Preview

May

2025

Preview: Chelsea are in Stockholm for Conference League semi against Djurgarden

We’ve reached the business end of the Europa Conference League campaign, and, as everyone predicted, Chelsea are right there. This time, Enzo Maresca’s side make the trip to Sweden to face Djurgården.

By Alex Roberts

The Swedish side have somewhat overachieved on the continent but that doesn’t mean they haven’t earned the right to be where they are. Wins against more established sides such as Panathinaikos, Legia Warsaw, and Rapid Wien in the quarters have made them a dark horse.

Chelsea are a different beast all together, however. There is roughly £1.3 billion difference between the two sides in terms of squad value, and in this game, money certainly talks.

Cobham have done it again

Tyrique George is the latest Chelsea academy star making a name for himself. Unlike 95% of those that came before him, he’s done it without going on loan first. The youngster has grasped his opportunity and ran with it.

The equaliser against Fulham earlier this month was the moment that put his name on the lips of Chelsea fans across the globe, but in the very next game against Everton, he was only given a few minutes by under-pressure boss Maresca.

He’s got two goals and four assists in just 846 minutes across all competitions so far this season. This is exactly the kind of game that would give George the opportunity to carry on his momentum and fight for a regular place.

The Swedes have problems in front of goal

For those that don’t know, the Allsvenskan, Sweden’s top division, is topsy turvy. It turns out playing football in the country’s harsh winters is ill advised, who’d have thought it, so they play through the summer instead.

Djurgården’s domestic season has only just begun, but they’re struggling. Sitting down in 11^th with seven points, they’ve remarkably only scored one goal in their five games, and that came from right-back Adam Stahl.

None of their current crop of forwards have a history of being prolific and coming up against the fourth best defence in the Premier League may just be a bridge too far.

“Play a right-back Enzo”

The Italian coach has come under considerable fire for multiple reasons in recent months, with one of the most confusing being what he is currently doing with the right-back position. Central midfielder Moisés Caicedo was given the nod over Reece James in the 1-0 win over Everton.

At his best, James is one of Chelsea’s most potent attacking threats. That has been nullified by Maresca’s insistence that he inverts into midfield or plays him as a CM from the start.

It’s also impacted Cole Palmer’s form. The playmaker likes to play on the right and drift into the number ten role, without someone overlapping he’s unable to draw out opposition defenders and get into positions that would allow him to score or assist. All this micromanaging has gone too far. Play a right-back Enzo.

Prediction

This may sound a little harsh but we simply can’t see Djurgården getting anything from this one. We’re going to go with a comfortable 3-0 win for Chelsea here.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Europa Conference League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings, and a new super-intuitive knockout stage bracket. Download the free app here.

May

2025

Preview: Arctic adventurers Bodø/Glimt head to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium

Spurs’ season has become car crash, but can they continue their attempts to rescue something from it in the Europa League against Bodø/Glimt?

By Ian King

Form

Are we talking about Europe or domestically, here? Because Spurs have been the Jekyll and Hyde of the Premier League recently, losing their last three in a row while conceding eleven goals, but also putting in two of their most accomplished performances of the season in their quarter-final win against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bodø/Glimt run to a different schedule. Because Norway has a summer league they’ve only just started their domestic season. The two-time defending Eliteserien champions are currently second with three wins and a draw from their opening four matches.

History makers

This is the first time that a Norwegian club has ever reached the semi-finals of a European competition, but Bodø/Glimt’s record against English clubs is pretty bad. They played Arsenal in 2022/23 and lost twice, and played Manchester United in the League Phase of this year’s tournament, losing 3-2 at Old Trafford.

Spurs have a 100% record against Norwegian clubs in Europe. In 1972/73 they beat Lyn 12-3 on aggregate, and they beat Tromsø 3-0 and 2-0 in the group stage of the 2013/14 Europa League.

Key Players

High points have been thin on the ground for Spurs this season, but the form of Dejan Kulusevski remains among them. He remains one of the keys to unlocking any opposing defence and has eight goals and six assists in all competitions this season. Glimt’s main goal threat is striker Kasper Høgh, who’s the joint-top goalscorer in this competition with seven and has started their League season with four in four appearances.

Team News

Spurs made eight changes for their shellacking at Anfield on Sunday, and most will be returning. Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero should return to central defence, replacing Ben Davies and Kevin Danso, while Rodrigo Bentancur will return to midfield. But Heung-min Son remains doubtful after having missed the last four matches and will sit this one out, with a return in the second leg looking more likely. They will be without Radu Drăgușin, while Antonin Kinsky and Timo Werner are not registered for the knockout stages of this competition.

Bodø/Glimt have Andreas Helmersen, captain Patrick Berg and Håkon Evjen suspended, while defender Odin Bjørtuft and winger Ole Blomberg were injured last weekend and may be missing.

Prediction

The result of this match will come down to whether Spurs bring their European or Premier League form into it. If they play as they have in recent League matches, then a surprise could be on the cards, but if they can replicate what they achieved in Frankfurt a couple of weeks ago a win should be expected. Bodø/Glimt have had an outstanding run to get this far in this competition and have it in them to keep themselves in the tie for the return match. 2-1 Spurs, so all to play for in the second leg.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Europa League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings, and a new super-intuitive knockout stage bracket. Download the free app here.

May

2025

Preview: Athletic Club welcome Manchester United to the Basque Country

Athletic Club are targeting a Europa League final in their own stadium while Manchester United are looking to salvage their season.

By Graham Ruthven

Home comforts

If all goes to plan for Athletic Club, they will have one more home match in this season’s Europa League. With the final at San Mamés, the Basque outfit are determined to win a continental trophy for the first time in their 126-year history.

Ernesto Valverde’s side have won all six of their Europa League matches at home this season, overcoming AZ Alkmaar, Sparta Prague, Elfsborg, Viktoria Plzeň, Roma and Rangers on their way to the final four.

Manchester United more than earned their place in the Europa League semi-finals by staging a remarkable comeback against Lyon in the last round, scoring three goals in the final seven minutes of extra time.

With the Old Trafford club suffering their worst-ever Premier League campaign, Ruben Amorim and his players have pinned everything on winning the Europa League. This is their only route to redemption.

Key players

Nico Williams has peaked at the right time of the season, scoring in each of his last two starting appearances for Athletic Club including in the Europa League quarter-final win over Rangers.

Iñaki Williams will also pose a threat with the two brothers expected to line up on either side of the Athletic Club forward line. They could expose the space in behind the Manchester United backline.

Oihan Sancet has been exceptional for the Basques this season, scoring 17 goals in all competitions, but the attacking midfielder will be sidelined for the first leg through injury. Unai Gómez is in line to start in his place.

Bruno Fernandes will be the player Manchester United look to for some magic on Thursday night. For all that the Reds Devils have floundered badly this season, the Portuguese remains a reliable difference-maker, scoring 17 goals in all competitions.

Rasmus Højlund will lead the line for the visitors to San Mamés and might have more confidence after scoring a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Bournemouth. The Dane needs to show greater cutting edge on a more consistent basis.

Luke Shaw could be in line to feature after starting his first game of the season at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday with Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire likely to make up the rest of the back three.

Meanwhile, there will be a spotlight on André Onana after the Cameroonian goalkeeper’s mistakes against Lyon. Manchester United need him to be stronger in the semi-final.

Team news

Sancet is sidelined for Athletic Club, leaving a sizeable hope in the number 10 position. Besides the 25-year-old, however, Valverde has a fully fit and available squad.

Manchester United, on the other hand, have a long injury list. Indeed, Amorim will be without as many as five starting players with Lisandro Martínez, Amad Diallo, Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot and Ayden Heaven missing.

Matthijs de Ligt is also an injury doubt for the trip to the Basque Country while Chido Obi will play no part in the match.

Prediction

Form and that famous football notion of romance dictates a home win for Athletic Club to continue their fairytale run to the final. But with United’s season depending on this two legged tie, perhaps tonight’s result with leave things open for next week’s return game at Old Trafford: Athletic Club 2-1 Manchester United.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Apr

2025

Preview: Crunch time for Barcelona and Inter in Champions League semifinals

Barcelona host Inter Milan with a place in the Champions League final at stake just like it was in 2010 when José Mourinho enjoyed his moment.

By Graham Ruthven

Champions League heritage

In the pantheon of great Champions League moments, Barcelona and Inter Milan produced one that lives long in the memory. Certainly in the memory of José Mourinho whose greatest night arguably came when the two sides met in the competition’s semi-finals.

Mourinho conquered Pep Guardiola that night, and celebrated by sprinting across the Camp Nou turf. Simone Inzaghi might be tempted to celebrate in a similar way should Inter achieve a similar result against Barca such is the Italians’ poor form right now.

Inter are winless in their last three games. They have fallen off the pace at the top of Serie A and are out of the Coppa Italia. Their season will be defined by what happens in the Champions League.

Barcelona’s Treble challenge is in better shape. Hansi Flick’s team won the Copa del Rey by beating Real Madrid in a manic final on Saturday and are leading the way at the top of LaLiga. Champions League glory is also within reach.

Key players

Lamine Yamal shone brightly as Spain won Euro 2024 last summer and the prodigious teenager is also driving Barcelona to continental glory as their creator in-chief. Indeed, the 17-year-old is Barca’s one-man attacking hub, recording four goals and three assists in this season’s Champions League.

Raphinha has frequently benefited from Lamine Yamal’s creativity, but the Brazilian will have to be in sharper shooting form than he was against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final when he was wayward.

Pedri, on the other hand, was in excellent form against Real Madrid, finding the back of the net with a stunning strike. Gavi and Frenkie de Jong will look to control the midfield on Wednesday night.

*Raphinha tops the Champions League for Goals + Assists this season*

Inter will set up to expose Barcelona’s high defensive line with Lautaro Martínez sure to be a threat. The Argentinean forward has scored eight times in the Champions League this season and was key against Bayern Munich in the previous round (we gave him his flowers – here.)

At his best, Nicolo Barella is one of the best two-way midfielders in Europe. However, Inter have looked tired in central midfield in recent weeks, meaning there’s a risk they could be overrun by Barcelona.

To get out from the back, Inter will need direct running and pace in the wide areas which is where Carlos Augusto or Federico Dimarco could be so important down the left side.

Team news

Robert Lewandowski will miss Barcelona’s meeting with Inter through injury meaning Ferran Torres will lead the line for the Catalans as he did in the Copa del Rey final.

Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal are also sidelined with Alex Balde a doubt. Marc-André ter Stegen might be back on the bench after missing much of the season, but Wojciech Szczęsny is expected to start.

Marcus Thuram’s absence has been keenly felt in recent matches. Inter will be made to sweat on the attacker’s fitness before Wednesday’s game. Benjamin Pavard is definitely ruled out, though.

Prediction

Barcelona have been almost irrepressible since the turn of the year, particularly at home, and will have been buoyed by last Saturday’s success in the Copa final. We think that form will probably continue but with Inter another side who’ve been at their best in Europe this season, the away side might be do enough to keep next week’s second leg interesting: Barcelona 2-1 Inter.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Champions League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings, and a new super-intuitive knockout stage bracket. Download the free app here.

Apr

2025

Preview: Arsenal and PSG kick off the Champions League semifinals

Well at least now they know it’s over. But how do Arsenal react to Liverpool lifting the Premier League against PSG in the competition they’ve had a better chance of winning all along?

By Ian King

Premier League runners-up vs. Ligue 1 champions

Arsenal have reserved their best performances this season for the Champions League, whether the two-legged disembowelment of Real Madrid or rattling seven past PSV in Eindhoven. But the Premier League has been different, recently. They’ve drawn five of their last eight, and those ten dropped points are essentially the reason why Liverpool were celebrating at Anfield on Sunday.

PSG are already the champions of France but finally lost for the first time in Ligue 1 last weekend, 3-1 at home to Nice. They’ve already knocked out two Premier League teams in the Champions League knockout phase this season. They might not be invincible in Ligue 1 but everybody knows the threat they pose.

History

Omens are good for Arsenal, who beat PSG in the Cup WInners Cup semi-finals upon their first meeting in 1994. They drew the first leg in Paris 1-1, and won the second 1-0 at Highbury. They’ve remained unbeaten against PSG throughout three Champions League matches since then, including, of course, winning 2-0 at The Emirates in the MegaGroup last October.

*The League Phase meeting between the two*

Key Players

The key man in that match was Kai Havertz, and without his services this time around attention turns to Leandro Trossard, who is now chasing Havertz down as top goalscorer in all competitions, with his goal against Crystal Palace last week taking him to four short, on eleven. If they’re going to take a commanding lead to Paris, they may need more from him.

The biggest threat to their defence remains Ousmane Dembélé, who’s scored 32 in 44 in all competitions for PSG so far this season, though he now hasn’t scored in his last six. Bradley Barcola has been rather living in Dembélé’s shadow this season, but he’s scored 18 goals and is a threat, though it’s not even certain that he will start this game. If he doesn’t it’ll likely be Désiré Doué, who himself has scored 13.

Team News

Mikel Merino and Ben White have picked up knocks, but both are expected to start. But the bigger news is that Riccardo Calafiori may be returning to their squad for the first time since he picked up a knee injury during the last international break. PSG have no injury concerns at all.

Prediction

It’s easy to start checking out early from a competition that you can see fading from view, and this could be the reason for Arsenal’s patchy Premier League form of late. But they have been uniformly excellent in the Champions League, with only one defeat from twelve games – which came at the start of November – and home and away wins against Real Madrid already under their belt. PSG are good in Ligue 1. Properly good. But they’ve also lost five games in this season’s Champions League already, including one each to Aston Villa and Liverpool, and this contrast is why I’m saying 3-1 to Arsenal, and PSG to be left with much to do in Paris.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Apr

2025

Preview: Back to league action for Inter Miami

Inter Miami return to MLS action this weekend against FC Dallas. It’s a home game sandwiched between two big continental matches for Lionel Messi and co., and getting the balance right between rotation and momentum will be key.

By James Nalton

Messi remains MLS’s best

Inter Miami have not set the league alight this season, and Messi has not stood out as obviously as he did at times last year.

Despite this, Messi remains the biggest attraction in the league, is undoubtedly still MLS’s best player, and Inter Miami are still the best team in the Eastern Conference on points per game.

Being the best player in the league and being the best performer in the league are not always the same thing, and Messi will probably need to do more than he has been doing if he’s to retain his status as the league’s MVP for a second year running.

*Top average FotMob ratings in MLS this season*

At this stage of the regular season, he’s happy to operate in cruise control, and he’ll be hoping that’s enough to help his Miami team maintain their record as the only unbeaten team in MLS this year.

That’s been as much thanks to their defensive record as it has been down to Messi, as head coach Javier Mascherano has arranged a team that boasts the joint-fewest goals conceded this season.

Canadian continental hangover

Inter Miami come into this game on the back of a high-profile defeat in the Concacaf Champions Cup on Thursday.

Messi’s team have reached the semifinals of the region’s version of the Champions League/Copa Libertadores, but were defeated 2-0 in the first leg by an increasingly impressive Vancouver Whitecaps team on Canada’s west coast.

A crowd of 53,837 turned up in Vancouver to watch the Whitecaps (an MLS-era record for the club) and no doubt had an eye on watching Messi, too.

They were treated to another top performance from the home team, typical of their season so far.

For Miami, as one of the favourites to win the tournament, it was a blow, and they’ll be looking to turn things around in the second leg, though it won’t be easy.

Preparation for that begins with this game against FC Dallas.

Dallas Stars

The Texas team swooped for one of the best players in the league, and indeed in MLS history, when they signed Luciano Acosta from FC Cincinnati during the off-season.

The Argentinian feels like an MLS veteran at this stage, having also played for DC United, but is still only 30 years old.

It promises to be a battle of the Argentine No. 10s should he and Messi take to the field.

Inter Miami will be relieved if they don’t have to contend with Croatian striker Petar Musa, who was Dallas’ top scorer last season with 16 and already had three goals and three assists in eight games in 2025 before picking up an ankle injury.

Prediction

FC Dallas have players capable of troubling the Miami defence, and will be looking to catch their opponents off guard as they prepare for a big game in the Champions Cup. It could well be another draw for Miami as they nevertheless retain their unbeaten record.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from MLS live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Apr

2025

Preview: The time is now for Liverpool as Spurs visit Anfield

It is a matter of when and not if the Premier League title makes it to Anfield this season. Following Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening, Liverpool are one point away from being named champions of England for the 20th time. They can win it in front of home fans on Sunday afternoon as they host Spurs.

By Sam McGuire

History favours Liverpool

Ange Postecoglou has faced the Reds five times as Spurs manager across all competitions.

He’s been the victor on two occasions. One was the controversial game in which Liverpool had Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota sent off, as well as a legitimate Luís Diaz goal wrongly ruled out after a VAR miscommunication. The other arrived earlier in the season in the first leg of the Carabao Cup. Again, there was some controversy with the match-winner, Lucas Bergvall, avoiding a red card just moments before scoring the only goal of the game.

Liverpool have won the other three matches. And when the Reds win, they do it emphatically. They romped to a 4-2 win under Jürgen Klopp, a 6-3 triumph in the league under Arne Slot and then a 4-0 victory in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

The Reds have scored 15 goals in five games against Postecoglou’s Tottenham, averaging three per game. You wouldn’t necessarily be shocked if they manage that again this weekend, with Spurs being a bit of a disaster defensively this season.

Tottenham’s defensive woes

Only six teams are conceding more goals than Spurs (1.5) on a per 90 basis and three of those have been relegated to the Championship.

Tottenham are struggling. They have six clean sheets this term and only four teams have fewer. Again, three of them have already been relegated. Their xG Conceded total of 54.3 is the fourth worst in the English top-flight. Yep, you guessed it. The only teams with a higher xG Conceded total are Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton.

Spurs last kept a clean sheet in the Premier League in February. Their inability to defend is why they’re in real danger of finishing 17th this season. It’s why they’ve taken just three points from the last 15 on offer.

Right now, West Ham are occupying that position, one point behind Postecoglou’s men with five games remaining. And the two teams face off next weekend.

Are Liverpool stumbling over the line?

The narrative being pushed recently is that the Reds have struggled over recent weeks and their season has stuttered. Defeats to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League no doubt play a part in this idea. The loss to Fulham won’t have helped either.

But Slot’s men have actually taken 12 points from the last 15 on offer. In fact, they’ve won eight of their last nine in the Premier League. If this is stumbling over the line, what has Arsenal’s title challenge been? The Gunners have taken just 17 points from the past 30 available.

The Reds might not be sweeping teams aside, they’ve scored just nine across their last five outings, but they’re keeping clean sheets and winning games. They’re doing what is required to win the Premier League.

The current state of play

Joe Gomez is going to miss this game for Liverpool. The versatile defender is still out with a hamstring issue. Other than that, the Reds have a full squad to pick from. Trent Alexander-Arnold returned last week to score the winner against Leicester City and he might force Conor Bradley onto the bench for this game.

Spurs, meanwhile, might be without skipper Son Heung-Min while Radu Drăgușin is definitely out with a cruciate injury. Son missed the defeat to Nottingham Forest on Easter Monday and might be saved for the Europa League clashes.

Prediction

Liverpool only need a draw but we think they’re going to win. And we think they’ll do it in style with a 3-0 win.

(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.

Apr

2025

Preview: Bournemouth take on Manchester United at Dean Court

Will it be a case of, “Oh, we don’t like to be beside the seaside” for Manchester United at Bournemouth?

By Ian King

Work to do

Neither Bournemouth nor Manchester United come into this game in great form. Bournemouth have won just one of their last eight and have seen fleeting aspirations of European football fade from view, while United have only beaten Ipswich and Leicester in the League since the end of January. United had the dopamine hit of that last-gasp win against Lyon in the Europa League, but that didn’t seem to have had many lasting effects, if their performance against Wolves the following weekend was anything to go by.

*The earlier meeting at Old Trafford this season*

History

In 1957, when AFC Bournemouth were still Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, these two met in an FA Cup quarter-final at Dean Court. United won 2-1 that day, but 27 years later the Cherries got revenge, winning 2-0 in the Third Round under the leadership of a promising young manager called Harry Redknapp. Curiously, they were drawn together three times in six seasons in the 1980s. United won 3-0 at Old Trafford in 1985 and 2-1 after a replay in 1989. United haven’t won any of their last three meetings, and Bournemouth won the corresponding fixture in December, 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Key Players

Of all the most impressive cogs in the machine built by Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth this season, one that has really stood out has been Justin Kluivert. When he’s on his game, he brings an extra dimension to any attacking position as well as an air of unpredictability. Manchester United’s occasionally supine defence may look like something of an open invitation.

There haven’t been many bright spots to United’s season, though the growth of Kobbie Mainoo has stood out. His injury was a big blow, and his return is just about the only bit of good news to have come from Old Trafford these last few weeks. He demonstrated why he was missed with the equalising goal in that extraordinary 5-4 win against Lyon.

Team News

The latest addition to the Manchester United treatment room is Joshua Zirkzee, who won’t play again this season. Toby Collyer is understood to be close to returning, but isn’t quite there yet. Altay Bayındır missed the Wolves game, and whether he will start this one or whether Andre Onaná remains in goal is an open question. Bournemouth are definitely missing Enes Ünal and Ryan Christie and, while there’s been talk that Luis Sinisterra could return before the end of this season, there’s been no actual sign of it yet.

Prediction

Manhcester United may be distracted by their upcoming Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club, and Bournemouth are just the sort of team to be able to pick off opponents who aren’t paying attention. Their own form has been patchy, but they remain a fluid, organised unit of a team. United’s Premier League season is fading from view early, just like the last time around. 3-0 Bournemouth, with everything resting on Europe for their visitors.

(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.

Apr

2025

Preview: Nottingham Forest and Man City clash at Wembley

Nottingham Forest and Manchester City meet on Sunday with a place in this season’s FA Cup final on the line. The winner will face Crystal Palace.

By Graham Ruthven

History beckons

No matter what happens over the final few weeks of the season, the 2024/25 campaign has been a memorable one for Nottingham Forest. Sunday’s match, however, could make it legendary.

The City Ground outfit are just one win away from their first FA Cup final in over three decades. Nuno Espírito Santo’s team have already beaten Manchester City once this season. Another victory over the same opponents would arguably be Forest’s biggest single result in a generation.

*This season’s league meetings between the two*

City won’t remember this season fondly, no matter what happens at Wembley this weekend. Nonetheless, winning the FA Cup would at least be something for Pep Guardiola and his players to celebrate.

Last season’s surprise defeat to Manchester United might still be lingering in the minds of the City squad and so this is an opportunity for redemption, especially after a season which has caused many to question the Citizens.

Key players

Few could have predicted that Chris Wood would become one of the most potent centre forwards in English football this season, but the numbers speak for themselves. Indeed, the 33-year-old has scored 19 league goals and will lead the line against City.

Elliot Anderson will be important to giving Forest dynamism through the centre of the pitch. If Nuno’s team are to counter attack effectively, they’ll need the former Newcastle midfielder to act as a valve.

Nikola Milenković and Murillo will need to be at their defensive best to keep City’s forward line at arm’s length, as will Matz Sels in between the posts.

Kevin De Bruyne could start in an advanced position once again with Omar Marmoush the attacker who will give Manchester City some verticality. The Egyptian has scored three goals in his last six games.

*Marmoush’s season summary at Frankfurt and City*

Nico O’Reilly and Matheus Nunes could be key to Guardiola’s game plan. They have been pushed into central midfield from the full back areas in recent weeks and this ploy could give City control of the match, certainly in terms of possession.

Team news

Ola Aina is Nottingham Forest’s biggest absentee. The right back has been a big miss in recent weeks and could force Nuno to start Neco Williams in his place with Àlex Moreno at left back.

Nuno also faces a decision over his attacking lineup with Callum Hudson-Odoi potentially a casualty of Forest’s need to have more defensive organisation against the ball in the centre of the pitch.

Erling Haaland and Rodri remain sidelined for Manchester City while Nathan Aké and John Stones are also injured and will miss the rest of the season including Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final at the national stadium.

Ederson is another absentee for City, meaning Stefan Ortega will start. Manuel Akanji has featured from the bench in his last two games following injury and could receive more game time this weekend.

Prediction

This is a big occasion for Forest, the 12th visit to Wembley in their history, and only their second since the famous old stadium was rebuilt. So perhaps City’s greater experience on the big stage will see them qualify for a third straight FA Cup final: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Man City.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the FA Cup with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Apr

2025

Preview: Palace and Villa meet in Wembley semifinal

It’s the first FA Cup semi-final of 2024-25 as Crystal Palace and Aston Villa face off at Wembley on Saturday. One of these sides will earn the honour to play either Nottingham Forest or Man City under the famous arch once again next month.

By Alex Roberts

We’ve reached the point where there are no dark horses, every side still in the tournament has earned the right to be here. It’s been 29 years since Villa last won a trophy, while Palace have never won a piece of ‘major’ silverware.

Both Unai Emery and Oliver Glasner will need to put that out of their respective minds, however. In order to make history, they need to focus on the present.

Trouble in paradise?

Star striker Ollie Watkins has found himself dropped for some of Villa’s biggest games of the season, including Tuesday’s defeat to Man City. Emery decided to go with Marcus Rashford in the number nine spot, a decision that paid off to an extent considering he scored, albeit a penalty.

Watkins recently admitted he was left ‘fuming’ after missing out on a starting place in both of the Champions League quarter final games against Paris Saint Germain, and although Emery brushed off any notion of a bust-up, things don’t appear like they once were.

Top quality number nines are hard to come by nowadays, and Watkins is certainly one of them. Emery is risking unsettling the England international. Despite what many may think, Rashford is not an out and out striker. Dropping Watkins in yet another massive cup tie would be risky business from Emery.

Daniel Muñoz is a star

The right-wingback is absolutely thriving under Oliver Glasner at Palace. Solid defensively as well as a consistent attacking threat, Muñoz has already scored twice in his four FA Cup games, playing a key role in getting them here.

In the league, he’s proven to be their best tackler with 2.2 successful tackles per 90 minutes and a 64.2% success rate. He’s genuinely hard to get past, and some of the best wingers in the country have tried and failed to get the better of him.

He fits Glasner’s system like a glove but of course links with a move away have started to circulate despite the recent signing of a new contract. Palace are a side on the up under the Austrian, reaching the FA Cup semi-final is testament to how far they’ve come. Showing that kind of ambition will keep players like Muñoz at the club.

An ex-wonderkid living up to the hype

For those of us who are old enough to have played FIFA 16, we all saw this Youri Tielemans renaissance coming from a mile away. It’s been a roundabout journey, from Anderlecht, to Monaco, and then Leicester City but now he’s finally the main man for one of the best sides in England.

Aging like fine wine, he’s arguably the best midfield general in the Premier League right now. Sitting just ahead of the defence or a little further forward, he has an impressive 88.3% pass accuracy rate, created five chances, and 12 accurate long balls in his previous four FA Cup appearances. A true midfield orchestrator.

*Tielemans player traits, comparison against similar players in Europe’s top five leagues*

He’s what every club in the world wants and needs, a player who turns up in the big games, and this may be the biggest of his Villa career… so far. Tielemans starred in the 3-2 win over PSG and then the 4-1 victory over Newcastle. We’ve now reached the business end of the season, it’s time to reach that 88 potential rating.

Prediction

To quote almost every pundit in the country, it’s going to depend on “who wants it more.” This is the type of game where form goes out the window but one of them needs to win. We’re going to go with 2-2 after extra time and then Villa on penalties.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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