Page 16 – The Pulse of Football

May

2026

Preview: Bayern and PSG out to carry on their Champions League classic

Bayern Munich host Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night, as every neutral watching hopes for a repeat of the entertainment on display last week.

By Matt Smith

The 5-4 thriller in the first leg will go down as one of the most thrilling semi-final clashes in recent history, with both sides struggling at the back but ruthless in attack.

Luis Enrique and Vincent Kompany might not want to see that many goals conceded, but they won’t care as long as they advance into the final.

Team news

Bayern Munich should not have any fresh injury concerns to worry about heading into the second leg, while they could have Lennart Karl and Raphaël Guerreiro in the squad as they edge closer to recovering from injury.

Serge Gnabry remains out for the home side in this one.

Meanwhile, PSG will be without Achraf Hakimi after his recent hamstring injury, while Lucas Chevalier remains on the sidelines.

The one stat that won’t surprise people

It’ll be absolutely no surprise to anyone that Bayern Munich and PSG have scored the most goals per game in the Champions League this season. The Bundesliga outfit have averaged a whopping 3.2 goals per match, while Enrique’s side have averaged 2.9.

They are undoubtedly two of the most exciting sides to watch in Europe at the moment. With goals at both ends, certainly another huge possibility in the second leg. With Bayern already winning the Bundesliga and PSG six points clear at the top of Ligue 1, both teams will be going all out for a place in the final.

2019/2020 finalists go head-to-head

These two teams have gone head-to-head a bunch of times over the last few years, and they’re certainly no strangers to facing each other in crucial matches. None more so than their 2019/2020 clash in the final, where Bayern Munich came out on top with a 1-0 victory.

Now they are competing for a place in this season’s final, with many predicting whichever side goes through to go on and win the competition.

An improvement from Neuer will be key

PSG were incredibly clinical against Bayern in the first leg, but questions have to be asked of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for Bayern. The German international conceded five goals from just 2.65 expected goals on target.

PSG created just 1.9 xG but managed to find the back of the net on five occasions, with all of their attempts on target resulting in goals. Kompany would be desperate to see more from Neuer if they are going to clinch a place in the final, as there is no doubt PSG will get plenty of opportunities in the second leg.

Prediction

You’d be a fool to think there won’t be many goals in this one after what we saw last week. With Bayern having the home advantage, we’re going for a 3-2 victory for the Bundesliga side, with Kompany’s men winning on penalties.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

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May

2026

Fallen giants Schalke are back in the Bundesliga

If you ignore the fact that Bayern (usually) win the Bundesliga title every season, German football is high drama. It’s not uncommon for ‘big’ clubs to tumble down and climb back up the pyramid, Schalke are just the latest but probably won’t be the last.

By Alex Roberts

Schalke’s 1-0 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf, thanks to a goal from winger Kenan Karaman got them over the line. It’s been three years since they last graced the Bundesliga, and even then, back in 2021/22, it was only for a season having been relegated in the previous.

It took them ten points clear of third placed Hannover with just three games left to play. Schalke are also nine points ahead of second-place Paderborn and need just one point from their remaining games to secure the 2. Bundesliga title.

Miron Muslić’s lads have been pragmatic. The football hasn’t been particularly pretty; there is more than one way to play the game. Schalke have been outscored by six rival sides, with the same number of goals as 16^th Magdeburg.

Their success has been built on their defence. Just 28 goals conceded, the fewest in the league, averaging 0.9 per 90 minutes, a league high of 13 clean sheets, 19.3 tackles per match, and an xG conceded of 34.4.

*Goals conceded per match in the 2.Bundesliga*

Securing promotion from the 2. Bundesliga isn’t easy. Last season was the literal worst in the club’s history for league placement, finishing 14^th in the second flight. It was a truly sobering moment for one of Germany’s best supported and biggest clubs.

CEO Matthias Tillmann, who joined the club in 2024, told AFP that Schalke being in the second division is a “mistake”.

“We are not a second division club when it comes to fans, to infrastructure. Obviously, we are there now and there are reasons for that. We’ve made mistakes on the sporting side, capital allocation… The first relegation in 2021, the beginning of Covid, was very tough financially. Then we immediately went down again, which is not good.”

Schalke were financially hamstrung by events that were completely out of their control. Alongside COVID, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine saw their lucrative and long-term sponsorship with energy giants Gazprom was torn up.

The reality is, Schalke hadn’t looked like getting promoted any time soon before this season. They were due some good news, and Schalke’s season is full of tasty, tasty narrative for us to sink out teeth into, like a medieval lord slobbering over a turkey leg.

Edin Džeko joined from Fiorentina in January. Even at the ripe old age of 40, he proved why he’s arguably the most underrated striker of his generation, with six goals and three assists in his nine games.

His involvement has been key in helping Schalke navigate a tricky run of fixtures. Džeko scored on his debut, pulling a goal back when they were 2-0 down to Kaiserslautern in the 87th minute, allowing Karaman to snatch a late equaliser a few later.

Džeko’s brace against Dynamo Dresden ensured they got a point in a 2-2 draw, he provided two assists in the 2-1 away win over Holsten Kiel and then scored the winner in the 1-0 victory over Arminia Bielefeld. It’s impossible to say if Schalke would have gone up without Džeko but having him certainly improved their chances.

His numbers are indicative of what you’d probably expect from a 40-year-old striker. Džeko doesn’t dribble too much with eight successful, he’s not that involved in build-up with 277 touches, and his defensive contributions are nominal (12). He shows up when and where Schalke need him.

Turkish winger Karaman may well be Schalke’s player of the season, though. The 32-year-old has been one of the only good things at the club since they were relegated, with 58 goal contributions in his 94 2. Bundesliga games.

The man who scored the goal that sent them up, a statue outside of the VELTINS-Arena may be a step too far, but he deserves a box for life or something similar. At the very least, he shouldn’t have to pay for a meal again.

Perhaps the best story to come out of Schalke, beside their promotion, is Loris Karius’ redemption arc. The ‘keeper’s performance in Liverpool Champions League final defeat back in 2018 has been hard for him to forget, even if he was concussed.

That game, an unsuccessful loan at Union Berlin, and then an even worse one with Newcastle, Karius would have had every right to turn his back on football. Karius joined Schalke in January 2025 after over six months without a club.

After keeping a clean sheet on his debut, a 1-0 win over Preussen Münster Karius started the following three games as Schalke picked up seven points from a possible 12. Unfortunately, a calf injury against Greuther Furth would then rule him out for the rests of the season.

This season, he’s well and truly picked up where he left off. He’s kept the most clean sheets (12), and has the second highest save percentage (73.0%), just 0.1% off Darmstadt’s Marcel Schuhen.

Schalke’s record scorer Klaus Fischer even went as far as suggesting Karius should get a spot at this summer’s World Cup saying in January: “Schalke have the best goalkeeper not only in the second division, but in all of Germany. The national team coach should really start thinking about what kind of goalkeeper he has and how he plays.”

With Muslić’s lads looking to compete against the big boys next season, Karius’ experience with the good, the bad, and the ugly of our beautiful game could prove crucial. He should probably expect to be a little busier, however.

As an institution, Schalke deserve to be in the Bundesliga, it wasn’t too long ago they were competing in the latter stages of the Champions League. They’re still a long way off from doing that again, but regardless of loyalties, their return should be celebrated.

Unless you’re a Dortmund fan…

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from German football on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, xG, and player ratings, where available. Download the free app here.

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May

2026

The MLS Wrap: Orlando City’s Miami comeback and the latest on Save The Caps

Matchday 11 of Major League Soccer witnessed one of the biggest comebacks in the history of the league, and top performances from two young American stars ahead of the World Cup.

By James Nalton

An Argentine stars in Miami… but it’s not Messi

At three goals up with just over half an hour gone, Lionel Messi on the scoresheet, and both he and Luis Suárez assisting goals, Inter Miami looked to be cruising to a first win at their new stadium, Nu Stadium.

Even as Orlando City pulled a goal back before halftime, a scoreline of 3-1 at the interval had Miami set up for a memorable win against their state rivals.

*The momentum chart from Saturday’s game*

But Inter Miami have always had a defence prone to collapse, regardless of how well their star attackers perform, and this means no result is ever secure.

That was the case on Saturday night, as what looked set to be one of the best nights at their new home ended up being one of the worst.

Messi’s compatriot Martín Ojeda had given the visitors a lifeline with a nicely taken goal before halftime, and Orlando’s own Argentine star ended up driving his team to a dramatic turnaround to win the game 4-3 in the second half.

It meant Inter Miami’s winless run at Nu Stadium continued, and this particular failure to win was even worse for them as far as local bragging rights go, as Orlando City can now say they were the first team to win there.

It’s the kind of moment that could boost Orlando’s season, which has been fairly indifferent so far. There was some momentum from another 4-3 win in the US Open Cup against New England in midweek, but they had only won twice in 10 MLS games, sitting second from bottom of the Eastern Conference going into this Florida Derby.

Martín Ojeda finished the game with a hat-trick and could have scored more, overshadowing a frustrated Messi, who headed straight down the tunnel at full-time, as his team will have to wait a little longer for their first win in their Miami home.

Real Salt Lake stars (and stripes)

For some time, Diego Luna has been tipped as a potential star of the United States national team; a player who can offer his nation a rare cutting edge and a spark in attack that they have been unable to find from anyone else in their player pool.

Despite this, and despite Mauricio Pochettino turning to him early in his tenure as US head coach, Luna’s role ahead of this summer’s World Cup is still up in the air, but the 22-year-old’s performances for Real Salt Lake are constant nudges in Pochettino’s direction.

In their 2-0 win against Portland Timbers this weekend, Luna created ten chances, scored a goal, and was a constant threat to the opposition defence.

RSL were two goals up by halftime, but it could have been four or five. They created seven big chances in that first period, for an xG of 3.27.

RSL’s dominance is shown by the fact that, despite being on the end of a comprehensive defeat, Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis ended up with the highest FotMob rating in the match, along with Luna on 9.1.

The Utahns have another up-and-coming American star in the shape of Zavier Gozo, who opened the scoring. In a season in which there have been a number of standout young homegrown players across MLS, 19-year-old Gozo is one of the most impressive.

While these two are providing the USMNT interest, Spanish striker Sergi Solans continues to show that there is a route from college soccer to MLS, and that MLS teams can find quality from that level of the game in the US.

Designated Player Morgan Guilavogui is also contributing, and, overall, RSL are an interesting example of how an MLS roster can be built using the various pathways available.

Luna’s pathway could yet take him to the World Cup, and performances like these certainly won’t do his chances any harm.

Vancouver’s road trip begins amid uncertainty at home

Back in the Canadian province of British Columbia, there are ongoing worries about the future of the Vancouver Whitecaps. Following the fans’ campaign to #SaveTheCaps beginning last week, things escalated, and there were rumours circulating midweek that the franchise would be relocated to Las Vegas.

Some of the Whitecaps’ issues revolve around their use of the BC Place stadium, especially as they are tenants rather than owners, but they will not play there again until August as the venue begins its preparations to host matches in the 2026 World Cup.

*The Western Conference table as it stands*

The Whitecaps’ road trip began with a game against LA Galaxy this weekend, resulting in a 1-1 draw, and ends late July. It’s a total of eight away games before they play their next one at home in August.

The Whitecaps have been one of the best teams in the league on the back of their early-season home run, but plenty could change between now and then as the players fight to keep their strong start going, and the fans fight for their team’s very existence.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

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May

2026

FotMob Profile: Mateus Fernandes, West Ham’s Player of the Season?

All things considered, it has been an abysmal campaign for West Ham United. The Hammers occupy the final relegation spot, sitting one point behind Tottenham Hotspur, and after 14 straight seasons in the English top-flight, they could be set to drop down to the EFL Championship. However, one man who has been a breath of fresh air for West Ham is Mateus Fernandes.

By Zach Lowy

Born on July 10, 2004, Mateus Fernandes developed at local club Olhanense before joining Sporting in 2016, but he wasn’t quite able to establish himself as a regular first-team contributor ahead of João Palhinha, Manuel Ugarte, and Matheus Nunes. Instead, after a promising loan spell with Estoril Praia, he left Portugal for the first time and made the move to Southampton for £15 million. He wasn’t able to keep them afloat in the Premier League, but he did well enough to earn a move to West Ham on a five-year contract on August 29, 2025, becoming the club’s third-biggest signing behind Sébastien Haller and Lucas Paquetá.

Despite not having a full preseason, despite working under three different managers this season in Will Still, Graham Potter, and Nuno Espírito Santo, Fernandes has confirmed those positive sensations with a breakthrough year in East London.

*Fernandes’ well balanced player traits comparison*

He’s showcased his versatility, operating everywhere from the No. 10 to the left winger position, although he’s mainly been utilised in a double pivot alongside Tomáš Souček in recent months. Since Paquetá’s January exit, Fernandes has stepped up as the team’s midfield maestro, dropping between the centre-backs and orchestrating possession from deep and showcasing his vision and creative impetus. No matter the opponent or the ground, Fernandes has consistently delivered and set the standard for West Ham.

“He’s certainly a consistent performer,” stated Roshane Thomas, who covers West Ham for The Athletic. “Of all the summer signings, he’s come out top – I’ll go as far as saying he should be Player of the Season – and the scary bit about his development is he’s nowhere near the finished article. He was good during the first half of the season, but since Paquetá left, he’s really taken the initiative to be the main attacking outlet for West Ham’s midfield. He and Tomáš Souček really complement one another: Tomáš will sit deeper, and Mateus will break forward and play great diagonal balls.”

*Fernandes’ Premier League passing stats this season – the bar is a comparison tool against divisional peers*

“The way he can play a long pass and get the attack flowing is just incredible: if I were to pick one attribute that’s really impressed me, it’s definitely his ability to play a long pass. The best thing about him is that he can play in both roles: he can play those long forward passes in a deeper role, but as a No. 10, he can link up with the attack and score more goals. He certainly has all the credentials to be a 10-to-15-goal-a-season midfielder; it just so happens that, because of where West Ham are, the defensive priorities are of the utmost importance. He’s sacrificed the offensive side of his game, but when he does join a team competing for titles, you’ll definitely see him scoring a lot more goals.”

Fernandes exudes swagger with the way that he saunters through pressure, baits the opposition, and breaks the lines with his cool and collected passing. But he isn’t just a technically gifted playmaker; he’s also a warrior. In addition to leading West Ham players with 40.3 accurate passes per 90 (87.6% success rate) and 3.4 accurate long balls per 90 (62.4%), Fernandes also ranks in the squad’s top three with 3.0 tackles, 5.5 recoveries, 0.5 possession won in the final third, and 10.9 defensive contributions per 90. He’s acutely aware that, while his on-the-ball skills are his moneymaker, his off-the-ball skills are what might very well save West Ham from the drop.

After taking home the Fans’ Player of the Season at St. Mary’s Stadium, Fernandes could be set to do the same at London Stadium. Whether it’s anticipating loose balls and covering huge swaths of the pitch, or maneuvering out of tight areas and carrying the ball up the pitch, or drawing in opponents and unleashing an incisive through ball (only Jarrod Bowen has created more chances than him), Fernandes has been West Ham’s captain without an armband. It’s no surprise that he’s the highest-FotMob rated player in West Ham’s entire squad (7.22), and it’s equally no surprise that Europe’s biggest clubs have set their sights on Fernandes.

“The vibe I get off him whenever I’m watching him play is that he knows he deserves to be in the Premier League,” added Thomas. “Maybe he would have felt at Southampton, ‘Oh, it’s my first big season in the Premier League, let me see how I get on,’ whereas now he knows he’s one of West Ham’s best players. Although he’s not the captain for West Ham, he’s definitely one of their leaders on the field. He never shies away from receiving the ball under pressure, and even in the 3-0 loss against Brentford, he kept trying until the end. That’s what supporters want to see: someone who’s determined, someone who has a never-say-die attitude, and when he does eventually join a big club, that all bodes well for him.”

Three years after plying his trade in the Portuguese third tier, Mateus Fernandes has solidified his status as one of the most promising midfielders in England alongside the likes of Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, and Carlos Baleba.

Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain are just a handful of clubs that have put out feelers on the 21-year-old midfielder, and if he can make his mark in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, that number of suitors will only continue to grow. Fernandes already made his Portugal debut on March 31 in a friendly against the USA, and there’s reason to believe that he could have a role to play for Roberto Martínez’s side in this summer’s tournament. But first, can he help West Ham escape an increasingly perilous relegation battle?

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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May

2026

Preview: Arsenal host Atlético in semifinal decider

Mikel Arteta and Diego Simeone meet again with a place in this season’s Champions League final in Budapest on the line.

By Graham Ruthven

Nothing between them

Last week’s encounter between Arsenal and Atlético Madrid might not have been the most memorable of this season’s Champions League semi-final first legs, but what the match lacked in pure attacking drama it made up for in tension.

Mikel Arteta and Diego Simeone’s teams exchanged penalties in an even first leg that could be replicated in North London. There might not be much between the two rivals.

Atleti created more Big Chances than Arsenal (three to two) in the first leg and also edged the match in terms of Expected Goals (2.21 to 1.51). They could pose a threat in quick transition away from home too.

No team has kept more clean sheets than Arsenal (eight) in this season’s Champions League with the Gunners also conceding the fewest goals per 90 (0.5). Their true strength as a team is in defence.

To reach their first Champions League final since 2006, though, Arsenal will have to deliver a decisive blow. Can Arteta set up his side to impose their own game against a stubborn opponent?

Atleti won their last away match in the Champions League against Barcelona and might find the tactical dynamic of Tuesday’s match against Arsenal suits them.

Key players

Viktor Gyökeres has found form at the right time. The Swedish striker converted his penalty for Arsenal in last week’s first leg at the Metropolitano and also bagged a brace in Saturday’s comfortable home win over Fulham.

Gyökeres linked up nicely with Bukayo Saka against the Cottagers and Arsenal need more attackers in top form to get the better of Atleti. Saka in particular could be a difference-maker.

In midfield, Arteta will use Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi to control the centre of the pitch. Rice operated as something of a number six in Madrid, dropping in between the centre backs when required.

At the back, Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba will aim to be a brick wall in front of David Raya whose distribution could be pressured by Atlético Madrid.

Julián Alvarez was a constant threat for Atleti in last week’s first leg and will have the freedom to drift across the forward line. The Argentine has created more chances for his team than any other player this season.

This could be the final Champions League game of Antoine Griezmann’s career before he leaves for MLS in the summer with the Frenchman still averaging more shots per 90 than any other Atlético player.

The energy of Marcos Llorente and Giuliano Simeone could be key while Ademola Lookman will offer an outlet down the left wing.

Team news

Neither Kai Havertz nor Martin Ødegaard featured against Fulham on Saturday, but could return to the matchday squad for Tuesday’s match.

Saka looks ready to start after playing 45 minutes, and impressing, against the Cottagers with the winger only withdrawn at half time to preserve him for the Champions League semi-final second leg.

Simeone rested his entire team for the league match against Valencia on Saturday, meaning Atleti’s best players should be fresh for the trip to North London.

Alvarez picked up a knock in last week’s first leg, but should be fine to start Tuesday’s rematch with Simeone free to pick from a fully fit and available Atlético Madrid squad.

Prediction

We have a feeling that Diego Simeone may just edge the tactical battle, with Atlético’s strength on the break causing problems for the Gunners. This may be a surprise result: Arsenal 1-2 Atlético Madrid.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

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May

2026

Preview: Man City head to Everton searching for another win

Everton host Manchester City at the Hill Dickinson Stadium as Pep Guardiola’s side look to stay in touch with Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

By Matt Smith

It’s a big encounter for the Toffees too, as they cling to their hopes of qualifying for Europe.

Arsenal supporters will be hoping Everton can do them a favour, but it’s been a while since they secured three points over the Manchester club.

The last time the two sides met back in October, City came away with a comfortable 2-0 win over Everton at home, thanks to a brace from Erling Haaland.

*Recent H2H games – City are unbeaten in 18 against Everton*

Team news

Everton have received an injury boost ahead of the clash against City, with Beto fit and available. The 28-year-old missed their trip to West Ham last week due to a concussion, but David Moyes has confirmed he’ll be back in the squad.

Jack Grealish and Jarrad Branthwaite remain out, and they should be Everton’s only injury concerns.

Meanwhile, Rodri is in a race against time to make the short trip to Merseyside. The Spanish midfielder has missed their last two games due to a groin problem, but he could make his return.

Joško Gvardiol and Rúben Dias, remain out.

Attack vs. defence

Everton have struggled in the final third this season, and for a few years now, but they’ve maintained a strong level of defensive solidity. Moyes’ side have conceded 1.2 goals per game on average in the Premier League this season, only bettered by Arsenal and Man City.

It could make for an interesting match-up, with Pep Guardiola’s side scoring more goals any other team in the Premier League this term. City will be looking to increase their goal difference, with the title race so close, but it might not be easy breaking the Toffees down.

This isn’t the City of old

Everton might take some positivity into the game knowing that this City side isn’t at the same level as the ones we’ve seen previously. Guardiola has done a phenomenal job since arriving at the Etihad, but there’s no doubt they’ve dropped off over the last two seasons.

However, it’s well known that City come alive in the final months of the season, and that’s been proven of late. The Manchester club have won six games in a row in all competitions, including against league leaders Arsenal.

The return of Beto

Everton striker Beto missed the Toffees’ previous game due to a concussion, but he should be back in the starting XI against City. Although the 28-year-old has struggled with consistency throughout his time at Everton, he’s been a handful in recent weeks.

Beto has produced five goals and assists combined in the last three games he’s played, and he could be a threat in behind. City are likely to dominate possession and play a high line, something that Beto thrives against.

Prediction

This game means a lot to both sides, but it’s hard to see past Man City here. 2-1 away win.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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May

2026

Preview: Chelsea face Nottingham Forest on Monday afternoon

Chelsea’s season may well hinge on what happens at Stamford Bridge, but it may not even be Nottingham Forest’s biggest game of the week, with their second leg against Aston Villa looming. Either way, it should be fun.

By Alex Roberts

This will be Chelsea’s first Premier League game since the departure of Liam Rosenior. Five games, five defeats, and ZERO goals has left them with a mountain to climb in terms of Champions League qualification. Still, there is a glimmer of hope.

Forest aren’t out of the dark, scary, relegation woods just yet. It’s between them, West Ham, and Tottenham for that dreaded final spot. A win on bank holiday Monday would certainly ease some pressure.

Gibbs-White on fire, your defence is terrified

Late season Morgan Gibbs-White is a different animal. Ten of his 13 Premier League goals have come since the turn of the year, and in 2026 so far, only Man United’s Bruno Fernandes has more goal contributions (15).

In the past, Gibbs-White has been somewhat of a ‘luxury player’, he no longer fits in that mould. Aside from all the goals, he’s won possession in the final third 18 times, made 103 recoveries, and 19 tackles.

Where would Forest be without Gibbs-White? In the relegation zone, probably. Keeping him at the club last summer has made all the difference, whether they’ll be able to do it again this time around, might prove trickier.

Back to basics

Rosenior is no more, and the same can be said for his convoluted on the ball tactics. Calum McFarlane is in interim charge for the second time this season, and he appears to have settled things down a little.

Chelsea’s 1-0 FA Cup semi-final win over Leeds United wasn’t pretty, in fact they were second-best for parts of the second half, but it was necessary and needed. They created just two big chances, had an xG of 0.38, and completed 425 passes, only 189 in the opposition half.

Some may describe that as apprehensive, nervy even, but not us. Chelsea were methodical, playing like a team that knew if they didn’t get something from the game, the fans would turn even more toxic. That’s on McFarlane.

Team news

João Pedro and Cole Palmer both made their returns at Wembley, and the good news doesn’t stop there for Chelsea. McFarlane has confirmed that Reece James and Levi Colwill are both back in full training. Whether they feature here is a little less certain.

Filip Jörgensen (groin), Jamie Gittens (thigh) and Estêvão (thigh) remain out of contention for the hosts.

Forest have plenty of injury worries. Dan Ndoye (unspecified), Ibrahim Sangaré (unspecified), Jair Cunha (shoulder) and Murillo (thigh), Nicolo Savona (knee), Callum Hudson-Odoi (thigh), John Victor (knee) and Willy Boly (knee) are all expected to miss out.

Ola Aina limped off in the second half of their first leg against Aston Villa, but manager Vítor Pereira seemed confident the right-back won’t be out for long.

Prediction

It’s a wild week for Forest. Low on numbers and potentially prioritising a place in the Europa League final, it’s a good time for Chelsea to play them. We can’t see the home side taking full advantage, though. We’re going with a 1-1.

(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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May

2026

Preview: Espanyol host a faltering Real Madrid in LaLiga

Espanyol welcome Real Madrid to the RCDE Stadium in LaLiga as they look to move closer to a place in the top half of the table.

By Ross Kilvington

Real Madrid could be trailing leaders Barcelona by a staggering 14 points when they take to the pitch on Sunday, thanks to their rivals playing 24 hours earlier.

If that happens, anything less than a win would see Hansi Flick’s side crowned champions.

*The table situation prior to Saturday’s games*

Real Madrid’s title aspirations are on the brink

Truth be told, Madrid have been faltering for a number of weeks now. Their only victory since March 22 came against Alavés last weekend.

Between the 3-2 victory over city rivals Atlético Madrid on the aforementioned date and now, Álvaro Arbeloa’s side have lost against Bayern Munich (twice) and Mallorca, while dropping points against Girona and Real Betis in La Liga.

Los Blancos will end the campaign without winning either the Spanish title or the Champions League trophy for the second consecutive season.

Where do they go from here? That remains anyone’s guess. One thing that looks certain, however, is that there will be a change of manager in the summer.

Arbeloa’s win percentage stands at 64% heading into the clash against Espanyol and a feeble exit from the Champions League wont have done his cause much good.

Remarkably, José Mourinho has been linked with a return to the Bernabéu in recent days.

Its win or bust for Arbeloa this Sunday, but whatever happens, it appears his future has already been decided.

Espanyol remain in contention for a top-half finish in La Liga

While it hasn’t exactly been the finest of seasons for Espanyol, winning just ten of their 33 league games thus far, they could still finish in the top-half.

Los Periquitos’ recent form has been poor though, failing to win any of their previous 16 matches in the Spanish top flight. A run that, incredibly, stretches back to December 2025.

Espanyol have won two of their last three home ties against Madrid dating back to October 2021. Given Arbeloa’s men are going through their own rut, it opens the door for the home side to secure a positive result on Sunday.

Team news

Espanyol manager Manolo González is only missing one player for this game and that is through suspension. Pol Lozano was sent off after receiving his second caution against Levante, just three minutes after entering the game.

For Madrid, Arbela has several first-team stars out injured. Indeed, Rodrygo and Éder Militão are both long-term absentees.

Elsewhere, Thibaut Courtois, Kylian Mbappé and Arda Güler will also miss the clash against Espanyol on Sunday evening.

Prediction

Madrid will know that only a victory keeps their unlikely title hopes intact on Sunday.

Espanyol may not been in the best form, but they will be keen on exploiting a Madrid side that is short on confidence right now.

It will be tighter than many expect, with a narrow win for the away side on the cards.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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May

2026

Preview: Spurs visit Champions League chasing Villa on Sunday night

With a first Premier League win of 2026 now under their belt, Spurs remain in the bottom three for their trip to Villa Park to play Europa League semifinalists Aston Villa.

By Ian King

A win that didn’t feel like a win

Four games to play. The absolute best that can be said about Spurs’ 1-0 win at Wolves last Saturday is that they got the three points. They got the win. The bad news was just about everything else, with relegation rivals West Ham keeping them in the bottom three thanks to an even later goal than theirs, and serious injuries to both Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke.

Aston Villa had improved a little recently, but even that doesn’t mask the fact that they’ve only won four of their last 14 League games, with a 1-0 loss at Fulham last weekend and another one in their Europa League semi-final first leg against Nottingham Forest on Thursday night. A win on Sunday evening would put them one more win from qualification for next year’s Champions League, but their form has been patchy for a while.

The historical record doesn’t do Spurs any favours

Spurs have lost their last four in a row against Aston Villa, and have won just two of their last nine meetings, going back to 2021. Prior to that, Spurs won six in a row, a run which stretched back to 2015. They didn’t play each other for two years, after Villa were relegated into the Championship in 2017.

The balance of power in this fixture very much matches not only the decline of Spurs since 2021 but also the rise of Aston Villa since then. Following their relegation and two-year sojourn in the EFL, Villa have essentially usurped Spurs as “that team that usually finishes about fourth or fifth in the Premier League.” But go back a little further, and they are also a living, walking, breathing example that relegation very much can happen to a club of their size, if that club is managed badly enough.

Villa have already beaten Spurs twice this season, 2-1 both times, once in the League, once in the FA Cup, on both occasions at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

When Morgan Rogers is on his game, Aston Villa tend to be too

When Morgan Rogers is on top of his game, he is one of the best players in the entire Premier League to watch. He scored in their recent 4-3 win against Sunderland at Villa Park, and when he’s playing well, Villa usually are. Able to play on either wing or as an AM, he’s scored 12 goals across all competitions, but it should be a little concerning that the Forest game was the 50th of his club season.

He hasn’t always been the most popular Spurs player, but over the last few games Pedro Porro has been one of their most consistent performers. Prone to the occasional defensive lapse but also capable of both scoring and creating goals, he scored his first of the season in their 2-2 draw against Brighton a fortnight ago.

Simons adds to De Zerbi injury woes

There hasn’t been that much for Spurs supporters to smile about this season, but a feeling had been growing that Xavi Simons could be the key to rescuing their season, so his loss to a ruptured ACL was a tragedy for both the player and his club.

He joins Gugliemo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Mohammed Kudus, Pape Mate Sarr, Wilson Odobert, Destiny Udogie, Lucas Bergvall, Ben Davies, and Dejan Kulusevski in the treatment room, while James Maddison has been on the bench although there’s been little to suggest that he’s match-fit and Roberto De Zerbi would be taking a gamble by rushing him back.

Aston Villa have a normal amount of injuries, and all the players on their substitutes’ bench can walk without aid or assistance. Amadou Onana started the Nottingham Forest match but had to be withdrawn after 55 minutes, and Alysson won’t be ready in time, though his rehabilitation from a muscle injury is understood to be progressing well. Boubacar Kamara almost certainly won’t play again this season.

Aston Villa’s form is patchy, but it’s still light years better than Spurs’

The problem with Spurs’ win at Wolves last weekend was that the fact that they won it 1-0 was more or less the only good thing to have come out of it. Wins are the only things that matter at this point of the season but, while being able to ‘win ugly’ is a useful trait to have, it’s high-risk for this to be the only thing that your team has in the tank. In Simons and Solanke, they’ve lost another two players who, on their day, could turn their season around.

*The relegation picture prior to Friday’s game*

Aston Villa haven’t been in great form for quite a while, and having perked up a little with two wins and a draw following three straight defeats, their 1-0 defeats to Fulham and Nottingham Forest were both lacklustre. And of course, with Unai Emery being Mr Europa League and few injuries restricting him, he could shuffle his pack for this one and rest one or two players ahead of the second leg of their semi-final, which is only next Thursday.

But Aston Villa are simply a better team than Spurs at the moment. And while their recent form has been patchy, it’s still been better than their opponents’ has been, even notwithstanding last weekend’s results. Spurs need the points, but Villa do as well, so it’s difficult to see them getting any from this match. 2-0 Villa, and the trapdoor below Spurs to edge a little further open.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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May

2026

Preview: Manchester United take on Liverpool in Premier League classic

Liverpool travel to Old Trafford this weekend to take on fierce rivals Manchester United in a game that could have huge repercussions on the race for Champions League football.

By Sam McGuire

The story so far

It’s been a season of two halves for Manchester United. In the 10 matches prior to Ruben Amorim’s sacking, the Red Devils won on just three occasions. During this period, United dropped points against Spurs, Everton, West Ham, Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Wolves and Leeds United.

Winning games was a struggle. They had defensive issues too, conceding 14 goals in those 10 games. A mid-table finish looked to be on the horizon for the 20 times champions of England. And then they appointed Michael Carrick. The former midfield maestro has won nine of his 13 matches in charge, beating Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa along the way. The Red Devils find themselves in possession of third place in the league and Champions League football can be assured with a win this weekend.

This game has much more at stake than just three points and bragging rights. The hosts will fancy their chances too. They have the third best home record this season having taken 36 points from their 17 matches at Old Trafford. Only Manchester City and Arsenal, the two title contenders, have claimed more on home turf.

Liverpool, in what is unfamiliar territory, head into this game as the underdog. The Reds trial their North West rivals by three points and though they’re in a decent position to claim Champions League football after a forgettable campaign, they do have a tough run of fixtures to end the season.

Depending on results this weekend, they could end Matchday 35 in third position or fifth having started in fourth. They could guarantee a top five finish or see their advantage over sixth place Brighton cut to just five points.

It’s finely balanced right now.

The Reds have the sixth best away record having won seven of 17, but they do have a -1 goal difference on their travels. They are fourth in the form table with 10 points from 15 and only Brighton (13), Nottingham Forest (11) and Manchester City (11) have taken more. So, despite the narrative, they do head into this game in relatively good form.

Key Players

For United, all eyes will be on Bruno Fernandes. The skipper is just one assist away from matching the Premier League record of 20. He’s recorded an assist in each of his last three games and he’ll be eager to have an impact against Liverpool after so many big defeats against the Reds over the years.

For Liverpool, the focus would’ve been on Mohamed Salah. The No.11 has tormented United over the years and has seven goals and three assists in his last five appearances at Old Trafford. However, he’s ruled out with a hamstring injury. Alexander Isak netted the opener against Crystal Palace and could be the focal point for the Reds but the way Arne Slot sets up his team means this is unlikely. The creative burden will likely fall on Florian Wirtz. Will he be given the opportunity to impress though?

Team News

United are without the suspended Lisandro Martínez. He’s the only player missing for Carrick as he’s able to name a strong XI for the big game against Liverpool.

The Reds, however, are without a host of names. There’s still no Conor Bradley or Giovanni Leoni. Hugo Ekitike is out until the New Year while Salah’s hamstring injury threatens to bring his campaign to a premature end. Alisson Becker could return following a stint on the sidelines which would be a welcomed boost given Giorgi Mamardashvili’s injury.

Prediction

Given what’s at stake, the form of both parties, and how the season has gone as a whole, we’re going with an exciting 2-2 draw with a real Derby-day feel.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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