The Athletic FC Podcast

The Weekend Preview returns for 2024 with an FA Cup special.Headlining the show is the first Tyne-and-Wear derby since 2016, as a wounded Newcastle head to their local rivals Sunderland.Meanwhile, the highest-profile clash sees fourth-place Arsenal welcome table-topping Liverpool on Sunday. Arsenal are in poor form, but how much will Liverpool miss Mo Salah, who’s just left for AFCON?Another all-Premier League tie is Brentford vs Wolves, which Jon Mackenzie is off to attend. With Brentford only a couple of places outside the relegation zone, could a cup win re-ignite their season?And finally, we whip out the crystal ball and offer some predictions for the year ahead, covering winners, losers, new trends and best players.Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: Nick Miller, Jon Mackenzie, Tim SpiersProducer: John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victory last night means Real Madrid have reached the halfway stage of La Liga as league leaders on goal difference.But in terms of stability, resources and recruitment they look miles ahead of everyone else in Spain - and most clubs across Europe. So with the future of manager Carlo Ancelotti secured, overseeing a clutch of talented youngsters in their redeveloped iconic stadium what, if anything, do they need to do to improve? Apart from adding Kylian Mbappe...Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's La Liga writer Dermot Corrigan and Junior Spain Editor Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero to discuss Madrid's season so far as well as analyse the ongoing chase to sign Mbappe.Produced by Guy ClarkeAdditional Production by Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Now that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in Manchester United has finally been confirmed, how will this impact the club’s January window?Even if players are sold, is spending even possible given FFP concerns? And is Jadon Sancho set to follow Donny van de Beek out the door at Old Trafford?Michael Bailey is joined by The Athletic's Football Correspondent David Ornstein, Adam Crafton and Manchester United writer Laurie WhitwellProduced by Guy ClarkeAdditional Production by Mike StavrouExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Leventhal returns to preview the last set of games before Christmas.First up, a Christmas cracker at the top of the table, with Arsenal visiting Anfield. The Gunners lead the league but are without a win away to Liverpool in over a decade.Elsewhere West Ham host Man United, where they have a chance to overtake the Red Devils in the table, while guest Jon Mackenzie shares his controversial take on David Moyes. Other storylines ahead of this weekend include Everton going for 5 wins in a row versus Spurs and a debut at Nottingham Forest for Nuno Espirito Santo.And finally, for our last show of 2023, we look back on our best and worst moments of the year, and make some Christmas wishes for 2024.Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: Jay Harris, Jon Mackenzie, Tim SpiersProducer: John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They were frustrated by Man United last weekend, sensational against West Ham last night... Liverpool’s last two games sum up the predicament many fans find themselves in when trying to assess whether Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0 are really ready to win the Premier League this season.Do they need to strengthen in January, are they still over-reliant on talisman Mo Salah and will Arsenal this weekend provide a definitive acid-test? Plus, how the club have reacted to Thursday's big news that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) attempts to block a potential European Super League were “unlawful”.Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Liverpool correspondent James Pearce to discuss.Produced by Adonis Pratsides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Even as Nuno Espirito Santo becomes Nottingham Forest's new manager, the fanbase continues to mourn the departure of Steve Cooper - a coach widely regarded as their best since legendary club figure Brian Clough...This is a story that will resonate with fans all over the world - why there is no room for sentiment in modern football.So, does Evangelos Marinakis have a plan, or are this just the latest example of a Premier League side run entirely on the impulses of their wealthy owner? Produced by Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adonis Pratsides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid aren’t the only team upstaging the mighty Barcelona this season… The Catalans are already nine points behind league leaders Girona - and the goals have dried up for star striker Robert Lewandowski too.So, is Xavi on borrowed time in the dugout. Why is Barca president Joan Laporta interfering in team selection?And if they were to make a change - would they have to look further than the long-list of talented coaches all to emerge from the Spanish region of San Sebastian?Produced by Mike StavrouExecutive Producer: Adonis Pratsides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four weeks on from being hit with a record Premier league points deduction, Everton's fighting spirit is undeniable...After four wins on the bounce, the Toffees already clear of the drop-zone - and in fact - if their appeal was successful they'd be firmly in the race for European football.So how has Sean Dyche masterminded their escape, and with a takeover and the January transfer window looming - are they out of trouble just yet?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's David Ornstein, Jacob Whitehead and Everton correspondent Patrick Boyland to discuss.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adonis Pratsides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Levethal returns to preview Matchweek 17 of the Premier League!The weekend is headlined by table-topping Liverpool taking on Manchester United. Will Jurge Klopp’s side dish out another 7-0 thumping to The Red Devils at a slightly larger Anfield?Then we switch our minds to the Dyche derby as Everton’s manager returns to Turf Moor. Will the in-form Toffees come unstuck at Vincent Kompany’s Clarets?And finally a whistle stop of other interesting storylines - will Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United win back to back games? Why are Chelsea the worst team not to be relegated in the Premier League in the past 12 months? How do Newcastle Utd refocus after their draining European exit against a re-energised Fulham?Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: Jacob Whitehead, Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie.Producers: Adam Jones & Steve Hankey***• Make time to chill this holiday season and reach for the beer that’s Made to Chill. Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Drizly or Instacart by going to coorslight.com/athleticfootball• This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALLand get on your way to being your best self Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newcastle United's dreams of Champions League progress ended in failure as AC Milan mounted a second half comeback to knock them out.Newcastle's focus will now be to get back into the competition via the Premier League despite missing key players due to injury as well as Sandro Tonali, the player they signed from AC Milan, suspended until next season.Why did Newcastle’s European campaign fail, what’s happening with Tonali and what room for manoeuvre do they have in January?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Newcastle United writer - and Pod on the Tyne regular - Chris Waugh and our Italian Football writer James Horncastle.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead***• Make time to chill this holiday season and reach for the beer that’s Made to Chill. Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Drizly or Instacart by going to coorslight.com/athleticfootball• This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALLand get on your way to being your best self Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.