England have completed a perfect World Cup qualifying campaign; winning all eight games in their group without conceding a goal. In fact, the national side are so good right now even Jude Bellingham is struggling to hold down a place in Thomas Tuchel's starting eleven. Are we as good as the results suggest or are we in for a rude awakening next summer in North America? Also this week, we discuss the plans for MLS to become a winter league from 2027. check out the Show Notes on our blog. -- pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_632.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? If you like your derbies local you're going to have a busy Sunday with the big games from Sheffield, North London and Milan. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

This weekend, the end of Arsenal's winning run at the Stadium of Light allowed an opportunity for those in the chasing pack to close the gap at the top. One team that didn't take advantage of that opportunity was Liverpool who were comfortably beaten by Manchester City (who did). After their fifth defeat in six games, is Liverpool's title defence already over? Also this week we discuss the calls to introduce VAR into the WSL after a series of questionable decisions affected the outcome of a season defining fixture between Arsenal and Chelsea. We also evaluate Sunderland's ploy of countering the danger of long throws by bringing in pitchside advertising hoardings. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_631.mp3

The first quarter of this Premier League season hasn't been short of surprises and drama, but some people have still found cause for complaint. Goals from set-pieces and long balls are back but are we really reverting back to the tactical dark ages of the 1980s? Clubs in the mid-table are making a virtue of using analytics to buy the players they need to level the playing field against sides with much bigger budgets, while Arsenal's success at scoring from corner kicks is making a cult figure of their set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_630.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? How will 4th placed Sunderland handle the danger of the Arsenal corners when they host the table-toppers on Sunday. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

For months now Celtic fans have coordinated to disrupt games, showing their displeasure at the way the club is being run by pelting the pitch with soft fruit and multi-coloured balls. Sheffield Wednesday fans have gone further, boycotting the club until owner Dejphon Chansiri relinquished control of the club - which he did last week by putting the club into administration. This week we discuss the effectiveness of protest, including La Liga players' novel way of showing displeasure at the decision to play a match in Miami by standing still for 15 seconds after kick off. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_629.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Who'll win the big Halloween FA Cup First round match, Luton's Smokin' Jack O'Lantern or the Forest Green Savage? Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Ange Postecoglou’s short time as Nottingham Forest manager came to an end on Saturday, just 39 days after it started. Will the more pragmatic Sean Dyche fare better? Meanwhile, one of the other Premier League managers to have been fired this season, Graham Potter, has a new job - trying to secure an unlikely World Cup qualification for a floundering Sweden side. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_628.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Will Danny Welbeck's hot streak continue when he returns to Old Trafford with Brighton? Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

After being lobbied for years, UEFA has reluctantly given the green light for Villarreal to play Barcelona in Miami, Florida, and Como to play AC Milan in Perth, Western Australia. Now that this is being allowed to happen, can the governing body keep control of it in future? Also, as it’s the international break we discuss plans to introduce the Swiss model into international qualification. We also decide who should - and shouldn't - be on Rangers’ shortlist for their next manager. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_627.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Club football returns with Liverpool looking to get back on track hosting United, and Der Klassiker. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

On Saturday morning, Graham Potter became the second managerial casualty of the still new Premier League season, and was almost immediately replaced by the first, Nuno Espirito Santo. Of course, while some managers struggle, others thrive. Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner's on-going achievements at their clubs have put them in line for some of the best jobs, if and when they become available. The Crystal Palace head coach's contract is up at the end of the season. If he could keep the Eagles where they are in the early table - in the top five - might it better for him to stay at a well-run club rather than be tempted to go to a more glamorous but unstable alternative? For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_626.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Chelsea and Liverpool face each other after both suffering defeats. There's also the battle of the promoted documentary streamers in the Championship as Wrexham host Birmingham. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

It's a feature of modern fandom that some lovers of the game are followers of players rather than clubs. For these fans, is the Ballon d'Or their World Cup? Based almost entirely on vibes, speculation regarding potential winners of the venerable, journalist-voted award is perfect fodder for very online fans and those who are convinced they know better. Also this week, we speculate on a potential future of coverage of football matches for the TikTok generation: Vertical Format Football. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_625.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Can Sunderland's good start of the start continue against A Forest side looking for a first win under Age? Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

There are plenty of things to have opinions on right now. This week we ask important questions, such as: “is Chris Wilder the new Barry Fry?”, “is one long international break better or worse than two normal ones?” and “what would happen if Manchester United were relegated?” Also this week, we ask whether or not it’s right to punish the new owners of Chelsea for misdemeanours perpetrated by the previous ownership, after the club was charged by the FA with 74 rule breaches regarding payments to agents between 2006 and 2022. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_624.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Will this weekend's Merseyside derby be more of a contest than last weekend’s Manchester derby? Will City’s improvement in form continue when they visit the Emirates? Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Daniel Levy's 24 year reign as executive chairman of Tottenham Hotspur has come to an end. Despite overseeing the construction of one of the finest stadiums in the world, in recent times he became the sharp focus of dissatisfaction for many fans. So what does the future hold for the club now he is no longer pulling all the strings? Also this week, we discuss the newest club in the WSL, the London City Lionesses. In their six seasons, despite their name, they have yet to play a home game in a London postcode. Are they the disruptive force they claim to be or merely a soulless franchise in a multi-club structure? For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_623.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Spurs’ first match after Levy is a local derby away to West Ham. Meanwhile the last manager he sacked, Ange Postecoglu, has his first game in charge of Forest at Arsenal. If that's not enough, there's also the Manchester derby. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

We didn't even make it out of August before VAR messed up enough to warrant the PGMOL to issue yet another apology for the flawed system. Fulham fans should rightly be incensed that the system chalked off a perfectly good goal at Stamford Bridge, and all football fans should be equally as angry that VAR is allowed to continue to do this kind of thing. Also this week, we look at how, within the space of five days three former Manchester United managers were sacked from their latest jobs. Erik ten Hag was shown the door just three games into his tenure at Leverkusen and just days after both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were sacked from their respective Turkish Super Lig clubs, Fenerbahce and Besitkas. It couldn't be more than a coincidence. Could it? For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_622.mp3

This week we reached an important milestone for the podcast when Max Dowman made his Arsenal debut, coming on as a substitute against Leeds. The 15-year-old became the first player born after the release of our first podcast to play in the Premier League. We take a moment to feel very old. And in another busy week for Crystal Palace, Terry reports back from his visit to see the club’s first match in European competition and gives his reaction to the departure of Eberechi Eze. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_621.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Will Max Dowman feature alongside Eberechi Eze for the Gunners in their trip to Anfield? The hosts have their own teenage sensation, Rio Ngumoha. Also the BBC iPlayer is where you need to be on Friday night for the big city derby of Hamburg v St Pauli. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

The Premier League is back. Newly-promoted Sunderland defied the doomsayers (for a week at least) by winning their opening fixture at home to West Ham in one of the standout results in a weekend of surprises, exciting new signings and, of course, a few VAR controversies. But not all the stories are taking place on the pitch. After failing to get a move away from Newcastle, Alexander Isak has vowed to never again play for the club. Effectively, he's now on strike. After the landmark victory for Lassana Diarra in the European courts, challenging the imbalance of player contracts, could we see more players taking matters into their own hands? Could it eventually bring an end to the whole system of transfers in football? For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_620.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Leeds will be hoping to hoping to add to their winning start when they travel to the Emirates on Saturday evening. It's also the start of the season in Germany and Italy. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Our 17th season starts after a successful summer for England with both the Lionesses and the Young Lions retaining their European crowns. It's a bittersweet start of the season for Crystal Palace. After taking part in their first ever Community Shield on Sunday (and winning on penalties) the following day they lost their appeal to remain in this season's Europa League, confirming their place in the Conference League. Palace's first ever European campaign should be a cause for celebration, but many fans feel robbed. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_619.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? In another twist of fate, Palace's season begins against the Conference League holders Chelsea. Arsenal and Manchester United get the chance to test out their new strikers as they face off at Old Trafford. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

The Women's Euros kicks off in Switzerland tomorrow, we're here to give you the low down on who to look out for and who might prove to be the darkest of horses. To help us out with perhaps the toughest Euros to predict, we're delighted to be joined by Clare McEwen, author of She Can Kick It, The History of Football Across the World via a Girl in Love with the Beautiful Game. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_618.mp3

Everyone on the pod is in jubilant mood at the end of what's been a particularly memorable season. Jan has still yet to come back down to earth after Sunderland won promotion back to the top flight in the play-off final, while Graham is giddy having returned from Lisbon, where he watched Arsenal secure a famous win in the Women's Champions League final against Barcelona. Having missed last week's podcast, Terry returns to give his thoughts on Crystal Palace's history making FA Cup win. Next season will see all three of our clubs in the Premier League, the first time that's happened since 2017. Given how tough it's been for promoted sides to stay up in the past two seasons, what can the clubs going up do to stay in the top flight? For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_617.mp3

Crystal Palace have won the FA Cup, with their goalkeeper Dean Henderson being a one-man narrative machine. Whether he should have been sent off or not (he probably should have) will be forever woven into the mythology of a rare, memorable FA Cup final. We also look ahead to the upcoming play-off finals and what is still to play for on the final weekend of the Premier League. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_616.mp3

We spent our Sunday at Wembley, cheering on our non-league side AFC Whyteleafe in the final of the FA Vase. Sadly, for us, the result didn't go our way with Whitstable Town winning 2-1. Despite the result it was an unforgetable day at the home the football. Also this week, we talk about the play-off between the worst non-relegated Premier League teams, otherwise known as the Europa League final. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_615.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? It's Cup final weekend in England. Saturday you can watch Crystal Palace take on City in a bid to win their first ever major trophy. On Sunday Manchester United look to retain the Women's FA Cup against treble-chasing Chelsea. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

It's rare that we get to the month of May with all of us on the podcast supporting clubs that are still chasing prizes. Terry's Crystal Palace are in the FA Cup final, Jan's Sunderland are in the Championship play-offs, and Graham's Arsenal are still in with a (slim) chance of winning the men's and the women's Champions Leagues. Perhaps more notable though is the side that we all follow, AFC Whyteleafe, who make their Wembley debut this weekend in the FA Vase final against Whitstable Town. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_614.mp3 Also this week, with an all-English Europa League final looking a near certainty, it looks like there will be SIX Premier League sides in the Champions League next season. The extra fifth spot, won by the combined performances of English clubs in Europe this season, will go to whoever finishes fifth in the Premier League. Is there an argument that this bonus place should instead go to the winner of the FA Cup? Terry thinks so, and Graham, using UEFA's own thinking, explains why perhaps it should. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. What's in the Weekend Boxset? It's still to be confirmed but should a broadcaster be carrying AFC Whyteleafe's FA Vase final then it will definitely be in this weekend's previews, along with a number of EFL play-offs. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

As the end of the season approaches we're starting to get a clearer idea of who'll be where next season. After a hectic Easter weekend, Leeds United and Burnley have secured their return to the Premier League, but how will they get on next season? Also in the last week, Virgil van Dijk confirmed that he will be staying at Liverpool, just a few days after Mo Salah confirmed he had signed a new two year deal to stay. Speculation still hangs over the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Meanwhile, after a frustrating season, Kevin De Bruyne has expressed his surprise that City have shown no interest in keeping him at the club. For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_613.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? It's FA Cup semi-final weekend. First up at Wembley on Saturday evening is Crystal Palace up against Aston Villa. Sunday lunchtime sees Manchester City, in a seventh straight semi-final, taking on Nottingham Forest, who are at this stage for the first time since 1991. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.