The Pulse of Football

Aug

2026

Preview: Anfield hosts the early Saturday kick off as Liverpoo face Forest

Liverpool welcome Nottingham Forest to Anfield on Saturday afternoon as both teams search for their first three points of the campaign.

By Sam McGuire

The story of the season

The Reds kicked off the Andoni Iraola era with a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United. Liverpool twice came from behind to pick up a point with Dominik Szoboszlai saving the day with a 99th minute penalty last Sunday.

Iraola’s midfield appeared to have gaping holes in it and the hosts exploited it with two breathtaking counter-attackers. Despite calls for middle third reinforcements, Liverpool appear to be focusing on their forward line. At the time of writing this preview, a deal for Bradley Barcola is close while bids have been rejected for Yankuba Minteh and Ismaïla Sarr. Reports seem to suggest at least one more attacker could be signed before deadline day while Cody Gakpo could depart in a big-money move to Spurs.

If this is to be his last appearance for the Reds, he’ll want to go out with a bang. He scored the first goal of the season for Liverpool last weekend and he’s looked bright in pre-season. Expect another decent showing in what is a potential sign-off for the Dutchman.

Nottingham Forest suffered back-to-back losses to Leeds United, first in the Premier League and then in the Carabao Cup. New manager Oliver Glasner has a good record against Liverpool and he’ll want to extend that on Saturday. He’ll also no doubt be a little wary of how quickly things can sour as Forest manager. Another defeat and things could spiral.

This week, Forest agreed to a club record deal to sign Liam Delap from Chelsea. If he’s registered in time, expect him to be involved on Saturday and he has the potential to cause the hosts some problems with his physicality.

We may only be into the second matchday of the season but both new managers will be desperate to get a win under their belts.

Key Players

There’s been a lot of focus on Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak this week after both disappointed for Liverpool in the draw with Newcastle. Both were expected to step up following the departure of Mohamed Salah and both will want to cement their claim for the team’s MVP before Barcola arrives. If the Reds are to have any success against a resilient Forest team, those two will be key.

*Gibbs-White heat map vs. Leeds last weekend*

For the away side, the key man might be Morgan Gibbs-White. At St James’ Park last weekend, the Reds left a lot of space in midfield and Virgil van Dijk and Jérémy Jacquet had to put out fires. Gibbs-White positions himself in pockets, is a good ball carrier and has an eye for goal. He’s going to be the main threat for the visitors and Liverpool will want to keep an eye on him.

Team News

Liverpool are without a number of players. Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni are long-term absentees. Joe Gomez suffered a setback in pre-season and will be absent while Alexis Mac Allister, who was given an extended break after the World Cup, is still getting up to speed so is unlikely to start. Iraola doesn’t have many options right now.

Forest, meanwhile, have a full squad to pick from with the exceptions of Nicolò Savona. The away team have also added to their ranks this week with the arrival of Delap meaning they head to Anfield with quality and depth in attack.

Prediction

We’re going with a narrow 2-1 win for Liverpool.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Aug

2026

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is the man to spearhead Everton’s European charge

It is no secret to say that Everton’s first season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium was something of a disappointment.

By Ross Kilvington

Hopes were high that new surroundings could spur the Toffees towards a potential European challenge, especially with David Moyes undergoing a full pre-season in his second spell.

In the end, those on the blue half of Merseyside had to make do with a 13^th place finish in the Premier League, winning just six league games at their new home.

Over the summer, Moyes made five signings in a bid to bolster his squad, bringing in Hayden Hackney, Brennan Johnson, Tyrique George, Christian Nørgaard and Merlin Röhl.

Three of those signings started in Everton’s opening 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the weekend and things suddenly look bright again.

The star of the show was Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, however, who was a step above everyone else on the pitch.

*Dewsbury-Hall’s player traits compared to similar players in Top 5 leagues.*

Should he play like that every week, the Toffees might just find themselves in the European places come the end of the campaign.

A statement performance against Crystal Palace

You have to go back all the way to August 2021 for Everton’s last opening day Premier League victory. Of course, plenty of teams have lost their opening game and still enjoyed excellent seasons, yet Everton haven’t finished higher than 13^th in each campaign that began with a defeat.

Step forward Dewsbury-Hall. The midfielder delivered a statement of intent with his performance on Saturday afternoon.

So impressive was his display, the Englishman received an 8.4 rating on FotMob, the highest of anyone on the pitch.

He made eight defensive contributions across the 90 minutes, but it was his energetic nature and liveliness in the opposition half that had the supporters off their seats throughout the game.

Indeed, Dewsbury-Hall created two chances, registered three shots and completed seven passes into the final third for his teammates.

The performance was characterised by his superbly taken goal in the first-half. Receiving the ball just inside the box, Dewsbury-Hall created a yard of space before unleashing a ferocious shot into the far corner to give Everton the lead.

That moment of magic is why Moyes splashed out approximately £28m to sign the midfielder in the summer of 2025 and he was certainly impressed with his goal, although not surprised.

“He does that in training a lot, that’s what he’s got, that quality in the final third, great finish from him.” Said Moyes following the game.

*The shot map for Dewbury-Hall’s goal vs. Palace*

The supporters will be hoping this is a sign of things to come from the former Chelsea midfielder. After his lacklustre spell at Stamford Bridge, which wasn’t his fault due to lack of gametime, Dewsbury-Hall now has a platform on which to showcase his wide range of talents on a regular basis.

David Moyes can provide the best environment for Dewsbury-Hall to shine

Moyes knows how to bring the best out of a player who has perhaps endured a difficult spell such as the one Dewsbury-Hall had at Chelsea.

Throughout his single season at Stamford Bridge, the 27-year-old was limited to only two Premier League starts across 13 appearances, although he did feature heavily during the Conference League success, scoring four goals in 13 matches as the Blues won the trophy.

He has enjoyed a new lease of life on Merseyside, however, and it is all thanks to the impact of Moyes.

“I love working with David Moyes,” said the midfielder midway through his first season at the club.

“Ever since I came through the door, he said ‘look, I know what your about as a player, I want you to express yourself, I want you to show people what you can do’. I respect him so much.

“He might be one of the oldest managers in the league, but I swear, he’s one of the hardest working, so big credit to him for that.”

Dewsbury-Hall registered 14 goal contributions last term – eight goals and six assists – the most across the entire squad.

*Dewsbury-Hall’s past few seasons summarised*

During his single season at Chelsea, the Englishman was regularly deployed in a deeper lying role than he was used to, while featuring out wide on a few occasions.

His best role, though, is operating just behind the forward in a 4-2-3-1 system, a position in which he thrived in last term. indeed, of his 14 goal involvements, 12 came while playing in that number 10 role for the Toffees.

Against Palace, Moyes began the campaign by sticking to his 4-2-3-1 and with Hayden Hackney and Harrison Armstrong as the two central midfielders, Dewsbury-Hall was given free reign to cause chaos in the final third.

It worked a treat, with the midfielder thriving in his natural position as he led Everton to their first opening day victory since 2021.

Everton have spent years searching for a midfielder that can take matches by the scruff of the neck and be a gamechanger in the final third.

In Dewsbury-Hall, the Toffees finally have one. His intelligence, technically ability and end-product gives Moyes a player that flourishes within his system.

If he can replicate that display against Palace throughout the entire season, then Everton’s European ambitions aren’t just fanciful, they are a realistic proposition.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Aug

2026

Preview: Crystal Palace host Manchester City in Pierre Sage’s home debut

The second round of the 2026/27 Premier League season kicks off with Manchester City visiting Crystal Palace.

By Neel Shelat

Pierre Sage set to lead Crystal Palace at home for the first time

After Oliver Glasner opted to leave Crystal Palace when his contract ran out at the end of the 2025/26 season, Pierre Sage took on the unenviable task of succeeding the man who delivered the Eagles’ first pieces of silverware.

The French tactician came to England on the back of an impressive season with Lens, leading The Blood and Gold in a title race against the far richer Paris Saint-Germain. He had previously also done well at Lyon amid tough circumstances.

*Sage’s win percentage record in recent roles*

Sage’s Premier League debut ended in a 2-0 defeat against Everton, though his side’s first half performance was particularly encouraging. So, they will hope to get points on the board shortly.

Manchester City’s recent dominance at Selhurst Park

Even though Crystal Palace famously got the better of Manchester City in a recent FA Cup final, the Eagles have generally struggled against the 10-time English champions. Their recent record on home turf makes for particularly rough reading, as they have lost nine and drawn the remaining three of their 12 meetings since 2015.

While Enzo Maresca did get off to a winning start in his first Premier League match in charge of the club, City’s performance against Bournemouth wasn’t entirely convincing. They trailed for most of the game and endured relatively long spells without clear-cut chances, only coming away with all three points thanks to a very late turnaround.

Crystal Palace will be no pushovers at home, so City will need to step up their game to be sure of maintaining their dominant record at Selhurst Park.

Team news

Chadi Riad had to be stretchered off due to a knee injury last weekend. Its severity is yet to be revealed, but the Moroccan defender likely won’t return soon. Ismaïla Sarr, meanwhile, was not a part of the squad as he recovers from a slight injury and could also make a move away before the end of the transfer window.

Jérémy Doku’s calf injury is expected to keep him out for a few more weeks. He should be City’s only absentee, since the knock Elliot Anderson picked up against Bournemouth was nothing serious.

Key players

Adam Wharton remains the heartbeat of Crystal Palace whenever they have the ball. He was the subject of a recent transfer enquiry from Manchester City, but the Eagles are unwilling to let him go at this point. His battle against Anderson will be one of the keys to this match.

Daniel Muñoz may end up leaving South London within the next week, but for now, he will have an important job to do on the wing. Jean-Philippe Mateta is another potential departee, so this might be his last opportunity to hit the ‘BOOM’ with Palace fans.

Of course, the most likely name to feature on the scoresheet has to be Erling Haaland, who has eight goals in five appearances against Palace so far. Rayan Cherki could well set him up, having provided both assists last weekend.

Prediction

Palace are a bit short on attacking quality, so Manchester City could edge out a low-scoring 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.

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Aug

2026

Fit again Kevin De Bruyne is getting a second chance at a first impression for Napoli

After a write-off of a debut season, Kevin De Bruyne is finally showing what he is capable of for Napoli as they enter a new era.

By Graham Ruthven

Kevin De Bruyne spent a lot of time watching Napoli from the sidelines last season. Just two months into his debut season, the Belgian suffered a thigh injury that would ultimately rule him out for much of the 2026/27 campaign. When he returned, a training ground incident dealt De Bruyne a cheekbone injury, as if he had lacked bad fortune.

From afar, De Bruyne watched as Napoli went through a lot of change. The Scudetto-winning team he joined from Manchester City in the summer of 2025 slowly disintegrated. Now fit again, De Bruyne is playing for a different manager with many different teammates around him.

On the basis of his performance in Napoli’s opening weekend win over Genoa, though, De Bruyne is ready and able to produce the same old moments of magic that have defined his career. The 35-year-old is getting a second chance at making a first impression for the Serie A club.

*De Bruyne’s career summary at Napoli so far*

When De Bruyne joined Napoli a year ago, the idea was that he would add some guile to the then Italian champions. Under Antonio Conte, Napoli had become a force of nature. They outfought opponents on their way to winning Serie A with Scott McTominay their biggest difference-maker.

With De Bruyne in the team, though, Conte planned to evolve Napoli’s playing style. He recognised the need for his side to become more proactive in their passing rhythm and the addition of the former Manchester City playmaker was key to this. Losing him for so much of the season was disruptive to the entire scheme.

Napoli seem to have rolled back this ambition by replacing Conte with Massimiliano Allegri. After back-to-back underwhelming stints at AC Milan and Juventus, Allegri has a point to prove after widespread confusion at his appointment as Napoli boss over the summer. If this backfires, owner Aurelio De Laurentiis will face criticism.

Allegri’s playing style is naturally conservative. He sets up teams to be defensive-minded. Allegri-ball aims to simplify the role of each player on the pitch to focus their minds on playing their own game. In the final third, this means Allegri’s teams depend on the individual quality of their best players.

This could harness De Bruyne as Napoli’s most talented player. Introduced off the bench for the final 23 minutes of Napoli’s opening league fixture against Genoa, the Belgian was afforded the freedom to affect the play in the attacking third from a roaming role on the right side of the midfield.

Allegri’s biggest problem could be fitting Frank Anguissa, McTominay, Stanislav Lobotka and De Bruyne into the same team. This is an issue Conte also ran into in the early stages of last season with McTominay frequently pushed into a wide position to make room for De Bruyne in the centre of the pitch. It didn’t work.

Deploying De Bruyne and McTominay in the same midfield three puts a lot of strain on the third member of the central unit. Neither De Bruyne or McTominay are particularly suited to operating in a deeper role, although it has been argued the former would be wise to adapt his game in this way to prolong his career at the top level.

De Bruyne’s goal against Genoa was proof of the attacking instincts that still flow through the veins of the 35-year-old. With Napoli in need of a breakthrough, De Bruyne reacted quickest to a ball inside the box, lashing home a finish to give his team the advantage they had been seeking.

“Last year was difficult, to have surgery like this and be out for five months,” said De Bruyne after the game. “I think I started well last year, but it’s really hard to return in March when everyone else is in top form. I’ve only been here two weeks because of the World Cup, I think I’m doing well, I’m trying to help the team and hope to have an injury-free season, and I hope that I can enjoy my football.”

Napoli host Como in their next match in what will be a gauge of where they are under Allegri. Cesc Fàbregas’ Como were the surprise package in Serie A last season, finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League. If there are any weaknesses in Napoli’s system, Como will exploit them.

Italy and Serie A was meant to be the perfect place for De Bruyne’s career renaissance when he moved there a year ago. It might still be with the Belgian finally fit and firing again. His goal on the opening weekend of the new Serie A season may have been a sign of things to come.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Napoli game on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

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Aug

2026

Swedish Allsvenskan sensation Robbie Ure is already making an impact for Sevilla

After ripping up the Swedish Allsvenskan, Scottish striker Robbie Ure is now making an impact for new team Sevilla in LaLiga.

By Graham Ruthven

On the basis of the raw statistics, Robbie Ure’s first match in LaLiga as a starting figure for Sevilla passed him by. Despite playing the full 90 minutes, the Scottish striker registered just 12 touches. He failed to fire off a single shot or even touch the ball inside the opposition penalty box. And yet Ure found other ways to make an impact.

Quite literally in the case of how Oso scored the opening goal in Sevilla’s 3-1 win over Athletic Club, pressing so hard that the 22-year-old slammed into opposition goalkeeper Unai Simón. The World Cup winner appealed for a foul, but the referee decided Ure closed him down fairly and the goal stood.

*Ure’s player traits compared against similar level strikers*

Before that, Ure’s pressure led to the red card that tipped the match in Sevilla’s favour. The Scot refused to let the Athletic Club backline control a bouncing ball, forcing a rushed clearance from Aitor Paredes before Yuri Berchiche hauled down Miguel Sierra on the edge of the box.

This came after Ure’s debut off the bench in the win over Rayo Vallecano when he won a late penalty kick from which Peque Fernandez scored the decisive goal. In just two games, the Sevilla summer signing is showing why the Andalucians were right to spend €9m on him in the first place.

Ure had his pick of various clubs across Europe this summer. The young forward was midway through a breakout season for Sirius in the Swedish Allsvenskan, scoring no fewer than 15 goals in just 15 appearances. His development had reached a point that a jump to a Big Five league was inevitable.

*Ure remains the top scorer in Sweden during the 2026 season*

Sevilla made sense as a destination for Ure after the departure of Akor Adams. The Spaniards were in the market for a new centre forward and the Scot ticked a lot of boxes as someone they could develop. If Sevilla’s model is to buy young and sell on for a profit, there is a lot of upside to Ure’s signing.

In Sweden, Ure was a force of nature. Standing at 6ft 2”, he has the physical frame to bully opposition defenders. His height also gives him an advantage in the air. By no means, though, is Ure a limited targetman. He is technically comfortable with the ball at his feet and is quick across the ground.

Most impressive about Ure is his knack for being in the right place at the right time. His penalty box instincts are sharp and have been honed over a number of years in the Rangers and Anderlecht academies. By the time Ure signed for Sirius, he was ready for the senior game. He’s the Highland Haaland.

Ure’s emergence comes at a time when new Scotland manager Sébastien Pocognoli wants to turn the national team into a pressing machine. The Belgian has spoken about his aim to adopt an attack-minded approach with Scotland set to face North Macedonia, Slovenia and Switzerland in the Nations League in the next month.

Ukraine have reportedly attempted to recruit Ure due to the player’s grandfather hailing from the country. Most, however, expect the 22-year-old to be included in Pocognoli’s first squad as Scotland boss with Ure boasting the sort of profile that could supercharge the new manager’s vision.

“My ambition is to play with Scotland one day,” said Ure when asked about his international allegiance. “But I have no stress for that situation. I feel like what I do at club level will give me the opportunities I deserve. There’s been contact [from Ukraine]. But it’s not a decision I would rush. I certainly feel I’d want to play for Scotland.”

Before Ure can truly claim to be the striker Scotland has waited a generation or two for, he must work hard to establish himself at Sevilla. As impactful as his first two games have been, manager Luis García Plaza will surely want more out of his new signing as a link up player and focal point.

As Ure gets used to his new teammates, the timings of his runs will almost certainly improve. García Plaza also highlighted how the Scot has struggled with the conditions in Spain. “In training the other day he was saying to me, ‘this heat is crazy!’ I mean, he’s just come from Sweden and he is not used to playing in these high temperatures,” said the Sevilla boss.

Sevilla host Atlético Madrid this weekend in what will be the next step of Ure’s development. After back-to-back victories to start the season, Sevilla will be underdogs against one of LaLiga’s strongest sides. If Ure had just 12 touches against Athletic Club, he might have even fewer against Atleti. These, however, are the games he has been signed for.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Sevilla game on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

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Aug

2026

FotMob Profile: Mamadou Sangare, Brentford’s new midfield wonder

In a move involving eight players and 15 passes, Brentford sliced Tottenham Hotspur apart for Keane Lewis-Potter’s 12th-minute opener in their first Premier League match of the season, with new signing Mamadou Sangaré at the heart of this devastating sequence.

By Alex Connor

The 24-year-old dribbled at Lucas Bergvall and played a slick one-two with Dango Ouattara, darting through a gap between Andy Robertson and Mathys Tel, before slipping a low pinpoint cross into Lewis-Potter, who calmly swept Brentford in front.

After joining the Bees from Lens for a club-record £41m earlier in the month, it was the perfect way to begin life in the Premier League. Brentford cruised to a resounding 3-0 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium, with Sangaré featuring for 76 minutes and producing a dominant, all-encompassing, full-throttle midfield performance.

Sangaré’s physicality, defensive instincts and ball-carrying ability were particularly impressive throughout. Along with the assist, he created two chances, made six line-breaking passes, won six ground duels and registered 13 defensive contributions, including a whopping seven recoveries. It was a dream debut, where he bossed proceedings and completely upstaged Spurs’ lacklustre midfield, tormenting £100m club-record recruit Sandro Tonali.

The Mali international followed up this fluent top-flight display by also sparkling in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening, coming on as a second-half substitute in Brentford’s 6-1 demolition of Birmingham City at St Andrews. For his side’s final goal, Mikkel Damsgaard eventually worked the ball to Sangaré, who confidently glided away from Jay Stansfield and floated an exquisite delivery into the box for captain Nathan Collins to nod in a header.

The excitement around Sangaré has been building following a superb season in France. He made 33 appearances for Les Sang et Or (The Blood and Gold) in all competitions as Lens jumped from eighth in the previous campaign to finish second in Ligue 1 – just six points adrift of table-toppers Paris Saint-Germain – to qualify for the Champions League, and won their first-ever Coupe de France title thanks to a 3-1 triumph over Nice in the final.

This silverware capped off a superb campaign for Sangaré. In Ligue 1, he won possession back for his side on more occasions than any of his positional peers (207), also ranking second for duels won (190) and tackles (86) across the whole league. Sangaré rightly scooped the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé, awarded to the best African player in the French top flight.

*Sangaré’s possession stats in Ligue 1 last season*

These defensive numbers have allowed Sangaré’s reputation to skyrocket as a midfield pivot. Still, former Mali manager Tom Saintfiet notes that his “multifunctional qualities” allow him to play anywhere in midfield and in more attacking areas, making him such a versatile, all-round player. We have first-hand evidence of exactly what Saintfiet was alluding to in Sangaré’s pivotal role in Lewis-Potter’s strike against Spurs and Collins’ header in midweek.

Unquestionably, Sangaré has translated this commanding form over to English football. He has enjoyed a humble and understated rise to the Premier League spotlight. After a series of loans while on the books at Red Bull Salzburg between 2020 and 2024, and solitary seasons at Rapid Wien and Lens, Sangaré seems to be relishing his newfound status and importance in West London.

Speaking to the club’s official media about Sangare’s arrival, head coach Keith Andrews said “he fits everything we want from a Brentford player, on and off the pitch.” The Bees’ willingness to spend a club-record fee illustrates their unwavering belief in Sangaré’s ability.

Brentford appears to be the perfect environment to develop – a stable, high-achieving club that has fostered such a positive culture, away from the crippling pressure that any of the ‘Big Six’ are guaranteed to attract. If Sangaré then consistently performs as Brentford have envisioned, they could be set to make an extraordinary profit if they receive an irresistible offer. It seems almost ridiculous to preempt Sangaré’s departure, given he’s only been at the club a matter of weeks, but the transfer market’s current flex indicates the cost of Premier League-proven players has risen exponentially. Next summer, Sangaré could enter this category.

*Sangaré’s player traits compared to similar players in top five leagues*

Last season, Brentford narrowly missed out on Conference League football on goal difference at the expense of Brighton after drawing 1-1 with Liverpool on the final day, despite the Seagulls losing 3-0 to Manchester United. Europe painfully and annoyingly slipped through Brentford’s grasp, with Andrews’ men winning just one of their last 10 league matches. Therefore, the aim for this current campaign is clear. Could Sangaré be the added component to take Brentford into Europe for the first time?

Sangaré’s arrival, combined with other astute signings such as Callum Wilson and Jaidon Anthony, means that Brentford are very well prepared for what is to come. With other top-eight competitors including Bournemouth and Sunderland having to deal with midweek European fixtures, there is a serious opportunity for Brentford’s current squad to make history.

Given the eye-watering amounts other clubs have splashed on midfielders, Sangaré’s modest transfer fee could be considered a bargain in the current market. There’s the obvious caveat that we’re still in the early stages of Sangaré’s Brentford career. Time will ultimately tell. However, the first few snippets of his talent are more than encouraging and Brentford look to have uncovered a real gem.

(Images via IMAGO)

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Aug

2026

Preview: Barcelona face Athletic Club in Thursday night catch up

Barcelona will be looking to continue their fantastic start to the season as they host Athletic Club at the Spotify Camp Nou on Thursday evening.

By Matt Smith

Hansi Flick‘s side secured a phenomenal 5-0 victory over Elche in their first match, emphasising why they headed into the season as favourites for the title.

Athletic Club didn’t quite have the same success in their opener, suffering a disappointing 3-1 defeat at home to Sevilla.

Edin Terzić‘s side will have to end a dismal run against Barcelona, which has seen them fail to score in the last five meetings in all competitions.

When they last met back in March, Barcelona scored a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Lamine Yamal.

Team news

We could see a debut for Rodri on Thursday after he recently returned to training following a back injury. Frenkie de Jong, however, remains out injured, while Gavi was also forced off against Elche and is a doubt for this game.

Athletic Club will be without Unai Egiluz, Daniel Vivian, and Nico Serrano due to injury, while Yuri Berchiche will be suspended following his red card against Sevilla.

New signings make their impact

It was an incredibly positive start to the league season for Barcelona. Not just due to the result and performance, but also due to the impact of their new signings. Karim Adeyemi scored Barcelona’s second goal of the game, while Anthony Gordon also came off the bench to set up two goals.

Fermín López also played a crucial role in Barcelona’s win, while Raphinha was up to his usual tricks in the final third. It’s an incredibly positive start for Barcelona, and there’s plenty for Athletic Club to worry about heading into this game.

Positives to take despite defeat

On paper, it does look like a disastrous start to the season for Athletic Club, losing by three goals to one at home. However, Terzić’s side went down to ten men after just 11 minutes, and despite conceding three, they certainly didn’t roll over.

Athletic Club completely dominated proceedings, even with just ten players, which is a hugely positive sign for them. It was always going to be a tricky task with ten men, but it gave supporters a positive taster of what’s to come.

Raphinha solves striker position?

In a reasonably unfamiliar role, Brazilian forward Raphinha started through the middle as a centre-forward for Barcelona against Elche. Flick’s side are without Robert Lewandowski this season, and the Barcelona manager tried an alternative way to solve the issue.

It’s safe to say it worked wonders, with Raphinha producing a phenomenal performance in front of goal. Whether he is able to produce those kinds of displays in the long term remains to be seen, but it certainly gives the manager a different option in attack.

Prediction

Barcelona look too deadly in front of goal to not back them to win this, especially at home. We’re going for a 3-1 Barcelona victory.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from LaLiga with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, physical metrics, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

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Aug

2026

Preview: Alonso’s Blues start Carabao Cup campaign against Luton Town

Chelsea host Luton in the second round of the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, as Xabi Alonso’s side enter the competition at this stage due to their lack of European football.

By Matt Smith

It’s rare to see Chelsea involved in the Carabao Cup during the second round, but a disappointing 2025/2026 season means they are starting early. It’s a competition the Blues have won five times, with their last triumph coming back in 2015.

It’s certainly not going to be an easy task for Jack Wilshere‘s Luton Town to advance into the next round, with Chelsea winning 27 of their last 28 EFL Cup ties against teams outside the Premier League.

These two sides last met back in December 2023 when Luton were in the Premier League. Chelsea secured a 3-2 victory that day, with current superstar Cole Palmer scoring a brace.

Team news

Speaking to the media ahead of Chelsea’s game against Luton, Alonso confirmed that both Marco Palestra and Moisés Caicedo would be unavailable for the Carabao Cup clash. Alonso confirmed that he had no fresh injury concerns from the game against Fulham on Monday, with Palestra and Caicedo both missing from that one too.

Luton could be without Jordan Clark after he suffered a broken jaw against Notts County last time out. Shaydon Morris and Shandon Baptiste are also likely to be unavailable for the away side.

Same old Chelsea

Chelsea undoubtedly looked more free-flowing in attack and played with confidence in the final third during Alonso’s first game against Fulham. Despite that, it was same old Chelsea in the sense that errors in their own third almost cost them. The Blues secured a 3-2 victory over Fulham, but it could have been a lot more comfortable.

Robert Sánchez made one error that led to a goal and overall had a disappointing game. The Chelsea goalkeeper has struggled at times since he moved to Stamford Bridge. It’s no surprise that reports are emerging that they are assessing their options in terms of signing a new goalkeeper.

Goals galore for Luton

It’s certainly been an exciting start to the season for Luton, who have scored six goals in their opening two games in League One. In all competitions, Luton have struck nine times, having also defeated Gillingham 3-0 in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

This is the first time we’ve seen this Luton side after a full pre-season under Wilshere, who is clearly looking to turn them into a strong attacking outfit. It doesn’t get more difficult in the second round of the Carabao Cup than the trip to Chelsea, however, but Wilshere will undoubtedly be backing himself.

Heavy rotation

One player who could benefit from heavy rotation for Chelsea could be Estêvão. Alonso will likely make plenty of alterations, considering they only played on Monday and will be in action again this weekend.

Estêvão came off the bench against Fulham for a handful of minutes, so we’re likely to see him from the start. The 19-year-old is one of the most highly rated players in the Chelsea squad, and this will be his chance to impress.

Prediction

It’s difficult to see past a Chelsea win here. We’re going for a 3-1 victory.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Aug

2026

Preview: Real Madrid play their first home game of the new Mourinho era

Real Madrid take on Real Sociedad as José Mourinho looks to build on a 2-1 victory over Espanyol over the weekend in what was his first league match in charge of the club since 2013.

By Ross Kilvington

José Mourinho has unfinished business with Real Madrid

Despite arriving in the Spanish capital in the summer of 2010 as arguably one of the most in-demand coaches in Europe, Mourinho’s first spell at Real didn’t always go to plan.

Yes, he led Los Blancos to a Copa del Rey and LaLiga title during his spell, while regularly being the thorn in Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side, yet Champions League success ultimately eluded him.

Fast forward 13 years and Mourinho returns to the Bernabéu dugout a different coach, one that has struggled to adapt to the ever-evolving game in recent years.

Indeed, he has won a single trophy – the 2022 Conference League with Roma – since the beginning of the 2017/18 season.

Real have now gone two successive campaigns without a league or Champions League title. Is Mourinho the man to end that drought? There is no denying his man-management capabilities, and he has faced dressing rooms with plenty of egos many a time throughout his career.

Things weren’t easy during the victory over Espanyol, with Madrid having to rely on a late effort from Carlos Espí to seal all three points. Real under Mourinho will be stubborn and hard to beat. Might that result be the catalyst for a good campaign?

Real Sociedad eyeing more success this season

Pellegrino Matarazzo led Real Sociedad to tenth in LaLiga last term, but it was their Copa del Rey triumph which had people talking.

The Basque side won the tournament for the second time in seven seasons and ambitions this season will be to crack the top-six back in the league.

Thanks to winning the Spanish Cup, the club will play in the Europa League this season, returning to European competition after missing out last term.

The core of the squad remains and Matarazzo will be counting on World Cup winner Mikel Oyarzabal to improve on his 18-goal haul from 2025/26.

A 1-0 defeat to Real Betis last time out wasn’t the start Matarazzo had in mind, but a positive display against Real will restore confidence.

Team news

Mourinho remains without Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo due to injury for this game.

Jude Bellingham, Endrick, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Thiago Pitarch are doubts for this clash.

For Real Sociedad, Matarazzo will be missing Álvaro Odriozola while the likes of Jon Gorrotxategi, Gonçalo Guedes and Pablo Marín will require late fitness tests ahead of the match.

Prediction

Although both sides had contrasting starts to the season, Mourinho will be wary of the threat Real Sociedad possesses as they travel to the Bernabéu.

Mourinho can take encouragement from the fact Los Blancos have a superior head-to-head over their opponents in recent years, winning seven of the previous eight meetings.

Given the quality Mourinho has at his disposal, the home side should make it back-to-back league wins on Wednesday evening: Real Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Aug

2026

Preview: De Zerbi leads Spurs in to Carabao Cup clash with Charlton

Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham Hotspur are under pressure to bounce back from Saturday’s embarrassing Premier League loss to Brentford.

By Graham Ruthven

Point to prove

The Carabao Cup was always likely to be a target for Tottenham Hotspur this season and that might be even truer now after Roberto De Zerbi’s humiliating start to the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.

Saturday’s loss to Brentford brought back an unwelcome sense of last season as Spurs suffered many of the same issues that saw them face a relegation fight only a few months ago. Much better will be expected against Charlton Athletic.

De Zerbi could make wholesale changes to the lineup that badly flopped on opening weekend. Tottenham have spent roughly £200m in the summer transfer window and could start integrating some of their new signings in the Carabao Cup.

Charlton could be challenging opposition. Nathan Jones’ side have started their Championship campaign with back-to-back wins including an impressive away victory over West Ham. They will relish another trip to a London rival.

The onus will be on Spurs to create opportunities in possession. Jones will set up his Charlton side to sit deep and stay compact against the ball and hope that they can pick off Tottenham on the break.

Ordinarily, De Zerbi might have used Wednesday’s match to rotate his squad. After Saturday’s league opener, though, Tottenham must show they are heading in the right direction.

Key players

Summer signing Mateus Fernandes could be in line for his first competitive start as a Spurs player after the Portuguese’s ability on the ball was missed in the heavy defeat to Brentford.

Dominic Solanke came off the bench for the second half of the game at the Gtech Community Stadium and could continue his search for full fitness by starting against Charlton Athletic.

Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke could be given another chance to form some chemistry after a shaky start as Tottenham’s new centre back pairing on Saturday while Destiny Udogie could step up his return from injury.

Former Chelsea man Nathaniel Chalobah is expected to keep his place in Charlton’s central midfield while Sonny Carey will be the creative player fielded to get in between the lines when possible.

Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, on loan from Wrexham, and centre back Lloyd Jones were standout performers against the Hammers and will need to replicate that level for the Addicks to stand any realistic chance of overcoming Spurs to reach the next round.

Team news

Xavi Simons, Dejan Kulusevski and Wilson Odebert are all sidelined through injury for Tottenham Hotspur while injury doubts Micky van de Ven, Mohammed Kudus and Pedro Porro are unlikely to be risked.

James Maddison sustained an awkward shoulder injury towards the end of Saturday’s match against Brentford and could also miss out in the Carabao Cup.

Kayne Ramsay and Charlie Kelman will be unavailable through injury for the visitors to North London with Josh Edwards back in training ahead of a return to first team football at some point soon.

Prediction

Following Charlton’s solid start to the new campaign, we think the Championship side will make a solid fist of it but that ultimately, Spurs will pull through: Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 Charlton Athletic.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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