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22.04.22
With the season coming to a rapid end the forthcoming matches in all Leagues will have a major impact on promotions, relegations and European places. This coming Thursday BRIGHTON and HOVE ALBION meet MANCHESTER CITY at the American Express Community Stadium.
This match is important to both teams. For Albion, if they don’t get a result, it will almost certainly end their hopes of another European campaign. City will be after a win to ensure they are at the front of the Premier League top spot.. The Sky Blues have already bagged an FA Cup Final spot, so have much to aim for.
The two clubs have met thirty one times previously. The Seagull’s have won 6, Sky Blues 20 and 5 draws. Their first meeting was on 23rd February 1924, an FA Cup fixture, at the Goldstone Ground. It didn’t go well for the south coast club as they lost 1-5. It took another fifty five years for the clubs to meet again. This occurred because Albion had reached the top flight for the first time in their history. The match at Maine Road on 25th August ended with a narrow 3-2 win for City. The return match that season on 29th December 1979 saw the Seagulls achieve their first win over Sky Blues, 4-1.
In the FA Cup, as well as the 1924 meeting, they met again in January 1983 at the Goldstone Ground and Albion took revenge by winning 4-0 (Seagulls biggest score against Sky Blues) at the Goldstone. In fact the club reached the FA Cup Final that season against Manchester United. The first meeting ended as a draw but United won easily in the replay. The third and last Cup meeting between Albion and City was the semi final at Wembley in April 2019. A 4 minute goal by Jesus was enough for City to reach the Final, where they beat Watford 6-0.
Their only League Cup meeting was a humdinger. City were drawn to meet Albion at the Withdean Stadium, Brighton’s temporary home whist the Amex was being built. It was possibly the worst stadium in League football at the time. At this time, City were in the Premier League and Albion in League One. The game played on 24th September 2008 saw the teams draw 1-1 after ninety minutes and 2-2 after extra time. The Penalty shoot out saw the Seagulls score all five with the Premier Leaguers only managing three. Sadly only 8739 could witness this fine Albion win.
In 2017 Albion gained promotion to the Premier League and to say they have been the underdogs to City in this League is an under statement. They have met thirteen times in this League and Albion have won just once and drawn just once. During three matches in a row City won 1-4, 4-0 and 5-0 (Sky Blues biggest win against Seagulls)..
Their last meeting was on 21st October 2023 at the Etihad. City got off to a good start with Alvarez scoring in the 7th minute. just twelve minutes later Haaland scored for City. In the second half Albion fought back and got a consolation from Fati in the 73rd minute. 2-1 final score.
Coming to the next meeting it is obvious that Albion’s European campaign was a step to much with the teams depleted squad through injuries. To many are still out of action to give the home club to much confidence. The main problem for City is possibly the number of games they have to play at the end of this season. However, they do have the deeper squad to handle the pressures. Much for Roberto De Zerbi and Pep Guardiola to mull over.
A few players have turned out for both clubs including Paul Dickov, Wayne Bridge and James Milner. Brian (Nobby) Horton, as well as being captain of Albion, has been manager for both clubs.
Brian Horton American Express Stadium
17.04.24
Congratulations to Portsmouth for gaining promotion from League One to Championship, as Champions. Also to Mansfield Town on promotion frpm League Two to League One.
Commiserations to Carlisle United being relegated from League One to League Two and to Forest Green Rovers, being relegated from League Two to National League.
15.04.24
Congratulations to Stockport County and Wrexham for gaining promotion from League 2 to League 1.
Commiserations to Rotherham United for being relegated from the Championship to Division 1.
05.04.24
South Yorkshire hosts our previewed match of this weekend, SHEFFIELD UNITED v CHELSEA. The Blades must try and get the full three points but the Blues are resurgent having broken into the top half of the PL table. The match is being played on Sunday at Bramall Lane.
After eighty six previous meetings United have won 28, Chelsea 42 and 16 draws. Their first meeting was in Division One on 7th September 1907 at Stamford Bridge. The Blades won 2-4. After this all meetings between the clubs was in Division One right up to 1992. Between 1992 and 2023 all their meetings have been in the Premier League.
The biggest win by the Blades is 4-0 on 21st February 1931 at home. Chelsea’s biggest wins are 6-1 in a League match on the 9th September 1961 and 5-0 in a FA Cup match on 20th January 1934, both at home. The September 1961 is also the biggest aggregate score.
The clubs have met six times in FA Cup fixtures. in 1912, Chelsea won 1-0. in 1915 the Blades won 3-0. in 1952 Blues won 1-0. Blues also won 2-0 in 1967, 3-1 in 1976, 1-0 in 1992 and 2-0 in 2021. Sheffield United v Chelsea in 1915 was the Cup Final.
They have also met once in the League Cup which the Blues won 3-1 in 1976.
Their last meeting was on 16th December 2023, which was played at Stamford Bridge. On this occasion the Blades managed to reach half time on equal terms. Nine minutes into the second half Chelsea took the lead through Cole Palmer. Then in the 61st minute Chelsea sealed the match with a Nicolas Jackson goal. Final score 2-0.
Coming to this Sunday’s match we see, at this point in time, the Blades in 20th position in the League and the Blues in 10th. Chris Wilder has a mammoth job in preparing his squad for this match and Mauricio Pochettino will know that a good win and other results going their way could see them rise one, two or even three places. Could be interesting.
Over the seasons a few players have turned out for both clubs including Gary Cahill, Neil Shipperley and Jon Harley.
Chris Wilder Bramall Lane Mauricio Pochettino
28.03.24
Thankfully, the Premier League returns this week and probably one of the biggest matches of the season is MANCHESTER CITY v ARSENAL.
This fixture at the Etihad is the 211th between the clubs. Previously City have won 65, Gunners 100 and 45 draws. The first meeting was a Division Two match played on 11th November 1893. The result was Woolwich Arsenal 1 - Ardwick 0. Their first fourteen meetings were in Division Two with all the rest of the League meetings in the top flight, Division One and Premier League.
In 1894 Ardwick became Manchester City and Arsenal dropped Woolwich in 1914.
City’s biggest win is 5-0 on 28th August 2021 at the Etihad. Arsenal’s biggest win is also 5-0 on 28th October 2000. This took place at Highbury. Other significant results have been City 2 Gunners 5 in November 1925, Gunners 7 City 3 in October 1956 (this is also the biggest aggregate score), Gunners 5 City 4 in January 1961, City 1 Gunners 5 in February 2003, and 6 Gunners 3 in December 2013.
As well as League matches the clubs have met in various other competitions. In FA Cup fixtures they met in 1904 (City win), 1932 (Gunners win), 1971 (Gunners win), 2017 (Gunners win), 2020 (Gunners win), 2023 (City win). The Sky Blues went on to win the Cup in 2004 and 2023. The London club went on to win the Cup in 1971, 2017 and 2020.
In the League Cup fixtures Arsenal won in 1978, 1985, 1986, 1990 and 2004. City won in 2009, 2011, 2018 and 2020. The Sky Blues lifted the trophy in 2018 and 2020.
In the Charity/Community Shield the Gunners won in 1934, 2014 and 2023..
Their last meeting was on 8th October 2023 at the Emirates. It was a Premier League match. Having not lost in the past fifteen Premier League meetings, City were the favourites to win. The match was 0-0 at half time. The Gunners brought Martinelli on as a sub in the second half and in the 86th minute a strike by him hit the unfortunate Ake and went in the net. Arsenal won 1-0.
Coming to Sunday’s match we find Arsenal in top spot with 64 points from 28 games and Manchester City 3rd with 63 points from 28 games. Liverpool sit between them and play Brighton and Hove Albion at home. A lot to think about for the respective managers, Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola. It is certainly a match all football fans will be watching.
Over the years quite a few players have played for both clubs, including Niall Quinn, David Rocastle, Paul Dickov, David Seaman,, Patrick Vieira, Nicolas Anelka, Emmanuel Adebayor, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus.
17.03.24
We now know the Semi Finalists of the FA Cup:-
Coventry City v Manchester United
Manchester City v Chelsea
We now know the Quarter Finalists of the Champions League:-
Arsenal v Bayern Munich
Real Madrid v Manchester City
Atletico Madrid v Borussia Dortmund
Paris S Germaine v Barcelona
We now know the Quarter Finalists of the Europa League:-
Leverkusen v West Ham United
Benfica v Marseille
Liverpool v Atalanta
Inter Milan v Roma
25.02.24
Liverpool win the Carabao Cup with a Virgil van Dijk goal in the 118th minute. 1-0 to the Reds, congratulations.
25.02.24
FA Cup week ahead. All 5h round (last 16) matches are played during this coming week. We have chosen to preview WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS v BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION on Wednesday the 28th.
Wolves have won the League Championship, FA Cup, League Cup and Charity Shield, each a few times. Albion have the sole Charity Shield win. How come their Head to Head is so one sided? Out of 42 previous meetings Wolves have won 8, Albion 19 and 15 draws.
The first encounter was on 24th September 1969, a League Cup game at the Goldstone Ground, Wolves won 2-3. Their second meeting on 9th January 1970 was in the FA Cup. Again at the Goldstone the score was the same, a 2-3 win for Wolves. However, when the Seagulls finally made it to the top flight they beat Wolves in nine consecutive matches (6 in Division One and 3 in Division Two).
Again, with regard to actual scores the Albion’s best win is 6-0 in April 2023, at the Amex.. Wolves best win is 2-0. The biggest aggregate matches are the Albion 6-0, a 5-1 win by Albion, a 4-2 win by Albion and two 3-3 draws, one at the Goldstone in August 1991 and the other at the Amex in January 2021.
In the Premier League era the Seagulls have the better record. They have won 5, Albion 2 and 4 draws.
Returning to the FA Cup, the match 1979 was the first time they had met in this competition and is the only one until this coming meeting.. It is hard to forecast the result the match on Wednesday as the South Coast club are currently sitting in 7th position in PL and the Black Counter club sit in 8th. Their last meeting in January this year was 0-0 at the Amex but Albion had won the previous four matches. Therefore on paper we expect a close encounter but in truth on the right day either of the teams could win by a big margin. Probably will come down to the tactics decided by Gary O’Neill and Roberto De Zerbi.
Memories of 1979:- Nobby Horton. ALAN MULLERY. Mark Lawrenson JOHN BARNWELL. Geoff Palmer. Andy Gray
Programme
BHA
WW
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Week 18.02.24 to 24.02.24
Roy Hodgson has left the managership of Crystal Palace and been replaced by Oliver Gl asner.
Newcastle United have placed Dan Ashworth, transfer supremo, on gardening leave prior to his probable move to Manchester United.
Sadly, Stan Bowles, known for his 255 matches for Queens Park Rangers and 5 England appearances passed away on 24th February.
Sam Jewell, involved in Brighton’s recruitment, is on gardening leave prior to his probable move to Chelsea.
08.02.24
Both clubs we preview this week supposedly have internal problems, is this correct? Whatever, the match at Selhurst Park on Sunday between CRYSTAL PALACE and CHELSEA could be interesting if the fans are upset.
This fixture does not bode well for Palace as out of sixty four previous meetings they have only won 12. Chelsea have won 37 and 15 draws. Their first meeting was on 18th November 1906, an FA Cup tie. at Crystal Palace Park, which also hosted some earlier FA Cup finals.. This match was a decisive 7-1 win for Palace which is still their biggest triumph over the Blues. The biggest wins for the Blues are a 1-5 win at Selhurst Park in a Division One fixture on 27th December 1969 and 6-2 at Stamford Bridge on 11th March 1998 a Premier League match. Their two biggest wins are also the biggest aggregate games with 8 goals.
Going back to that first meeting, the clubs have been drawn from the hat to meet in a further five FA Cup fixtures. They were in 1926, 1970, 1971, 1976, and 2022. The Eagles went through twice and Blues three times. Chelsea went on to lift the Cup in 1970.
As well as the League and FA Cup they have also met in the League Cup and Zenith Data Systems Cup. After beating the Eagles, Chelsea went on to lift the Zenith trophy in 1990.
Their last meeting on 27th December 2023 saw the Blues win 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Mudryk scored the first goal with Olise replying on half time. A penalty in the 89th minute from Madueke saw Chelsea take the three points.
Coming to this next match we see Palace in 14th and Blues in 11th. After last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at Brighton the Eagles fans were very unhappy with the result and vented their anger on the manager and owners. Similarly the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea lost to Wolves 2-4 was toxic. However, the heat was taken off the Blues hierarchy when the team beat Aston Villa 3-1 in their FA Cup replay. One stat not in Palace’s favour is that they have lost to Chelsea in their last thirteen meetings. Perhaps their luck will change this weekend.
So, what are the under siege managers to do this weekend? Palace seem to always build their team around a star player. Previously Zaha, now Olise and Eze. Without those sort of players they struggle to win. This coming match will see Olise, Eze and captain Guehi out, so Roy’s chances seem limited. Due to their current League position, Chelsea’s manager Mauricio Pochettino is similarly under pressure. The Blues have the star players but struggle to play like a team. This match will certainly be kept an eye on.
Selhurst Park
01.02.24
The clubs in this weekends preview, BRENTFORD v MANCHESTER CITY, have only met seventeen times previously.
These meetings spread over the last ninety years, with Brentford winning 7, City winning 9 and 1 draw, and with the first encounter being an FA Cup tie on 23rd January 1932. The match played at Maine Road ended as a 6-1 win for City, the home team. That result is the Sky Blues biggest win over the Bees. Brentford’s biggest win is also a Cup tie, played at Griffin Park on 28th January 1989. The 3-1 win was achieved when the Bees were in Division Three and the Citizens were in Division Two. That 3-1 win propelled the Bees through the 3rd, 4th and 5th rounds, but were knocked out in the 6th. The biggest aggregate score was eight, a 6-2 Division One win for City in April 1937
Their next two Cup meetings were in the League Cup. The first in September 1989 won by the Bees at home, 2-1 and the next in October 1989 won 4-1 by City, at home. They have met one more time in the FA Cup, on 25th January 1997. The Sky Blues 1-0 at Griffin Park.
Since Brentford gained Premier League status in 2021 the clubs have met four times, with two wins each. Their last meeting was on 28th May 2023 at the Brentford Community Stadium. City, at this point, had become the Premier League Champions and all the stats in this match were City positive, except the main one. In the 85th minute Ethan Pinnock scored to give Bees a 1-0 victory. At the end of the season, Brentford ended a very respectable 9th.
The start of this coming match sees City currently in 2nd place and Bees in 15th. Both teams have exciting strikers, Toney and Maupay for Brentford and Haaland and Silva in the City squad. Could be an exciting match with both managers, Thomas Frank and Pep Guardiola up for it.
Christian Noorguard (Captn)
Bees v City May 2023
Kyle Walker (Captn)
25.01.24
NEWPORT COUNTY v MANCHESTER UNITED in the FA Cup on Sunday, means we know the result before it is played, right?
Answer is no. This is the FA Cup, David v Goliath and who won that? Why should the Exiles have hope? Well, the match is being played at Rodney Parade. The big clubs don’t like the small, family atmosphere grounds. The passion of the fans give the team an extra lift, and being the first ever meeting between County and United the build up will be even greater. Being the Cup, the smaller club players get that extra buzz of adrenaline to spur them on. Therefore both teams have an equal chance of victory.
What is County’s history in the Cup? They have reached the 5th round twice. First in 1948/49 they had drawn with Portsmouth after ninety minutes at Fratton Park but lost in extra time. In season 2018/19 they met Manchester City but were defeated by the eventual winners. Their biggest Cup win is 7-0 v Woking in November 1928 and their biggest defeat is 1-8 v Brighton and Hove Albion in 1955.
In this Cup campaign the Exiles have beaten Oldham Athletic 2-0 in Round 1, After a 1-1 draw they beat Barnet 4-1 in Round 2, and again after a 1-1 draw they beat Eastleigh 3-1. Ok, not the biggest guns but they had to be won to continue.
With regard to United, their Cup record is monumental. They have won the competition 12 times, made 21 final appearances but have not won the Final since 2016. Their biggest Cup win is 8-0 v Yeovil Town in 1949. Their biggest Cup defeat is 2-7 v Sheffield Wednesday in 1961.
This campaign United have beaten Wigan Athletic 2-0 in the 3rd Round.
Hopefully both teams can put out their best teams to make it a good match. One thing is sure, the football community will be watching this match.
Graham Coughlan Newport County manager
Rodney Parade
Erik Ten Hag Mancheter United Manager
24.01.24
Our League match this weekend is LINCOLN CITY v PETERBOROUGH UNITED at Sincil Bank on Saturday, a League One match.
The Imps and Posh have met fifty three times in all competitions. City have won 14, United 23 and 16 drawn. Lincoln first joined the Football League in 1892 and Peterborough in 1960. However, their first meeting was on 5th January 1957 at London Road in an FA Cup match. That ended 2-2 and Posh won the replay 5-4. They have not met in the FA Cup since.
Their first League meeting, Division Three match, was played at London Road in October 1961 and again Posh won 5-4. These two 5-4 results are the biggest aggregate scores between the clubs. The Imps biggest win is 3-0, a Division Four match in December 1969. The biggest wins by Posh are 4-0, in League Two in March 2008 and a League One match in August 2022. They have also won 5-1 in December 1997.
Their last meeting was on 7th October 2023, a League One match played at London Road. After a 0-0 score at half time Posh took the lead in the 52nd minute through David Abijoye. This was followed by an 83rd minute goal by Joel Randall in the 83rd minute. The match ended 2-0 to Peterborough which was no surprise as all the stats supported same.
Coming to Saturday’s match, Imps start the day in 12th in League One, with 34 points and Posh are in a very strong 2nd with 55 points. However, football being football and Imps at home the result could go either way. This means the managers Michael Skubala and Darren Ferguson have a lot of tactics and plans to think about.
Many players have turned out for both clubs and among the names both sets of fans may remember are Lee Frecklington, Simon Yeo, Steve Welsh, Harry Toffolo, Alex Woodyard, Richard Butcher, Peter Gain and Sergio Torres.
Michael Skubala
Posh v Imps October 2023
Darren Ferguson
18.01.24
Three points and three places separate the two teams in our look at the Premier League, BRIGHTON and HOVE ALBION V WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS at the Amex Stadium on Monday 22nd January.
The two clubs have met forty one times previously, with Albion winning 19, Wolves 8 and 14 draws. Their first ever meeting was at the Goldstone Ground on the 24th September 1989, a League Cup match. Wolves won 3-2. It took ten years for the two clubs to meet again, this time an FA Cup match. This match was again at the Goldstone Ground in January 1979, and again ended as a 3-2 win to Wolves. Amazingly, the club’s have never met again in another Cup match of any description.
In 1979 when both clubs were playing in the top flight, they met in their first League match. This match at Molineux saw Brighton’s first win over Wolves 3-1. Their next twelve meetings saw Wolves fail to win one match. The Seagull’s actually won nine in a row.
Amongst all their meetings, Albion’s biggest win is 6-0 at the Amex Stadium in April 2023, a Premier League match. This result was also the biggest aggregate score along with a 5-1 win by the Seagulls in May 1985, and 3-3 draws in August 1991, November 2012 and January 2021. Wolves biggest win is 2-0 in December 1991 at Molineux.
Their last meeting was on 19th August 2023 when Wanderers hosted a Premier League match. Albion were 1-0 up at half time with a goal from Mitoma in the 15th minute. The second half started with a 46th minute goal by Estupinan, followed by a double from March in the 55th and 61st minutes. Although the home team got a goal back in the 61st minute, through Hee-chan. Wolves afternoon finished miserably when Nunes got a red card in the 95th. Final result 1-4.
Coming to this weekend, history would point in Albion’s favour but as everybody is aware, football can throw up unexpected results. Hopefully Roberto De Zerbi and Gary O’Neill produce an exciting match.
Finally, over the years many players have been involved with both clubs. Among them are Ade Akinbiyi, Dave Beasant, Elliott Bennett, Steve Claridge, John Humphrey, Ivar Ingimarsson, Chris Iwelumo, TomaszKuszczak, Geoff Sidebottom, Tony Towner, Sam Vokes and Eric Young.
Terry Connor and Dean Saunders played for Albion and both managed Wolves.
Roberto De Zerbi
Wolves v Seagulls August 2023
Gary O’Neill
09.01.24
With no Premier League matches this coming weekend, it gives us an opportunity to look lower down the Leagues and we have chosem COLCHESTER UNITED v BRADFORD CITY. This match will be played on Saturday 13th January at the JobServe Stadium.
The clubs have met 41 times in all competitions with United winning 16, City 11 and 14 draws. Their first meeting was on the 18th October 1958 at Valley Parade, the home of Bradford City. This ended as a 1-3 away win for the U’s. The first win for City was at Layer Road, Colchester, on 24th April 1961. The 4-1 win is also the Bantam’s best win against the U’s. Colchester’s best win is 9-1 on the 30th December 1961. This result is also the biggest aggregate score.
Along the way the clubs have only met once in a non League match, an FA Cup tie played on 6th November 2010 at United’s new stadium. This ended 4-3 to the home team. Colchester reached the 3rd round this season and were knocked out by Swansea City 4-0 at the Liberty Stadium. The FA Cup was won that season by Manchester City who beat Stoke City 1-0.
The last meeting between the clubs was on 12th August 2023 at Valley Parade, The U’s started quickly with a Joe Taylor goal in the 9th minute. However, half time ended 1-1 after Clarke Oduor scored on half time for the Bantams. Alex Pattison secured the match for City with a goal in the 58th minute.
The coming match sees Colchester fighting to keep a gap of at least six points between themselves and the bottom two clubs. That is they are currently 22nd out of 24. Bradford, although in the lower half of the table, at 14th, are sixteen points above the relegation zone. In the current squads Fiacre Kelleher is the only player who has turned out for both clubs. With new manager’s at Colchester, in the form of Danny Cowley, together with his brother Nicky as his assistant. the club and fans look forward to a turn around in fortune. Bradford’s new manager Graham Alexander and his players will also be looking to rise up the table. The result of this match is hard to call.
Danny Cowley
Bradford v Colchester 12.08.23
Graham Alexander
27.12.23
The days immediately following Christmas sees the Premier League teams conclude the first half of the current season. The match we are looking at is BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR at the Amex Stadium on Thursday the 28th.
The club’s have met 37 times previously in all competitions with the first ten of those meetings being in the Southern League between 1903 and 1908. Along he way Albion have won 9 games, Spurs 20 and 8 draws. Although Brighton joined the Football League in 1920, it took until 19th November 1977 to meet with Spurs again. The match at White Hart Lane ended 0-0. The return match on 15th April 1978 saw the Seagulls gain the glory with a 3-1 win at the Goldstone Ground. The matches between each other have never been high scoring, in fact the biggest win is 3-0 by Albion in a Premier League match on 5th October 2019 at the American Express Stadium.
In the domestic cups the two have been drawn twice in both
the FA Cup and League Cup, with Spurs winning all.
Their last meeting was on 8th April 2023 at White Hart Lane. The scoring began with Son Hueng-min in the 10th minute. Lewis Dunk replied in the 34th minute and 1-1 was the score at half time. All the good stats in the match were owned by the Seagulls but the inevitable happened, Harry Kane scored in the 79th minute and the match ended 2-1 to the home team. In spite of this result Spurs finished the season in 8th place and Albion 6th, gaining an European place as well.
Over the years, there have been a few characters who have been involved with both clubs. The latest of these is Yves Bissouma, the Ivory Coast player who joined Spurs after 112 appearances for Albion. Back in 1983 the man of the match in the FA Cup final, was the Brighton player Gary Stevens. On the back of that and playing 133 games for the Seagulls, he joined Spurs and made 147 appearances. Over the years we have seen Bobby Zamora. Gary Chivers, Joe Kinnear, Neil McNabb, Guy Butters, etc play for both clubs. Amongst Albion’s managers, Alan Mullery, Gus Poyet and Chris Hughton were also players for Spurs.
Let us hope for an exciting match on Thursday.
Spurs v Albion April 2023
24.12.23
We wish all our site visitors from 134 countries around the world a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS. Continue to check out your club and opposition in the Cities and Club pages on this site.
11.12.23
This week is the last of the club European matches of 2023. The fixtures are as follows for the English teams:-
Champions League:-
PSV Eindhoven v ARSENAL (12.12.23) Arsenal are currently top of their Group B
MANCHESTER UNITED v Bayern Munich (12.12.23) Manchester United are currently bottom of Group A
Crvena zvezda v MANCHESTER CITY (13.12.23) Manchester City are currently top of Group G
NEWCASTLE UNITED v AC Milan (13.12.23) Newcastle are currently 3rd in Group F
Europa League:-
St. Gilloise v LIVERPOOL (14.12.23) Liverpool are currently top of their Group E
WEST HAM UNITED v Freiburg (14.12.23) West Ham are currently top of their Group A
BRIGHTON and HOVE ALBION v Marseilles (14.12.23) Brighton are currently 2nd in their Group B
Europa Conference:-
Zrinjski Mostar v WEST HAM UNITED (14.12.23) Aston Villa are currently top of their Group E
07.12.23
Apologies for the website being out of action for past month. Unfortunately out of our conrol.
06.11.23
Another week of European Club football, that is Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference. Who are the English teams playing?
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Dortmund v Newcastle United
MANCHESTER CITY v Young Boys of Bern
Copenhagen v MANCHESTER UNITED
ARSENAL v Sevilla
EUROPA LEAGUE
Ajax v BRIGHTON and HOVE ALBION
Toulouse v LIVERPOOL
WEST HAM UNITED v Olympiakos
EUROPA CONFERENCE
ASTON VILLA v AZ Alkmaar
01.11.23
We are looking at Merseyside v South Coast this weekend when EVERTON play BRIGHTON and HOVE ALBION at Goodison Park.
They have met 23 times previously with 11 wins for Everton, 6 for BHA and 6 draws. Albion’s biggest win is 4-1 at Goodison in January 2023. The biggest aggregate score is 7, twice. 5-2 to Albion in 1924 and 4-3 to Toffees in 1980.
Their first meeting was on 1st February 1913 at the Goldstone Ground in Hove. This was an FA Cup tie which ended 0-0. The replay at Goodison ended with a 1-0 win for the Toffees. Their next meeting was again an FA Cup match again played in Hove, on 2nd February 1924. Albion playing in Division Three caused an upset when they beat the Division One team 5-2.. They have not met in any Cup competitions since that game.
Albion eventually gained promotion to the top flight in 1979 and the first League meeting between the two was on Merseyside on 8th December 1979. Again, a Toffees win 2-0. The return match that season ended 0-0 at the Goldstone in May 1980. It took the Seagulls six League matches to win their first top flight match against Everton. On 6th February 1982 they won 3-1 at home.
In 2017 the Sussex club reached the Premier League for the first time Their first meeting in this League ended 1-1 at the Amex Stadium, which was now Albion’s home. This ended 1-1.
Their last meeting was in May this year at the Amex. Against all the odds struggling Everton beat flying Albion 1-5. The Seagulls were stunned when Doucoure scored in the first meeting and followed up with a second in the 29th minute. Calamity for the Seagulls when goalie Steele put into his own goal. 0-3 at half time. The second half saw McNeil score for Everton and in the 76th minute. MacAllister scored a consolation goal for the Seagulls. To rub the home teams nose in it McNeil scored again the 96th. This 5-1 win is Everton’s biggest win against the Sussex coast. club. The season ended with Albion in 6th place and the Toffees missing relegation by one place.
Coming to this weekend match at Goodison the Seagulls are sitting 7th and Toffees 15th. Albion will be bookies favourite to win, correctly, but will the Merseysider’s find that tough resolve again. The two managers Sean Dyche and Roberto De Zerbi have a lot to consider and the result will be interesting.
Sean Dyche
Brighton v Everton May 2023
Roberto De Zerbi
24.10.23
European Clubs football again this week. Below is a list of the fixtures English Clubs are playing in:-
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE;
MANCHESTER UNITED v FC Copenhagen Tuesday
Sevilla v ARSENAL Tuesday
NEWCASTLE UNITED v Borussia Dortmund Wednesday
Young Boys v MANCHESTER CITY Wednesday
EUROPA LEAGUE
Olympiakos v WEST HAM UNITED Thursday
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION V Ajax Thursday
LIVERPOOL V Toulouse Thursday
EUROPA CONFERENCE
A Z Alkmaar v ASTON VILLA Thursday
For further useful and interesting information about the English clubs visit their relevant page in Cities and Clubs
18.10.23
Good to see full Le ague programme back again after the International Break. Looking at the PL fixtures we have picked ASTON VILL v WEST HAM UNITED TO PREVIEW. The match is being played on Sunday at Villa Park, KO 4.30pm.
The clubs have met 118 times previously, with Villa winning 38, United winning 45 and 35 draws.
Their first meeting was an FA Cup fixture on 1st February 1913 at Villa Park. This was a 5-0 win for Villa. Aston Villa won the Cup that season. The Final match, played at Crystal Palace, v Sunderland ended 1-0. Tommy Barber scored the only goal.
The first League meeting between them was again at Villa Park, on Christmas Day 1923. This Division One match ended 1-1. The return match on Boxing Day saw the Hammers win 1-0 at Upton Park.
During the One Hundred years of League meetings Villas biggest win is , 6-1 in September 1930 a Division One meeting at Villa Park. West Hams biggest win was at Upton Park in August 1958, again, a Division One match. The biggest aggregate match was 5-5 (10 goals) at Upton Park in January 1931.
In the FA Cup the Villans and Hammers have met just twice more since their first ever meeting. In January 1977 the Villans won 3-0 and in March 1980 the Hammers won 1-0. The 1980 final saw West Ham United beat Arsenal 1-0 at Wembley. Ytrvor Brooking scored the winning goal.
The clubs have met six times in the League Cup, in 1961, 1963, 1989 (twice), 1999 and 2000 Villa won the Final in 1961
The last meeting between the clubs was at the London Stadium on 12 March 2023. Ollie Watkins opened the scoring in the 17th minute but a penalty taken by Said Benrahma in 26th minute levelled the score and that is how it finished..
Coming to this Sunday’s match we see, today, Villa sitting 5th, with 16 points and Hammers 7th, with 14 points. Both teams are in great form and the managers Unai Emery and David Moyes will be pushing for a win. We watch this match with interest. Our prediction is 1-1 but either team could nab a win. If travelling to the match you will find useful and interesting information on our Birmingham page..
John McGinn Villas Captain
Villa Park
Hammers v Villa March 2023
Kurt Zouma Hammers Captain
11.10.23
With so many fixtures not being played because of the International Break, we can look at League 2 and the match between AFC WIMBLEDON and BRADFORD CITY.
The two clubs have met thirteen times previously with each winning 5 and 3 draws. They have had, though, completely different historical paths.
Wimbledon, created in 1899 played their original matches on Wimbledon Common and moved into their iconic stadium, Plough Lane , in 1912. Elected to the Football League in 1977 they beat Liverpool to win the FA Cup in 1988. Becoming known as the Crazy Gang they were original members of the Premier League in 1992. However, behind the scenes all was not well. Plough Lane was sold by the owners and the Dons spent their eight PL years sharing with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Then the club was sold and ended up in Milton Keynes. The club reformed as AFC Wimbledon and spent nine years climbing the football pyramid and then finally got back into the Football League in 2011. Then in November 2020 the club returned to Plough Lane to a brand new stadium just a couple of hundred yards from the old ground..
On the other hand City started life as Manningham who played rugby until 1903 when they became Bradford City and joined the Football League. playing their matches at Valley Parade. In 1907 they were promoted to the top flight and won the FA Cup in 1911. From that point onwards they have travelled down and back up and back down etc. in the Football League. Then in 1999 they were promoted to the Premier League and stayed until 2001. In 1985 tragedy struck at Valley Parade when a stand burnt down killing 54 City supporters and two from Lincoln City.
Between 1978 and 2004 Wimbledon FC and Bradford City met sixteen times. Now, however, we look at AFC Wimbledon v Bradford City. Their first meeting was on 25th September 2011, at Valley Parade, which the Dons won 1-2. AFCs biggest win is 4-0 in January 2018 at Valley Parade, whilst the biggest win for the Bantam’s is 5-1, in August 2012, at home. This match is also the biggest aggregate match. They have met once in the FA Cup which resulted in a 3-1 Bantam win in December 2011. Their last meeting was a 0-0 draw at the new Plough Lane in January 2023. Note, AFCW played their home matches at Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, before their new stadium was ready.
Before this weekend’s meeting Wimbledon sit 4th in League Two and Bradford City 14th. Both teams will be looking for the win which leaves much thought and planning for the respective managers Johnnie Jackson and Kevin McDonald..
Johnnie Jackson
Plough Lane
AFC Wimbledon v Bradford City, January 2023.
Kevin McDonald
03.10.23.
EUROPEAN FOOTBALL, AGAIN THIS WEEK. HOW ARE ENGLISH CLUB’S INVOLVED
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
MANCHESTER UNITED V Galatasaray
Lens V ARSENAL
NEWCASTLE UNITED V Paris St. Germaine
RB Leipzig V MANCHESTER CITY
EUROPA LEAGUE
Freiburg V WEST HAM UNITED
Marseilles V BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
LIVERPOOL V St. Gilloise
Good Luck to them all.
20.09.23
For the past thirteen years the home team we are previewing has been languishing in League’s One and Two. However, this Saturday, in a Championship match, PLYMOUTH ARGYLE host NORWICH CITY at Home Park.
The two clubs have met sixty four times previously with Argyle winning 28, City 22 and 14 draws.
Their first meeting was on 28th August 1920 in a Division Three fixture at Home Park. This resulted in a 1-1 draw. This was both clubs first ever match in the Football League. The return League match on 4th September 1920, also ended as a draw, 0-0. This was played at The Nest, the Canaries home ground until 1935. That first season saw Argyle finish 11th and City 16th.
Argyle’s biggest win is 5-0 in the Division Three South match played, at home, on 27th December 1924, with City’s biggest win being 4-0 at Carrow Road on 25th September 1937. This was a Division Two match. The biggest aggregate match is 9 goals, from a 6-3 home win for Plymouth on 16th January 1926. This was another Division Three South match and played at Home Park.
Amazingly, although clubs have met regularly since 1920, they have never met in any Cup competitions. This is a rare phenomenon.
Their last meeting was on 14th March 2009 at Carrow Road. This Championship match was won 1-0 by the Canaries. Dave Mooney scored the only goal in the 53rd minute in front of a crowd of 25064. The manager’s at the time were Bryan Gunn for City and Paul Sturrock for Argyle. That season saw the Pilgrims finishing 21st and the Canaries 22nd.
Coming back to this weekends match we see Plymouth lying 18th and Norwich 6th before the fixtures are played. Steven Schumacker will be hoping for three points to establish Argyle as a Championship club and David Wagner will be hoping for points to enable the Canaries to make yet another return to the Premier League. It should be an interesting match.
Anybody travelling to the match should check out our Plymouth page in our Cities and Clubs section.
30.08.23
With the first month of the season nearly done we are looking at two of the exciting teams of last season. On Saturday evening BRIGHTON and HOVE ALBION entertain NEWCASTLE UNITED at the Amex.
They have met just thirty two times previously, with Albion winning 12, United 11 and 9 draws. Their history did not start to well for the Seagulls, they lost the first three encounters 3-0, 5-0 and 4-0. The first of those meetings was an FA Cup fixture on 15th February 1930 at St. James’s Park. Their first League match was on 21st October 1961 again in Newcastle. This 5-0 win is the Toon’s biggest win over Albion, and Albion’s biggest win is 3-0 at the Amex Stadium, a Premier League match in November 2021. The biggest aggregate score is six goals, a 4-2 win by Albion at the Goldstone Ground in January 1991.
The most important Brighton League win occurred on 5th May 1979. Travelling the length of the country to Northumbria the club needed a win to gain promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history. They were not going to pass up this opportunity lightly and in front of a 28,434 crowd were 3-0 up before half time. The goals came from Brian Horton in the 12th, Peter Ward in the 26th and Gerry Ryan in the 43rd minutes. The second half saw a consolation goal for Toon, through Alan Shoulder in the 80th minute. Promotion for manager, Alan Mullery and players, to Division One achieved.
As well as the first FA Cup meeting in 1930, they have met three times more in the competition. In January 1983, after an initial 1-1 draw the Seagulls won the replay 1-0. They went on to reach the Cup Final that season but lost in the replay. In 1986 Albion won 0-2 away and then in 2012 and 2013 they won both meetings 1-0 both played at the new American Express Community Stadium, i.e. Amex.
Their last meeting was on the 18th May 2023 when Newcastle thumped Brighton 4-1. This weekend both managers, Roberto de Zerbi and Eddie Howe will be honing their tactics to avoid the loss both clubs suffered last weekend. Should be an open free flowing match.
Newcastle v Brighton May 2023
This weekend sees the third week of the Premier League season. We are looking at the Premier League Champions match v one of the promoted clubs. That is SHEFFIELD UNITED v MANCHESTER CITY at Bramall Lane on Sunday.
The League history between the clubs goes way back to 4th March 1893, when City were known as Ardwick. This first match saw Ardwick at home, Hyde Road but it was the away team that triumphed with a 3-2 win. They have met a further 125 times in all competitions. Their League matches have all been in the top flight, except seasons 1938/39, 1950/51, 1984/85 and 1987/88, which were Division Two. Over the 126 meetings, the Blades have won 38, Sky Blues 54 and 34 draws.
United’s biggest wins are 5-0, in November 1901 and 8-3 in October 1925, which is also the biggest aggregate result. City’s biggest win is 6-0 which they achieved at Maine Road in August 1999.
The clubs have been drawn out of the FA Cup bag five times. In 1906, the Blades won 4-1 at home. In 1914 the Blades won again 1-0, after two 0-0 draws. In 1939 United won yet again 2-0. The Blades made it four wins out of four when they won again 2-1 in 2008. However, City brought that run to an end when they won 3-0 at the Etihad. The Citizens went on to win the FA Cup in 1923 beating arch rivals Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley.
Their last PL meeting was on 30th January 2021 at the Etihad. The match started with the Blades fighting to keep their PL status and Sky Blues wanting to consolidate their League position. Unfortunately for United the match went exactly as they didn’t want. Gabriel Jesus scored in the 9th minute. The Blades for all their efforts could not score an equaliser and sadly for them ended 1-0. Reading the stats City, as expected, dominated the match. The end result was City stayed top of the League, with 62 points and twelve ahead of Man U and Sheffield United bottom. with 11 points. ’The seasons final table saw the clubs end in those positions. Perhaps the Blades will secure at least a point this time around.
Pep Guardiola
Man City v Sheff United 30.01.21
Paul Hecking bottom