Page 11 – The Pulse of Football

May

2026

Preview: West Ham fighting for survival as Leeds visit the London Stadium

With the title wrapped up relegation takes centre stage on the Premier League’s final day – and West Ham United have one final chance at home to save themselves from yet another drop to tier two.

By Karl Matchett

Have the Hammers missed their chance?

West Ham have already been relegated down to the Championship – or the old Division One – twice since the advent of the Premier League. But their last demise was 15 years ago and only lasted one campaign; since returning in 2012 they’ve finished in the top half six times, played in Europe in five different seasons and even won their first major honour since 1980, with the Conference League title just three years ago.

Yet since then they’ve gone through three managers, have won fewer league games each year and, this term, their poor decisions have caught up with them. Nuno Espírito Santo oversaw a return to form between mid-January and mid-March to give the Hammers a chance, but he was also in place before September was out – overseeing a run of two wins in 16.

That’s what has done the damage for West Ham and for all that those February and March wins got them back in the conversation to stay up, they look to have run out of steam. Defeats recently to Brentford and Newcastle were, in truth, wimpish – no defensive resilience, no big push to get a crucial result. They’ve a final chance left but finding a performance from nowhere is a big ask.

Farke lays down the gauntlet

On the other hand, Leeds have gone from strength to strength as the season wore on – they’ve only lost four times in the league since 29 November. Once safe they could have tailed off, but no; Daniel Farke has his side unbeaten in eight and is challenging both players and board alike to show they can compete even higher next term – and should have him at the helm. Leeds can still finish as high as 11th – that would be their highest in a non-Covid season since 2002.

Recent form

For a positive spin, West Ham have only lost two of their last ten at home. But they simply must win and they only have three wins in the last eight at the London Stadium. Leeds have drawn six of their last seven away from home.

Team news

Adama Traoré is West Ham’s only absentee. Nuno must stick with the 3-4-3 that flopped against Newcastle or go for broke back to 4-2-3-1 with Taty Castellanos back in the side.

Leeds are probably without all of Anton Stach, Noah Okafor, Jayden Bogle, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Pascal Struijk and Ilia Gruev.

Key player

Taty has been a good signing for West Ham and in midfield Mateus Fernandes has been genuinely very good. But you feel it’s Jarrod Bowen who must provide the magic if a great escape is to happen. On total numbers he ranks top 5% among wingers for shots in the league this term, top 3% for big chances and top 5% for successful dribbles – but it all needs to come together in one 90 minutes.

Prediction

West Ham to get something from the game but it’s ultimately not enough to save themselves: West Ham 1-1 Leeds.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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May

2026

Preview: Brighton need a result against Man United on final day

Michael Carrick’s tenure as official head coach of Manchester United starts with a strangely irrelevant game – but opponents Brighton and Hove Albion still have European football to fight for.

By Karl Matchett

It’s a job well done for the former midfielder at Old Trafford, even as it’s now only a job getting started. Carrick certainly rescued the Red Devils from mediocrity to claim a Champions League place, with third a guarantee before the final day.

One eye on the future

Casemiro has played his last game for Manchester United, as confirmed by Carrick, so in defence, the manager might be considering looking at who his preferred partnership will be going forward. Discussions have no doubt taken place already over where he wants to strengthen across the summer transfer window, meaning a final chance this term for some to impress.

Is Ayden Heaven to be a go-to starter? Has Lenny Yoro missed the boat entirely? Will Harry Maguire, fresh from World Cup squad distress, still be a leaned-on figure for next term and beyond? Nothing is definitive over one game, but with little at stake, that’s where Carrick’s mind must now turn for United’s future. Senne Lammens has earned the gloves but ahead of him still sits confusion.

Europa or Conference?

Brighton have much more at stake – they could be in the Europa League next season, the Conference League or nothing at all. A result is required and even a point might not be enough if Chelsea and Brentford both find big final day performances. Whisper it, but in a very specific scenario where Aston Villa slip to fifth, Bournemouth lose, and Brighton win to go sixth, that position would mean Champions League football for the Seagulls!

Fabian Hürzeler has turned matters around significantly, going from a mid-season winless slump to a new contract – and he’ll want that to start by securing continental football next term. Brighton have only lost three at home this term and concede fewer than one per game on average at the Amex – a big last effort could make next year an exciting one to look forward to.

Recent form

One defeat in eight from the end of February to the end of April put Brighton back in contention, but it’s one win and two defeats in their last three – or three wins on the bounce at home if you’re an optimist.

United have only lost once in eight all told and once in nine on the road – but have also only one win in their last four away from home.

Team news

Kaoru Mitoma is out and right-back Mats Wieffer is the doubt for Brighton.

Benjamin Šeško is United’s only injury worry, with Matthijs de Ligt out after surgery and missing the World Cup.

Key player

From the perspective of Brighton needing a result, Mitoma’s absence is big – much is now needed from Yankuba Minteh, the team’s other dribble-merchant with speed. He ranks in the Premier League’s top ten percent for wingers by successful dribbles per 90, but also for touches in the box and successful crosses. They’ll need a few to pose a regular goal threat.

Prediction

The Seagulls to spoil Carrick’s big day and get a south coast party started in anticipation of some tremendous trips next term: Brighton 2-1 Man United.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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May

2026

Preview: Real Madrid playing for pride as they host Athletic Club in final game

Real Madrid welcome Athletic Club to the Bernabéu on Saturday evening as both teams end their LaLiga campaigns.

By Ross Kilvington

Los Blancos will end 2025/26 without a major trophy, while Athletic Club are on track for their lowest finish since ending the 2017/18 campaign in 16^th place.

Can José Mourinho bring the good times back at Real Madrid?

With nothing to play for but pride in the final league game, thoughts turn to the 2026/27 season.

It is looking increasingly likely that José Mourinho will return for a second spell at the Bernabéu, 13 years after he left first time around. Reports are stating he will sign a two-year deal with his former club.

Make no bones about it, this isn’t the same Mourinho which guided Porto and Inter Milan to Champions League titles. Nor the same manager who won a third Premier League title with Chelsea and guided a post-Fergie Man United side to three trophies.

Although leading Benfica to an unbeaten league season, Mourinho’s side could only finish third. There is no doubt that Madrid and Florentino Pérez require a big personality to get the dressing room back onside, but is Mourinho the right answer?

Only time will tell. A big summer awaits the 15-time European champions as they look to return to the summit of Spanish football.

Athletic Club are undergoing change of their own

This summer, Ernesto Valverde is stepping down as manager. The 62-year-old has managed Athletic Club on three different occasions and the clash against Madrid will be his 504^th and final game in the dugout.

His greatest achievement was leading Athletic Club to the Copa del Ray trophy in 2024 and he will be replaced by former Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzić.

Terzić won the German Cup during his first spell at Dortmund, before coming close to Bundesliga and Champions League glory across his second stint, finishing runner-up to Bayern Munich in 2023 and Madrid in 2024 respectively.

It’s a bold appointment, especially considering the 43-year-old hasn’t managed in two years, but will it pay off?

Although only three points separates Los Leones with Getafe in seventh, who hold the final European spot, it looks as though San Mamés won’t be seeing any continental action next season.

Perhaps this could be a blessing in disguise for Terzić.

Team news

In what is Álvaro Arbeloa’s last game in charge of Madrid, he will be without several players. Éder Militão and Rodrygo are long-term absentees and will also miss the World Cup.

Elsewhere, Ferland Mendy, Federico Valverde, Dani Ceballos, Arda Güler and Andriy Lunin will also be unavailable.

For Athletic Club, Nico Williams, Unai Egiluz, Oihan Sancet, Dani Vivian and Beñat Prados remain absent ahead of the trip to the Bernabéu.

Prediction

Both managers will be looking to end the season on a high and seal all three points. Madrid won the reverse fixture 3-0 in December and Arbeloa will be desperate to end with a victory.

Don’t be surprised, however, if Valverde manages to escape Madrid with a point or three in what is his final game in charge of Athletic Club.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow all the games from LaLiga on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

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May

2026

Preview: Champions Barcelona close their season with trip to Valencia

Valencia host Barcelona on Saturday of the final weekend of the season as the home side look to climb into the European places.

By Matt Smith

Barcelona’s campaign is over when it comes to having something to play for, after they were crowned champions earlier this month.

It didn’t go well for Valencia the last time these two sides met, back in September, with Barcelona securing a 6-0 victory. In fact, it’s been pure dominance for Barcelona across the last three meetings, scoring 18 goals during that period.

Team news

Valencia will be without Eray Cömert due to suspension, while Mouctar Diakhaby is ruled out due to injury. Lucas Beltrán, Dimitri Foulquier, José Gayà, and Renzo Saravia are all doubts for the home side.

Lamine Yamal remains out injured for Barcelona, while Fermín López is also unavailable. Barcelona could see Marcus Rashford, Frenkie de Jong, and Ferran Torres all available after their recent issues.

Valencia’s late European charge

Over the last few weeks, Valencia have started to climb the table after an inconsistent start, with just one loss in their last five games. Carlos Corberán’s side are in with a chance to qualify for Europe heading into the final day.

If Getafe even secure just a point against Osasuna this weekend, then Valencia’s European dreams are over. They are also relying on Rayo Vallecano failing to win, so there is a lot that has to go their way for Valencia to finish in the Europa Conference League spot.

Lewandowski’s farewell

Polish striker Robert Lewandowski recently confirmed that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season, with his contract at Barcelona expiring. Hansi Flick will likely hand Lewandowski some minutes in what is his farewell game, and he’ll be backing himself to score due to his strong record against Valencia.

Lewandowski scored nine goals in his last six matches against Valencia, including three in the last three meetings. The 37-year-old doesn’t have the legs to bang in the number of goals we’ve seen from him previously, but he’ll still be missed at Barcelona.

Rashford’s final audition?

There’s been a lot of talk in the media about Marcus Rashford’s future, with the English forward currently on loan at Barcelona. It has not been confirmed whether he will sign a permanent deal in Spain, and the game against Valencia could be his final audition.

The Manchester United loanee didn’t start, or even come off the bench, in Barcelona’s previous match. Flick might want to get one final look at him before they make a decision. Rashford will certainly have a point to prove in this game, as he is at an interesting point in his career.

Prediction

There is a little more riding on this game for Valencia, but their record against Barcelona of late suggests it could be a difficult evening. We are 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, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

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May

2026

FotMob’s guide to the EFL Playoff Finals, from Championship drama to League 2 expectancy

The English domestic season ends this bank holiday weekend with its annual Wembley triple-header: the EFL play-off finals. Six teams will walk out under the iconic arch with one thing in mind: clinching the final promotion spot from their respective divisions.

By Tom Hancock

Here, we preview the Championship, League One and League Two play-off finals, with places in the Premier League, Championship and League One at stake.

Championship: Hull vs. Middlesbrough

What a wild ride it’s been to this year’s Championship play-off final. Has there ever been a build-up like it? Until Tuesday just gone, the ‘richest game in football’ (as well as a place in the Premier League, there’s £220m in prize money up for grabs) was meant to be between Hull City and Southampton – but the ‘Spygate’ saga lingered over the latter.

Rumbled when a man was caught filming a Middlesbrough training session prior to the first leg of their play-off semi-final against Southampton, it came to light that the Saints had spied on opponents on multiple occasions. The club admitted as much and, after a disciplinary hearing, were thrown out of the play-offs – having originally beaten Boro 2-1 on aggregate – and slapped with a four-point deduction for the start of next season.

Southampton lost an appeal against their punishment on Wednesday and Middlesbrough, whose players had been on standby and returned to training following the verdict, will face Hull at Wembley. Both sides are looking to end nine-year top-flight absences, having been relegated from the Premier League together at the end of the 2016/17 season.

The whole saga has affected both teams, Hull having been expecting to play Southampton and Middlesbrough having been unsure if they’d even be playing at all until a week after their initial semi-final elimination. Whether that will be any kind of leveller on Saturday remains to be seen, but Hull and Boro each beat the other away from home during the regular season – so it’s all square in that sense.

Hull climbed into the play-offs on the final day, ending a run of six games without victory to come from behind and beat Norwich City. And that seemed to give them a big boost for the semis, where they drew 0-0 with Millwall in the home first leg before producing a dominant performance to win 2-0 away in the second leg and on aggregate – keeping back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since February, a run they’ll hope they can extend with the likes of heroic goalkeeper Ivor Pandur and experienced defender John Egan – the latter twice promoted to the Premier League with Sheffield United.

Winger Mohamed Belloumi was Hull’s hero that night in South East London, coming off the bench to inspire the Tigers to Wembley, so he might just have played his way into Sergej Jakirović’s starting 11 for the final. And Jakirović will be relying on the likes of Belloumi and 18-goal top scorer Oli McBurnie to prise open a Middlesbrough side which gave up the lowest Expected Goals (xG) during the Championship regular campaign (44.1 at an average of 0.95 per game).

Boro were in contention for a top-two finish on the final day, but they still have a shot at promotion amid a season of managerial upheaval, Kim Hellberg having succeeded Rob Edwards in November after Edwards left for Wolves. Their aforementioned stinginess at the back has underpinned their push towards a Premier League return, with Teesside-born captain Dael Fry and Luke Ayling – a veteran of three EFL promotion-winning campaigns – often joined by January signing Adilson Malanda in a back three – which Hull also deployed in the second leg of the semis.

At the other end, Middlesbrough will hope that Tommy Conway and David Strelec can rekindle the scoring form that saw them bag eight goals between them in the final six regular-season matches, as they go in search of their first Wembley goal since Fabrizio Ravanelli struck against Leicester City in the 1997 EFL Cup final.

Hull are looking to make it three Championship play-off final wins out of three, having triumphed 1-0 in 2008 and 2016; Boro will be out to banish the memory of their last appearance in this game, a 2-0 defeat to Norwich in 2015.

League One: Bolton vs. Stockport

It’s an all-Greater Manchester affair in League One, where either Stockport County or Bolton Wanderers will reach the Championship at their local rivals’ expense. Stockport haven’t played second-tier football for 24 years and were in the fifth tier as recently as 2019 – when Bolton’s latest Championship stint came to an end.

The League One play-offs were the tightest in the EFL this season, with just two points separating the four semi-finalists – and, indeed, these two teams. Stockport did have the edge during the regular campaign, beating Bolton 2-0 at home on the opening day – but last month’s reverse fixture finished 2-2, which might just be a stronger indicator of how this crunch clash will play out.

Managed by Dave Challinor – who has four non-League play-off successes on his CV – Stockport recorded the joint third-most victories in the third tier this term, winning 22 of their 46 regular-season games. They also boast the joint second-highest scorer in League One, Kyle Wootton (19 goals) – who, along with playmaking master Ollie Norwood (11 assists), will be key to the Hatters’ chances at Wembley.

Bolton somewhat stumbled into the play-offs, managing only one win in six before rediscovering form to beat Bradford City 1-0 in both legs of the semis. In Steven Schumacher, they have a boss who knows what it takes to get out of this league, having guided Plymouth Argyle to the title three years ago. And the Trotters’ promotion hopes could hinge on their defensive rigidity – founded on a centre-back partnership of Eoin Toal and Chris Forino, Bolton gave up the second lowest Expected Goals (xG) in League One this term.

Both these sides have won play-off finals in the past – Stockport one and Bolton two – though both lost on their last visit to the national stadium. This time, only one of them will experience that unwanted feeling.

League Two: Notts County vs. Salford

League Two sees another Greater Manchester side vying for promotion in Salford City – aiming to reach the third tier for the very first time – who take on Notts County, looking to make it back to League One after 11 years away. Salford and County saw off Grimsby Town and Chesterfield respectively in the semi-finals.

Salford are coached by Karl Robinson, who’s looking to make it fifth time lucky in the play-offs after two unsuccessful campaigns apiece with MK Dons and Oxford United. In the Notts County dugout is former Northern Ireland international Martin Paterson – still early in his managerial career but a Championship play-off winner with Burnley back in 2009.

Finishing the regular season fourth and fifth respectively, Salford and Notts County were, statistically, the best two teams in the League Two play-offs – indeed, Salford won more games than any other team in the division (25), with County just one behind them in that regard. Salford are among the fourth tier’s top creators, averaging 1.49 xG per game; County rank joint second for xG conceded (1.02 per game) – it could be an intriguing battle of wits in the capital, where temperatures are forecast to top 30C on Monday.

Psychologically, Salford might just have the upper hand, having beaten Notts County 2-1 home and away during the regular campaign. But both sides have tasted Wembley glory in recent times, Salford winning the National League play-off final there in 2019 and County doing likewise in 2023.

(Images from IMAGO)

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

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May

2026

Mohamed Salah set for final farewell at Anfield

Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool career comes to an end on Sunday.

By Sam McGuire

Things move quickly in football. Just over a year ago, he penned a new, two-year deal with the club after a record breaking season. Salah scored 29 goals and assisted 18 times as he helped the Reds claim their 20th league title. The signs looked ominous for Liverpool’s rivals.

Yet here we are, one year later, and the four-time Golden Boot winner is, perhaps prematurely, calling time on his stay on Merseyside after the worst career of his season with the club.

With just seven goals and six assists to his name, it’s been a bit of a barren campaign for the usually free-scoring forward. Unfairly sacrificed earlier in the season by Arne Slot when the Dutchman wanted to shore things up, Salah’s war of words with the club expedited his inevitable departure.

The 33-year-old claimed he was “thrown under the bus” by the club during that spell on the sidelines and was left out of the squad for a trip to the San Siro as punishment. Injuries have impacted his farewell tour and what he’s said over recent weeks has dominated the conversation. So much so that instead of there being a media celebration heading into his final game for the Reds, he’s been painted as a villain who, fuelled by bitterness, is taking swipes at the club.

In reality, all he’s done is shed some light on the fact that standards have slipped within the club. He’s pointed out the obvious. If standards hadn’t slipped, Slot wouldn’t be talking about scoring two goals at Villa Park as a big positive in a game the Reds lost 4-2. If standards hadn’t slipped, there’d be a greater focus on why the 2024/25 champions of England are needing a positive result on the final day of the season to claim a fifth place finish.

The maximum points Liverpool can finish on is 62. Last season, that total would’ve secured eighth place. As Salah said in a recent statement: “Winning some games here and there is not what Liverpool should be about. All teams win games.”

He’s been vilified for wanting the Reds to do better. And while this is a cloud over his departure, it should detract from what he’s done for the club.

Perception and opinion is skewed right now. With Salah leaving Anfield, the Reds are losing one of the best ever. Pep Guardiola put it nicely in a recent interview: “One of the greatest; the numbers, the consistency – what a player! An incredible human being, goals and assists, absolutely a legend for Liverpool Football Club, but for the Premier League for all he has done.”

Given he’s been performing at such a high level for his entire stint with Liverpool, a lot of what he does is taken for granted. Before his arrival, wide forwards not named Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi weren’t posting these types of numbers. And nobody was doing it in the Premier League.

It isn’t an exaggeration to say he changed the game.

*Salah’s player traits compared against similar players in Europe’s top five leagues*

At the time of writing, he’s on 191 Premier League goals in 314 appearances. In eight of his nine seasons at Liverpool, he’s scored a minimum of 18 in the English top-flight and in five of these campaigns, he’s scored a minimum of 22. He was a goal machine for one of the best teams in world football.

He wasn’t just a goalscorer though. He’s ranked joint top for Premier League assists for the Reds with Steven Gerrard on 92.

Salah spearheaded two different Liverpool teams to Premier League success, almost singlehandedly carrying Slot’s side last season with 47 goal involvements. He’s also played his part in the Reds reaching three Champions League finals, winning one, as well as domestic success.

The No. 11 is, and will always be, a Liverpool legend. His struggles this season don’t take anything away from his time on Merseyside. And his struggles have been blown out of proportion.

The Reds are a team in the middle of an identity crisis. No attacker has been platformed well by those in charge, the balance seems off and that is a big reason as to why they find themselves in fifth position rather than in a title challenge. Despite this, and despite the narratives, Salah still ranks second for goal involvement behind Hugo Ekitike. He’s joint second for goals and assists. He’s second for big chances created and second for chances created per 90. In truth, he’s performed as expected in this set-up with seven goals from an xG of 7.91 and six assists from an xA of 4.9.

Obviously, he would’ve liked to go out on a high. If he can help the club secure Champions League football, he’s done his job. But this is about more than just one season. Salah leaves a Liverpool legend.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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May

2026

FotMob Opinion: Hearts’ title challenge was the shot in the arm Scottish football needed

It wasn’t to be for Hearts as they fell at the final hurdle last weekend, but their unexpected title challenge might have stirred something in Scottish football.

By Graham Ruthven

As in 14 of the last 15 seasons, Celtic lifted the Scottish Premiership trophy on Saturday. For a long time, it was uncertain Martin O’Neill’s side would even take the title fight to the final day of a tumultuous, and at times calamitous, campaign. That the Hoops were able to find their best form when it mattered most was admirable. The mark of champions.

And yet the sense of deflation for anyone of a non-Celtic (or Hibernian) disposition after Saturday’s final day showdown was impossible to avoid. The 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season won’t be remembered for what Celtic did. Instead the most profound memories were made by Hearts.

Hearts’ title challenge was the storyline that made Saturday’s match at Celtic a must-watch event for fans of the sport around the world. It was Scottish football’s very own Leicester City-esque fairytale and while Derek McInnes and his players didn’t get their Cinderella ending, they might have changed the sport’s landscape in the country forever.

As the bitter disappointment of Saturday’s result dissipated, a message of defiance started to come from Tynecastle. This need not be the end of something. Instead, this season could prove to be the start of a new era for Hearts and the Scottish game at large. Scottish football needed a shot in the arm and this could be it.

“The intention now is to dust ourselves down and try and enjoy our break but be ready for the challenges ahead,” said McInnes, already looking ahead to next season. “I fully believe that those challenges are going to be met, with the enthusiasm from everybody at the club and the desire to improve and make it the norm for us to be challenging for trophies.

“I firmly believe that those expectations will be met as we go on. I think this season has given us so much encouragement. For us to reach 80 points, a new club record, and be involved in the Champions League qualifiers in July, there are so many positives from the campaign.”

McInnes is entitled to feel bullish about his club’s long-term vision. Tony Bloom has already transformed Hearts’ fortunes through his Jamestown Analytics company since arriving as a minority owner 12 months ago, implementing a data-driven approach that has worked wonders for Brighton and Union Saint-Gilloise under his stewardship.

With a cheque from European qualification to be cashed this summer, Hearts will have more money to spend in the transfer window. The data will continue to guide their recruitment strategy and Jamestown’s record in unearthing diamonds in unexpected places is unmatched. There is scope for further growth.

It’s not just Hearts who should be energised by what unfolded in the Scottish Premiership this season. Motherwell also enjoyed an excellent campaign, registering their highest league finish (fourth) for 12 years. Not only this, The Steelmen earned a reputation for being the best footballing side in the country. They were a joy to watch.

Only Celtic and Rangers averaged a higher share of possession per match than Motherwell this season. Even more impressive than this, Motherwell averaged the second-most passes per match in the division. They play the sort of football that should be beyond a club of their modest resources.

Manager Jens Berthel Askou will probably move on from Fir Park over the summer, possibly to Celtic if reporting is to be believed, but a precedent has been set. With good coaching and clear thinking, the gulf to Scotland’s biggest and richest clubs can be bridged. How many others will take inspiration from what Hearts and Motherwell have done?

While Scotland’s national team is preparing for its first World Cup since 1998, the domestic game in the country has stagnated. No Scottish team qualified for this season’s Champions League while Aberdeen and Rangers both failed to make a meaningful impact on the Europa League and Conference League.

UEFA’s coefficient rankings places the Scottish Premiership as only the 18th-best league in Europe, putting it behind top flights in Czechia, Greece, Poland, Denmark, Norway and Cyprus. Financially, tactically and culturally, Scottish football has needed something to reinvigorate it.

Hearts might not be that something on their own. Celtic and Rangers still have the resources to crush the Edinburgh side in the seasons to come even if Bloom has an army of data nerds scouring their spreadsheets for marginal gains. There is no advantage in football like a financial one.

As part of a broader movement, though, Hearts’ success this season could be the start of a genuine shift. Celtic and Rangers aren’t untouchable. The established order of Scottish football can be disrupted. It was this season and for the first time in a generation nothing north of the border is guaranteed.

(Images from IMAGO)

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

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May

2026

FotMob Profile: Nice out to rescue season as INEOS relationship sours

Things aren’t so nice in Nice this season. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have a new toy, fans want to fight the players, and now they’re in serious danger of losing their Ligue 1 status after their worst season in over a decade.

By Alex Roberts

Their season started in the Champions League qualifiers against Benfica after they managed to secure a fourth-place finish in 2024/25, but ultimately, they failed to reach the tournament proper. This season, they were expected to do the same if not better.

Now, they’re a two-legged play-off against Saint-Etienne away from being relegated. Which would be disastrous for Sir Jim and INEOS, who are looking to sell up seven years after buying the club.

The ownership have gone from promising to topple PSG’s monopoly to completely losing interest as they put all of their attention into Man United. Investment has all but dried up – last summer, Nice spent €35.18m on transfers and brought in €108.00m.

*Nice have three games in which to save their season*

Among those sold were three of their best. Jean-Clair Todibo made his move to West Ham permanent, Evann Guessand went to Aston Villa, had little impact and was shipped out to Crystal Palace, and long-serving goalkeeper Marcin Bulka secured a no doubt lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.

It was going to be an uphill battle from the start. The board had left them out to dry and had no intention of bringing in the quality needed to replace the key players they had lost. Kevin Carlos, signed to replace Guessand, has failed to score a league goal.

Manager Franck Haise could see the writing on the wall last autumn, complaining that he didn’t have the players to be challenging for Europe, then going even further to say he couldn’t “create a group” from the squad.

As they struggled for results, the fans really go on their backs. Their anger was largely directed at the players, which feels a little unfair, but sporting director Florian Maurice and President Fabrice Bocquet weren’t spared their ire.

In November, striker Terim Moffi and winger Jeremie Boga were attacked by fans as they climbed off of the team bus at the club’s training ground after arriving back from a defeat at Lorient. A few months later, they were both gone.

Bocquet departed shortly after, then, and probably most importantly, Haise left in December, before joining Rennes in February. The 55-year-old has been a revelation since heading to Roazhon Park, securing European football for the side from Brittany. It’s amazing what a calm working environment can do!

So, what Nice went and did was re-hire former manager Claude Puel, who has been a contentious figure in football for a while now, having tarnished his reputation with some terrible spells in the Premier League with Southampton and then Leicester.

And it’s been a disaster back at Nice. Puel had a lot of credit in the bank following his impressive four-year spell between 2012-16, but that’s all gone now. The veteran coach has won just two of his 18 league games, and his tactics and team selections have been widely criticised.

Puel isn’t to blame though. He walked into a burning building with nothing but an oxygen tank and with the foundations pretty much gone. He played the cards he was dealt poorly, but the issue is deeper than the manager.

The current crisis could have been averted on the last day of Ligue 1. Nice faced the already relegated Metz, a side who had only won three games all season. Survival was in their own hands.

All they needed to do was something they hadn’t done since last October: win a football game at home. But Nice couldn’t pull it off, their game against Metz ended 0-0, and the fans invaded the pitch at the Allianz Riviera almost as soon as the whistle touched the referee’s lips.

The vibe inside the ground was off from the get-go, and not for the first time. Anxiety, anger, and desperation all packed into the arena. As time went on, the overarching feeling became anger.

At least the Nice ultras waited until after the game to storm the pitch, things were worse at Nantes in their final game of the season, where the game had to be abandoned after just 22 minutes as their fans took things into their own hands.

Puel said their “disappointment is legitimate” and he’s right. No one at the club seems capable of fixing it, or even really cares. INEOS want out and if they do sell the club this summer the buyer will inherit a completely broken institution. Which is perhaps a red flag for United fans.

Remarkably though, after all of this, they still have silverware to play for. Nice will face RC Lens, French football’s story of the season, in the Coupe de France final a few days before their relegation play-off.

“Everyone to Paris,” read one banner held up by the fans in their final day draw with Metz in reference to the final as a chant of “Get your arses into gear,” rang around the stadium. It’s not over yet, no matter how bleak things look.

The Coupe de France has been a bit of an escape for Nice. The once highly rated striker Elye Wahi, on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt has loved it, scoring two goals and providing one assist in his three games.

Club captain and legend Dante will also want to leave the club on a less sour note. Now 42-years-old, the oldest and wisest player in top flight French football, he’s retiring at the end of the season. Signing off with a trophy and NOT being relegated is the least he deserves.

The worst part about all of this is that it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel for Nice. It all depends on who comes in and buys the club, hopefully they care at least a little bit. The relationship with INEOS is completely fractured at this point.

We wish we could sign off with a positive note for any Nice fans reading this piece. At least you (probably) live in a beautiful city in one of the best parts of the world.

(Images via IMAGO)

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

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May

2026

FotMob Profile: Nice aim to rescue their season as INEOS relationship sours

By Alex Roberts

Now, they’re a two-legged play-off against Saint-Etienne away from being relegated. Which would be disastrous for Sir Jim and INEOS, who are looking to sell up seven years after buying the club.

The current crisis could have been averted on the last day of Ligue 1. Nice faced the already relegated Metz, a side who had only won three games all season. Survival was in their own hands.

The vibe inside the ground was off from the get-go, and not for the first time. Anxiety, anger, and desperation all packed into the arena. As time went on, the overarching feeling became anger.

We wish we could sign off with a positive note for any Nice fans reading this piece. At least you (probably) live in a beautiful city in one of the best parts of the world.

(Images via IMAGO)

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

Add FotMob as a preferred news source on Google by clicking – here.

May

2026

FotMob Profile: Manuel Pellegrini’s patient regeneration project at Real Betis

From leading Villarreal to the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League semifinals to masterminding Málaga’s improbable run to the 2012/13 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, Manuel Pellegrini has already steered two Spanish teams to Europe’s premier competition for the first time in their respective histories. Now, he’s guided Real Betis back to the Champions League for just their second ever qualification.

By Zach Lowy

When Pellegrini took charge, Real Betis were coming off a dismal run of form that had seen them finish 10th and 15th – a mere five points above the relegation zone in 2019/20. But despite not spending a dime in the transfer market, Pellegrini immediately breathed new life into the Andalusian outfit, spearheading Betis to a sixth-place finish in LaLiga before leading them to a fifth-place finish in 2021/22. The cherry on top came in the Copa del Rey Final, with Betis edging Valencia on penalties to secure their first trophy in 17 years.

“The Betis that Pellegrini took over bears no resemblance to the Betis of today – it was a team that hadn’t consistently qualified for Europe for quite some time,” stated AS’ Chief Editor of International Football Aritz Gabilondo. “Pellegrini brought a sense of stability and normalcy to the project, qualities that have ultimately ushered in one of the finest eras in the club’s history.”

*Betis have secured a top five finish in LaLiga*

“He has always championed talented players: signings such as Giovani Lo Celso, Isco, and Antony were made specifically to address that, even the signing of Marc Bartra in defence. It was this commitment to playing attractive football that gave rise to the visually appealing and victorious Betis side we see today. While other clubs were constantly shifting their philosophies and rotating managers, Betis remained steadfastly loyal to Pellegrini and his vision. They never wavered in their support for the Chilean manager; they placed their complete trust in him.”

Betis have lived in a perpetual cycle of rebuilding their squad, cashing in on starters such as Chadi Riad and Luiz Felipe for top dollar, and phasing out veteran leaders like Joaquín and Andrés Guardado. But they have nevertheless remained in LaLiga’s upper echelon thanks to Pellegrini’s stable hand, with the Verdiblancos finishing sixth, seventh, and sixth, as well as reaching their maiden European final.

After relinquishing an early lead and losing 4-1 to Chelsea in the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League Final, Betis have churned that disappointment into motivation, challenging on all fronts and reaching the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey and Europa League. They’ve hit their stride in LaLiga as well, embarking on a seven-match unbeaten run before finally losing at champions Barcelona at the weekend – a defeat that was ultimately meaningless given that Betis had already secured their fifth-place finish.

As someone who has won major silverware in Chile, Ecuador, Argentina, England, and Spain, it’s easy to boil down Pellegrini’s coaching feats to his trophy cabinet. But he’s achieved so much more than that – he’s instilled his tactical DNA in every single place he’s landed, including world-renowned clubs like Real Madrid, River Plate, and Manchester City. A qualified civil engineer, Pellegrini bridged his playing and coaching careers by aiding the rebuilding effort in his native Chile after the 1985 Algarrobo earthquake killed 177 people and left around a million homeless. Throughout his 37 years in management, ‘El Ingeniero’ has been able to pick up the pieces and regenerate teams from the ground up, giving them a foundation that’s built to last the test of time.

*Betis’ league finishes in the first five seasons of Pellegrini’s spell*

This means finding players who fit the requirements to execute his style of football, and it also means tweaking his system around his squad’s strengths. Whereas Betis had previously enjoyed success under Pellegrini by packing the midfield with technically gifted attacking midfielders such as Nabil Fekir and Sergio Canales, they’ve pivoted to a more transition-oriented approach this season, one that is predicated upon their winger duo, Antony and Abde Ezzalzoui. Whilst they’re no longer dictating possession as frequently, they’ve reaped the benefits in defence, going from seven clean sheets and 51.6 xG conceded in 2024/25 to 10 clean sheets and 51.6 xG conceded in 2025/26.

“Up until now, Betis wasn’t quite the flank-oriented team that it has become this season; previously, they controlled matches more effectively through possession, passing combinations, and a more cohesive build-up,” stated Betis fan Joel Sierra. “However, this season has become the Abde and Antony show. While this has yielded far greater attacking punch in transition, the team has struggled to manage the flow of matches and dominate play.”

*Betis’ best rated players in LaLiga this season*

“This is the major shift in Pellegrini’s approach since his early days at Betis: they have evolved into a team that relies heavily on the flanks and depends on two transition specialists who possess a somewhat individualistic streak and who exploit open spaces magnificently. The team has lost much of its ability to play through the middle, and key concepts such as defending with the ball, building play from the back, or simply being able to establish themselves in the opposition’s half and retain possession for extended periods.”

Whereas teams like Valencia, Girona, and Sevilla have oscillated from Champions League nights to relegation fights over the past decade, Betis have stayed the course under Pellegrini, proving that slow and steady wins the race. Having previously played in Europe on just 10 occasions in their entire history, Betis have since qualified for Europe in six successive seasons. In contrast to their upcoming opponents, Levante, who are vying to stave off relegation, Betis will be using the final day of the league season as an opportunity to celebrate their momentous achievement in front of their home support. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll be bidding farewell to the man who delivered them to the promised land.

When Pellegrini extended his Betis contract through 2028 in November, he made sure to include an exit clause that allows him to leave to manage the Chilean national team. Whilst he has coached 15 clubs in three different continents, his sole international adventure came in 1991 as the manager of Chile’s U20s. At nearly 73 years old, Pellegrini is well aware that time is not on his side, and after watching La Roja finish bottom of their qualifying group and miss out on a third-straight World Cup, he may be compelled to return to his homeland.

It remains to be seen whether Pellegrini will oversee Betis’ first Champions League match since 2005 or decide to take the reins at Chile, but one thing’s for sure: when he does leave, he will do so as Betis’ greatest-ever manager.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

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