Issue 56 - Bring Your Wallet

FIFA’s latest cash grab, Arsenal fancy grabbing multiple trophies. Maybe grab yourself a firestick for Christmas. The latest issue of the Real Football Filter has grabbed all the talking points before the weekend. Issue 56. Go.

Watch From Home

Good thing I didn’t have any plans to watch next summer’s FIFA World Cup in person. If I did have plans, I would be either really rich or now really disappointed. For subscribers taking an additional interest, it is the latter.

There was going to be an increase in ticket prices for the 2026 edition of the party but nobody could have anticipated just how steep they are - the kind of rise that is enough to make your eyes water.

For example, if I was a fully paid-up member of the England Supporters Travel Club, this is what I will currently have to pay to watch The Three Lions under Thomas Tuchel next summer:

The first group game between England vs Croatia is going to set you back just short of £200 for the chepaest seat. £374 if you want a bit more luxury, £523 if you want the most expensive seat in the house.

That is just for England’s tournament bow, say for example that Thomas Tuchel does lead England to a second successive major tournament final, that cheapest seat in New York/New Jersey to £3,130. Ludicrous pricing even for an event of this magnitude.

While this is just the first and hopeful last step of England’s World Cup journey. Add at least two more guaranteed group games and even three cheapest seats to watch the Three Lions make the knockout phase is going to be priced around £500 in total.

That is before the price of accomodation, your food and drink and any travel between fixtures. Some back of a cigarette packet indicates you could be spending £40,000 if England were to go all the way.

The Tartan Army

Of course, it is not just England who are representing the United Kingdom at next summer’s World Cup. Scotland make their first appearance in the tournament since 1998, their rabid fanbase are going to be even more annoyed at such pricing.

Cast your mind back to 2024 and it seemed as if the whole of Scotland had embarked on Germany for a week or so. When Scotland do get to a major international tournament, they party. If those same numbers are going to travel to the States, that party is going to be very expensive.

Ultimately, this will be the acid test for FIFA because if they get away with such ludicrous pricing (two fold: 1) the prices stay as they are and withstand huge swathes of backlash, 2) the stadiums still sell out) then this will become the new norm.

A benchmark has been set, it is up to anyone with enough spare change to decide if they actually want to meet it or not. The more you read about the cash grab that FIFA have put in place here, the more you think that maybe this tournament is not really made for you or I.

Gunning Across Europe

Matchday 6 of the Champions League is neatly wrapped up and Arsenal’s perfect start in the competition continues within a 3-0 win over Club Brugge in Belgium. Top of the league phase now, favourites to lift the trophy at the end of the season.

But there is almost something of a paradox when it comes to Arsenal and European football. Are they a giant on the continent or not?

Domestically you would say that they are one of the three biggest clubs in the country (from a historical perspective, they, Liverpool and Manchester United) but they never have the same weight in Europe.

Social media always says they have never won a trophy - that is not strictly true after they won the now defunct European Cup Winners Cup in 1994 with a 1-0 win over Parma in Gothenburg.

But when you consider big clubs in Europe, you look at those who have racked up wins in both domestic and continential fronts at the biggest level. Real Madrid, Barcelona, the two Milans, Bayern Munich, you get the idea.

Whereas Arsenal seem to be stuck in this void where they are viewed as a giant within the confines of English football but perhaps on the level of Atletico Madrid when measuring them in Europe.

Slightly slipping through the cracks until they finally win the big one. They are doing everything right to change that status in just a few months, they still need to do a lot more right if they are going to win the 2026 edition of the Champions League.

Dan The Stat Man

Chelsea are undefeated in their last 32 home matches against Everton in all competitions.

Arsenal have won their last 8 matches against Wolves in all competitions

There have been over 2.5 goals in each of Leeds’ last 7 league outings

Ten Quick Tackles

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

Chelsea vs Everton

Chelsea’s week in the title race seems all but a distant memory now, so does winning football matches under Enzo Maresca. One point from nine in the league, defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League. Saturday sees the Blues welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge.

Fifth playing host to seventh before the weekend’s activity gets underway, the Toffees hoping to stick around in the European places. David Moyes’ men having picked up seven fron their last nine points on offer on the road. If this was an early kickoff, it could have meant more pain for Chelsea. I think they will hand out the pain to Everton at full time.

Liverpool vs Brighton

Will he, won’t he. Mo Salah has reportedly had talks with Arne Slot with a view to playing against Brighton on Saturday. Manager Arne Slot quoted as saying there are “there are "no reasons to not want Mohamed Salah to stay" is there a pre-Christmas truce in the air at Anfield?

They play host to Brighton and the Seagulls will be hoping that the disruption surrounding Salah and Slot is enough for Liverpool to take their eyes off the ball. Fabian Hurzeler’s men have had a rough week at The Amex, defeat on Merseyside could see them end the week outside the top 10.

Burnley vs Fulham

Nothing else than a must-win game for Burnley on Saturday as they play host to Fulham at Turf Moor. Six straight defeats for the Clarets, West Ham above them in 17th have collected nine points during the same spell. Somethign has to change for Scott Parker or the club’s owner may decide to change him.

While visiting Fulham will identify this game as an ideal opportunity to put further distance between themselves and Burnley. The gap currently stands at seven points, handing Burnley a seventh successive league defeat will allow the Cottagers to breathe a bit easier before Christmas.

Arsenal vs Wolves

Top versus bottom at the Emirates on Saturday night. A lot could go wrong for the league leaders, a lot is likely to go wrong for the team at the foot of the table. The Gunners looking to bounce back after defeat to Aston Villa last weekend, they could ask for no more favourable opponent than the one they face on Saturday night.

While Wolves’ search for a first league win of the season now moves into its 16th Premier League game of the season. Not forgetting that the West Midlands outfit failed to win any of their last four of last season. That’s 19 league games without any sign of success, no wonder supporters were so unhappy on Monday.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City

Are Crystal Palace a part of this season’s title race? In all honesty, you would have to say no. Could they be part of this season’s title race? They could if they can get the better of Manchester City on Sunday. A repeat of last season’s FA Cup final (albeit at a different location), manager Oliver Glasner looking for the same outcome as back in May.

Palace arguably fresher because of a much lighter season just a few months ago, that same ace up their sleeve now removed thanks to their own European adventures. City fresh off of a win in Madrid on Wednesday, they know they need to keep their domestic momentum going.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham

Nottingham Forest will look to build on their 2-1 Europa League win over Utrecht on Thursday and with a mixed bag of two wins and two losses from their last four in the Premier League, manager Sean Dyche knows he has to underpin some form of consistency at the City Ground.

An atttribute that is slowly being found at Tottenham under Thomas Frank, an important pair of wins in both the league and in Europe in the past few days. Home comforts have been rare at N17 this season, the better results coming on the road for Spurs. They will hope for more of that when they travel to the City Ground.

Sunderland vs Newcastle

There is no doubt that ‘derby day’ has been anticipated since the fixtures come out back in June. Six months down the line, not many Sunderland or Newcastle supporters would have anticipated the league positions that they currently find themselves occupying before the weekend.

The last time these two sides met was in January 2024, that was FA Cup business at the Stadium of Light. Now it’s the real business of the Premier League. The Black Cats have won six and drawn three of the last nine Tyne-Wear derby. Can they extend the run to double figures or will Eddie Howe’s men put a stop to it. Expect fireworks in this one.

West Ham vs Aston Villa

West Ham supporters would have likely taken a point before their trip to Brighton last Sunday. That same fanbase dissapointed with having to share the points at the final whistle. Every point matters when you are towards the bottom of the Premier League table, a win would matter even more to Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.

While every point matters when you are bidding to win the Premier League title. Aston Villa gatecrashed the party with their 2-1 win over Arsenal last Saturday, they cannot stop their run now if they want to go all the way. No good beating the leaders, if you cannot beat teams fighting for their lives. Then again, I’m sure Unai Emery knows this.

Brentford vs Leeds

Brentford glad to be on home soil after their small tour of North London and especially as Keith Andrews’ men have won five of their seven league outings at the GTech Community Stadium. Sunday sees them play host to Leeds but they do so without Kevin Schade (five bookings equal a one-game suspension).

While Leeds make the trip to the captial having picked up four points from their last six at Elland Road. Without that addition to the score board, they would find themselves in the bottom three and they now need to ride that crest of a wave. Problem is, they have only won once on the road all season.

Manchester United vs Bournemouth

Manchester United seem to have made the last fixture in the list slot their own these past few weeks. Monday night football at the start of next week. Monday night football at the start of last week. A resounding 4-1 win over Wolves setting the haircut count to one win out of five. More importantly, Ruben Amorim’s men have only lost one of their last six in the league.

Next up is the visit of Bournemouth and the Cherries need to get back to winning ways after a tough run of results. No win in six, two points collected from the 18 on offer. Arguably serving as the natural dividing line between clubs that are in the mix for Europe and those who are not. Their slide down the table cannot continue much further.

Predictive Power

They are the main takeaways but what are the main outputs from my AI predictive model?

Five results right last time out and two correct scores within that quintet. My AI assistant has been doing its coaching badges it seems.

What do you think the scores will be this midweek. Can you beat AI? Let me know in the comments below.

The Filter Five

Five sprints up the touchline to keep you warm

Road To Wembley

With the FA Cup Third Round draw made last week, all eyes were fixed on what TNT would have as their TV picks. With the list announced, most eyes have now been taken off it.

Do we need Tottenham vs Aston Villa and Manchester United vs Brighton as TV picks so early in the competition? Keen to know your thoughts.

Two Champions Leagues

Interesting to see both the Men’s and Women’s Champions League competitions played in the same midweek. Obviously not enough spare midweeks to go around, so there has to be some clash. Be interesting to see what the viewing figures are for the latter. I doubt they will be even five figures in some instances. A tough deal for broadcaster Disney.

Really Rough Start

After Wilfried Nancy oversaw a 2-1 defeat at home to Hearts last Sunday in the Scottish Premiership, the spotlihght was already placed upon him as Celtic manager. More so now that he has also overseen a 3-0 home defeat to Roma in the Europa League.

The first Celtic boss to lose his first two games in charge. His third is the Scottish League Cup final on Sunday and bhoy does he need a win.

Got The Hump

Monaco midfielder Paul Pogba obviously but his time off to good use. In that time off, he reportedly watched a whole lot of Camel Racing. He has now announced he has invested in Camel Racing league. Whatever happened to footballers just owning a pub or a haulage company?

Fantasy Stuff

FPL deadline is 13:30 Saturday Afternoon (UK time) Make sure you do it before you have your lunch.

Admin

Right, that’s the end of issue 56 as word continues to spread around the football world.

If you liked issue 56, tell a friend and forward it on. If you didn’t like issue 56 please tell me why. Also if you have a Beehiiv newsletter and want to cross-promote, let me know.

We are now moving nicely on the path to 150 subscribers but could do with a festive nudge.

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Send your thoughts in, not only of the newsletter but of the game itself. It’s all about building a community you see. Have a great week. Issue 57 drops on Tuesday.

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