Preview

Aug

2024

Preview: Leicester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur

A newly promoted side against a giant of the league is always a bit of a nervous contest, especially if they take each other on in the first game of the season. That is exactly what will happen when Leicester host Tottenham on Monday evening.

By Kaustubh Pandey

Tottenham have signed Dominic Solanke, Wilson Odobert and Archie Gray, fixing holes in the squad that needed fixing. Ange Postecoglou needed that, more than anything, as he looks to step into the second stage of the team’s revolution.

While there might still be room to fix other areas of the squad, they come up against a side that is undergoing a stylistic change, as they go from having Enzo Maresca in-charge to having Steve Cooper as manager. Leicester lost both Kelechi Iheanacho and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall but only the new Chelsea signing was seen worthy enough of replacing, with Blues youngster Michael Golding having arrived.

Spurs have generally had a big upper hand in the fixture, having won four of the last six contests and ex-icon Harry Kane had a terrific goalscoring record against them. But Spurs still have Son, who has scored nine times in 14 games against the Foxes.

Leicester themselves aren’t short of players who have played in the Premier League before, with one being Harry Winks, whose exit from Spurs still disappoints many Lilywhites fans. But Patson Daka, Wilfried Ndidi, Hamza Choudhury, Bobby Reid, Wout Faes, James Justin, Jannik Vestergaard and Ricardo Pereira are recognisable figures who could start.

Jamie Vardy is out injured, which could see Stephy Mavididi make the starting XI. Abdul Fatawu should also start, having joined the club permanently after an initial and impressive loan spell at the King Power.

For Spurs, Dominic Solanke should play from the off and so could stars like Son, James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski, Pedro Porro and Rodrigo Bentancur.

And unfortunately, Postecoglou’s side will have too much for Leicester to deal with. History is also against them, as Spurs have only failed to score against the Foxes twice in the 21 games played between the two clubs over the last decade, and this Tottenham side, on their day, can be as good an attacking unit as any of their peers.

Cooper’s side will have to be alert on the counter as Spurs’ defensive shape off the ball was an issue last season and it will be interesting to see how Postecoglou has worked on that over the summer. But that potential weakness should be enough to give Leicester some hope.

(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.

Aug

2024

Preview: Mallorca vs. Real Madrid

Real Madrid start their La Liga title defence away to RCD Mallorca just a few days after Carlo Ancelotti’s team beat Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup.

By Graham Ruthven

Kylian Mbappé scored on his much anticipated competitive debut for Los Blancos with the French forward deployed through the middle in a frontline that also included Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham.

Victory at Son Moix on Sunday would set the tone for what could be another impressive season for Real Madrid after a 2023/24 campaign that saw them ultimately run away with the Spanish title.

Mallorca enter this season on the back of a 15th place finish that saw the Balearic outfit take a step backwards from an impressive top half finish the season before. However, an historic run to the Copa del Rey final made up for regression in La Liga.

Javier Aguirre departed Son Moix at the end of last season and has been replaced by former Osasuna boss Jagoba Arrasate. Besides this, though, there hasn’t been a huge amount of change at Mallorca over the summer.

Last season, Real Madrid notched 87 goals in 38 league games and with Mbappé now part of the frontline there’s a good chance they will be even more dangerous in the attacking third of the pitch this term.

Los Blancos were just as strong at the back, conceding just 26 league goals all season. Their Expected Goals (xG) amounted to less than a goal a-game (35.4), also keeping 21 clean sheets – and this was without Thibaut Courtois who has since returned from a long-term injury.

On the other hand, Mallorca struggled for attacking firepower last season, scoring just 33 goals in 38 games. It should be noted, however, that they underperformed their xG by 7.5 goals. A better season beckons if Los Piratas can take more of their chances.

It’s possible Carlo Ancelotti could rotate his starting lineup having played Atalanta in Warsaw only a few days ago. However, Madrid have a full week between Saturday’s game in Mallorca and their next fixture at home to Real Valladolid. Ancelotti might prefer to build chemistry between Mbappé and his new teammates by running out the same XI.

Madrid won both league matches against Mallorca last season by a scoreline of 1-0 and it’s difficult to envisage the island team changing this trend on Sunday. The Mbappé era has started for last season’s Spanish and European champions and there might not be anyone who can stop them.

(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.

Aug

2024

Preview: Chelsea vs. Manchester City

Brand new Premier League seasons don’t always kick off with a heavyweight clash but when they do, there are two conclusions we can immediately draw…

By Karl Matchett

One is that supporters of the club with a trickier preseason behind them will be grumbling about unfairness or their campaign “really” starting in gameweek two; the second is that hot takes will be rushing out of every conceivable former-players’ orifices come the final whistle on that first weekend.

So let’s get ahead of the curve, and eye up exactly why both of those are angled at Chelsea here.

The first has nothing to do with them at all: It’s because Manchester City are so inherently inevitable, so absolutely immovable…unless as a result of financial doping bans and points deductions, perhaps. But that’s for months from now. Right at the start of 2024/25, the expectation is that Pep Guardiola’s team will once again steamroller all before them, whether that’s this coming weekend at Stamford Bridge or merely in the nine or so months which follow.

As a result, a City win will mean hot takes on where Chelsea are right now, and a City non-win will mean…exactly the same.

Because let’s face it, if City are the league’s example of continuity and consistency – Guardiola now the longest-serving manager in the division – then Chelsea are the exact polar opposite. Since the changes at boardroom level brought Todd Boehly and the gang to west London, dugout alterations have been conducted almost at the same speed introductions could be made.

As for the playing staff, the less said the better. Whether erratic, scattergun or reckless is the adjective of choice, there’s very little cohesion and joined-up planning behind their summer batch of additions at first glance – again. The same was said last year, and proved to be mostly right. A squad list which now contains eight senior goalkeepers – two out on loan, admittedly – does not even reach the outfield contingent before concerns of imbalance and impracticality start to weigh down.

Which of seven attacking midfielders get the nod? Which central midfield partnership is supposed to work? Will Reece James ever be fit for a full season again? So many questions, and that’s before even getting to the (latest) new head coach, with Enzo Maresca not just set for his first competitive Chelsea game against the champions, but his first-ever top-division game as a boss, against the greatest one of the modern generation.

The opening challenge couldn’t be any higher for the Blues, but regardless of the result, they’ll at least know it can only get easier from here on out.

(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.

Aug

2024

Preview: Ipswich Town vs. Liverpool

The start of a new season can have almost unlimited storylines, but few opening weekend match-ups can reach the level of this fixture for things to look forward to, for discovery, for clues as to what lies ahead in 2024/25.

By Karl Matchett

At home, the newly promoted, the coveted manager, the ambitious transfer plan. Ipswich Town might have something of a look of a preservation summer about their work in the market, signing players who clearly have big futures but little top-flight experience, but the hard work of a surprise promotion certainly isn’t going to waste. If the new players click – and if Kalvin Phillips rediscovers his form as a Premier League player after two shocking years – then there’s a chance…particularly if manager Kieran McKenna is as good as several bigger clubs seemed to believe earlier on this summer.

The 38-year-old head coach opting to stay with the Tractor Boys in the face of interest from Chelsea and Manchester United was a massive boost and they look as prepared for what’s coming as any side could be after a surprise double promotion.

And yet their task is one of the toughest, hosting Liverpool, one of the league’s best two sides over the past half-decade. Yet this is no longer the same club we knew, even if the team is so far the same.

Jürgen Klopp is gone, Arne Slot is in. A dugout change is backed up by a hierarchy overhaul, yet no incoming faces on the playing staff means familiarity will be key for the Reds. How high can they go this year? Is third again acceptable, or is a quick title challenge on the agenda for the new Dutch head coach? Pre-season has been positive, but so much is unknown in terms of how quickly the squad will adapt to his changes, and how fast he himself can adapt to the English top flight.

There’s no questioning the strength in depth Liverpool have in several areas, but the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all into the final year of their contracts with no extension agreements yet in sight. Perhaps not on the opening day, but as the campaign rolls along, that might surely become a factor.

Of more importance to this 90 minutes is how prepared some of those senior stars are after long summers at Euro 2024 and the Copa America. Liverpool have the technical ability to win the game, but Ipswich – as always with a team’s first game back in the big time – will have the energy, optimism and fearlessness to cause an upset.

(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.

Aug

2024

Preview: Genoa vs. Inter

The reigning champions of Serie A, Inter Milan, get their title defence up and running at Genoa on Saturday evening as they look to claim successive titles for the first time since a run of five between 2005 and 2010.

By Nathan Evans

For Simeone Inzaghi’s side, it’s been an interesting summer, one of adding a few extra players to the mix in order to round out what is arguably still the best squad in the league. The stand-out permanent additions are central midfield Davide Frattesi, who returns to the club after making 42 appearances while on loan across all competitions last term, and left sided player Carlos Augusto who arrives from Monza for a fee of around €13 million.

But some depth has been lost at the same time and with it, plenty of experience. The most significant departure coming in the form of Alexis Sánchez who has returned to boyhood Italian club Udinese on a free transfer after making 142 appearances for Nerazzurri across two spells with the club.

That shouldn’t prove too detrimental for Inter though, both overall this campaign and in this opening matchday clash with Genoa, with whom they currently hold a ten-match unbeaten run against in Serie A. With eight of those results coming as victories and with the side from Northern Lombardy winning each of their last five matchday one outings in Italy’s top-flight, the stage is set for them to make the perfect start to their title defence.

Genoa will have something to say about that however, and on home soil they’ll pose plenty of different threats for the Inter defence to deal with, especially as they won each of their last three home outings to end last season. The hosts eventually finished in 11^th spot during the 2023/24 campaign overall and it must be said that the club’s board have reacted to that in a positive manner, as they look to push towards the European spots this time around.

Vitinha has joined from Marseille for a hefty fee for a club of this size and he should pack a punch upfront for Alberto Gilardino’s outfit, whilst the acquisitions of Morten Thorsby and Koni De Winter bring some much-needed extra quality into the fray down the spine of the team.

They’ll need to be at their very best to claim any form of positive result in this opening outing of the new Serie A season, but visiting Inter shouldn’t be expecting a walk in the park, by any stretch of the imagination.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Aug

2024

Preview: Barcelona start the new campaign at Valencia

Two of Spain’s most famous football teams clash on matchday one of the all-new 2024/25 La Liga season, as Valencia welcome Barcelona to the Mestalla on Saturday evening.

By Nathan Evans

In truth, both of these sides will be hoping for much better this season as a new dawn beckons in Spain’s top-flight.

Valencia eventually finished in ninth spot last campaign though their supporters still remain at loggerheads with owner Peter Lim and for obvious reason. Under his stewardship of the club, Los Ches have stagnated and even despite the fact that up until pretty late into the campaign in 2023/24 the former Champions League regulars looked likely for a return to European competition, his time in charge has been extremely disappointing to say the least.

This summer, midfielder Yunus Musah has departed for Italian giants AC Milan for big money and thus far, the club’s business in terms of incoming talent remains relatively sparse for a side harbouring ambitions of finishing in the top seven. Pepelu has arrived as his direct replacement from Levante but again, Lim’s overall direction in the transfer market, to this point, has fallen well short of where a side like Valencia should be operating.

That’s something that Barcelona’s board have struggled with in recent times as well, the ability to operate in the transfer market to the level that they should be and in accordance with their club’s proud history.

As such, the 27-time Spanish champions are still in the midst of huge financial struggles and even though Dani Olmo has joined for a sizeable fee from RB Leipzig in recent weeks, the club’s inability to register him instantly once again left them open for ridicule from opposing fans.

Thankfully for Barca supporters, that potential disaster has now been averted and one of Spain’s stars during their Euro 2024 title win should be ready to start for them here at the Mestalla. He’ll also prove to be a vital cog throughout the season as they chase down rivals Real Madrid who finished on top last season and clear of the Catalan club by a whopping ten points.

That push for the top could prove incredibly difficult with Kylian Mbappé arriving in the capital, and although Barcelona should prove to be too strong for Valencia in this season opening fixture, new boss Hansi Flick could really struggle throughout the course of this campaign to get the better of Carlo Ancelotti at Real.

(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.

Aug

2024

Preview: Arsenal vs. Wolves

Arsenal seem to go from strength to strength. Sure enough, missing out on the Premier League title at the end of last season was a huge disappointment, but the energy harnessed by that experience, Mikel Arteta has already said, is to be used to take them that extra final step, this time around.

By Ian King

If they are to do so, of course, they absolutely have to win matches like this. The bar for winning the league is sufficiently high to preclude dropping points in matches like these as a viable option for title winners.

Summer transfer market activity was brisk but effective. The big new signing, Riccardo Calafiori, will only further strengthen a defence stingy enough to have only conceded 29 league goals all season, last time around. In the other direction, Emile Smith Rowe never quite worked out in the way that it was evident all sides of that equation really wanted it to. Fulham does feel like a good fit for him.

Even their pre-season seemed more serene than some of their contemporaries. They lost a penalty shootout at the end of a match against Manchester United that they’d already won (no, me either) and lost narrowly to Liverpool, but otherwise there were encouraging performances in wins against both Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon. They seem in good condition.

Of all the twenty teams starting the 2024/25 season, none have a run that they need to end more than Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves picked up just five points from their last ten games of last season, and with their next five matches including games against Chelsea, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Liverpool, they have an extremely tough start.

This time last year, Wolves had just lost Jolen Lopetegui at the end of a summer during which they’d lost two really key players. Last year it was Rúben Neves and Matheus Nunes. This year it’s been Pedro Neto and captain Max Kilman.

Transfer activity, meanwhile, has been fairly modest with just £25m having been spent on Tommy Doyle of Manchester City and two spins of Jorge Mendes’ Random Portuguese Name Generator; Pedro Lima from Sport Recife and Rodrigo Gomes from Braga.

The last time Arsenal kicked off the new season at home at 3.00 on a Saturday afternoon, they were beaten 3-1 at home by Aston Villa in 2013. It’s the hope that will be keeping Wolves alive, as they head into a difficult start to the season.

(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.

Aug

2024

Preview: Manchester United take on Fulham at Old Trafford

The 2024/2024 Premier League season gets underway this weekend with the curtain-raiser being a Friday night clash between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford.

By Matt Smith

Erik ten Hag’s new-look side take on Marco Silva’s João Palhinha-less XI in what is undoubtedly a highly anticipated match-up.

United endured a difficult 2023/2024 campaign, particularly in the Premier League, suffering their worst-ever finish since the competition began. Plenty of speculation surrounded manager Ten Hag, but the Dutchman kept his job after sealing the FA Cup trophy.

After announcing Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt earlier this week and Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee earlier in the window, United’s starting XI might look slightly different this weekend, with the Red Devils strengthening heavily in multiple areas and young stars coming through the ranks.

This season could see the emergence of Amad Diallo. The young winger was given minimal opportunities to impress in the senior squad last campaign, but with Antony failing to stamp his authority, we could see Diallo grab his chance with both hands if he’s given a role in the starting XI on Friday.

*Possible Man United Starting XI, made with the new FotMob lineup builder, make your own – here*

In the corresponding fixture last term, Fulham ran out 2-1 winners at Old Trafford, so the Manchester outfit will be seeking revenge in front of their home crowd.

Fulham are preparing for the new campaign without two of their key stars last season, Tosin Adarabioyo and João Palhinha, who left Craven Cottage to join Chelsea and Bayern Munich respectively. Jorge Cuenca has come in from Villarreal to replace Tosin, while Emile Smith Rowe has arrived from Arsenal as an option in midfield.

Ten Hag will be worried about the threat of Rodrigo Muniz in attack for Fulham, especially if he can continue his goalscoring exploits that he produced towards the end of the 2023/2024 season. The Brazilian ended the campaign with nine goals from 18 Premier League starts, showing what he’s capable of when given the opportunity.

*Muniz shot map, Premier League 2023/24*

It will be interesting to see how Silva’s side deal without the duel-winning monster Palhinha in the middle of the park. Although Smith Rowe has come in as another body in midfield, he’s a different profile to Palhinha, with the former Arsenal man being more of an attacking threat while his successor often sits and protects the back four.

We’re set for an intriguing encounter as United’s new signings bed in and Fulham continue to build under Silva in the Premier League.

(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.

Aug

2024

Preview: Madrid meet Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup

History is on the line for Real Madrid and Atalanta as last season’s Champions League and Europa League winners face other in Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup in Warsaw.

By Graham Ruthven

Los Blancos can become the first team to win six Super Cups while their Serie A opponents are aiming to get their hands on the trophy for the first time just two months after glory in the Europa League final.

Kylian Mbappé could make his competitive debut for Real Madrid with Endrick another summer signing in line to feature for his new team. Wednesday’s match will offer the first real indication of how Carlo Ancelotti plans on squeezing so much attacking talent into his lineup. Many eyes will be on Mbappé’s position and role in the team.

*Possible dream Madrid XI, made with the new FotMob lineup builder – make your own here!*

Vinícius Júnior has earned a reputation as a big game player, contributing 10 goal involvements in the 10 finals he has played for Real Madrid and so the Super Cup meeting with Atalanta could be ripe for the Brazilian to make his mark again.

Atalanta will pose an attacking threat of their own. Ademola Lookman will surely feature after scoring a hat trick in the Europa League final triumph over Bayer Leverkusen while Mateo Retegui, signed from Genoa in the summer transfer window, has added to Gian Piero Gasperini’s options up front.

Gianluca Scamacca will miss Wednesday’s match in Warsaw after being sidelined with an ACL tear last week. The Italian international’s absence opens the door for Retegui to start with Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere – signed permanently from AC Milan this summer – expected to provide support.

Gasperini’s high-energy, high-intensity approach proved too much for Sporting CP, Liverpool, Marseille and Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League last season and it’s possible Atalanta could unsettle Real Madrid too, in a similar way.

On talent, though, last season’s Champions League winners are firm favourites to add another trophy to their collection in Poland, although the number of Real Madrid players not long back from Euro 2024 and Copa America duty will give Ancelotti a number of lineup decisions to make.

The outcome of Wednesday’s match could set the tone for both Real Madrid and Atalanta as the 2024/25 season gets under way. While the former have made moves to further firm up their standing as Spanish – and European – football’s dominant force, the latter continue to fight above their weight. Wednesday’s Super Cup will see punches thrown by both sides.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow the Super Cup live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Aug

2024

Preview: City and United meet in the Community Shield

After a summer full of international football, the 2024/25 season is already set to get underway in England. As is tradition, the Community Shield will start proceedings by pitting Premier League winners Manchester City against FA Cup holders Manchester United.

By Neel Shelat

New Names, Same Issues For United?

Despite their FA Cup triumph, Manchester United had a big decision to make in the summer regarding head coach Erik ten Hag. An eighth-placed finish in the league and some of the worst underlying defensive numbers not just in England but across Europe’s top five leagues were big causes for concern, but the new management brought in by INEOS’ takeover decided to stick with the Dutchman and bring him reinforcements in the transfer window.

The signing of Leny Yoro as well as the various other names they have been linked to suggest that United are attempting a defensive renovation, but their performances and results in recent friendlies have seemingly reinforced the idea that the problems go beyond personnel and down to a tactical level.

The injury issues that plagued the Red Devils last season have not gone away either, as Yoro had to undergo surgery very soon after joining, Rasmus Højlund and Tyrell Malacia are out for the foreseeable future, while Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelöf are both doubtful for this match.

*Manchester Derby results, 2023/24 season*

Stability Promises Success For City

On the other side of Manchester, City have enjoyed an incredibly peaceful window. The only signing they have made has been Sávio from sister club Troyes, so their expenditure this summer is by far the lowest since the Abu Dhabi-led takeover. They are yet to announce any major departures either, although that may soon change with Julián Álvarez reportedly set to join Atlético Madrid. Even then, their squad will be almost identical to the one that won the Premier League last season.

The most important transfer news for City this season will be about Pep Guardiola’s contract, which expires next summer. Regardless of whether or not he stays further, they look primed for success in 2024/25 at least.

Can Ortega Stake A Claim To A Starting Spot?

There was a good deal of speculation around Ederson and a potential move to Saudi Arabia this summer, but it looks like he will be staying for now. The Brazilian goalkeeper’s fitness is a doubt for this game, so Stefan Ortega might get a chance to continue making his case to become City’s number one. He might not have the same long passing range, but he is about as comfortable with the ball at his feet and potentially a more composed shot-stopper.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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