The Athletic FC Podcast

A major weekend of action kicks off on Friday evening, culminating in a massive game in the title race, as Liverpool welcome Manchester City.Arne Slot's Reds have 17 wins from 19 games in all competitions, while Pep Guardiola's side are coming off the back of 3 Premier League defeats in a row - as many as they’d lost in their previous 47. Can Pep turn things around? Or will Liverpool go 11 points clear?Elsewhere, big battles at the bottom for Palace, Southampton and Ipswich and what on earth will we get from Spurs?Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Tim Spiers, Oli KayExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of this weekend’s games the top five teams in Italy are separated by just one point.Added to that, the last five seasons have seen four different clubs end as champions.So, why is Serie A so competitive and it is Europe’s most entertaining league?The Athletic's James Horncastle joins Ayo Akinwolere to discuss the start to the Italian season with Jordan Campbell also dropping by having recently written for The Athletic about The Scots thriving in Italy.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: James Horncastle and Jordan CampbellExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aston Villa are exceeding expectations in the Champions League, but it’s seems to have come at a cost.Their form has dipped in the Premier League, leaving them eighth in the table.So, can sides like Villa stop themselves becoming victims of their own success?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Jacob Tanswell and Thom HarrisExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, Premier League clubs voted in favour of amendments to the associated party transaction rules.After labelling the rules ‘discriminatory and distortive’ back in June, Manchester City were one of four clubs to vote against the adjustments. So what exactly has changed, and which clubs will benefit? Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Matt Slater, Jacob WhiteheadExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I'm probably more out than in," Mohamed Salah said on his future, after another match-winning performance against Southampton.His goals mean Liverpool are now eight points clear at the top of the Premier LeagueSo will Salah be offered a contract that will keep him at Anfield? Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: James Pearce, Simon Hughes and Mark Carey Executive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In April 2023, civil war broke out in Sudan. It continues to this day leaving in its wake the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, according to the United Nations.Despite this, Sudan’s national football team has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and tops its World Cup qualification group.They are a source of hope to a nation left in ruins.In this special episode of The Athletic FC Documentary we’ll take you into the war torn country where amateur matches continue amid the shelling, and football grounds have become burial grounds.At a refugee camp in neighbouring Chad, we’ll hear of the horrors of war and how football is helping children there.And hear how geo political influence, immigration and perilous journeys over land and sea are part of this journey with Sudan, football and a war struggling to be seen and heard.CreditsWritten and presented by Adam LeventhalProduced by Abi PatersonAdditional reporting in collaboration with Tom Rhodes and Zemenfes Goudos GebreMikaelFeaturing footage from beIN Sport, Al Jazeera, British Pathé, Sky News, Fairshot, SuperSport, Sudan FA  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City host Tottenham at the Etihad, the first game since Pep Guardiola announced he’ll be staying in Manchester a little longer. Tottenham were beaten at home to Ipswich last time out, while Manchester City are four games without a win in all competitions — the panel assess which side look better placed to bounce back. All that plus a look at the fixtures elsewhere with drop ins from the club podcasts across our network.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Tim Spiers, Nick MillerExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou & Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re talking; captains, differentials, and when to wildcard. You know it. We’re talking Fantasy Premier League aka FPL.So, how has a fantasy game changed the way we watch football?Host Ayo AkinwolereGuest, Sam Bonfield. Mark Critchley Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pep Guardiola has agreed to extend his contract as Manchester City manager So why has he decided to stay and will he be able to build another team to dominate the Premier League? Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Sam Lee and Pol Ballus Executive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s focus is on Kylian Mbappe’s stuttering start to life at Real Madrid Has the big-money move made Madrid worse? Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Dermot Corrigan and Tomas Hill Lopez-MencheroExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.