European Super Football

Denmark v Scotland preview Could we be seeing the beginning of Steve Clarke's last dance as Scotland boss? Author | Alan White Stadium | Parken Scotland players celebrate a memorable win over Denmark in 2021 Scotland look in danger of stalling under Steve Clarke, who is still searching for a first World Cup qualification of this century. The March international break brought fresh disappointment as they were relegated from their Nations League group after a chastening defeat to Greece . The players building their careers and thriving in Italy Scotland have retained individual quality, with the likes of Scott McTominay central to their hopes. Like the former Manchester United midfielder, Billy Gilmour is also a league winner with Napoli , while Lewis Ferguson captains Bologna and lifted the Coppa Italia last season.  Teenager Lennon Miller has already traded Motherwell for Udinese after making his international debut earlier this year. Che Adams is starting his second season ...

Luxembourg v Northern Ireland preview Northern Ireland will begin another World Cup qualifying campaign with an away game in Luxembourg. Author | Mark Lee Stadium | Stade de Luxembourg The 2026 World Cup will arrive 40 years after Northern Ireland last graced football’s biggest stage, and a decade since their memorable run at Euro 2016 . In the years since, progress has been limited, but the introduction of younger players and a recent Nations League group victory have injected fresh belief. Qualification rules may also work in their favour, with Nations League winners who do not finish in the top two of their groups handed another route into the finals. READ MORE |  Wales resume their attempt to reach the World Cup Michael O’Neill’s side have taken seven wins from their last 15 matches, including a 1-0 friendly victory over Iceland in June, a sign of steady progress under the manager who guided them to France in 2016. While qualifying began for most of Europe back in March,...

Kazakhstan v Wales preview Wales resume their attempt to reach a second successive World Cup when they meet Kazakhstan in Astana. Author | Stephen Chadwick Stadium | Astana Arena The stadium that will host the match Wales have made an encouraging start under Craig Bellamy . After earning promotion to the top tier of the Nations League at the end of last year, they have taken seven points from their opening four World Cup 2026 qualifiers . They are also the leading scorers in Group J with ten goals. An opening victory over Kazakhstan was followed by a stoppage-time equaliser in North Macedonia, when David Brooks rescued a point. A 3-0 win at home to Liechtenstein then set the stage for an eye-catching performance in Brussels . Wales fought back from three goals down against Belgium, only for Kevin De Bruyne ’s late strike to seal the points for the hosts. READ MORE |  Heartbreak for Wales in Belgium READ MORE |  Wales snatch dramatic draw in North Macedonia That result...

West Ham v Chelsea Preview Chelsea are strong favourites among the experts to get three points  Author | James P Stadium | London Stadium  West Ham’s Premier League campaign got off to a disastrous start last weekend, with Graham Potter’s side suffering a 3-0 defeat at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. Potter faces mounting pressure after failing to inspire the fanbase following his arrival midway through last season, and expectations were higher after a full preseason. Last week’s display suggested little progress, and with West Ham having won only one of their final eight home league games last term, patience is likely to be in short supply unless results improve quickly. Chelsea present a difficult challenge, having won each of the last three encounters and with Potter yet to defeat his former club in seven managerial meetings. Chelsea need to prove they're more than just hype While the Blues won at the London Stadium last season, they have managed only three victories...

A preview of Southampton's 2025/2026 season They will be looking to bounce straight back to the Premier League Author | Ajay   What can we can expect from the team and their new manager? Much has been made of Will Still in recent months. Now, as he takes charge at Southampton, we will see whether the hype is justified. His task is clear: to lead the Saints back to the Premier League at the first attempt. Last season was grim in almost every sense. Southampton avoided the ignominy of becoming the worst side in Premier League history by the narrowest of margins, finishing a single point above Derby County’s record low tally. Still has been brought in to oversee the rebuild and to inject renewed optimism into a fanbase still reeling from a year to forget. Early signs of change are evident, with the likes of Kamaldeen Sulemana and Jan Bednarek moving on, while Damion Downs and Joshua Quarshie have arrived from Germany. Despite their struggles, the core of the squad remains st...

Luton Town League One season preview Throwback to the summer of 2023, it was all going so well for Luton Town. Author | Jamie P The day of relegation for Luton Town Luton will host newly-promoted AFC Wimbledon in a fixture that revives memories of the 2011 Conference play-off final, when the Wombles triumphed on penalties after a tense goalless draw. The Hatters' ascent was steep and stirring. The fall has been swift and sobering. A crazy journey Luton’s penalty shootout win over Coventry City in the Championship play-off final in May 2023 already feels like a distant moment. That day, Fankaty Dabo’s miss sealed promotion and marked the club’s first return to the top flight since 1992, the final season before the Premier League’s introduction. In the three decades since, Luton fell through the divisions and were expelled from the EFL altogether in 2009 after a heavy points deduction. They became the first club to rise from the fifth tier to the Premier League in the modern era...

England v Spain Euro 2025 final preview After a month of continental football played across Switzerland, Euro 2025 will come to a close on Sunday in Basel, where Spain face England in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final. Author | Lauren W This will be Sarina Wiegman’s fifth consecutive major tournament final as a manager, a remarkable record that underlines her consistency at the highest level. How the sides reached the final England’s path to their 2022 European Championship triumph was largely serene, with six wins from six and only two goals conceded. Their title defence has been far more turbulent. A defeat to France in their opening match was followed by confident victories over the Netherlands and Wales, but they were forced to come from behind against both Sweden and Italy in the knockout rounds. Yet Sarina Wiegman’s side, aided by the strength of their bench, continue to find a way through. READ MORE |  What else has happened at Euro 2025 Spain, by contrast, have loo...

Celtic v Aberdeen preview Scottish football’s marquee fixture takes centre stage on Saturday as Celtic, the defending champions, face Aberdeen in the final of the Scottish Cup. Author | Sean M Celtic line up before their Scottish Cup sem i-final Brendan Rodgers’ side lifted the trophy last season with a 1-0 victory over Rangers, courtesy of a dramatic late winner from Adam Idah. Aberdeen, meanwhile, return to the final for the first time since 2017,.a year when they were edged out by Celtic in similarly heart-breaking fashion, as Tom Rogic’s late solo effort clinched the cup. A history of drama in recent meetings The two sides are no strangers to high-stakes clashes in this competition. Their most recent encounter came in this year’s semi-final – a pulsating 3-3 draw that went all the way to penalties, with Celtic eventually prevailing after a frenetic contest that showcased the very best of Scottish football. READ MORE | Latest Celtic news and stories In 2020, the sides met behind...

Everton v Southampton preview It promises to be an emotional day as Everton's first team prepare for their final game at Goodison Park. Author - Sarah W The club recently shared the details of its plans for what will be a momentous final home game of the season, as the club and supporters prepare to end an era at Goodison Park. Plans for the historic visit of Southampton on Sunday 18 May include pre-match activity in and around the ground, and a post-match ceremony that will bring together current players and Blues greats to celebrate 133 years of the Grand Old Lady. Before kick-off, the fan group known as 'The 1878s' will stage a special coach welcome with the aim of creating a vibrant atmosphere as the players arrive at the stadium. The atmosphere has been amazing at the stadium this season. Following the final whistle, Evertonians will be asked to remain in their seats for a special on-pitch celebration that will include guest presenters, appearances from current...

Crystal Palace v Manchester City FA Cup Final. Fans preview.  Crystal Palace have a golden opportunity to finally put the heartbreak of their previous FA Cup Final defeats behind them.  Author - Ryan Thompson Editor - Jamie P The memories of 1990, when they were narrowly beaten by Manchester United after a replay, and the 2016 final, which ended in extra-time disappointment against the same opponents, still linger for us all.  Now, with a new generation of players, we have the chance to write a new chapter in the club’s history and bring silverware to Selhurst Park. How can Palace win? To lift the Cup, we will need to show belief, bravery and composure. The team standing in the way is one shaped by years of success, guided by a manager of rare brilliance and driven on by the emotion surrounding one of Kevin De Bruyne’s final appearances. However, they have shown a lot of weaknesses this season. Their poor run of form earlier in the campaign a sign that we can beat the...

Another eventful day in the Championship awaits After nine gruelling months and 540 matches, the Championship season reaches its climax on Saturday. Just two final hours will determine who celebrates, who falls short, and who survives. Author - Ajay In a division famous for its unpredictability, this season has been no different. Momentum has shifted time and again, providing a campaign full of drama and unexpected twists. Yet, with one round of fixtures remaining, much remains undecided. The title race, two play-off places, and one relegation spot are still up in the air. Twelve clubs, half the league, approach the final day with everything to play for. We begin at the foot of the table, where the pressure is the most intense.  The relegation fight Stoke City, Derby County, Preston North End, Luton Town and Hull City all go into their final matches needing something to secure safety. Plymouth Argyle, currently 23rd, are clinging to hope, but only a remarkable set of resul...

Manchester City v Leicester City preview Manchester City will look to strengthen their bid for a Champions League spot when they host relegation-bound Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night. Author - Macca Pep Guardiola’s side secured their customary place in the FA Cup semi-finals with a weekend win over Bournemouth, while Leicester have had a fortnight to reflect on another dismal Premier League defeat. Despite a turbulent 2024-25 campaign, City have maintained their dominance in domestic cup competitions, reaching their seventh consecutive FA Cup semi-final. Meanwhile, Leicester, who stormed to the Championship title under Enzo Maresca last season , have struggled to adapt to the top flight. Alongside Ipswich Town and Southampton, they find themselves adrift at the bottom of the table. The Foxes have endured a miserable run of six straight league defeats without scoring, shipping 16 goals in the process. Their latest setback (a 3-0 home loss to Manchester United...

England v Albania Preview Taking their first step towards qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, England get their campaign under way against Albania. Author - Georgia Baker New boss Thomas Tuchel will lead the Three Lions out at Wembley for his first fixture in charge of the runners up from Euro 2024. How are England shaping up ahead of their new era? After wrapping up their latest UEFA Nations League campaign in style, England kick off 2025 with their opening qualifier for the next World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The qualifiers take place over five international windows between now and November, with only the top team from each of the 12 groups securing automatic qualification. Meanwhile, the runners-up will have to go through the play-offs. This month, England will look to take charge of Group K as they begin their journey under Tuchel. One of the favourites for World Cup glory, they start with a home fixture against Albania on Friday be...

Netherlands v Spain Preview Spain, the reigning UEFA Nations League champions, head to Rotterdam for the first leg of their quarter-final clash against the Netherlands. Author - Ajay Feyenoord's stadium will host the match The winners of this two-legged tie will progress to the semi-finals in June, where they will face either Croatia or France. After being knocked out by England in the Euro 2024 semi-finals last summer, the Netherlands secured second place in League A Group 3 of the Nations League, picking up nine points from six matches (W2 D3 L1) in the latter half of last year. Since the competition's inception in 2018, the Dutch have twice come close to lifting the trophy—finishing as runners-up to Portugal in 2019 before losing the third-place playoff to Italy in 2023. READ MORE: What's the point of the UEFA Nations League Manager Ronald Koeman will be looking to shore up a defence that struggled during the group stage, conceding seven goals—the most of any team at...

Wolves v Everton preview The home side are currently five points clear of the relegation zone and will be hoping for a win against Everton to ease any concerns Author - Sarah W It’s been a mixed few weeks for Wolves, who ended February with two wins and two defeats in the Premier League, along with contrasting fortunes in the FA Cup.  Narrow 2-1 losses in the Premier League against Liverpool and Fulham have kept them looking nervously over their shoulders. However, with a more favourable run of fixtures on the horizon, and having seen their FA Cup campaign brought to an end by Bournemouth last weekend, Wolves can now turn their full attention to securing Premier League survival. Sitting five points clear of the drop zone, they will be eager to add more points to their tally and avoid being dragged back into danger. Everton, on the other hand, have found a new lease of life under returning manager David Moyes. The former Toffees boss, who was reappointed in January following Se...

Aston Villa v Cardiff City preview  FA Cup 5th round weekend kicks off with Cardiff  City travelling to Aston Villa. Author - Sean M It's 17 years since Cardiff reached the FA Cup final and they still have an opportunity to go one better in 2025. The home side in this encounter, Aston Villa, last reached the final ten years ago. They certainly have the quality to go all the way. Can Villa maintain a charge on multiple fronts? Aston Villa are heading into a crucial stage of the season, juggling multiple competitions. They're still in the Champions League and pushing for a top-four finish in the Premier League to secure a return to Europe’s elite next season. The big question is whether they’ll also go all-in on the FA Cup. Unai Emery will want to compete on all fronts, but we've already seen how the packed schedule has stretched his squad. That said, this is exactly where Villa fans want their club to be—fighting on multiple fronts as the season reaches its climax. Even ...

Crystal Palace v Aston Villa preview Crystal Palace and Aston Villa will both be looking to make it successive Premier League victories when they meet at Selhurst Park on Tuesday evening. Author - Peter Grainger Palace, currently 13th in the table, head into the game on the back of a 2-0 win over Fulham on Saturday, while Villa, sitting in eighth, edged past Chelsea 2-1 later that day. The Eagles are six points adrift of 10th-placed Fulham, having finished in that position last season. A lack of goals has hampered their progress this term, but there is still plenty of time to turn things around. Oliver Glasner’s side claimed victory at Craven Cottage thanks to a first-half own goal from Joachim Andersen, before Daniel Muñoz secured the points in the 66th minute. That result means Palace have won three of their last four games in all competitions, although all of those victories have come away from home. At Selhurst Park, they have struggled, losing their last two league matches aga...

Chelsea v Southampton preview Two struggling teams in dire need of a turnaround meet on Tuesday night, as Chelsea host relegation-bound Southampton at Stamford Bridge. Author - Lauren W Chelsea players celebrate scoring at Southampton Enzo Maresca’s side come into the game off the back of three consecutive defeats in all competitions, the latest being a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa . Meanwhile, Southampton offered little resistance in a heavy 4-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. There were at least some positives for Chelsea in their response to a 3-0 hammering by Brighton earlier this month .  Maresca reportedly admitted that this loss was the "toughest" of his tenure so far. Their troubles away from home continue, with the Blues now winless in seven on the road and suffering four straight defeats. However, Stamford Bridge has been far more forgiving. Chelsea have won three of their last four home games, scoring at least twice in each, with their only defeat in their las...

Brighton v Bournemouth preview With the race for European football intensifying in the Premier League, Brighton & Hove Albion welcome Bournemouth to the Amex Stadium on Tuesday night. Author - Josh T   The Seagulls head into the match full of confidence after a resounding 4-0 victory over Southampton at the weekend, a result that leaves them ninth in the table with 40 points—just three behind sixth-placed Bournemouth, who suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Wolves. Fabian Hürzeler’s side were dominant against Southampton, creating 10 big chances and registering 15 shots inside the box. The performance was the perfect response to t heir humiliating 7-0 thrashing at Nottingham Forest on February 1st, with Brighton now having conceded just once in three games since while netting nine goals themselves. Last season’s surprise package in Europe, Brighton secured a historic first-ever Europa League qualification in 2023 and with only four points separating them from fourth-placed Manch...

Bayern Munich v Celtic preview Bayern Munich lead 2-1 after what was an entertaining first leg in Glasgow Author - Sean M After edging past Celtic with a 2-1 victory in Glasgow last week, Bayern Munich will be eager to confirm their place in the Champions League last 16 when they host the Scottish champions at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday. Will the atmosphere at Bayern Munich match the one at Celtic? Vincent Kompany’s side were forced to defend for long spells in Saturday’s goalless draw with Bayer Leverkusen, though they remain eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga. This contest, however, is expected to be a different affair, with Bayern likely to dominate on home turf. Celtic, meanwhile, will be looking to spring a surprise in Munich. Brendan Rodgers’ men head into the fixture with confidence after a commanding 3-0 victory over Dundee United, which extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Remarkably, Celtic are in the knockout rounds for the first tim...