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  It's that time of year when many English people jet off to Spain for sun, sand and sangria. Marcus Rashford has done the same, though in fairness to the Manchester United forward his trip is more related to work than pleasure as he finalises a loan move to Barcelona. Rashford as the New Gary Lineker? It was a bit strange to see Marcus Rashford in an Aston Villa kit last season. The 27-year-old felt at one time as though he would be a Man Utd lifer, having come through the academy and starred at Old Trafford since Louis van Gaal gave him his debut back in 2016. However, after falling out of favour with Ruben Amorim last season, Rashford moved to Villa Park on loan to ensure he could get some minutes. His form in the Midlands earned him a place in Thomas Tuchel's first England squad in March. With a World Cup next summer, it's important that he plays more regularly in 2025-26. Though Villa chose not to keep Rashford despite four goals and five assists in 17 games, an u...

  Arsenal are continuing to strengthen their squad, and the signing of Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia should push their other defenders to be even better. How do you improve the best defence in the Premier League? That was the question facing Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta as he headed into this summer transfer window. For each of the last two seasons, Arsenal have had easily the best defensive record, conceding at least 15 goals fewer than any other team (63). It's not really the most obvious area to try and improve, then, is it? But Arsenal finished second in both of those seasons and the one before that, and haven't won a single trophy in that time. Eight other Premier League teams have won something of note in that period. The Problem with Backup Players One problem – if that's what you can call it – in Arsenal's defence is that the drop-off in quality from the first-choice centre-backs to the second string is too great. That's always going to be a bit of ...

  May 9, 2025   UD Las Palmas - Rayo Vallecano Estadio de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain On Friday, May 9, 2025, UD Las Palmas will face Rayo Vallecano in the 35th round of Spanish La Liga. The clash between mid-table teams offers interesting statistical trends and a potential historic achievement for the Madrid-based side. UD Las Palmas have won their last two La Liga matches against Rayo Vallecano, the first time they have won two consecutive matches against the red-and-white team in the top flight. On the other hand, Rayo Vallecano have won their last three La Liga away matches against UD Las Palmas, keeping a clean sheet in all three. If the Madrid side wins again on Friday without conceding a goal, they would become the first team in the entire history of the competition to win four consecutive away matches against the Canary Islands side without conceding. Rayo Vallecano have won 57% of their away matches against UD Las Palmas in La Liga (4 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses)...

  April 23, 2025 Getafe - Real Madrid The Coliseum Alfonso Pérez stages another chapter in Madrid's footballing saga this Wednesday as Getafe CF host Real Madrid in a derby that has historically been one-sided. Real Madrid arrive at the fixture looking to extend their impressive unbeaten run against their local rivals, while José Bordalás's Getafe desperately seek to end their drought against Los Blancos. The statistics paint a grim picture for the hosts. Getafe have lost their last six meetings with Real Madrid in La Liga, failing to score in five of those encounters. In fact, Real Madrid stand as the opponent against whom Getafe have suffered the most defeats in their top-flight history (29 losses in 39 matches), also conceding a record 83 goals. Carlo Ancelotti's men have established firm control over this fixture in recent years. After a shaky start to their trips to the Coliseum – losing three of their first five visits between 2005 and 2008 – Real Madrid have tran...

  April 23, 2025 Athletic Club - UD Las Palmas The historic San Mamés stadium in Bilbao will host a midweek La Liga clash on Wednesday as Athletic Club welcome UD Las Palmas, with both teams carrying contrasting objectives and momentum into the fixture. Athletic Club, under the steady guidance of returning manager Ernesto Valverde, have established themselves as a formidable force at home this season. The Basque side's impressive run of 13 matches without defeat at San Mamés (8 wins, 5 draws) represents the longest current unbeaten streak at home in La Liga, with their only home defeat in their last 34 league encounters coming against Atlético Madrid back in August 2024. "San Mamés has always been our fortress, but this season the connection between the team and our supporters has reached another level," said Valverde, who boasts a remarkable record against the Canary Islanders. The veteran coach has lost just 11% of his La Liga encounters against Las Palmas, his thir...