The Pulse of Football

Sep

2026

Preview: United host City in Enzo Maresca’s first derby as head coach

The standout fixture in the fourth round of the new English Premier League season sees table-toppers Manchester City visit Old Trafford.

By Neel Shelat

United with the upper hand in recent meetings

Although City have gone from being ‘noisy neighbours’ to establishing themselves as the more successful Manchester club over the last couple of decades, Manchester United have continued to find joy in head-to-head clashes. The Red Devils have lost just one and won three of these two sides’ last six meetings. Their most recent face-off saw the hosts emerge 2-0 victors at Old Trafford in January, marking an auspicious beginning to Michael Carrick’s current stint as head coach.

In fact, United have maintained a respectable record of 10 wins, three draws and 13 defeats against their city rivals in the last decade, over the course of Pep Guardiola’s tenure. With the ex-Barcelona tactician now out of the way, the Red Devils will be keen to show City who’s boss in Manchester.

Manchester City taking their time to grow into games

Enzo Maresca’s first match in charge of Manchester City did not quite go to plan as they were outclassed by Arsenal in the Community Shield, but they have won all four meaningful matches since. Interestingly, they have scored just two first-half goals thus far, half as many as they have netted after the 75th minute.

The theme of late surges was set in their Premier League season opener against Bournemouth, a come-from-behind victory courtesy of goals in the 84th minute and stoppage time. United, on the other hand, dropped points against Everton last week due to a pair of late concessions, so they will have to be extra alert in the second half if they are to get a result here.

Team news

Manchester United have a few injuries to contend with this weekend. Carlos Baleba’s ankle injury has kept him from making his debut for the club, while Amad and Matthijs de Ligt are also yet to make their first appearances of the season. Manuel Ugarte, meanwhile, will miss the majority of the campaign due to an ACL injury from the World Cup. Backup goalkeeper Tom Heaton is also out this weekend.

Manchester City have missed Nico O’Reilly and Jérémy Doku on their left wing recently. Both have returned to training, with the former likelier to feature since his was a minor issue.

Key players

Bruno Fernandes is in fine form, having scored a Premier League hat-trick two weeks ago before going on to star in United’s Champions League return. Kobbie Mainoo will have a big job to do behind him, as will Lisandro Martínez in what will be a physical mismatch for the Argentine international.

🇳🇴 Erling Haaland has officially hit form for the new season. pic.twitter.com/0DfZdXsRge
— FotMob (@FotMob) September 8, 2026

Erling Haaland has scored over half of Manchester City’s goals this season with a return of five in the last four games. The dynamic between the positionally strict Maresca and free-roaming Rayan Cherki will be interesting to follow throughout the season, though the Italian tactician will hope that his former Chelsea captain Enzo Fernández can provide the necessary balance to unleash the Frenchman.

Prediction

Manchester United have not kept a Premier League clean sheet at Old Trafford for over six months, and are likely to fall short as a result.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Sep

2026

The FotMob Rundown: What’s coming up on Saturday

Every Saturday, we pick out the top matches that we think are worth a follow in your match feed.

By Bill Biss

It’s another seven game mega-day in the Premier League, starting with Bournemouth vs. Brentford at lunchtime. Third placed Hull City go to fourth placed Chelsea at 3pm, while Liverpool play host to Fulham at the same time.

Will Tottenham ever score again? A home game vs. Everton is their next chance to break their duck for the season. And then it’s off to the Stadium of Light for the late game between Sunderland and Arsenal.

Augsburg are the surprise leaders after two rounds in Germany, albeit four teams have six points from six. They play Bayer Leverkusen while Dortmund, another side on maximum points are at home to promoted Paderborn.

Real Madrid aim to get back to winning ways in their league campaign when they play fellow capital city side Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabéu. Liam Rosenior’s Paris FC – second in Ligue 1, face Lyon – who sit third.

And in Serie A, Lazio vs. Milan determines who will end the day on top of the table.

MLS is also serving up a mouthwatering contest this weekend as Inter Miami entertain Eastern Conference leaders Nashville in Florida.

Although they possess Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Casemiro and Rodrigo De Paul, Inter Miami are currently nine points behind Nashville, who are marching towards the Supporters’ Shield.

The intrigue is heightened by the fact that it pits the Conference’s best attack (Miami, 59 goals scored) against the league’s most formidable defence (Nashville, 19 goals conceded).

With one win in their previous seven MLS games, Miami have to throw everything at the leaders.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Sep

2026

Preview: Spurs welcome Everton to London on Saturday evening

Tottenham host Everton in the Premier League on Saturday evening as Roberto De Zerbi’s side look to pick up their first win, and their first goal, of the season..

By Matt Smith

The Toffees have had a little more success on the pitch than Spurs so far this campaign, with David Moyes’ side currently unbeaten in the Premier League.

De Zerbi hasn’t faced many sides since taking charge of Tottenham, but he has come up against Everton, facing the Merseyside club on the final day of the 2025/2026 season to keep Spurs in the league.

Tottenham defeated Everton by a single goal through João Palhinha to ensure they remained a Premier League side heading into this season.

Team news

De Zerbi confirmed when speaking to the media ahead of their game against Everton that both Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie will be assessed. Porro felt a ‘small muscular problem’, while Udogie is in a similar situation, with De Zerbi claiming that he doesn’t want to take any risks.

Mykhailo Mudryk will also miss out after picking up a recent injury, while Xavi Simons, Dejan Kulusevski, and Wilson Odobert remain sidelined.

There is just one injury concern for Everton heading into their trip down to London. Christian Nørgaard, who is yet to feature for the Toffees since joining from Arsenal, remains out injured.

Creativity the key issue for Spurs

Tottenham spent significantly during the summer transfer window to transform their whole squad, reaching double figures for incoming players. One aspect of their game they haven’t seemingly sorted is their creativity, with Tottenham still searching for their first goal of the campaign.

Spurs have created just 2.8 xG in the Premier League so far, with only Aston Villa and Hull City managing fewer. When the likes of Simons, Kulusevski, and James Maddison return to the starting eleven, De Zerbi will be hoping that can increase drastically.

Moyes’ high pressing Everton

A key reason behind Everton’s early success in the Premier League this season is their ability to win the ball high up the pitch. This has been a primary route of chance creation for Moyes’ side, while also making it difficult for the opposition to play out from the back.

The Toffees have one possession in the final third 6.3 times per game so far, with no side managing more. De Zerbi prefers his side to play from the back and take risks, so it could be an opportunity for Everton to cause some problems.

A start for Jack Grealish?

Moyes hinted during his press conference that Everton winger Jack Grealish could make his first start for the club since returning on loan from Manchester City. The English winger played a crucial role for the Toffees last season before suffering an injury, and having him back in the starting XI will be a huge boost for Everton.

Grealish was Everton’s main source of creativity last season before his injury, and they’ll need that added firepower in attack after Iliman Ndiaye left the club.

Prediction

We’re going for a 1-1 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Sep

2026

Preview: Arsenal out to protect their 100% record away at Sunderland

Reigning Premier League champions Arsenal have already shown they are focused on nothing less than further success this term and now face another stern test with a trip to Sunderland.

By Karl Matchett

Mikel Arteta’s squad looks strong, deep and equipped with the mindset which now simply expects victory each game – yet it’s Martin Ødegaard’s return to form which has caught the eye most.

The revitalised viking

Often, a hard summer’s effort at a Fifa World Cup can lead to a stuttering start for the game’s star players – but Ødegaard, who spent most of his June and July orchestrating celebratory rowing for the Norway squad, has come back looking a different player. Over the previous two campaigns he scored seven goals for Arsenal, including just one last term – yet it’s already four in five games this year and his overall performance level is considerably improved, more high-tempo and certainly more central to the Gunners’ attacking play.

Midfield face-off

Amid Arsenal’s summer regeneration, the £75m signing of Bruno Guimarães looks decent value against some other midfield movers – but it’s a slight surprise he hasn’t yet managed to make a case for inclusion, even accounting for a minor injury early on. He has just 19 league minutes so far with Myles Lewis-Skelly earning a starting spot domestically instead, and playing well enough to account for that.

Against former Gunner Granit Xhaka and the adventurous Noah Sadiki in the Sunderland midfield, however, it will be instructive if Arteta opts to go for the more combative Brazilian over his younger English teammate. Sadiki is the more diligent passer and line-breaking runner in possession; Xhaka has the vision to relentlessly spray passes wide and from deep to bypass opposition midfield pairings. In both cases, a desire and willingness to close down quickly, harass and recount possession will be crucial for Arsenal to keep up their smothering, tiresome approach of forcing teams into submission – perhaps a tailor-made role for Guimarães to show what he can do off the ball, before displaying his quality on it.

Recent form

After defeat on the opening weekend Sunderland have won two and drawn once, including a Carabao Cup victory in midweek. Arsenal’s form is more straightforward: they won the Community Shield, have won three from three in the league and now once in Europe – all with just one goal conceded.

Team news

Habib Diarra is Sunderland’s absentee through injury, while Arsenal are still without defensive trio Cristhian Mosquera, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber. Otherwise, everyone looks available for selection.

Key player

Ødegaard rightly has the headlines but don’t overlook how much Kai Havertz has also contributed. Among Premier League forwards this season – early days, of course – he’s top for distance covered per 90 and has two goals from a 0.56xG too. An excellent all-rounder in a finely tuned side, he should be aiming for only his second-ever 20-goal season this term.

Prediction

Sunderland might offer some resistance, but they don’t look quite as tuned-in as at this point last season and the Gunners should once more find a way: Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Sep

2026

Preview: Unbeaten Liverpool play Arbeloa’s work-in-progress Fulham side

Liverpool are now looking to make it three wins on the bounce as Andoni Iraola’s side welcome a pointless Fulham side to Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

By Sam McGuire

The story of the season

The Reds followed up their 2-0 win against Ipswich Town with a 2-1 win over Atlético Madrid on Wednesday evening.

It hasn’t yet clicked for Liverpool under Iraola but there have been promising glimpses.

Alexander Isak has been amongst the goals and was a pressing machine against Atleti in Europe. Cody Gakpo has looked like a completely different player under the Spanish tactician too while new signings Ronald Araújo, Jérémy Jacquet, Víctor Muñoz and Bradley Barcola have all settled relatively quickly.

Barcola, the latest £100m addition for the Merseysiders, was subbed off early against the Spanish side with cramp. Whether he’ll be risked again from the off against Fulham is the big question.

Alexis Mac Allister, whose future is no in doubt after the player confirmed the club wouldn’t be offering him a new deal, scored the winner against Atlético in midweek and has looked sharp since coming into the team to replace Ryan Gravenberch.

The Reds, believe it or not, are still unbeaten under the Spanish tactician.

Under new manager Álvaro Arbeloa, Fulham have played three in the Premier League and lost three.

They lost to Chelsea in their season opener, suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland and then twice had the lead against Crystal Palace before losing 3-2.

Despite amassing an Expected Goals total of 3.14 against the Eagles, they weren’t able to claim that decisive goal before Ben Chilwell’s late winner.

Perhaps surprisingly, Arbeloa’s side have the joint sixth highest xG in the Premier League this term, along with their hosts on Saturday, and higher than Arsenal, for example.

Their performances haven’t yet matched their results.

Key Players

There’s been a lot of focus on Liverpool’s attack after adding £150m worth of talent this summer in Barcola and Muñoz, 12 months after spending £300m on Hugo Ekitike, Isak and Florian Wirtz.

Yet the key player for the Reds over recent weeks has been Ronald Araújo. The centre-back-cum-right-back has helped shore things up defensively for Iraola’s side and the full-back role now feels like it’s his to lose having usurped Jeremie Frimpong.

Fulham’s key player is the in demand Joshua King. He scored against Chelsea and Crystal Palace and he’s now an important player in Arbeloa’s new look attack. His ability to find pockets of space is going to cause Liverpool’s double pivot some issues. His shooting technique makes him dangerous from distance too.

Team News

The visitors are without the injured Tom Cairney but aside from that, Arbeloa has a full squad to choose from.

Liverpool are still without Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley while Fede Chiesa is expected to be out for a few more weeks with a back injury. Joe Gomez might finally return from the injury sustained in pre-season.

Prediction

The numbers suggest Fulham are due a win at some point but with the Reds grinding out results under Iraola, we’re going to stick with a narrow Liverpool win, likely 2-1.

(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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Sep

2026

Preview: Real Madrid set for tricky Rayo test at the Bernabéu

Real Madrid have failed to record a league double over Rayo Vallecano since the 2021/22 season.

By Filip Mishov

Mourinho’s task to fix Real’s lack of midfield control

Inter’s defensive errors made José Mourinho‘s life easier in midweek, as Real Madrid celebrated a narrow victory in the Champions League. Los Blancos are on a three-match winning streak across all competitions at home this season, averaging 3.3 goals per match in front of their own fans.

However, an area of concern for the Portuguese coach might be the lack of control in the middle of the pitch with Federico Valverde and co. retaining only 52.8% possession of the ball throughout the opening five matches of the campaign, and even the captain admitted that the star-studded squad failed to follow the coach’s instructions and “to keep the ball more” following their midweek win against the reigning Serie A champions.

Rayo Vallecano enjoyed a full week off to prepare for the trip across Spain’s capital city from their own base in the Vallecas suburb after securing a dramatic comeback win against Racing Santander and getting themselves out of the relegation zone. Beñat San José‘s squaddesperately needed a lift but Los Franjirrojos are still a work in progress under the newly appointed coach.

Last season’s Conference League runners-up boast the joint fourth-best attack (7 scored) and second-worst defence (based on 10 goals conceded) in LaLiga at the same time, which puts Rayo’s relatively poor start to the season into context.

Key players

Kylian Mbappé is already earning glowing praise with the Special One putting the France captain’s name alongside Ronaldo as one of the best players that he has ever coached – quotes that came after the prolific goalscorer entered the Champions League all-time Top 5 scoring list (71 goals) thanks to his strike against Inter. The 27-year-old scored has scored five goals in the opening five matches of the season, earning an average FotMob rating of 8.19, and it’s already shaping up to be another fruitful campaign for Madrid’s No. 10.

For Rayo, Sergio Camello is in the form of his life, as the Atlético Madrid academy product is currently the second-highest scorer in LaLiga with five goals scored after four rounds played, while no player possesses a better goals per 90 ratio (1.81) than him. The in-form striker scored a brace and noted an assist in Rayo’s win over Racing Santander last weekend, earning the Player of the Match award with a FotMob rating of 9.2, and his performances become even more impressive when one takes into account the fact that the 25-year-old started only three of the four opening matches.

Team news

Aurélien Tchouaméni came off the bench in midweek to make his first appearance of the season and Thiago Pitarch was involved in the matchday squad after recovering from injury, while Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler and Bernardo Silva were all suspended and will return to the fold for Saturday’s match.

Jorge de Frutos and Fran Pérez both got sent off in the previous match and will miss the trip to their Madrid neighbours, while Augusto Batalla, Jozhua Vertrouwd and Isi Palazón are injured. New signing Marash Kumbulla is back in first-team training and could be in line to make his debut.

Prediction

Real Madrid are unbeaten at the Bernabéu so far this season, but Rayo Vallecano pegged back the Whites at least once, home or away, in each of the past four seasons, and even though I expect José Mourinho’s squad to find a way and get the three points, I do not think it will be as straightforward as many might think.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

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Sep

2026

Preview: Chelsea face high flying Hull City at the Bridge

Chelsea welcome Hull to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon in what could be a close-knit affair.

By Ross Kilvington

Xabi Alonso looks to bounce back from defeat against Arsenal

The Blues took the lead against Arsenal after just two minutes thanks to a Morgan Rogers volley which silenced the home crowd.

Chelsea failed to build on that early opener, however, as Mikel Arteta’s men eventually prevailed 2-1 to make it three wins from three in the Premier League.

It was Xabi Alonso’s biggest test and while his side demonstrated moments of brilliance against the champions, it wasn’t enough.

Against Leeds in the EFL Cup in midweek, a much changed Chelsea side trailed 2-0 after 48 minutes, but somehow pulled a 6-3 win out of the bag.

2-0 down at home in the Carabao Cup, Xabi Alonso brought on the big guns from the bench and turned the game. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CPc7sGALZW
— FotMob (@FotMob) September 10, 2026

One thing is for certain, Alonso’s reign is unlikely to be boring. Although the team have looked superb going forward, the defence must improve if trophies are to be won this season.

A tally of 16 goals proves Chelsea have been clinical in the final third, yet 10 goals conceded in just five games suggests there is work to be done.

Hull continue to be the early surprise package of the season

Even the most passionate Hull supporter wouldn’t have imagined the Tigers sitting third in the Premier League after three games, going unbeaten in the process.

The 2-0 victory over Manchester United to open the league campaign has been the catalyst for their superb run.

Indeed, Hull are the only top flight club to have kept a clean sheet across their opening three matches.

Will the bubble burst? More than likely, but confidence is at an all-time high right now. The trip to Stamford Bridge is going to be a tough test, yet Sergej Jakirović’s men will could thrive as the underdogs.

Team news

Jordan Henderson and Marco Palestra are definite absentees for Alonso due to injury, while Moisés Caicedo is a doubt for the game.

The likes of João Pedro, Cole Palmer and Roméo Lavia will likely return to the starting XI after being dropped to the bench in midweek.

Jakirović will be missing Charlie Hughes, Jack Butland, Darko Gyabi and Oscar Zambrano for this clash against the Blues on Saturday.

Prediction

Alonso will have been disappointed at failing to secure at least a point against Arsenal last time out, but this clash against Hull represents a chance to bounce back.

The Blues have won their previous nine fixtures against the Tigers dating back to February 2010 and a win on Saturday will keep them within touching distance of the summit.

For Hull, the pressure is off following a solid start to the season and nobody will expect them to get anything at Stamford Bridge.

This is perhaps when the away side could be at their most dangerous, especially with how many goals Chelsea have shipped already this season.

Expect Chelsea to secure all three points, but it will be tighter than many expect: Chelsea 3-1 Hull.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

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Sep

2026

Riccardo Calafiori’s use of space is opening up a completely different dimension for Arsenal

After a stop-start first two years at Arsenal, Riccardo Calafiori has never been more important to Mikel Arteta’s team than he is right now.

By Graham Ruthven

Arsenal’s second goal to ultimately clinch victory over Chelsea last Sunday was an illustration of everything the Premier League champions have offered as an attacking outfit this season. Christos Tzolis was purposeful in his cutting inside off the left with Kai Havertz ingenious in his dummy to Martin Ødegaard to finish following a late run into the box.

Riccardo Calafiori’s contribution was less obvious, mainly because he didn’t even touch the ball. Without his forward run, though, the Gunners’ attack might not have ended with the ball in the back of the net. It was reflective of how Calafiori has started the season. He has become one of Arsenal’s most important players.

*Calafiori’s heatmap from the game vs. Chelsea*

Signed on the back of his eye-catching performances for Italy at Euro 2024, Calafiori has always been a wildcard for Arsenal. While the likes of Jurrien Timber and Ben White have been favoured for their defensive ability in the full back positions, the former Bologna player is more cavalier in his approach.

Arteta makes an exception for Calafiori when he is on the pitch, allowing him the freedom to get forward. The Italian is an excellent ball-carrier and covers a huge amount of ground – only Havertz has covered more distance for Arsenal in the Premier League this season. On top of this, only Ødegaard has a higher Expected Assists (xA) than Calafiori.

Even more impactful, though, is Calafiori’s willingness to invert when venturing forward. This is what he did for Arsenal’s winning goal against Chelsea, creating the space for Tzolis to cut inside and taking a defender away from Havertz and Ødegaard to combine on the edge of the box.

*Calafiori’s physical data stats in the Premier League this season*

Frequently targeted for being creatively stodgy at times last season, Arsenal have been a more purposeful attacking force this term. Havertz is performing at the peak of his powers with Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka fully fit again. The trio have a clear understanding together and are driving the Gunners forward. Calafiori is playing his part too.

Arsenal’s start to the season suggests they are once again the team to beat in the Premier League. The Gunners also created over 4.05 xG (3.81 from open play) in the 1-0 win at Napoli that opened their Champions League campaign, on Wednesday, with Arteta and his players intent on breaking their continental duck after losing to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in last season’s final.

To achieve European supremacy, Arsenal must get better at imposing their own game on the strongest of opponents. While the Gunners made last season’s Champions League final, they landed in the more favourable half of the draw. They can’t count on that again. Arsenal must develop as a creative outfit to beat the best.

Calafiori’s emergence as one of Arsenal’s most influential players could help in this regard. The Italian is a chaos merchant who gives the Gunners another edge. Calafiori himself is a creative threat with his eye for goal and ability to produce an assist, but his movement also helps his teammates perform at their best.

In stringing together wins over Manchester City, Coventry City, Aston Villa and Chelsea, conceding just once in the process, Arsenal have underlined their status as one of the most accomplished teams in English and European football right now. If anything, winning last season’s Premier League title has liberated them. The Gunners look stronger than ever.

“I think it’s an indication for us of how we are capable of performing at an even higher level than last season,” said Arteta after the win over Chelsea. “It depends on how we maintain and sustain that desire, that humbleness, and continue every day to try to find a better version of myself and the team. We still have a lot to grow and a lot to offer. This is the ambition of the team.”

Arteta will evolve Arsenal over the course of the season. Right now, Myles Lewis-Skelly is being favoured alongside Declan Rice in central midfield. Soon enough, though, Bruno Guimarães could come in instead following his summer switch from Newcastle United. The Brazilian surely expects to start in time.

On the left wing, Tzolis has hit the ground running after joining from Club Brugge. Eberechi Eze, however, will almost certainly be a factor at some stage of the campaign. He’s too good to be on the bench for long. Noni Madueke can also play on the left side even if he is most comfortable on the opposite flank.

In Calafiori, though, Arsenal have a player who embodies how Arteta is embracing the next evolution of his team. The Italian is a vision of what the Gunners could become, and are already on their way to becoming. He isn’t the archetypal Arsenal player and that’s what makes him so valuable.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Sep

2026

Can Donyell Malen’s goals help Roma mount a serious title challenge?

It has been 25 long years since Roma last won the Scudetto. Under the shrewd leadership of Fabio Capello, a team featuring Giallorossi icons such as Francesco Totti, Cafu, Vincent Candela and Vincenzo Montella finished two points clear of Juventus to win their third league title.

By Ross Kilvington

Given the squad that Capello had at his disposal, it should have been the start of a new dynasty for Roma. Instead, the capital city side failed to build on that Serie A winning campaign, finishing as proverbial bridesmaids on nine different occasions since 2001.

Going deeper still, a tally of just five major honours in 25 years is a truly dismal return for one of Italy’s most historic clubs.

Gian Piero Gasperini is now at the helm, a man who led Atalanta into the Champions League and to Europa League glory.

Roma, of course, are a different beast entirely. A third-place finish during his maiden season at the Stadio Olimpico was a fine achievement and it was largely thanks to the goals from Donyell Malen during the second half of the campaign.

The Dutchman has begun 2026/27 in a similar vein of fashion. Can he be the man to end 25 years of agony?

*Malen’s flying start in Serie A this season*

Donyell Malen reinvigorated Roma last season

Malen made an initial loan move to the Italian capital in January of this year, despite spending only 12 months at Villa.

Largely used as a substitute during his brief spell in the Midlands, the forward scored ten goals across 46 appearances under Unai Emery.

Prior to his arrival, Roma had lost seven of their opening 18 Serie A matches. Malen wasted no time in making an impact, scoring against Torino on his debut and finished with an extraordinary total of 14 league goals in just 18 matches.

The Giallorossi lost just four of their remaining games – one of those against Scudetto winners Inter Milan – as Gasperini lead the club back into the Champions League for the first time since 2018/19.

*Malen’s Serie A shooting stats in 2025/26*

Roma announced the permanent signing of Malen during the summer for a £21m fee – an absolute bargain in the current market.

With a deal running through to 2030, Malen has ample time to cement himself as a modern-day club icon in the capital. Three league matches into the new season, he is already carrying on exactly where he left off.

Roma are thriving in Serie A this season

Roma sit top of the table making the perfect start.

Malen has been instrumental to that early surge to the summit of Serie A, scoring five goals to take his tally to 20 in just 23 matches.

It isn’t simply the volume of goals that has endeared him to supporters, but the variety.

His opener against Fiorentina saw Malen turn brilliant to create a yard of space beyond his marker to fire a low shot into the back of the net. His second saw the forward ease past Radu Drăgușin before firing a lovely effort into the roof of the net at the near post before he rounded off his treble with a poacher’s finish.

Three goals, three different profiles, proving that he is one of the most complete forwards in Serie A.

*Malen has scored with five of his seven shots on target this season*

After a brace against Lecce on matchday two, Gasperini even compared Malen to one of his former stars.

“I have been fortunate enough to work with some great goalscorer, like Diego Milito at Genoa, but also with Atalanta I often had players who knew how to score goals. Malen is a little different, although he does remind me of Milito in some ways,” said Gasperini.

“He has this ability to control, turn and accelerate, which are extraordinary characteristics for a centre-forward. I think both of us, me and him, wanted him to play in that role. It was a gamble that paid off.”

Across those first two league matches, Gasperini deployed Malen as the lone centre-forward in a 3-4-2-1 system, with Argentinian playmakers Paolo Dybala and Matías Soulé operating directly behind him.

That system evidently worked a treat, with Dybala assisting all three of Malen’s goals against Fiorentina, while Soulé found the net against Lecce.

In their latest match, against Gasperini’s former club Atalanta, Dybala and Malen were partnered together in the 2-1 victory.

The former provided an assist for Soulé’s dramatic late winner, but the Dutchman still caused plenty of chaos during his time on the pitch. Not only did he complete the most dribbles (4) and create one chance, but Malen also won five of his six ground duels and took ten touches in the opposition penalty area.

Goals are what Malen is going to be defined by, but performances like this prove he can still dominate games without scoring.

The 2026/27 campaign is still in its embryonic stages, but Roma do look like a force to contend with.

Serie A duties are on hold for a few days as the capital side take on Fenerbahçe in the Champions League on Thursday, but momentum is certainly on their side.

If Malen keeps delivering across the next few months, Roma challenging for a first Scudetto in 25 years becomes a real possibility, something that would inevitably guarantee hero status for the 27-year-old.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Sep

2026

Preview: Man United face newcomers Sabah in the Champions League

Manchester United return to Champions League action tonight against the Azerbaijani champions, Sabah FK.

By Ian King

The differences between Manchester United and Sabah FK are stark

Manchester United return to what they would presume to be their ‘rightful’ place in the Champions League off the back of an inconsistent start to their Premier League season. A bafflingly bad performance against Hull City was followed by a commanding win against Ipswich Town, but last week they were pegged back by a last-gasp equaliser by Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Sabah FK ended last season as the Champions of Azerbaijan for the first time. In fact, they ended 2025/26 having won a league and cup double. They won the league by nine points from Qarabağ, and they went unbeaten domestically from August to May. This season they’ve kicked off with three straight wins in the league, and last weekend they beat Zirə Futbol Klubu 5-0 in front of a crowd of 1,752. For reference, the capacity of Old Trafford is 74,158. To put it another way, the difference between these two clubs is enormous.

Sabah have already played eight games in the Champions League this season, though, having battled all the way through from the First Qualifying Round. They’ve already beaten British opposition, too, having beaten Welsh side TNS 2-0 and 2-1 in July. Since then, they’ve got past the Finnish side KuPS, the Danish side Aarhus, and Hapoel Be’er Sheva from Israel, to get here, so at least they’ll arrive in Manchester warmed up in this particular competition.

This is Sabah’s fourth consecutive season of European football

These two sides have never played each other before, and Manchester United have never played Azerbaijani opposition before, either. Sabah were only formed ten years ago, but this is their fourth consecutive season of European football, though it’s their first time in the Champions League. Meanwhile, this season marks Manchester United’s return to European football after having failed to qualify a year earlier, the first time they’d failed to do so in 11 years.

Manchester United’s standout player so far in 2026/27 is the same one as for the whole of 2025/26

With the most goals scored, the highest average Fotmob rating and the most distance covered on the pitch, club captain Bruno Fernandes has been Manchester United’s standout player so far this season, just as he was last time around. Head coach Michael Carrick could be tempted to give a player or two a rest against modest opposition tonight, but his captain will surely start.

*Fernandes’ heat map in the Premier League this season*

There aren’t many familiar names in the Sabah squad, but two of their players have some degree of experience of English football. Polish left-back Tymoteusz Puchacz played 18 games on loan for Plymouth Argyle from the German side Holstein Kiel in 2025, while Nigerian winger Christian Nwachukwu signed for Sheffield United from the Bulgarian side Botev Plovdiv in 2025, failed to make a single appearance for them, and was sold to Sabah for an undisclosed fee in the summer.

Their form player is Joy-Lance Mickels, a once-capped Rwandan international striker who’s already scored eight goals this season, four of which came in their Champions League qualifiers.

With City at the weekend, United may shuffle their pack for this match

Manchester United have a derby match against City at the weekend, so Carrick will likely rest a handful of players, with possible cameos for any – or all – of Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui, Andrey Santos or Benjamin Šeško. Sabah have no injury issues – which is handy, given this is the biggest night in the short history of the club!

This should be a comfortable win for Manchester United, and there’ll be hell to pay if it isn’t

In terms of resources, these two clubs exist in different universes, and anything other than a win for Manchester United tonight would be an abject humiliation for the club. The good news for United supporters is that there’s little evidence to suggest that there’s any chance of this not happening.

Defensive performances – which have seen them concede six goals in their opening three Premier League matches – have been sub-par, but they’ve scored seven in their last two games and their opponents have already won a huge victory merely by getting this far in the first place.

But this is the first game of Michael Carrick’s first real test as United’s head coach. Without European football and with early eliminations from both domestic cups last season, Carrick had a clear run in the Premier League, but this season he has to juggle the eight matches of the Champions League megagroup, and far greater tests await, including Atlético Madrid, Roma and Bayern Munich.

It’s clear that their back line can be got at, and this makes it difficult to predict a clean sheet for them at the moment, no matter who the opposition. But this should still be a comfortable evening for them to ease back into the rhythm of European football, so I’ll go for a 4-1 United win, though I do feel a little as though I’m pulling a number out of a hat in terms of the number of goals they might score.

And if United don’t win comfortably, tensions may well start to significantly rise again ahead of their weekend showdown against that lot.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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