Matt Jones

Pep Guardiola’s arrival at Manchester City will trigger the reconfiguration of a side who have become accustomed to following a familiar blueprint. With a spine of players consisting of Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Sergio Aguero, particular methods and patterns have been prevalent at the Etihad Stadium for years now. It’s […]

The top of a selection of European football’s illustrious divisions this season have made for encapsulating viewing, but the tension which accompanies key relegation battles arguably makes for a much more gripping backdrop. And in our first and second selections this weekend, teams who are hoping to steer clear of the trap door are in […]

There have been times this season when, for all their evident brilliance, Barcelona have been coasting through matches. Arguably the high point of their campaign, the 6-1 win over Celta Vigo, saw Luis Enrique’s side produce some stunning football. Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez tore the Galicians to shreds in the triumph, with a brash […]

“Doing a Leicester City” is already a phrase that’s made its way into general soccer parlance. The meaning of the term, of course, is for a team that’s beyond the established elite to propel themselves to a position in the table that few would have anticipated they’re capable off. It’s fair to say an overwhelming majority […]

When the Premier League got underway back in August last year, few would have anticipated that this year’s edition would churn out quite so many surprises. And this weekend’s round of matches—the reverse of Week 1—will prompt memories of just how we’ve come this term. Two games have made the final cut, with each involving […]

There aren’t many forwards in world soccer who intertwine attributes as neatly and as devastatingly as Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Soccer is full of players with searing pace, forwards with a strong running style and strikers who are unerringly composed when chances come their way. But to marry all these traits makes for a very […]

The team selected by Rafael Benitez for his ever Clasico earlier this season wasn’t in line with his standard managerial blueprint. While Barcelona made tactical sacrifices, bringing in the altruistic Sergi Roberto into the side in place of Munir El Haddadi on the right flank, Los Blancos were cavalier. Danilo was drafted in at right-back […]

In a Premier League season that has swayed one way and then the other, this upcoming weekend is likely to be looked back upon as one that was vital in determining the eventual winners. Both of the top two have seven games remaining and both have testing contests to come against teams who are well […]

Everton boss Roberto Martinez is actually on the precipice of giving the club’s supporters something they’ve craved for a long time. It’s been 21 years since the Toffees last lifted silverware and as Romelu Lukaku fired this team into the semi-finals of the FA Cup, the prospect of winning a trophy is a very real […]

Two of the Premier League’s biggest names will be desperate to save something from disappointing domestic campaigns on Sunday, as they meet in one of the division’s biggest derby matches. Indeed, with just nine games in the season remaining, things are beginning are beginning to hot up at the top of a host of European […]

Given Leicester City were the winners of English football’s Championship in the 2013-14 season, the second tier, while always an absorbing and enthralling sideshow to the Premier League, has been viewed with an added degree of scrutiny this term. After all, with the top flight set be enriched by a money-spinning television deal this summer, […]

Claudio Ranieri has sought to pitch himself as the kindly figure watching on in the background as Leicester City have thrust themselves to a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The amicable Italian is understated in his demeanor in press conferences and on the sidelines, composed and scrupulous in the manner in […]

After bursting back onto our TV screens last weekend, Major League Soccer delivered a timely reminder of its plus points, with a host of thrilling contests to savor. So when picking selections for this weekend’s best games, it seemed only fair to opt for two clashes from the United States’ top flight, including two teams […]

Borussia Dortmund deserve an immense amount of credit for still being in touch with league leaders Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga. Because Pep Guardiola’s swashbuckling side have been awesome in 2015-16, the champions have suffocated opposition teams with a constricting cocktail of pressing and possession, surging to the summit of the table, […]

If some absorbing title races in European soccer aren’t sufficient for sating your appetite, Major League Soccer returns once again this weekend. And in a brilliant turn of fate, fans will be treated to a repeat of last year’s MLS Cup final on the opening weekend. Elsewhere, there are vital tussles to take in at […]