Issue 34 - That Friday Feeling

The World Cup is already too big, and now someone wants to make it bigger. Way bigger. Welcome to the madness of international football expansion. Issue 34. Go.

Leave It Alone

You when an artist creates a wonderful piece of art but then succumbs to the temptation of touching it up? Well, instead of Vincent van Gogh or Banksy picture FIFA and the World Cup instead.

Not happy with already bloating the premier international competition to 48 teams next summer, there are plans in place to discuss an even further swelling to 64 for the 2030 centenary edition of the competition.

Admittedly, it is not Gianni Infantino that has thought of the plan but as he says “any idea is a good idea” and because it has been tabled by Comnebol (the South American equivalent of UEFA), it is now a point for discussion in the next few days.

Bigger Not Better

When you consider that the World Cup had 32 teams as recently as the 2022 edition in Qatar, this would mean that the size of the competition has doubled in the space of two editions.

Consider that the World Cup did not even reach 32 teams until the 1998 edition in France and you can then get a better idea at the rate of progress (or hindrance) that Jules Rimet’s brainchild could be going through.

The World Cup is meant to be the pinnacle of the international game. If everybody is at the pinnacle then surely that can only dilute the quality of what is being offered up to fans all across the globe.

South American Scheme

The reason that Comnebol have concoted this plan is because they believe that none of their nations should be left out of the 2030 party. The World Cup started 100 years prior to that date in Uruguay and they want all their 10 teams to be able to celebrate on the field.

In the run up to the 2026 World Cup, South America gets three guaranteed seats at the table with one more invite potentially being earned via the intercontinental play-off series that is soon to take place.

With 60 or 70% of the confederation already supping from the World Cup teat, their theory is that the other 30% (Venezula, Peru and Chile if we go by the final 2026 qualification standings) should not be looking from the outside in.

Enough Is Enough

The problem if you open the floodgates to 10 South American nations and a total of 64 as a whole is that it renders an already near-pointless set of qualifying competitions to the point of farcical.

South America’s arduous 18 fixture phase would be obsolete so what would all those nations do in terms of action in the period between 2026 and 2030. UEFA qualifiers would nearly provide 50% of their nations to the table (27 out of 54)

Then there is the elephant in the room regarding where the extra fixtures are staged - admittedly this multi-nation hosting would ease some of the strain but the bigger strain would be on the players. Has anyone actually though of them? No. Thought not.

Ten Quick Tackles

A look at the main talking points as we head into the upcoming Premier League weekend.

Brentford vs Manchester United

The Premier League weekend begins with Brentford at home to Manchester United and with Keith Andrews’s men having won just one of their first five Premier League outings, the Bees find themselves buzzing dangerously close to the early season relegation zone.

Brentford 17th, United six places off by comparison and after getting the better of Chelsea in an absolute deluge last weekend, manager Ruben Amorim will be hoping that Old Trafford showing is not a flash (or should that be splash?) in the pan.

Chelsea vs Brighton

Almost a case for Chelsea to be going up against their sister club on Saturday as they play host to Brighton at Stamford Bridge. The Blues feeling exactly that after being rain sodden at the Theatre of Dreams last Saturday. Cole Palmer now set to miss three weeks out injured.

Brighton make the trip to the capital having thrown away a two-goal lead at home to Tottenham last Saturday and although the Seagulls did manage to get the better of Manchester City, they have only won one game in five attempts - something they need to fix as soon as possible.

Crystal Palace vs Liverpool

Crystal Palace and Liverpool are seemingly regular bedfellows and after already meeting in the Community Shield this season, they now face each other at Selhurst Park on Saturday. Both teams unbeaten before they meet in SE25 - the only two teams left unblemished.

While Liverpool were slightly blemished in midweek when they left it late to get the better of Southampton in the Carabao Cup. Hugo Etikite getting sent off for a moment of forgetfulness but the look from a seething Arne Slot on the touchline said it all really.

Leeds vs Bournemouth

Leeds’ solid start to the season is perhaps magnified by the fact that three of their four Premier League goals came at Wolves last Saturday. Daniel Farke’s men largely frustrated in front of goal, but they should not be frustrated at the seven points that are on the board.

Only three less than Saturday’s visitors Bournemouth but a distance that puts them eight positions behind before the two teams meet at Elland Road. The Cherries have been the surprise act of the season so far, it would be no surprise if they pick up another win here.

Manchester City vs Burnley

Two points dropped in the race to stay on Liverpool’s coat tails and now Pep Guardiola’s City boys must get to work in their bid to reel in the league leaders. Already eight points off the pace, the Etihad outfit cannot afford any more blips between now and the November break

They welcome Burnley to the blue half of Manchester this weekend and after Scott Parker’s men were decent value for a point at home to Nottingham Forest last Saturday, that point offers the Clarets something of a free hit when going up against Manchester City.

Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland

It has not been a great start to Ange Postecoglou’s time at Nottingham Forest and the visit of Sunderland this weekend, will be the real litmus test if his Premier League return was a good idea or not. A European draw needs to be converted into a domestic win.

Betis in midweek, Sunderland at the weekend and after managing to get their way back into the game after being a man down at home to Aston Villa, the Black Cats certainly used up some of their luck. Will they need good luck when they travel to the City Ground.

Tottenham vs Wolves

Thomas Frank was noted as proud of his Tottenham players after earning a comeback point at Brighton last Saturday. Come the end of the campaign, we will have a better idea as to whether that result by the sea was actually a point gained or two points dropped.

While there will be no appetite for dropped points this weekend as basement outfit Wolves make a trip to North London and with the Molineux men still yet to open their Premier League account for the season, the pressure is mounting on manager Vitor Pereira.

Aston Villa vs Fulham

European joy in midweek but yet to have the same feeling in this season’s Premier League. Aston Villa return to domestic action while sitting in the bottom three and forward Ollie Watkins’ goal drought is continue to the point of severe parchment.

Villa play the role of hosts to Fulham on Sunday and with the Cottagers having picked up back-to-back league wins, their trip to the West Midlands will indicate whether they can be considered a top half team this season or will the old foe of inconsistency return?

Newcastle vs Arsenal

Newcastle have been incredibly solid in defence as of late but maybe to the cost of attacking football. Then again, this was always going to be the case after Alexsander Isak’s move to Liverpool. The Magpies are not losing this season, but they are not winning either.

Frustration that they will look to take out on Arsenal and with the Gunners succumbing to defeat in each of their last three trips to St James Park (all competitions), manager Mikel Arteta will be mindful of another potential blunder on the banks of the River Tyne.

Everton vs West Ham

Everton’s bright start to the campaign was slightly dulled after defeat to Liverpool last Saturday but their Monday night activity should give the Toffees the perfect opportunity to place the headlights back to full beam. Why? Well, it is the visit of troubled West Ham.

Hammers’ boss Graham Potter has been a viral sensation this week after a face swap craze has created all number of images on platforms of X. The former Brighton and Chelsea laughed it off in the press conference, it will be no laughing matter if he oversees another loss.

Now that we’ve looked at the weekend’s storylines, let’s see if AI can do any better than me at predicting the outcomes…

Predictive Power

Five out of 10 correct last week via my AI-led prediction model. Also two correct scores for good measure (admittedly these weren’t posted as there was no Friday newsletter, so you will have to believe me). A profitable week by all accounts

Let’s see what it has forecast over the next few days:

What do you think will happen over the course of the Premier League weekend? Get in touch via the email at the bottom of the page.

The Filter Five

Not four or six for that matter. Five.

Rest In Peace

Incredibly sad news coming out of the English non-league scene and news that has broken to the mainstream after the death of Billy Vigar in the week. The Chichester City defender was hospitalised after suffering a brain injury during a league fixture with Wingate & Finchley.

An injury that is widely believed to have happened after making contact with a perimeter concrete wall running around the ground. Why concrete walls are in place at non-league grounds are beyond me and if anything positive is to happen from Billy’s passing, it will be the removal of these up and down the country.

For those unaware of non-league stadiums, you go through what is known ground grading from the FA to allow you to go up and down the pyramid. The use of this wall which would be roughly 1.5m from the touchline has been signed off as fit for purpose, an incident such as this will show it is not. R.I.P. Billy.

The House Martin

More misery for Rangers fans after their Europa League defeat to Genk in midweek. More blind optimism for Russell Martin in the build up to Rangers’ next Scottish Premiership encounter.

Rangers yet to win a league game in five attempts under Martin, the former Southampton boss still thinks the Ibrox men can win the title. I’ll have some of what he is having please.

Not For Sale

Tottenham’s new look ownership setup (more Lewis’, less Levy) has reportedly turned down a third buyout proposal. This one coming in from American tech entrepreneur Brooklyn Earick.

A figure of £4.5bn was reportedly mooted. If they are turning that down then it can only mean one of two things. The Lewis family really are committed to turning Tottenham into a football powerhouse or they, like everyone else, has a price that will eventually sell at.

Liverpool Injury Agony

After missing out on Marc Guehi’s signature on the final day of the summer transfer window, Liverpool fans averted their focus on new signing Giovanni Leoni. A £26m signing suggesting not necessarily one for the future but also now.

The future was now in midweek as the Italian started against Southampton in the Carabao Cup. Now has unfortunately be curtailed by an ACL injury that sees him ruled out for a year. Does that accelerate a return for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi in January?

Fantasy Stuff

FPL deadline is 11:00am Saturday (UK time) - is it wildcard time?

Admin

Right, that’s the end of issue 34 as word continues to spread around the football world.

If you liked issue 34, tell a friend and forward it on. If you didn’t like issue 33 please tell me why.

We are edging towards 60 subs as the momentum continues throughout this early part of the season, a big thanks to all those that have joined the squad in the past few days.

Send your thoughts in, not only of the newsletter but of the game itself. It’s all about building a community you see.

[email protected]

Issue 35 will be out on Tuesday September 30th

Thanks for reading

Dan