The Preview: Chelsea vs Man City

Summary

The Athletic FC Podcast — The Preview: Chelsea vs Man City (FA Cup Final Special)

Date: May 15, 2026
Host: Matt Davis Adams
Guests: Keris Jones, Mark Critchley

---

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, Matt Davis Adams is joined by reporters Keris Jones and Mark Critchley to dive deep into the 2026 FA Cup Final: Chelsea vs Manchester City. The episode explores both clubs' recent forms, managerial drama, tactical questions, player availability, and the wider Premier League and European context. The panel also discusses the looming shadow of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City future, gives predictions for the final, and rounds off with relegation battles, European races, and the ever-debated role of VAR in football.

---

Main Segments & Key Discussion Points

1. Chelsea’s FA Cup Final Build-up

Timestamps: 01:25 – 05:19

• Optimism at Chelsea:
  Keris Jones notes a slight resurgence in Chelsea optimism after back-to-back games with goals and the potential return of key injured players.

  "They should have Levi Colwill and Rhys James...potentially Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto back from injury, who even if you don't love them, are better wingers than no wingers at all." (02:27)

• The Interim Manager Narrative:
  Discusses Callum McFarlane’s rapid rise from Kinetic Academy to the Wembley touchlines and the club's tradition of interims winning silverware.

  "It's quite remarkable for him...I mean, I think it was six years ago he was still working for the South London charity Kinetic Academy...now he's going to be leading Chelsea out at Wembley." (04:23 – Critchley)

• Chelsea’s Underdog Spirit:
  Chelsea enters as underdogs, a role they have thrived in before against top sides, but the panel acknowledges it’s a tough ask to topple City.

---

2. Manchester City’s Treble Chase & Guardiola’s Tactics

Timestamps: 05:19 – 07:48

• Squad Depth & Rotation:
  Mark Critchley highlights City's frightening depth, especially after their rotated squad comfortably beat Palace.

  "If nothing else, he's a destroyer of FPL plans...But then they go and win 3 nil anyway and it's almost like they're flaunting it..." (05:57)

• Shift in Priorities:
  City arguably focusing more on the cups, as the league title seems just out of reach, but their mentality and experience fighting on multiple fronts is lauded.

---

3. The European Stakes for Chelsea

Timestamps: 07:23 – 08:23

• Best Chance for Europe:
  Winning the FA Cup is Chelsea’s clearest path into the Europa League. Relying on league placement is increasingly unrealistic.

  "They're four points off seventh, six points off sixth...the way to do it that is in their hands is to win on Saturday." (07:48 – Jones)

---

4. Can City Handle the Multitasking?

Timestamps: 08:23 – 10:11

• FA Cup Not a Distraction:
  City is uniquely accustomed to fighting for every trophy, and their squad depth facilitates this.

  "It’s actually just part of their essence. It's part of the nature of this club under Pep Guardiola." (08:41 – Critchley)

---

5. Tactical Preview – Where the Final Will Be Won and Lost

Timestamps: 13:10 – 18:53

• Chelsea’s Formation Dilemma:
  Debates whether the five-at-the-back experiment at Liverpool is a blueprint for facing City. Panel doubts its suitability given City’s attacking power.

  "That was largely something that I think was forced on them through injuries...I really don't buy into the argument...that their performance at Anfield...is some kind of blueprint for how to take on City." (13:29 – Jones)

• Defensive Challenges & Player Fitness:
  The importance of defensive organization against City, question marks over player readiness (Colwill, Garnacho, Neto), and how injuries have shaped Chelsea's formation choices.

• Man City’s Attacking Threats:
  Focus on Jeremy Doku’s transformation from an unpredictable dribbler into a decisive, top-end winger.

  "The biggest change...is that he's being more decisive...He's essentially keeping City in the title race the past couple of weeks and keeping Arsenal honest." (16:46 – Critchley)

• Nico O’Reilly’s Influence:
  O’Reilly’s injury could be a big miss for City's offensive threat, especially given his strong performances against Chelsea earlier in the season.

---

6. Pep Guardiola: Last Dance?

Timestamps: 20:13 – 22:15

• Pep’s Future at Man City:
  The panel addresses the swirling rumors about Pep’s potential departure and the signals around his long-serving staff leaving.

  "The concept of him leaving is now walking, quacking, it's got web feet and feathers and it just feels like it could be happening." (20:30 – Critchley)

• Will He Overthink Again?
  Relives memories of the 2021 Champions League final and whether he’ll "overthink" the Wembley occasion.

  "The overthinking debate with Pep is...results based, it's outcome based...if they win the game nobody talks about it afterwards." (20:30 – Critchley)

---

7. Match Predictions

Timestamps: 22:15 – 22:36

• Keris Jones: “I think City are going to win 2 nil.” (22:15)
• Mark Critchley: “I think it's 3:1. I'm going to go for the same margin, but I think Chelsea will score.” (22:23)

---

8. Betfair Odds and Key Stats

Timestamps: 23:06 – 25:54 (James Mackey – Betfair)

• City firm favorites: 4/7 odds to win the FA Cup.
• Chelsea’s Challenge: Stats show City’s dominance in recent head-to-heads, but McFarlane has achieved draws before.
• Key Player Markets:
  • Haaland to score in a final for City for the first time (has yet to score at Wembley for City)
  • Jeremy Doku's impressive stats: most assists and dribbles in recent FA Cup seasons.

---

9. Other Key Premier League Storylines

a) Chelsea vs Tottenham – Relegation Drama

• Chelsea’s Impact:
  Chelsea could effectively put Tottenham in the relegation zone with a win, a prospect that excites their fans.

  "It is a chance, if results go West Ham's way, that they could make Tottenham start the final day of the season in the relegation zone..." (26:19 – Jones)

• Tottenham’s Nerves:
  Critchley discusses Tottenham’s psychological struggles facing relegation.

b) West Ham’s Survival Bid

• Fixture Analysis:
  West Ham face Newcastle away, a game neither side relishes. Nuno’s side might be better suited for a dogfight at St James’ Park.

---

c) VAR Controversy & The Spirit of Football

Timestamps: 34:32 – 39:30

• The Neverending VAR Debate:
  Dissects the latest “big moment” involving VAR and the broader exhaustion with its role.

  "VAR has sort of inflicted [debate] on the rest of us... within the 90 minutes, the sacred 90 minutes of a football match. So we're debating these things in real time as they happen. I think we're all just a bit sick of it, aren't we? So I am fully signed up to the campaign along with Mr. Pitt Brooke. Full abolition." (36:58 – Critchley)

• Subjectivity Problem:
  Jones points out that even with technology, subjectivity is inevitable and consistency is impossible to guarantee.

---

d) Race for Europe & Top Four

• Arsenal vs Burnley:
  Expected to be a straightforward win to maintain title chase.

  • “You struggle to [make a case for Burnley].” (39:55 – Jones)
  • Arsenal looking to boost their goal difference.

• Bournemouth & Brighton’s Champions League Hopes:
  Bournemouth’s long unbeaten run, Brighton’s “kindest” fixtures. The competitiveness of mid-table is celebrated.

e) Aston Villa vs Liverpool

• Champions League Qualification Showdown:
  Villa have two chances to clinch UCL football (league or Europa League final), while Liverpool need a win to steady nerves and end on a high.
  • "Villa have that second bite of the cherry if you like, which helps them..." (44:52 – Critchley)
  • Emery’s potential rotation ahead of the final is weighed.

---

10. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Chelsea’s Underlying Form:

  "They are certainly in a better position than they were seven, ten days ago." (02:27 – Jones)

• On McFarlane's FA Cup Story:

  "It feels like very FA cup story that, you know. But rather than the third round, we're actually here with this little nugget in the final." (04:23 – Critchley)

• On Pep’s Future:

  "It just feels like it could be happening. The one thing I would say is that this has been... a consistent theme with Pep...but it is different this time. We've never gone so deep into a season...where that question still hangs in the air." (20:30 – Critchley)

• On VAR Fatigue:

  "VAR has sort of inflicted [debate] on the rest of us...within the 90 minutes, the sacred 90 minutes of a football match. So we're debating these things in real time as they happen. I think we're all just a bit sick of it, aren't we?" (36:58 – Critchley)

---

Episode Structure & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamps | |----------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Chelsea optimism, McFarlane story | 01:25–05:19 | | City’s squad depth & priorities | 05:19–07:48 | | UEFA/Europe implications for Chelsea | 07:23–08:23 | | City’s multi-front fight, FA Cup not a ‘distraction’ | 08:23–10:11 | | Tactical preview, team selection, key players | 13:10–18:53 | | Pep's last final/managerial rumors | 20:13–22:15 | | Predictions | 22:15–22:36 | | Betting/odds/stats | 23:06–25:54 | | Relegation & survival implications | 26:04–31:54 | | VAR debate | 34:32–39:30 | | Arsenal/Burnley, Race for Europe | 39:30–44:18 | | Villa/Liverpool previewing Champions League spots | 44:18–47:10 |

---

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a comprehensive preview of Chelsea vs Manchester City in the 2026 FA Cup Final, combining tactical breakdowns, squad news, historical context, and the tension around managers old and new. The insightful analysis extends beyond the final, touching on relegation, European races, and broader questions about the game’s direction. Listeners come away ready for a blockbuster weekend of football, with both the narrative and tactical threads fully illuminated.

Recommended for:
Anyone seeking a sharp, entertaining, and detailed preview of the FA Cup final and wider end-of-season Premier League drama, told in the informed yet conversational tone of The Athletic’s top football reporters.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

Right now you're probably listening to this podcast on a wireless network. The same wireless network you use for all your swiping, scrolling and athletic FC streaming. But if you're a first responder, you shouldn't have to compete with myvoice to get a clear signal. That's why there's FirstNet, a clear wireless lane built with and just for first responders. So in an emergency, first responders get there first because a network that's not just for anyone helps everyone. To learn more, go to firstnet.com or visit an AT&T store for details.

[Grainger Advertiser]

If you work in university maintenance, Grainger considers you an MVP because your playbook ensures your arena is always ready for tip off. And Grainger is your trusted partner, offering the products you need all in one place. From H vac and plumbing supplies to lighting and more. And all delivered with plenty of time left on the clock. So your team always gets the win. Call 1-800-GRAINGER visit grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Workday Advertiser]

Could AI help you do more of what you love? Workday is the AI platform for HR and finance that actually knows your business. We help you handle the have to dos so you can focus on the can't wait to do's. It's a new workday.

[Matt Davis Adams]

The Athletic fc. Welcome to the preview from the Athletic fc. It's the show where we get you set for the weekend's action. This week we're starting with the FA cup final as Chelsea take on Manchester City. And on board today we've got Keris Jones. How are you doing, Keris?

[Keris Jones]

I'm good, thank you, Matt.

[Matt Davis Adams]

Good. Mark Critchley's back with us too. You alright, Critch?

[Mark Critchley]

I'm not too bad, Matt. Thanks very much.

[Matt Davis Adams]

Good. Alright, well later we're going to get into the penultimate round of Premier League action. But first let's get to our feature presentation. It is the 145th Football association challenge cup final this weekend. Domestic treble chasing Manchester City face a Chelsea side hoping Saturday will salvage a sorry season somewhat. Let's start with Chelsea then, Keris, it's your beat. Is there a smidge of optimism amongst those with blue blood? After all the pessimism of late, they're on a one match unbeaten streak after last weekend's draw at Anfield.

[Keris Jones]

Yeah, I mean like so let's start with the optimism. So they scored. They've actually scored twice in two games. Really feel for Joao Pedro scoring an excellent overhead kick against Nottingham Forest. That meant absolutely Nothing. They should have Levi Colwill and Rhys James. They should have potentially Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto back from injury, who even, even if you don't love them, are better wingers than no wingers at all. The statistics are very much against them. But I will see all your statistics and raise you a statistic that Callum McFarlane has never lost at Wembley. In fact he has 100% record and he has also never lost against Pep Guardiola as a head coach. So there are your reasons for optimism to be a bit more realistic. I think that if Chelsea play in the same style and manner as they did against Liverpool against Manchester City, it will not work and I'm pretty convinced of that. I think they were far too open. The idea that that draw at Liverpool kind of stopped the rot as it were. The win against Leeds in the semi final was meant to be when they stopped the rot and then it reverted to type in the league the next week. So Chelsea definitely go into this one as underdogs, which has been probably how they've got. I would argue their two best wins of the season against Barcelona and Liverpool early on have come from that standing as underdogs. But I struggle to see them coming away with the trophy. But they are certainly in a better position than they were seven, ten days ago.

[Matt Davis Adams]

Callum McFarlane mentioned there Critch by Caris. So he was put in place after they ditched Liam Rossini before the semi final. He's looking to join his McFarlane, Gus Hidding, Roberto Di Matteo and Rafa Benitez as interim managers to win Silvo with the Blues. All of those three had pedigree as a manager or a player. Callum McFarlane's come from nowhere. What an opportunity this is for him.

[Mark Critchley]

Absolutely. I was at a pub quiz last night and it reminded me that I'm going to have to commit to memory who was Chelsea's manager for the 2026 FA cup final when that comes up at some pub quiz in a decade's time or so. Because the rise is quite remarkable for him, isn't it? I mean, I think it was six years ago he was still working for the South London charity Kinetic Academy with his assistants Harry Hudson and Dan Hogan. And now he's going to be leading Chelsea out at Wembley. It feels like very FA cup story that, you know. But rather than the third round, we're actually here with this little nugget in the final. It's obviously huge for him. I don't imagine that winning the FA cup puts him in contention for the permanent job in any respect. And it remains to be seen what direction Chelsea go in with that if it's Xabi Alonso or if it's somebody else. But you're right to pick up on this tradition that we've had over the past couple of decades of Chelsea interims picking up trophies. And you know, McFarlane absolutely could add his name to that list and it'd be quite a story if he does.

[Matt Davis Adams]

I did enjoy in his pre match presser him being asked about his family being Chelsea fans and him saying actually it's my girlfriend's family and then hurriedly saying I guess they sort of are my family as well as he tried to smooth over relations with his in laws City wise. They beat Palace 30 in the Premier League on Wednesday, moved them to within two points of Arsenal as they cling on to their hopes of winning the Premier League title. Pep Guardiola ringing the changes haaland Turkey Doku O'Reilly all rested. Was that brave considering the circumstances, Critch, or did it just show their depth and maybe a consideration of the fact that their opponents minds were elsewhere?

[Mark Critchley]

I think it was brave in a sense. It was also in keeping with what we've come to expect from Pep Guardiola. If nothing else, he's a destroyer of FPL plans. Absolutely decimated my team with Haaland Cherky on the bench and O'Reilly left out entirely. So it was a surprise. But then I think if you think about it, if you don't drop points against Everton a few weeks ago, then there's probably a stronger lineup the other night. If Arsenal dropped points last weekend again, I think it would have been a different story. The emphasis and the focus I think has naturally shifted as a result of the fact that City are now slightly off the pace in that. But then they go and win 3 nil anyway and it's almost like they're flaunting it and it was one of City's better performances of late, I think as well. It used to be said often that City or used to kind of imagine that City had this depth that they could just call upon at any point and that made them, you know, always just unassailable in the Premier League. They didn't really often. Like a few years ago, you'd look at the bench of a City team sheet and it was filled out with a lot of kids and there was quality but it wasn't there in numbers. They do have that depth now and you'd expect that when they spent more than I think it's 400 million since January of last year. And that has helped them and has been able to call upon and it has ultimately got a result the other night that keeps them in the race. You know, I know we're focusing on the FA Cup. You just think that with Arsenal's fixtures, it's slightly beyond them. And so it's only right that really, that priorities have somewhat shifted and that full focus is on the final this weekend instead.

[Matt Davis Adams]

Chelsea have had a free week to prepare for this. It might be Caris their best chance of qualifying for Europe. Right. Or at least the European competition that they'd want to be in. They've done the Conference League already. We know there's not much revenue to be generated from that. We know that Europe, UEFA are looking over their shoulders at Chelsea in terms of the financial situation, but a Europa League place, not to be sniffed at.

[Keris Jones]

No, absolutely. And this is definitely their best chance of qualifying for Europe. The aim at the start of the season unequivocally was to keep their Champions League place. I think it's incredibly unlikely that that happens now. They're four points off seventh, six points off sixth. That sixth place obviously could end up being a Champions League place if Aston Villa were to win the Europa League and finish fifth. But they're relying on an awful lot of mistakes elsewhere. They've got Brighton, Brentford, Bournemouth all ahead of them. They're relying on a lot of mistakes. The way to do it that is in their hands is to win on Saturday.

[Matt Davis Adams]

Manchester City, as we mentioned, have Kevin Keegan voice Got to go to Bournemouth and get something on Tuesday. They'll be facing the side on the longest unbeaten run in Europe's top five leagues. That's not going to be a distraction for them, is it, Critch? The FA Cup Final. But, I mean, they'll be keen to avoid extra time at the very least.

[Mark Critchley]

Absolutely. I don't think it's been a distraction. I think if you look at City over the past decade, since Pep's been in there, if there's a team in this league, if there's a club that's been conditioned to fight on several rotating fronts, then it is Manchester City. I can think, covering Pep's first few seasons, his infatuation with the Carabao cup, when every other top six club just seemed to pass it off and only really play a strong lineup if they were getting to the latter stages of it. He's never been afraid to fight for every single inch and everything that they can play for in a season. And that depth that we mentioned before, it allows that, that experience of going really late, they've done it before, they'll do it again. They know how to operate, they know how to fight on multiple different fronts. I think, you know, it's easy to say that maybe this season, if they are a little bit off the pace in the league, it's because they've spread the priorities a little bit thinly. But I think it's more complex than that. I think it's more to do with the evolution that we've seen from the City team this season. The style of play being a little bit more direct at times, a little bit less focused on really heavy control. We've seen that style evolved across the Premier League as well, and City have to adapt to that. And I think that's been a challenge this season. So I wouldn't necessarily say going this far in these cup competitions with a distraction. It's actually just part of their essence. It's part of the nature of this club under Pep Guardiola. And in some ways, well, maybe we'll come on to his future a little bit later in the episode, but it would be almost a quite fitting end, I think, if, if he was going to finish it off by winning the FA cup because he's always shown maximum respect to the domestic competitions and the cup competitions in England. In English football, if this was to

[Matt Davis Adams]

be his final trophy, we shall see about that next. Today we're going to get into where each team will look to hurt each other.

[Podcast Host]

This host city guide on the Athletic is brought to you by the Capital One Venture X card.

[Atlanta Host]

Locals boast that Atlanta influences everything from culture to music, to food, to fashion. The weather is hot in the summer, tame in the spring and beautiful in the fall. It's hilly and lush. A day at Piedmont park is good for the soul. Atlanta will grow on you if you let it. Soccer has come a long way here. The eight World cup matches, including one of the semifinals, are testament to that progress. The 75,000 seater, $1.6 billion Mercedes Benz Stadium really is a sight to behold. It's a Goliath of a ground that's home to the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United in MLS. It's located near the heart of downtown ATL and getting there is simple if you travel by train, which drops passengers steps away from the stadium. It's also walking distance from downtown hotels.

[Podcast Host]

This host city guide on the Athletic is brought to you by the Capital One Venture X card. Venture X offers premium benefits like a $300 annual Capital One travel credit for less than than you expect. Terms apply seecapital1.com for details. Right now you're probably listening to this podcast on a wireless network. The same wireless network you use for all your swiping, scrolling and athletic FC streaming. But if you're a first responder, you shouldn't have to compete with myvoice to get a clear signal. That's why there's First Step a clear wireless lane built with and just for first responders. So in an emergency, first responders get there first because a network that's not just for anyone helps everyone. To learn more, go to firstnet.com or visit an AT&T store for details.

[Nick and Jack]

This is Nick and Jack from the Best One yet and we are excited to tell you about Walmart Business. Staying ahead of business trends means moving fast and adapting quickly. Walmart business helps you simplify operations so you can focus on building the next big thing. Find exactly what you order organization needs with their ever expanding business assortment and everyday low prices. Keep your momentum going fast. With reliable shipping and fulfillment. Eligible organizations can take advantage of tax

[Grainger Advertiser]

free shopping both in store and online,

[Nick and Jack]

saving you more while getting you everything you need. It's Walmart built for your business. Sign up for a free Walmart business account [e-mail] Monday.com AI agents took over

[Mark Critchley]

my work and I absolutely love it.

[Nick and Jack]

Chasing deadlines, writing status reports, updating stakeholders.

[Mark Critchley]

Agents handle the daily grind. Now I stay in the loop only when it matters.

[Nick and Jack]

Create your own AI agent in minutes on Monday.com.

[Podcast Host]

This is the Athletic FC podcast proudly sponsored by Betfair.

[Matt Davis Adams]

So Callum McFarlane opted for five at the back out of possession at Anfield last week. As we mentioned, it came off the back of six straight defeats in the league. They didn't lose against Liverpool. Do you put much of that carries down to the tactical tweak? Was it more about Liverpool's inadequacies?

[Keris Jones]

I think it was a game between two flawed teams that Chelsea were able to come out probably looking just about the better side. Even though it was a draw. I don't know how much of it you can attribute to that sort of five at the back wing back kind of formation. That was largely something that I think was forced on them through injuries. Having, you know, five senior wingers plus Jesse Derry out. I really don't buy into the argument and maybe I'll be proved wrong, but I really don't buy into the argument that their performance at Anfield and how they set up to Go about that is some kind of blueprint for how to take on City. I've been watching back their games against City next week and what they did really well was kind of being organized, disciplined out of possession. Whereas I think at Liverpool they relied quite a lot on just leaning into the chaos a little bit and they looked very open and Liverpool were just kind of unable to capitalise on that. Whereas I think City, obviously we've seen would be able to. So I'll be interested to see, especially as it sounds as though Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho might be available again if they revert back to that sort of 4, 2, 31 that we see them more accustomed to. The back five is something that I think even in my one year covering the club is increasingly feeling like something that does not suit this squad of players. And I've already seen, I feel like several managers try to use it to no avail. McFarlane at Anfield being probably the most successful of those. So I'd be surprised if they try and stick with that approach on Saturday at Wembley.

[Matt Davis Adams]

Xabi Alonso likes at three at the back, doesn't he? So that might prove awkward if he gets the job. What do you think, Critch? I guess one thing, if they do go with a back three slash back five, it might lighten the load on the recently returned Levi Colwill, who I would expect to start here given he played 90 at Anfield last week.

[Mark Critchley]

Yeah, and you're looking for a little bit more defensive solidity, I think, than Chelsea have shown in the last few weeks and so potentially there as well. I agree with Keris though. I don't think you can read too much into that game at Liverpool last weekend. Liverpool that's been booed by the Anfield crowd, which is such a rarity. They're listless at the minute. There's really not a lot going on there that's positive for Liverpool currently. And so it was an easier trip to Anfield than you'd usually expect. Look, I think Callum McFarlane, what was our first sort of introduction to him, it was that one one at the Etihad in January before Rossinha was appointed, which was a result that I don't think anybody really expected Chelsea to get, which was not a three at the back, but it was a coherent tactical game plan that got a result and nullified a lot of City's threats. And it was ultimately that setup and that result that got him promoted into the senior setup at Chelsea as well, wasn't it? It was so impressive. So he's clearly shown an ability to in a one off game nullify City's threats and I think that is a huge positive going for Chelsea into the final. I just, you've still got to deal with City's quality and I feel like it will still probably just about be too much for them.

[Matt Davis Adams]

Well, City have got quality all over the pitch. They're banging in goals as well at the moment. Nine in the last three matches. If you keep in count. Jeremy Doku, the man of the moment. Grits had a rest by and large on Wednesday. Is he the best winger in the league right now? He was a difference maker in the semi final.

[Mark Critchley]

There's a shout for it. Absolutely there's a shout for it because with Docu, right, we've always known he can dribble. That's his one outstanding quality. I remember when he was, when he joined City and people were putting out the graphics of dribbles, most dribbles completed in Europe and whatever and you had a mass of little dots on the page and then up in the top right hand corner is Jeremy Doku. And so that was always his outstanding quality. I think the question about him had always been output and how you convert those moments where you might beat a full back into more assists, more goals. You've seen him score more goals recently before this little spurt that he's had though I think he had two in his last 25 appearances. And the cohesion with his teammates at times, the level of understanding, I think particularly with Haaland in his first couple of seasons, it wasn't always there. You could see Haaland sometimes get visibly frustrated with him that he wasn't playing the ball at the right time, that he wouldn't be on the same wavelength essentially as some of his teammates. That has changed a lot this season. I think the biggest change that you've seen in the last few weeks is that he's being more decisive. He's got those goals against Everton, against Brentford. He's essentially keeping City in the title race the past couple of weeks and keeping Arsenal honest. I think what you would want to see from him to really add that next level to his game and I think it's something that a lot of people have said before, is that he needs, is that just add a few more simple goals to the game. You know, the strike against Everton, for example, they were brilliant, weren't they? But it's those tappings, it's arriving late at the back post. It's the sort of thing that almost Raheem Sterling used to always do that City goal that we always imprinted in our minds of the cutback from the byline and somebody's there to tap in. If you could add that extra layer to his game, then suddenly you're talking about a much, much more well rounded player. But I do think even without that, you've seen a much more rounded version of Jeremy Doku this season anyway. And absolutely right now on current form, he's one of the best wingers in the league and he's absolutely got a claim to that.

[Matt Davis Adams]

So he did play briefly against palace. Someone who wasn't involved. Keris was. Nico O'Reilly probably rested. Guardiol did come back from an injury of his own to fill in for him. But O'Reilly has had injury issues of late, hasn't he? Got that hamstring problem at Chelsea, ironically, it'd be a big miss if he's not available on Saturday.

[Keris Jones]

Yeah, definitely. I think you saw the problems that he caused for Chelsea when City came to Stamford Bridge in April and had that 30 win. And conversely, again, watching back the games that they've had against City this season so far, it's interesting watching in January, kind of how closely Chelsea players were assigned to tracking O'Reilly and man marking him, making sure he couldn't provide that kind of wide threat, whereas they didn't really have that discipline up against him at Stamford Bridge. And he really made them pay for that. I think he's great at kind of outmatching a lot of their wide players in a physical battle as well. He comes off the better in a lot of duels. A lot of kind of, you know, players really struggled to hold him off, you know, with their, with the ball, with their back to him. He was coming away with the ball in a lot of those situations against Chelsea. So I think he's really, really well suited to this game and just adding that sort of pace that can help exploit them on the counter as well. We know how useful he can be from set piece situations, which Chelsea haven't been great at defending this season, so he'd be a big miss if he's not available. Is he a difference maker is the question. I think they still have enough kind of attacking talent to break Chelsea down without him, but he would be a huge help in just helping disrupt their structure out of possession.

[Matt Davis Adams]

It was a difference maker in the Carabao Cup Final, that's for sure. As we mentioned then, Chris could be Pep Guardiola's final final in England. He's not going to Overthink it again, is he? Like he did in the 2021 Champions League final, which was the last time that the citizens lost to the Blues.

[Mark Critchley]

Overthinking. I don't, I don't know. Like, I always feel like the overthinking debate with Pep is, let's say it's results based, it's outcome based. I'm sure there's plenty of times where Pep Guardiola's galaxy brain has been into overdrive and they've won the game and nobody's talked about it afterwards. But I suppose if there is a risk of that, if we accept that sometimes it does happen, then maybe there's a greater risk of that in what could be his final final in English football in one of his last few games at City. I mean, we don't know that yet, but I think my colleague Sam Lee did the story this week about Lorenzo Buenaventura, one of his longtime assistants. He's set to leave at the end of the season. Guy that's worked with Pep 15 years of his career. You got the goalkeeping coach, Xavi Manquisador, who's also set to leave at the end of the season. Remember our colleague David Ornstein reporting back in New Year on Maresca being lined up in case Pep does go. And at this point, the whole question of whether this is going to be his last game or not, I guess it's starting to pass the duck test. You know, the concept of him leaving is now walking, quacking, it's got web feet and feathers and it just feels like it could be happening. The one thing I would say is that this has been, it's been a consistent theme with Pep since he signed, since he came to the end of the first. Like I think it was a three year deal that he signed when that was coming to a close and there was always these questions about it and then invariably it would turn out that he'd signed a new contract and there'd be three more years at least. It is different this time. We've never gone so deep into a season, we've never come so late into a season where that question still hangs in the air. And I think that raises huge question marks within itself feels quackers that he

[Matt Davis Adams]

might just leave with a Carabao cup medal in his back pocket like Jurgen Klopp did. Give me a prediction then. Karis, who's going to win on Saturday?

[Keris Jones]

I think City are going to win 2 nil.

[Matt Davis Adams]

2 nil. Crikey critch. Something similar, maybe even a Goal for Erling Haaland.

[Mark Critchley]

Erling Haaland. He tends to start seasons pretty well and tail off towards the end. I think we've seen that again this year. But he's been picking up goals here and there recently. I think it's 3:1. I'm going to go for the same margin, but I think Chelsea will score.

[Matt Davis Adams]

Okay. Haaland looking for his first goal for City in a final. He's also never scored at Wembley, believe it or not.

[Podcast Host]

This is the Athletic FC podcast, proudly sponsored by Betfair.

[Matt Davis Adams]

Now, this is the part of the show where, with the help of our partners, Betfair, we show you how you can play in a different league this season. James Mackey is back with us. We're talking about the cup final, of course. James, what are the odd saying as to who's going to win on Saturday at Wembley?

[James Mackey]

Yeah, the Betfair Sportsbook has Man city as the 47 favorites to win an eighth FA Cup. But interestingly, Manchester City are the first team to play in four consecutive FA cup finals, beating Man United in 2023 before losing to the Red Devils in 2024 and Crystal palace in 2025, going off favourites in both those losses. So it's not all doom and gloom for Chelsea fans with that stat. But only Chelsea have ever lost the FA cup final in three consecutive campaign. So really interesting, Chelsea are in a bit of turmoil. Winning the FA cup might offer them a bit of light at the end of the season, but they are the 130 outsiders to go on and win the game in the Machos 90 market. However, since losing the 202021 Champions League final to Chelsea, Manchester City haven't lost any of their last 13 games against the Blues in all competitions, winning 10 and drawing three. So that is interesting. They need to change that form, don't they, on Saturday. The draw in 90 minutes is priced at 23:10 and they have already played out a stalemate this season. And Callum McFarlane was the man in charge that day for Chelsea, if you remember, at the Etihad. And he's in charge again for Chelsea again on Saturday.

[Matt Davis Adams]

All right, well that might give Chelsea supporters some optimism, but your bet builder this week probably won't. It's City centric.

[James Mackey]

It is City centric and I think it has to be just in the way Chelsea have been this season. Look, we had no luck with last week's bet builder. We'd been on a good run before that, but hopefully we can get back on track this weekend. This week's Builder will start with Haaland. He's looking to score in a final for Manchester City for the first time. He's played in nine finals, including the Community Shield and has had 15 shots without success. His last goal in the final was for Brussio Dortmund against RB Leipzig in May 2021 in the German DFB Pokal. So Wembley is also the only stadium he's played up more than twice for City without scoring. He's played eight games, 601 minutes and had 11 shots without scoring. But I think Chelsea on Saturday will be the time he breaks his duck and he's 4 to 5 to score any time on Saturday and that's a bigger price than you normally get about Erling Haaland to score. So he's going to start us off. Secondly, in the last two seasons of the FA cup, no player has been involved in more goals than Man City's Jeremy Doku with three goals and five assists. While Doku's five assists and 40 dribbles are the most of any Premier League player in that time, he's 118 to either score or assist in the game on Saturday. He's in the form is live at the moment as well, isn't he? Jeremy Docker who can't stop scoring. And finally I'm going for Man City to win the game and both teams to score in the game as well. I think both teams are poor defensively. Three of the last six meetings between these two sides have finished both teams to score and I think City will have the edge as the odds suggest. So overall, those three selections come together for around a five to one bet builder and the beauty of the mark is discussed in the bet is they all have say sub attached to it, meaning if that leg of the bet hasn't won and that player comes off, that player that replaces them carries on that leg of the bet.

[Matt Davis Adams]

Tremendous. Let's hope we can have some success with that this weekend then. James, appreciate your time as ever.

[James Mackey]

Thanks, Mark.

[Podcast Host]

This is the Athletic FC podcast, proudly sponsored by Betfair.

[James Mackey]

Right.

[Matt Davis Adams]

While we're on the subject of Chelsea, they could also have a massive impact on what happens in the fight for survival when they host Tottenham Hotspur next Tuesday. Carris if there's any game that Chelsea fans will want to win as much as the FA cup final, here's the one on Tuesday.

[Keris Jones]

Yeah, absolutely. I've been speaking to a lot of Chelsea fans about this game and it's one that I think was earmarked for quite some time for the last couple of months. As spurs have been tumbling towards relegation. I think since I started having those conversations, Chelsea fans feel significantly less optimistic in the way that their team's form has gone and Tottenham's sort of resurgence feels too strong a word for it. But scoring some goals, picking up a few points, etc. It's no longer a chance obviously for Chelsea to mathematically relegate Tottenham, as we thought it could be a little while ago. But it is a chance, if results go West Ham's way, that they could make Tottenham start the final day of the season in the relegation zone, which would obviously be quite a mood booster at Stamford Bridge. I think also the atmosphere if, and it's a big if Chelsea were to be able to, to lift the FA cup on Saturday, I think it would probably be one of the best atmospheres of the season at Stamford Bridge in terms of them having that mood boost and them knowing sort of the impact that they can have on, on Tottenham's relegation fight if they don't get a result on Saturday. Not that, you know, I think most Chelsea fans aren't expecting to, but depending on that, how that game goes, the atmosphere could potentially fall a bit flat and a bit toxic. So I think the crowd and the first goal, I know it's a real cliche, but in a clash like this, I think that's going to be massive in terms of whether the Chelsea fans end up kind of rallying behind the team or I think if they go a goal down to Tottenham, there will just be such a massive, like, swell of discontent. I'll be at that one. So, yeah, I'm really interested to see how that plays out.

[Matt Davis Adams]

Yeah, me too. Can't wait for that. On Spurs, Critch had the chance to put some distance between themselves and Leeds on Monday. They could only manage a draw. They're trying to take it to the last day, aren't they? We should give thanks to their commitment to the bid.

[Mark Critchley]

This is what we want, isn't it? From a purely neutral perspective, of course. I think this is what everybody wants. It would be quite anti climactic I think, if this didn't go down to the last day. Just given how much build up this relegation fight has had for the past few months and how existential it's felt for Tottenham and West Ham. Look, I think Tottenham, they've been looking more competent, more like an actually capable football team under Roberto De Zerbi. But yeah, the commitment to the narrative cannot be faulted still when you're throwing away two points, that would have been huge for Them if they got them against Leeds the other night. The swing especially of West Ham winning at Newcastle on Saturday night, if they managed to do that and putting Tottenham into the bottom three could be huge. And it's the psychological effect of that as well, which I think is going to be the most interesting thing about this game if West Ham do get that result. You know, I'm sometimes skeptical of whether playing before your opponents has that much of an effect, whether it counts for something. But I think it does have to count for something in situations like this, and maybe more so at the bottom than at the top of the league. And I think the past few months before de Zerbi came in, certainly under Tudor, it was Tottenham psychology that was the most worrying thing about it, was the fact that they're not a club that would have been in this type of dogfight before. You can lose games in a relegation race essentially, and it not be a calamity because of the teams around you are losing games as well. But it felt like this Tottenham team didn't quite understand that for a while. Maybe they do now, but they just need to get results. They just need to win. That's all they've needed to do for weeks and months now. Such a huge game and such a prospect. Especially if West Ham manage to get a result in Newcastle.

[Matt Davis Adams]

Yeah. So on West Ham then. The spurs draw on Monday means that the Hammers have got the chance to climb out of the relegation zone before spurs play. As we say, they go to Newcastle on Sunday. And if you know that in a West Ham win would give spurs the chance to secure their Premier League status by beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Did you see enough from the Hammers last week in that crazy end of the game against Arsenal Crips to show that they can get something on Sunday in the Northeast? They haven't been bad, have they? For what feels like a couple of months now.

[Mark Critchley]

I think the Brentford game was bad. And that is the one result that I think if they do end up going down and people look back at that and think expected a little bit more there. I look at them going to Newcastle St James's Park, I think it was a place especially earlier in the season, we would think of it as an incredibly difficult place to go. But it just hasn't been. That hasn't how it's turned out this season. You look at Newcastle's home record, it's mid table. It's taken a real hit since new Year. I think they've picked up a little bit of late, but They've got little to play for now except like a modicum Moore respectable league finish. You think of how they play, it's physical, it's direct, open spaces. It could be a real slugfest. And I don't actually think that's a bad thing for West Ham in this game. Nuno, you'll remember this Nuno, I think he won at St. James's park, like Dec. 23 with Forest. It was one of his first games in charge. A really impressive performance.

[Matt Davis Adams]

I was just thinking of it. Yeah. Chris Woodhatch.

[Mark Critchley]

Exactly. Yeah. And I think a lot of teams will struggle to go to St. James park with Newcastle are at their physical best and roughhouse stuff. But I feel like Nuno teams are a little bit more suited to that than others are. So the gap's two points. I think that's significant at this stage of the season, at that end of the table, because again, teams around you aren't always picking up loads of points. And so if you can establish that gap that Tottenham have, then it's huge. You take goal difference into account as well. West Ham absolutely need to win. And all things considered, you'd imagine that Tottenham, if you were betting on it, you'd imagine Tottenham surviving West Ham go down. But I don't think this is a bad fixture for West Ham. And I don't think Leeds on the final day with nothing to play for is either. And so for that reason, I just can't really give up on the idea that they're not dead and buried just yet.

[Matt Davis Adams]

What do you think, Karis? Newcastle. Kind of bad vibes FC at the moment, aren't they? But it's their final home league game. West Ham haven't scored in their last three on the road. How's this one going to turn out?

[Keris Jones]

I think Newcastle, it being the last home game of the season, it being at St. James's park, like there's that sort of intangible. But as you say, they're not in a great place at the moment. They don't have much to play for except pride. But I think at that club, pride is a massive factor. So it's really, really hard to call.

[Best Western Advertiser]

Where's your playlist taking you? Down the highway to the mountains? Or just into daydream mode while you're stuck in Traffic? With over 4,000 hotels worldwide, Best Western is there to help you make the most of your getaway, wherever that is. Because the only thing better than a great playlist is a great trip. Life's the trip. Make the most of it. At Best Western. Book Direct and [e-mail] hi, this is

[Pablo Torre]

Pablo Torre from Pablo Torre finds Out and today I want to talk to you about Boost Mobile because we spend a lot of time analyzing inefficiencies in sports, overvalued contracts, money tied up in the wrong places, and so on. But those inefficiencies aren't just on a roster. Sometimes they're in your own monthly expenses. Boost Mobile says switching to their $25 Unlimited Forever plan can unlock up to $600 in savings a year. That's $25 a month for unlimited data, talk and text when you bring your own phone. If that money is trapped in a pricey phone bill, it might be worth a second look. Visit boostmobile.com to learn more. After 30 gigabytes, customers may experience slower speeds. Customers pay $25 per month as long as they remain active on the Boost Mobile Unlimited Plan savings claim based on a January 2026 Boost Mobile survey of 1,000Americans with single line unlimited plans, comparing average annual payments of major carriers to 12 months on the Boost Mobile Unlimited Plan. For full offer details, visit boostmobile.com

[Workday Advertiser]

one second you're enjoying your day off, the next your phone buzzes, a window's been broken at home. You're miles away in one second. That's why ADT's professionally installed security systems monitor your home 24 7. They're backed by the most company operated monitoring centers in the industry, so you're always supported during an emergency. When every second Counts, count on ADT. Visit ADT.com to learn more.

[Podcast Host]

This is the Athletic FC podcast proudly sponsored by Betfair.

[Matt Davis Adams]

Right, let's turn our attention back to the top of the table. We mentioned Arsenal's win at the London Stadium last Sunday, Critch. Was that the biggest moment in VAR history? As Gary Neville said it was. Did they get it right? Are you as bored as me of the never ending discourse around VAR in general and that incident specifically?

[Mark Critchley]

Let's take the incident. First of all, when I saw it and you see Pablo put his hand on the goalkeeper, my instant reaction was, okay, well that's going to be disallowed and there can't be that much of a debate around it. And because I think if you interfere with the goalkeeper, goals don't stand. It's a simple kind of convention that we've all come to understand. And from that perspective, I don't think that it's a controversial decision. What we also have at the same time though is you zoom out and you look at the 25 different fouls that are happening in that penalty box at the same time and you then get sucked into the parallel debate. And it's the dullest debate of the season, even duller than the VAR one, to be honest, about what we're going to do about this level of grappling, this Royal Rumble, this meat wall that we have in every penalty box, on every set piece. And it's the defining characteristic of this season, one that I'm sick of debating as well. I don't know how you can fix it. We had Darren Cannon on Match of the Day talking about limiting the number of plays in a six yard box. I think that just ends up moving the issue elsewhere. It just draws the line somewhere else. Much like all the offside VAR stuff that we've debated before as well. I think in retrospect, maybe the fairest decision would have been no goal penalty to West Ham, and everybody gets a slap on the wrist in that way. But I mean, I have to give credit to, and just give a nod to my colleague Jack Pitt Brooke, who's been at the vanguard of the abolition movement, that I think rapidly more and more people, including myself, have been drawn into. We have these FA cup weekends sometimes, don't we, where there's no VAR and a referee will make a calamitous decision and people will say, this is why we need it. And, you know, to those people I just say, I don't care. I don't care anymore. We had football without var and it was great. We loved it, we adored it, Some of us even foolishly built our careers around it. And people, people who like going away and arguing about refereeing decisions, they could do that. They could take whatever perverse joy and enjoyment they get out of that and do that. But VAR has sort of inflicted that on the rest of us. It's implanted it within the 90 minutes, the sacred 90 minutes of a football match. So we're debating these things in real time as they happen. I think we're all just a bit sick of it, aren't we? So I am fully signed up to the campaign along with Mr. Pitt Brooke. Full abolition.

[Keris Jones]

Now, I think it's really interesting you mention when we have these weekends without it, because I remember writing a little while ago, after that Newcastle Aston Villa game, which just had like, I mean, too many errors to even remember. At least one of them definitely could and would have been corrected by var. There was a handball that was given as a free kick outside the box and it should have Been a penal and it was just a clear as day, like would have corrected it. And I remember I wrote a column about it saying, you know, like, this is football without var. It's different. Do you prefer it? And some people will and some people won't. Like, I think it's frustrating when you have it taken away and then you have these errors that you know could be corrected, but for every one of those, there is the moment that would have been stolen, the moment that would have been taken away. The main thing that gets to me is that there is still no consistency and it's not about being able to view incidents back, because the rules ultimately are subjective. Some of them are not, but some of them are. So even with being able to endlessly replay incidents and look at them back, you are still not going to have a consistent outcome across a 20 team. 38. Match week season there are always going to be ones. Man United fans have obviously looked at what they believe was a foul on the goalkeeper on the first day of the season against Arsenal. Now that we're here on match day 36, looking at the incident in Arsenal West Ham, if you're going to create a culture where everything gets replayed and everything gets dissected in real time, you got to expect that the fans are going to do that online as well, and at least one official is never going to come out of it looking good. In any given situation, there is always going to be someone who disagrees with you.

[Mark Critchley]

The point on subjectivity is really good because what frustrates me most about, and I know we're guilty of now spending so much time on this debate that we're all bored of having, but the point on subjectivity is crucial to it, because subjectivity is built into the foundational principle of var, which is if something is clear and obvious, people have different opinions over whether something is clear and obvious. That's subjective. So therefore, how are you going to reach an objective decision and a consistently objective decision according to the rules, if subjectivity is baked into the very process of which you're using to reach that objectivity, you're not going to do it. Just stop me now, because I'm already bored of talking about it. But that is the foundational contradiction within VAR itself, which means that it doesn't work. Abolish it.

[Matt Davis Adams]

Let's hope the VAR is not a big issue at the Emirates on Monday night. Can we even make a case, Keris, for anything other than a straightforward Arsenal win here? Burnley, I notes, did win at the Emirates in Covid times 1 nil. Aubameyang own goal. Granit Xhaka sent off. Clearly that's not going to happen on Monday. Can you make any case for the clarets?

[Keris Jones]

You struggle to. I think, you know, obviously they had that, that draw against Aston Villa which was very impressive, but there's an argument probably that Villa was suffering a bit of a hangover and I do mean a footballing hangover in terms of the intensity of the game from that game against Nottingham Forest as opposed to over celebrating. So, you know, I struggle to make a case for Burnley here really.

[Matt Davis Adams]

So it might be then critic about Arsenal trying to improve on their goal difference. City's is one better than the Gunners at the moment. If you were looking to try and boost your goals for Colm, Burnley might well be the opponent you picked to do so.

[Mark Critchley]

Conceded the most goals of any team in the league, I think 73. So yeah, absolutely, this is the fixture in which you'd want to do it. I don't think it will come down to goal difference because I think you look at this Burnley game, you look at the fact that Arsenal will be playing Crystal palace three days before they've got the Conference League final on the final weekend. The points should be there and should be enough to get them over the line. If it did come down to goal difference, there would be an irony I suppose to it given that how much we've talked about the difference between these two teams and how the different approach is slightly more free flowing versus slightly more relying on set pieces. I think that's always been a slight limiting factor to Arsenal and the fact of the matter is that if it's level on goal difference as well, then you're talking about going down to goal scored and the behind City on that measure currently at least. I think it will be part of the consideration maybe, but I'm not expecting the type of scenes that we saw without Liverpool in Cristan Bull where Luis Suarez is picking the ball out the back of the net to run back to the center circle just so Crystal palace have a bit more time to score three to equalize in the end. Ultimately, I don't. I don't think we're in that situation. I think Arsenal should be confident enough in themselves to get the points that they need across the board to get over the line.

[Matt Davis Adams]

All right, let's finish on the race for Europe. We know Bournemouth are hosting Manchester City on Tuesday. They won at Craven Cottage last time out, beating Fulham 1 nil to keep them well in the hunt for Champions League football. What for now are still Anthony Iriola's side, unbeaten in 16 games. They could well be in the Champions League next season, which would be pretty incredible. How beneficial Gritsch will the fact they'll have had 10 days rest before Tuesday's game B for them.

[Mark Critchley]

Yeah, I think it's a benefit. I think Bournemouth have been really impressive. I want to say. You say unbeaten in 16. I can remember just before that I don't think they'd won in 13. And I think the fact that they are in this position now is a sort of testament and a symbol of the weird season that we've had where it's just been snakes and ladders between basically sixth and 16th place. And Bournemouth happened to be the side that are in the position when we're up to 36 games where they can take advantage of it. And at the top of that pile, interesting situation that Andoni Aiola could get Bournemouth into the Champions League, whether that's finishing sixth and Villa winning the Europa League or climbing over Villa, and then not be the manager next season to actually take them through there. But then I think he's deserved that as well because we've seen the job that he's done over what is one of the relatively smaller budgets within the league. How he's managed to elevate that club is a huge testament to his ability. And I think, you know, getting Champions League football would. Would neatly round that off.

[Matt Davis Adams]

Brighton also in contention for potential Champions League football next season. Keris, they got Leeds this weekend, then Manchester United to come. Are they decent fixtures for them? Given that neither of those sides are playing for anything but pride and maybe a slightly higher league placing at this point?

[Keris Jones]

Yeah, I think of that kind of little pack of three of Brentford, Brighton and Bournemouth. Brighton do have the kindest fixtures, you know, with Bournemouth having to face City in the next game, Brentford have Liverpool, who are sort of making it wait to wrap up their Champions League qualification. So they should be kind of bang up for that game. Brighton definitely have the kindest fixtures. They've been able to make themselves a bit of a bogey team for Man United in the past as well. We can talk about it being like a poor Premier League season and everything about the style of football, the set pieces, corners, var, all of this stuff. Grappling a word that I don't think I'd ever heard used in a football context before this season and is now the sort of word of the year. But ultimately the fact that we've got such a, like, competitive race for those final European places shows that there's something right with the league. It's so congested and it's so volatile and that's really, really good to see.

[Matt Davis Adams]

Yeah, absolutely. Finally, the weekend kicks off. Big game at Villa Park. Unai Emery's Aston Villa hosting Liverpool. This is on Friday night. A win for either will guarantee a top five finish in a Champions League. If Liverpool are victorious, it would also effectively wrap up fourth place for them given the disparity in their goal difference. Both them slightly stuttered in the league of late. More important, I guess Krich this one for Liverpool and on a slot in particular than for Villa, given that they've got the Europa League final coming up next week.

[Mark Critchley]

Yeah, Villa have that second bite of the cherry if you like, which helps them. I do think that they are looking over the shoulder a little bit at Bournemouth though at the same time. And you just want to be sure so I' they'll be taking this really seriously. I think when the schedulers would have looked at this a few weeks ago, they would think it's really a really big and truly significant game for the Champions League race. And it doesn't quite feel like that now, because it doesn't. I'm sort of talking up Bournemouth's chances of catching them. But still it feels somewhat settled that top five now, especially since Chelsea dropped off. I think for Liverpool, the way things turned out at Anfield last week with, you know, Bowen and Gamoa coming off with the sort of listlessness, the sort of apathy that there was, the relationship between the fans and slot feels somewhat damaged at this point. All the noises are that he'll still be in place next season. We'll see whether that's the case or not. But you'd want a strong finish to the end of the season in order to just get people smiling a little bit or a little bit optimistic. I don't think there's a lot of Liverpool fans who are feeling that positivity right now. So securing Champions League football. Look, it's not winning the league title as last season, but it is what Liverpool need to do season in, season out. Not something that they've not always done. Even under Klopp. There was years where they missed out on that in fallow years. And you just look to get that over the line and then move forward and try and build again for next season.

[Matt Davis Adams]

Be interesting to see what lineup Hunai Emery goes with, won't it? Karis? Do you think he'll rotate as much as he did against spurs or will he want to go into the Europa League final knowing that Champions League is done and dusted. Even if they don't get across the line in that one, they've got a

[Keris Jones]

little bit of a break, so probably wouldn't expect them to kind of rotate quite so heavily. But they are favourites going into that Europa League final, so they've got these two, as you say, two shots at securing a Champions League place. To do it through the league feels perhaps neater if they manage to do it either way is a massive testament to kind of the work they've done this season. Considering how poorly they started the season in terms of rotation, I don't think you can expect to see as much as there was against Tottenham. Based on kind of how that game went and how poorly it was received as well, I would expect to see Emery go with with closer to his first team, even if there are a few changes.

[Matt Davis Adams]

All right, well that is the game that kicks off the weekend's Premier League action. Nothing on Saturday because the cup final and then a busy Sunday. That's all the time we got for today. Plenty to look forward to as ever this weekend. Thanks to Critch and Carys and producers Jay and Paul and to you for listening. Enjoy the weekend's action. We'll catch up with you soon.

[Podcast Host]

You've been listening to the Athletic FC Podcast. The producers were Jay Beal and John Rogers and the presenter was Matt Davis Adams. The Executive producer is Ady Moorhead. To listen to other great athletic podcasts for free, including our dedicated club shows. Search for the Athletic in all the usual places. The Athletic FC Podcast is an athletic media company, company production and proudly sponsored by betfair.

[Workday Advertiser]

Marketers. You know that feeling when your creative clicks, when that social post sends engagement through the roof, when your outside of the box campaign hits ROI positive. When a personalized homepage turns prospects into customers. It's utter marketing bliss. Contentful helps you create tailored omnichannel experiences without working overtime. No stress, no limits, only possibilities. Get the [e-mail] this is Robert Mase

[Robert Mase]

from the Athletic Football Show. The Men's Wearhouse is here to make you look and feel good no matter the occasion. From formal to casual dress down to dressed up, their in store experts will help you find the right outfit for that thing you got on the calendar and their on site tailors will make sure the fit is perfect for your body. Suits, tuxes, sport coats, jeans, shorts, chinos, T shirts, polos, loafers, sneakers, sandals, underwear. Get ready to look and feel good for anything from head to toe by visiting Men's Wearhouse today. Men's Wearhouse. Love the way you look.

[Mom (Verizon Advertiser)]

Hey honey, it's Mom. Did you know if we switch to Verizon, we can get 4 phones for $0 plus 4 lines for 20 a line? Call me back me again. That's just a hundred dollars a month for four lines on unlimited welcome plus four phones. No trade in needed. Call me. It's Mom. America's best network. Verizon. That's the one we're talking about. I'll send you text.

[Mark Critchley]

America's best network based on root metrics.

[James Mackey]

Best overall Mobile Network Performance U.S. second half 2025.

[Keris Jones]

Four new lines and a limited welcome and auto pay.

[Mark Critchley]

See verizon.com for details.