efforts going in. His cumulative goals prevented this term stands at 1.07, which isn’t going to move the needle if Saints continue to be as lax at the back.

Or, it might be argued, if they face Haaland on even a half-decent day.

The Norwegian tops the per 90 charts on total shots and those on target while of course doing so in goals, xG, non-penalty xG and touches in the box. Sometimes, football really is this simple: a bad defence has to try and stop an elite striker.

*Erling Haaland shooting stats per 90, Premier League 2024/25*

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Real Madrid and Barcelona are set for the first Clásico showdown of the season

Years after the end of the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo era, the fierce and historic rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid is moving into a new generation.

By Graham Ruthven

Saturday’s El Clásico will be Kylian Mbappé’s first taste of Spanish football’s biggest fixture while Barcelona have a new crop of La Masia prodigies now making their mark at the top level, Lamine Yamal being chief among them.

Last season, Real Madrid ran away with the Spanish title. This season, though, it’s Barca setting the early pace with Hansi Flick’s team playing a brand of high-risk, high-intensity football that has caught the imagination.

Barcelona come into the first Clasico of the season on the back of a statement victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League. The 4-1 dismantling of the German giants highlighted just how far Flick’s team have come this season.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, are still searching for their best form. Carlo Ancelotti has experienced trouble integrating Kylian Mbappé into his forward line with the absence of Toni Kroos being acutely felt in central midfield.

Ancelotti surely watched the way Barca picked off Bayern Munich in transition with interest. It’s possible the Real Madrid boss could set up his team to sit deeper and deny their rivals any opportunity to attack open space.

Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo are expected to miss Saturday’s match at the Santiago Bernabéu through injury while Dani Carvajal is sidelined, meaning Lucas Vázquez will likely start at right back for the hosts.

Injuries have similarly hit Barcelona hard with Marc-André Ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araújo and Marc Bernal all out for the long-term. Gavi and Frenkie de Jong are also working back to full fitness at the moment.

However, there will still be plenty talent on the pitch to make Saturday’s Clásico a spectacle. Barca have the highest Expected Goals (xG) of any team in LaLiga this season with Real Madrid ranked second behind them. There should be goals at the Santiago Bernabéu.

With just three points between the two rivals in the table, the outcome of Saturday’s match could have a big bearing on this season’s Spanish title race.

A Barca win could signify a shift in the balance of power at the top of LaLiga. A Real Madrid victory, however, would draw the defending champions level with the Catalans. Clásicos always matter, but this one will have extra meaning.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Oct

2024

Preview: Chelsea face Panathinaikos in an early Conference League kick-off

The path to Chelsea’s redemption leads to Athens

By Filip Mishov

Recent Form

The Blues are travelling to the Greek capital in a bid to get back to winning ways and to reinstill some of the lost confidence within the squad over the past few weeks, which resulted in Sunday’s narrow 2-1 defeat at Liverpool. Enzo Maresca was criticized by some at the start of the month when the Italian coach said, “I really don’t think we can compete with City or Arsenal,” and now the list might include Liverpool too, as it became evident that Chelsea perhaps lack the experience and team cohesion of the sides who’s squads have been together for an extended period of time.

However, Chelsea are still the team with most chances created (26) in the Premier league and the learning curve is all part of the process for Maresca’s fledgling side. But they will face another difficult challenge in Athens tonight.

Chelsea have started their Conference League campaign in style by securing a win (4-2) against Gent at Stamford Bridge and after the club’s decision to leave Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell, Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer out of their European squad, the UECL matches can’t come soon enough for their fringe players. With that being said, Maresca has plenty of options to choose from, but given Panathinaikos’ passionate supporters and the inevitable hostile atmosphere at Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis, the tactician is expected to mix things up in order to counter the surroundings.

*Possible Chelsea XI, built with the lineup builder at FotMob.com*

Team news

After the vice-captain, Enzo Fernández missed out on a place in the starting XI over the weekend, the fiery Argentinean is expected to lead out the team in Athens with most of the other players like Mykhaylo Mudryk, Joao Félix and Christopher Nkunku desperately waiting for a chance to impress and earn a starting spot. The captain, Reece James is set for a rest after returning from long-term injury, but Robert Sánchez should keep his place between the posts given Filip Jörgensen‘s concussion issues.

Tough times for Panathinaikos

The Greek club have endured a turbulent start of the season both on and off the pitch with the football world recently rocked by the tragic passing of their defender, George Baldock.

Former Uruguay national team coach Diego Alonso has had a lot to contend with and the Green and Whites are currently sat in sixth place in the Greek Super League 1 ahead of this, their first-ever meeting with Chelsea. Last season’s top scorer Fotis Ioannidis is injured and will miss the clash, but the former Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri is among the forwards aiming to leave their mark on proceedings.

Predictions

Chelsea have been bragging about the so-called “positives to take” from their defeat at Anfield as the Blues dominated in shots, possession, passes and take-ons, among other stats, but the trip to Athens presents another test for the strength of their squad in depth. As for Panathinaikos, the Green and Whites boast an abysmal record against English opponents in European competition as they have recorded just a single win in 18 attempts, but that was against another London-based club (Arsenal) back in 2001.

Obviously, Maresca’s young guns are favourites to go far in the UEFA’s third-tier club competition and given the reputation of some of the players, Christopher Nkunku, for example, who has already shone in the Champions League, anything other than a victory in Greece will be looked on as a failure for the Blues.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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