Essential Football

The financial cost of the past 12 months on football has been huge - and the scale of the damage, and the way it could affect how clubs are run in the future, is yet to be seen. As part of a special Sky Sports series exploring the impact of coronavirus on football we examine the impact of a year without fans and the way it will affect how clubs operate in the future - from season tickets to transfers.

As part of a special Sky Sports series exploring the impact of coronavirus on football, we have examined the impact of the past year without supporters on the way the game is played. During this podcast we’ll be sharing some of the data which illustrates the shift, and we’ll also be hearing from players and managers about their experiences in this challenging environment. Plus, we’ll be exploring some of the reasons why some teams have been able to adapt to the situation more successfully than others.

Jasper Taylor is joined by Ben Ransom and Dharmesh Sheth to discuss the latest round of Premier League fixtures as Manchester United ended Manchester City's 21-game unbeaten run on Super Sunday. After a third straight win at the Etihad, what is it about this fixture that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer loves? And what are City's chances of an unprecedented Quadruple? After a sixth straight home defeat for Liverpool, beaten by Fulham on Sunday, we ask: could their form do irreparable damage? And there's praise for a huge statement victory for Scott Parker's side (19:53). In part three, Sky Sports News' Paul Gilmour talks all things Spurs in the Regional Review (36:34) - is Gareth Bale playing for his future at the club? And is Harry Kane the best striker in the world? And in part four, we get Dharmesh and Ben's performances of the week, including some praise for Luke Shaw (49:13).

In this week’s Pitch to Post preview podcast Alice Piper is joined by Sky Sports News reporters Ben Ransom and James Cooper to look ahead to the Manchester derby. Can City end United's 21-game unbeaten away run to stretch their Premier League lead to 17 points? We also hear from Rob Dorsett ahead of the Midlands derby between Aston Villa and Wolves, with both sides looking to return to winning ways. And Michael Bridge gives us his verdict on Tottenham's recent resurgence, as they prepare to welcome Crystal Palace.

After another goalless draw with a big rival, is it time to question Manchester United's risk-averse ways? Or will this season be deemed a success for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side? Jasper Taylor is joined by Dharmesh Sheth and Gerard Brand to discuss the weekend's action in the Premier League in the latest Pitch to Post Review show. With rumours surrounding Erling Haaland's future in the newspapers again last week, we take an in-depth look at the finances involved and the potential suitors if the Borussia Dortmund forward was to move to the Premier League this summer (24:30). We also assess the relegation battle in the Premier League - are we seeing a four-team fight emerge? (42:40) - and we get Dharmesh and Gerard's performances of the week (50:02).

On this week’s Pitch to Post Preview Podcast, Jamie Redknapp joins Peter Smith to assess where Liverpool stand right now. The Sky Sports pundit explains why he thinks it would be a surprise if they make the top four and the reasons why he expects them to get back to their top level next season. We also hear from Sky Sports football writer Jack Wilkinson, who assesses Chelsea’s start under Thomas Tuchel, Man Utd’s talk of the title, and gives his verdict on why the next couple of months could be key for the future of Jose Mourinho and Tottenham. Plus he shares his Pitch for the weekend!

Jasper Taylor is joined by Ben Grounds and Nick Wright to discuss a first Merseyside derby win for Everton at Anfield since 1999 as Carlo Ancelotti's side march on, while Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool suffer a fourth straight defeat. Which side will finish in the top four? We also discuss the likelihood of Lionel Messi moving to Manchester City in the summer and ask: do the Premier League leaders really need him? Sky Sports News' Keith Downie joins the show to talk all things Newcastle - will Mike Ashley sack Steve Bruce if the Toon enter the bottom three? And in part four, we discuss West Ham's win over Tottenham on Sunday, mapping the Hammers' progress, and asking: if Jose Mourinho fails to win a trophy or finish in the top four this season, does he get another year?

In this week’s Pitch to Post Preview Podcast Alice Piper is joined by Graeme Souness to look ahead to this weekend's Merseyside derby, as Liverpool aim to avoid a fourth Premier League defeat in a row. We also hear from Sky Sports football journalist Oliver Yew on Arsenal, who face the difficult task of taking on Manchester City after the league leaders set yet another record with their midweek win over Everton. Plus, Sky Sports News reporter Rob Dorsett gives us his verdict on Harvey Barnes' remarkable development at Leicester ahead of their Super Sunday trip to Aston Villa.

In the latest Pitch to Post Review show, Jasper Taylor is joined by Roger Clarke, Gerard Brand and Paul Gilmour to discuss the weekend action in the Premier League. After Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned to form with a hat-trick in Arsenal's 4-2 win over Leeds, we assess the Gunners' front line going forward, with several moving parts involving Lacazette, Martinelli, Nketiah, Balogun and more.We assess Manchester United's defensive line after their 1-1 draw with West Brom on Sunday, and ask: did they get an £80m defender in Harry Maguire? And does he have the right partner? In the Regional Review, Paul Gilmour discusses the Gareth Bale situation, and we also assess the likelihood of Harry Kane leaving Tottenham in the future as he approaches his peak years. We also get the panelists' predicted top four for the season. And in part four, we look at Fulham's chances of survival, and get the performances of the week.

In this week’s Pitch to Post Preview Podcast Peter Smith is joined by Sky Sports News reporter Paul Gilmour and Sky Sports feature writer Nick Wright to look ahead to Saturday’s clash between Pep Guardiola’s Man City and Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham, with the league leaders’ imperious form and Gareth Bale’s continued absence from the Spurs XI on the agenda. We also hear from Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith on Arsenal’s inconsistency, how Mikel Arteta is building for a better campaign next season, and whether Leeds striker Patrick Bamford can make it into England’s squad for the Euros. Plus, Nick Wright delivers his verdict on why Manchester United should be ready for a title tilt, Sam Allardyce’s struggles to turn things around at West Brom, and shares his Pitch for what will happen in the Premier League this weekend.