Essential Football

In the latest Essential Football Podcast, host Ron Walker is joined by Sky Sports senior football writer Pete Smith, features writer Nick Wright and digital football journalist Joe Shread to assess the weekend's Premier League action.In Part One, the team dissect Arsenal's narrow win at Watford, which moved them into the top four with three games in hand on Man Utd and Tottenham. Will they stay there, or can Man Utd bounce back from Sunday's defeat at the Etihad? Is it going to be close but no cigar again for West Ham, can Spurs still do it... And what's happened to Wolves?In Part Two we turn our attention to the other end of the table, and the job Eddie Howe is doing at Newcastle - who are now eight games undefeated in the division. What are the early signs from the Jesse Marsch era at Leeds - and is there cause for optimism? Has Brentford's win at Norwich just nudged them to safety, and who will end up being the bottom three?

In the latest Football Essential Podcast, host Ron Walker is joined by Sky Sports senior football journalist Charlotte Marsh, Sky Sports News' Ben Ransom and Sky Sports Football data editor Adam Smith ahead of a weekend where the eyes of the Premier League will be on Manchester.PART ONE | How do Manchester United turn the tide from such a woeful defeat at Old Trafford earlier in the season – and how does Cristiano Ronaldo get back into form? Could this be a ‘statement win’ for City, and perhaps a ‘statement performance’ from £100m man Jack Grealish too? Then again, could Riyad Mahrez prove the difference?PART TWO | Who needs the victory more? Will Manchester United’s April, facing City and Liverpool, hold the keys to the title race, and will they make it into the top four? Can City lift the treble, and are they better placed than Liverpool to rack up a trophy haul this season? Plus, our combined XI – including one big absentee.

Sky Sports’ EFL editor Simeon Gholam and digital journalists Ben Grounds and Jack Wilkinson join host Peter Smith for the latest edition of the Essential Football Podcast…PART ONE | To sub a goalkeeper, or not to sub a goalkeeper? Was there method or madness behind Thomas Tuchel’s decision to replace Edouard Mendy with Kepa Arrizabalaga for Chelsea’s Carabao Cup final shootout defeat to Liverpool? The panel dissect the major incidents from Wembley and explore how domestic cup success could act as a springboard for Jurgen Klopp’s sidePART TWO | With Leeds wielding the axe on head coach Marcelo Bielsa, the panel examine the Argentine’s legacy at Elland Road, how his demise unfolded, and how Leeds can turn their campaign around to avoid falling further into a relegation battle, which Everton are embroiled in after their contentious defeat and non-handball against champions Man CityPART THREE | After misfiring Man Utd drew with Watford and leave the door open to their top-four rivals, Jack Wilkinson joins the panel to examine what went wrong at Old Trafford, whether Ralf Rangnick’s side are over-reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo, and what needs to change with the derby on the horizon

In the latest Football Essential Podcast, host Ron Walker is joined by Sky Sports features writer Adam Bate and digital football journalist Declan Olley ahead of the first domestic cup final of the season - and plenty going on in the Premier League too.PART ONE | What did Antonio Conte mean with his comments about his future, and where's it all gone wrong? Was Ralf Rangnick right to criticise Man Utd's players when praising Anthony Elanga, and is he doing a better job than he's given credit for?PART TWO | Is there any hope for Everton against Manchester City on Saturday, after the Premier League leaders' defeat at Spurs last week? Plus we discuss why criticism of City's absence of a number nine may be missing the mark, and just how worried Frank Lampard should be about the Toffees' relegation fight.PART THREE | The Carabao Cup final - who is this game bigger for? Has Liverpool's squad depth leapfrogged Chelsea's, and not just thanks to Lucas Diaz? What do we do with Romelu Lukaku - and can Kai Havertz steal his place?

In the latest Football Essential Podcast, host Ron Walker is joined by Sky Sports features writer Nick Wright, digital football journalist and resident tipster Lewis Jones and Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge to discuss a huge twist in the title race and more drama at the top and bottom of the Premier League table across the weekend's games.PART ONE | Where else to start than the Etihad Stadium? Harry Kane's masterclass, what Spurs got right and Man City got wrong, and how the City vs Liverpool showdown in April is looking a title decider are all discussed, as well as Luis Diaz's role in Liverpool's win over Norwich, and the momentum shift around Anfield.PART TWO | Why is Romelu Lukaku breaking records for the wrong reasons, after his seven touches across 90 minutes against Crystal Palace? How big was Manchester United's win over Leeds, how do Arsenal and Wolves fare in the battle for the top four and are there positives for Leicester, despite another defeat?PART THREE | Newcastle's unbeaten run is assessed as well as West Ham's recent form, as well as another alarming weekend for Everton and new boss Frank Lampard. Who can stay up, with Watford and Burnley both winning, and Norwich's recent resurgence? And what has happened to Aston Villa's form?

In the latest Football Essential Podcast, host Ron Walker is joined by Joe Shread and Ali Muzaffar to discuss a thrilling weekend of Premier League fixtures as Tottenham travel to Manchester City on Saturday while Manchester United, Wolves and Leicester continue to compete for the top four on Sunday.PART ONE | After thrashing Sporting Lisbon 5-0 in the Champions League this week, Manchester City will host Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday Night Football. Pep Guardiola’s side have been imperious in the Premier League this season – can anyone stop the Citizens? Joe Shread and Ali Muzaffar also take a look at Antonio Conte’s comments about Tottenham’s squad being made weaker after the January transfer window. Will Conte still be at the club next season?PART TWO | The stage is set for another Roses Derby as Manchester United travel to Elland Road to face Leeds on Super Sunday. The Red Devils managed to beat Brighton in their midweek fixture, but their poor performances on the pitch have been followed by rumours of disharmony in the dressing room. Meanwhile, Leeds have struggled to build on their impressive return to the Premier League last season and could face a relegation battle if their form does not improve.Joe and Ali also discuss Leicester’s clash with Wolves, with both teams competing for a place in European competition next season. Wolves look to be a revitalised side under Bruno Lage, while Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester have endured a series of difficult results amid injury troubles and defensive woes.Finally, the pair give their verdict on who will finish in the top four this season and claim a coveted position in next season’s Champions League. Tune in to find out who they pick…

In the latest Essential Football Podcast, host Alice Piper is joined by Sky Sports features writer Nick Wright and senior football journalist Oliver Yew to discuss Liverpool's title challenge, Spurs' latest error-strewn performance and Newcastle's resurgence PART ONE | After Liverpool make it six wins in a row in all competitions to move back to within nine points of leaders Manchester City, we assess the Reds' title aspirations and explore where Pep Guardiola's side could lose points to hand Jurgen Klopp's men a possible advantage PART TWO | The door is wide open in the top-four battle after Manchester United and West Ham drop points, while Tottenham's ragged display against Wolves leaves a lot to be desired and their Champions League chances flailing. So, who could bag that all-important fourth spot? PART THREE | And after the bottom three sides all lose to allow Newcastle to pull clear of the drop zone, is the relegation picture any clearer? We'll discuss how Burnley, Watford and Norwich can attempt to drag those around them into a battle at the bottom

After a winter break of its own, The Essential Football Podcast returns as guest host Charlotte Marsh is joined by Sky Sports football features writer Adam Bate and digital football journalist Ron Walker to look back on the midweek action and ahead to another captivating round of Premier League games which could have ramifications at both ends of the table. PART ONE | With more rumours circulating around Old Trafford and two points dropped at Burnley, what's the state of affairs looking like in Manchester United's top-four chase? What's been behind the upturn in form for Southampton, their opponents on Saturday? We discuss Spurs' disappointing evening against the Saints in midweek, ask whether Wolves will stop them bouncing back, and decide who's best-placed in the race for the Champions League spots...PART TWO | How serious - and warranted - is the pressure on Brendan Rodgers at Leicester? How much can we read into West Ham, their next opponents, beating Watford on Tuesday night? What's changed the mood at Newcastle so quickly, and will Aston Villa - and perhaps Jacob Ramsey - bring it crashing back to earth this weekend?PART THREE | Frank Lampard takes charge of his first home Premier League game in charge of Everton this weekend, but is the pressure already on as Leeds visit Goodison Park? Are Manchester City really not the best in the world, as Pep Guardiola has said, and where do Norwich even begin to hope of taking any points off them at Carrow Road live on Saturday Night Football?

In the latest Essential Football Podcast, host Alice Piper is joined by Sky Sports News reporter Ben Ransom and Sky Sports Football features writer Adam Bates to digest a big weekend of action at both ends of the table, Sky Sports’ Charlotte Marsh offers her take on the Women’s Super League title race and Sky Sports News transfer reporter Lyall Thomas shares his insight on the state of play entering the final week of the transfer window. PART ONE | Given Chelsea’s recent league struggles but Carabao Cup progression it is fitting that their first league win since Boxing Day would come against Tottenham, as Thomas Tuchel’s side narrow the gap on leaders Manchester City while Antonio Conte’s Spurs are dealt a blow to their top-four ambitions. PART TWO | After Marcus Rashford scored a 93rd-minute winner for Manchester United against West Ham to leapfrog David Moyes' side into the top four, are we seeing Ralf Rangnick’s revolution take charge? PART THREE | The Women’s Super League serves up another weekend of drama as league leaders Arsenal rescue a late point against title rivals Manchester City, while United take advantage of Chelsea’s dropped points at Brighton.PART FOUR | In the fourth and final part, Lyall shares his insight into a potential sensational Premier League return for Christian Eriksen, as we preview an exciting final week of the January transfer window.

The Essential Football Podcast returns as host Alice Piper is joined by Charlotte Marsh and Ben Grounds to preview another captivating round of Premier League games which could have ramifications at both ends of the table. PART ONE | After their dramatic, late victory at Leicester, the panel assess whether Antonio Conte’s Tottenham can crack the Stamford Bridge code and haul Chelsea back into the wide open race for the top fourPART TWO | Cristiano Ronaldo’s tantrum stole the headlines but having bounced back at Brentford have Ralf Rangnick and Man Utd built enough momentum to capitalise on the West Ham fragilities exposed by Leeds and boost their top-four chances? Plus: with an 11-point lead at the summit, can champions Man City afford to take their foot of the gas at Southampton? PART THREE | An archetypal relegation six-pointer kicks off the Premier League weekend as Watford host Norwich on Friday – but which club is best placed to seize the initiative? Plus: tasked with steadying the ship for the second time in three years, can Duncan Ferguson galvanise Everton ahead of the visit of Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa?