If there is ever a moment to enact a mid-season managerial change, the November international break is it.

Manchester United do not kick a ball again until November 22, presenting the Old Trafford hierarchy with an uninterrupted fortnight to recalibrate, install fresh ideas, and arrest what has been an alarmingly concerning start to the season.

But, by all accounts, they're not going to take the opportunity.

Mauricio Pochettino still interested in Manchester United job

On the pitch, the case for change has long ceased to be a debate. A return of just one win from ten Premier League matches under Michael Carrick is relegation form and the bottom three is where Man United find themselves.

The team looks passive, confidence is shot, and the trajectory is pointing downwards, even in the face of two improbable Old Trafford comebacks in the space of a week. Despite having a long-admired, elite manager reportedly receptive to an approach, Man United appear set to soldier on with Carrick. The reason, as is so often the case in modern football, may very well come down to money.

According to talkSPORT, Mauricio Pochettino remains open to the prospect of taking over at Old Trafford. The former Tottenham and Chelsea boss has been near the top of Man United’s wish list for nearly a decade, repeatedly identified as an ideal fit throughout the club's post-Sir Alex Ferguson malaise.

The obstacle, however, lies in the United States as Pochettino is contracted to the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT), having recently committed to an extension following their 2026 home World Cup.

Poaching him would require Man United to buy him out of that deal. In 2025, reports claimed that Pochettino’s USMNT contract contained a £20m break clause, a valuation corroborated by ESPN’s reporting that any release fee would sit comfortably in the "tens of millions."

Compounding that outlay is the compensation package that would be due to Carrick and his staff if the club chose to make a change. Less than 12 months ago, Manchester United dismissed Ruben Amorim, whose severance package cost the club an estimated £10m.

Under the scrutiny of the Premier League's Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) rules, and with INEOS tasked with trimming the operational budget, Man United’s hesitation is understandable. However, dressing up Carrick’s stay as an executive structure exercising patience with a long-term project is disingenuous. Sticking with the current coaching setup could easily be seen as a cost-saving exercise.

The danger is that short-term financial caution risks baking in long-term sporting problems. Ducking a payout today protects the club's bottom line, but missing out on European qualification or sliding into a genuine relegation dogfight will end up costing tenfold in lost prize money, reduced commercial clout and squad devaluation.

Pochettino has the authority and Premier League nous to reset Man United, and the November calendar gives them the cleanest possible runway to embed him, at least until the next international break in March, but that is too long into the season to salvage an ailing campaign.

Letting this window pass without making a change in the dugout has the potential to define Manchester United's 2026/27.

Manchester City, what is going on? If you block out the noise, it’s pretty straightforward. They sold Rodri, and they didn’t sign any full-backs.

That’s not the consensus. Sloppy defensive mistakes have critics suggesting players are losing focus, while Enzo Maresca’s post-game comments after City’s third straight Premier League defeat did nothing to quieten the murmurs that the guilty verdict is beginning to gnaw away at his team.

“Today I think [the problem] has been general,” Maresca said. “You need desire and intensity to win second balls and duels; you require intensity, or you struggle - and we didn’t match their intensity.”

Why Enzo Maresca is wrong

But Maresca is wrong - and so are the pundits claiming psychology is the root of City’s drop-off.

Yes, it’s still all about Rodri. We might be tired of saying it but that doesn’t make it any less true.

During his seven years at the club, Manchester City’s win ratio was 71.5% with Rodri and 62.3% without, losing 12.1% of games he played and 26.2% of games he didn’t.

His absence remains keenly felt and never more obviously than on Saturday, because he would have prevented all three Nottingham Forest goals.

City lack control in possession and are therefore vulnerable to clumsily giving the ball away and conceding high-quality chances, because they don’t have Rodri’s immaculate positioning or smart press-releasing passing around the corner. The way Forest pressed high from the outset tells us Oliver Glasner was well aware of this flaw.

It led to Aston Villa’s opener in the 2-1 defeat, when the ball was spread out to Marc Guehi – who miscontrolled a tough ball – because there was no Rodri-pass in the middle; then it happened again for the opener on Saturday, this time far more egregiously as Elliot Anderson quite literally turned his back on the play.

Anderson was unavailable for the first pass, which would have drawn in the Forest players and opened up a pass out wide, and was unavailable for the second pass, when Josko Gvardiol needed help:

The second and third Forest goals both resulted from missed interceptions by Anderson, who misjudged the move and anticipated the counter too slowly. It is difficult to imagine Rodri making either mistake:

Maresca’s possession football would look more controlled if he had Rodri (or, as at Chelsea, Moises Caicedo) offering a metronomic presence on and off the ball, helping build slowly out from the back while screening against counter-attacks.

And Maresca would have more control with actual full-backs on the pitch. The Rodri Problem is well documented, but rarely have Manchester City been called out for bizarrely deprioritising full-backs, a position Maresca has developed more than any other Premier League manager in recent times.

The way he deployed Marc Cucurella, Reece James, and Malo Gusto – often in multiple positions at once, switching seamlessly depending on the phase of play – was truly innovative, yet he arrived at City without specialists at left-back or right-back.

Gvardiol’s mistake for Forest’s opener probably would not have been made by Cucurella, while Gusto or James would have connected where Matheus Nunes swiped at the air ahead of Brighton’s winner. Moreover, in Maresca’s system proper full-backs would drift neatly into central midfield, covering the very gaps Anderson failed to control on Saturday.

It’s worth noting that City haven’t won the title since Pep Guardiola stopped playing at least one traditional full-back; Kyle Walker or Joao Cancelo (or both) were prominent in each of City’s four in a row.

Losing Rodri and failing to replace him has undermined Maresca. Failing to sign any full-backs has made a difficult task almost impossible.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been given a massive boost of three agreements all set to be signed.

The Gunners entered the season somewhat uncertainly with a squad that had lost the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus in attack – but after 10 Premier League fixtures, the champions are at the top of the table, five points clear, with nine of their 10 matches won.

With Arsenal looking to strengthen in attack in January, Arteta's side may well only be getting started, with more good news coming off the pitch.

Arsenal are nearing three huge agreements to be signed before the window opens

Perhaps the biggest signing that Arsenal have made throughout 2026 has been Arteta himself signing a new extension to remain in N5 until 2029.

And now, there are three more agreements in the works that the club are looking to get signed.

According to TEAMtalk, the contract extensions of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber are all “on course to be finalised” before 2027.

While there have been rumours of the Norwegian being a target for Bayern Munich, Odegaard has been integral to the rise and consistency of Arteta's side since assuming the captaincy in 2022/23, and this season has a renaissance in terms of his performances for the Gunners after returning from injury woes.

Odegaard scored the goal that won Arsenal the match against Hull City at the weekend, while Rice won Player of the Match last week against Liverpool, with an assist for Kai Havertz' winner.

Rice is still Arsenal's all-time record signing and has emerged as arguably the club's most important player in the last year or so, with Bukayo Saka playing less due to injury – even taking the captaincy in Odegaard's absence on occasion, too.

Timber, meanwhile, remains Arteta's first-choice right-back – despite the return to form of Ben White – and is still only 25 years old.

FourFourTwo understands that Arsenal are assessing the transfer market for a possible move in attack this winter, with Antonio Nusa high on the list of targets.

Arsenal travel away to Newcastle United when Premier League action resumes after the international break.

For the past 40 years, the tragedy of the 1985 European Cup final has often been reduced in mainstream British discourse to a single, monolithic headline: football hooliganism.

In Heysel ’85, director Teodora Mihai bypasses the familiar cliches of terrace culture to produce something which seeks to change the conversation surrounding the disaster. Coming from a documentary background, Mihai approaches the disaster not as a reflection of senseless violence, but as a study into institutional breakdown and the callous, self-preserving instincts of political power.

The film anchors its narrative through two parallel viewpoints. The principal perspective belongs to Marie Dumont (Violet Braeckman), the fictional press attaché and daughter to the Mayor of Brussels.

Heysel '85 offers a hard-hitting cinematic perspective on the stadium disaster

Braeckman, a polyglot who learned Italian specifically for the production, delivers a performance of quiet, escalating dread as she watches the veneer of civic competence crumble from within.

Operating on the other side of the crisis is Luca Rossi (Matteo Simoni), an Italian broadcast journalist reporting live from the ground while desperately trying to locate his father, uncle, and brother, all attending the match as Juventus supporters.

Early on, Mihai builds tension through procedural unease. Disorienting, fluid tracking shots wind through subterranean corridors, establishing a sense of foreboding long before the tragic events unfold. Shot in an empty hospital in Antwerp, the oppressive concrete hallways reflect the popular view that the Heysel Stadium, built in 1930, was run-down and unfit for a fixture of such magnitude by the mid-1980s, something which is referenced in the film.

The film avoids the trap of laying blame at the feet of ticket touts, generic mobs, or rowdy Liverpool supporters. It is deeply sympathetic to the ordinary fans caught up in the events of May 29, 1985, casting a forensic eye upward at the organisers.

UEFA executives, the local municipal government, and a fractured security apparatus are all painted in an unflattering light. The territorial friction between the municipal police and the Belgian Gendarmerie is laid bare; their reluctance and inability to share intelligence or coordinate chain-of-command turns an already combustible situation into an avoidable tragedy.

Nowhere is this administrative failure more grotesque than in the depiction of the Mayor of Brussels (played by Josse De Pauw). Portrayed as a sozzled, cowardly executive, his characterisation is rooted in historical reality. According to Braeckman, De Pauw knew the real-life mayor Hervé Brouhon, a figure regarding whom it was openly joked in local political circles that any serious decisions had to be made before 11am.

The film captures the hollow facade of authority dissipating in direct proportion to his alcohol intake. In one particularly telling sequence early on, Marie is dispatched to fetch the key to the stadium’s liquor cabinet so the mayor and his dignitaries can enjoy a proper drink. It is a bitterly ironic snapshot of municipal priorities just hours before 39 people would lose their lives.

When catastrophe strikes, the narrative strips away any remaining shred of civil propriety. Mihai’s documentary sensibilities ensure the integration of genuine, unaltered archive footage feels seamless rather than exploitative, anchoring the fictional protagonists in historical reality. While the Italian delegation emerges with a degree of grace and anguish, UEFA and local authorities retreat into corporate damage control, consumed entirely by liability, protocol, and the insistence that the match must still be played.

By refusing to take the easy narrative route of sensationalising terrace thuggery, Heysel ’85 delivers an important, unsettling reassessment of the catastrophe. It is an indictment of systemic cowardice that proves human lives were not lost merely to crowd surges, but to the arrogance of an establishment that abdicated responsibility long before kick-off - and, tellingly, never resigned in its wake.

Following its UK premiere at the 70th BFI London Film Festival, Heysel ’85 will be released in UK cinemas on 20 November 2026, distributed by Icon Film Distribution.

Hansi Flick is a demanding, successful coach who doesn't often lose his cool, but his fury on Sunday evening was difficult to miss.

As Barcelona saw out a hard-fought 2-1 win against a characteristically stubborn Atletico Madrid side, Flick decided to freshen up his attack late on. Anthony Gordon’s number went up on the fourth official's board towards the end of the second half and the Englishman was spared the final few minutes.

Rather than sprinting off, the 25-year-old ambled towards the sideline at a leisurely pace. Flick, visibly enraged, began gesticulating frantically, shouting at the former Newcastle United winger to get off the pitch.

Anthony Gordon feels Hansi Flick's wrath

Flick’s anger was justified, though, both in terms of the individual match situation and the rulebook. In LaLiga, the Spanish federation (RFEF) strictly enforces IFAB’s Law 3, requiring substituted players to leave the pitch at the nearest exit point as quickly as possible.

Spanish officials have clamped down hard on dead time this season, meaning dawdling runs the needless risk of a booking for unsporting conduct.

But with Flick keen to see out the result, Gordon’s stroll ran the risk of Barcelona playing a man down at a crucial point in the game. Another of IFAB's rules states that if a player takes longer than 10 seconds to leave the field, the incoming substitute must wait.

Gordon did not take kindly to his manager's frustration, cutting a frustrated figure once he had eventually left the pitch.

The exchange captured the mood surrounding his start to life in Spain. Initial excitement has worn off, and been replaced by growing scepticism among supporters.

Catalan dailies Sport and Mundo Deportivo have both published critical assessments in recent weeks, openly questioning whether the former Everton man has the technical subtlety required for Spanish football. The recurring criticism in the local media is that Gordon is overly reliant on straight-line pace, struggling for solutions when confronted by opponents who sit deep and deny him space behind.

Supporters on social media have been similarly blunt. Compared to Lamine Yamal and Raphinha who regularly create danger in tight pockets, Gordon has on occasion looked isolated out wide, leading many Culers to question why the club spent heavily on an attacker whose skillset seems at odds with Barcelona's possession-heavy approach.

This will come with a sense of deja vu for Newcastle fans, who will recall the manner in which Gordon departed St James’ Park last season.

After his head was turned by interest from abroad in the spring, his sharpness and overall impact visibly dipped during the run-in. With his desire to leave made clear to the hierarchy, Eddie Howe ultimately took him out of the firing line, leaving him on the bench for the final weeks of the season. Newcastle and their supporters largely accepted the inevitability of the player's exit, and recouping £70 million for Gordon means there is an argument that the Tyneside club got the better end of the deal.

At Newcastle, Gordon had a tactical structure built around his relentless vertical running and pressing triggers, but at Spotify Camp Nou, the blueprint isn't being tailored to suit him. While Sunday’s flare-up with Flick was probably little more than a storm in a tea cup, it is a warning. Even though he has three goals and four assists in 15 outings for Barcelona so far, there is already a feeling - or perhaps even expectation - that he should be doing more.

There's an argument to be made that Steve McClaren is the most successful manager Middlesbrough have ever had.

McClaren led Middlesbrough to their first major trophy in the shape of the 2004 League Cup, before then leading them to the UEFA Cup final two years later - albeit they were ultimately thumped 4-0 by Sevilla.

But his departure to take the England job in 2006 was mourned by few fans - and his former goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer, did not come away from his time working under McClaren with a positive impression either.

Schwarzer told FourFourTwo: "For the first two years, he did a lot of really good things.

"His ideas, his coaching and the change in professionalism were exactly what Middlesbrough needed.

"After that, it became more difficult. As he grew in confidence, his expectations changed.

"At times as a player, I felt I was blamed as the reason things weren’t going well, with very little self-reflection from the manager.

"The bigger his profile became and the more he was talked about as the next England boss, the harder it became.

"We won our first major trophy and got to a European final, but there were some very challenging times working under him.

"It was a combination of things. There was a lot of finger-pointing from the manager (McClaren) during games, but when I confronted him about it, he would deny it.

"That led to a complete breakdown of our relationship because I have a problem with people not telling the truth. If you’re not honest with me, then there’s no respect.

"I just felt that I couldn’t work with someone who was so disingenuous, dishonest and not man enough to have that conversation with me.

"There was a World Cup that year, so I needed to play football, and I felt my best opportunity to do that was away from the club.

"I don’t think the manager thought I would hand in a transfer request, so I called his bluff and showed him how serious I was.

"I eventually changed my mind because Steve Gibson became involved and was incredibly reluctant to sell me."

Fabian Hurzeler has Brighton & Hove Albion second in the Premier League with a starting XI that cost only £150 million against Brentford.

He’s inevitably being linked with wealthier clubs, even the theatre of chaos that is Manchester United, but Hurzeler is far too smart to jump ship yet. He’s only 33, building something special at Brighton, enhancing his reputation with every game, and knowing that other managers – like Graham Potter - have moved on and not always found the grass greener. Sussex by the Sea makes the perfect home for Hurzeler for now.

So he focuses on winning the Europa Conference League and qualifying for the Champions League. This will make Hurzeler in even more demand – and also aware that many of his ambitions can be met at Brighton. It’s certainly understandable why he will be on the lists of other clubs.

I’ve only had 10 minutes in his company once, a coffee and a chat on the balcony of the training ground restaurant (the food’s too good to call it a canteen) but it made a distinct impression. Hurzeler’s most striking quality, apart from looking even younger than 33, is his humility and willingness to listen while exuding total belief in his own convictions. He has a curiosity in people which adds to his man-management strengths.

Hurzeler’s slightness of frame belies a substantial aura. You quickly appreciate you are in the presence of somebody with powerful emotional intelligence as well as tactical nous easily expressed. Again, it is easy to see why players respond to him. The German had no playing background of note, basically Bayern Munich II and some Germany age-group games, but the players love his enthusiasm, clear thinking and decisiveness. His game plans are built around positivity, and players relish that. And there’s no way Manchester United players, some of them masters of the half-hearted press, could cope with his pressing demands.

It’s remarkable what his team are doing this season, doing great things without even Kaoru Mitoma, who hopes to return from a long-term hamstring issue after the international break. They’ve already played some of the toughest-looking fixtures: Chelsea and Liverpool away (their only losses of the season), Manchester City away (1-0 win) and Arsenal at home (3-0 win). The fixture computer must have sensed something when churning out Arsenal vs Brighton on the last weekend of the season. Brighton for the title might be a thought too far, given respective squad depths, but a Champions League place is certainly up for grabs.

Hurzeler is the right man in the right place at the right time. Everything at Brighton is set up for the head coach to succeed. The leadership of the club under Tony Bloom and Paul Barber is the best in the Premier League. If he went to any other club, Hurzeler would face a rebuild, residual issues, squad problems, tensions between assorted parts of the club, even a mutiny at United.

Bloom and Barber are steadfast in support. When Hurzeler came under pressure from a few fans during a run of only one win in 13 Premier League games last season, including a painful home loss to Crystal Palace, the board stood fully behind him.

Kudos goes to Bloom and his Jamestown Analytics talent-finders for their consistently high level of recruitment hits. “Nobody Does Data Better”, their website says. Bart Verbruggen has 12 clean sheets in 15 games this season. No wonder they let Carl Rushworth go to Coventry City. Verbruggen, who’s only 24, cost £16m from Anderlecht in 2023.

Pascal Gross is running games at 35. He cost only £1.5m when returning to Brighton in January. Luka Vuskovic is only 19 and fast maturing into one of the best, all-round centre-backs in the league. The Croatian cost what appeared a chunky £46m from Spurs this summer, but now looks great value.

On it goes, the successful Bloomers. Look at midfield. The Paraguayan Diego Gomez is scoring worldies, only 23, and only £11m from Inter Miami in January 2025. Yasin Ayari, the Swede who embodies Brighton’s press, cost only £3.5m from AIK in January 2023. The 21-year-old Spaniard Chema Andres cost only £15.5m from Stuttgart this September. He’s settled in quickly.

Ease of assimilation is helped by Brighton’s family feel, the thought that goes into the player’s arrival, looking after his family too, and the welcoming nature of homegrown players like Lewis Dunk and Jack Hinshelwood. The friendly Barber plays a vital role, too, in ensuring new signings settle.

Hove is a good area to live, the training facilities are impressive, and the ground is full of atmosphere. Newcomers also know that Brighton is a perfect launchpad for their ambitions, so they seize the opportunity. Everything is set up for players – and head coach – to succeed, and Hurzeler knows that.

For 16 years, football was Diego Demme's way of life. It took him from the lower leagues of German football to the heights of the Bundesliga and Serie A, where he helped RB Leipzig establish themselves among Europe's elite, and Napoli end a 33-year wait for the Scudetto.

But after suffering two serious head injuries in the space of four months, Demme faced a difficult choice: continue playing the sport he loved or risk jeopardising his health and his family's future. On September 23, the former Germany international announced his retirement from professional football.

"I retired because of the two head injuries I had in the last two years. That was a difficult time for me, and that’s why I decided to finish my career," Demme admitted to FourFourTwo. "I wanted to stop while I was healthy, and after the problems I had with my head injuries, I decided to not take any risk again on the field."

Diego Demme opens up on his decision to retire from professional football

After developing at Arminia Bielefeld and Paderborn, Demme helped Leipzig achieve two promotions, reach the 2019 DFB-Pokal Final and become Champions League regulars, before swapping the Bundesliga leaders for a Napoli side in crisis.

Demme helped Napoli win their first trophy in six years with the 2019/20 Coppa Italia before winning the 2022/23 Scudetto. After four and a half years in Italy, he returned to Germany in 2024, initially taking on the captaincy at Hertha Berlin. However, his homecoming soon turned into a nightmare.

On September 15, 2024, Demme took a knee to the chin during Hertha's 2–0 defeat to Fortuna Düsseldorf. Although he initially continued playing, he subsequently experienced headaches, dizziness, and problems with his right eye.

Four months later, Demme was struck in the temple by a ball from close range during training, causing him to lose consciousness. The consequences lingered, with recurring headaches, dizziness, and psychological difficulties contributing to 27 missed matches across his final two seasons.

"It was a difficult situation. I felt very bad due to the concussions, and that was the first time I felt, ‘What the f**k is going on?' I couldn’t drive the car. I needed to be there for my kids, and I couldn’t. I have a wife and family, and the most important thing was to be there for them, so I felt it was better to stop football."

Despite attracting interest from Italian clubs including Empoli, Cesena, Catania and Sorrento, Demme decided against extending his playing career. Retirement, however, has hardly meant slowing down.

The 34-year-old is now running two Neapolitan pizzerias in Berlin, overseeing the construction of his house in Kleinmachnow and pursuing qualifications in padel coaching and sports massage. Above all, he is enjoying more time with his daughters, six-year-old Gia and three-year-old Ellie.

Nor has he abandoned competitive sport. Alongside training in boxing, grappling and mixed martial arts, Demme is returning to football with Plyrs United in the Icon League, the indoor small-sided competition founded by Toni Kroos and Elias Nerlich.

"I didn't want to join another club where I'd move due to the fact that my eldest daughter started school this summer, so I decided to stop. But now, I feel good again, and I feel like the old Diego before my injuries. I will play the Icon League because the physical risk isn't as much as a regular Bundesliga match."

From the Coppa Italia to the Scudetto, Demme has spent his career chasing football's greatest prizes. Now, he's found a reward that no trophy can match: the chance to grow old in good health and watch his daughters grow up.

As we approach the end of 2026, we're looking back to the World Cup with the usual mix of fondness and regret that tends to follow major summer tournaments. The new FourFourTwo quiz is all about the stadiums where the 104 matches of World Cup 2026 were played.

You might remember that these stadiums were rebadged under the auspices of FIFA for the duration of the tournament in June and July, but we know you know the cities so we're after their official names, sponsors and all.

There are 16 stadiums to list in total and we're giving you 30 seconds on average for each one. That's a total time limit of 8 minutes to catch 'em all.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

FourFourTwo has many more football quizzes and they're all courtesy of Kwizly. You can start with these questions about the streets football won't forget and these ones about the famous and historic football grounds of England.

Next, we want you to name every title sponsor in the history of the Football League Cup and every team competing in Europe this season. There are plenty of them and the Conference League, frankly, is borderline impossible.

If this season's 108 European clubs aren't enough, how about trying for 1,000+ in the all-time version. We'll keep it to the top competition: Can you name every team ever to participate in the league phase, group stage or first round of the Champions League?

FourFourTwo's Weekend Crossword 77 features clues on tricks, trequartistas and Trents. Remember to subscribe to our newsletter for your daily afternoon briefing of football trivia and analysis, and don't forget to join The Club: our free membership portal where you can secret hints and get on the leaderboard.

It's FourFourTwo Quickfire Quiz time. We've put 90 seconds on the clock and loaded up 10 trivia questions to take a swing at.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

FourFourTwo has lots more football quizzes and they're all courtesy of Kwizly. Let's begin in the Premier League and ask you to name every team to have conceded eight goals or more in a Premier League match. That's a three-minute job and it's very manageable.

Still in England's top division and in the realm of famous historical matches and moments, we've selected some of our favourites and we want you to recognise each one from a photograph. Our Premier League Years picture quiz challenges you to tell us which season the shots were taken in.

Here's a fun one. We've chosen some legendary football managers from around the world and grabbed their managerial honours lists. That's all the information we're giving you in order to correctly identify each one.

Next, we're celebrating the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner by asking you to name every player who's matched his achievement by winning the Ballon d'Or in a World Cup year.

Finally, can you name every player ever to have been sent off three times in a single Premier League season? There might be fewer than you think but most of them will get gettable.

We have puzzles too. Our Weekend Crossword is a regular football teaser for your Sunday, and remember to sign up to the newsletter for more quizzes in your inbox. Don't forget to join The Club for free additional membership benefits!

Watch Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona for free as La Liga's top two meet in a mouth-watering clash in the Spanish capital, with FourFourTwo bringing you all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Atleti are on a seven-match winning run in La Liga and know another victory would see them leapfrog the champions at the summit.

Barcelona have been almost flawless in the league this season, with the defeat by Real Madrid in El Clasico a fortnight ago the only blemish on an otherwise perfect record.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona online and from anywhere, including for FREE, in La Liga 2026/27.

Can I watch Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona for free?

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona will be shown for free in Brazil on CazeTV's YouTube Channel. You don't need an account or a subscription, just click the link above and start streaming.

Outside of Brazil? Use NordVPN to unblock your free stream from anywhere in the world.

Watch Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona from anywhere

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The solution to your geo-restriction nightmares is a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a piece of software that can set your devices to appear to be in any country in the world.

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How to watch Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona in the UK

Fans in the UK can watch Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona on Premier Sports.

The game is live on Premier Sports 1, with kick-off at 8:00pm GMT.

How to watch Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona in the US

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona is live on ESPN in the US. Those looking for Spanish-language coverage should head to ESPN Deportes.

Kick-off is at 3:00pm ET.

How to watch Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona in Australia

Viewers in Australia can stream Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona on beIN SPORTS. The game kicks-off at 7:00am AEDT on Monday, with coverage on beIN SPORTS 2.

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona: Preview

It should be quite an atmosphere at the Metropolitano as Atletico Madrid take on champions Barcelona, who are two points ahead of them at the top of La Liga.

Atleti have been in scintillating form in the league, winning seven successive games to start the weekend sandwiched between Barca and their city rivals Real Madrid. They have already beaten one of the El Clasico heavyweights here this season, seeing off Real 2-1 in September, and will believe they can repeat the trick tonight.

Diego Simeone will want a reaction from his team after they lost 2-0 to Bayern Munich at the Metropolitano in the Champions League in midweek, a result that ended their unbeaten home record this term.

The return of midfielder Johnny Cardoso means centre back Cristian Romero is Atleti's only absentee, as they hunt a first home league victory over Barca since October 2021.

SEE ALSO How to watch La Liga live streams from anywhere

Barcelona have been in imperious form this season and beat Aston Villa 3-0 in the Champions League in midweek, but Hansi Flick's side still have a point to prove.

Their only two defeats of the campaign came against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Real Madrid in La Liga, so despite racking up 13 wins and 60 goals in all competitions, they are yet to claim a statement victory.

That would change if they take all three points at the Metropolitano and Barca know what it takes to achieve that, having already beaten Atleti twice in Madrid in 2026.

However, they have already suffered a setback after influential midfielder Rodri injured his hamstring against Villa, ruling him out of the visit to his former club. Of the other injured players, Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde appear to be closest to returning, with Dani Olmo, Roony Bardghji and Xavi Espart longer-term absentees.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona

We expect Barca to edge a closely-fought contest thanks to their extra attacking quality.

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After being dubbed the ‘new Pele’ at the tender age of 14, Freddy Adu’s career would end up taking him to some unexpected places.

After becoming the youngest-ever player to appear in United States professional sports when he made his D.C. United debut in 2004, Adu had stints playing in Portugal, France, Greece, Turkey and Brazil over the next decade.

After a stint with Salvador-based Brazilian side Bahia ended, Adu’s next opportunity came at Blackpool, with the then-Championship side taking the American on trial in February 2014.

Adu on his Blackpool move

And while moving from the Brazilian summer to a Blackpool winter would be a culture shock to most, Adu looks back at his time with the Seasiders fondly.

“I had a good time there, it was great!” he tells FourFourTwo. “I was a free agent after Brazil, and Blackpool was cool!”

“I liked it there, I remember I really did enjoy my time there, being around those guys, but the football was really different, compared to what I was used to.”

Adu’s nomadic career to this point had seen him adapt to plenty of new surroundings, but he admits that the rough-and-tumble style of a second-tier English side was something new to him.

“It was more direct and very physically demanding, so my style of play didn’t exactly mesh with the team,” he admits.

Blackpool would decide against offering Adu a contract, but would allow him to continue training with the club as Adu looked for his next opportunity.

After stints training in Norway and the Netherlands, he would sign with Serbian side FK Jagodina in July 2014, in a move that again didn’t work out for him.

“I went to Serbia and just played the one game, I was only there for about six months,” Adu continues. “At that point in my career, I just needed to try to get somewhere, get some playing time and get my love for soccer back again. It didn’t end up happening over there, I wasn’t happy there.

“They sell you this story but you get there and things are completely different, so I was just trying to bide my time and get out of there.

"Hindsight isn’t 20/20, but there are a lot of decisions I would have made differently, as far as teams go, if I had that opportunity.”

Watch Man Utd vs Aston Villa for FREE and from anywhere as this week's Super Sunday clash takes us to Old Trafford

Want to watch the game live from anywhere? FourFourTwo provides you with all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Manchester United host Aston Villa in a mouthwatering clash at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils came from two goals down in midweek to end their nine-match streak without a win, as Michael Carrick buys himself some more time in the dugout.

Unai Emery's Villa have been hot and cold of late, beating Manchester City, before drawing with Fulham and losing in Barcelona.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Man Utd vs Aston Villa in the Premier League, online and from anywhere.

Watch Man Utd vs Aston Villa for FREE

Live coverage in the States is on USA Network and this is available for free thanks to YouTube TV, which currently comes with a 21-day free trial for new customers.

Fubo and DirecTV Stream also carry the service and offer 5-day free trials.

Outside the US? Use Proton VPN to access your free stream from anywhere in the world.

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The solution to your geo-restriction nightmares is a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a piece of software that can set your devices to appear to be in any country in the world.

FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate Proton VPN as one of the best for unlocking streams...

How to watch Man Utd vs Aston Villa in the UK

Viewers in the UK can watch Man Utd vs Aston Villa live on Sky Sports.

Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League will have live coverage of the Premier League clash, which kicks-off at 4:30pm GMT.

How to watch Man Utd vs Aston Villa in the US

Man Utd vs Aston Villa is live on USA Network in the US.

Can't access your USA Network stream? Use Proton VPN to watch Man Utd vs Aston Villa on the service from anywhere in the world.

How to watch Man Utd vs Aston Villa in Australia

Fans in Australia can stream Man Utd vs Aston Villa on Stan Sport.

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Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Preview

Manchester United earned a morale-boosting victory after coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Red Devils had the impetus of youngster Shea Lacey and the goals of Matheus Cunha to thank, although the latter was sent off in the win.

Harry Maguire paired Ayden Heaven at the back again as injuries continue to plague United's backline.

Benjamin Sesko is out until the new year, so we expected Cunha or Bryan Mbeumo to lead the line.

SEE ALSO How to watch Premier League 2026/27: TV Guide, Streams & Fixtures

Villa didn't recreate the same success as United as they went down 3-0 to European powerhouse Barcelona.

Lamine Yamal and a brace from former Leeds man Raphinha means Unai Emery must once again galvanise his players in the north-west.

The Villans went down 3-1 in an end-of-season contest last year at the Theatre of Dreams, and they haven't won at the home of United since 2021.

Amadou Onana, Matteo Ruggeri, Matty Cash and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all set to miss out.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Man Utd 1-2 Aston Villa

FourFourTwo thinks Villa will win this one, with Nicolas Jackson getting in on the act.

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After spending more than a decade in the English game, former Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs decided he was up for a new challenge in 2021.

This saw the 10-time England international head across the Atlantic, where he signed for Inter Miami, in a move that saw him experience and embrace an entirely different footballing culture.

For Gibbs, the opportunity to work with David Beckham and Phil Neville would prove to be a key factor in his decision to up sticks, as was the chance to play a part in a league that was clearly growing.

Gibbs on his MLS move

After spending his whole career in English football, Gibbs was keen to try something new, as he recalls the circumstances that lead to his decision to move across the Atlantic.

“I felt like I wanted to try something new and different,” Gibbs tells FourFourTwo. “Once I spoke to David Beckham and Phil Neville, the game in the US and how much it’s growing appealed to me. There’s a lot of opportunities here. I’d always wanted to play in a different country.”

Gibbs would enjoy two seasons playing in Miami before hanging up his boots in 2022, but remains settled in Florida to this day.

“I’m glad that I picked here because it feels like home now,” he continues. “I go back to the UK when I can, but I’m very settled here. “I’m very grateful that I got to play football in another country and experience a different league.”

And while Gibbs clearly has no regrets over this move, he concedes there were initial challenges when he made the move.

“I knew it was going to be a physical game,” he admits. “People mentioned the travel, but I didn’t think that was going to be quite so difficult.

“The heat in Miami is tough as well, when you’re playing through the summer. When I moved here in July, I struggled to adapt to that.”

Gibbs also remains excited about the future of the MLS, believing that last summer’s World Cup will help the sport to continue to grow in the United States.

“It’s a growing league and there’s a lot more to come from MLS over the coming years. The World Cup this year could be a springboard for the future.

“The game has come a long way since the last World Cup here in 1994, when MLS hadn’t even been founded, so it’s still a very young sport. That’s why I’m excited to be here. I want to see how we can keep transforming the game.”

Watch Ipswich Town vs Bournemouth from anywhere as the Cherries look to continue their good run of form at Portman Road.

FourFourTwo has all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Ipswich Town and Bournemouth meet in East Anglia today in the Premier League in one of four 2pm kick-offs.

The Tractor Boys have lost just once at home this season, but face a Bournemouth side who have won their last seven in all competitions.

FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Ipswich Town vs Bournemouth.

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How to watch Ipswich Town vs Bournemouth in the UK

Sky Sports is showing Ipswich Town vs Bournemouth in the UK, with live coverage on Sky Sports Cricket.

Plans start at £35/month for new customers, with existing subscribers able to add Sky Sports to their package for £22/month.

Kick-off is at 2:00pm GMT.

How to watch Ipswich Town vs Bournemouth in the US

Viewers in the US can watch Ipswich Town vs Bournemouth on Peacock, with kick-off at 9:00am ET.

Peacock Premium plans start at $12.99 a month and will get you a multitude of Premier League games across the season.

Not in the US right now? Use Proton VPN to unblock your stream of Ipswich Town vs Bournemouth on Peacock.

How to watch Ipswich Town vs Bournemouth in Australia

Australia-based fans can stream Ipswich Town vs Bournemouth on Stan Sport.

Stan Sport comes in at just $29.99/month and includes every Premier League and Champions League game.

Kick-off is at 1:00am AEDT on Monday morning.

Tickets

Ipswich Town vs Bournemouth: Preview

Ipswich Town come into this one 14th in the Premier League table and off the back of a spirited 2-2 draw with Hull City last weekend.

That's now two draws on the spin for the Tractor Boys, who are hoping above all to do enough to remain in England's top flight once again this season.

Four players currently lead the scoring charts: Leif Davis, Julio Enciso, Emersonn and Zian Flemming, who all boast two goals apiece.

Gary O'Neil will need to see much more from his side if they are to beat Bournemouth, but they do boast a fresher spell since their last game, given the Cherries' European travel in midweek.

SEE ALSO How to watch Premier League 2026/27: TV Guide, Streams & Fixtures

Bournemouth are four from four in the Europa League and are continuing their upward trajectory after a slow start to the new season.

Marco Rose's men are on a run of seven consecutive wins after sweeping aside Czech outfit Sparta Prague 3-1 in midweek.

Currently eighth in the Premier League, they could climb as high as fifth with a win, should results elsewhere go their way this weekend.

Alex Scott, Juanlu Sanchez, Julian Araujo and Alex Toth all remain sidelined for the Cherries.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Ipswich Town 1-3 Bournemouth

Bournemouth's attacking trio of Evanilson, Rayan and Justin Kluivert have all been fantastic of late, and we think a goal from each in a resounding win at Portman Road.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

During his 22-year playing career, Javier Zanetti turned out more than 1,000 times for club and country.

The Argentina and Inter Milan great shared a dressing room with some of the greatest players of his generation and played under some of the game’s most influential coaches.

Few, however, left quite the same impression as Marcelo Bielsa, who handed Zanetti 52 international caps during his six-year spell in charge of Argentina.

Zanetti on Bielsa's impact

Bielsa’s reputation for demanding the highest level of commitment from his players is well-documented, but for Zanetti, the former Leeds United manager’s eccentric methods went way beyond mere tactics and training sessions.

"He is a manager who knows how to get the absolute best out of his players,” Zanetti tells FourFourTwo. That was true for me, and it has been true for so many others.”

For Zanetti, what sets Bielsa apart from other elite coaches is his ability to connect on a much deeper, more meaningful level.

“He has a way of reaching something deep inside you, of reigniting that pure love of the game you had as a kid,” he continues.

“It was a wonderful six years working with him with the national team."

During that time, Zanetti’s international career began to flourish, with the defender able to benefit from playing under Bielsa for a sustained period.

A year after Bielsa left the Argentina job, a new era was ushered in when Lionel Messi made his debut in a 2005 friendly against Hungary.

Over the next seven years, Zanetti and Messi would share a pitch for Argentina 37 times, giving the Inter Milan star the opportunity to get a front-row seat for the accession of one of the game’s all-time greats.

“I was lucky enough to play alongside him for six or seven years with Argentina, right at his peak, and when he was just breaking into the national team,” Zanetti adds.

“He could, and still can, produce something that nobody sees coming. Quite simply, the greatest player who ever lived.”

Watch Crystal Palace vs Liverpool for FREE from anywhere as the Eagles look to repeat last season's feat against the Reds with a home win.

FourFourTwo has all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage looks increasingly likely to become the first Premier League manager to be sacked in 2026/27. Their tally of seven points is generous given the performances we've seen, and things could get even worse on Sunday against Liverpool.

The Reds haven't had an ideal week, suffering two defeats to Arsenal and Fenerbahçe, but will face a team that couldn't be more out of form. Andoni Iraola will be keen to see his side secure a comfortable win.

Both sides will be looking to climb the Premier League table in this one, as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Crystal Palace vs Liverpool online today.

Can I watch Crystal Palace vs Liverpool for free?

Crystal Palace vs Liverpool is being broadcast for free in Brazil on CazeTV's YouTube channel.

You don't need an account, just find the live stream and watch away.

Away from Brazil? Get a VPN to access the stream and boom — free access to the encounter at Selhurst Park.

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How to watch Crystal Palace vs Liverpool in the UK

Sky Sports is showing Crystal Palace vs Liverpool in the UK, with live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event.

Kick-off is at 2:00pm GMT.

How to watch Crystal Palace vs Liverpool in the US

Viewers in the US can watch Crystal Palace vs Liverpool on Peacock, with kick-off at 9:00am ET.

Not in the US right now? Use Proton VPN to unblock your stream of Crystal Palace vs Liverpool on Peacock.

How to watch Crystal Palace vs Liverpool in Australia

Australia-based fans can stream Crystal Palace vs Liverpool on Stan Sport.

Kick-off is at 1:00am AEDT on Monday morning.

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Crystal Palace vs Liverpool: Preview

Crystal Palace's dull start to the season continued with yet another defeat last weekend, this time going down 2-0 at Tottenham on Halloween weekend.

Jean-Phillippe Mateta was also sent off in North London and will miss Liverpool's visit.

Adam Wharton was then dismissed against Hoffenheim in midweek, but the England international will be available to face the Reds in this one with that card only applying to European fixtures.

Eddie Nketiah is likely to lead the attack, while Ismaila Sarr will miss out again with his groin injury.

SEE ALSO How to watch Premier League 2026/27: TV Guide, Streams & Fixtures

Liverpool were poor value in their 3-2 loss in Turkey in Tuesday's early kick-off and will have been disappointed to have come away empty-handed.

Late strikes from Archie Brown and Vedat Muriqi meant it was Dirk Kuyt's men who claimed a vital Champions League victory.

That loss for Liverpool followed the 1-0 defeat against Arsenal, and Iraola must now galvanise his side to go again at Selhurst Park.

Ryan Gravenberch remains 50/50, with Jeremie Frimpong also still expected to be out until after the November international break.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool

Liverpool's star man Alexander Isak found the net in midweek and we feel he will do so again in a win for the Reds.

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Watch Sunderland vs Chelsea for free as the Blues head north to face the Premier League's current basement boys. FourFourTwo has all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Sunderland and Chelsea meet in one of four 2pm Premier League kick-offs today in the Premier League.

A bumper Sunday selection, Xabi Alonso's side will be hoping to continue the current misery the Black Cats are facing, having posted just one win in nine thus far.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Sunderland vs Chelsea online and from anywhere, including for free.

Watch Sunderland vs Chelsea for FREE

Live coverage in the States is on USA Network, and this is available for free thanks to YouTube TV, which currently comes with a 21-day free trial for new customers.

Outside the US? Use Proton VPN to access your free Sunderland vs Chelsea stream from anywhere in the world.

Watch Sunderland vs Chelsea from anywhere

Away from home right now? You don't have to miss Crystal Palace vs Liverpool.

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FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate Proton VPN as one of the best for unlocking streams...

How to watch Sunderland vs Chelsea in the UK

Viewers in the UK can watch Sunderland vs Chelsea live on Sky Sports. The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Premier League.

Sky packages including the Sports channels start at £35/month while existing subscribers can add the channels from £22/month.

How to watch Sunderland vs Chelsea in the US

As mentioned above, Sunderland vs Chelsea is live on USA Network in the US.

This is a linear channel, so you will need a cord-cutting package. YouTube TV (21-day free trial), DirecTV Stream (5-day free trial), Hulu+Live TV (3-day free trial) and Sling Blue all carry the channel.

How to watch Sunderland vs Chelsea in Australia

Fans in Australia can watch Sunderland vs Chelsea live on Stan Sport.

Stan Sport comes in at just AU$29.99 and arrives with access to every Premier League and Champions League game.

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Sunderland vs Chelsea: Preview

Sunderland will be looking to end their worrying run of form when they welcome Chelsea to the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon, with Régis Le Bris' side facing a difficult challenge.

The Black Cats have endured a difficult few weeks domestically and currently sit bottom of the table with just five points from their opening nine matches. Their latest outing saw them suffer a disappointing 3-1 defeat away at Coventry City.

Thursday's 2-0 home defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League will have done little to improve the mood around Wearside either.

There is, however, reason for optimism. Sunderland completed a league double over Chelsea last season, winning 2-1 both at Stamford Bridge and the Stadium of Light. They will need to rediscover that level of performance if they are to take anything from Sunday's encounter.

SEE ALSO How to watch Premier League 2026/27: TV Guide, Streams & Fixtures

Chelsea, meanwhile, arrive in considerably better shape and will be looking to build on their impressive 2-0 victory over Manchester United last weekend. Xabi Alonso's side have collected 16 points from their opening nine league fixtures and currently sit fourth in the table.

The Blues have demonstrated plenty of attacking quality this season, scoring 19 goals in the league so far, thanks in no small part to the performances of Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers.

Alonso will nevertheless be encouraged by his side's response against United, with a clean sheet and two goals providing a timely boost ahead of their trip to the North East.

Reece James, João Pedro, Maxence Lacroix and Jamie Gittens are expected to be unavailable. Emiliano Martínez has returned to training following a fractured jaw, while Estevao could be inline for some more minutes following a scintilating display last weekend.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Sunderland 0-3 Chelsea

An easy success for the Blues on Wearside.

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Watch Brighton vs Brentford from anywhere as the Seagulls look to continue their excellent start to the Premier League season against another in-form side. FourFourTwo has all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Third-place Brighton reasserted their credentials as a contender for Champions League qualification with a 1-0 win at Manchester City last weekend.

Brentford have also made an impressive start to the campaign and cemented their position in the top half with a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest eight days ago.

FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Brighton vs Brentford in the Premier League, online from anywhere.

Watch Brighton vs Brentford from anywhere

What if you're away from home when Brighton vs Brentford is on, and find access to your usual streaming service geo-blocked? The solution is a VPN, a piece of software that sets your devices to appear to be in any country in the world.

FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate Proton VPN as one of the best for unlocking streams. Plus they have a MEGA Black Friday deal right now:

How to watch Brighton vs Brentford in the UK

Brighton vs Brentford is live on Sky Sports in the UK.

You can watch the Premier League game on Sky Sports+, with kick-off at 2:00pm GMT.

Outside the UK? Unlock your Brighton vs Brentford stream on Sky Sports via Proton VPN.

How to watch Brighton vs Brentford in the US

Peacock is the US broadcaster for Brighton vs Brentford, which kicks-off at 9:00am ET.

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How to watch Brighton vs Brentford in Australia

Australia-based fans can stream Brighton vs Brentford on Stan Sport. Kick-off is at 1:00am AEDT on Monday.

Not in Australia? Proton VPN will unblock your Stan Sport stream of Brighton vs Brentford.

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Brighton vs Brentford: Preview

Brighton have arguably been the story of the Premier League season — and they added a glorious chapter to that passage with last Saturday's 1-0 win at Manchester City.

It means the Seagulls have now beaten the two title favourites without conceding a goal, having crushed champions Arsenal 3-0 in September, while they started the weekend as the league's highest scorers (24 goals) and boasting its' second-meanest defence (just seven conceded).

Fabian Hurzeler's men take on Brentford less than 72 hours after a 1-0 away win over Spanish side Getafe in the Conference League, so the German manager could rotate his side.

He may also have Ferdi Kadioglu back from injury, with Femi Azeez and Pascal Struijk also closing in on their return to action.

SEE ALSO How to watch Premier League 2026/27: TV Guide, Streams & Fixtures

No team has tasted defeat fewer times in the Premier League than Brentford this season, with the Bees beaten just once in the top flight this term.

The Bees start the weekend five points behind Brighton and they would be even closer had they turned some of their five draws into wins, with last Saturday's 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest just their third triumph of the campaign.

That may change now last season's top goalscorer Igor Thiago appears to have rediscovered his form, with the Brazilian finding the net in each of the past two games.

Brentford have no fresh injury concerns, but Antoni Milambo and Josh Dasilva are not expected to be available until after the international break.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Brighton 2-1 Brentford

This should be a fantastic game to watch, with the Seagulls just shading it.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Watch Cray Wanderers vs Stockport County for free in an FA Cup 2026/27 First Round tie featuring two teams separated by four divisions. FourFourTwo has all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Wanderers are aiming to continue their FA Cup fairy-tale after reaching the First Round Proper for the first time in their 166-year history.

The Isthmian League Premier Division outfit could hardly have asked for a better draw, as League One high-fliers Stockport County - who start the weekend 112 places above the Wands in the pyramid - visit Flamingo Park.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Cray Wanderers vs Stockport County in the FA Cup 2026/27 First Round online, on TV, and from anywhere, including for free.

Can I watch Cray Wanderers vs Stockport County for free?

Yes! UK viewers can watch Cray Wanderers vs Stockport County live and for free on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in the UK.

You must be a UK resident and have a valid TV licence to access BBC iPlayer. If you do, just sign up online and you're good to go!

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How to watch Cray Wanderers vs Stockport County in the UK

As mentioned above, Cray Wanderers vs Stockport County will be shown live and for free on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in the UK.

TNT Sports and streaming partner HBO Max will also broadcast the game, with coverage on TNT Sports 3. Kick-off is at 2:15pm GMT.

Travelling outside the UK? You need a VPN to access your TNT Sports stream from anywhere in the world.

How to watch Cray Wanderers vs Stockport County in the US

Cray Wanderers vs Stockport County is live on ESPN Select in the US, with kick-off at 9:15am ET.

Not in the US? Access your usual ESPN Select stream with a VPN.

Can I watch Cray Wanderers vs Stockport County in Australia?

Stan Sport holds the rights for the FA Cup Down Under, but won't show Cray Wanderers vs Stockport.

UK resident in Australia? Watch Cray Wanderers vs Stockport County on BBC iPlayer with a VPN.

Cray Wanderers vs Stockport County: Preview

Cray Wanderers' First Round tie against Stockport County is what the FA Cup is all about, as the seventh-tier side host a team who start the weekend 112 places above them in the English pyramid.

The South East London club have already played seven games in this season's competition, having needed replays to progress through three of their four qualifying round ties. They beat Bedford Town on penalties in the previous round to reach the First Round Proper for the first time in their 166-year history.

It has already been an unforgettable campaign for the Wands, who sit 18th in the Isthmian League Premier Division - although their cup run means they have as many as seven games in hand on some of the teams above them.

Their 2,500-capacity Flamingo Park home will be in high spirits for the visit of Stockport, as they eye what would surely be the greatest result in their history.

SEE ALSO How to watch FA Cup 2026/27

County play the role of villains in this cup fairy-tale and if they are at their best they should progress with little fuss. The Hatters are second in League One, having finished third in each of the past two seasons, and look set to challenge for promotion again.

Stockport manager Jimmy McNulty is unlikely to underestimate Cray, having spent the last three seasons managing Rochdale in the National League before moving on in the summer.

Similarly, Hatters fans will know not to be complacent after a six-year spell in National League North - just one league above their opponents - between 2013 and 2019.

Stockport boast several top League One players, including Oliver Norwood, Lewis Bate and Kyle Wootton, although it remains to be seen if McNulty rests his stars with promotion the priority this season.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Cray Wanderers 0-3 Stockport County

This promises to be a great occasion for Wanderers, but County should have more than enough quality to progress.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

The tug of war between supporters and football's power brokers has never felt more strained than it does at this very moment. Club owners, commercial interests, TV companies and even the man that runs FIFA seem to be pulling the sport away from the people who make it truly matter. It's time to tug back, then, as we unveil FourFourTwo's plan to reclaim the beautiful game for the fans...

Tickets

1. Lower ticket prices

FFT editor James Andrew explains why something must be done about the cost of entry to football:

Back in 2001, you could go to the supermarket and buy a loaf of bread for 51p, plus a pint of milk for 37p, then stop off and have a pint in the pub for £1.90. You could also take a family of four to watch my team Fulham play a Premier League game at Craven Cottage for £80. That's £80 in total, not each.

Fast forward 25 years and that bread has risen by 175 per cent to £1.40, a pint of milk is now 65p, up 76 per cent, and a pint is £5.50 – an increase of 189 per cent. Inflation has hit everyone, but still nothing comes close to the way the cost of going to football has risen. This season, sitting in the Johnny Haynes Stand for a Fulham match would cost £332 for those same four tickets, an increase of 315 per cent.

Across the Premier League, prices have risen exponentially, squeezing a lot of fans out of the game – even though those rises are a choice for clubs, not a necessity. Typically, matchday income generates seven to 15 per cent of total club revenue, depending on stadium size and pricing. Higher ticket prices yield only £2m or £3m in extra income for the top clubs. In an era dominated by exorbitant transfer fees and colossal wage bills, that's loose change.

Some fans also feel clubs favour one-time ‘tourist' visitors over local, loyal supporters. From the club's perspective, there's a higher chance they'll spend money in the club shop, and buy food and drink in the ground. A regular fan might stay in the pub until just before kick-off. But that outlook is short-termism.

The Covid pandemic and football being played behind closed doors resulted in us being told “football without fans is nothing”, but have clubs learned that lesson? If you price out fans who've been going for years, you lose the atmosphere that the ‘tourists' have travelled to experience – it's lose-lose.

Added to that, any of the bottom 10 clubs could be relegated during a bad season, then they could find themselves in a situation where long-term fans have been priced out and pissed off, but the ‘tourists' don't want to go to a Championship game on a Tuesday night.

So what's the solution? One success story in the Premier League in recent years has been the £30 cap on ticket prices for away fans. If that was replicated in the home stands – even at, say, £40 for adults – it could keep ticket prices affordable.

Another idea is to take the lead from Whitney Houston, who sang: “I believe the children are our future.” If you want to ensure young fans are experiencing football from the stands rather than on TV, you need to protect family areas inside the grounds and keep tickets both affordable and accessible.

Every fan will have their own personal breaking point. If the cost of football continues to rise like it has done over the past quarter of a century, it's scary to think what the stands may look like in 2051.

Kick-off times

2. Less messing about with kick-off times

Opinions on whether to scrap the Saturday 3pm TV blackout remain divided – when we polled supporters, around a quarter wanted it to stay, fearing the impact that lifting it could have on attendances and finances below the Premier League. While it remains in place, inevitably some kick-off times will move, but choices could be more considerate, particularly for away fans travelling long distances.

Do we really need games at 8pm on a Saturday? Was it fair on Cardiff supporters for their game at Middlesbrough to be moved to 12.30pm? And how many TV viewers was Crawley vs Cheltenham really pulling in on the red button, as one of seven EFL games played at lunchtime recently, to make it worth inconveniencing fans who actually wanted to go? Arguably, the 3pm blackout rule could be tweaked so it only applies to the top two divisions.

Mascots

3. Stop clubs charging kids to be mascots

Last term, Peter Crouch accompanied his heroes onto the pitch as one of the pre-game mascots at non-league Farnham Town. OK, he was 44, and the whole thing was a fantasy football forfeit, but did Farnham charge him? No, they did not.

Being a mascot is a day a kid never forgets, but some clubs have decided there's money to be made from it. At Crystal Palace, silver and gold packages range from £255 to £520, making it difficult for less privileged families. At all clubs, it should be free.

Social media

4. Halt social media abuse

The online world is increasingly becoming the wild west – made-up quotes, made-up transfer rumours from faceless accounts, it's hard to tell what's real and what isn't. Even more serious is the vitriol aimed at footballers online – time and again, players are complaining of the most awful comments being directed at them, with racism worryingly prevalent.

Social media companies must do more to deal with it, and create an environment where it's harder for these things to happen in the first place.

The FA Cup

5. Move FA Cup semi-finals from Wembley

An FFT poll previously showed that fans were overwhelmingly in favour of switching the FA Cup semi-finals to different venues – it's one of several factors that has devalued the final itself and affected the competition's historic reputation.

While we're at it, the final should be after the end of the Premier League season, and replays should be reintroduced – at least for the first and second rounds, given it was top-flight teams who wanted the change. Force everyone in hospitality at Wembley to get back to their seats for the start of the second half, too…

Agents

6. Reduce agent fees

Between February 2025 and February 2026, FA data suggested clubs in the top five divisions of English football shelled out a huge £548m in fees to agents.

Transfer fees are equally obscene, but at least that money is helping other clubs and circulates around the pyramid – that's not the case when money goes to agents.

Commentators

7. No prepared commentary

How did Sam Matterface respond to Marcus Rashford's goal against Croatia at the World Cup? By quoting lyrics from Ella Langley song Choosin' Texas, that he absolutely in no way had written down beforehand and intended to use no matter who scored and how the goal went in. The game was in Dallas, get it?

He's not the only one who does it – commentators have to prepare for games, of course, but give us facts, not cringy pre-rehearsed lines.

VAR

8. Abolish VAR

Chris Nee outlines why enough is enough and video technology must go:

This October, Brighton's Pascal Struijk was sent off for the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity against Sunderland. Four days later, the defender's red card and suspension were overturned.

Struijk's collision with Wilson Isidor wasn't even given as a foul by the referee until he was called over for a VAR review, and a red card followed. The details of the incident don't matter as much as the implications. Not for the first time, a referee made a decision that was later determined adequate, yet overturned it in a VAR intervention. That VAR is undoing correct decisions proves it is getting involved when it was never meant to.

A decade into football's doomed video review experiment, it's easy to forget that almost every decision made by referees is subjective and any pursuit of fact in a game of interpretation is utterly futile. The major miscarriages of justice VAR was supposed to prevent are rare.

But the best reason to scrap VAR outright isn't to do with accuracy or margins, nor lines or toenails offside, but the ruinous effect that it's having on the sport. Even if the process could be deployed perfectly and quickly – it can't – the imperative to review every goal for an unnoticed infringement is detrimental to the way supporters experience football.

VAR has stripped the moments that matter of their elation, torn asunder the fabric of the offside law and turned handball into a farce. That such law tweaks have been allowed to leak into competitions that don't even use VAR is a practical result of a philosophical blunder; football was designed to be simple and universal.

Video reviews created a different code and it's time the authorities recognised that it's an inferior one. Football is a distorted game under the VAR regime – a game in which a goal might not be a goal, a yellow card might be a red card, offside might be ignored for 30 yards of play before being ruled by millimetres.

This damage was inflicted for the wrong reasons and VAR has been clamped onto the game with total disregard for what makes it special. There's no upside, and no solution.

Forget improvements. This isn't going to be fixed because it can't be fixed. Its flaws are inherent and they're fundamentally anathema to football. There's only one decision that needs to be overturned, and it's the biggest VAR decision of all.

Owners

9. Crack down on rogue owners

Football's fit and proper person test is a thorny business. When owners go rogue, authorities are criticised for allowing them to buy the club in the first place, although sometimes when you look back to the time of purchase, there was no legal reason to disqualify them, and the same fans were urging the authorities to approve the takeover quickly – either to get rid of the previous owner, or get hold of cash for transfers.

Things often go wrong after the purchase instead – the club doesn't succeed on the field, the owner is criticised, falls out with fans, petulantly takes his or her ball home, then a financial crisis ensues. What's needed is a better solution when that happens – often, such crises drag on for far too long, causing untold damage to the club and the people who work there. Greater mechanisms are required so authorities can quickly remove an owner when they don't pay wages or meet responsibilities to their club.

EFL Trophy

10. Remove U21 teams from the EFL Trophy

It's a decade since the competition was revamped to include underage teams, largely from Premier League clubs – that inclusion remains as unpopular as ever among EFL fans, who feel disrespected that their own senior team must play an under-21 side.

This September, just 278 people watched Bromley face Brentford's U21s – last month, Richarlison scored for Spurs' U21s at Cheltenham, which we're not sure was entirely the idea of the whole thing. At least an U21 team has never reached the final – one end of Wembley being almost entirely empty would be a bad look.

Half and half scarves

11. Ban half and half scarves

Presumably someone, somewhere, is buying them, otherwise people wouldn't keep making them, but the entire industry is a mystery. Why would you want to hold up a scarf during a game bearing the name of the opposition? You might as well sing their club anthem and cheer for their goals while you're at it – come on, people, we're better than this.

Football isn't a gentle day out at the tennis, and even then no-one ever sold Federer and Nadal half and half scarves – largely because it was summer and 30 degrees, but that's beside the point. When we polled fans, 91.6 per cent said there was no situation in which half and half scarves were ever acceptable.

Replica shirts

12. Reduce the cost of replica shirts

If you wanted to buy an England shirt for the World Cup this summer, it would have set you back £90 for a replica, or £135 if you wanted one “with the same fit and performance as your favourite national team player”. For the 2010 tournament, a replica cost £45; even that felt a lot at the time. Prices have become silly – instead of charging so much just for a shirt, maybe add an extra fee for anyone who buys a full adult replica kit and wears it out and about, to really deter the full-kit wankers.

Franchise clubs

13. Refuse more franchise clubs

More than two decades on, has Wimbledon's move to Milton Keynes ever been forgiven by fans around the country? No, and it never will be – not least because MK Dons still play in a stadium that's half-full at best, with among the EFL's worst atmospheres. In Scotland, there was controversy when Clydebank were bought out and moved to Airdrie in 2002, after the original Airdrieonians went out of business.

There has been talk recently that Vancouver Whitecaps, who made last year's MLS Cup final, could move to Las Vegas – no community should ever lose their club in such fashion.

Financial rules

14. Sort out the mess of financial rules

Chris Flanagan analyses the Manchester City scandal – and how to stop it being repeated:

When new regulations are released in sport, esteemed Formula 1 pundit Martin Brundle often says that people read them once to understand them, then a second time to figure out how they can get around them.

Once football's Financial Fair Play and Profit & Sustainability rules were introduced in the early 2010s, it was inevitable that some clubs would try to find workarounds by bending or breaking the rules. The same has happened in other sports.

Manchester City's guilty verdict in September plunged English football into arguably the biggest crisis of its long history – never before had the legitimacy of several league titles been thrown into question. Clearly, their case merits stern sanctions – as punishment for the unfair advantage gained, and as a deterrent. A plea sometimes made in these situations is ‘Won't you think of the fans? They don't deserve to be punished.' It's true to an extent, but did supporters of other clubs not suffer because of City's rule-breaking?

Once their situation has been resolved, English football needs to think seriously about the best way forward. City's has been the most extreme case, but they're far from the only club to have broken financial rules over the past 15 years. Of the Premier League champions during that period, Chelsea also did so – even Leicester, who exceeded the permitted loss en route to promotion from the Championship two seasons before their shock 2016 triumph.

The list of other clubs to have broken the rules is long: Nottingham Forest, Everton, Bournemouth when they were promoted to the top flight for the first time, and plenty more across the English leagues. Did some gain a lasting advantage over others who obeyed the rules – an advantage that outweighed the punishments they were handed?

Only three teams have won the Premier League title in that period without breaking domestic financial rules at some stage – Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United – hence why the solution is complex.

Arguably, the punishment for any club that breaches financial rules should be so draconian that no-one ever does it again. Otherwise, in any given season, how do we know who's cheating and who isn't? Are we all living a lie?

On the other hand, do the Premier League's rules mean only the three biggest clubs can actually win the title without eyebrows being raised? Would Blackburn have been able to win it today? Should smaller teams be prevented from ‘buying' success, or does that take away a dream for 95 per cent of clubs? That's before we consider other side effects we've seen because of the rules, like clubs effectively being encouraged to sell popular homegrown stars, as they count as ‘pure profit'.

Whatever your view on financial regulations – and it may depend on the size of the club you support – the City situation has been awful for football. Sorry, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Brendan Rodgers, the team you managed didn't win the title – or maybe it did, who really knows any more? Either way, it's really not a whole lot of use to them now. Those seasons are long gone.

If financial rules are to stay, we can't have more cases where we're investigating things that happened a decade ago, where it takes years to reach a verdict. Clubs who are cheating must be caught in real time, in the season it happens, so we can be totally sure the right teams are celebrating in May, or the regulations will forever doom the domestic game to an array of asterisks.

As it is, we've ended up with the biggest mess English football has ever seen. If clubs start suing over it, where does it end? In a situation like this, ultimately, nobody wins.

TV

15. Fewer TV subscriptions

If you like watching a variety of football, you'll need a subscription to Sky (Premier League, EFL, Scottish Premiership, WSL), TNT (Premier League, European games, FA Cup), Amazon Prime (Champions League, some internationals), Premier Sports (Scottish Premiership, La Liga), Disney+ (Women's Champions League, La Liga), DAZN (National League), Apple (MLS) and others too.

Who can afford all that? Laws stop one TV company from holding a monopoly, but it's cheaper for fans if fewer channels hold the rights. More free-to-air football would help – the return of occasional EFL games to ITV has been good, but last season was the first time TNT didn't offer the Champions League final for free on their YouTube channel. Gabriel Magalhaes was probably grateful…

Parachute payments

16. Solve parachute payment issues

The intention was to prevent clubs from immediately being in financial trouble when they're relegated from the Premier League, but it's created another problem. As top-flight TV money has risen and risen, so have parachute payments, which has handed relegated clubs an even bigger advantage over the rest of the Championship.

As a result, clubs without parachute payments feel they have no choice but to spend beyond their means to compete – some end up in financial trouble. Talks have been held for some time between the Premier League and EFL as they've sought a better solution.

Yellow cards

17. No yellow cards for celebrations

If you ever stick the ball in the onion bag during a professional game, having worked all your life to get to that point, don't get too excited or, heaven forbid, show any indication you're enjoying yourself. Instead, pull this checklist out of your socks. Don't: take your shirt off. Don't: hug the fans. Don't: run the length of the field and celebrate in front of the away fans at the Etihad, particularly if your name's Emmanuel Adebayor, even though it was funny to everyone apart from Arsenal supporters.

In all three cases, the decision is yellow card. Or how about we all just live in the moment, eh? Ian Wright agrees with us.

Players

18. Prevent clubs stockpiling players

The big clubs now have such a huge financial advantage that they can sign player after player and keep them on their books when they're nowhere near the first team – either because they can't get rid of them, or just on the off chance they might need them.

At Chelsea, they ran out of space in the dressing room at the training ground – players had to get changed in the corridor and some later went into a ‘bomb squad', forced to train separately because the number of players on their books was simply too big for everyone to train together. The Blues typically have more than 20 players on loan too – while players are no doubt paid well by such clubs, it's not always beneficial for their career.

Shinpads

19. Ban gloves and tiny shinpads

OK, we'll give goalkeepers a free pass on the gloves, even if it would add an extra level of chaos to the game, as they try to catch a slippery wet ball during the winter. Everyone else, absolutely not. If you're feeling cold, how about running around a bit? As for players who go for the gloves-and-short-sleeves combo, instant red.

Snoods were thankfully banned in 2011 – now, low socks and tiny shinpads are the epidemic. Players might as well just write, “I'm a maverick, me” on the back of their shirt – you're impressing nobody, mate, and don't blame anyone else if you get injured. Now do us a favour and put some tackles in…

FIFA

20. Reform FIFA

Henry Winter argues that while Gianni Infantino looks set to remain as president, the governing body must make changes:

The governing body of the world game, FIFA, is not only at a crossroads, it has lost its way. Damaging events before, during and after the World Cup confirmed that. FIFA could be a force for good if it found the right way again.

That requires extensive work to restore lost trust, beginning with openness and greater accountability. That requires independent lawyers in place throughout the organisation, ensuring correct governance. That requires representatives from fan and player organisations embedded in the building, providing oversight on decision-making. To improve FIFA, this early-warning system requires installation, starting with ensuring that commercial operations are kept separate from the president's office.

In any debate about FIFA, it's important to distinguish between the organisation and the presidency. Unfortunately, they have become blurred and, for many onlookers, FIFA is Gianni Infantino. That says everything about the flawed culture at FIFA, that allows one man too much power, and the flawed nature of Infantino, who so obviously has a weakness for people with power, as shown by his smitten courtier's behaviour with Donald Trump.

Football is the world's game – billions are transfixed by it and the men's World Cup is the pinnacle of sport and TV viewing (even bigger than the Olympics) – so it is perhaps inevitable that FIFA officials can feel masters of the universe. People say yes to them a lot.

That's why independent oversight is necessary. The summer was embarrassing. Good games, bad governance. Fan discontent towards Infantino was very apparent at the World Cup. Spanish supporters at the final in New Jersey had a particularly offensive chant about Infantino, which a Spanish reporter willingly, and happily, translated for me. It was partly tribal, and a belief that Infantino favoured Lionel Messi. For many of Infantino's critics at the World Cup, his list of transgressions did start with Messi, and parachuting Inter Miami into the 2025 Club World Cup. And plenty more. This is why FIFA needs reform.

The errors of judgement continued with the creation of the FIFA Peace Prize awarded to Trump; the failure to fight dynamic pricing on tickets, which meant that some loyal fans couldn't afford to travel; and the decision to suspend Cristiano Ronaldo's two-match group stage ban following his red card against the Republic of Ireland in qualifying.

More? Sadly, yes: the clearly commercially driven hydration breaks; the cancelling of Folarin Balogun's ban so the USA striker could face Belgium in the last 16, following a call from Trump; and then, the particularly putrid fly in the ointment, the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup to investors. Infantino. Just no.

Good people work at FIFA and they were let down badly by their president. What was an enjoyable, well-organised World Cup was overshadowed by sustained controversy. Infantino failing to put himself up for scrutiny at traditional tournament press conferences intensified the feeling of a lack of accountability and transparency.

It strengthened the perception that FIFA and Infantino were serving themselves and not the game, or the lifeblood of the game: the fans. As the major European leagues noted in a stinging open letter to Infantino on September 25, “FIFA's governance problem goes far beyond the role of one individual – the wider question is whether FIFA's president should simultaneously wield such regulatory, commercial and political power without effective checks and balances, including the agreement of affected stakeholders.”

The outrage at Infantino's swiftly abandoned FFE plan has led to legal complaints from UEFA, which has remained steadfastly determined to stop him gaining a fourth and final term of office at the presidential election on March 18 in Morocco. Initially, amid all the FFE furore, it looked as though Infantino's days as president were numbered.

It was back on August 10 that three of the six confederations – representing Europe, Asia and North America – published an open letter in which they heaped more pressure on Infantino. They accused him of “a profound failure of judgement” in pursuing the FFE project. They gave him “the opportunity to resign and leave his position with dignity”, according to one source.

That came after a blizzard of brutal headlines for Infantino professionally and personally. The window for the angry associations to engage in his defenestration was that month. The heat was at its most ferocious. The fury over Infantino's FFE was at its strongest. It was a key moment in which reformers could have forced him out and brought the craved improvements needed at FIFA.

The threat of a UEFA boycott of FIFA events felt very real, such was European wrath. Infantino was on the brink. But UEFA blinked first. It didn't withdraw teams from the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup. It didn't instruct Poland not to host the championship.

That felt crucial. Infantino was emboldened and continued to shore up support. The promise of a 64-team World Cup was tempting. So was the prospect for many of the 211 national associations of lashings of largesse – £2.6bn now earmarked by Infantino from the FIFA coffers to spend on infrastructure projects and more.

It's important to note when writing from a European perspective that many members of FIFA don't boast the wealth of major UEFA nations. Infantino seems good to them. I've done interviews with African TV and been called out for not being more aware of their appreciation for him. There are even European national associations who talk privately about how windfalls from Infantino's plans are vital for their sustainability. The personal nature of some criticism levelled at Infantino also offended some people. It was crude.

Infantino is a survivor, as well as a cunning politician. Now, he looks set for a fourth term. On October 23, he gained the hugely significant backing of the Asian confederation at its Tokyo congress. One of UEFA's main allies against Infantino had turned. Those 46 votes could be key.

Infantino already has the 54 votes from Africa, 10 from CONMEBOL and probably 10 of the 11 Oceania votes (New Zealand is anti-Infantino). If any of the smaller members of CONCACAF now consider Infantino worth backing, he will pick up some of its 35 votes. Rabat would then host a coronation rather than an election. Infantino will know before the vote – president again. UEFA will seethe, the prospect of real reform will be distant, and FIFA's world will keep on turning.

If Infantino sees off UEFA, there remains one final hope for controlling him: the players. Without them, FIFA has no show. Without them, FIFA's expansionism under Infantino slows or shrinks. The players' unions, most notably the Professional Footballers' Association and the global players' union FIFPRO, watch closely and with growing concern about FIFA's increasing of the workload on players, particularly with the Club World Cup and enlarging World Cup.

Both players' organisations have done extensive research into the cramming of the calendar with additional fixtures and heightened risk of injury. Where the suits couldn't stop Infantino, perhaps the boots might. I addressed a FIFPRO meeting in London in 2024 and suggested that the only way to decelerate the speeding treadmill of fixtures was for players to strike. Some agreed, so the threat is there.

Infantino wouldn't take on the players, especially those at the PFA so ably led by chief executive Maheta Molango. So one area of FIFA will be in check: adding to the calendar. But there are other areas that urgently need improving. Maybe if Infantino has realised how close he was to losing power, he might listen to the wiser voices within FIFA. Because football deserves a governing body that's fit for purpose, and that puts players and fans first.

Womens football

21. Greater investment to improve the women's game

Ayisha Gulati outlines four key points to help female football continue the superb progress made over recent years:

While women's football has experienced huge commercial growth, investment remains uneven and doesn't always translate into sustainable progress. Though the leading clubs in the Women's Super League benefit from better resources, high-profile sponsors and growing audiences, smaller clubs and leagues continue to operate with tighter budgets. That affects everything from player salaries and facilities to staffing, marketing and the ability to attract supporters.

The FIFPRO Global Employment Report released this year highlights the gap that exists between the sport's commercial ambitions and the reality for many players. Average club salaries have quadrupled since 2017, yet 59 per cent of surveyed players who were considering an early retirement cited finances.

Investment must also extend beyond signing players and securing sponsorships. Clubs need consistent marketing, compelling matchday experiences, engagement with their communities and creative fan activations to build loyal audiences. Without long-term investment right across the pyramid, growth risks benefiting only the biggest clubs, rather than strengthening the women's game as a whole.

Crowds

22. Grow crowds further

Increasing attendances are essential to commercial sustainability, but attracting fans remains a challenge. Kick-off times, fixture changes, transport links and affordability all influence whether supporters can attend regularly. Last term, the WSL experimented with a large number of Sunday lunchtime kick-offs, but many fans – especially families and away support – found a noon start difficult. TV selections can also move games at short notice.

The challenge is compounded by the cost of living, with the rising prices of ticket, travel, food and drink adding to matchday expense. Some clubs are moving games to their main stadium, but the atmosphere can feel flat when it isn't full, and isn't something people are drawn to when they watch on TV. For teams not playing at a club's main stadium, grounds are often less accessible by public transport.

Injuries

23. Better healthcare

Women's football needs healthcare and sports science that reflect the needs of female athletes. For too long, research and training methods have relied heavily on male athletes, leaving gaps in the understanding of female physiology, menstrual health, pregnancy and postpartum recovery, pelvic health and individual health factors. FIFA estimates that only six per cent of sports science research focuses exclusively on women.

ACL injuries are a major concern – female footballers experience them at more than twice the rate of male players, with the reasons why still not fully understood. Such injuries bring potential long-term consequences, with clubs lower down the pyramid sometimes unable to offer sufficient support. Better injury-prevention programmes, tailored strength and conditioning, specialist medical support and further female-specific research are essential.

Scheduling

24. Don't overdo the schedule

As women's football grows, the calendar is getting crowded, raising player welfare concerns. Domestic leagues, European club competitions and international tournaments must all fit into an increasingly limited number of available weeks. Research conducted by FIFPRO has highlighted the emergence of a two-speed game: some players face excessive match and travel demands, while others lack sufficient competitive football.

Its 2025 workload report found that the 15 most-used women's players had each played at least 50 matches in a season for the first time since its data collection began in 2020. The inaugural Women's Club World Cup, which is scheduled for January 2028 in the USA, will disrupt the WSL season – Arsenal have already qualified. It also sits between the 2027 Women's World Cup and 2028 Olympics – without coordination between governing bodies, leagues and clubs, players risk insufficient recovery time and more injuries.

Owners

25. No more leveraged buyouts

When the Glazers purchased Manchester United in 2005, they borrowed huge sums from hedge funds, loading the club with debts of £604m, and haven't exactly got the fans back on their side ever since.

Concerns were also raised when fellow American Alan Pace became Burnley's new owner in another leveraged buyout in 2020 – concerns fans voiced again when the Clarets slid out of the Premier League and into the Championship relegation zone at the start of this term. More must be done to stop a repeat from happening anywhere else – no takeover should be funded by loans the club must repay itself.

Corners

26. Ban short corners

If there's an easy way to wind up football fans, it's at a corner. First, the taker places the ball three millimetres outside the quadrant, prompting several seconds of furious pointing from opposition fans. Then, the referee spots two players pushing and shoving in the box, and decides what we all want is for him to pull them aside for an earnest chat while we sit around waiting.

Then after all that, the corner taker shapes to whip it in, only to play it short, and the set-piece passes by without the ball ever entering the penalty area at all. Resultant anger level among fans: absolute incandescent rage.

Away allocations

27. Proper away allocations for Old Firm games

Once again this season, there are no away fans at league games between Celtic and Rangers, following trouble at their Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox last term. It's the greatest rivalry in British football, but sectarianism continues to cast a shadow, prompting a level of toxicity that often gets out of control. FFT have been to Old Firm games when huge away followings have been present, and it's created an atmosphere unmatched pretty much anywhere else in the world.

Without them, it's not the same – a solution must be found to let them back in without it spiralling into violence. It may even help increase the value of Scottish football's TV deal, aiding everyone financially – the Old Firm duo included.

World Cups

28. A men's World Cup in the UK

The United Kingdom will host both Euro 2028 (alongside the Republic of Ireland) and the 2035 Women's World Cup, but it's 60 years since the last men's World Cup in England, with no sign of another any time soon.

True, new countries deserve a chance, but the selection of Qatar and Saudi Arabia was controversial to say the least – also soon, the USA, Germany, Spain and Argentina will have had it twice since 1966, while Mexico has had it three times. Come on FIFA, it's the UK's turn!

Influencers

29. Outlaw Piers Morgan talking about Ronaldo

Every time Cristiano Ronaldo gets involved in his latest controversy – because his manager has dared to leave him on the bench, or because his plan to bring walking football to the Nations League isn't proving as popular as intended – up pops Piers to defend him. We get it, Morgan isn't stupid, and staying onside with Ronaldo has had its benefits – explosive exclusive interviews have come his way, including the one that effectively ended the forward's second spell at Manchester United.

Come on though, Piers, Ronaldo is 41 now, but has been behaving as if he's 12 – when you're debating the subject with Jason Cundy and making the mask-wearing Ange Postecoglou imitator look like the sensible one (heartbreaking: the biggest wind-up merchant you know just made a great point), is it possible you're taking all of this a bit too far?

50+1

30. Learn from the Bundesliga

Ed McCambridge explains how British fans could be given a bigger say – as is the case in Germany:

From Gulf states using our beloved game for blatant sportswashing to sky-rocketing season ticket prices, it's hard not to wonder, like Ebenezer Scrooge at the end of A Christmas Carol, whether British football might have lost its way.

Wouldn't it be nice to live in a place where unscrupulous owners could be kept in check by a greater power? Where normal, hard-working fans could easily afford season tickets? Where there's still time to buy the prize turkey hanging in the butcher's window? Sorry, ignore that last one.

What if I were to tell you that this place already exists? In Germany, those dreams are largely a reality thanks to its sacrosanct 50+1 rule, stipulating that a club's paying members – the fans themselves – possess half of every club's voting rights, plus one deciding vote. That gives members – Bayern Munich have more than 450,000 – the ultimate say in major decisions, rather than investors. Financial backers are free to pump their hard-earned cash into clubs – crucially though, they cannot simply do as they please.

The 50+1 rule is the reason none of Germany's clubs were involved in the failed European Super League power grab in 2021. It's why the cheapest season ticket costs, on average, only €200 in Germany's top flight. It's also the reason German fan culture enjoys such an esteemed global reputation.

Stadiums are packed to the rafters every week with local diehards who genuinely feel connected to their club. Thanks to ticket price caps, they're just as often tradesmen, bus drivers and nurses as daytrippers or rich folk. If fans aren't happy about something at their club or the wider spectrum of German football, you'd better believe that they'll make their voices heard. They'll bring banners, fire flares, disrupt games and chant until their voices give out. They know their fuss can make a difference. Imagine if English fans could wield such power; if we truly believed that we could influence those at the top.

There are downsides to the way Germany operates. Many will point to Bayern's utter dominance as a result of other clubs being unable to organically bridge the financial gap – it turns out oligarchs and Gulf l states are less interested in throwing their money at something if absolute power doesn't come with it. The Premier League is more competitive and home to better players. It's also worth noting that a few German clubs, notably RB Leipzig, have found creative ways to circumvent the rules.

I'd be loath to suggest that English football considers adopting its own 50+1 rule. The legal wranglings alone would make it impossible. But adopting some of German football's common sense is worthwhile.

One example, thanks to the new independent regulator, has been to provide fans with a legally binding ‘golden share' over heritage decisions such as badge alterations, kit colour changes or joining unauthorised competitions (European Super League, we're looking at you again).

Mandating fan representation on club boards would also ensure supporter interests are integrated into executive decision-making. On top of that, Premier League clubs must expand safe standing sections, prioritising atmosphere over profits and outdated laws.

Those solutions take the best of both worlds – keeping the Premier League as powerful, glamorous and entertaining as it's been for the past 25 years, while lighting a fire under fanbases and giving English football some of its soul back.

The Premier League needn't go overboard and start dancing down the street like Michael Caine in his bedgown, but we could try to be a bit more caring. A bit more German.

Can you tell us the answer to this quiz question?

Tell us a player who could appear on this list and why: Jens Lehmann, Rogerio Ceni, Antonios Nikopolidis and David Seaman.

We'll reveal the answer this time next week when we reach the next edition of The Pre-Match Poser – for now, here's the answer to last week's poser…

Q. What do Erling Haaland, Robert Pires, Jamie Vardy – and actually, Roque Santa Cruz – all have in common?

A. They all scored Premier League hat-tricks in the same game as someone else.

Haaland netted three in the same Manchester derby as Phil Foden; Pires scored his treble alongside Jermaine Pennant for the first game of Arsenal’s invincible run; Vardy and team-mate Ayoze Perez both scored hat-tricks in the infamous 9-0 rout of Southampton; and Santa Cruz scored three for Blackburn Rovers against Wigan Athletic – though opponent Marcus Bent also scored three goals that day.

More football quizzes we know you'll love

While you're mulling over this week's pre-match poser, we have many more quizzes to keep those quizzy muscles working, courtesy of Kwizly.

Let's start with our new Premier League Years Picture Quiz. We've selected some of our favourite iconic Premier League moments and we want you to identify which season they occurred in. We've picked out some famous photographs to help grease the wheels.

We had a major international tournament in the summer and a very newsworthy Ballon d'Or winner crowned in the autumn. Those two things have only happened together 18 times. Can you name every player to have won the Ballon d'Or in a World Cup year?

That's the good. Now for the bad and the ugly. We've had three and a half decades of Premier League action now so there are lots of answers to find in this one. Can you name every player to have been sent off three times in England's top division since 1992-93?

We do love a crossword too. Et toi? Bon! Try your luck with FourFourTwo’s Weekend Crossword 77, where you'll find clues on tricks, trequartistas, Trents and much more.

Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for your daily briefing of hand-picked trivia and tactical analysis and then join The Club, our free membership hub that serves as your digital dugout, where you can unlock secret hints for our hardest quizzes, climb global leaderboards, and debate the latest topics directly in the comments section.

Chelsea bounced back from their disappointing home defeat to rivals Tottenham Hotspur with a solid 2-0 home triumph over Manchester United last weekend. Xabi Alonso has now overseen five wins and three defeats in his opening nine league matches. It’s been a topsy-turvy start to life in his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.

It perhaps is no coincidence, then, that three of their five wins have come with Romeo Lavia in the starting XI. The Belgian started his fifth league match of the season in the victory last weekend. It marked the first time the 22-year-old has played the full 90 minutes in the Premier League game since his 2023 arrival from Southampton.

“It was a top-class performance. His performance was very complete from a midfielder’s point of view,” the Chelsea head coach said. From an individual as talented as Alonso was in his playing days, it was high praise indeed.

Romeo Lavia must stay in Xabi Alonso's Chelsea XI

The issue for Lavia, though, has so often been the inability to remain fit for prolonged periods of time. Saturday marked just his 20th top-flight start since making the move to the capital. He’s already bettered last season’s haul of four league starts. Yet when fit, the former Saints man showcased just why he has had the faith of managers, both past and present.

Operating at the base of the 4-2-3-1 setup, Alonso needs a player who is able to both retain possession and advance play effectively. As he proved against Man United, Lavia does so to a very good standard. An 88.9% pass success rate was the fifth highest of all Chelsea starters in that game, while only Wesley Fofana (76) made more passes (72).

Only Morgan Rogers, Estevao and Cole Palmer (3 each) created more chances than Lavia's two, who was credited with the assist for the former’s opener. Admittedly, Rogers did all the hard work as he slalomed through the Man United midfield and finished with aplomb. Nevertheless, it was a commendable haul from Lavia, who prior to the win had created just two chances in the previous six league outings combined.

Admittedly, Lisandro Martinez’s dismissal midway through the second half helped the Blues' cause. That they were able to maximise their numerical advantage is testament to Chelsea’s in-game management under Alonso.

It proved Lavia is more than just a tempo-setter in the middle of the park. After all, he finished top for tackles (5) and second for interceptions (4) of all Chelsea players last weekend. The youngster maintained a 100% tackle success rate in the home triumph.

Some might assume that Lavia and Moises Caicedo will compete for the same position in the team, but that would be a common misconception. Both carried out their own individual roles in the win over Michael Carrick’s men, as Caicedo fared slightly better in possession, which in turn enabled Chelsea to dominate proceedings.

Either way, it was a partnership that worked well together, and one that supporters surely hope provides the midfield foundation for the west London side going forward. That will only come to fruition, however, should Lavia completely overcome his injury issues. A lack of European action will aid the player, with lower demands on his body to play once every three days.

In the end, it was a stroke of luck that brought Lavia back into the fold. Read misfortune, if you’re Chelsea or summer transfer target Lamine Camara. The Blues agreed a fee with Monaco for the Senegal international, only for the French side to pull the plug on the deal at the last minute as striker Folarin Balogun closed in a switch to Everton. The American’s move fell through, and it meant Monaco were stuck with the pair, which, due to financial issues, was far from ideal.

Chelsea’s loss has since proven to be Lavia’s gain. Keeping him fit in the long-run is now the priority. Yet, with Alonso seemingly managing his workload accordingly, and praising him following the standout display against Man United, Chelsea’s failure to get the Camara deal over the line could, ultimately, prove their gain, too.

Lavia had become something of a forgotten man in Cobham, as he spent ample time in the physio room. Saturday proved a timely reminder of his quality and showed why, when available, he should be Caicedo’s midfield partner in Alonso’s favoured setup.

For two decades, Danny Murphy enjoyed a hugely successful playing career, winning a host of major honours with Liverpool and earning nine England caps.

Since hanging up his boots in 2013, the former Crewe Alexandra academy graduate has become a familiar face in the media, making regular appearances for the BBC on television and radio.

And while Murphy has found his groove as a pundit, there are some broadcasting avenues that he has no desire to go down.

Why you won’t see Danny Murphy in sequins

Ratings-behemoth Strictly Come Dancing is one of the BBC’s most popular shows and has seen plenty of sports stars swap the playing field for the ballroom in recent years.

Former Lionesses star Karen Carney became the first ex-footballer to claim the glitterball last year, while Shaun Wright-Phillips bowed out five weeks into the current series.

But any fans wanting to see Murphy swap the commentary box for the sequins and become the latest ex-player to strut his stuff on the dancefloor will be left disappointed.

“I’ve turned Strictly down twice,” Murphy tells FourFourTwo. “I enjoy a good dance, but I’m not into sequins and I’ve got a busy life – it had nothing to do with money.”

For some sporting personalities, appearing on Strictly has been a way to show off a different side of themselves, but Murphy is content to leave this particular challenge to others.

Instead, the ex-Fulham and Tottenham man simply knows where his interests lie and does not feel the need to step out of his comfort zone and into the Strictly limelight.

“For me, the less limelight, the better,” he continues. “I love talking about football, it’s the one area in life that I feel I know something about.”

This preference for sticking to his strengths is why Murphy rejects the idea of taking on an entirely new challenge in front of millions of viewers.

“Crossing over to do something that isn’t my strong point? It’s not for me,” he concludes.

Watch Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City for FREE as Enzo Maresca's side look to bounce back after suffering consecutive defeats in the Premier League. FourFourTwo has all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Forest manager Oliver Glasner admitted "change" was needed after last Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Brentford, which left the club 19th in the Premier League and winless in five matches.

City head coach Maresca would also have been looking at what he could do differently following their home loss to Brighton & Hove Albion seven days ago, a result that saw them surrender top spot to Arsenal.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City online and from anywhere, including for free, in this Saturday-evening Premier League clash.

Can I watch Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City for free?

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City isn't technically available to watch for free, but there is a way that viewers in the US can stream the game at no cost.

NBC has live coverage in the States and is available on YouTube TV, which currently comes with a 21-day free trial for new customers.

Outside the US? Use a VPN to access your free Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City stream from anywhere in the world.

Watch Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City from anywhere

What if you're away from home when Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City is on, and find access to your usual streaming service geo-blocked? The solution is a VPN, a piece of software that sets your devices to appear to be in any country in the world.

FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate Proton VPN as one of the best for unlocking streams. Plus they have a MEGA Black Friday deal right now:

How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City in the UK

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City is live on Sky Sports in the UK.

Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League will have live coverage of the Premier League clash, which kicks-off at 5:30pm GMT.

Outside the UK? Unlock your Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City stream on Sky Sports via Proton VPN.

How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City in the US

As mentioned above, NBC is showing Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City in the US.

The game is also live on Peacock, NBC's streaming platform, with kick-off at 12:30pm ET.

Remember: Use Proton VPN to unlock your Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City stream on NBC if you're away from home.

How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City in Australia

Fans in Australia can stream Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City on Stan Sport. Kick-off is at 4:30am AEDT on Sunday.

Not in Australia? Proton VPN will unblock your Stan Sport stream of Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City.

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Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City: Preview

Oliver Glasner admitted this week that he has "failed" as Nottingham Forest manager so far, with his side second-bottom of the Premier League and on a five-match winless run.

The Austrian head coach has fronted up since last Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Brentford and he will hope it sparks a reaction from his players in this Saturday-evening clash with Manchester City.

If Forest get a result, they will go into the international break with renewed belief that they can get out of trouble, but another loss would only increase the pressure on Glasner.

Striker Igor Jesus could return from injury, but this game comes too soon for Nicolo Savona as he works his way back to fitness. Meanwhile, Nicolas Dominguez will be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

SEE ALSO How to watch Premier League 2026/27: TV Guide, Streams & Fixtures

City were made to work hard for their 3-2 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League in midweek, with Enzo Maresca's side twice pegged back before Erling Haaland scored the winner 12 minutes from time.

They will need to be similarly resilient against Forest as they look to bounce back from consecutive league defeats against Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion, which followed seven successive wins to start the season.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is under the microscope after making several errors that led to goals, but the Italian is expected to retain the No.1 shirt. Elliot Anderson is also set to return to the City Ground for the first time since his £116m move from Forest in July.

Elsewhere, Maresca has revealed that left-back Nico O'Reilly is "not 100 per cent" so could be a fitness doubt.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Nottingham Forest 0-1 Manchester City

Neither team is in great form, so we are predicting a closely-fought contest that falls in City's favour.

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Watch Altrincham vs Notts County for free as the National League side welcome League One opponents in the FA Cup 2026/27 First Round. FourFourTwo has all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

The Robins are flying high in the National League and reached the First Round in style, thumping FC United of Manchester 6-2 in the Fourth Qualifying Round.

Notts County are 17th in League One, two levels above their hosts in the pyramid, and have recently claimed eye-catching wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Mansfield Town.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Altrincham vs Notts County in the FA Cup 2026/27 First Round online, on TV, and from anywhere, including for free.

Can I watch Altrincham vs Notts County for free?

Yes! Altrincham vs Notts County will be shown live on free-to-air BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in the UK.

You must be a UK resident and have a valid TV licence to access BBC iPlayer. If you do, just sign up online and you're good to go!

Outside the UK? You need a VPN to access your free Altrincham vs Notts County stream from anywhere in the world.

Watch Altrincham vs Notts County from anywhere

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How to watch Altrincham vs Notts County in the UK

As mentioned above, Altrincham vs Notts County will be broadcast live and for free on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in the UK.

TNT Sports and streaming partner HBO Max will also show the game, with coverage on TNT Sports 1. Kick-off is at 5:30pm GMT.

Travelling outside the UK? You need a VPN to access your TNT Sports stream from anywhere in the world.

How to watch Altrincham vs Notts County in the US

Viewers in the US can watch Altrincham vs Notts County on ESPN Select, with kick-off at 12:30pm ET.

Not in the US? Access your usual ESPN Select stream with a VPN.

How to watch Altrincham vs Notts County in Australia

Altrincham vs Notts County is being shown live in Australia on Stan Sport.

UK resident in Australia? Watch Altrincham vs Notts County on BBC iPlayer with a VPN.

Altrincham vs Notts County: Preview

FA Cup fever has taken hold at Altrincham as the Robins prepare to welcome League One side Notts County to the J. Davidson Stadium in the First Round.

The National League team will be confident they can spring a shock against a club who sit 38 places above them in the pyramid, with their strong home form underpinning a promising start to the season that has Neil Gibson's men seventh in the table.

The Robins are looking for their first win over an EFL side since 2015, when they dumped out Barnsley, while they have not reached the Second Round since 2019.

Altrincham boast several former County players, including Tom Crawford, Kristian Dennis, Kane Hemmings, Jack Hinchy and Jimmy Knowles. Meanwhile, Gibson has added former Hull City forward Pharrell Brown to his squad ahead of the cup clash.

SEE ALSO How to watch FA Cup 2026/27

The Magpies are part of a small collection of former winners to enter at this stage of the competition, having lifted the FA Cup way back in 1894.

As the oldest professional club in the world, County have a proud history but the days of battling at the business end of this competition are long gone, having not progressed beyond the Fifth Round since 1991.

Martin Paterson's current crop are looking to consolidate in League One after winning promotion via the play-offs last term, and they have stabilised after a bad patch, most recently beating local rivals Mansfield Town last Saturday.

It will be interesting to see how much Paterson rotates his squad, with goalkeeper James Belshaw and defenders Jacob Bedeau and Lucas Ness ever-presents in the third tier this season. Ollie Cooper has proved a useful source of goals from midfield, with four in 10 appearances this term.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Altrincham 1-2 Notts County

The Magpies are in good form, so we are predicting them to edge a tight game.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

During her playing career, Jill Scott was never one to back out of a challenge.

The Euro 2022 winner won a slew of major honours with Everton and Manchester City, but can now be found getting stuck in with the likes of Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Ian Wright and Jamie Carragher in front of the camera for The Overlap.

The Lionesses legend quickly became a staple of the successful YouTube channel, giving as good as she gets with the gaggle of former Premier League stars.

Scott on giving it back on The Overlap

Scott admits that the atmosphere around the table can get so relaxed that she can sometimes forget she’s appearing in front of an audience. Rather than feeling like another television commitment, getting together with her co-presenters is more like a catch-up with old friends.

“I actually forget that people are watching and listening – I’m just excited because I haven’t seen the guys for a couple of weeks,” she tells FourFourTwo.

“I’m like, ‘Let’s have your opinions on football’, but it’s just like chatting with your mates. I love it.”

Scott believes that this chemistry between the team, and the panel’s different backgrounds, have been key to the show’s success.

“All of our relationships are different,” she continues. “I’d describe it as like siblings in a way. I like that they’ve got big personalities, because that’s when they get into arguments.

“But what I love, and I think it’s their generation, is that you can say something that someone doesn’t agree with, but then walk away and still be the best of mates. That’s how football should be.

“When I played, you could be playing against your best mate in an FA Cup final and one of you would win, then the next day you’d go back to being best friends.”

And while Scott is quick to embrace the friendly arguments and differences of opinion in the studio, she can’t help but think back to her playing days, and believes that the women’s game’s reputation for being less confrontational than its male counterparts is wide of the mark.

“People think that in women’s football we didn’t have banter, but I actually think it’s more ruthless than in men’s football,” she insists. “I could tell you plenty of stories from my playing days, but they wouldn’t make it into the magazine! If you don’t know someone and they’re saying things to try to bring you down, then it crosses into bullying.

“But we’re friends, and I give it back to them just as much. I actually feel like I get more leeway sometimes, being female. I love that they feel relaxed and anything that’s said, I always know it’s in jest.”

Watch Fulham vs Newcastle United for free as under-pressure Magpies manager Matthias Jaissle takes his side to Craven Cottage in the Premier League. FourFourTwo has all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

The Cottagers have picked up form after a slow start under Alvaro Arbeloa, taking seven points from their past three Premier League games.

They are two points and two places below the Magpies but their opponents are not on a good run, with Jaissle's men losing four of their past five matches in all competitions.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Fulham vs Newcastle United online and from anywhere, including for free, on matchweek 10 of the 2026/27 Premier League season.

Watch Fulham vs Newcastle United for FREE

Fans in the US can stream Fulham vs Newcastle United for free thanks to YouTube TV's 21-day free trial, which carries USA Network — the US broadcaster of this game.

Outside the US? Use Proton VPN to unblock your free Fulham vs Newcastle United stream from anywhere in the world.

Is Fulham vs Newcastle United on TV in the UK?

Fulham vs Newcastle United is not being televised in the UK. The game kicks off on Saturday at 3pm, a time when football matches cannot legally be broadcast in the UK. This is known as the '3pm blackout'.

Outside the UK, the game is available in virtually every country across the globe. If you're visiting the UK, you can use Proton VPN to access your usual coverage.

Watch Fulham vs Newcastle United from anywhere

Away from home right now? You don't have to miss Fulham vs Newcastle United.

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How to watch Fulham vs Newcastle United in the US

As mentioned above, Fulham vs Newcastle United is live on USA Network in the US. Kick-off is at 10:00am ET.

Outside of the US? Use Proton VPN to access your Fulham vs Newcastle United stream.

How to watch Fulham vs Newcastle United in Australia

Fans in Australia can watch Fulham vs Newcastle United live on Stan Sport. The game kicks-off at 2:00am AEDT on Sunday.

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Fulham vs Newcastle United: Preview

This time last month, it looked possible that Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa might not still be in charge come the November international break. However, some big results in the past three weeks have put the Spaniard on steadier ground.

Back-to-back wins over Hull City and Coventry City were followed by an impressive draw at Aston Villa last Saturday, in which the Cottagers came from behind to take a point against one of the Premier League's form sides.

The visit of out-of-form Newcastle United is a great opportunity to continue their good run and Arbeloa has nearly a full squad to pick from, with Tom Cairney the only injury absentee.

Ryan Sessegnon returns after serving a three-match suspension for his red card against Hull, while forward Josh King will hope to celebrate his first call-up to England's senior squad with a match-winning performance.

SEE ALSO How to watch Premier League 2026/27: TV Guide, Streams & Fixtures

It has already been a week to forget for Newcastle, with Monday's 1-0 limp home defeat by Everton followed by the bizarre news that defender Amar Dedic had been stopped by police after being spotted carrying a bow and arrows at a beauty spot in the North East.

There was no ill intention from the full-back, but it was hardly the sort of story that boss Matthias Jaissle would have wanted ahead of a big game at the weekend.

Despite a run of four defeats in the past six Premier League matches, Newcastle could head into the international break into the top half of the table if they beat Fulham. However, a defeat would see them leapfrogged by their opponents and increase the pressure on Jaissle.

Newcastle are missing Joelinton through injury, while Matias Fernandez-Pardo is doubtful and Jacob Ramsey is suspended.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Fulham 1-0 Newcastle United

The Cottagers have improved of late and could edge a tight game.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Watch Arsenal vs Hull City from anywhere as the Gunners look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League, with FourFourTwo bringing you all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Arsenal's 1-0 victory at Liverpool last Sunday saw them leapfrog Manchester City at the top of the table, with the champions starting the day three points ahead of their title rivals.

The Tigers are winless in seven league matches but they have drawn five of those, keeping them firmly in mid-table.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Arsenal vs Hull City in the 2026/27 Premier League online and from anywhere in the world.

Is Arsenal vs Hull City on TV in the UK?

Arsenal vs Hull City is not being televised in the UK. The game kicks off on Saturday at 3pm, a time when football matches cannot legally be broadcast in the UK. This is known as the '3pm blackout'.

If you're visiting the UK from a country with live coverage of Arsenal vs Hull City, you can use Proton VPN to access your usual broadcast.

Watch Arsenal vs Hull City from anywhere

What if you're away from home when Arsenal vs Hull City is on, and find access to your usual streaming service geo-blocked? The solution is a VPN, a piece of software that makes your devices appear to be in any country in the world.

FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate Proton VPN as one of the best for unlocking streams...

How to watch Arsenal vs Hull City in the US

Arsenal vs Hull City is live on Peacock in the US, with kick-off at 10:00am ET.

Outside of the US? Use Proton VPN to watch the Premier League clash on Peacock.

How to watch Arsenal vs Hull City in Australia

Viewers in Australia can watch Arsenal vs Hull City live on Stan Sport. Kick-off is at 2:00am AEDT on Sunday morning.

Visiting the UK from Australia? Proton VPN can unblock your Stan Sport stream of the game.

Tickets

Arsenal vs Hull City: Preview

Arsenal's statement win at Liverpool last Sunday has put them in pole position in the Premier League once more — and they will see the visit of Hull City as a great chance to cement their place at the summit.

Kai Havertz's first-half goal was enough to claim all three points at Anfield as the champions capitalised on Manchester City's home defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion 24 hours earlier.

Mikel Arteta made six changes for Wednesday's 2-1 Champions League victory at Slavia Prague and you would expect a similar number for their clash with the Tigers.

This could see centre back William Saliba make his first appearance of the season after recovering from a back issue, but wingers Bukayo Saka and Max Dowman are unavailable through injury and suspension respectively.

SEE ALSO Football fixture calendar for the 2026/27 season

Hull City fans have fond memories of the Emirates Stadium thanks to their side's memorable 2-1 victory in North London in September 2008, during their first-ever season in the top flight.

However, they have had little to cheer in matches against the Gunners since then, with their side drawing two and losing 12 of their 14 meetings.

The Tigers have proved hard to beat this season, with just two Premier League defeats to their name, but they will need to be much better than they were on their previous trip to the capital, a 1-0 loss to Fulham last month.

Hull are missing the suspended Matt Crooks and injured midfielder Hidemasa Morita, while Arsenal academy graduate Brooke Norton-Cuffy could face his former club.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Arsenal 2-0 Hull City

The Gunners will be expected to dominate possession and should have the quality to unlock the Tigers' defence.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Gary Neville has never been accused of lacking ambition.

After a playing career spent chasing trophies with Manchester United and compiling international caps with England, the 51-year-old has since built a successful business portfolio and established himself as one of English football’s most distinctive broadcasters.

This drive also saw him set up his YouTube channel The Overlap five years ago, and with the product evolving to now include a daily podcast, Neville is proving that he has taken his competitive instincts from the pitch to the boardroom.

Neville on his ambitions for The Overlap

When he launched The Overlap in 2021, Neville had a clear idea of where he wanted it to go.

“When we started five years ago, I did say that I felt I wanted it to be the biggest non-live independent football channel,” Neville tells FourFourTwo.

“But that’s just a statement. You have to have ambition, you have to believe in it, you have to take risks and you have to be entrepreneurial. You have to bring people on the journey with you, and you have to bring partners and stakeholders. We’ve done that, but I don’t ever take that for granted.”

In doing this, Neville has brought the same approach that served him so well during his playing days.

“Playing football, it’s a fight every single day to win, to be the best that you can be and I think it’s still like that when you’re doing this,” he continues.

“We’ve known for two years that we wanted to bring out a daily podcast, but what really hit us was that we recorded Stick To Football on a Wednesday, it goes out on a Thursday, then on the Monday at 10am, Ruben Amorim got sacked and we weren’t on for 10 days. I thought ‘That doesn’t feel right, we should be on’.

“When we’re on, we’re good at talking about things like that, but we’d never do ‘an emergency show’ that’s not scheduled. The daily show allows us to be more reactive, the line-ups are incredible and we’ve been very excited about it. From day one, whether it’s been the guests or the hosts, we’ve wanted to operate at a high standard and have a high bar for ourselves.”

Just like that, our time with the ever busy Neville is up, and he’s ready to head off and attack the next part of his day. We can’t help but ask one final question though, before he goes.

One of the recent things Neville squeezed into his busy diary was a Q&A with the band James, at the premiere of their new documentary. What’s his favourite James song, FFT asks?

“Getting Away With It,” Neville says. “Because that’s what I’ve been doing for all these years.” The answer is accompanied by a self-deprecating smile. Then like that, he’s off.

Watch Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur for free from anywhere, as Roberto De Zerbi's side travel to Elland Road looking to claim their fourth successive win in the Premier League. FourFourTwo has all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Leeds are beginning to slide down the table after a five-match winless run, so three points would be very welcome indeed for Daniel Farke's men ahead of the international break.

They face a Spurs side on the opposite trajectory, with the visitors experiencing something of a revival after winning three games in a row. They also have fond recent memories of Elland Road, having won their last three fixtures there 2-1, 4-1 and 4-0.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur online and from anywhere, including for free, in this Premier League Saturday-lunchtime kick-off.

Watch Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur for FREE

If you''re in the US you can watch Leeds vs Tottenham for free thanks to YouTube TV's 21-day free trial, which carries USA Network.

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Watch Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur from anywhere

What if you're away from home when Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur is on, and find access to your usual streaming service geo-blocked? The solution is a VPN, a piece of software that sets your devices to appear to be in any country in the world.

FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate Proton VPN as one of the best for unlocking streams. Plus they have a MEGA Black Friday deal right now:

How to watch Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur in the UK

Fans in the UK can watch live coverage of Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur on TNT Sports.

The Premier League clash is being shown on TNT Sports 1 and its streaming platform HBO Max, with kick-off at 12:30pm GMT.

HBO Max plans that include TNT start at £25.99/month with TNT also available to add to your Sky, Virgin Media or EE packages.

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How to watch Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur in the US

As mentioned above, USA Network will show Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur live in the US. Kick-off is at 7:30am ET.

USA Network is a linear channel, so you will need a cord-cutting package. YouTube TV (5-day free trial), DirecTV Stream (5-day free trial), Hulu+Live TV (3-day free trial) and Sling Blue all carry USA Network.

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How to watch Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur in Australia

Viewers in Australia can stream Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur on Stan Sport, with kick-off at 11:30pm AEDT.

Stan Sport comes in at just AU$29.99 (£15.70). That also gets you live coverage of every single Premier League, Champions League and Europa League game.

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Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur: Preview

It is not yet panic stations at Elland Road, but if Leeds United fail to beat Tottenham Hotspur then their wait for a Premier League win will stretch beyond two months — and that would be concerning.

Daniel Farke's side have lost just two of their nine league games, but a five-match winless run has made the locals restless, even if the manager himself still appears relaxed about the situation.

Their bid for a first victory over Spurs since 2021 has been hampered by injuries to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor and Anton Stach, with all three players doubtful for the visit of the North London club.

However, James Justin and Gabriel Gudmundsson are available, while key defender Joe Rodon could make his first appearance since August after recovering from a hamstring issue.

SEE ALSO How to watch Premier League 2026/27: TV Guide for Matchweek 10

While Leeds have begun to fade after a strong start, Spurs have rocketed up the table to ease fears of another season battling at the wrong end of the table.

After beating Coventry City, Chelsea and Crystal Palace, Tottenham are now looking to win four successive Premier League games for the first time since October 2023 as their revival under Roberto De Zerbi gathers pace.

Spurs could be boosted by the returns from injury of Savio, Tosin Adarabioyo and Lucas Bergvall, while Rodrigo Bentancur is available after serving his three-match suspension for his red card at Manchester United last month.

Attacking players Mykhailo Mudryk, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert remain sidelined.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Leeds United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Farke's side have been draw specialists this season and we can see that continuing against Spurs.

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Stepping inside Harrogate Town's training ground, the music feels like some sort of sign from up above. A premonition of what's about to happen.

The lyrics of A-ha's classic 1980s track Take On Me hit FourFourTwo with more significance than ever before. Blaring out as we approach the office door of manager Simon Weaver, surely this can't be a coincidence. “Take on me, take me on,” the pop icons croon.

Admittedly, it seems unlikely that the longest-serving boss in English football's top five tiers has invited us to the outskirts of Leeds to see whether we're suitable to join his coaching team full-time. But invitations to shadow a manager with such access are so rare – he's allowing us to spend time with him, and even sit in the dugout for this weekend's National League game with Eastleigh – there's a glimmer of hope that he's harbouring a secret agenda.

After all, on some level, most football fans believe they could be a success as a manager or coach. While making it big as a player might be the childhood dream, that's quickly extinguished upon the realisation we're not particularly talented at kicking a ball. In contrast, the average fan's belief they can set up a winning team is everlasting. So maybe Weaver has spotted something in us?

Natural born manager

Weaver himself must have had that same feeling when, back in 2009, he applied for the vacant manager's job at Harrogate. As a 31-year-old ex-pro who'd suffered three leg breaks during his career, he knew his time as a player was coming to an end, despite recently captaining Ilkeston Town to promotion to Conference North, the same division in which Harrogate were plying their trade. There were opportunities to carry on playing, but it was just too tempting to take his first step in a direction he'd always seemed destined for.

“At school, I was always picking the football team or planning tactics on my notepad instead of doing work, or picking the England team in my head,” Weaver recalls to FFT. “It was actually my brother who said to me in my 20s that because of the way I talked about the game and thought about it, I was probably going to be a better manager than a player. I got my coaching qualifications because of that.”

That grounding held the former Lincoln City centre-back in good stead. Living in nearby Wetherby, his application for the Harrogate job included a breakdown of his contacts in the local area and his ideas for the club. It was that attention to detail that got him the nod. He's been the club's manager ever since.

Within minutes in Weaver's company, it's clear he hasn't lost his attention to detail in the 17 years since. As he shows us around the training ground, which they share with Rothwell Juniors, he points out the things the club have done to get the most out of the facilities.

From the coffee machine he bought and the seat covers his wife put on the chairs in the communal area, to the makeshift gym created in the corridor and training pitch standards they've instilled since moving in, Weaver's job is more than simply the playing side.

That's been the same for his entire tenure, which started when Harrogate had only two players – two years later, Weaver's father Irving bought the club, and together they took the team to the Football League, where they remained for six years before relegation last term.

This October, Weaver bought out his dad's stake, together with businessman Jonathan Blezard, meaning that the club's manager is also now co-owner.

Attempting to bounce back to the EFL at the first attempt, it was a promising start to the current campaign for the Sulphurites, whose nickname refers to the sulphur springs that feed the town's spa. Back-to-back defeats in the two games before our visit have threatened to derail that early promise, though.

After showing us around, Weaver must dash to complete the final prep before the home match with Eastleigh. The players are coming in to go through the plan for the contest, and it's the manager's job to let captain Warren Burrell know he won't be starting.

“I always have those chats before we do the pre-match session,” Weaver says. “You don't want someone finding out they're not in the team when it comes up on screen in front of everyone, so I like to let them know before and explain the reasons why. From the first day, I've always wanted to be straight, look at people and manage them as I'd want to be managed.”

That hasn't always been the way. Not so many years ago, it was common for players to have no warning until the team was revealed, even ahead of some of the biggest games of their career. “Going back to my day, you'd walk outside and it would be, ‘Right, this is the team, everyone else, over there,'” explains Weaver's long-time assistant Paul Thirlwell, formerly a player with Sunderland, Sheffield United and Derby in the 1990s and 2000s.

“The day before a game, you know if you're getting called to the manager's office, nine times out of 10 it's not good news. In the 10 years I've worked here though, I don't think we've ever left out a player who's not been given the whys. It's exhausting, but in a good way – with all the things that he [Weaver] has to do already, he also needs to tell people why they aren't in the team. It's another 45 minutes of your morning.”

Learning from Big Ron

While Burrell is told he's been dropped before the team meeting, replacement Grant Horton won't know beforehand that he's got the nod. Weaver believes it gives the player put in the team a boost to see their name up there.

It's especially significant this time – the Eastleigh game will be Horton's first league start of the season and only his third since joining the club in January. That swap won't be what Weaver and his staff home in on as their pre-match briefing gets underway, though. As the players pull up seats and gather around the screen in the bar-turned-briefing room, the initial focus is all on Eastleigh.

They're shown how their opposition are expected to line up, with Eastleigh's strengths and weaknesses highlighted, before a series of clips from previous games is shown to illustrate how they'll play. Weaver's instructions are succinct and to the point. There's no time for overloading the players with details.

He runs through the Spitfires' attacking moves and shows examples of how to beat their press, before handing over to goalkeeper coach Phil Priestley to demonstrate plans for defensive set-pieces. To round off the session, coach Josh Falkingham takes to the screen, running through some attacking set-piece routines – including examples from Brighton's recent Premier League win over Arsenal.

Using Falkingham, a newly qualified A Licence coach who spent eight years as Harrogate captain before retiring in 2025, to talk about more innovative ideas is a deliberate ploy. It's not only about mixing up the number of voices passing on messages to the squad, but also a clear distinction between sessions that are building up familiarity with consistent team tactics, and others with new approaches.

After Thirlwell carries out small group instructions for the back four, midfield and front three, the players head outside to walk through what they've just been shown. FFT are handed a Harrogate coat to look the part on the training pitch. If we looked like an outsider before, we're feeling like one of the gang now.

Out on the grass, Weaver is quiet and studious, letting Falkingham and Thirlwell lead training. It's part of the plan to take a backwards step, and although it hasn't always been the way throughout his 17 years in charge, he prefers to say as little as possible once his briefing is done.

Weaver's experience has taught him that messages from a manager carry more weight than from the rest of the coaching team and can cause players to overthink what's been said, or put more emphasis on those comments than other instructions. It's a move that also protects the allure of the boss, ensuring that when he speaks, his words have maximum impact.

It's one of several techniques Weaver has added to his managerial armoury since starting out. It's been a gradual evolution, and while he recognises the importance of maintaining certain values, he believes adaptability is his most important trait.

“When I look back, it was probably a bit cringeworthy when I started, because I tried to do everything and be like, ‘Oh, I'm this new kid on the block, I've got to be like this or that,'” he says. “I'd played under a series of managers and had various ideas, but because I became a manager suddenly, it took me a while to get my flow.

“In some respects, I'm glad I did it that way, but in other respects, it would probably have been easier if I'd coached in a team for a couple of years, made mistakes and thought, ‘Oh, that's me.'”

The 48-year-old drew inspiration from several sources, including his former Lincoln boss Keith Alexander, plus the Sheffield Wednesday sides of Howard Wilkinson and Ron Atkinson he watched from the Hillsborough terraces as a kid. It wasn't necessarily the playing styles he took, as much as the camaraderie and atmosphere they created.

That influence is clear after spending a day at the training ground. Weaver has mentioned on several occasions about the “edge” that closeness will give the side in the toughest moments, but it's more than a slogan. The core of the squad and the backroom staff is built around long-servers who have lived Harrogate's story.

“Sometimes I've been to grounds and seen values plastered up everywhere, but it's people who carry them out or not – that defines a culture,” Weaver reasons. “I always wanted really good people around me to carry that out. I realised in my first year that you can't just do it all yourself, everybody's got to be on board with that.”

"Meat and veg, Gaffer?"

The proof of the pudding for this group will be matchday. A third successive defeat would puncture their early season hope and spread doubt about Weaver's new-look team. But as FFT arrive at the ground early on Saturday, at the same time as the players, there is a relaxed feeling among the squad.

Harrogate's Wetherby Road home has enjoyed its own transformation in the time Weaver has been in charge, from a quintessential non-league outpost that hosted a few hundred every week to a ground that comfortably houses several thousand. New stands, adorned with pictures of past glories, now surround the pitch, alongside upgraded facilities.

The home dressing room is also smartly decked out, with motivational messages hung all around. It's there that Weaver addresses his players an hour-and-a-half ahead of kick-off, taking a couple of minutes to repeat the main messages of the day before. Once more, he avoids giving too much information, keeping it simple and to the point.

The important work has been done in the week, so once he's had his say, Weaver hands over to his coaches for the warm-ups. He keeps out of the way, busying himself by chatting to opposition boss Matt Gray and the referee assessor, and then does something FFT has never seen a manager do this close to kick-off – heading into the hospitality section to take part in a Q&A.

Standing in front of a trolley full of meat, veg and Yorkshire puddings, Weaver takes the mic to discuss his team selection and analyse the match – the one he'll be in the dugout for in less than 30 minutes' time.

After some schmoozing with club patrons, he finally heads back to the dressing room at 2.50pm for one last gee-up of the players. Strangely enough, he forgets to mention one important detail before sending the players out. There'll be a new face in the dugout for today's game… FFT.

Weaver has invited us to sit on the bench alongside the subs, physios and the rest of the coaching team for the entirety of the match. We'll be dressed in our club jacket again, albeit in the far corner at the back of the dugout – ergo, the least high-profile spot available.

If we had any visions of making tactical small talk and sharing some genius that changes the game, they're quickly scuppered. Weaver and Thirlwell prefer standing out at the edge of the technical area throughout, meaning we'd have to speak incredibly loudly to get our opinions heard. That's probably a good thing, because the speed of play at pitchside and a host of other things going on along the touchline make it hard to form much meaningful insight.

What we do spot, though, is Harrogate taking the lead early on, with a low cross by Lewis Cass flummoxing Eastleigh keeper Josh Jeffries, who can only paw it into the path of Brad Dolaghan to poke home from close range. It's 1-0, but we're still getting our bearings.

The pace doesn't slow for the rest of the half. Weaver and Thirlwell regularly bark out instructions, Falkingham jumps from his perch to pass on his thoughts, and the fourth official is consulted to explain a couple of tight calls.

When Eastleigh level from a corner, the coaches congregate to carry out an impromptu post-mortem to understand what went wrong. Gathered around the analysis screen, they pore over how the ball was allowed to make its way across the box, calling over sub goalkeeper Mark Oxley to ask his opinion.

If conceding in that manner was frustrating, Weaver's team selection offers some respite, Horton repaying the faith put in him by winning a header that somehow finds its way through to Dolaghan, who nudges home a scruffy second. While Thirlwell laughs about how the goal occurred, Town are happy to take it – they lead 2-1 at half-time.

FFT: Lucky charm

While it undoubtedly lightens the mood in the dressing room, the goal they conceded remains the big talking point. The conversation is allowed to rage on for several minutes among the players before Weaver emerges to talk to the group. It's smart management. The players have already had their say, offering up their perspectives, before the gaffer has the final word. There's no need for finger pointing now, just solutions as he explains how a similar scenario can be prevented. “Let's not come in talking about set-pieces again, because we know our jobs,” Weaver ends in his broad Yorkshire lilt. It's no threat, but carries clout.

Eastleigh change their shape for the second half, but struggle to wrestle control from Harrogate. Yet while the lead only stands at one, nobody can sit comfortably on the home bench.

A Sam Dreyer header appears to settle those nerves on the hour, but when a late offside flag rules it out, it only dials up the rising tension. Weaver's calm demeanour starts to fray. “It's either sideways or backwards,” he laments out loud. Given that the header teeing up Dreyer was from close to the byline, it's easy to see why he's upset.

The clock ticks on with little reward for Harrogate's possession, as the visitors keep them at bay. When a free-kick in Spitfires territory is played short, the coaching team complain in unison at the missed chance to get a ball into the box. Weaver's insistence that his players can solve problems themselves comes to the fore, though, as they work it back into the middle, where Bailey Hobson drills a low drive in from 30 yards out.

The strike brings the entire bench, including FFT, to their feet. It's impossible not to be caught up in the team spirit. Amid the celebrations, Thirlwell declares it “the best idea in the world to go short now”, poking fun at his protestations only seconds earlier. One of the subs even pipes up, asking Falkingham where the set-piece routine came from because “you didn't do that one”.

It's now about holding on to the advantage, with Weaver and Thirlwell mimicking conductors of an orchestra, frantically shouting and waving to direct players to avoid the high press.

If that was a sign of any remaining anxiety, substitute George Thomson eases it with one minute left, unleashing his own long-range effort to make it 4-1. Three points secured, without FFT needing to offer any unsolicited advice.

As tempted as we are to kiss the Harrogate badge on our jacket before saluting the crowd in the post-match celebrations, we decide to keep a more low-key profile. We do shake hands with players from both sides though – the Eastleigh squad presumably think we're a bona fide member of the staff.

While we make our way back into the dressing room, the real stars of the show bask in the victory outside. It takes several minutes before everyone is back for Weaver's final team talk, and the conversation soon turns to our role in the win. “You can come every week,” says one of the physios, within Weaver's earshot. “You're our lucky charm.”

It doesn't take the manager long to consider that prospect. “We'll have to get you a contract sorted,” he laughs. “Then you can come here more often.”

We know it's not a serious offer, but it awakens something inside us again. It's the same twinge of hope we felt when we first arrived at the training ground, only without the 1980s tunes. Maybe it's a dream that will never die, but this could be the closest we get to living it.

It's time for the first FourFourTwo Weekend Crossword of November. You know how these things work; it's a crossword. Put your feet up and take your time. We believe in you.

There are 25 clues in this week's FourFourTwo Weekend Crossword. Some of them are more straightforward than others so you'll need to use those to crack the full grid.

Remember to let us know how you get on in the comments.

Love football crosswords? Here are some handpicked football quizzes we know you'll enjoy

If that's not enough football trivia to keep you occupied this weekend, we've got quizzes in a whole range of time limits and difficulties to spend some time with. We have some recommendations and all of them are powered by Kwizly.

First up, we have a visual test of your memory and knowledge of the modern(ish) era of English football's top division. Our Premier League Years Picture Quiz will present you with a series of famous photographs and ask you to identify the season in which each one of them was taken.

All three promoted teams in the top flight are giving a good account of themselves after several years of what appeared to be a widening gap between the top two divisions. Can you ace our quizzes about Ipswich Town, Hull City and Coventry City in the Premier League?

Next, 2026 is a World Cup year. There have been 18 of them since the Ballon d'Or was created, so we've brought them together for a quiz, naturally. Can you name the Ballon d'Or winner in every World Cup year since 1958?

Speaking of the World Cup, we got a new addition to this list quiz earlier this year. We're counting knock-out games and group stage losses for this one: Can you name every nation ever to have beaten England in a World Cup match?

For all the matchday knowledge you need, subscribe to our newsletters for regular briefings and hand-picked trivia. And, to complete your transfer to terrace legend status, lock in your spot in The Club, our free membership hub where you can unlock secret hints for our toughest quizzes, climb global leaderboards, and debate the latest topics directly in the comments.

Vinicius Junior's appearance has drastically altered. The cosmetic surgery, 'chin harmonisation', has seen his face shape change dramatically, so much so that people have begun to believe he has been replaced by a lookalike.

This narrative is only encouraged when you consider the winger’s poor start to the season – one goal in nine appearances. A low return for someone who considers themselves to be one of the best in the world. The picture only looks darker when it’s compared with Kylian Mbappe’s eight goals in the same amount of time.

In August, it was unclear where he would be playing. Arsenal, aiming to resolve their left-wing issues after the departures of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, were determined to sign the Brazilian, throwing the kitchen sink at sealing his signature.

Boooooo!

Madrid responded by offering him a lucrative new six-year deal, which he, of course, accepted. Yet, despite this show of loyalty, he continues to receive whistles and jeers from his own fans.

Flirting with a move away from the Bernabéu, combined with substandard performance since committing his future, no doubt frustrated some fans, but it doesn’t seem enough to justify the level of distaste there is towards Vinicius from his own fans.

Underneath all the noise, Vinicius still has all the hallmarks of a quintessentially Brazilian footballer: flair, talent, an electric winger, born to entertain, carefree flamboyance, representing one half of El Clásico. What more could you want? With that, though, comes a byproduct of what can be perceived as a God-given gift – ego.

An ego can be beneficial. Cristiano Ronaldo’s career was built on an unrelenting desire to be the best, and for a long time, it was admirable. As goalscoring records tumbled, the perception of his work ethic was that he displayed extreme confidence, motivation, and a drive that no one else had.

However, as we have seen in recent weeks, the line between this and delusion is thin, and one that Ronaldo blurred with his shenanigans during the international break. In his determination to prove that he can still ‘kick it with the kids’, he’s ended up delusional that perhaps Father Time has caught up with him. That’s no slight on Ronaldo; even his current fitness levels are a marvel for a 41-year-old.

With Vinicius, it feels different; his ego comes with an inherent knack for finding varying ways of being disliked.

Ronaldo got away with his ego because of the standard he played at for well over a decade. For a while, Vinicius did the same; three consecutive successful campaigns culminated in him finishing runner-up in the Ballon d’Or rankings in 2024 behind only Rodri. However, he tainted the achievement by refusing to attend the awards upon discovering he hadn't won.

It’s been a downward slope ever since. He dropped to 16th in this year's Ballon d’Or rankings, and so far this season has been far below what we expect from him on the pitch, to the point new Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho benched him in favour of 19-year-old Yan Diomande for their match against Villarreal a month ago.

The Ivorian scored the only goal in a 1-0 win. Meanwhile, Vinicius was brought on in the 51st minute, only to be sent off 20 minutes later for pulling the hair of Villarreal midfielder Nathan Saliba.

Play was initially allowed to continue as referee Isidro Díaz de Mera did not see the incident occur, allowing Jude Bellingham to burst down the Madrid left flank and pull back to Vinicius, who slotted home. Consequently, VAR objected to the Brazilian’s actions and not only ruled out his goal, but also issue him his marching orders.

What followed was farcical. In almost sheer disbelief, Vinicius marched towards Díaz de Mera in an aggressive manner and had to be restrained by Antonio Rudiger and four other teammates.

What is his problem with the decision? It’s not particularly clear. The rule is open-and-shut. As per La Liga's official rules, 'hair pulling' is specifically mentioned as 'violent behaviour' and warrants a straight red card. And yet, Vinicius sees himself as above the rules, acting like a petulant child who has never been told ‘no’ in their life.

The resultant suspension saw him miss El Clásico. And yet, without the Brazilian, Los Blancos reigned victorious thanks to a brace from Mbappe.

Inserting a manager like Mourinho does him no favours either. Yes, he benched him for the match, but that does little to temper the ego; it only fuels it. A common Mourinho trope is to pick on a player and see how they cope with the pressure.

We’ve seen this be successful in the past – he wouldn’t keep getting employed if it didn’t. At Chelsea, he was famously overheard saying Samuel Eto’o was too old to be his main goalscorer, only for the striker to feed him those words by bending over and holding his back to simulate an old man after scoring against Tottenham the following match.

Years later, at Spurs, he took a similar issue with Tanguy Ndombele, this time citing his fitness as the root cause of his poor performance. And while the Frenchman never set the world alight in a Spurs shirt, the following season, 2020-21, was no doubt his best for the club, earning his spot back in the starting XI and making 46 appearances in all competitions.

Then there's the flip side. Juan Mata never regained his place after being discarded for a lack of defensive work. Dele Alli’s career fell off a cliff following Mourinho’s tenure in North London, while Luke Shaw was dobbed on constantly at Manchester United.

So, learning from past experience, we see that it’s a blueprint that can go either way. But with Vinicius’s temperament, will he be the next success story or the next victim? The evidence presented so far suggests the latter.

Watch Everton vs Coventry City for free from anywhere as matchweek 10 of the 2026/27 Premier League season kicks-off with a significant game for both managers. FourFourTwo has all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

David Moyes takes charge of his 592nd game as Toffees boss, equalling Harry Catterick's club record. He will be desperate to mark the occasion with his side's second victory in five days, after they won at Newcastle United on Monday night.

It is also a big occasion for Sky Blues head coach Frank Lampard, who faces Everton for the first time since he was sacked by the Toffees in January 2023.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Everton vs Coventry City online and from anywhere, including for free, in the 2026/27 Premier League season.

Watch Everton vs Coventry City for FREE

Fans in the US can stream Everton vs Coventry City for free thanks to YouTube TV's 21-day free trial, which carries USA Network — the US broadcaster of this game.

Fubo and DirecTV Stream also carry the service and offer 5-day free trials.

Outside the US? Use Proton VPN to unblock your free Everton vs Coventry City stream from anywhere in the world.

Watch Everton vs Coventry City from anywhere

A good VPN is your ticket to the game, even when you’re abroad.

The solution to your geo-restriction nightmares is a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a piece of software that can set your devices to appear to be in any country in the world.

FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate Proton VPN as one of the best for unlocking streams...

How to watch Everton vs Coventry City in the UK

Everton vs Coventry City is live on Sky Sports in the UK.

Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League will have live coverage of the Premier League clash, which kicks-off at 8:00pm GMT.

Outside of the UK? You need Proton VPN to access your usual Sky Sports stream from abroad.

How to watch Everton vs Coventry City in the US

As mentioned above, USA Network has live coverage of Everton vs Coventry City in the US, with kick-off at 3:00pm ET.

Not in the US right now? Use Proton VPN to watch Everton vs Coventry City on USA Network.

How to watch Everton vs Coventry City in Australia

Fans in Australia can stream Everton vs Coventry City on Stan Sport. Kick-off is at 7:00am AEDT on Saturday.

Abroad? Proton VPN can help you access your usual Stan Sport stream while you're outside Australia.

Tickets

Everton vs Coventry City: Preview

The Friday-night visit of Coventry City represents a milestone in the 148-year history of Everton, as boss David Moyes equals the record for the most games managing the club.

The Scot takes charge of his 592nd match, drawing him level with Harry Catterick's tally from 1961 to 1973, but he will surely only be in the mood to celebrate if the Toffees see off the Sky Blues at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton's 1-0 victory at Newcastle United on Monday night ended their three-match winless run in the Premier League and another three points here would take them fifth, above rivals Liverpool, ahead of the rest of the weekend's games.

Jack Grealish remains unavailable, while centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite is an injury doubt after he was forced off with cramp at St James' Park.

SEE ALSO How to watch Premier League 2026/27: TV Guide for Matchweek 10

Coventry make their first-ever trip to Hill Dickinson Stadium buoyed by a crucial 3-1 win over Sunderland last Saturday, which took them out of the Premier League relegation zone.

Manager Frank Lampard will now be aiming to claim the Sky Blues' first back-to-back victories in the top flight since April 2001, against the club he managed for 12 months until being sacked in January 2023.

Coventry's win over Sunderland was their third in five matches, with midfielder Jack Rudoni scoring three goals in the last four games.

He will be aiming to continue his good form on Merseyside, but Bobby Thomas, Frank Onyeka. Josh Eccles and Luke Woolfenden look set to miss out due to injury.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Everton 2-1 Coventry City

The Toffees have rediscovered some form and will back themselves to claim three points here.

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Modern footballers keep their cards close to their chest when it comes to their personal lives, and most certainly don't tend to disclose how much they earn.

Former Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin, however, isn't your average footballer, though.

While footballers' wages are a constant topic of debate, leaked figures are routinely downplayed, and players almost never volunteer information on the exact sums to the general public.

Allan Saint-Maximin reveals eye-watering Saudi salary

In a candid social media post, the French forward revealed that he has pocketed an astonishing €45 million (£37.5m) net over three years in Saudi Arabia.

The admission arrived as Saint-Maximin sought to explain why he rejected an alleged €26m (£21.7m) takeover bid to buy out his custom-designed board game project.

Addressing his followers, the 29-year-old explained that he turned down the buyout offer because he prefers investment in the enterprise instead of surrendering control. He says he is determined to use the venture to create jobs and host prize-giving tournaments for underprivileged communities.

"Rest assured, I've already earned 45 million net in three years in Saudi Arabia, so it's not a 26 million offer that will shake me," Saint-Maximin wrote. "A billion, maybe we will discuss it, but we are still far from it! 26 million is a good deal. But changing people's lives is priceless."

Saint-Maximin remains one of the more beloved cult figures on Tyneside in recent memory. Signed from Nice in 2019, the winger was often the solitary bright spark during the bleak final years of Mike Ashley's ownership and Steve Bruce’s pragmatic managerial tenure.

With trademark designer headbands, electric dribbling, and social media rapport with supporters, Saint-Maximin often carried the attack and offered fans a semblance of escapism before the club's transformative 2021 takeover.

Saint-Maximin was sold to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli for around £23m in 2023, a deal that prompted scrutiny from rival Premier League clubs given that both Newcastle and Al-Ahli share majority ownership under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

After spending his debut campaign in Jeddah alongside Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino, the Frenchman went on loan to Turkish giants Fenerbahce, linking up with Jose Mourinho.

Saint-Maximin then joined Mexican side Club America in 2025 but did not settle and returned to Europe, turning out for Racing Club de Lens for a time. Before long, though, he was on the move once more, joining MLS outfit Charlotte FC for whom he currently plays.

His board game enterprise, Helios, which he claims he spent years designing and testing, has already seen him hand out five-figure sums in prize money to amateur players.

Title drama isn’t guaranteed every season. See Manchester City 2017/18 and Liverpool 2019/20 for a procession of one.

Nevertheless, there are usually a few honeymoon months for broadcasters and fans to dream of a proper footrace before the strongest on the savannah hunt down the antelopes. Super Sunday has to have meaning, right?

Jose Mourinho claimed that Chelsea were “champions of the autumn” when his side defeated Liverpool to sit top of the tree just before the November international break in 2014. The Blues had only dropped four points in 11 matches. The Portuguese said: “I think we have a very good chance to win the title, but I think we, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Southampton are all still in the race.” Southampton. Hmmm.

'Arsenal 2.0 are bulletproof'

Jose was bluffing, bigging up rivals who weren’t in the same ballpark. His side cantered over the line.

Man City and Arsenal were the closest challengers in that campaign, losing seven matches to Chelsea’s three. Manchester United were in a post-Ferguson funk, and Brendan Rodgers was experiencing the last rites as Anfield manager.

The 2026/27 class has a similar issue in the quality of challengers. Enzo Maresca’s New Model Army blasted out of the blocks with seven straight wins but have been hobbled by Pep’s familiar foes in Brighton and Aston Villa. It may be that the looming prospect of losing points through other means is beginning to sink deeper into their psyche.

Those 114 charges aren’t so much the elephant in the room as the rat in the kitchen. Arsenal are dining for one right now. They are master chefs while the rest are still trying to find the ingredients to lay an oven glove at the top table.

Liverpool’s loss to the champions last Sunday appeared to deflate the Anfield air and any sense that the Reds might be pretenders to the throne. Truth be told, no one had Andoni Iraola’s expensively imbalanced squad as a serious contender after the problematic 2025/26 season. They didn't have a shot on target and fell nine points behind the leaders. Just one look at Jamie Carragher's face told the story.

Chelsea, meanwhile, took the lead at the Emirates, but haven’t really clicked into anything resembling a stride - at least not against title-contender opposition.

The games that Arsenal were drawing when they limped in behind Liverpool in 2024/25 - and to a lesser extent last season - are now being won. There is a seismic gap between the sheer efficiency of the Gunners and the rest of the pack. That efficiency now has extra security and titanium screws in all areas barring the forward line. The midfield monster that is Bruno Guimaraes roars whenever a tackle is made. Ezri Konsa has slotted in as if he knew William Saliba’s every move. Missing Bukayo Saka? It’s not a big deal anymore.

Arsenal know who they are and are expanding their limited attacking horizons without losing that deadlock bolt at the back. The lack of a striker isn’t a problem when Gabriel and Konsa can win a game at both ends. The North London team have been victorious in 13 out of their last 14 Premier League matches .

While Xabi Alonso and Iraola are trying to restore order, Mikel Arteta’s squad are in absolute lockstep.

During that hard-fought victory over Sunderland in September, a game that Arsenal would surely have drawn in previous incarnations, Carragher mooted that Arteta was trying to become the new Sir Alex of the Premier League. The Spaniard hasn't quite got the caustic asides, dry wit or trophy haul of the legendary Scot, but the war machine is heavily stocked. Nothing escapes Arteta’s mind map if it means marginal gains. He is controlling the Wild West. “I have a massive storage of images.” Quite.

The Premier League will celebrate its 35th champion next year and, to be brutally honest, it is searching for its reinvention as an entertainment package. The coalface clashes between highly decorated clubs have felt lukewarm for a while now, like gentle sparring from former greats on a senior tour.

Squeaky bum time in May seems fanciful. Arteta has learned that the W column is all that counts. When Hull City turn up at the Emirates without a win in seven, the Gunners will look to hit the 27-point mark, two behind Jose’s highly drilled warriors 12 years ago. "I know that the negative moment will arrive, the defeat will arrive, and we are prepared for that,” said Mourinho.

It could be a long winter for the chasing pack when that late November to March cycle restarts after the Nations League. Arsenal 2.0 are proving bulletproof.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken about Ezri Konsa's availability this weekend.

The defender was taken off in Arsenal's 2-1 win away at Slavia Prague in the Champions League this week, as the Gunners made hard work of the second half, after cruising into a two-goal lead.

With William Saliba now available once more, Arteta has confirmed Konsa's status ahead of action this Saturday.

Arsenal have Ezri Konsa available for the weekend

When asked about Konsa's injury, Arteta replied that the England international is, in fact, “fine”.

“He was feeling much better today,” the Basque boss said, adding, “We took him out as a precaution but yesterday and today he is feeling good.”

Arsenal were pressed into signing the defender in the summer, after Saliba suffered a back injury at the World Cup, in the semi-finals with his native France.

Cristhian Mosquera filled in – starting for the first three matches of the season, including a Community Shield win in Cardiff over FA Cup winners, Manchester City – before Konsa made his debut against former employers Aston Villa off the bench in the second match of the Premier League campaign.

The 29-year-old has started virtually every match since, with Mosquera picking up an injury at Villa Park that evening.

Konsa, too, gave Arsenal an injury scare during the last international break, with England boss Thomas Tuchel having to manage his fitness across the Three Lions' Nations League fixtures.

The work-load on both centre-backs will surely be lessened now, however, given that Saliba is back and available for Arteta.

The Frenchman was an unused substitute during the Champions League win in Prague, with his minutes likely to be managed accordingly in the coming weeks.

Konsa is worth €50 million, according to Transfermarkt. Arsenal host Hull City this weekend when Premier League action resumes.

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Quiz question: what was unique about Tony Cottee’s goal for West Ham against Charlton, in the FA Cup third round in January 1986? Answer: during that domestic season, it was the first live televised goal in either league or cup.

There hadn’t been loads of goalless draws before that – actually, there had been a complete TV blackout. No live football, not even Match of the Day highlights, after a dispute between the Football League and the broadcasters, BBC and ITV.

Even when tensions thawed, only 13 English club games were shown live during the second half of that campaign.

Fast forward 40 years, and you’d struggle to find a time where there weren’t at least 13 domestic league games televised in a single weekend. This season, a minimum of 267 Premier League matches will be shown live on Sky and TNT, plus 1,000 games from the EFL, League Cup and EFL Trophy, with the FA Cup and European games on top of that.

That’s just one example of how football has changed over the years – new state-of-the-art arenas have also been built around the country.

But as football has got bigger, what price has it all come at? Political interference, financial cheating and the quest to get every refereeing decision right to within a millimetre, leading to moments of spontaneous joy being sucked away from those in the stands.

In this issue, we ask if football is broken – and if so, how do we fix it?

Enjoy the mag.

James

How to fix football

The Manchester City scandal has been just the latest issue to anger supporters - is the game we all love broken, and can FourFourTwo fix it, with our 30-point plan to save football?

Calciopoli revisited

The 2006 match-fixing controversy exposed corruption at the pinnacle of Serie A – at its centre was one man and his mobile phone, FourFourTwo revisits the scandal that rocked Italian football.

Van der Star

Edwin van der Sar conquered Europe twice during his playing days – weeks after leaving his role at Ajax in 2023 though, he suffered a brain haemorrhage. He tells FFT about that experience, and a glorious career in the game

Bobby's England

Terry Butcher and writer Neil Prentice have combined to pay homage to Robson in new book Almost Immortal – Three Lions stars hail their legendary boss, via tales about electric shocks, Cameroonian spies and a mummified Gazza

On the front line

FourFourTwo were invited to spend time with Harrogate boss Simon Weaver, and get a rare viewpoint of their match against Eastleigh from the bench – naturally, we weren’t about to turn the offer down…

Marching on together

Jayden Bogle has been a key part of a Leeds United side that climbed out of the Championship and have kept on rising – he tells FFT why it’s been a collective effort, with some impromptu karaoke thrown in…

The Boy’s a Bit Special

Get the lowdown on Brigton's newest starlet and the next Xavi in the latest Boy's a bit special

The Danish revolution

Midtjylland only formed in 1999, but have used innovative thinking to become perennial title contenders in recent years – FFT headed to see them host title rivals FC Copenhagen

Around the Grounds

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone on life as player-coach at League Two Crawley, learning from Jens Lehmann and facing RVP in training

Elsewhere, we get the lowdown on Stenhousemuir's rise in Scottish football, while in our ‘Beyond the Turnstiles’ feature we take a trip to Great Yarmouth and tell you why it should be on your bucket list of grounds to visit.

In the Players Lounge this month…

John Arne Riise on that bust up with Craig Bellamy, Vivianne Miedema on winning the double with Manchester City and Trevor Sinclair on his famous overhead kick.

The Mixer

Our latest merch round-up features a new Barcelona shirt and Arsenal's latest range with adidas.

We spy a Walthamstow away shirt from 2023 in Kit's a bit Special and let you know what to watch, listen to and follow this month.

Graeme Souness Q&A

Former Liverpool and Rangers midfielder and ex-Blackburn and Newcastle boss Graeme Souness answers your questions

Upfront

Think you’re a football expert? Prove it by getting 100 per cent in our Ultimate Quiz. Columnist Jules Breach on why she is daring to dream as a Brighton fan.

Martin Keown selects the games that changed his life and talkSPORT presenter Max Rushden discuss all things Cambridge United as well as working on Soccer AM

Stan Collymore hails politicians and a legendary football manager in People I Admire.

Perfect XI

Oscar picks his ultimate XI from former teammates made up of Chelsea and Brazil legends.

Liverpool slumped to a 3-2 defeat at Fenerbahce on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League, marking the first time in seven months that the Reds have suffered back-to-back losses. While youngsters Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha impressed, club legends Virgil van Dijk and Alisson were uncharacteristically off the boil.

Some supporters have suggested Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola should switch to a back three to reduce the amount of ground that Van Dijk, now 35, has to cover. Others, meanwhile, have gone as far as to call for him to be dropped altogether. But what does the data tell us, and is this the beginning of the end for Van Dijk at Anfield?

The Dutchman endured a less-than-ideal start under Iraola, failing to step out and halt a Newcastle counter-attack as William Osula slipped Anthony Elanga through for the opening goal inside five minutes of their 2-2 draw on the opening weekend.

Slowly but surely, Van Dijk is adjusting to Iraola’s tactics

Unlike the centre-backs Iraola previously coached at Bournemouth, Van Dijk is approaching the twilight of his career. He no longer possesses the acceleration to match Europe's quickest forwards stride for stride, making the transition to a high-pressing system that regularly leaves defenders 40-50 yards from goal particularly challenging.

"I think it's a different era," Van Dijk stated after last month's fixture against Chelsea. "You have to find the right balance because I feel that we can still play through the press but also go direct. You have to try to create this chaos, second balls, battles, and that's what we are still learning. You have to be able to adapt: the manager can put the plan out, but we, as players, have the responsibility to execute and win the game."

There are signs, though, that Van Dijk is gradually getting to grips with Iraola's demands. According to Gradient Sports, a football analysis company, his average overall grade rose from 74.6 across the opening four weeks to 79.9 over the next five. His duel grade has improved from 75.0 to 80.7, whilst his clearance grade has climbed from 73.0 to 83.7.

Gradient's grading system attributes a 0-100 score based on how well a player execution their actions on the pitch.

Rather than relying on his recovery pace to defend vast spaces, the Dutchman is increasingly making his presence felt through aerial challenges, physical duels and last-ditch clearances. He's gone from 68.7 in clearances to 86.1 this term, asserting himself in a system that places considerable emphasis on winning second balls and extinguishing the threat when opponents bypass the press. And despite the arrivals of Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet this past summer, Van Dijk remains an undisputed starter.

Liverpool have won five of their last seven matches, suggesting that Iraola's approach is starting to bear fruit. Van Dijk, meanwhile, has become increasingly adept at dealing with the threat through timely interventions and clearances. Nevertheless, his improvement in these areas shouldn't obscure the fact that other aspects of his game are declining.

Between the opening four weeks of the Premier League season and the next five, his 1v1 defending grade dropped by 2.4 points, and his tackling grade fell by 2.9. More significantly, his overall duel grade has fallen from an exceptional 95.2 in 2025/26 to 84.4 this season. He's still a Rolls-Royce of a defender, but there's more mileage on the clock and less horsepower under the bonnet.

The new function Van Dijk carries out is also reflected in his possession stats. Having served as one of the team's primary playmakers from deep under Arne Slot, the Liverpool defender's passing grade has fallen from 76.6 last season to 70.3 this term. More often than before, he is quickly releasing the ball to stimulate the attack.

Van Dijk may no longer be the world-class centre-back who dominated world football for the better part of a decade, but he's demonstrating that he can still play a pivotal role in Liverpool's future. Whether that future is short-term or medium-term (his contract expires on June 30), only time will tell.

Iraola has not restored Van Dijk to his peak, nor has he eliminated the vulnerabilities that come with age. Instead, the Spaniard is finding ways to maximise his remaining strengths within a new system. As Liverpool look to bounce back at Selhurst Park on Sunday, they'll need their captain to prove that his recent improvement is more than just a temporary resurgence.

Aston Villa are bracing themselves for Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain interest in one of their newest recruits.

Villa are in a strong position for the future, with Guillem Balague writing for the BBC this week that manager Unai Emery is close to agreeing a contract extension in the Midlands that will see him given even more responsibility over the long-term development of the club.

But the Europa League winners could well have to fend off interest in some of their newest stars, with more European giants circling for their new signings, after it was revealed earlier this week that Barcelona have interest in Johan Manzambi.

Aston Villa will have to fend off Real Madrid and PSG for their new signing

Emery oversaw a huge rebuild at Villa Park over the summer, with the likes of Emiliano Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Lucas Digne, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins all leaving the club.

With the spine of a successful side ripped from squad, the Basque has started strongly this term, bedding in replacements like Manzambi and Nicolas Jackson to keep Villa competing on four fronts.

One particularly impressive new signing, Zion Suzuki, has caught the eye for his elite distribution – and now, TEAMtalk are reporting that both Real and PSG are interested in the Japanese international.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a good World Cup and has been an outstanding replacement for Martinez in goal, despite big clubs having passed on signing him in the past.

Manchester United were linked with him at one point, while FourFourTwo understands that PSG have previously considered a move for Suzuki, only to pass up the opportunity.

Los Blancos are said to be working on a short-term extension for veteran glovesman Thibaut Courtois, but with the club looking to the future between the sticks, Suzuki has emerged as a serious target who could hold down the position for the next decade.

TEAMtalk have also noted Liverpool are monitoring the situation, given the uncertainty surrounding Alisson Becker's future.

Villa will, of course, be in no rush to sell a player that they have only just signed, with Emery keen to build around the new core that the club has assembled – and with the club back in the Champions League and upgrading their stadium, there is certainly hope that there isn't as much need to sell this group of players as there was with the last.

Arsenal and Manchester City are also named in the report as two clubs checking on the long-term viability of signing Suzuki.

The Japanese is worth €30 million, according to Transfermarkt. Villa travel to Manchester United this weekend as Premier League action continues.