Hand Of Pod

In the three-hundred-and-thirty-first episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam, Andrés and English Dan look back on two woeful friendly performances by Lionel Scaloni's Argentina – a second-ever defeat to Venezuela and a narrow win over Morocco – which did absolutely nothing to breed optimism ahead of the Copa América. We also preview the last two weeks of the Superliga season, with the title run-in and the Copa Sudamericana qualification battle taking centre stage.

In the three hundred and thirtieth episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam, Andrés and English Dan meet to discuss a weekend of Superliga action which saw the title race and relegation battle become abruptly less tense with two games to go – although the only thing confirmed so far is San Martín de Tucumán's relegation – and to preview the international friendlies of the next few days, which see Lionel Messi return as Argentina face Venezuela and Morocco.

In episode three hundred and twenty-nine of Hand Of Pod, Sam, English Dan and Andrés discuss the title and relegation battles in the Superliga, which have both tightened up considerably with three matches to go, and look at the interesting decision by CONMEBOL to award hosting of the 2020 Copa América (yes, there will be a 2020 Copa América) to Argentina and Colombia.

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.