Hand Of Pod

The three-hundred-and-twenty-eighth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam joined by Andrés and English Dan to review a weekend on which the gap at the top remained at three points, with Racing and Defensa y Justicia the only realistic title hopefuls (and likely to be the only ones with even a mathematical chance by the end of the coming round). We also look back on Tuesday's Copa Libertadores matches involving Argentine sides, and consider Lionel Scaloni's Argentina squad – which was named after the pod was recorded, but which as expected marks the return of Lionel Messi to international football.

In three hundred and twenty seventh episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam joined by Andrés and Andy Jacobs of TalkSPORT's Hawksbee and Jacobs to discuss a weekend which saw Racing pull three points clear at the top of the Superliga thanks to a 3-1 victory away to Independiente in the clásico de Avellaneda and Defensa's defeat the following day to Boca Juniors in spite of dominating the match – which is becoming a familiar story.

In the three hundred and twenty-sixth episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam, English Dan and Andrés discuss an interesting weekend of action which saw Tigre win their first game under Néstor Gorosito, and victories for both of the top two (Racing and Defensa y Justicia), who remain neck and neck with six games to go and that tantalising clash between them in the Cilindro on the final weekend. River were held and Boca Juniors won and then lost, and we announce the lucky winner of the six-month free Fanatiz subscription prize draw.

In the three hundred and twenty-fifth episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam, Andrés, Tony and English Dan have some exciting news: HOP is now sponsored by Fanatiz, and as well offering HOP listener 20% off their first three months with the code 'hopfz' if you go to www.fntz.co/hop, they're also giving you the chance to win a six-month subscription entirely free! One lucky listener will win the prize, but you'll have to listen to the episode to find out how. We look back on a weekend which saw River beat Racing with a stonking Juanfer Quintero free kick, allowing Defensa y Justicia's 95th-minute winner over Argentinos Juniors to send them joint top. We also look at Argentina's overall Sudamericano Sub 20 performance, and answer some listeners' questions.

The three hundred and twenty-fourth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam joined by English Dan, Andrés and Tony to discuss a low-scoring weekend of Superliga action in which the title race remained much the same (Racing and Defensa y Justicia both won), Saturday was about as exciting as we told you last week it was going to be, and Patronato got their second win in a row (and fourth of the season). We also discuss Argentina's Sudamericano Sub 20 performances, and answer listeners' questions.

In the three hundred and twenty-third episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam, Dan and Andrés are joined by Jon Arnold, who tells us a bit about his impressions of football in Argentina and Uruguay during his holiday. We discuss the first full weekend of Superliga action in 2019, which saw Racing maintain their three-point lead over Defensa y Justicia at the top, and River lose yet again. And we have a few words on new Newcastle United record signing Miguel Almirón, who we saw during his time at Lanús and who Jon has been enjoying for the last two years in MLS.

The three hundred and twenty-second episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam joined by English Dan, Andrés and Tony to look back on the first two Superliga matches of 2019, as River Plate lost at home to Defensa y Justicia and ten-man San Lorenzo ground out a 0-0 draw at home to Huracán. We have a few words on Emiliano Sala after the news that his aircraft disappeared on Monday night, and discuss a developing disagreement between clubs, league and players in the Argentine women's game which has seen appeals to make women's football in Argentina professional.

There's not much actual football to discuss on this week's Hand Of Pod, but episode 321 sees Sam, Andrés and Tony run the rule over Marcelo Bielsa's hilarious/heinous (delete as you see fit) headline-grabbing in the English Championship, as well as a bit more transfer talk with Boca Juniors captain Pablo Pérez on his way to Independiente.

Hand Of Pod is back for 2019, and in episode 320 Sam is joined by English Dan, Andrés, Tony and Mariano to review ... well, no football at all, obviously. But we do have talk of some of the early moves in the transfer window, including the shocking news of Luis Rodríguez's move from Atlético Tucumán to Colón (Colón!), as well as discussion of the possibility of Lionel Messi returning for Argentina, and a look at Argentina's squad for the upcoming Sudamericano Sub 20.

In the final HOP episode of 2018, Sam, English Dan, Andrés and Tony look back on River Plate's Club World Cup semi-final failure, before taking a look at what lies ahead for River and defeated Copa Libertadores finalists Boca Juniors in the summer break. We also discuss the 2019 Copa Libertadores group stage draw, and the first round of the Copa Sudamericana. Merry Christmas or the holiday greeting of your choice to all our listeners, and we'll see you again in 2019!