Essential Football

In episode four of Sky Sports' World Cup podcast, host Joe Thomlinson is joined by former England defender Jamie Carragher to discuss the USA game and whether we’ll see another thrilling performance. Plus Geraint Hughes talks about the crucial role Kieffer Moore could have for Wales.

In episode three of Sky Sports' World Cup podcast, host Joe Thomlinson is joined by former England international Jamie Redknapp to discuss the impressive result pioneered by Jude Bellingham that claimed England's first victory at the tournament.Sky Sports News' Geraint Hughes also joins the podcast from Doha to discuss the result from the Wales game against the USA.

In episode two of Sky Sports' World Cup podcast, host Joe Thomlinson is joined by former England international Karen Carney to discuss who they think will start for England in their opening Group B match against Iran. Sky Sports News' Geraint Hughes also joins the podcast from Doha to reveal how the Wales squad is settling into life in Qatar ahead of their first World Cup for 64 years!

The Sky Sports World Cup podcast is here! In the first edition, host Ron Walker is joined by Sky Sports News’ trio Rob Dorsett, Melissa Reddy and Geraint Hughes for all the latest on the build-up to the tournament, from inside the Wales and England camps and on the ground in Qatar.What is the minimum expectation for England, and could this be Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions swansong? Is it too superstitious to read into squad numbers? The back three vs back four debate returns, plus whether the team adapt to the sweltering heat of Qatar.What is life like on the ground in Doha? Why does it still feel like there’s work to be done five days before kick-off in Qatar, and is everyone on top of each other? Plus the most important question – what’s the food like?From a Wales perspective, how much does beating England make or break their World Cup? Who are Rob Page’s top three hopes of success and who could be their wildcard? And how well does Geraint know the fan favourite Yma o Hyd ahead of Monday’s opener with the USA…

Cristiano Ronaldo has gone public about his unhappiness at Manchester United – saying he feels ‘betrayed’ by the club and that Erik Ten Hag and other members of staff are trying to force him out.On a special edition of Essential Football, Ron Walker speaks to Sky Sports News reporters Kaveh Solhekol and Melissa Reddy to get the inside line on what’s going on in the minds of both the club and the player – and how they would deal with his departure.Why did he do the interview? Will he ever play for United again? How did they find out, and how will they react? Found out the answer to those questions and more.

Essential Football is back with a round-up of all the weekend's final Premier League matches before the World Cup, featuring reaction, interviews and reporter analysis from up and down the top-flight.PART ONE | There’s reaction from both camps as Ivan Toney hits back at his England snub with a double to earn Brentford a shock win at Man City, Lewis Jones gives his assessment as Spurs keep up their penchant for drama with a late win over Leeds and Graham Potter explains where it’s all gone wrong as Chelsea are beaten again at Newcastle.PART TWO | Ben Grounds pores over Everton’s latest setback and their fans’ anger after a 3-0 reverse at Bournemouth, Nick Wright is in west London as Alejandro Garnacho announces himself with a last-minute winner to beat Fulham, and Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale explain the tactical tweaks which earned Arsenal a 2-0 victory at Wolves.PART THREE | Charlotte Marsh assesses Leicester’s resurgence with another win at booed-off West Ham, Steve Cooper looks at the positives as Nottingham Forest move off the bottom of the table with victory over Crystal Palace, Unai Emery’s start to life at Aston Villa continues on its upward trend with a 2-1 win at Brighton, and Jurgen Klopp says he’s happy with Liverpool’s points tally – despite sitting seven points off the top four.And that’s your Premier League Weekend Wrap!

Essential Football is back ahead of the final weekend of Premier League football before the World Cup break! We hear from Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Wolves – can the Gunners grab the Christmas No1 spot? And what do they need to do on the pitch and in the transfer window to maintain their title challenge in the New Year?Peter Smith is then joined by Sky Sports journalists Nick Wright and Joe Shread to discuss what’s going right for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle – and what’s going wrong for Graham Potter’s Chelsea, ahead of their clash at St James’ Park. The panel also reflect on Man Utd’s chaotic Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa, the problems Erik ten Hag has at both ends of the pitch and in midfield at United and the impact Unai Emery is having at Villa.

On a special snap Essential Football podcast in the wake of Gareth Southgate's England squad announcement, Ron Walker speaks to Alan Smith about the 26 men heading for Qatar - and a few of those who aren't.After James Maddison's surprise inclusion, the former Leicester striker assesses Gareth Southgate's decision to take him to the World Cup, discusses the blend of players in Qatar and Callum Wilson's inclusion - especially after Antonio Conte said England captain Harry Kane was suffering with 'fatigue' in midweek.He also rates England's chances of success in Qatar and gives us his first XI for the finals...

Essential Football is back with a round-up of all the weekend's Premier League matches, featuring reaction, interviews and reporter analysis from up and down the top-flight.PART ONE | Sam Blitz and Joe Shread look back on Arsenal's derby win over Chelsea to take them top of the table, before Erik Ten Hag fumes at Man Utd's performance in their loss to Aston Villa and Harry Kane explains why Spurs' defeat by Liverpool sums up their season. PART TWO | Ralph Hasenhuttl goes on the defensive as his Southampton side slip into the bottom three after a 4-1 hammering by Newcastle, while Marco Silva is left disappointed - but not disheartened - by Fulham's last-minute defeat at Man City. David Moyes is less impressed, though, by his West Ham side as they are deservedly beaten late on by Crystal Palace.PART THREE | Dan Sansom attempts to sum up a seven-goal thriller which Leeds emerged victorious from against Bournemouth on Saturday, while Adam Bate does likewise about Brighton's topsy-turvy 3-2 win at Wolves. Brendan Rodgers makes the case for James Maddison to go to the World Cup - and Nottm Forest rescue a last-minute draw with Brentford.And that's your Premier League Weekend Wrap!

Essential Football is back with a dive into Super Sunday’s big showdown in north London between Tottenham and Liverpool. Peter Smith is joined by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp to analyse the clash and discuss how the sides will match up and assess their respective campaigns so far. For Tottenham, third in the Premier League and winners of their Champions League group certainly looks good on paper – but are questions about their style of play becoming a problem? And what’s going wrong at Liverpool? It’s the million dollar question as Jurgen Klopp seeks solutions to his side’s inconsistent form. Listen in for Redknapp’s verdict on the two sides and his big match prediction.