Preview

Sep

2024

Preview: Man United vs. Spurs

Sunday sees Manchester United open their Old Trafford doors to Tottenham Hotspur and as things stand the two upcoming opponents have a number of similarities.

By Dan Tracey

Both ‘languishing’ in midtable at the start of the campaign due to league inconsistencies, both also competing in the Europa League in midweek.

However, the similarities stop there in terms of continental football and whereas United were toiling to a draw at home to FC Twente on Wednesday, a Spurs side that played with 10 men for the majority of the game eased past Qarabağ.

The ideal European start for Ange Postecoglou’s men and with Thursday’s 3-0 home win, it also means a third successive win in all competitions – a trio of victories that are all connected by a common denominator.

A denominator that comes in the shape of Brennan Johnson and although the Welsh international’s level of performance has been criticised by portions of his North London fanbase, a goal in each of those wins has gone a long way to silencing his in-house critics.

While the criticism connected to Manchester United in the past week has only increased and after being held by Crystal Palace last Saturday at Selhurst Park, there was an expectation that Wednesday night would offer a return to winning ways.

Then again, expectation in football can have a habit of not being met and although Christian Eriksen would put the Red Devils ahead before the break, former Rangers forward Sam Lammers would restore parity after it.

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A share of the points in the newly expanded Europa League format and although there are seven more opportunities in which to get the necessary points for automatic progress, there is a feeling of two points dropped after Wednesday’s showing.

Which brings us neatly to the weekend and because of where both hosts and visitors find themselves after Saturday’s set of Premier League results, neither outfit can afford to drop further points.

Postecoglou’s charges start the day in 10th while ten Hag’s United sit one place worse off, and thus, will be starting this encounter while sitting in the bottom half of the table and if either outfit are still there after their sixth skirmish of the season is completed, it is those in charge who will feel the pressure.

The easiest way to alleviate that is to pick up a maximum in Manchester but with both United and Spurs very capable of taking one step forward and two steps back rather quickly, they may have to settle for a point each instead.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Sep

2024

Preview: Osasuna vs. Barcelona

Can Barça continue their fairytale league start of the season or will Los Rojillos finally end their winning run?

By Filip Mishov

It is fair to say that Barcelona are one of the clubs playing the most entertaining football at the start of the season alongside Bayern München, with whom they are the only sides with a perfect league record in the top five leagues. Hansi Flick‘s squad has noted seven wins on the bounce in LaLiga and the energetic pressing machinery has already earned a four-point lead ahead of their arch-rivals from Madrid at the top of the standings, but another challenge is upon them, when they visit Osasuna’s El Sadar in Pamplona on Saturday. Unlike Blaugrana, Los Rojillos’ hot and cold form leaves them mid-table, but Vicente Moreno‘s squad is still undefeated at El Sadar this season with three wins and one draw on their account. However, if history is anything to go by, Osasuna’s home record will be severely tested as Barça are unbeaten in Pamplona since 2012 and they have secured five wins and three draws over that period.

The out-of-this-world wonderkid, Yamal and the free-scoring, Lewandowski may be stealing the headlines for their impressive start of the season, but the rejuvenated Raphinha deserves the same praise for his performances, to say the least. The pacey Brazilian did not always see an eye to eye with Xavi’s decisions last season and the 27-year-old could have easily left Barça over the summer, but Flick helped Raphinha restore his confidence, and the German coach is reaping the rewards now, who even gave the captain’s armband to the winger following the injury of Marc-André ter Stegen. Additionally, Jules Koundé and Raphinha are the only players that have played each and every minute in all competitions for Barcelona this season, becoming undisputed in Flick’s starting XI.

Blaugrana’s fruitful attack is flourishing at the moment with 23 goals scored (the most in LaLiga), but their issues lay at the other side of the pitch as the captain, Ter Stegen joined Marc Bernal on the sidelines as a long-term absentee after the goalkeeper ruptured the patella tendon in his knee and both of them are expected to miss the rest of the season. The vice-captain – Araujo, Christensen, de Jong, Gavi, López and Olmo are still absent and are not expected to return until after the international break at the earliest, which should spring Flick into making changes and for Pedri to return to the starting XI ahead of the match vs. Young Boys in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. On the other side, Osasuna are desperately waiting for Bayern München’s loanee, Bryan Zaragoza to rediscover his magic and for last season’s top scorer – Ante Budimir to recapture his goalscoring instinct as the Basque-based club is struggling for goals and no player has scored more than a single goal for Los Rojillos this season.

With Barça eager to continue their perfect start in LaLiga and Osasuna’s undefeated home record on the line, an interesting clash awaits us in Pamplona on Saturday as Yamal & co. are striving for more victories, while El Sadar’s fortress will fiercely battle to remain unconquered.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Sep

2024

Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen

The biggest match of the Bundesliga campaign so far takes place on Saturday evening, with Bayern Munich top of the table and ready to host Bayer Leverkusen, the reigning champions who have found it somewhat tougher going this term with a target on their backs, following on from that incredible unbeaten year last season.

By Karl Matchett

While there’s no doubting the fantastic job Xabi Alonso has done, it was always going to be a big ask to repeat the feat of winning the title in any manner, let alone in an unbeaten 34-match streak. And so, when they lost on just gameweek two, there was plenty of comment and no small amount of wondering over a potential implosion – it’s happened before elsewhere, after all. But this Leverkusen side is resilient, and knows how to grind out wins. It’s not as though last year they merely swatted aside everyone; there were plenty of late goals, comebacks, big shows of big mentality.

This term already they’ve won 3-2 deep into stoppage time and, last time out, 4-3 by the same manner – Victor Boniface after 94 minutes to see off Wolfsburg. It is not, of course, a sustainable way to take victories over the long haul. The emotional high from such encounters can be great, but Leverkusen must again find the way to become miserly in defence. They conceded only 24 last season, an average of 0.7 per game; this season already it’s nine in four, 2.25 a game.

The sample size is small, but the improvements they need to make, despite three wins from four, are glaring. That said, go deeper than the ball merely being in the net and B04 might feel hard done by: nine have been conceded from an xG against of just 4.4 – they are being punished for every chance allowed.

That might be fine to absorb a few times when you come up against a run of sides who are not excellent in attack, but it’s fair to say that would not include Bayern Munich.

Vincent Kompany’s side are looking explosive in the final third, with a massive array of options and several talents – new signing Michael Olise in particular – looking in magical form. Harry Kane, meanwhile, tops both goals and assists charts, contributing nine in total already.

The positive for Leverkusen to cling to? As many chances and goals as they’re conceding, they are matching it and more in attack. This could be an end-to-end slugfest where simply the most clinical wins.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Sep

2024

Preview: Arsenal vs. Leicester City

Arsenal will be hoping to continue their unbeaten start in the Premier League this season as they host Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium.

By Matt Smith

The away side are yet to secure their first victory since returning to the top flight, but they’ve been difficult to beat, picking up three draws.

The Gunners produced a valiant defensive display last time out against Manchester City, going down to 10 men in the first half and almost holding on to come away with three points. A last-minute John Stones equaliser meant the points were shared, but Mikel Arteta will have been proud of their performance.

Arsenal have been solid at the back this term, just as they were last season, conceding just 0.6 goals per game, only bettered by Liverpool (0.2). It’s been no doubt significantly helped by some impressive goalkeeping from David Raya, who sits second in the save percentage charts with 88.5%.

In attack, Bukayo Saka has been a key creative force in Arteta’s side, producing five assists. The English winger has in fact created a goal in every single Premier League game so far this campaign.

*Saka passing stats per 90, Premier League 2024/25*

The North London outfit could see themselves climb to the top of the table if results go their way, which is an impressive achievement considering they’ve already come up against Aston Villa, Brighton, Manchester City, Wolves, and rivals Tottenham.

It’s been a tricky start to the campaign for Leicester, with Steve Cooper under increasing pressure from supporters after they were taken all the way to penalties by League Two Walsall earlier this week.

The Foxes have struggled from an attacking sense, with only Ipswich Town creating more expected goals (xG). Cooper’s side have struck six times, conceding eight goals in the process.

Wilfred Ndidi, who could have come close to leaving the club due to being out of contract, has been one of the standout players for the Foxes this term. The Nigerian midfielder has averaged a match rating of 7.44, higher than any other Leicester player, registering three assists and creating four big chances while also being a ball-winner in the middle of the park.

*Ndidi defensive stats per 90, Premier League 2024/25*

Leicester will be desperate to find their first win, but it’s not going to be an easy afternoon against a side who are likely to be competing for the Premier League title. The Foxes are going to have to find a win from somewhere eventually though as they continue to fight to stay in England’s top flight after gaining promotion from the Championship last season.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Sep

2024

Preview: Newcastle United vs. Manchester City

The true impact of Rodri’s knee ligament injury will be clearer after Saturday. Manchester City will travel to St. James’ Park to face Newcastle United without the Spanish midfielder who went down in last week’s thrilling draw against Arsenal and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

By Graham Ruthven

City have already proven their ability to cope without Rodri this season. Indeed, the 28-year-old’s start against Arsenal was his first of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign with Mateo Kovačić and Rico Lewis instead used as a deep-lying pairing in wins over Chelsea, Ipswich Town, West Ham, and Brentford.

Last season, though, Manchester City lost three straight games that Rodri missed through injury, highlighting the importance of the Spanish international to the defending Premier League champions. Pep Guardiola will have to find a way to reconstruct his midfield. City’s entire season could depend on it.

While City are unbeaten in their last 28 league matches, Newcastle come into Saturday’s game on the back of a disappointing defeat to Fulham. The Magpies had their mid-week Carabao Cup tie against AFC Wimbledon postponed and so have had extra time to prepare for the visit of the Premier League champions.

Harvey Barnes has been in excellent goalscoring form for Newcastle, notching in each of his last three games. Alexander Isak, on the other hand, has scored just one goal in five league matches and needs to improve his productivity in front of goal to come anywhere close to the tally of 21 goals he registered last term.

Erling Haaland is experiencing no such issues in front of goal having scored 10 times in just five league games. The Norwegian striker has reached new heights in the early part of the season and has been aided by the summer addition of Savinho who is doing a lot to stretch opposition defences on the right side and open up space in the attacking third. Newcastle will have to keep things tight at the back.

Kevin de Bruyne is a doubt to feature at St James’ Park after missing last weekend’s match against Arsenal while Nathan Aké and Oscar Bobb are also sidelined through injury. Newcastle, meanwhile, will be without Sven Botman and Callum Wilson, although neither player has featured for them this season anyway.

*Newcastle home and away points breakdown, 2023/24*

St James’ Park is one of the toughest away venues in the Premier League. Only Liverpool, City and Arsenal had a stronger home record than Newcastle last season while Eddie Howe’s team have won both of their matches in front of their own supporters this term. City will have to work hard to leave the North East with three points.

(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.

Sep

2024

Preview: Wolves vs. Liverpool

On Saturday evening, Liverpool travel to Molineux to face Wolves. At a glance, it might not seem like a pivotal game for the Reds in the grand scheme of things but this could shape the season for Arne Slot and his team.

By Sam McGuire

This is the sort of match that should be a routine win for Liverpool, especially when you consider the fact the Reds have an incredible record against their opponents having won eight of their last 10.

Wolves are bottom of the table, they’re winless in their opening five matches and they have just a single point to their name.

Gary O’Neil’s side have conceded 14 goals, the joint-highest in the Premier League. They haven’t been awful defensively, giving up chances worth 7.2 Expected Goals, but they’ve been a victim of poor goalkeeping and unbelievable finishing. Wolves have struggled going forward too, missing seven of their 10 Big Chances.

It is the worst possible combination. Unlucky in defence and poor in attack. This combination is likely why they have the lowest FotMob rating in the Premier League this season with 6.42.

There have been no home comforts for Wolves this term. They have played two at Molineux, lost two and conceded eight goals. Last season wasn’t much better in front of their home fans. They won eight of their 19 games at home and picked up 27 points. It was enough to place them 15th in the home form table.

By comparison, the Reds have won four matches and they’ve conceded just one goal. It should be a formality for the 2019/20 Premier League champions. They have a 100% record away from home in all competitions this term and had the third best away record last season. They travel well.

Liverpool have an xG Conceded total of just 3.9 across their five games and have racked up an impressive four clean sheets. They have the second-highest xG (10.1) and are joint-highest for Big Chances with 21. Defensively, they are resilient. Going forward, they are ruthless.

The star of the show for Liverpool has been Luis Díaz. The forward, who was linked with moves to Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain during the summer, has five goals to his name in the Premier League. Only Erling Haaland (10) has found the back of the net with greater regularity.

The Reds are firing and if it clicks for Slot and his players, Wolves could be ravaged on Saturday evening.

(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.

Sep

2024

Preview: Chelsea vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

Chelsea are enjoying a much better start to the 2024/25 Premier League season than many fans and pundits were predicting.

By Nathan Evans

After signing another fairly hefty list of talent over the summer transfer window, many were looking at the task at hand for new manager Enzo Maresca as one likely to be too complicated, but to his credit, he’s guided his team to a return of ten points from a possible 15.

Last time out London rivals West Ham were the victims, as the Blues easily brushed the Hammers aside in an impressive 3-1 showing on the road. That made it three wins from three away from home for Maresca as he became just the eighth new manager in Premier League history to achieve that feat, and the first since Pep Guardiola with Manchester City in 2016.

As such, Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge in fine spirits and with plenty of confidence after also putting five past League Two Barrow in the Carabao Cup during the week. In Brighton, though, they can expect much stiffer opposition. And that’s despite the fact that the Blues won both their meetings with the South Coast club last season.

If that’s not enough, Chelsea have now also won eight of their last ten Premier League matches in a run dating back to last season, and in Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson they possess two of the competition’s most in-form players. Against the Hammers, the pair combined for yet another goal, making it ten since the start of 2023/24 in which they’ve assisted one another, the most of any duo in England’s top-flight over that period.

Of course, visitiors Brighton will still prove to be very tough to break down, especially as they remain unbeaten themselves across their opening five matchdays of this new season. A 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest was the latest result in that streak and although they would have wanted more from that match, they remain a considerable threat to any side in this division under new manager Fabian Hürzeler.

There’s also history to made for the Seagulls here as they look to remain unbeaten across their opening six matches of a Premier League season for the first time. The player most likely to aid that is Danny Welbeck, who netted his 70^th goal in the top flight last weekend and his first ever from a direct free kick. With three goals across his last four league outings against Chelsea too, the hosts will have to be aware of his presence throughout this matchup.

(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.

Sep

2024

Preview: Barcelona vs. Getafe

Although many Barcelona fans will have been hoping for their side to make a quick start to this latest season in LaLiga, not many will have been expecting them to remain perfect through their opening six matches.

By Nathan Evans

Villarreal were their latest victims over the weekend as the Catalan giants ran out very comfortable 5-1 winners. It was another match in which young star Lamine Yamal stole the headlines and that’s even in spite of the sad news that starting goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen suffered a serious injury that will keep him out of action for a lengthy period. This time the acclaim was mostly for Yamal’s exemplary assist, bending a 40-yard pass around the last defender with the outside of his foot to take his tally to three goals and five assists across his six league appearances.

To this point, the 17-year-old has been one of the big winners since Hansi Flick took over the managerial role, but he’s not the only one. The German manager has also worked wonders with Robert Lewandowski, a player who’s race many feared had been run towards the back end of last season, but who is now once again sitting pretty as the Spanish top-flight’s top scorer with six goals from six.

That tally has in turn helped Barca to net a league-leading 22 goals so far, six more than any other side, as they look to reclaim the Spanish top-flight title from fierce rivals Real Madrid.

Next up it’s another Madrid side on the menu for Barcelona, as Getafe make the long trip north-east to face the early pace setters and in truth, they could hardly arrive more ill-prepared for the task at hand.

That’s due to the fact that after their opening six matches this campaign, the visitors remain winless, with a 1-1 home draw against Leganés last time out further heaping the pressure on manager José ‘Pepe’ Bordalás. A return of four draws and two losses has additionally fuelled plenty of relegation talk, especially as that poor early season form has left them with just one win in their last 15 outings in LaLiga.

To say that’s likely to continue here would be an understatement, all things considered, especially as on top of that, Getafe hold a terrible recent head-to-head record against Barcelona. That’s because they’ve taken just one victory from their last 25 meetings with the Catalan giants, across all competitions, and with this exact fixture ending in a 4-0 defeat last season, there seems to be little hope for the away side on this latest visit to Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

(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.

Sep

2024

Preview: Manchester United vs. FC Twente

Manchester United kick off their Europa League campaign by hosting FC Twente, whose men’s team have qualified for a continental competition proper for the first time in over a decade.

By Neel Shelat

The Red Devils will have to be wary of the Dutch side’s attacking threat if they are to enjoy a good start to their European campaign.

Ten Hag reunited with his boyhood club

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has not enjoyed the smoothest of starts to the season, so he will hope that his boyhood club does not add to his miseries. Born and brought up in the Twente region, he started and ended his playing career with the club. Of course, he has continued to follow them closely as a fan and therefore was not too pleased with the draw, saying, “I would have preferred to play against someone else, it’s not nice to have to hurt something you love.”

He will have to put emotions aside for 90 minutes at least, and he will have a lot to think about for the match. Besides coming up with a plan to limit Twente’s threat, the 54-year-old Dutchman will have to make a lot of decisions in his quest to balance squad rotation with consistently high performance levels. The outcome of such an attempt was not perfect on the weekend as Manchester United could only manage a goalless draw against Crystal Palace, so it will be interesting to see what changes he makes.

Twente pack an attacking punch

FC Twente have been one of the Eredivisie’s most consistent overperformers in recent years. Having last won promotion as recently as 2019, they have done quite well to finish in the top five in each of the last three seasons. Add to that their attack-minded style of play – first under Ron Jans and now Joseph Oosting – and it becomes easy to see why they are quite well-liked by neutrals.

The Reds have already built up some nice momentum with back-to-back wins against Heerenveen and Almere City in the last week, contributing to the second-highest aggregate xG tally in the league in the process.

Having already scored seven goals in eight matches this season, attacking midfielder Sem Steijn will likely their most threatening player at Old Trafford. The team’s direct play with the ball and ability to make the most of transitions after turnovers should see them test Manchester United’s defence in various ways.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Sep

2024

Preview: Real Madrid vs. Deportivo Alaves

A full season has passed since Real Madrid last lost in LaLiga.

By Graham Ruthven

Indeed, Los Blancos are currently on an unbeaten run of 38 league matches yet find themselves chasing early pace-setters Barcelona at the top of the table. Carlo Ancelotti’s team can’t allow their rivals to build any more of an advantage.

Four points is the difference between Barca and Real Madrid after six games. The defending champions could close that gap to just one point by beating Alavés on Tuesday with Barca not playing Getafe until Wednesday. That, coupled with Real Madrid’s performance against Espanyol on Saturday would suggest they are building momentum.

Espanyol took the lead at the Santiago Bernabéu, but Real Madrid’s response to ultimately win 4-1 was emphatic. It was arguably their best all-round performance of the season so far with Kylian Mbappé more involved and dangerous than at any other point of his fledgling Real Madrid career.

Mbappé had 63 touches of the ball against Espanyol which was his highest tally to date as a Real Madrid player. He also had nine shots (six of which were on target) and registered seven key passes. He was an all-round threat. This was the sort of performance Real Madrid envisaged the Frenchman would produce on a regular basis when they signed him.

Alavés will arrive at the Bernabéu in confident mood having won three of their last four league fixtures. Manager Luis García could stick with the lineup that beat Sevilla 2-1 on Friday with right winger Carlos Vicente a player who could pose a threat to the home team – the 25-year-old has scored two goals in his last three games.

Los Blancos have won their last five matches against Alavés, a run that includes a 5-0 thumping in last season’s corresponding fixture. Real Madrid will almost certainly control possession on Tuesday night with Alaves ranking second-last for average possession share among LaLiga’s 20 teams this season.

Jude Bellingham’s return to fitness has given Real Madrid another dimension through the centre of the pitch while Arda Güler has made the most of recent opportunities. Vinícius started on the bench against Espanyol, but could be rotated back into the lineup to face Alavés. Dani Carvajal, however, is an injury doubt for the match. Nonetheless, this is another opportunity for Real Madrid to prove they are finally finding their groove.

(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.