Manchester City vs Arsenal (England) – The New Rivalry 2024:

The rivalry between Manchester City and Arsenal has recently escalated into one of the fiercest contests in the Premier League. With City under Pep Guardiola's stewardship becoming the dominant force in English football, Arsenal, led by Mikel Arteta, have emerged as serious challengers, battling for the title.

Last season, City pipped Arsenal in the title race, sparking anticipation for future encounters. The tactical brilliance of both managers ensures that this clash is more than just a game— as was shown in last week’s 2-2 draw at the Etihad in what was a battle of minds and ideologies.

City’s deep squad and proven winners contrasted with Arsenal’s youthful exuberance, making their encounters gripping. The outcome often shapes the title race, creating a new layer of animosity between fans and players alike, making this rivalry one to watch in the coming seasons.

Manchester City vs Liverpool (England) - Klopp vs Guardiola Era 2022:

The rivalry between Manchester City and Liverpool during the Klopp-Guardiola era is one of modern football’s finest. As Liverpool sought to break City’s dominance, both clubs battled for supremacy in the Premier League and Europe.

Guardiola's City often boasted a superior squad, while Klopp's heavy-metal football made Liverpool the perfect foil, especially during their successful 2019-20 title campaign.

This rivalry is a tactical masterclass, with high stakes every time they meet. Klopp and Guardiola’s personal and professional respect had added a layer of intrigue, with each contest potentially deciding who reigned supreme in English football.

Manchester City vs Manchester United (England) - The Manchester Derby 2021:

The Manchester Derby remains a high-octane affair, with both Manchester United and Manchester City battling for local pride. Historically, United dominated, but City’s rise under Guardiola has flipped the script.

United, under Erik ten Hag, are eager to restore their place at the top, making these clashes about more than just bragging rights—it’s about re-establishing dominance in Manchester and beyond.

With City now seen as the superior side in terms of recent achievements, United’s fans demand a response. These intense battles fuel the long-standing rivalry between the clubs and their supporters with the two Manchester clubs, United led by Ole, placing 1st and 2nd in the league in 2021.

Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund (Germany) - Der Klassiker 2023:

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund’s "Der Klassiker" is the defining rivalry in German football. As Dortmund surged under Jurgen Klopp, they became Bayern’s closest competitors for domestic glory.

Bayern, however, consistently managed to outmuscle their rivals, regularly beating them on the field and off the field when they snatched their players and bullied them financially.

This rivalry embodies contrasting football philosophies: Bayern’s clinical, possession-based style against Dortmund’s high-intensity, attacking play. Every meeting between these two clubs often decides the fate of the Bundesliga, fuelling a bitter but respectful rivalry.

AC Milan vs Inter Milan (Italy) - The Milan Derby 2024:

The Milan Derby, or Derby della Madonnina, has long been one of Italy’s premier rivalries, with AC Milan and Inter Milan fighting for city supremacy. Both teams have experienced a resurgence in recent years, reclaiming their status as Serie A powerhouses.

The rivalry is steeped in history, but recent clashes have had title implications, intensifying the competition.

Their shared San Siro stadium adds another layer of drama, with fans of both sides turning every encounter into a spectacle. Whether it's Inter’s defensive solidity or Milan’s attacking flair, each derby captivates global audiences.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona (Spain) - El Clásico 2024:

El Clásico, the battle between Real Madrid and Barcelona, is the pinnacle of football rivalries. This fixture, featuring the world’s most celebrated players, has long shaped Spanish football’s title race.

The deep-rooted political and cultural differences between Madrid, representing the wider Spanish population, and Barcelona, embodying Catalan identity, fuel the intensity of every match.

Whether during the Messi-Ronaldo era or the current generation, El Clásico transcends football, captivating audiences worldwide as Real and Barca fight for both domestic and European dominance.

Celtic vs Rangers (Scotland) - The Old Firm Derby 2024:

The Old Firm Derby between Celtic and Rangers is more than a football match—it’s a clash of cultures, religion, and identity in Scotland. As the dominant forces in Scottish football, their rivalry has transcended the sport, spilling into broader societal tensions.

Celtic’s Catholic heritage and Rangers’ Protestant roots mean that these encounters are always heated and volatile.

While Rangers’ recent resurgence has reignited the battle for Scottish supremacy, Celtic’s continued success ensures that every Old Firm Derby is more than just a game—it's a battle for the heart of Scottish football.

Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) 2024:

While not as traditional as Bayern's rivalry with Dortmund, Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen has become an important fixture in recent seasons, with Leverkusen shocking the entire world in 2024 by lifting the German Bundesliga title and going unbeaten while doing it.

Leverkusen’s attacking style, led by young talent, has made them one of the few teams capable of troubling Bayern’s dominance in the Bundesliga.

Though Bayern continues to dominate the league, Leverkusen’s rise ensures this matchup remains a pivotal moment in the Bundesliga season, with potential title implications on the line.

You can check out today's games on MSport here.

The struggles of two of England's biggest clubs, Chelsea and Manchester United, have dominated headlines in recent seasons, strangely even during the off-season.

Both clubs find themselves entangled in their own issues, from ownership decisions to problematic recruitment to managers. Here’s a closer look at the current crises at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford.

Coincidentally both Chelsea and Manchester United have had their ownership structure reshaped recently, albeit some two years apart.

 Poor Transfer Decisions by New Owners:

The Blues first announced their new owners in May 2022 as American Consortium, Clearlake Capital now known as BlueCo, led by American businessman Todd Boehly, took over the club while Manchester United got a new minority owner in British businessman Jim Ratcliffe who purchased 25% stake in the club this year.

The one thing both clubs have had in common about their new owners is that both have spent lavishly on transfers since taking over but either with little apparent strategy or with a “manager’s Dutch-blindness”.

The Blues, seemingly the worst of the two teams in this category, have had a more than chaotic approach to their transfer business which has seen them end up with an inflated squad and questions over their long-term vision.

The signing of players on unusually long contracts — often spanning six to nine years — has raised eyebrows and intensified scrutiny, with questions over the motives behind such unusually lengthy contracts and their relation or lack thereof to “cheating the FFP rules and Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability regulations (PSR)”.

The fact that just this summer at a point, Chelsea had about 46 players on their books going into the new season, a number now standing at 29 currently, which is still one of the highest in the world, spells out the extent of the problem Chelsea had with signings.

In contrast, Manchester United's owners have just let the manager, Eric Ten Hag, a Dutch and former manager of Dutch club, Ajax, sign either Dutch players or players he formerly coached in the Dutch league at Ajax, seemingly with little regard to whether said players were a good fit and solutions for Manchester United and it’s playing problems or not.

Anthony, Lisandro Martinez, Malacia, de Ligt, Mazraoui, Onana and Josua Zirkzee, were all either Dutch players or at one point in their lives played not only in the Dutch Eredivisie but were managed by Manchester United’s boss Erik Ten Hag.

Transfer Market Craziness:

Chelsea’s recruitment has been frantic and unfocused. With 29 first-team players, including four (4) goalkeepers, Chelsea's squad management seems out of control, especially considering that since BlueCo’s £4.25bn takeover of the club in May 2022, they have spent £1bn-plus on transfers.

The club’s tendency to offload home-grown talents like Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah to make room for new ‘shiny and opportunistic’ signings reflects poor planning.

Just this season alone, players like Joao Felix signed for 52 million euros, Jadon Sancho signed on loan, Pedro Neto (60 million euros) signed permanently from Wolves, Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester for 35.40 million euros, Filip Jorgenson from Villarreal for 24.50 million euros and many others that totalled a little over have added to the overcrowded dressing room with no clear role.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have spent more than £400 million under Erik ten Hag, but their recruitment has been equally problematic. The Dutch manager’s preference for players he knows, such as Antony and Lisandro Martínez, has not consistently paid off.

Antony’s £82 million transfer fee looks increasingly unjustified given his performances, and new signings like Mason Mount have struggled to make an impact.

Dysfunction Squads:

Chelsea’s bloated squad poses a significant issue. Manager Enzo Maresca has to juggle an excessive number of players, many of whom were signed recently on long-term deals with little consideration for squad balance.

With young talents like Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Cole Palmer vying for spots alongside veteran recruits, finding a cohesive unit has been a daunting task.

This is reflected in Ben Chilwell, one of the veterans, now left with no choice but to look for an exit in January, because he is surplus to manager Enzo’s requirements just like Sterling, Chalobah, Broja, and Gallagher.

At United, Ten Hag faces different squad issues. Injuries have disrupted team cohesion, but the bigger problem lies in the underperformance of key players. Marcus Rashford has struggled to replicate his form from seasons ago, and veterans like Casemiro and Shaw have been inconsistent.

Questions about Ten Hag’s tactical decisions and player management are also growing louder, with some doubting his high-intensity training methods and the severity of his handling of Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo's disciplinary issues.

Managerial Woes:

Both clubs are struggling with managerial challenges. Pochettino, now sacked, was under pressure to mould Chelsea’s talent-heavy squad into a functioning team, but the chaos of the club’s recruitment made his job significantly harder.

Now Enzo Maresca has that responsibility after replacing the Argentine in the Chelsea dugout and already there are questions of whether the Italian can succeed at this with his handling of players like Sterling, Chalobah, Gallagher an Ben Chilwell.

Ten Hag’s issues at United stem from his inability to establish a clear playing style. After a successful first season, the Dutchman has come under fire for erratic tactical choices, such as dropping key players in crucial matches or making just the wrong substitutions.

His inability to get the best out of his signings, coupled with inconsistent performances, has intensified scrutiny over his position.

Who Has the Bigger Problem?

Both Chelsea and Manchester United face severe challenges, but Chelsea’s issues feel more self-inflicted. The Blues’ reckless spending, unorthodox contracts, and bloated squad reflect a chaotic and ‘suicidal’ approach from the top.

United’s problems, while serious, are more familiar — managers’ unchecked powers granted to him by owners, injuries, managers' tactical ineptness, and underperforming players.

Chelsea’s lack of direction from ownership down and dance with transfer and expenditure regulations appears to have the potential to put them in a deeper crisis, making their situation arguably the more complex of the two.

 

You can follow and bet on Chelsea and Manchester United’s games on MSport here.

Thanks to former manager Mauricio Pochettino, now in charge of the USA men’s national team, Chelsea finished 6th in the EPL last season, which earned them a spot in the newly reformed UEFA Conference League.

Under new manager Enzo Maresca, the Blues took this opportunity and turned it into reality by winning a two-legged play-off against another European club that had just lost in the Europa League third-round qualifiers.

Before diving into Chelsea’s journey to the UEFA Conference League, let’s look at the history of this competition and what changes mean for the London-based club.

UEFA Conference League: Tournament History:

The UEFA Europa Conference League was introduced in 2021/22 as the third UEFA men’s football club competition. It aims to make continental football more inclusive by involving a wider range of associations.

The tournament runs on Thursday nights alongside the UEFA Europa League, featuring over 170 teams throughout the season, including at least one from each UEFA association.

Previous winners include Roma (2022), West Ham United (2023), and Olympiacos (2024). This season, the competition has been renamed the UEFA Conference League.

What is the New Format?

The 2024/25 season brings significant changes to the Conference League. The group stage has been replaced by a single 36-team league, where each side faces six different teams (three at home, three away).

The top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16, while those finishing ninth to 24th enter a knockout play-off round for a spot among the final 16. All knockout ties are played over two legs.

How Did Chelsea Qualify for the UECL Draw?

Chelsea's entry into the UEFA Conference League marks a new chapter in their European journey. After missing out on the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, they had to win a play-off round against Swiss side Servette, who had lost to Braga in a Europa League play-off.

Chelsea secured their spot in the league phase with a narrow 3-2 aggregate victory. Christopher Nkunku's penalties in both legs and Noni Madueke’s goal at Stamford Bridge sealed their qualification. As the highest-ranked team in the competition, Chelsea was placed in Pot 1 for the league phase draw.

Analysis of the Draw:

Chelsea will face six different teams in their first Conference League campaign. The Blues were drawn against Gent (Belgium) at home, Heidenheim (Germany) away, Astana (Kazakhstan) away, Shamrock Rovers (Republic of Ireland) at home, Panathinaikos (Greece) away, and Noah (Armenia) at home.

While Chelsea has faced teams from Belgium, Germany, and Greece before, this will be their first competitive meeting with clubs from Kazakhstan, the Republic of Ireland, and Armenia.

Gent and Panathinaikos could present a tougher challenge, whereas matches against Shamrock Rovers and Noah might offer opportunities for squad rotation.

The draw for the group stage took place yesterday and pitted Chelsea at home to Gent, Shamrock Rovers and FC Noah. Our away matches take place against Heidenheim, FC Astana and Panathinaikos.

Chelsea’s Confirmed UEFA Conference League Fixtures:

UEFA have since confirmed the dates and UK kick-off times for each fixture, which are as follows...

Thursday, 3 October

Chelsea vs Gent

Kick-off: 8pm

 

Thursday, 24 October

Panathinaikos vs Chelsea

Kick-off: 5.45pm

 

Thursday, 7 November

Chelsea vs FC Noah

Kick-off: 8pm

Thursday, 28 November

Heidenheim vs Chelsea

Kick-off: 5.45pm

 

Thursday, 12 December

FC Astana vs Chelsea

Kick-off: 3.30pm

 

Thursday, 19 December

Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers

Kick-off: 8pm.

Chelsea's Chances of Progression:

Chelsea’s chances of advancing to the knockout stages appear promising. As the top-most-ranked team with substantial European experience and a deep squad, the Blues are favourites to progress from the league phase.

Key players like Cole Palmer and Nicholas Jackson, both of whom saw their Chelsea contracts extended recently, and Noni Madueke, have already shown their importance with their stellar performances for Chelsea already this season.

However, with the news of Cole Palmer being dropped from Chelsea’s squad for the UEFA Conference League, manager Enzo Maresca, will have to find a way to not only field a strong team without the English star but settle on a tactical approach that will Chelsea handle the diverse styles they will encounter in these away grounds.

However, complacency could be dangerous. Away fixtures, especially against teams like Astana and Heidenheim, could pose challenges due to unfamiliar environments and local conditions.

Conclusion:

Chelsea's journey in the UEFA Conference League promises excitement and opportunity. With a favourable draw and a strong squad, they have a good chance to progress and possibly win the competition.

Success in the Conference League would add a European trophy to Chelsea’s collection and set a strong foundation under Enzo Maresca’s leadership. The upcoming matches will be crucial in defining the season, and fans are eager to see how the team performs on this new stage.

 

You can check out and bet on Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League games here on MSport.