The Premier League is back, not that it ever really ends. Excitement and anxiety rise in equal measure as the World Champions host the FA Cup and Community Shield winners at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Palace fans are in dreamland having won two trophies in their previous two competitive games, it’s just a shame things off the pitch have been a little more frustrating, to say the very least.
For Chelsea, a 3-0 win over PSG in the Club World Cup final, and subsequent pre-season wins over Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan have given the Stamford Bridge faithful something they haven’t felt sine Todd Boehly an co. took over…hope.
Chelsea’s first Club World Cup casualty
It remains to be seen what kind of effect Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign will have in the playing squad and it’s impossible to say whether Levi Colwill’s ACL injury had anything to do with it but he’s unlikely to feature much, or at all in 2025-26, ruled out before the season even started.
Colwill’s injury comes at the worst possible time, at 22-years-old, he was starting to look the centre-back Chelsea needed, even scoring the winner against Nottingham Forest to secure the club’s top four finish.
Thankfully for Chelsea, their never-ending thirst for new players means they have plenty of options to replace him, with Enzo Maresca confirming that Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana are both fit to play.
A welcome boost…for now
Few would have predicted that Marc Guéhi and Eberechi Eze would still be Palace players by mid-August, likely including the owners, who have so far splurged just £2 million on a single new signing, Borna Sosa from Ajax. Notably, Palace started the exact same XI in the FA Cup Final and last weekend’s Community Shield win over Liverpool.
The Holmesdale Fanatics won’t be too fussed though, Guéhi and Eze are two of the league’s best players, keeping that at the club, even if it’s just for one more season, would be a huge boost as they seek more silverware.
We will see if they’re still knocking about come September, with Tottenham said to be so close to finalising a move for Eze that the creative mainstay of Palace’s side will not feature in this game, and Liverpool keen on adding Guéhi to their £300 million summer super team.
Cucurella is key
It feels like everything good that Chelsea have done over the past six months, the fluffy haired left-back has been at the centre of it. Maresca has given in a new position, a sort of ‘roaming full-back’ (coined by The Athletic’s JJ Bull).
While doing all the normal things a more traditional full-back would do, defending the flanks, bombing up and down the pitch, he also has the freedom to invert and contribute to attacking build up, often ending up as an extra man in the final third.
If Chelsea want to get their hands on that Premier League title come the end of the season, Cucurella may well be the man that takes them there. For now, Palace have been tasked with a job few have managed, keeping him quiet.
Prediction
Palace under Oliver Glasner have been an entirely different kettle of fish, well organised and compact at the back while the likes of Eze have had the freedom to impact the game further up the field.
Chelsea won’t have it easy, but considering they’ve essentially played all summer, they won’t have the same rust in their joints that Palace might. We think the home side will win this one 2-1.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Inter Miami welcome LA Galaxy to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday night where all eyes will once again be on whether Lionel Messi makes an appearance following an injury he picked up earlier in the month.
LA Galaxy were the original MLS Galacticos, and their signing of David Beckham back in 2007 included a clause that gave the Englishman the option to buy an MLS franchise further down the line at a heavily discounted expansion fee.
That expansion franchise became Inter Miami, who have taken LA Galaxy’s status as the Galacticos of MLS. It means that even without Messi, there are numerous players to watch out for in this Inter Miami side, but could the Galaxy cause an upset?
Will Messi be back?
Photos from Inter Miami’s training sessions this week indicate that Messi is back on the field. They provided hope that he could be in line for some involvement in this weekend’s game.
The extent of his recovery from a hamstring injury suffered in the Leagues Cup match against Necaxa at the start of the month remains unclear, but the images of him back on the pitch indicate he could have some involvement in Saturday night’s game.
Coming back too early from such injuries runs the risk of a reoccurrence, though, and with a hamstring strain, it’s often wise to give an extra week to avoid possible further damage and an even longer layoff as a result.
That said, if Messi himself indicates that he is available, Inter Miami will usually involve him in some way.
No magic in Orlando
The upcoming game against LA Galaxy provides Inter Miami with a chance to redress the balance following a disappointing defeat last weekend.
When Inter Miami lose, they tend to do so heavily, and last week’s 4-1 defeat at fellow Floridians Orlando City was the second time this season they have been on the wrong end of this scoreline, having also lost 4-1 to Minnesota United in May.
They have lost five matches in MLS this season, and as well as those two 4-1 losses, there has been a 3-0 defeat at home to Orlando City and another 3-0 defeat away to FC Cincinnati.
Messi played in both of those games, so he’s not always the answer to their problems, though he did miss the 4-3 loss to FC Dallas in April as well as the most recent of the Orlando games.
There was also the 5-1 aggregate defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps in the Concacaf Champions Cup, which further highlighted the team’s defensive weaknesses.
On Saturday, however, Inter Miami will be eyeing a chance to score plenty of goals of their own and recover that goal difference against a team that are rooted to the bottom of the MLS table and have conceded the most goals in the league.
Opposition watch: LA Galaxy
Last season’s MLS Cup winners have had one of the worst title defences imaginable.
They went 16 games without a win at the start of the season, and have the worst defence in the league, having shipped 52 goals in 25 games.
There was a slight recovery in July when they won two of their four games, drawing one and losing the other, but a 4-0 defeat to Seattle Sounders last weekend doesn’t bode well for the trip to Inter Miami.
Losing striker Dejan Joveljić in the off-season in order to remain under the salary cap didn’t help, and neither did the departures of Gastón Brugman and Mark Delgado. The long-term injury to Riqui Puig has also hit them hard.
Amid all of this, veteran attacking midfielder Marco Reus is actually having a decent season, while Gabriel Pec and Joseph Painstil remain considerable attacking threats from out wide.
They also managed to progress to the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup, which at least gives them something to play for now that their MLS season is a write-off.
Prediction
Whether Messi plays or not, Inter Miami should have enough to defeat LA Galaxy convincingly.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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Wolves host Manchester City at Molineux in their opening Premier League game of the season, with Rayan Aït-Nouri returning to his former club for the first time since signing for Pep Guardiola’s side during the summer transfer window.
Both teams will be desperate to get off to a strong start after getting plenty of business done this summer, with Wolves having to contend with losing Matheus Cunha and Aït-Nouri, while City are hoping to build a squad capable of beating Liverpool to the Premier League title.
When the two sides last met, during the 2024/2025 season, Man City came out on top. Kevin De Bruyne, who left the club in the summer to join Napoli, scored the only goal of the game for the home side.
Recent H2H results
Team news
Guardiola confirmed to the media on Friday that Joško Gvardiol, Savinho, Mateo Kovačić, and Ederson will all be unavailable for the home side due to injury. Speculation has surrounded the futures of Ederson and Savinho in recent weeks, and they will miss out this weekend.
Man City’s performances last season weren’t too dissimilar to see what we’re so used to seeing from a Guardiola side. The Manchester club enjoyed more possession than any other team in the Premier League, but the difference between them and Liverpool from a creativity standpoint was night and day.
Top xG, Premier League 2024/25
Liverpool created a whopping 83.5 xG compared to City’s 69.2, and being more productive in the final third will be on the agenda for Guardiola. The addition of Rayan Cherki will certainly help with that, and they will be hoping to see Phil Foden have a resurgence of form.
Pereira must sort the leaky defence
Only the three relegated sides conceded more goals than Wolves last season, and it’s an area that Pereira will have no doubt been working on during pre-season. Losing Aït-Nouri and Nelson Semedo from the defence might not help, but it’s a chance for them to start afresh at the back.
Wolves have also lost the creativity and goals of Cunha heading into the new campaign, and they will be hoping the likes of López and Arias can replicate the Brazilian’s contributions.
Cherki to burst on the scene
City fans might be worried about losing the creativity of De Bruyne this season, but Guardiola’s recruitment team acted quickly to replace him. Cherki isn’t an identical player to De Bruyne, but he can certainly bring the creativity they need.
Cherki’s passing stats, Ligue 1 2024/25
The French international can also chip in with goals, and at the age of 21, he’s far from the finished product yet. He’ll no doubt be looking to stamp his authority on the Premier League.
Prediction
It’s difficult to see past a Man City win here. We’re going for a 3-0 victory.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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There’s no place like home, not that Barcelona will get to experience any home comforts for a while. The Spanish champions will start the defence of their LaLiga title with a run of three away games starting with Saturday’s trip to Mallorca.
Barca won’t return to the renovated Camp Nou until September, meaning Hansi Flick’s side face a challenging start to the 2025/26 campaign, not least because Mallorca could be awkward opponents.
The Balearic islanders finished a respectable 10th in the table last season, just four points off European qualification. Mallorca, however, have struggled against Barcelona in recent times. Indeed, they haven’t beaten the Catalans since 2009.
At their best, Barca are a force of nature. Their attack is arguably the strongest in European football right now, scoring 102 goals in 38 league games last term.
However, Flick’s insistence on an exceptionally high defensive line means opponents frequently have opportunities of their own against the Catalans. This is where Mallorca will fancy their chances in front of their own fans.
Key players
Vedat Muriqi can be a handful on his day. The Kosovan striker will lead the line for Mallorca this weekend and could challenge Barcelona’s backline through his physicality and aerial threat.
Lamine Yamal might well be the best player in the world at the age of 18. The teenager is a phenomenon and is Barcelona’s most consistent attacking and creative threat in the final third.
Yamal player traits comparison against similar players in top five leagues
Marcus Rashford could make his debut in LaLiga after a positive pre-season and the resolution of his registration issue. The on-loan Manchester United winger is looking to revive his career at Barcelona and could be in line for a start on Saturday.
Raphinha’s driving runs and sharp shooting made him one of the best attackers in Europe last season and the Brazilian will once again be a danger in both open space and tight areas.
Pedri and Frenkie de Jong could start as a double pivot with Fermín López slightly ahead of the pair while goalkeeper Joan García is also expected to make his competitive bow for Barcelona after joining from Espanyol in the summer.
Team news
Samú Costa is Mallorca’s only injury concern ahead of the season opener against Barcelona. The Portuguese midfielder could still make the squad and will face a late fitness test.
Iñigo Martínez’s surprise move to Al-Nassr has opened up a starting spot in Barcelona’s backline something we discussed – here – during the week. Flick has favoured Ronald Araújo alongside Pau Cubarsí, but not having a left-footer in defence could affect the Catalans’ balance.
Prediction
While a clean sheet can never be guaranteed with Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, you can always expect to see the Catalans create and, most likely, take their chances. We can see Barca taking three points back to the mainland: Mallorca 1-3 Barcelona.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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The Reds head into the season as title favourites for the first time in a long time. Arne Slot’s side coasted to title success last term, finishing 10 points clear despite failing to win a game in May.
Liverpool made just one signing last summer with Federico Chiesa joining from Juventus late on in the window. The Dutch tactician wanted to see what he had at his disposal and has no doubt worked closely with Richard Hughes, the club’s Sporting Director, to address what he considered to be weaknesses.
There’s now an expectation that the Reds retain their title. The fact there could be five new faces in the starting XI won’t be taken into account or considered an acceptable reason if Liverpool fail to challenge for top spot.
How will this group of players handle that pressure?
Defensive worries
Liverpool have looked far from assured during their pre-season friendlies. The champions conceded two goals in games against Milan, Athletic Club and Crystal Palace. The Reds lost the Non-Penalty xG battle against the Eagles on Sunday at Wembley.
The new system leaves them a little exposed. What hasn’t helped matters for Slot is that the team has looked lightweight in that area of the pitch. No replacement has been signed following Jarell Quansah’s sale to Bayer Leverkusen while Joe Gomez was injured early on in the summer.
It has meant the Reds have been using random players there to fill in with Kostas Tsimikas, Andrew Robertson, Ryan Gravenberch and Trey Nyoni all getting minutes at centre-back. In truth, it is the perfect storm for the opposition. Liverpool are trying to strike a balance with their new style while being woefully short at the back, and teams are taking advantage.
All change for Bournemouth
The Cherries have been raided this summer. Kepa’s loan spell from Chelsea was not turned into a permanent deal, Dean Huijsen moved to Real Madrid, Milos Kerkez joined Liverpool and Illia Zabarnyi was snapped up by European champions Paris Saint-Germain. That means four of Andoni Iraola’s first choice back five from last term have departed.
So far, just two new faces have arrived. Djordje Petrovic signed from Chelsea and Adrien Truffert moved from Rennes. Iraola told the media that two centre-backs are needed but it is doubtful they’ll be in situ before the trip to Merseyside: “We are trying to sign centre-backs after we lost Dean [Huijsen] and Zabarnyi. I can’t talk about players that are not ours. We need two new centre-backs. It will be impossible to replace the ones that have left but the best centre-backs we can find, the club is working on it”.
History favours Liverpool
Bournemouth have won just two of their previous 20 clashes with Liverpool. The last draw between the two teams was during the 2016/17 campaign when the Cherries salvaged a point late on at Anfield.
In the 13 games since then, the Reds have claimed 12 wins, scoring 42 goals in the process.
This match-up is about as one-sided as they come. But, losing streaks do have to come to an end at some point.
Score prediction
We’re going to go with a 3-1 win for Liverpool. The Reds haven’t been too robust defensively but have the firepower to blitz Bournemouth at Anfield. Their final third quality should be enough to guarantee all three points in what could be a tricky opening fixture.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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PSG ended up not becoming the Champions of the World during the summer, but they can collect a pre-season consolation against Spurs in the UEFA Super Cup in Udine.
PSG arrive in Italy for the UEFA Super Cup still licking their wounds following their World Club Cup final defeat to Chelsea. But their form against English clubs in last year’s Champions League was something else; they beat Premier League opposition in the group stage and every knockout round of last year’s tournament before their thumping win against Inter in the final. Spurs won just one of their last 12 in the Premier League last season and finished 17th. Winning the Europa League was insufficient to keep Ange Postecoglou in his job.
History favours the Champions League winners
Somewhat surprisingly, these two have never met in a competitive match before. Spurs beat the Parisians 4-2 in a friendly match back in 2017 thanks to goals from Christian Eriksen, Eric Dier, Toby Alderweireld, and Harry Kane, none of whom have now been with the club for several years.
The Champions League winners have won the last six successive Super Cups, so the historical omens aren’t great for Spurs.
Key Players
All Spurs eyes will be on the new new arrivals, Mohammed Kudus and João Palhinha, who arrived over the summer from West Ham United and Bayern Munich respectively. Perhaps the biggest key player for them will be new head coach Thomas Frank, for whom this is a first competitive game in charge of the team.
PSG aren’t the star-studded galacticos of several years ago, and that served them just fine last season. Fabián Ruiz scored two in the first half of their 4-0 shellacking of Real Madrid in the World Club Cup semi-final, and the Spanish international is always a danger, while it’ll be a competitive debut in goal for their new goalkeeper, Lucas Chevalier.
Team News
Chevalier’s arrival in Paris from Lille is the big summer news from PSG, because it does mean the almost certain departure of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who’s probably played his last game for the club. Other than that PSG will look very much the same as they did at the end of last season. Spurs will be missing James Maddison, who’ll probably be out for the season, while Dejan Kulusevski and Radu Drăgușin are both still injured too and Destiny Udogie is a doubt.
Lucas Chevalier’s Ligue 1 save map at Lille last season
Prediction
The ease with which Chelsea brushed PSG aside in the World Club Cup final is the one small glimmer of light that Spurs have ahead of a match from which it’s difficult to see them taking anything.
They may have more transfer business to carry out before the end of August, but there’s little to suggest they’ll be much improved upon last season beyond, “Well, they can’t do any worse”.
PSG proved what we could all see in the Champions League final, that they were the best team in Europe throughout 2024-25 by a distance. They should be comfortable winners here, and a 4-0 win doesn’t seem out of the question.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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There are stars to watch out for on both sides in this Florida derby, even if the MLS main attraction might be missing.
Messi injury status
Inter Miami managed to get the result they needed to remain in the Leagues Cup, defeating Pumas UNAM 3-1 to progress to the knockout rounds which begin later in the month.
Messi remains out for the game against Orlando, but that win against Pumas gives the team encouragement that they can win without their main star.
The addition of De Paul to the ranks helps. He brings the teamwork and experience that Messi himself values so much, and can now rub off on the rest of the team.
Telasco and Tadeo’s time to step up (again)
All season, Telasco Segovia and Tadeo Allende have felt like key players in this Inter Miami team.
It’s OK having several star names, but the key to truly being successful is complementing that individual greatness with a functioning team and players being the big names.
Other parts of the recruitment model for MLS teams should be finding younger players to develop and prime-age players to fit in the middle.
The profile of 22-year-old Segovia makes him the replacement for Diego Gómez, who joined Brighton in January, while at the age of 26, Allende should be at his peak and playing his best football.
Both have contributed this season and are the second-highest scorers at the club, behind Messi on seven goals apiece in MLS.
It is they, alongside the additional guidance from De Paul, who will need to step up in Messi’s absence and match Orlando’s attacking stars.
Opposition watch: Orlando City
Orlando also progressed to the knockout rounds of the Leagues Cup, joining Inter Miami in the quarterfinals alongside Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy from the MLS side of the draw.
Óscar Pareja’s side have been one of the best teams in MLS this season when it comes to creating chances in attack, and are the second-highest scorers in the Eastern Conference with 46 (behind Miami’s 49)
They are second in the league for expected goals with 44.2 and also second for the number of big chances created, with 78, behind the San Jose Earthquakes on both counts.
Orlando have also missed the most big chances in the league with 54, which suggests they have even more goals in them than the 46 they have scored.
Martín Ojeda has been the standout player for Orlando this season and is one to look out for. He has been ably supported by Marco Pašalić and experienced Colombian forward Luis Muriel.
Prediction
Orlando City’s attack will be too much for Inter Miami’s defence, but it has the potential to be yet another high-scoring game.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
You can follow every Inter Miami game live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.
After a landmark 2024/25 campaign for Crystal Palace and Liverpool, Sunday’s Community Shield is an opportunity for both teams to make an early statement.
For Liverpool, the sight of Arne Slot and his players lifting another piece of silverware could hint at another dominant season to come. The Reds strolled to the Premier League title term and have made a number of blockbuster additions over the summer to, in theory, grow even stronger.
Crystal Palace’s summer has been challenging with the Selhurst Park club demoted to the Conference League. The Eagles have also struggled to recruit in the way that was surely hoped for with Borna Sosa the only notable addition.
Liverpool are firm favourites to win at Wembley on Sunday, but Palace have demonstrated their capacity for upsetting the odds against an elite opponent at the national stadium once before.
The last five meetings between these two
Key players
Palace’s defence won them the FA Cup final against Manchester City last season and the likes of Dean Henderson, Marc Guéhi, Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards must find top form to keep Liverpool at arm’s length on Sunday.
Eberechi Eze has been the subject of speculation linking him with Arsenal this summer, but is expected to start for Palace. His dribbling and creativity will be a threat to the Liverpool backline with Jean-Philippe Mateta’s physicality another danger.
Mohamed Salah netted an incredible 29 league goals for Liverpool last season and after penning a new two-year deal to stay at Anfield the Egyptian winger remains the Reds’ greatest threat in the final third.
Premier League top scorers, 2024/25
Florian Wirtz has been signed to play as Liverpool’s new number 10. The German could operate in behind another summer signing, Hugo Ekitike. The young Frenchman is quick, skilful and will give Liverpool a different dimension in and around the box.
Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucouré are long-term absentees for Crystal Palace while Eddie Nketiah will be missing for up to six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in a pre-season match.
Matheus Franca is also an injury doubt. Otherwise, Oliver Glasner has a fully fit and available squad to choose from.
Van Dijk, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez will all be assessed before the match for various reasons, but stand a good chance of being cleared to feature. Liverpool’s injury list is generally clear ahead of the start of the season.
Slot faces a number of selection decisions across the pitch. Should Giorgi Mamardashvili start over Alisson Becker having impressed in pre-season? Is Kerkez a better bet at left back than Andy Robertson?
Where does Wirtz fit into the midfield and which deep-lying player should be sacrificed? How will Ekitike be deployed in the attack? These are things Slot will have to consider.
Prediction
Glasner’s team know how to defend and Liverpool may take some time to bed in their shiny new signings but the Reds should have enough attacking options to make the difference: Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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There’s something ‘real’ about football in the Championship. The passion, the huge crowds, and all that rich history, but without the lick and polish that comes with the Premier League. Instead, the edges are frayed. Scratch the surface and finances are precarious. But even when clubs turn up with their own documentary crews, there is nothing ‘reality tv’ about life in the second tier.
Premier League’s relegated three
The gap to the Premier League can be a chasm, and logic dictates that the three who went down will bounce back up.
Southampton have 32-year-old Will Still (pictured) now at the helm. From playing Football Manager as a teenager to becoming the youngest boss across Europe’s top five leagues when he took over at Reims, it’s been a hell of a ride. An immediate 17-game unbeaten run elevated his profile whilst he still completed his coaching badges, and his reputation has only grown from his last role at Lens. The Belgian-born Englishman arrives as an ‘unknown’ having never managed in England. But we said the same about Régis Le Bris who’s busy preparing Sunderland for the Premier League.
Will Still’s career win percentages
On the pitch Southampton were abysmal last season. Still has to turn around a group that are used to losing. Again they start the season with goalkeeping issues with Aaron Ramsdale joining Newcastle and Gavin Bazunu returning from serious injury. Cashing in on Tyler Dibling seems inevitable but keeping Shea Charles in the middle will be vital.
Leicester have the core attackers that helped them win the league under Enzo Maresca two seasons ago. Abdul Fatawu’s class is undiminished, as shown with his wonderful friendly goal against Fiorentina. With Bilal El Khannouss and Stephy Mavididi, that’s an attacking trio that can tear any side in this division apart. Martí Cifuentes has put down his trowel to take over at Leicester. After saving and stabilising QPR, his time at the club ended with gardening leave. However, a points deduction for alleged EFL rule breaches does hang over the club. Leicester supporters continue to be unhappy with what they see as an apathetic approach from the owners and the appointment and bungled dismissal of Ruud van Nistelrooy shows that, off the pitch at least, they’re lacking direction and clear strategy.
Kieran McKenna remains at Ipswich and they are the best placed of last season’s relegated sides. They’ve lost big Liam Delap but tied down the even bigger George Hirst. Having spent over £130m last campaign, they made a poor fist of their Premier League foray but given that was after incredible back-to-back promotions from League One, they are in a stronger position now than two years ago. Azor Matusiwa has been their main transfer outlay. Being in the 95th percentile with his duels won last season in Ligue 1 with Rennes shows you that they’ve got a combative player ready to fill the boots of the departed Samy Morsy.
Azor Matusiwa’s defensive numbers in Ligue 1, 2024/25
Coventry to climb?
I’m backing Coventry City. Under Frank Lampard they were superb last season and they have kept the team together. Kaine Kesler-Hayden excelled in a very poor Preston side and arrives from Aston Villa. He can countenance the departure of Milan van Ewijk, if that happens.
Jack Rudoni has become the ‘manager’s son’ as one of Lampard’s favourite pupils but his performances at the back end of the season were stellar. His return of 12 assists and 9 goals, including dislocating his shoulder to score against Oxford, shows the 24-year-old can be counted upon. The players have a chastening play-off semi-final exit to Sheffield United to spur them on this campaign.
As for the Blades, Rubén Sellés is now in charge after Sheffield United’s play-off final heartbreak. I think it will take time for the players to adapt to his methods after working under Chris Wilder for so long though. The Spaniard was ditched by Hull City after less than six months on Humberside, despite previously working wonders at besieged Reading.
Goalkeeper Michael Cooper is the best in the division – his save map alone can show you that.
Michael Cooper save map, Championship 2024/25
The mercurial Louie Barry arrives on loan from Aston Villa. Injury ended his spell with Sellés at Hull but his outstanding efforts at Stockport County left him as one of League One’s players of the season, despite leaving in January.
For Birmingham, the further Tom Brady is away from the dugout, the better. Talented head coach Chris Davies can do his own motivational seminars and the ownership group have continued to back him. I’m looking forward to seeing Kyogo Furihashi in the flesh. Celtic’s key man left for Rennes mid-season before a management-change saw him frozen out and thoroughly miserable. Now the Japan international can link up with compatriots Tomoki Iwata and new boy Kanya Fujimoto and get his chance to shine. Added to that, Tommy Doyle impressed at Wolves and arrives on loan, as does goalkeeper James Beadle from Brighton, fresh from winning the U21 Euros with England. The bookmakers are backing the Blues to go up again, even if the Opta super computer is not – read those always interesting data-backed predictions here.
Relegation a foregone conclusion for Wednesday?
Sheffield Wednesday are in a mess. Staff and players are being paid late, and half the squad has left. Their 9,000 capacity North Stand has been shut down by the local council for being unsafe. Owner Dejphon Chanshiri has seemingly pulled the financial plug and is prevaricating on any potential sale. Danny Röhl has called time and been replaced by his assistant Henrik Pedersen. Only captain Barry Bannan, at the behest of his distraught daughter, has committed to the club. The spectre of one of our great football institutions going to the wall looms large.
Hull City have another new boss in Sergej Jakirović, but it is owner Acun Ilıcalı who has caused the biggest issues for the Tigers. Thanks to a late loan payment for Louie Barry, they’re under an embargo and unable to pay for any players. Surviving on goal difference after finishing seventh the season before, the broadcaster and entrepreneur touted as Türkiye’s Simon Cowell isn’t getting a ‘yes’ from me.
Oxford United will be mentioned in relegation conversations as a club with one of the smallest budgets in the division, but Gary Rowett will keep them solid. I predicted Preston for the drop last season and their biggest refresh has been bringing in social media stars and lifelong fans ‘Spud Bros’ as their sponsors. Having met them over the summer and asked them ‘what makes a good potato’ live on TV, there is a buzz and some much-needed positivity at PNE. I think that third spot will be a club that will find itself in a fight almost by accident, Preston will be hoping it isn’t them again this season.
Watford could do anything. Norwich with local lad Liam Manning are a wildcard, Ryan Mason has his chance at West Brom and Nathan Jones at least has his Charlton players singing from his hymn book.
There’s no Tunnel Club, the paint is peeling and if you have a pie that’s cooked all the way through then you’re onto a winner, but on the pitch there’s plenty to look forward to from the Championship this season.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Inter Miami go into their final game of the Leagues Cup group stage, against Pumas UNAM, still in with a chance of qualifying for the tournament’s knockout stages.
Lionel Messi is currently an injury doubt and is being assessed on a game-by-game basis, leaving some doubts as to whether Javier Mascherano’s side can get the win they need to progress.
Messi injury update
Inter Miami confirmed that Messi picked up a “minor muscle injury” in the game against Necaxa, which saw him subbed off with just over ten minutes played.
“Yes, I spoke to him. The club issued a statement, and it’s [only] a slight injury, so within the bad news, it’s good news,” said Mascherano.
“We don’t like to estimate a return, especially in Leo’s case. He usually recovers very well from injuries and normally does so quickly.
“Clearly, for tomorrow, he is unavailable, but then we will see how he feels and how he progresses.”
Messi’s injury status can potentially have a big effect on ticket sales in the Leagues Cup and MLS, so the club will not want to rule him out for more than one game at a time, but he will definitely miss this game against Pumas.
Messi has missed four MLS games this season and his club have won two, drawn one, and lost one of those.
Opposition watch: Pumas UNAM
Pumas’ star goalkeeper Keylor Navas is suspended, having been sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity in the 95th minute against Atlanta United in the previous game.
The status of both players leaves the game without the eagerly anticipated face-off between Messi and Navas.
Pumas still won that game 3-2 and won their opener on penalties against Orlando City, leaving them in a similar position to Inter Miami, and still in with a chance of qualifying from the Liga MX side of the league phase.
The Liga MX outfit will still be able to call upon former Houston Dynamo midfielder and Panama international star Adalberto Carrasquilla.
The midfielder has scored three goals in the two matches Pumas have played in this tournament so far, including the all-important late winner against Atlanta, while striker Guillermo Martínez will be looking to get off the mark in this key matchup.
Inter Miami can still qualify
So far in this tournament, Inter Miami have one win on penalties and another in regular time. Penalty wins accrue two points, leaving them on five points with a game to play.
This means that Inter Miami will qualify for the next round with a win in regular time, but if the game goes to penalties, regardless of the outcome of the shootout, other MLS teams will have a good chance of getting in ahead of them.
With Pumas being in an almost identical situation, this game is a must-win for both, and Inter Miami will need to get the job done against Mexican opposition without Messi, which they were unable to do in the last game.
Current top six in the MLS group: after three rounds the top four progress to the knockout stages
Prediction
It will be a competitive game with both teams looking to win and progress, and could result in a narrow defeat for a Messi-less Miami despite home advantage.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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