Real Madrid host Real Betis as Xabi Alonso’s side aim to close the gap on league leaders Barcelona, but they’ll be forced to try and do so without one of their star men, Kylian Mbappé.
Betis are on a charge to try and reach Champions League qualification, but it doesn’t get much tougher than Madrid away from home.
In this fixture last season, Madrid secured a 2-0 victory on their own turf, and it was the aforementioned Mbappé who stole the headlines, scoring a second-half brace. That is the only win that Madrid have recorded in their last five meetings with Betis.
Team news
Éder Militão and Trent Alexander-Arnold remain out for the home side, and they’re joined on the treatment table by Mbappé, who suffered a knee injury this week, which could keep him out for the remainder of the month. Brahim Díaz is at AFCON, while Dani Carvajal is a doubt.
For Betis, former-Madrid man Isco should be the only player missing due to injury, but they will be without a trio of stars due to AFCON. Sofyan Amrabat, Cédric Bakambu, and Abde Ezzalzouli are all unavailable.
Madrid not quite clinical enough
Labelling Madrid not clinical enough might sound crazy, with the Spanish giants scoring 36 goals already this season, but they are having to compete with one of the best sides in Europe in Barcelona. Xabi Alonso’s men have created 42.4 expected goals, more than any other team, but they’ve scored 15 goals fewer than Barcelona.
They’ve now got to deal with the loss of Mbappé. The French international has been their primary source of goals this season, finding the back of the net a whopping 18 times in LaLiga already. Madrid’s next top goalscorer is Vinícius Júnior with just five.
Betis the draw specialists
Sixth placed Betis have to start finding a way of turning draws into wins in LaLiga if they want to mount a serious charge for the Champions League places. They’ve drawn as many games as they’ve won this season, and six of their seven stalemates have come away from home.
It’s clearly the way they set up on the road that has prevented them from picking up more victories, but they have to start taking a few more risks away from home. Maybe Real Madrid isn’t the game you want to start trying that, but it could be the difference between them getting top four or not in the long run.
Time for Vinícius to make a statement
It’s been a disappointing season for Vinícius by his standards, and it’s now the perfect time for him to step up to the plate. Mbappé’s injury places more pressure on the shoulders of the Brazilian forward to produce in the final third, something which he’s struggled to do of late.
Vinícius has failed to score in his previous 10 LaLiga matches, producing just one assist during that time. There’s no better time for him to turn things around, and Alonso is going to need him to if they’re going to pick up results without one of their star men.
Prediction
An Mbappé-less Madrid should still have enough to beat Betis at home. We’re going for a narrow 2-1 home victory.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Liverpool travel to Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon looking to extend their unbeaten run across all competitions to nine. They face a Fulham side who find themselves sitting in fifth in the form table having feasted over the festive period with three wins and a draw across their last five.
The 2025/26 campaign has been a topsy turvy one for the Premier League champions. They started with five wins from five in the Premier League before a run of six defeats in seven had people questioning Arne Slot’s future at the club.
However, the Reds are now unbeaten in seven domestic matches and found themselves in fourth position ahead of Saturday’s results in the English top flight. Only three teams have racked up more points than Liverpool over the last five games and while it might not have been too pretty, the Reds have found a way to win football matches again. For now at least.
Fulham, meanwhile, started the season with just two wins in nine. It did, at one stage, appear as though Marco Silva’s side might be in trouble. They’ve managed to turn it around though with six wins from their last 10 in the Premier League.
Their home record is quietly impressive too. They’ve conceded 10 in nine but this number is skewed by the five they conceded in the 5-4 loss to Manchester City. Outside of that, their record is played eight, conceded five, won five and lost two.
The trip to Craven Cottage won’t be an easy one for the Reds, especially when you consider Liverpool’s struggles on their travels this term – played nine, won four, lost four.
Key Players
For the Premier League champions, the match-winner and difference-maker could well be Hugo Ekitike. He blanked against Leeds ending his run of six goal involvements across his last four matches, but he was, by far, Liverpool’s greatest threat, finishing with an Expected Goals total of 1.02.
For Fulham, it has to be Harry Wilson, doesn’t it? The 28-year-old has five goals and four assists in the Premier League this term and has three goals and an assist in his last seven top flight appearances. The former Liverpool player does have a goal against the Reds too. Maybe he’ll add to it on Sunday.
Team News
The hosts could have Kenny Tete back in their squad while Ryan Sessegnon could be risked after a hamstring injury. Rodrigo Muniz, however, is ruled out until February at the earliest. Other than those two doubts and one player definitely ruled out, Silva has a full squad to choose from.
Slot doesn’t have such luck. The Dutch tactician is without Alexander Isak due to a broken leg and Mohamed Salah is away at AFCON. Cody Gakpo could well start his first game in almost a month after making two sub appearances off of the bench recently having returned from injury. The Reds don’t have that many options in attack right now. Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo are still out while Giovanni Leoni isn’t expected to return this season.
Prediction
We’re going with a score draw for this one, 1-1.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Not so long ago, Leeds United appeared destined for an immediate return to the Championship. The Elland Road side were struggling for consistent form and Daniel Farke was fighting for his job.
Now, though, Leeds are on a six-game unbeaten run, sitting seven points clear of the bottom three following Thursday’s credible 0-0 draw away to Liverpool.
Sunday’s match is a big opportunity for Leeds to get the better of their fiercest rivals, particularly with the game taking place at Elland Road where Farke’s side have lost just twice this season.
Manchester United must bounce back from a disappointing home draw against Wolves which raised fresh questions over Ruben Amorim’s suitability as the club’s manager.
After success with a back four in games against Bournemouth and Newcastle, Amorim reverted to his favoured 3-4-3 shape to face the worst team in the Premier League and United subsequently struggled for attacking threat.
While Amorim’s immediate job security might not be at risk, another disappointing result against Leeds would seriously set back the notion that Manchester United are making progress under his stewardship.
Key players
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s incredible scoring run came to an end against Liverpool, marking the first time in six games that the centre forward had failed to find the back of the net.
Brenden Aaronson has thrived after Farke’s change to a new 3-5-2 shape with the American’s dribbling ability giving Leeds a different dimension in the attacking third.
Aaronson’s possession numbers in the Premier League this season
Anton Stach will be a big presence in the centre of the pitch for the home side. The German has created more chances than any other Leeds player this season and could be key on Sunday.
Benjamin Šeško registered more shots than any other player on the pitch in United’s 1-1 draw with Wolves. However, the Slovenian striker hasn’t found the back of the net since October.
Ayden Heaven has stepped up as an important defensive figure for Manchester United in recent weeks while Patrick Dorgu has offered a funnel into the final third on the right wing.
Team news
Daniel James and Sean Longstaff are both sidelined through injury for Leeds while Joe Rodon could return to action after missing the goalless draw against Liverpool on New Year’s Day.
Ethan Ampadu will miss Sunday’s match after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season at Anfield. The Welsh international will leave a big hole in the defensive line.
Amad and Mbeumo are on international duty with their respective national teams at AFCON with Moroccan right back Noussair Mazraoui also at the tournament. This leaves Manchester United depleted for the visit to Elland Road.
Prediction
The Yorkshire side are hard to beat at the moment, with Daniel Farke’s squad looking rejuvenated in the latter end of 2025. A win over their Lancashire rivals would be quite the statement of intent to start 2026: Leeds 2-1 Manchester United.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Following a short winter break, both teams will be looking to continue building momentum in the first match of 2026.
Espanyol eyeing first win over cross-city rivals since 2018
Espanyol have long been the ugly sister regarding football teams in Barcelona and they have not won against their rivals since January 2018.
That victory came in the Copa del Rey, with the club winning the first leg 1-0 at home. However, you have to stretch back to February 2009 for their last league victory over Barcelona, winning 2-1 in the same season that Pep Guardiola’s men won the treble.
Ahead of this highly anticipated clash, Espanyol are currently on a five-game winning streak in the Spanish top flight.
This run has seen them vaulted up to fifth in the league, just two points shy of fourth place.
They will pin their hopes on duo Edu Expósito and Pere Milla. The former has created 40 big chances in LaLiga this term, ranking him second out of every player, while the latter has scored six league goals.
If those two perform well, Espanyol have a chance of ending their eight-year winless drought on Saturday.
Barcelona are on course to defend their LaLiga title
After losing two of their opening ten league matches, including a Clásico loss to Real Madrid, Barcelona have won eight on the bounce, the last seven all by at least a two goal margin.
Combined with Madrid’s dismal form, this superb run has seen them lead the table by four points heading into 2026.
Hansi Flick’s side have won their previous three matches against Espanyol and another win on Saturday will extend their advantage at the top of the table.
This would pile even more pressure on Madrid and Xabi Alonso as they bid to win consecutive LaLiga titles.
Lamine Yamal has scored five league goals and grabbed three assists since the start of November and he will be key in this intriguing match.
Team news
The home side will be without midfielder Charles Pickel, who is representing DR Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations and won’t be back for another few weeks.
Dani Olmo is a major doubt to a shoulder issue, although Pedri could return after missing the Villarreal clash due to a calf problem.
Prediction
Despite Barcelona’s recent dominance in this head-to-head, Espanyol enter the match in excellent form and they can certainly cause the away side plenty of problems.
Given the fact they will play a day before Madrid, this could prove to be a major incentive for Flick and his side.
As such, expect Barcelona to win a ninth successive LaLiga match to begin the New Year with a bang: Espanyol 1-3 Barcelona.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Bournemouth are winless in ten top flight matches dating back to October 26, while Arsenal have won five of their previous six league games.
With Manchester City slipping up against Sunderland, the Gunners have a chance to stretch even further clear at the top of the table.
Andoni Iraola is enduring his toughest spell since taking over Bournemouth
After winning three of their opening five Premier League fixtures, the Cherries have won only twice since the start of October.
This has seen Iraola’s men plummet down the table as they enter this clash sitting 15th, although nine points clear of relegation.
The manager will be pinning his hopes on holding on to Antoine Semenyo for long enough to start him in the game against the league leaders.
Semenyo has scored nine Premier League goals so far this season, including efforts against Liverpool and Manchester United.
Indeed, he has netted three goals in his previous four matches and Mikel Arteta must be wary of the threat he will pose on Saturday evening.
Do Arsenal have one hand on the Premier League title?
Arsenal benefitted massively on New Year’s Day as Sunderland held City to a 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light.
This meant the Gunners head into their first match of 2026 four points clear at the top of the table.
Many believe the title is Arsenal’s to lose, especially after a stunning victory over Aston Villa earlier this week.
Villa had won 11 consecutive matches across all competitions – with Arsenal being one of their victims – but the Gunners scored four second-half goals to wrap up all three points at the Emirates.
That win was their fourth in a row in the top flight and means they begin 2026 with a healthy advantage at the top.
Arteta’s men are fighting on four fronts, which means his squad will be stretched even further over the next few months.
A win over the Cherries will be the ideal way to begin the new year, no doubt about that.
Ryan Christie and Lewis Cook might be ready, although they will have to undergo late fitness tests.
Prediction
Given the respective form of both teams, Arsenal enter this clash as firm favourites to claim all three points.
Bournemouth have shown plenty of fight in recent weeks, however, as evidenced by the 4-4 draw with Manchester United before Christmas and the 2-2 stalemate with Chelsea a few days ago.
Arsenal will continue to demonstrate their title credentials and should win this game fairly comfortably: Bournemouth 0-3 Arsenal.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Out of the money Manchester United have spent on transfers over the last two seasons, the £1m they parted with to sign Ayden Heaven barely registers. Indeed, there was little fanfare when the teenage defender made the move north from Arsenal a year ago. This was understandable given Heaven was seen as a developmental player. One for the future.
Heaven, however, is proving his worth as an important member of Ruben Amorim’s first team. The 19-year-old has started six league games for Manchester United this season. With Matthijs De Ligt, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez all missing matches due to injury, Heaven has stepped up.
This was certainly true in the Boxing Day win over Newcastle United. When Manchester United had their backs to the wall, Heaven was stronger than anyone else in repelling the opposition. Nobody made more blocks or headed clearances. He was a brick wall that Newcastle couldn’t break through.
Manchester United were less impressive in their 1-1 draw against Wolves, but Heaven wasn’t at fault. Instead, Amorim was criticised for reverting back to his favoured 3-4-3 formation which stunted United’s attacking threat. Nobody looked at Heaven to explain why the Old Trafford outfit failed to secure three points.
“I’m really pleased with Ayden,” said Amorim after Heaven’s rock-solid performance against Newcastle. “You can feel that he’s improving every game. He’s young, but you don’t feel that he has a good game and then he slows the game or the thinking during the game. No, you feel that he’s improving during the game.”
In terms of his profile, Heaven is the perfect modern defender. He is comfortable on the ball. Nobody completed more passes in the win over Newcastle than Heaven whose distribution out from the back permitted Manchester United to move the ball forward when the pressure threatened to overwhelm them.
While Heaven was previously prone to lapses in concentration, he has tightened up this area of his game. The rawness has been ironed out over the last year or so. Heaven’s exposure to regular game time in the Premier League has helped the teenager mature. His development has been accelerated.
Physically, Heaven is capable of holding his own against the most formidable of Premier League forwards. He also has the pace to keep up with the quickest opponents. The teenager ticks a lot of boxes and is growing in confidence all the time. It’s clear he has the respect of his teammates, and Amorim.
Manchester United need more players like Heaven. His signing should set a precedent for the club under the minority ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS. United can’t always pluck from the top shelf of the transfer market. They must do more to unearth talented youngsters they can develop without the pressure of a large price tag.
Of course, it’s not always easy to do that. The Manchester United Tax, as it’s known, is a real factor and so the club’s interest is often enough to double or even triple the price of a transfer target. There are, however, smart ways to pick up talented youngsters, as United proved by attracting Heaven before he’d signed a professional deal at Arsenal.
Senne Lammens could be placed into the same category. The young goalkeeper was unknown outside Belgium before Manchester United signed him for just £18m to be their new number one. Forward Chido Obi is another youngster who can take inspiration from Heaven’s emergence having also joined from Arsenal 12 months ago.
Whether Amorim is truly the right man to mould a winning team from the young talent Manchester United has recently signed is open to debate. The Portuguese coach has won just 25 of his 62 matches as manager of the Old Trafford club with Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against Wolves the latest disappointment under his stewardship.
There are, however, underlying reasons for optimism and Heaven is one of them. At just 19, he is holding things together at the back. Against Newcastle, Heaven finished the match as part of a defensive line that included Tyler Fredericson and Tyrell Malacia. He was the one who took responsibility as United’s most accomplished centre back on the pitch.
Heaven might find himself knocked down the pecking order again once De Ligt and Maguire return from injury. Amorim could use their experience to push Manchester United towards a top five finish and Champions League qualification, something that would make the 2025/26 season a success.
Nonetheless, Heaven has shown enough to prove he deserves a place in Manchester United’s vision for the future. Amorim’s back three means there will be further opportunity before the season is over with Heaven among the Portuguese manager’s most reliable performers. In more than one way, he epitomises the club’s new direction.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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16 teams remain in contention for the AFCON 2025 title after the end of the group stage. All the top teams have safely advanced to the knockouts, but some will now start falling as the tournament enters crunch time.
Senegal will take on Sudan in the Round of 16 opener on January 3. The 2021 champions are the overwhelming favourites in this tie as Sudan are entering just their second AFCON knockout match since their only title win in 1970.
Even getting to the knockouts is an incredible achievement for the Falcons of Jediane, who had by far the toughest route to the competition. They had to play all their qualification matches abroad as a brutal civil war rages on in their homeland, leaving all domestic football suspended. Many of their players have not been able to go to Sudan at all in the last couple of years, while several have lost loved ones in the conflict.
Kwesi Appiah’s side have shown great spirit and intensity in all of their performances, so Senegal will have to be careful not to underestimate them. The Lions of Teranga have not tasted defeat in their last 24 competitive fixtures, though, so they will be quite confident of sealing progression to the quarter-finals.
🇲🇱 Mali vs Tunisia 🇹🇳
The second Round of 16 clash is being billed as the ‘Sufferball derby’, as both Mali and Tunisia are expected to put together some seriously stodgy performances in the knockouts.
Tom Saintfelt’s side have already given everyone a taste of what they’re capable of as they fielded five midfielders in place of traditional wingers to carve out a 1-1 draw with Morocco in their second group game.
The Eagles followed that up with a goalless draw with the Comoros, in which they took about an hour to register their first effort from inside the box. With that, they finished second in their group despite failing to win a single match.
Tunisia, for their part, have shown some more attacking quality thus far as they scored three times as many goals as Mali with six. What is even more surprising, though, is that the Eagles of Carthage have failed to keep a clean sheet at AFCON so far, having gotten through their entire World Cup qualification campaign without even conceding once.
We could well be treated to an interesting tactical battle in this match as Saintfelt is sure to mix things up, and his midfielders have shown ample technical quality as well as physical capacity that can trouble any opponent. Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi will surely be keen to shore up his defence, knowing that he can rely on young creators like Hannibal Mejbri and Sebastian Tounekti going forward.
🇲🇦 Morocco vs Tanzania 🇹🇿
Hosts Morocco comfortably topped Group A with two wins and a draw, but it has not been all smooth sailing for them. There is a hint of animosity between the fans and head coach Walid Regragui, which has truthfully been brewing since their Round of 16 exit from the last AFCON.
Even before the tournament started, he likely did not please everyone when he said, “We want fans who come to encourage [the players], not just to take photos or eat sweets.” The 50-year-old tactician was used to seeing some of the world’s most active and passionate supporters in his time at Wydad Casablanca, but the crowds in the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat are relatively reserved.
The fans, for their part, made their voices heard after the draw with Mali as boos rang around at full-time. Some changes for the final group game were better received, though, and the crowd is sure to get behind the host nation in the big knockout games.
A Round of 16 tie against Tanzania might just be the perfect starting point for Morocco. The Taifa Stars are making their knockout debut in their fourth AFCON appearance even though they are yet to register a win; they progressed as one of the better third-placed teams despite only picking up two points.
The Atlas Lions have to be very confident of coming away with a comfortable victory from this match.
🇿🇦 South Africa vs Cameroon 🇨🇲
Last edition’s third-place finishers South Africa face five-time champions Cameroon in the heavyweight Round of 16 match-up.
Bafana Bafana were considered a team to watch by many for their all-round balance and tactical intelligence. They have shown some glimpses of those qualities so far, but things haven’t quite clicked as they might have liked. Hugo Broos’ side failed to keep a clean sheet in all group games, losing to Egypt and needing fairly late winners against both Angola and Zimbabwe.
Cameroon, on the other hand, always enter AFCON with high hopes given their historical pedigree, but most expected them to struggle given all their off-field issues in the lead-up to the tournament. Despite only being appointed a couple of weeks before the tournament kicked off, David Pagou has managed to put together a pretty good side that can be quite fun to watch, albeit a bit too open for his liking at times.
All of this should set us up for an exciting encounter that could easily go either way. The winner will likely face Morocco in the quarter-final, so this part of the bracket is the most exciting one.
🇪🇬 Egypt vs Benin 🇧🇯
Egypt topped Group B thanks to a narrow win over South Africa, giving them a relatively easier knockout path on paper. However, as their last-gasp win over Zimbabwe showed, they aren’t necessarily the most comfortable against weaker opposition.
The Pharaohs have always been a better counterattacking side in recent years, relying on the quality of star forwards Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. Hossam Hassan’s midfield selections mostly prioritise defensive solidity over creativity, so they can have difficult days against deep defences.
Benin are quite capable of posing such a challenge, having recently given South Africa and Nigeria a huge scare in World Cup qualifying. Gernot Rohr’s side have shown glimpses of quality with their passing when allowed time on the ball, all while keeping good numbers at the back. So, they likely won’t be an easy team to beat for Egypt.
🇳🇬 Nigeria vs Mozambique 🇲🇿
Three-time champions Nigeria finished as runners-up last time around, but they will continue to be regarded as one of Africa’s biggest underachievers until they get their hands on the trophy again. Failing to qualify for the next World Cup plays a big part in that, as does their 12-year title drought.
With just a month between the Super Eagles’ World Cup elimination and the start of the tournament, everyone was interested to see how they would bounce back. Head coach Éric Chelle should be pretty pleased thus far as his side are one of just two teams to come away with nine points from the group stage, besides being the tournament’s top scorers.
Mozambique, meanwhile, recorded their first win at AFCON at the 17th time of asking with a 3-2 triumph over Gabon, setting themselves on course for their very first knockout appearance. Sporting winger Geny Catamo has been the star of the show with two goals and an assist, so he will pose the biggest threat to the Nigerian defence.
The likes of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman are sure to cause panic at the other end of the pitch, but all eyes will be on Chelle’s midfield selection. The experienced Alex Iwobi is a nailed-on starter, but Raphael Onyedika will be hoping that his brace in the final group game earns him a spot ahead of Wilfried Ndidi or Frank Onyeka. The Club Brugge midfielder’s all-round quality means he could well help Nigeria shore up their defence and cement their status as one of the frontrunning contenders.
🇩🇿 Algeria vs DR Congo 🇨🇩
One of the most exciting Round of 16 clashes sees 2019 champions Algeria take on DR Congo, who got to the semi-finals last time around.
The Fennecs failed to get past the group stage or even win a game in the two editions following their last title, but they have bounced back in style this time around with a near-perfect record of three wins, seven goals scored and just one conceded in the group stage. Their first-choice XI got the better of Sudan and Burkina Faso, before a largely rotated side looked equally impressive in the final group game.
Captain Riyad Mahrez remains an important figure in the attack, but young Ibrahim Maza has been stealing the spotlight lately with some lively displays as a number 10. The rest of the side behind him has looked quite well-balanced too, so Algeria will be confident of going the distance in the tournament.
DR Congo will have other ideas and certainly have good reason to back themselves, having gone stride-for-stride with Senegal in Group D. Defensive solidity has been the name of their game as they have only conceded once as well, so finding an attacking edge will be the key to their success. 34-year-old Gaël Kakuta’s performance against Botswana showed that he might just be the man to provide this X factor.
The top five FotMob rated players at AFCON so far
🇨🇮 Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso 🇧🇫
The defending champions will draw the curtain on the Round of 16 with their tie against Burkina Faso in Marrakesh.
The standout action will surely come down the wings in this clash. Teenage talent Yan Diomande has continued his stellar breakout season with eye-catching displays for the Ivory Coast, while Manchester United’s Amad has shown the best of his attacking quality as well. Burkina Faso have looked bright coming down their left side with full back Arsène Kouassi’s overlapping runs supporting Brentford winger Dango Ouattara, while captain Bertrand Traoré or young Cyriaque Irié can cause problems for the opponents on the other flank.The similarities between both teams continue in the striker department, where the lack of a clinical box presence has limited them. So, the side that does a better job of taking their chances could well emerge victorious here. Emerse Faé’s side will consider themselves the favourites and certainly have the quality to win the midfield battle, but Burkina Faso have a better defensive record so far and should not be counted out.
(Images via IMAGO)
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He’s relaunched his career and is in the form of his life. The England calls are getting louder for Dominic Calvert-Lewin. If he can help Leeds beat Manchester United on Sunday, he’ll be a hero no matter what.
It was too good to be true. Instinctive, improvised and inside the six-yard box. Typical Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Last night, for the best part of three seconds, he’d done it. An eighth goal in seven games as Leeds United stunned Liverpool, late on at Anfield.
An assistant referee’s flag and the 28-year-old’s right foot being beyond the play may have ruled out the finish, but Leeds will be facing Manchester United on Sunday with the hottest English striker in the country.
Underwhelming signing
Back to August, I was sat in the luxury leather cinema chairs of the media room at Leeds United’s Thorpe Arch training ground. Daniel Farke was about to do something that rarely happens in modern football. As I asked him about the rumours around a new striker, he revealed that Dominic Calvert-Lewin would indeed be signing that day.
In the era of curated club media reveals, this felt very old school. It perfectly matched the player. An old-fashioned poacher coming in, under the radar. Leeds fans, however, were underwhelmed.
Having won the Championship title on the final day, Farke had spent the summer recruiting a host of big men to complement his technical players. Joel Piroe may have taken the golden boot with 19 goals but lacked the physique to lead the line against bruising top-flight backlines. A striker would be a priority.
However, with their PSR commitments at full whack, Farke had a problem. The solution was to roll the dice on ‘reviving’ a career with a chance at Elland Road. This was an issue.
Calvert-Lewin has a chequered injury record to say the least. He’s missed 31 games through hamstring injuries alone in the last five years, 14 of which were just last season.
Added to this was some galling goalscoring data. In the last five years, he should have managed just shy of 50 goals based on his xG, rather than the 38 that he did score. An injury-prone striker, who could miss those crucial opportunities that keeps them in the division? It didn’t get the fans onside, especially as he was effectively replacing the similarly performing Patrick Bamford, deemed surplus to requirements.
Calvert-Lewin’s numbers at Everton, Premier League 2024/25 season
Dire debut and the revival
I’ve watched back every Calvert-Lewin Premier League goal (the first 50 are here!) and there’s a common theme. All but two are from inside the area. A cool one-on-one against Cardiff and a comedic ricochet to take the lead at home to Manchester United aside, he has been a fox in the box.
His movement keeps him between the frame of the goal and whether it’s a prod, a big header, or being trusted from 12 yards, when Calvert-Lewin is on form, he can be clinical.
Everton even offered him a new deal to stay in the summer but he was ready for a new challenge. He spent the summer with his daughter and enjoying ‘dad life’ and has since reflected how that mental break has helped him rebuild and given him a new perspective on life.
Added to all this has been a different approach to his fitness. Ahead of facing Crystal Palace, Farke told me that there had not been a focus on managing his minutes, as you might expect with a player with a long injury-history, but instead on building up his physical resilience. This all sounds very Rocky Balboa, doesn’t it?
Calvert-Lewin’s unique-looking shot map, Premier League 2025/26 season
Calvert-Lewin says he’s the fittest he’s been ‘in a long time’. He’s certainly got that healthy glow that’s previously seen him turn his hand to modelling. These days it’s striking a pose with the Player of the Match award, rather than on the catwalk or magazine front covers.
This is all still hard to believe though. He endured a torrid first game at a beleaguered Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Cup. Coming on as a sub, he missed a hat-trick of opportunities before really ramping it up by blazing his shoot-out spot kick over the bar.
His looping header against Wolves after two anonymous league outings broke the duck but he then went seven games without a goal, coinciding with reports that Farke was battling to keep his job.
And then it all clicked. Stealing in to equalise against Manchester City kicked things off. A one-yard tap-in at a raucous Elland Road saw off Chelsea, before a crucial penalty equaliser against Liverpool and a towering header at Brentford.
By the time I got to Leeds’s final home game of 2025 against Crystal Palace, the England-talk was in full swing.
England’s (back-up) Number 9?
It’s been four and a half years since Calvert-Lewin’s eleventh and last cap for the Three Lions. Four goals isn’t a bad return and he was in Gareth Southgate’s squad that lost the final of Euro 2020 to Italy on penalties, making two appearances off the bench during the tournament. That coincided with his best goalscoring season, when he scored 21 goals in all competitions for Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton.
Calvert-Lewins’ player comparison against strikers in Big 5 leagues
His traits map is one of the most intriguing you’ll find on FotMob. This season he’s been incredibly efficient. Placing in the 92% percentile for aerial duels compared to strikers in all of Europe’s top five leagues is ridiculous and then you see how few touches he has relative to his goals. Isn’t that exactly what England might need as a Plan B, or if Harry Kane is ever out of action?
Thomas Tuchel has already shown he’s focussed solely on the here and now. There’s nothing to stop him picking an unfancied yet in-form Englishman. Ollie Watkins has been hot and cold, but remains the most obvious rival to Calvert-Lewin when Ivan Toney is unfavoured, and Callum Wilson isn’t even starting for struggling West Ham.
Ghost in the machine
The funny thing about Calvert-Lewin is you can forget he’s even there. He will take a hit but he’s not sprinting around pressing opponents and whipping up the crowd. He’s been a huge beneficiary of Farke changing his system and mixing it up in games. He has been given a strike partner rather than left to lead the line alone and when Leeds switch to a back three, Calvert-Lewin can be one of as many as six attacking players, freeing him up to make his moves in the box.
Both his goals against Crystal Palace came from long throws, as the atmosphere at Elland Road eventually became frenzied in a 4-1 demolition. In a crowded penalty box, he can take up positions where you’ll lose him in the melee. He may even start offside. And yet when ball is between the posts, he will be there. He can react faster than anyone, as we saw with his quick rebound goal, which he followed up by moving quickest for a stooping header.
He capped off a superb team goal against Sunderland where all eleven players touched the ball before then starting on the bench against Liverpool and still nearly grabbing the headlines. That seven in seven run isn’t bad!
And this all sets us up perfectly for Sunday. This is the game of the season for Leeds United. It’s a fixture which feeds off the old War of the Roses rivalry. Add to it with the on-pitch history of the family feud between Jack and Bobby Charlton, Roy Keane’s horrendous ‘revenge’ foul on Alfie Haaland, and Jermaine Beckford’s much celebrated 2010 FA Cup Old Trafford winner.
Exactly sixteen years and one day later, Dominic Calvert-Lewin will have the chance to add his name to that history and continue his push for a plane ticket to cross the Atlantic for the World Cup come the summer.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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It’s an odd thing, to question a more than 50-cap Brazil forward as never having really made it at a top club level, but Richarlison fits that category. But after a good first half of 2025/26, can he now sustain it, cement his spot and become the real successor to Harry Kane at Tottenham?
Given Richarlison signed for Spurs in 2022, it’s notable that current boss Thomas Frank is already the fifth person the Brazilian has seen in the hotseat in that short period. While two were short-term (and back-to-back) interim bosses – remember that dismal Cristian Stellini period? – it does point to the lack of cohesion the club have had at senior level, which includes turnover in director of football and even chairman roles more recently.
What all that has meant is a muddled transfer strategy at times, which right now has resulted in ten senior attackers being at the club in or around positions that Richarlison, himself a £50m plus £10m in add-ons signing, can occupy. That includes no fewer than four players who habitually do (or did) play in the No. 9 role: the Brazilian who wears the actual nine jersey, plus £55m Dominic Solanke, £35m Mathys Tel and the on-loan Randal Kolo Muani, who himself cost PSG the equivalent of around £70m only two years ago. Somehow, amid all that change and choice, it’s Richarlison who has emerged as Tottenham’s starting front man – and who is currently doing the business to help his side stay at least in the hunt to be competitive.
Richarlison’s season summary since joining Spurs
Richarlison’s stalled trajectory
Pick through his international career without saying his name and people would probably be impressed: 20 goals in 54 Brazil caps, including one calendar year where he hit 10 in 10. Goals scored in two Copa Americas and the 2022 World Cup. An Olympic gold medal and an appearance – and goal – in the triumphant Copa final of 2019. It looks great, but still only tells half a story. In his time Brazil have sometimes struggled more than usual for consistent forwards to support Neymar’s seemingly automatic inclusion, and while he netted those ten in the 2022 calendar year, he hasn’t scored a single goal since then.
At club level he won a title in Brazil, but as a youngster who scored four goals in his first top-flight senior season. Then there was nothing, right up until Spurs’ Europa League triumph last season – he netted one goal during that cup run and just five across the campaign overall.
For a forward of his pedigree and expense, it’s held against him that Richarlison has managed double figures in league goals just twice in the past five seasons, while hitting the back of the net a single time in his debut Premier League campaign with Spurs. This year though it’s seven in 11 starts, plus a further three assists – his 10 goal contributions placing him seventh in the league at the halfway point, from a combined xG+xA of just 4.6.
So: can he sustain it, and finally drive Spurs upwards?
This time it’s…different?
Richarlison’s problems haven’t just been limited to scoring regularly – he’s had successive injury concerns for the past two years. That makes this current run as a starter – six of the last eight in the league, off the bench in the other two – all the more important; not just for his form, but his assurance and confidence, his rhythm and reliability.
Richarlison’s shot map in the Premier League this season
He certainly remains outside the absolute elite of the league, but in 1,075 league minutes he is showing his rounded ability by being top 16 for both expected goals on target and assists. Among Premier League forwards, he’s ahead of 75% of them for chances created and 80% for duels won. That aggressive side of his nature can also be seen in him being ahead of 84% of similar players around Europe for defensive actions – a massive boost to a team struggling to find cohesion, but put simply, improvements are still required in his attacking output to be the longstanding No. 9 at the club. He’s never going to be like Kane in a goalscoring capacity, but Spurs need a facilitator for other attackers as much as a finisher themselves, and that’s where Richarlison – rather than Solanke or Muani perhaps – can stand out as the team’s best option. For him the issue has always been maintaining that form as the side around him improves, rather than standing out as a hard worker with momentary genius in a side generally struggling.
Richarlison’s traits comparison against forwards in the Big Five leagues
Perhaps that’s simply and precisely what suits him: being the go-to fish in a floundering pond; a player who has the character to stand up when things aren’t going perfectly, but isn’t himself perfect enough to show the elite consistency to be the main man when a team is firing on all cylinders.
Spurs’ ambitions for the second half of 2025/26 have to be pretty straightforward: find league form to get top six or so, get through the Champions League playoff into the anything-can-happen knockout stage and nail down at least half a dozen players from the many, many options who will form the spine of the team going forward. Richarlison has shown, in fits and spurts and over short timeframes, that he can be one of those. Between now and May his job is to show it so regularly, he becomes one of those undroppable, often-reliable, manager favourite starters.
(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.
Brentford targeting a first-ever top flight home victory against Spurs
The Bees are flying into the New Year on a two-match winning streak and are among the best home teams in the Premier League, with only the leading trio boasting a superior record to Brentford on their own turf after 18 rounds played.
The Keith Andrews-led squad have already exceeded most expectations this season, and rare are those who would have predicted that the West London club would welcome Thomas Frank‘s Spurs from the top half of the table, sitting above them with a point more in the overall standings.
On the contrary, the reigning Europa League winners are faring much better away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and thus, are the joint-best team on the road in the Premier League alongside Arsenal and Aston Villa this season. However, the Lilywhites only just put an end to their two-match losing run with a narrow win against Crystal Palace, and now, Spurs are hoping to continue their unbeaten streak against Brentford at the GTech, which stretches back to 2022.
Key players
Kevin Schade finally stole the limelight from the free-firing Igor Thiago against AFC Bournemouth, as the talented forward scored a perfect hat-trick and showcased his full attacking repertoire. Although it took the German international a couple of seasons to adjust to the Premier League’s demands, now the 24-year-old is the squad’s second-best scorer (6) and the third-best chance creator (16), with only Michael Kayode (19) and Mikkel Damsgaard (21) having created more chances for their teammates. With Tottenham’s defence experiencing changes week in, week out, the dangerous Schade will pounce on every given opportunity to further impress his former boss and potentially his future suitors.
Mohammed Kudus is Spurs’ main protagonist this season and the tricky Ghanian is leading in terms of assists made (5), chances created (23) and successful dribbles (3.1 per 90) among his teammates in the Premier League, making him a menace for the opposing defenders. Furthermore, the 25-year-old is the highest rated player in the squad, averaging a FotMob rating of 7.11 and the pacey winger is Thomas Frank’s most reliable attacker this season given the inconsistency and the injuries across their forward line.
The tight-knit Bees will be eager to show Thomas Frank that swapping West for North London was not a step up in his managerial career, and with the in-form Kevin Schade and Igor Thiago up front, goals for the home side are almost a certainty, but the Danish coach might have a trick or two up his sleeve as well, and I believe a draw might be the most realistic outcome.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings. Download the free app here.
