Page 19 – The Pulse of Football

Apr

2026

Preview: Arsenal take on Newcastle as they look to retake top spot

Arsenal must secure all three points when they welcome Newcastle to the Emirates if they wish to remain in the hunt for the Premier League title.

By Ross Kilvington

It’s Déjà vu for Arsenal

The Gunners losing to Manchester City in the final few weeks of the season to hand Pep Guardiola’s side the initiative in the title race is something we have seen before.

This season, however, it feels as though if Arsenal cannot get over the line, massive questions will be asked of Mikel Arteta heading into the summer.

“All the talk of [Mikel] Arteta being at risk and Arsenal winning no trophies needs to stop. I don’t think that way, because I think Arsenal are going to win the Premier League,” said former Arsenal defender Lauren who was speaking on behalf of CasinoWizard regarding Arsenal’s title chances.

“I’m positive, I am confident. Losing against Manchester City has not ended the race for the title. The only issue against Manchester City was that they took their chances and Arsenal didn’t. The only disappointment was in the final third.

“That’s the difference in those types of games, the small margins are highlighted for everybody to see. Manchester City weren’t better – they aren’t better – they just took their chances.”

The Gunners did hit the woodwork twice during the match and they certainly displayed more attacking intent compared to their previous league match against Bournemouth.

With just five matches left, Lauren also used the FotMob lineup builder to pick his strongest XI heading into the crucial run-in.

*Try out the FotMob lineup builder for yourself – either in the app, or at fotmob.com*

Arteta must lead Arsenal to five wins from five, starting with the clash against Newcastle on Saturday.

Eddie Howe is a man under pressure

Newcastle occupy 14^th place in the table on 42 points and have won just five Premier League games this year.

Where has it all gone wrong? Poor transfer business in the summer looks like it is coming back to haunt Howe. Being knocked out of the Champions League has also deflated confidence at St James’ Park.

The Magpies will be looking to take advantage of Arsenal’s recent stutter, but a defeat would pile more pressure on the manager heading into the what could be a pivotal summer for the club.

Team News

Arteta will be without Bukayo Saka for this clash. Furthermore, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are both doubts for the game on Saturday evening.

Fabian Schär and Tino Livramento will both be absent for Newcastle due to ankle and leg injuries respectively.

Joelinton is suspended while Anthony Gordon is a doubt because of a hip issue.

Prediction

Both teams are under pressure for differing reasons and this makes the game an intriguing one.

Arsenal must win in order to keep their Premier League title ambitions on track. For Newcastle, three points would see the Magpies get back on track for a place in the top half of the table.

I expect the Gunners to emerge with all three points from this match, although it will likely be a tight affair.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Apr

2026

Preview: Spurs go to relegated Wolves in another must win game

It’s felt as though Spurs’ last two or three games have been make or break for their season, but their Saturday trip to Wolverhampton might just be the real deal.

By Ian King

Wolves’ recent performances offer Roberto De Zerbi a little optimism ahead of Spurs’ trip to Molineux

At this late stage in the season, one individual moment can cloud everything else. A stoppage-time equaliser for Brighton at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday obscured the fact that Spurs’ performance for the previous 96 minutes had been a substantial improvement over anything they’d seen for weeks, and with West Ham failing to get past Crystal Palace the following Monday, they do remain in sight of Premier League salvation.

But push is becoming shove, and a trip to Wolves has now become even more of a must-win game than it already had been. West Ham’s point at Selhurst Park was enough to finally put the matter of their relegation beyond doubt, so the big question facing Roberto De Zerbi this weekend will be whether his opponents will react by playing for pride for the remainder of this season or whether they’ll take this as an opportunity to put their feet up instead.

Their results since returning from the international break – a 4-0 loss at West Ham and a 3-0 loss at Leeds – afford the Spurs head coach a little optimism on that front, at least.

Wolves’ recent record against Spurs is excellent

One of the first signs of the trouble ahead at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season came at the end of September, when a Wolves team that had lost their first five games picked up their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw.

Wolves’ recent historical history against Spurs is strong, as well. The last six meetings between the teams have ended in four Wolves wins and two draws, with the last Spurs win having come in August 2022. The corresponding fixture between these two teams last season ended in a 4-2 Wolves win in the middle of April.

Xavi Simons was a breath of creative fresh air against Brighton

The decision to start Xavi Simons against Brighton reaped huge dividends against Brighton. He provided the assist for their first goal, hit the post, and then scored a quite excellent goal to put them 2-1 up with twelve minutes to play. Having also scored twice for them in his last start against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, he could yet be the key to them unlocking Premier League survival this season.

With three goals and one assist this season, that Tolu Arokodare heads the list for their goals and assists combined speaks volumes about the state of Wolves’ season. The striker scored one of their goals in their 2-2 draw at Brentford in the middle of March and provided an assist in their 2-1 win against Liverpool earlier that month. He’s been on the bench as much as starting this season, but he remains one of their most potent goal threats.

After a season-long injury crisis, Spurs are starting to welcome players back

There was something of a pleasant surprise for Spurs fans when James Maddison returned to the bench for the Brighton match. He didn’t get on the pitch, but his creativity is exactly what their midfield has been lacking for much of the season. Rodrigo Bentancur also returned to the starting eleven, putting in a decent shift before being replaced midway through the second half.

Gugliemo Vicario didn’t make it back for this match, although Antonin Kinsky put in another decent performance in his place again. It may yet be the case that Vicario has already played his last game of the season. Cristian Romero, Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert, Destiny Udogie, Lucas Bergvall, Ben Davies, and Dejan Kulusevski will all be absent.

For former Spurs’ player Peter Crouch, who was speaking exclusively to Paddy Power, it’s “Dejan Kulusevski who is the biggest miss this season. His injury is just a massive mystery at this point and his absence is one of the main reasons they’re down in 18th.“

Wolves have been missing a number of players, and several of them could be ready to return for this match. Sam Johnstone, Matt Doherty and José Sá could all return, though none of them are confirmed. Yerson Mosquera is suspended after reaching 10 yellow cards, and Enso González will be out for the remainder of the season.

After a couple of false starts, this really is a “must-win” game for Spurs

First it was the Nottingham Forest game. Then it was the Sunderland game. But this trip to Molineux when Wolves have already been relegated, and with just five matches left to play, really does feel like the real deal when it comes to “must-win” matches before the end of this season for Spurs. Given that they need at least two or three wins from their last five fixtures and that this is the easiest of those on paper, a failure to pick up three points on this occasion would surely seal their fate.

The good news on this front is that there are good reasons to believe that they can finally end their five-month wait for a Premier League win. There’s clearly been no complete transformation under De Zerbi yet, but there were clear signals that his methods are starting to get through to the players, and the potential return of some creativity to their midfield is exactly what they need, on the pitch.

Much will come down to what the reaction of the Wolves players might be to confirmation of their relegation. On their day, they’re capable. Two of their three Premier League wins this season have come against Aston Villa and Liverpool, who occupy top five places in the table.

But there’s a flip side to this. Their two Premier League results since returning from the last international break have been abject, and this coupled with Spurs recent mild upturn makes an away win more likely than it might have seemed a couple of weeks ago.

I am, therefore, predicting a 3-1 Spurs win for this match and for that seal to finally be broken, although there remain several ways in which this could yet prove to be a final false dawn of the season for the faded North London giants.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Peter Crouch quotes via Paddy Power.

Apr

2026

Preview: Liverpool looking to cement top five place as Palace visit Anfield

Liverpool need a positive result to boost their chances of salvaging Champions League qualification from a disappointing season.

By Graham Ruthven

Top five chances

Virgil van Dijk’s stoppage time header gave Liverpool the bragging rights in last weekend’s Merseyside Derby, but Arne Slot’s team must perform better to back that up with a win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Out of the Champions League and not involved in this weekend’s FA Cup semi-finals, Liverpool are now solely focused on securing a top-five place in the Premier League table.

Victory over Everton boosted their chances of achieving this, but Brighton, Bournemouth and Chelsea are still chasing Liverpool with the Premier League season entering the final stretch of fixtures.

Crystal Palace also have a narrow focus for the final few weeks of the season and that is winning the Conference League to send off outgoing manager Oliver Glasner in glory.

The Eagles have lost just one of their last eight games in all competitions, but could be forgiven for having one eye on next week’s Conference League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Glasner will leave Palace when his contract expires at the end of the season and questions remain over Slot’s continued employment as Liverpool manager after an underwhelming campaign.

This fixture could look very different next season, but for the time being both Liverpool and Crystal Palace have plenty to play for.

Key players

Mohamed Salah certainly hasn’t been his usual self this season, but the Egyptian showed glimpses of his best form in last weekend’s win over Everton, scoring the opening goal in the derby.

Salah will pose a threat from the right wing while Cody Gakpo is in line to start on the left. The Dutchman set up Salah nicely against Everton and has 12 goal contributions in the league so far this season.

Hugo Ekitike’s injury means Alexander Isak is expected to start as Liverpool’s number nine with the Swedish striker still searching for full fitness having missed so many matches through injury.

Nobody has created more chances for Liverpool this season than Dominik Szoboszlai who will be a driving force for the home side through the middle of the pitch.

Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored three times in his last four appearances and could have the World Cup in his sights with the French striker on Didier Deschamps’ radar for a place in his squad for the summer.

Adam Wharton will be key for the Eagles in the centre of the pitch. He too could feature at the World Cup and must be sharp to handle the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Szoboszlai at Anfield.

Being realistic, Dean Henderson will also need to be in top form to give Palace a chance of a positive result. Only Gianluigi Donnarumma has a higher save percentage in the Premier League this season than Henderson.

Team news

Giorgi Mamardashvili escaped serious injury against Everton, but is still expected to miss two to three weeks of action after coming off midway through the derby with a knee problem.

Alisson Becker is also sidelined through injury and so Freddie Woodman could be in line to start his first Premier League match after making his league debut off the bench last weekend.

Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni will be unavailable for the Reds, limiting Slot’s options in a number of areas.

Glasner could feasibly rest some of his best players ahead of next week’s clash with Shakhtar, although a six-day turnaround should keep Palace fresh for that match.

Otherwise, Eddie Nketiah is Crystal Palace’s only serious injury concern at the moment, giving Glasner a well-stocked squad to choose from.

Prediction

Given Palace have that first ever European semifinal on the horizon, and Liverpool’s strength in front of their own fans, we’re expecting a narrow home win: Liverpool 1-0 Crystal Palace.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Apr

2026

Wolfsburg and the AI revolution that has not improved results

AI. It’s everywhere. Have a problem with your dog food order? You need to get passed to the chatbot. Looking to make a doctor’s appointment? Only if the computer says yes. Best case scenario, you get a half decent pad thai recipe. Worst? Ask Wolfsburg.

By Alex Roberts

As recently as 2022, Wolfsburg, a club that has had the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Edin Džeko, and Micky van de Ven light up the Volkswagen Arena, were in the Champions League. Now, they’re in 17^th, and have only just earned their first win since mid-January. 2-1 against Union Berlin.

Admittedly, that’s an oversimplification. Wolfsburg aren’t fighting against relegation from the Bundesliga for the first time in their history just because, according to Google Gemini, they became “a pioneer in the integration of generative AI within professional football.”

Wolfsburg have been using AI in some kind of capacity since 2023, but this season they went all in and signed a contract with Open AI, the creators of ChatGPT.

The club integrated over 50 AI tools in the hopes they would help them keep pace with the big boys, saving an estimated €1million-a-year in the process. Most are used to help with general administration, but some have more critical roles.

For example, injury prevention. Wolfsburg use AI to try and understand which players are at risk of sustaining an injury and how severe it could be. At the time of writing, they currently have nine players sidelined.

It’s not like their squad players either. Left-back Rogério has been out with a muscle injury since August 2025. Defender Jenson Seelt, on loan from Sunderland, has also been a huge miss since January.

Young Hungarian midfielder Bence Dárdai tore his ACL in November 2025, and is unlikely to feature again this season. Other key players such as Patrick Wimmer, Maximilian Arnold and Jonas Wind have also made multiple visits to the physio’s room throughout the season.

Now, of course, AI can’t be entirely blamed for players getting injured, it’s not like Sam Altman (Open AI CEO) ran on to the pitch and two footed a random Wolfsburg ace. If anything, he would have his company build a robot to do it for him.

All in all, it’s been a dreadful season for Wolfsburg. They started the season with Paul Simonis at the helm. The 41-year-old Dutchman had plenty of success in his home country, winning the 2024-25 KNVB Cup with Go Ahead Eagles before heading to Germany.

Simonis wasn’t given the time to implement his ideas, though, and was sacked after their 2-1 defeat to fellow strugglers Werder Bremen at the start of November. Winning three, drawing two, and losing seven over his five-month spell.

Wolfsburg then turned to Daniel Bauer, the youth team coach who had steadied the ship last season, hoping he would do the same. He didn’t. In fact, things got worse. Bauer got three more games than Simonis but ended up with the same points per game average of 0.8.

Bauer was handed a contract until the summer of 2027 in December only to be sacked on March 8^th following their 2-1 home defeat to Hamburg. So, the higher-ups opened up ChatGPT, typed in “manager bad, who should hire next?”.

That’s not actually what happened, at least we don’t think so. Wolfsburg needed someone dependable, who knew the club and could help them navigate the mess they had found themselves in.

Wolfsburg landed on Dieter Hecking. The 61-year-old managed Wolfsburg between 2012 and 2016, winning the DFB Pokal and Super Cup during his first spell. It was a smart appointment, the type of decision one makes with their gut rather than a robot. It may just be a case of too little too late.

Hecking switched to a back three immediately after taking over. The idea was obvious, Wolfsburg have been shipping goals all season, they’ve conceded 66, the joint most alongside bottom placed FC Heidenheim.

So, Wolfsburg needed to shore things up, accept that their opponents will have most of the ball, but so long as they’re well organised, they’ll be able to weather the storm, and hopefully snatch something on the counter or from a set piece.

With that plan in mind, Wolfsburg made the trip to Hoffenheim for their first game under Hecking. In the 65^th minute, Christian Eriksen whipped in a corner, directly onto the head of Konstantinos Koulierakis, whose looping effort ended up in the back of the net.

Everything was looking good, the fans even dared to hope as Wolfsburg were on their way towards a valuable three points. Unfortunately for them, in the 83^rd minute, Grischa Promel scored the easiest header of his life to equalise and secure a point.

Three consecutive defeats to Werder Bremen, Bayer Leverkusen, and Frankfurt followed. The only upside across those games is that St. Pauli, currently two points above Wolfsburg in the relegation play-off place, were nearly as bad in their games.

Wolfsburg faced Union Berlin in Marie-Louise Eta’s first game in charge. It was a genuine moment in footballing history; the first time a woman has led a side in one of Europe’s top five leagues. Hecking’s side spoiled the party.

Union were incredibly unlucky. 54% possession, 25 shots, seven on target, and three big chances created. When all is said and done, though, it’s the scoreboard that matters, and Wolfsburg won 2-1 thanks to goals from Patrick Wimmer and Dženan Pejčinović.

There are four games remaining for Wolfsburg to save their season. Seven points off Werder Bremen in 15^th, realistically, the best they can hope for is a chance to earn their Bundesliga status with whichever side comes third in the 2. Bundesliga.

Again, AI isn’t to blame for all the things going wrong at Wolfsburg. Die Wolfe have had to deal with all the normal football things that every struggling club does over the course of a season; bad injuries, poor form, and unfortunate decisions from the on field officials. Perhaps trusting their gut and not an algorithm would’ve helped, though.

(Images from IMAGO)

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Apr

2026

Tonda Eckert is on the cusp of something special at Southampton

Southampton suffered relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, yet the future looked bright.

By Ross Kilvington

Indeed, Will Still was appointed as the new manager and it appeared as though their sojourn in the Championship would be brief.

After all, this was a coach who took charge of Stade Reims in Ligue 1 for 64 matches – although the club were fined £22k per game as he didn’t hold the required UEFA Pro Licence – and Lens for a solitary season all before turning 33.

Despite the optimism reverberating around St. Mary’s on the opening day against Wrexham, it took a late fightback to secure all three points.

In truth, it was a poor display which pointed at a sign of things to come. Between then and November 1, Southampton won a solitary Championship match.

The 2-0 defeat to Preston at the start of November proved to be the final straw and Still was sacked.

Tonda Eckert, who only arrived in the summer to take charge of the U23s, was promoted to interim boss within days.

It turned out to be an inspired promotion, as four wins from five games meant Eckert was given the job on a permanent basis.

What a decision it has turned out to be.

Eckert has Saints dreaming of a Premier League return

“We go all in; there is no other way. I don’t shy away from saying we want to play for promotion.” Said the German after signing a contract until June 2027.

With two games left, his prophecy could come true. The Saints were 21^st in the table when he first took charge as an interim. Now? The south coast side occupy fourth, a measly three points off an automatic promotion spot.

How on earth has Eckert turned things around so quickly? First of all, making his team more stubborn to beat has been a crucial factor.

Southampton haven’t lost in the Championship since a 2-1 defeat to Hull on January 17. Since then, a run of 13 wins from 17 matches has seen the club shoot up the table.

The 33-year-old has reverted from a 3-4-2-1 system to using 4-2-3-1 in recent months, something which has worked to excellent effect.

This tactical tweak has allowed attacking midfielder Finn Azaz to shine for the Saints. Under Still, Azaz registered a single goal contribution in nine games. Free from his shackles under Eckert, the Irishman has played a key role in the resurgence of the club.

Across the consequent 30 league games, Azaz has scored ten times while grabbing seven assists and he ranks in the top 5% when compared to positional peers in the Championship for both of these metrics.

Azaz isn’t the only attacking option who has thrived under Eckert either. Ross Stewart has scored seven goals in 18 matches, including one against Arsenal in the FA Cup (more on that shortly). His return from a hamstring injury has come at exactly the right time, with the striker even ranking second in the Championship for goals per 90 (0.70).

Adam Armstrong had been in such exceptional form, ranking first in the league for xG per 90 (0.66), Premier League side Wolves signed him at the end of the last transfer window – proving that Eckert has such a wealth of forward options playing well at the same time, that he didn’t need him.

The Saints have the second-best attacking record in the division, but perhaps more importantly, their defensive record has been solid also.

Only four teams have conceded more than Southampton this season. in 13 matches under Still, the Saints conceded 19 league goals. Since Eckert took over on a permanent basis, they have conceded 28 times in 26 matches, showing a steady improvement in this area.

Barring some sort of miracle, a playoff spot is sewn up. In any normal season, all eyes would be getting ready for the playoffs in a few weeks time.

Things are a tad different this year…

Southampton’s FA Cup run is one for the ages

Wins over Doncaster and Leicester City sent Southampton into the fifth round of the FA Cup, setting up a tie against Premier League side Fulham.

That’s where the fun really began. Despite the Cottagers dominating proceedings, Marco Silva’s men simply couldn’t find a way through the Southampton rearguard, marshalled expertly by Taylor Harwood-Bellis who registered 11 defensive contributions.

With the tie heading towards extra time, Stewart converted a penalty to send the Saints into the quarter-finals.

The run was meant to end when Arsenal visited St. Mary’s at the start of April, yet Eckert’s men piled all the pressure on the Gunners by opening the scoring thanks to Stewart once again.

An equaliser by Viktor Gyökeres failed to dampen spirits on the south coast, as Shea Charles grabbed the winner with five minutes remaining.

That sensational victory secured a trip to Wembley, where Manchester City stand in between Saints and a place in the final on Saturday afternoon.

Eckert and his men couldn’t knock out another top flight club, could they? The Saints will head into the clash as massive underdogs, with all the pressure on Pep Guardiola and his men to swat aside the pesky Championship outfit.

Given how well Southampton have played in recent weeks, there is no doubt they can take the game to City.

While sealing a return to the Premier League is the ultimate aim this season, the fans will be praying for another giant killing this weekend. Its remarkable to think that the Saints were languishing in 21^st place only five short months ago.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

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

Apr

2026

Tonda Eckert is on the cusp of something special at Southampton

Southampton suffered relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, yet the future looked bright.

By Ross Kilvington

Indeed, Will Still was appointed as the new manager and it appeared as though their sojourn in the Championship would be brief.

Despite the optimism reverberating around St. Mary’s on the opening day against Wrexham, it took a late fightback to secure all three points.

In truth, it was a poor display which pointed at a sign of things to come. Between then and November 1, Southampton won a solitary Championship match.

The 2-0 defeat to Preston at the start of November proved to be the final straw and Still was sacked.

Tonda Eckert, who only arrived in the summer to take charge of the U23s, was promoted to interim boss within days.

It turned out to be an inspired promotion, as four wins from five games meant Eckert was given the job on a permanent basis.

What a decision it has turned out to be.

Eckert has Saints dreaming of a Premier League return

“We go all in; there is no other way. I don’t shy away from saying we want to play for promotion.” Said the German after signing a contract until June 2027.

How on earth has Eckert turned things around so quickly? First of all, making his team more stubborn to beat has been a crucial factor.

Southampton haven’t lost in the Championship since a 2-1 defeat to Hull on January 17. Since then, a run of 13 wins from 17 matches has seen the club shoot up the table.

The 33-year-old has reverted from a 3-4-2-1 system to using 4-2-3-1 in recent months, something which has worked to excellent effect.

The Saints have the second-best attacking record in the division, but perhaps more importantly, their defensive record has been solid also.

Barring some sort of miracle, a playoff spot is sewn up. In any normal season, all eyes would be getting ready for the playoffs in a few weeks time.

Things are a tad different this year…

Southampton’s FA Cup run is one for the ages

Wins over Doncaster and Leicester City sent Southampton into the fifth round of the FA Cup, setting up a tie against Premier League side Fulham.

With the tie heading towards extra time, Stewart converted a penalty to send the Saints into the quarter-finals.

The run was meant to end when Arsenal visited St. Mary’s at the start of April, yet Eckert’s men piled all the pressure on the Gunners by opening the scoring thanks to Stewart once again.

An equaliser by Viktor Gyökeres failed to dampen spirits on the south coast, as Shea Charles grabbed the winner with five minutes remaining.

That sensational victory secured a trip to Wembley, where Manchester City stand in between Saints and a place in the final on Saturday afternoon.

Given how well Southampton have played in recent weeks, there is no doubt they can take the game to City.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

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

Apr

2026

Preview: Real Madrid aim to keep faint LaLiga title hopes alive as they face Real Betis

Real Madrid have a chance to close the gap to Barcelona to six points as they take on Real Betis at the Estadio de la Cartuja on Friday evening.

By Ross Kilvington

Real Madrid must pray for a Barcelona meltdown

Barcelona sealed a narrow 1-0 win over Celta Vigo on Wednesday, but they will play a day after Madrid’s clash with Betis.

Furthermore, the final Clásico of the season takes place in a few weeks, but the title race might be done and dusted before then.

Álvaro Arbeloa’s men have been in poor form over the previous few weeks. In LaLiga, a 1-1 draw with Girona came just six days after a damaging 2-1 loss against Mallorca. Those results allowed Barcelona to build a commanding lead at the top of the table.

Factor in a Champions League semi-final exit to Bayern Munich, there is a real possibility that Madrid finish the season without winning a major trophy for the second successive campaign.

All they can do is keep winning and hope Hansi Flick’s side undergo a massive collapse between now and the end of May.

Real Betis gunning for Europe

Betis are undergoing a fine campaign as they currently reside in fifth place in the table at the time of writing.

Seven defeats from 32 games is the third-best record in the division and it has Betis well in contention for a place in the Europa League next term.

Perhaps the only disappointment was the recent defeat to Braga in that very competition. Having drawn the first leg 1-1, Manuel Pellegrini and his side suffered a poor 4-2 defeat at home last week to end hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

The attacking trio of Antony, Cucho Hernández and Abde Ezzalzouli have scored 38 goals between them across all competitions this season and have played a massive part in lifting Betis up the table.

Although the reverse fixture was lost 5-1 in January, if those three can perform on Friday evening, Betis have a chance of sealing a positive result against an indifferent Madrid team.

Team news

Betis will be without the services of Diego Llorente and Junior Firpo due to muscle injuries. Ángel Ortiz has suffered with a shoulder problem recently and he is a doubt for the clash on Friday evening.

Rodrygo is a long-term absentee for Madrid after he suffered an ACL injury in March that keeps him out until the start of next season.

Elsewhere, Raúl Asencio was hospitalised with a digestive infection and will miss the game, as to will Thibaut Courtois with a thigh issue.

Prediction

Madrid may have got back to winning ways on Tuesday with a 2-1 victory over Alavés, but the pressure is on to keep pace with Barcelona.

Betis could exploit this on Friday evening and give themselves a massive boost in their chase for a Europa League spot in the process.

It will be a tight game. As such, a draw is on the cards.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow all the games from LaLiga on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

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

Apr

2026

York City and Rochdale to fight for National League title in final day showdown

England’s fifth tier, the National League, is poised to end on an extraordinary climax, with the top two teams, York City and Rochdale, playing each other on the final day of the season to determine who will win automatic promotion. It’s an all-or-nothing encounter that leaves one team basking in title glory, while the runners-up will have to endure the play-offs.

By Alex Connor

This Saturday, York travel to Rochdale’s sold-out Crown Oil Arena, knowing that if they avoid defeat, the golden ticket into the Football League will be theirs. Meanwhile, Rochdale’s task is just as clear: they must win. It’s an unthinkable scenario, carrying insane jeopardy for both clubs.

As it stands, York sit top on 107 points, while Rochdale are narrowly behind them on 105. In recent weeks, Jimmy McNulty’s side have tantalisingly prolonged the title race in thrilling circumstances by netting late winners in dramatic victories over Sutton United, Wealdstone and Braintree Town.

Last weekend, York cruised to a routine 3-0 victory over Yeovil Town at the LNER Community Stadium. They’d done their job, and attention instantly switched to Rochdale’s movements. John Akinde’s 91st-minute equaliser for already relegated Braintree looked to have handed the title to York, but Rochdale had other ideas, with striker Emmanuel Dieseruvwe finding a 99th-minute last-gasp winner to keep the race alive.

For York, this season revolves around redemption. Last year, Adam Hinshelwood’s men finished second on 96 points, while table-toppers Barnet clinched the title with 102 points. York had to settle for the play-offs and faced Oldham Athletic in the semi-finals. The Latics came fifth that season, 23 points behind York. Nevertheless, Oldham secured a romping 3-0 away victory against York, before beating Southend United in the play-off final.

Barnet and Oldham have both enjoyed excellent seasons back in the Football League. The latter are comfortably mid-table in 11th, while Barnet are just above in ninth and have a very slim chance of reaching the League Two play-offs. Bromley, who won promotion from the National League via the play-offs in 2024, will be playing League One football next season.

York must view this as added motivation and a potential pathway of progression. However, given the fine margins, the 3UP campaign is becoming an increasingly more celebrated and prominent cause. This movement, launched in February 2025, intends to revamp the system by awarding another fifth-tier side a second automatic promotion spot. It’s supported by all 72 clubs in the National League and its North and South divisions, and by over 200 teams across the Isthmian, Northern and Southern set-ups. Despite the overwhelming non-league backing, it’s yet to make significant progress at EFL level.

In the meantime, York can’t fixate on what-ifs and hypothetical ideal scenarios. Hinshelwood’s sudden departure just four games into the current season left many questioning if York could replicate their heroics from the previous campaign. Former Notts County boss Stuart Maynard was swiftly appointed, and he has masterminded another phenomenal season.

York have collected 33 victories from 45 league games, recording eight wins in their previous nine games. The free-scoring Minstermen have also netted a league-high 113 goals, with clinical forward and fifth-tier top scorer Ollie Pearce bagging 34 of them.

The club’s eye-catching form is also owed to some game-changing transfers throughout the season. Playmaker Alex Newby arrived from Altrincham and has slotted into the attack, registering 12 league goals. Mark Kitching started for Oldham in their play-off win over York and joined the club in the summer. He’s been superb operating as a centre back or on the left.

*Pearce will claim the National League golden boot for the second season running*

Hiram Boateng and Ollie Banks have been excellent midfield additions. 2004-born defender Zak Johnson joined from Sunderland on an initial short-term loan in November 2025, before having the deal extended until the end of the season because of his consistent performances. The 21-year-old has started every game for York since mid-February.

Promotion is equally important to Rochdale, who are a fallen giant in non-league football. Quickfire relegations in 2021 and 2023 saw the club eventually stumble out of League Two, ending a 102-year Football League stay.

Lingering financial uncertainty hampered their start to life in the National League, as the club finished 11th in the 2023/24 season. Once the Ogden family completed their takeover of Rochdale, stability was restored, and form improved. A fourth-place finish followed in the next campaign, and the club has risen once again, now second with 33 wins, and on the cusp of automatic promotion.

Emmanuel Dieseruvwe was signed from Hartlepool last summer and has been electric in front of goal, scoring 25 times. Devante Rodney has also made pivotal attacking contributions, recording 17 goal involvements in the league. Captain Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Kyron Gordon have both been incredibly solid in defence, while on-loan Manchester City goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff has posted 18 clean sheets and conceded just 32 goals in 38 appearances.

In the previous meeting between the sides back in November 2025, York breezed past Rochdale, winning 4-1, with Pearce and Josh Stones both netting braces. However, for a game of this magnitude, with such glaring and unavoidable consequences, previous fixtures and tactics go out of the window. It’s in the hands of the footballing gods.

Whoever enters the play-offs will carry the unhelpful weight of what might have been. It’s a potentially unshakeable burden, which other play-off teams will aim to capitalise on. Rochdale’s recent heroics have blocked York’s seemingly inevitable destiny. The stage is set for a fascinating and unmissable encounter.

(Images via IMAGO)

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Apr

2026

FotMob Profile: Yan Diomande will be top of everyone’s wishlist this summer

Liverpool and several other clubs have been linked with the latest superstar to come off the RB Leipzig conveyor belt.

By Graham Ruthven

Yan Diomande just kept going and going. The opposition defence could only watch as the RB Leipzig teenager dribbled into the box before cutting back to guide a cultured finish into the far corner of the net. It was the sort of moment Bundesliga fans have come to expect from Diomande this season.

Only a handful of players have more Bundesliga goals and assists than Diomande this season and most of them play for Bayern Munich. The 19-year-old who was playing high school football in Florida only 18 months ago has been a breakout star in the German top division and others are paying attention.

*Shot map for Diomande’s goal vs. Frankfurt*

Liverpool, for one, are reportedly monitoring Diomande. The Anfield club could be in the market for a new right winger this summer with Mohamed Salah set to depart. Diomande could be Liverpool’s next big-money addition with RB Leipzig reportedly demanding as much as €100m for their prize asset.

Of course, it would be unrealistic to expect Diomande to compensate for the loss of Salah’s attacking output considering how many goals the Egyptian has scored over the years (257 goals in 439 games for Liverpool, to be precise). Nonetheless, Liverpool’s interest says something about the Ivorian’s potential.

Diomande’s future could be one of the sagas of the summer. Paris Saint-Germain have also been mentioned as possible suitors while Manchester United are apparently admirers. In fact, there is hardly a big European club that hasn’t been linked with the RB Leipzig winger this season.

*Diomande’s shooting stats in the Bundesliga*

It’s easy to see why Diomande has so many fans. Despite operating in a wide position, nobody has scored more league goals for RB Leipzig this season than the teenager. On top of this, only David Raum has created more Big Chances while Diomande leads the way for the number of dribbles per 90 (4.3).

In one-on-one situations, Diomande is excellent at beating a man. He is quick over the ground and also with the ball at his feet. However, the thing that makes Diomande stand out more than anything else is his final product and the sharpness of his decision making for someone still so young.

Lamine Yamal parallels have been unavoidable. That might be slightly hyperbolic considering all that the Barcelona youngster has already achieved, but anyone who has watched Diomane in the Bundesliga this season knows where the comparison comes from. The two teenagers see the game similarly.

*Diomande’s passing stats in the Bundesliga*

Having come so far in such a short period, there’s no reason to believe Diomande’s rapid rise will stop any time soon. 12 months ago, the winger was playing for Leganés B in the fifth tier of Spanish football. He had still to make his international debut and hadn’t yet appeared on the radar of most.

*Diomande’s possession stats in the Bundesliga*

Now, he is the name on the lips of countless sporting directors and managers across the continent who would like to add Diomande to their squads in the summer transfer window, although RB Leipzig are seemingly planning for the Ivory Coast international to still be their player next season.

“With such a young player that we just signed (from Spain’s Leganés last July), you can’t give him away after just one year,” said RB Leipzig sporting director Sebastian Schuppan when asked about Diomande’s future. “In recent years, RB Leipzig has worked out that even top players can certainly stay longer. As chairman of the supervisory board, I would say that he will still be there next season, even if an offer of €80million or €90m comes.”

Diomande himself added fuel to a growing fire of transfer speculation by admitting his father is a Liverpool supporter. “It was always his great wish to see me there someday because he loves the atmosphere at Anfield,” the winger told German newspaper BILD. “He always raved about Steven Gerrard.”

Liverpool’s transfer business last summer lacked focus. While marquee additions Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez may one day mesh to improve the Reds collectively, this season has proved there wasn’t a clear enough plan on how they would each be integrated.

With Salah departing at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, though, there would be an obvious place for Diomande in the Liverpool lineup. While Arne Slot’s future is the subject of much debate, the Merseyside outfit also broadly plays a style of football that would suit the youngster not lacking in personality on and off the pitch.

There will be other transfer sagas this summer. Elliot Anderson, Julián Alvarez, Anthony Gordon, Enzo Fernández and many other big names will move for big money, but Diomande’s future could be the most tantalising prospect of all. His suitors are already forming a line to make their pitch.

(Images from IMAGO)

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Apr

2026

Preview: Barcelona host Celta Vigo in midweek round

It’s all about the title run-in now for Barcelona after their disappointing quarter-final exit in the Champions League to domestic rivals Atlético Madrid and there’s no room to slip up in their last home match before El Clásico.

By Karl Matchett

Even with a six-point lead with seven games to play, Hansi Flick’s side won’t be taking too much for granted when it comes to LaLiga. Four of those fixtures are away from home and besides, there’s a potential bigger issue at play.

The decider

Should Barcelona win their next three and the chasing Real Madrid do likewise – or they otherwise match each other’s points totals in that span – then the Camp Nou meeting of the pair on 10 May will not only be one of the most watched games of the season, but a potential title decider. If Barca win that encounter, they claim the title, on home soil and against their greatest rivals. Slip up beforehand though and open the door to a Real comeback, and Los Blancos will be able to barge through and reignite a title charge.

But Barca are 16 from 16 so far at home this term – keep that up here and it’s just a few more small steps and a third title in four seasons will be theirs!

Overdue return

It shouldn’t be expected to be a one-sided encounter, though, with Celta Vigo very much writing their own story this season. They sit sixth in the table, on the verge of their best domestic campaign in a decade. They also made the Europa League quarter-finals and look well-placed to qualify for European competition in back-to-back seasons for the first time in 22 years, since the side of Alexandr Mostovoi, Gustavo Lopez and Sylvinho.

They were in the Champions League that year, after finishing fourth in 2002/03 – and they were also relegated. Two decades on, Celta look ready to be a competitive team near the top once more.

Recent form

Just one defeat in 12 for Barcelona, but it was a damaging one in that first leg at home to Atlético. Since then they’ve won twice more.

Celta have hit a badly timed slump, losing four of their last five in all competitions, but their away form in LaLiga is the third-best of all clubs.

*Celta’s home and away record this season*

Team news

Barcelona remain without key forward Raphinha as well as Marc Bernal and Andreas Christensen, but the returns of Frenkie de Jong and Gavi give them midfield options.

For Celta, Carl Starfelt is a doubt and will be a big miss if he can’t play, but Javi Rodríguez is back from suspension. Forward Ferran Jutglà has seven goals this term – he scored once for Barca in LaLiga back in 21/22.

Key player

It’ll be interesting to see who is the starter up top to see out the season – Ferran Torres has two goals more than Robert Lewandowski though from 500 minutes more. Ferran’s 14 strikes come from a 12.4 xG, he averages 1.8 shots on target per 90 and he’s the more creative of the two as well. Three goals in his last two games means he’s on form.

*Barca’s top scorers in LaLiga this season*

Prediction

Barcelona to take another step towards retaining their title. Barcelona 2-0 Celta Vigo.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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