Page 49 – The Pulse of Football

Jan

2026

What’s happened to the Premier League entertainment factor?

Set pieces and tactical trends have made the Premier League more competitive, but also may have affected the division’s entertainment value.

By Graham Ruthven

When the full time whistle blew on the goalless draw between Wolves and Newcastle United last Sunday, a new record was set. It was the 17th goalless draw of the 2025/26 Premier League season so far, meaning there have been more 0-0 results this season than at the same stage of any other over the last 10 years.

This season has already produced more goalless draws than there was in the entirety of last season (16). The tally of 17 is nowhere near an all-time record (there were an incredible 51 0-0 draws in the 1994/95 season), but the rise in stalemates begs the question – has the Premier League been boring this season?

If indeed England’s top flight is duller than in previous years it’s likely because of a tactical shift that prioritises set pieces and long throws. The percentage of total goals from open play is at a 16-year low with a whopping 35.5% of goals scored in the Premier League this season coming from set play situations.

Arsenal are seven points clear at the top of the table and are on course for their first Premier League title since the Arsene Wenger era. They might not be in that position were it not for the excellent work of their set piece coach Nicolas Jovar who has turned the Gunners into a threat from every freekick and corner.

*The source of Arsenal’s 40 Premier League goals this season*

Mikel Arteta’s team have scored an incredible 25 goals (all competitions) from set pieces this season, more than any other side in Europe’s Big Five leagues. In Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, they boast two of the game’s best dead-ball specialists with Gabriel Magalhães capable of powering a ball with his head harder than most players can with their feet. It’s a potent combination.

Chelsea, Manchester United, Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur also rank highly for set piece goals this season, highlighting a common trend across the Premier League. Long throws are up across the board too. Indeed, Premier League teams are chucking the ball into the box 3.44 times per match, up from an average 1.52 times last season.

It’s not just set pieces and throw-ins that are impacting the entertainment value of Premier League matches. It’s the tactical approach of some of the division’s underdogs that is resulting in tighter, conservative games. This is exemplified by how some teams are faring better in the Champions League this season.

While Liverpool, Newcastle United and Spurs are all struggling for consistent league form, the trio are well-placed to make the knockout rounds of this season’s Champions League. Just three days after struggling to a 0-0 draw at Molineux, Newcastle dismantled PSV in a 3-0 win. Liverpool and Spurs also won comfortably after failing to win at the weekend.

*Five of the top eight teams in the Champions League are from England*

This doesn’t necessarily mean that the likes of Burnley, West Ham and Wolves are better than the European teams involved in the Champions League. Instead, it suits the Premier League’s best teams that their continental opponents tend to be more adventurous. They generally want to impose their own game.

In stark contrast, Premier League underdogs are quite happy to sit deep and ask those near the top of the table to break them down. And why wouldn’t they? Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham have, at various points of the season, all suffered from a lack of open play creativity.

Football in general is going through a tactical transition. For years, Pep Guardiola’s possession-based approach set the zeitgeist at the top of the European game. Then Jürgen Klopp’s counter-pressing style shifted the landscape again. Now, the sport is searching for the next defining game model.

It could be argued that the likes of Bournemouth and Crystal Palace have done more to set a new tactical standard than the teams at the top in recent times. Their approach, however, is reactive in its nature. Bournemouth and Palace can be exhilarating to watch on the break, but they don’t have much of the ball in matches.

Games are won and lost by the narrowest of margins. Teams are maximising every area of the game, hence why set piece and throw-in coaches have become common at the top level. Through this process, though, football’s spontaneous spirit might have been crushed. Is this the sort of sport any of us want to watch?

Football trends are cyclical and the sport will change again. This season might prove to be a single sharp spike for set pieces, long throws and all the rest that have contributed to a level of tedium not witnessed in the Premier League for years. There will be more goalless draws before the season is over.

(Images from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2026

FotMob Profile: Can FC Thun produce a miracle title win in Switzerland?

There is a lot of nostalgia for 2016 going around at the moment. Most of it is rose tinted, all running about after Pokemon rather than political upheaval. For football fans, though, it was a genuinely special year.

By Alex Roberts

Leicester City winning the Premier League the season after barely surviving relegation will forever go down as one of the sport’s great underdog stories. It may never be recreated in England, but in Switzerland, something similar is on the brink of becoming reality.

FC Thun earned promotion back to the Swiss Super League for the first time since 2019/20 winning the Challenge League at a canter, finishing 11 points above second placed Aarau, who ended up losing the two-legged play-off that would have seen them join Thun in the top flight.

Hailing from Switzerland’s 11^th largest city, not much was expected of Thun heading into the season. They’ve been a bit of a yo-yo club since the turn of the century, going from competing in the Champions League to relegation several times.

Few know that quite as well as current manager and former player Mauro Lustrinelli. As a former striker, he was a key member of the Thun side that earned a place in the 2005/06 Champions League, the first and only time they’ve competed in Europe’s elite competition.

He didn’t get to enjoy it though, deciding to leave for Sparta Prague in the summer of 2006 before returning 2011 and helping Thun to an unremarkable fifth place finish. For reference, there were only ten teams in the Swiss Super League back then.

Lustrinelli took the reins as manager in 2022/23, and it was a poor first season. Thun ended the campaign in sixth with 12 wins, 13 draws, and 11 defeats, but the club stood by him, and are now starting to reap the rewards of their patience.

Last season, Thun played in a 4-3-2-1 formation, kinda like the ‘Flying V’ from the 1992 classic Mighty Ducks film but without the ice skates and Emilio Estevez. It was fast attacking football, but there was still a necessity to tweak it just a little.

This time around, Lustrinelli recognised he needed to adapt, maybe be a little more conservative in the way he wants his side to operate. So, Thun are playing in a 4-2-2-2, with the two central midfielders sitting deep to help dictate play.

Thun don’t go out there with the intention of dominating the ball, they have an average possession of 46.3%, which is the ninth lowest in a league of just 12 sides. What they do really well, however, is create, and score their chances.

So far this season, they’re scoring the most goals per match with 2.1, have the second highest xG at 40.5, and have the highest number of shots on target per match at 6.1. Lustrinelli has been able to stick to his principles, and it’s taken everyone else completely off guard.

Of course, that requires all of the players to really buy into what Lustrinelli is doing. Thun have a very average average age of 25.5, but it’s Leonardo Bertone, one of the club’s older heads at the ripe old age of 31, that is really leading the way.

One of those crucially important defensive midfielders we mentioned, Bertone has been outstanding starting 18 of their 20 league games. It would have been all of them if it wasn’t for a couple little injuries early in the season.

Bertone does absolutely everything required, and a little bit more, for his side. His passing stats clearly show that his teammates trust him to start attacks, with 521 completed at a rate of 71.4%, he isn’t passing it backwards and sideways, he’s Thun’s dictator. In a rhythmic sense, not a tyrannical one.

He pings balls up field for fun, with 73 accurate long balls, 17 chances created, and nine successful crosses, while also contributing in front of goal. Bertone has six league goals so far this season, although three of them have been penalties.

Don’t expect him to be running about like a Moisés Caicedo, though. Bertone’s defensive numbers are fine, he’s won 24 tackles, 61 duels, and 20 interceptions. He excels at winning the ball back in the final third with 10, however.

Because the Swiss Super League is so small, Thun have to face bigger sides a minimum of three times. This coming week will define their season, with a visit from Young Boys and then a trip to Basel. It’s time to really get their heads on.

Thun’s MASSIVE 3-1 win away at Grasshopper on Sunday (January 18) took them six points clear at the summit, but closest competitors St Gallen are breathing down their necks with a game in hand.

Their previous games against Switzerland’s most successful sides didn’t exactly go well. Basel made the trip to the Stockhorn Arena in mid-September, and star man Xherdan Shaqiri absolutely ran the show, sealing their 3-1 win with a 98^th minute penalty against ten-man Thun.

Thun faced Young boys in the very next fixture, and again, it went poorly. Lustrinelli’s side actually took the lead in the 50^th minute through striker Christopher Ibayi, but goals from Sergio Cordova and Chris Bedia in the span of just four minutes gave the home side the lead.

Franz-Ethan Meichtry restored parity, but as the game went on, Young Boys proved too strong, and Bedia bagged his second before Christian Fassnacht tied it all in a neat little bow in the 90^th minute.

Lustrinelli has completely transformed Thun. Leicester’s title win will be mentioned as the pinnacle, but Thun’s story is just as remarkable, perhaps even a little more impressive, considering it would be back-to-back titles, and a promoted side winning the division they’ve just joined.

Whatever happens over the coming week, everyone involved at the club can hold their heads high. We just hope we haven’t jinxed anything…

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2026

Can Hearts last the distance in the Scottish title race?

Sunday’s meeting between Hearts and Celtic could be a defining moment in the most fascinating Scottish title race for decades.

By Graham Ruthven

For the first time all season, the Tynecastle faithful saw Hearts commiserate after a defeat to Falkirk in the Scottish Cup last Saturday. Taken to extra time by the visitors, Derek McInnes’ team ultimately ran out of puff and were unable to prevent an early exit from a competition they wanted a deep run in.

Of course, Hearts weren’t prioritising the Scottish Cup, not with the Gorgie outfit sitting top of the Scottish Premiership table after 22 games. The Jam Tarts have their sights set on becoming the first team since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen to finish above both members of the Old Firm. History beckons.

However, the home defeat to Falkirk continued a trend that has many questioning if the Jam Tarts can last the distance in this season’s Scottish title race. At a time at which Celtic and Rangers have both rounded a corner and have rediscovered positive momentum, Hearts might finally be running out of steam.

On the face of things, there’s no reason for concern. Hearts have won six of their last seven league games with their only defeat coming in the Edinburgh Derby to Hibernian when McInnes’ team had recently beaten both Celtic and Rangers. In a binary sense, the Jam Tarts are still very much moving forward.

In terms of Hearts’ recent performances, though, there has been a recent dip. They only just made it past bottom side Livingston, grinding out a 1-0 win, before another slog of a game against Dundee. After being reduced to 10 men in the first half, Hearts needed 43-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon to produce a late wonder-save to preserve three points.

Another red card put Hearts on the back foot against St Mirren and while the table-toppers were still strong enough to claim a 2-0 win, McInnes can’t keep expecting his players to dig deep in almost every match. They must find a way to win more comfortably or run themselves into the ground.

“I’m just delighted where we are in the league. I’m delighted with what the players have given us,” said McInnes before the recent win over Dundee. “I’d rather be in it than watching from the outside looking on. I just want us to be relevant, I said that when we came in, in the summer. I want us to meet the expectations of the support here and in time exceed those expectations.

“Now we’re probably exceeding where we are at the minute but we’re comfortable with it. I don’t think there’s anybody at Hearts uncomfortable with where we are and that’s exactly where we want to be. We’ve been top of the league now for over three months. This isn’t just a little run of form, it isn’t just a little spell, it’s something more than that, something substantial there.”

Perhaps the most concerning thing to come out of the cup loss to Falkirk was an injury to Lawrence Shankland. The Scotland international has been Hearts’ most reliable goalscorer this season, netting 11 times in 21 league appearances. There’s nobody else in the squad who can do what he does.

This came after Cammy Devlin sustained a leg injury that will sideline him for the next six to eight weeks. The Australian has been the lynchpin of Hearts’ midfield this season. He had been in the discussion for the Scottish Premiership’s Player of the Year and was desperately missed against Falkirk.

Hearts have acted quickly in the transfer window to bulk up McInnes’ squad. Jordi Altena arrived from the Dutch second tier to offer another option at right back with winger Islam Chesnokov coming in from Kazakhstan. Co-owned by Tony Bloom, the club has placed its faith in the data to unearth new signings.

The data better give Hearts an advantage over Celtic and Rangers because Glasgow’s two big clubs can outspend anyone else in Scotland. Celtic have approximately £70m sitting in their bank account while Rangers have spent over £30m on new signings in the last two transfer windows. Hearts don’t have this sort of money.

A lot has changed since Celtic and Hearts last met even though that was only a month ago. Back then, Wilfried Nancy was taking charge of his first game as Hoops boss. He would only get seven more. Now, Martin O’Neill is in charge again and Celtic are winning again, albeit unconvincingly.

No matter what happens between now and the end of May, Hearts have put up a credible challenge. That in itself is historic. Having come this far, though, McInnes and his players must find it deep within themselves to keep going. Sunday’s match will be an indicator of how much they have left.

(Images from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2026

FotMob Profile: Brenden Aaronson coming good in a World Cup year

American players have a mixed record when it comes to moving to the Premier League and establishing themselves in the world’s most famous league.

By Ross Kilvington

Brian McBride, Clint Dempsey, Brad Friedal and Tim Howard all made their mark across a variety of clubs, and are still regarded as cult figures in the process by the fans who followed them.

Others from across the pond have struggled to make the same sort of impact. Remember Jozy Altidore? Two Premier League goals from 70 appearances. DaMarcus Beasley arrived with plenty of potential, yet scored just three goals in 18 games.

Even Christian Pulisic, who joined Chelsea for nearly £60m in 2019, struggled to adapt. The attacking midfielder would score just 26 times for the Blues across four seasons.

Brenden Aaronson is one of the new generation of Americans playing in England, but the jury remains out on whether he will go down as a long term success or not.

There is perhaps no coincidence, however, that Leeds United’s recent revival has coincided with the American enjoying arguably his greatest run of form in the top flight.

With the 2026 World Cup just around the corner, he is peaking at precisely the right time.

A fresh start has began to pay dividends for Aaronson and Leeds

Leeds splashed nearly £25m to bring the American midfielder to the Premier League in the summer of 2022 after he led RB Salzburg to a domestic double.

“Brenden is an incredibly hard worker and we’re pleased to welcome him to the club,” said Jesse Marsch, then manager of the Elland Road side.

“I know he will fit in here perfectly with our players and club with this mindset.”

His first season didn’t go quite as planned, though. Aaronson played 36 times in the Premier League, yet managed only one goal.

A loan spell with Union Berlin during the 2023/24 season brought another frustrating spell, registering just four goal contributions across 38 games.

Upon his return to Yorkshire ahead of the 2024/25 season, Daniel Farke gave him a fresh start and Aaronson hasn’t looked back since.

It took until the ninth game of the league season for Aaronson to score his first goal, tapping in from close range in the opening minutes against West Ham.

*Aaronson’s season summary since moving to Europe*

An assist against Nottingham Forest followed a couple of games later, before the American really began to click over the festive period.

First off, he strolled through the Liverpool defence to provide a pass for Anton Stach, who made it 2-2 in a game that eventually saw Leeds snatch an unlikely point.

Another assist came against Sunderland at the end of 2025, before the American found his scoring touch.

Against Manchester United, he pounced onto a pass into the final third before calmly slotting home with his left foot to open the scoring.

A few days later, Aaronson scored his first brace in the Premier League. The midfielder netting a delightful opener against Newcastle from outside the penalty area, before adding a second deep in the second half.

Farke deployed him as a centre-forward in that game, operating alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin and this freedom clearly worked wonders for the 25-year-old.

Not only has he rediscovered his form in front of goal lately, Aaronson’s statistics prove he could be key in keeping Leeds in the top flight.

When compared to his peers in the Premier League, Aaronson ranks in the top 14% for shots on target (13) and in the top 27% for chances created (21).

The American even ranks in the top 13% for fouls won (26), showcasing how much of a nuisance he has become to opposition defenders.

Although operating as an attacking midfielder is his more natural position, Aaronson offered a glimpse into what he offers as a forward against Newcastle.

During the game, 100% of his shots were on target, while he also succeeded with all three of his dribble attempts. Not one to shy away from a challenge, the 25-year-old also won 64% of his ground duels and 67% of his aerial duels, proving to be the ideal foil for Calvert-Lewin.

To understand just how impressive he has been recently, when substituted against Fulham last weekend, the supporters gave him a standing ovation.

That would have been unthinkable just a matter of weeks ago. Aaronson offers the perfect mix of unpredictability with a hard-working, tenacious nature in the final third.

If he keeps this up, surely Mauricio Pochettino will find it hard to ignore him when it comes to picking the USMNT squad for the 2026 World Cup.

World Cup spot is up for grabs

Pochettino has wealth of attacking options to call upon ahead of the World Cup. Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Malick Tillman and Timothy Weah (albeit he may be playing in a defensive role) look shoe-ins to make the squad.

Aaronson, then, might find it tough to nail down a place in the starting XI for USA’s first game against Paraguay on June 13.

Across the USA’s previous three friendly matches towards the end of 2025, the Leeds star started once and made late cameos in the other two.

He failed to score or assist across any of these games, but the youngster does have experience of playing at a World Cup before.

Indeed, he featured in all four of team USA’s matches at the 2022 edition, coming off the bench in every match.

This time around, things could be different. Having already scored four goals in the Premier League this term, maintaining this sort of form will be crucial for his prospects.

Two years ago, Aaronson was failing to live up to his promise on loan at Union Berlin. Now he has the world at his feet ahead of a home World Cup.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2026

Ajax look to Jordi Cruyff to restore the soul of the Amsterdam club

There can be no doubting the weight of the Cruyff name at Ajax.

By Graham Ruthven

Johan Cruyff shaped the club in its modern form. His principles and values still guide Ajax to this day. Their stadium is named after the great man whose playing style and view of the game made him arguably the most influential football figure of all-time.

This context is important to understand why Jordi Cruyff’s appointment as Ajax’s new technical director has been greeted with such fanfare. If anyone grasps the identity of the Amsterdam club and why it should be protected at all costs, it’s the son of the legendary forward.

Ajax haven’t played Cruyff-ball for a long time. The club has lost its way of late, jumping from one crisis to the next in the years that followed Erik ten Hag’s departure. Since ten Hag left three-and-a-half years ago, Ajax have gone through five different managers, some of whom were never a natural fit for the club.

Francesco Farioli would have led Ajax to the Eredivisie title last season had it not been for a sensational collapse which saw a nine-point lead evaporate over the final seven games of the campaign. However, Farioli’s pragmatic style was the subject of much debate in Dutch football, even as Ajax were on course to win the Eredivisie.

This explained Farioli’s exit at the end of the 2024/25 season as much as the collapse in the title race. History will remember the Portuguese coach as the guy who blew a championship in spectacular fashion, but many Ajax supporters will recall how dull they found his football. They argued Ajax’s identity was being eroded away.

Under his replacement Johnny Heitinga, the hope was that the former Ajax defender would be able to reinstil the values that had been lost under a series of poorly suited coaches. He has, however, already been replaced by his assistant, the experienced Fred Grim, a former Ajax goalkeeper who will act as caretaker for the remainder of the season.

Ajax’s average possession share per match is the second-highest in the Eredivisie this season. This control, however, rarely translated into genuine attacking threat.

Indeed, Ajax have scored just 37 goals in 19 league games this term. For context, NEC Nijmegen have scored 47 while PSV have netted 59. Brought in to be Ajax’s attacking focal point, Wout Weghorst has found the back of the net just six times while Kasper Dolberg, who returned to the club last summer, has scored just three times.

*Goals per game in the Eredivisie this season*

That Ajax signed Weghorst in the first place was seen by some as a sign of how the club was in the midst of an identity crisis. While the Netherlands international has his uses, he’s a very different sort of centre forward to the icons that have led the line for Ajax in the past. He’s no Dennis Bergkamp or Patrick Kluivert.

At 33, Weghorst’s signing was also a short-term measure. Instead of providing a pathway for a young forward to emerge from Ajax’s famed academy, the club opted for a short-sighted solution. Even the re-signing of Dolberg, a player who left Ajax six years previously, highlighted a lack of imagination. They’d run out of ideas.

Cruyff has been hired to remould all areas of the Amsterdam club. The 51-year-old has a wealth of experience as a technical director having held similar roles at AEK Larnaca, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Barcelona. At Barca, Cruyff was instrumental in transitioning the Catalan club into a new era.

It wasn’t so long ago that Barcelona, like Ajax, looked to have veered away from the principles of Cruyff. This coincided with a period of near financial ruin. Now, the club is once again producing young talent like Lamine Yamal and Gavi. Hansi Flick’s team is among the most entertaining in Europe and Cruyff was central to that renaissance as sporting director.

Ajax hope Cruyff can do something similar. They need a new transfer strategy. They must find a way to restart the conveyer belt of young talent that has slowed in recent years. They need a new permanent manager after the departure of Heitinga in November. Cruyff has a lot on his plate.

“It goes without saying how much this means to my family and me,” said Cruyff after his appointment. “In the stadium named after my father and at the club that has been important to me since I was young. Ajax is a unique club with a rich history, and I will do everything I can to add a new successful chapter together.”

While Ajax might not be the force they were in the 1970s, mid-1990s or even a few seasons ago when they made the semi-finals of the Champions League under ten Hag, they remain one of the most distinctive and romantic clubs in the world. Football is more vibrant for having a strong Ajax. Cruyff is charged with making that a reality again.

(Images from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2026

Preview: Czech league leaders Slavia host Barca in the Champions League

Barcelona will be hoping to climb into the top eight of the Champions League this week, as they travel to Slavia Prague, who are yet to win in the competition this campaign.

By Matt Smith

This is the first meeting between the two sides since 2019, when Slavia pulled off an impressive 0-0 draw in the Champions League group-stage.

*The Barcelona side last time they faced Slavia Prague*

Team news

Slavia Prague have enjoyed a lengthy break of late, not playing a competitive game in over a month. As a result, there are no fresh injury concerns for the home side, but they will be without both Matous Srb and Dominik Javorček.

Meanwhile, Barcelona will be without a host of players ahead of this game. Gavi and Andreas Christensen remain out, while Raphinha is in a race against time to be fit. Lamine Yamal is unavailable due to suspension after his yellow card last time out.

Slavia Prague dismal in front of goal

It’s been a disappointing European campaign for Slavia Prague so far. Back home they remain unbeaten after 19 games and top the Czech league by seven points but they are still searching for their first win in the Champions League. The Czech outfit have scored just twice all campaign, fewer than any other side.

It’s hardly a coincidence that Slavia are struggling to find the back of the net, struggling from a creativity standpoint. They’ve created just five big chances all campaign, once again, fewer than any other team in the competition.

Barcelona must sort it out defensively

Barcelona’s attacking options have bailed them out on a host of occasions in the Champions League this season. Defensively, Hansi Flick’s side haven’t been good enough, conceding 1.8 goals per game on average, ranking them 20th in the competition.

Barcelona will be desperate to finish in the top eight of the league phase of the Champions League, and a win against Slavia will give them a great chance. Thankfully for them, they might get away with their defensive frailties this week, with the home side struggling in front of goal.

Rashford’s time to shine

With Yamal unavailable for this one, Flick will be looking for someone to make the difference in the final third. Marcus Rashford has started on the bench in Barcelona’s last two Champions League matches, but he could be given the opportunity to impress in the XI this week.

The England international has provided six goals and assists in just four starts in the competition this term, and there’s a good chance he could be the difference for the away side heading into this game.

In fact, only three players have provided more goals and assists combined in the Champions League this campaign than Rashford, despite his lack of starts in the competition.

Prediction

Given Slavia Prague’s struggles in front of goal, it’s difficult to see them scoring against one of the best sides in Europe on their day. Barcelona have plenty of quality in the final third, so we’re going for a 3-0 victory to the Catalan giants.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2026

Preview: Liverpool head to the Velodrome for Marseille clash

Liverpool, somehow, find themselves on a 12 match unbeaten run ahead of their Champions League match against Marseille. The Reds, however, have drawn half of these games and aren’t exactly playing the best football right now. The trip to France to face Roberto De Zerbi’s in-form team is going to be a big test for the reigning Premier League champions.

By Sam McGuire

Match context

t’s been all or nothing for Liverpool this term. They went from winning every single game, seven across all competitions, to losing nine of their next 12. Arne Slot then switched things around in an attempt to make his side a little more robust defensively. The result? Six wins and six draws. At a glance, the Dutch coach has managed to turn things around. However, this run has been underwhelming, with the Reds dropping points to Leeds United (twice), Burnley, Sunderland and Fulham while managing narrow wins over Spurs and Wolves.

On paper, this was supposed to be when this team got their season back on track. Instead, they’ve taken 18 points from 30 and find themselves 14 points off of leaders Arsenal.

By comparison, Marseille are just eight points behind leaders Lens in Ligue 1. The Expected Points table actually has them in second position, five points off of PSG. De Zerbi has his side playing decent football. They’re the top scorers in the French league, rank second for Expected Goals and are second for xG difference (+12). They are title contenders.

In the Champions League though, they’ve been a little more inconsistent. OM have won three and lost three of their six so far, losing to Real Madrid, Sporting and Atalanta while managing to defeat Ajax, Newcastle and Union St.Gilloise. There have been question marks over Marseille’s mentality in the big games, so it’ll be interesting to see how they do against the Reds on Wednesday.

Key Players

For the hosts, Mason Greenwood has been their standout performer this term with 12 goals in Ligue 1 and three assists. He has five goal involvements in the Champions League but trails Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the competition with the former Arsenal man scoring three and assisting four in his appearances this term.

For the Reds, the man in form is Florian Wirtz. The 22-year-old continued his goalscoring run on Saturday with a goal against Burnley. He now has four goals and two assists in his last seven appearances for Liverpool. Hugo Ekitike continues to be a bright spark in the forward line alongside the German playmaker. Though with Mohamed Salah now back from AFCON, the focus will be on whether the No. 7 retains his position as the key cog in the attack for Slot’s side or whether he adopts more of a second in command role.

Team News

Benjamin Pavard isn’t expected to make the cut for the game on Wednesday evening for the Ligue 1 side while Liverpool are without long-term absentees Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Alexander Isak and Stefan Bajčetić for the trip.

Prediction

We’re going to go with a 1-1 draw.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2026

Preview: Chelsea host Pafos in penultimate Champions League game

Cypriot champions Pafos FC head to Stamford Bridge for one of the biggest games in the club’s history on Wednesday. Could a monumental Champions League upset be on the cards, or will Chelsea prove to be too strong?

By Alex Roberts

Enzo Maresca was in charge the last time Chelsea played in the Champions League, overseeing a really disappointing and impotent 2-1 defeat to Italian side Atalanta. It was one of the games that had fans starting to turn.

Pafos also faced Italian opposition in the previous round of fixtures, and although they certainly had their chances against Juventus, they couldn’t take them, and Luciano Spalletti’s side ended up as 2-0 winners.

A cruel twist of fate

David Luiz has bounced around since leaving Chelsea for a second time back in 2019. First, joining Arsenal, then heading back to Brazil to play for Flamengo and Fortaleza, and now finding himself with Pafos at the ripe old age of 38.

His time in West London was endearingly erratic, his long curly hair bouncing as he either made a mistake or scored a sensational goal to win a game. It’s unfair to label Luiz as a cult hero, he was much better than that.

The veteran defender has been a fine addition since he joined Pafos, he even managed to bag a goal in their 2-2 draw with Ligue 1 side Monaco. He will unfortunately miss this one after picking up an injury in their 2-0 defeat to Olympiakos Nicosia over the weekend.

Another first for Liam Rosenior

Rosenior’s first four games as Chelsea manager have all come in different competitions, winning his Premier League and FA Cup debuts, but falling to a 3-2 defeat in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final against Arsenal.

Losing to Arsenal would have been disappointing, but Rosenior hasn’t really put a foot wrong since he joined. A game against Pafos as his first in Europe’s elite club competition is kind, but still important to help build momentum.

Chelsea currently sit in the play-offs, two points off the top eight with just two games left to play, so it’s not impossible for them to avoid a potentially devastating and totally avoidable two-legged clash. Finishing in the automatics would be a major success.

Team news

Rosenior has confirmed that Enzo Fernández is the latest player to catch the illness bug that’s been affecting Chelsea players over the past week or so, but Estêvão and Jamie Gittens are back and could feature.

Tosin Adarabioyo was substituted in the 2-0 win over Brentford with an apparent hamstring injury and is now a doubt for this one. Malo Gusto (knock) is also expected to miss the game, while Roméo Lavia (thigh) and Levi Colwill (ACL) are still nowhere to be seen.

As we mentioned, Luiz is very unlikely to feature and it got even worse for Pafos in their most recent defeat, when his replacement David Goldar was also substituted due to a physical issue.

Pafos’ central defender injury crisis means they’re also going to be without Pedrao (knee), with Derrick Luckassen and Kostas Pileas the most likely players to feature at the heart of their defence. Winger João Correia is also a doubt.

Prediction

Anything other than Chelsea win here would be a major shock, especially considering Pafos’ defensive injury crisis, so we’re going with a 3-0 home victory.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2026

Preview: Underfire Frank prepares Tottenham for Dortmund clash

Tottenham host Borussia Dortmund in their seventh game of the Champions League group phase, with Thomas Frank desperately attempting to turn things around to try and save his job.

By Matt Smith

The two sides sit on the same number of points heading into this one, and they face each other for the first time since 2019, when Spurs secured a 1-0 victory away from home in the Champions League.

Team news

Spurs are set to be without a host of players for this one, with Frank recently confirming that João Palhinha is the latest to join the lengthy injury list. Micky van de Ven also misses out due to suspension, while Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Pape Sarr are among those also sitting on the treatment table.

As for Dortmund, Marcel Sabitzer should be the only injury concern for the away side, with the midfielder not set to return until next month.

Tottenham struggling in attack in Europe

Spurs have struggled to create in the Champions League so far this season, which is not too dissimilar to their Premier League form. The north London outfit have created just 10.7 expected goals, ranking them in 17th place in the competition.

Although their last game in the competition saw them win convincingly 3-0 against Slavia Prague, the result on paper lacks plenty of context. Two of Tottenham’s goals came from the penalty spot, while the other was an own goal by Slavia Prague defender David Zima. Frank’s side will have to step it up against stronger opposition this week.

Dortmund free-flowing in attack

On the flip side to Tottenham, Dortmund have looked lethal in the final third in the Champions League this campaign. The German outfit have scored 3.2 goals per game on average, with no side managing more this season.

The defensive side of their game has let them down, conceding 2.2 goals per game, ranking them 26th in the league phase. Their last victory on the road against Spurs came all the way back in 2016, beating them 2-1 in the Europa League.

Solanke’s time to shine

Spurs have recently been boosted by the return of Dominic Solanke this month, and with Richarlison out injured, he could have a strong chance of leading the line. The English forward is yet to feature in the Champions League this term, but the game against Dortmund could be an opportunity to kickstart his campaign.

*Solanke’s season summary since joining Spurs*

In the Europa League last season, Solanke contributed with nine goals and assists in just eight starts as Spurs went on to lift the trophy. Whether he can replicate that in Europe’s elite club competition, remains to be seen.

Prediction

Tottenham’s home form has been their Achilles heel this season, giving Dortmund a real opportunity to come away with the three points. We’re going for a narrow 1-0 victory to the Bundesliga side.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jan

2026

Preview: The Premier League leaders travel to the team top of Serie A in the Champions League

Two of the Champions League’s top six meet in the penultimate gameweek – yet there’s still a lot of jeopardy around Inter Milan in particular to reach the last 16.

By Karl Matchett

With six wins from six it’s a perfect scenario for Arsenal to resume their European campaign from, but they’ll know from this time last year – domestic rivals Liverpool having a perfect run before going out in the last 16 – that it’s far from conclusive over potential glory come May. Even so they head to Milan with some security in their pocket, which is more than can be said for their hosts.

Two-game turnaround

Inter look well-placed on the face of things. Sixth in the table, ahead of the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool on goal difference…but it’s far from outrageous to suggest last year’s beaten finalists might take nothing at all from their final two games. They’ve already been beaten by Liverpool on home soil, so Arsenal could feasibly do the same; fast forward to the final round of fixtures and Inter are away to Borussia Dortmund, just one point further back in the table and who have only lost once at home all season.

As such, 12 points now is nowhere near enough to guarantee passage to the last-16, and was in fact only just about enough to manage top 24 last year (11). It’s imperative they find something from this clash then, if only to settle qualification nerves.

Free hit

By contrast, there’s no real pressure on Arsenal to go all-in on keeping up the 100 per cent record. Home to bottom club Kairat in the last match, the Gunners are already all-but-assured of finishing first in the league stage barring any shocks. It might, therefore, be a game Mikel Arteta opts to rotate a little as they battle on four fronts – especially given the senior depth available in some positions.

Recent form

Ignoring a penalty shootout defeat which was a draw in normal time, Inter are unbeaten in eight in all competitions since losing to Liverpool in early December. It’s 11 since Arsenal lost to Aston Villa around the same time. The Italians have kept three clean sheets in their last four; the Gunners have failed to score twice in the same period.

Team news

Denzel Dumfries and Hakan Çalhanoğlu are the big absentees for the hosts, both missing until after the league phase is finished.

Arsenal will be without Piero Hincapié but otherwise have a big squad available to Arteta to choose from – Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus will both be hoping for a start in attack after injuries, given Viktor Gyökeres’ ongoing indifferent form.

Key players

Lautaro Martínez might be one of the few capable of unlocking either one of these notoriously tight defences; he has four goals in Europe this term placing him above 93% of forwards for non-penalty xG, and above 92% for shots on target.

Prediction

A hard-fought game which neither want to lose…and which neither will: Inter 1-1 Arsenal.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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