The Athletic FC Podcast

It’s another huge weekend in the Premier League, with a pivotal matchup in the title race as Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield.Elsewhere, Aston Villa welcome Tottenham to Villa Park as both sides chase Champions League football, and Everton go to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie, Nick MillerProducer: Mike StavrouWe’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey24. Three lucky entries will win £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers too. So whether you're a long-time listener or a new one, we want your feedback.***• With over 1,000 therapists in the UK already, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a wide variety of expertise in mental health. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This weekend sees Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City for the final time in the Premier League.Two hugely successful managers but would either have been quite so successful without the other?And with Klopp about to leave Anfield - and Guardiola's long-term future at the Etihad uncertain..Which club - Liverpool or City - is better suited to life without its legendary leader?The Athletic’s Michael Bailey is joined by colleagues Oli Kay, Pol Ballus and our German football writer Raf Honigstein.Producer Jay BealeExecutive Producer Adey Moorhead***We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey24. Three lucky entries will win £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers too. So whether you're a long-time listener or a new one, we want your feedback.• With over 1,000 therapists in the UK already, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a wide variety of expertise in mental health. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With 12 games to go Spurs look like a good bet for Champions League football.So are Spurs punching above their weight or could they be even higher had their season not been hampered by injury? And how does Ange Postecoglou’s start as a manager in the Premier League compare with the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Tottenham correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke and German football writer Seb Stafford-Bloor.Produced by Mike StavrouExecutive producer: Adey Moorhead***We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey24. Three lucky entries will win £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers too. So whether you're a long-time listener or a new one, we want your feedback.• With over 1,000 therapists in the UK already, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a wide variety of expertise in mental health. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last night, Arsenal swept the floor with another of the Premier League’s relegation candidates, Sheffield United.So do they need a new striker after all?!In their last seven league games they have scored 31 times.So, what has Mikel Arteta changed to open the floodgates?And will it be enough to challenge title rivals City and Liverpool all the way to the end?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s David Ornstein and former Gunners midfielder Adrian Clarke.Produced by Mike StavrouExecutive producer: Adey Moorhead***We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey24. Three lucky entries will win £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers too. So whether you're a long-time listener or a new one, we want your feedback.=====• With over 1,000 therapists in the UK already, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a wide variety of expertise in mental health. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City eventually ran out convincing winners over Manchester United in the derby at the weekend. Yet, Erik ten Hag said afterwards that the gap in quality between the two sides wasn’t that big..Is he right?And if there is a summer of sweeping changes at United, is this likely to also mean a change of manager at Old Trafford? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s David Ornstein & Manchester United writer Laurie Whitwell.We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey24. Three lucky entries will win £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers too. So whether you're a long-time listener or a new one, we want your feedback.***• With over 1,000 therapists in the UK already, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a wide variety of expertise in mental health. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the Manchester derby, with City hosting United at the Etihad Stadium. United will be hoping to better their 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.Elsewhere, Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to take on Spurs, Newcastle host in-form Wolves, while Everton welcome West Ham to Goodison Park.Host: Michael BaileyGuests: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie, Joey D'UrsoProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With 12 Premier League games to play, the top three are separated by just two points, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal all still firmly in contention to be crowned champions in May.So are we set for the most nail-biting climax in Premier League history, or will March's clashes at the top of the table prove decisive?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Arsenal writer James McNicholas as well as Merseyside football writer Simon Hughes and Manchester football writer Mark Critchley to assess and analyse each of the side in the race to win the title.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadRelated articles:Arsenal, Manchester City or Liverpool? The Premier League’s title race analysed - The AthleticThree-team Premier League title races are rare – enjoy this while you can - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last night, Manchester City moved a step closer to another treble, thanks to the formidable Erling Haaland.If City do win the lot - again - could he start to think about a fresh challenge? There’s always been a suspicion that Haaland will one day join Real Madrid.But is a move now less likely with the potential arrival of Kylian Mbappe?Or is Madrid the only realistic next destination for Haaland… if anywhere at all? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Man City correspondent Sam Lee, data writer Thom Harris, plus La Liga correspondent Dermot Corrigan.Produced by Mike StavrouAdditional production: Jay BealeExecutive producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why has Everton’s 10-point deduction for breaching profit and sustainability rules been reduced to six points? How will the decision impact sides around them locked in a relegation battle? What might it say about Everton's upcoming second case? And what about outstanding charges for Nottingham Forest… and the 115 for Manchester City?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Matt Slater and Everton correspondent Patrick Boyland.Produced by Mike StavrouAdditional production: Jay BealeExecutive producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following Liverpool's 10th League Cup success manager Jurgen Klopp described it as the most special achievement of his career, given the reliance he had to put in a number of academy graduates.Youngsters Bobby Clark, James McConnell, Jayden Danns and Jarrell Quansah were all used from the bench along with full-back Conor Bradley.Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's football correspondent David Ornstein and Liverpool reporter James Pearce to analyse the Reds' bold youth policy through academy coaching and recruitment before looking ahead to what could prove to be a decisive summer at Anfield.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadRelated articles:The Liverpool kids who won the cup – with some help from Virgil van Dijk - The AthleticJurgen Klopp’s Liverpool farewell tour skips, screams and grins on way to ‘most special trophy’ - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.