Football Focus Weekly

FFW is back with the final Premier League roundup before the international break — and Matchweek 5 delivered some huge talking points.

Arsenal’s perfect start came crashing down as Brighton produced a dominant 3-0 win. We break down how Fabian Hürzeler’s intensity, pressing and physicality unsettled the champions, and whether Brighton exposed a repeatable way to disrupt Mikel Arteta’s side.

Chelsea were also beaten 3-0 by Brentford, raising more questions about Xabi Alonso’s defensive structure, set-piece problems and an increasingly unsettled midfield.

Manchester City survived a wild 5-3 win over Sunderland, with Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Enzo Fernández and Erling Haaland all involved — but Brian Brobbey’s hat-trick exposed just how open City can still be defensively.

Manchester United dropped more points in a 1-1 draw with Fulham. Matheus Cunha rescued a point late, but United head into the break with just five points from five games and more questions over their pressing, game control and Michael Carrick’s in-game management.

We also cover:

• Tottenham 2-3 Aston Villa — Spurs remain winless

• Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool — Isak scores again as Liverpool build defensive momentum

• Sevilla 1-3 Barcelona — Barca continue their perfect start

• Atletico Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid — Mourinho furious after a controversial derby defeat

And with no Premier League predictions during the international break, we finish with a full 2026 Ballon d’Or debate.

Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembélé, Fabián Ruiz and Michael Olise all come under discussion as we ask what should matter most this year: individual performance, World Cup impact, trophies or consistency across the full season. The official criteria put individual performance first, followed by team achievements and then class/fair play.

Who makes your Ballon d’Or top three?

🎙️ Akrutto & Ndegz

⚽ Football Focus Weekly — Episode 81

00:00 Intro

00:45 NFL Week 2 Recap

07:33 DRAKE

15:26 Brighton 3-0 Arsenal

28:49 Brentford 3-0 Chelsea

45:55 Manchester City 5-3 Sunderland

53:17 Quiz Time

55:59 Fulham 1-1 Manchester United

1:11:13 Will Man united win a trophy this season?

1:16:33 Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool

1:24:50 Tottenham 2-3 Aston Villa

1:32:21 Sevilla 1-3 FC Barçelona1:36:13 Atléti win Madrid Derby

1:41:48 5 England players pull out of squad

1:45:30 Klopp names 2 squads for Germany

1:48:47 Ballon d'Or

2:05:15 Road to AFCON 2027 starts now

2:13:56 Outro

#FootballFocusWeekly #PremierLeague #Arsenal #ManchesterUnited #ManchesterCity #Chelsea #Liverpool #Tottenham #Barcelona #RealMadrid #BallonDor #FootballPodcast

On Episode 80 of Football Focus Weekly, Akrutto and Ndegz dive into a massive weekend of Premier League action!

• The Manchester Derby: Phil Foden sees red early, but 10-man Manchester City still secure a 1-0 win at Old Trafford. We break down United's glaring lack of chance creation, squad construction flaws, and City's lethal game management.

  
  

• Arsenal Composure vs. Chelsea Chaos: Arsenal survive a physical battle against Sunderland to win 2-0, while Chelsea drop points again in a 2-2 draw with Hull City.

  
  

• The Officiating Desk: A deep dive into Law 11 & 12—why Haaland's goal was a process error, Foden’s red card debate, and the controversial penalty given against Arsenal.

  
  

• Best of the Rest & MW5 Predictions: Highlighting Liverpool's low-block struggles, Spurs' goal drought, Real Madrid and Barcelona's big wins, plus our matchweek 5 score predictions!

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In Football Focus Weekly Episode 79, we break down the key talking points from Premier League Matchweek 3.Arsenal came from behind to beat Chelsea 2–1, with Kai Havertz influencing the game beyond his goal and Arsenal finding success from both sides of the pitch. We also look at Chelsea’s direct threat and whether they showed a genuine way to hurt the defending champions.Manchester United were held 2–2 by Everton despite leading twice. Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko both delivered, but United again struggled to control the game once ahead — raising questions around midfield management, substitutions and box defending.Manchester City made it nine points from nine with a 1–0 win over Coventry. Elliot Anderson continues to settle into the holding role, Enzo Fernandez made an immediate impact on debut, and Iliman Ndiaye showed promising signs — although missed chances and another nervy finish remain concerns.Liverpool earned their first league win with a 2–0 victory over Ipswich, as Cody Gakpo created both goals for Alexander Isak. Tottenham, meanwhile, picked up their first point but remain without a league goal after three matches.In Best of the Rest, we discuss Real Madrid’s first defeat under José Mourinho, Barcelona’s 5–0 win over Valencia, and PSG’s difficult start continuing with a home loss to Monaco.We also look ahead to Premier League Matchweek 4 and the opening round of the UEFA Champions League, including the Manchester derby, Sunderland vs Arsenal, Liverpool vs Fulham, Real Madrid vs Inter, Porto vs Manchester City, Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid and Napoli vs Arsenal.🎙️ Akrutto & Ndegz🎧 Full episode available now.#PremierLeague #ChampionsLeague #FFWPod

The Premier League is BACK — and Matchweek 1 already gave us chaos. ⚽🔥

On Football Focus Weekly Episode 77, we break down the biggest talking points from the opening weekend of the 2026/27 Premier League season.

🔴 Arsenal 3-0 Coventry

The champions start in dominant fashion. Has winning the title finally released the pressure on Arsenal, and has Kai Havertz reclaimed the No. 9 spot?

🔵 Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth

Enzo Maresca gets his first Premier League win as City boss, but it took a late comeback. We discuss City’s transition problems, Marc Guéhi in midfield and what still needs fixing before the window closes.

🔴 Hull City 2-0 Manchester United

One of the shocks of the weekend. Hull’s low block, aerial dominance and quick transitions exposed familiar weaknesses in United’s attack.

⚪ Brentford 3-0 Tottenham

A nightmare start for Spurs. After major investment in the squad, was this simply an opening-weekend setback or an early warning for Roberto De Zerbi?

🔴 Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool

Alexander Isak’s hostile return to St James’ Park, Liverpool’s late equaliser and the rest-defence issues already appearing under Andoni Iraola.

🔵 Fulham 2-3 Chelsea

Cole Palmer looks sharp, Morgan Rogers makes an impact and Chelsea get Xabi Alonso off to a winning start — but is Robert Sánchez becoming a serious problem?

🌍 BEST OF THE REST

• Barcelona 5-0 Elche

• Real Madrid 2-1 Espanyol

• Rennes 2-2 PSG

We also finish the show with our full Premier League Matchweek 2 predictions.

👇 Let us know in the comments:

Who impressed you most in Matchweek 1?

Which team should be most worried?

And who are you backing in Matchweek 2?

🎙️ Football Focus Weekly EP 77

#FootballFocusWeekly #PremierLeague #Arsenal #ManchesterCity #ManchesterUnited #Liverpool #Tottenham #Chelsea #Football

The Premier League is BACK! ⚽🔥

Football Focus Weekly returns for Episode 76, and there’s plenty to unpack before Matchweek 1.

We start with the Community Shield, as Arsenal put three past Manchester City in a dominant 3-0 victory. What went wrong for City, what impressed us about Arsenal, and how much should we read into the result?

We then turn our attention to the Premier League Top 6, breaking down their squads, assessing the business they’ve done and discussing what we expect from each team this season.

Finally, we make our Matchweek 1 predictions as the new Premier League campaign gets underway.

🎙️ EP 76:

• Arsenal 3-0 Man City — Community Shield reaction

• Top 6 squad breakdown

• Expectations for the new season

• Strengths, weaknesses & key players

• Matchweek 1 predictions

Who has the strongest squad in the Premier League, and what’s your Top 6 this season? Let us know below. 👇

The new season is almost here, and Football Focus Weekly is back for Episode 75! ⚽🔥

This week, we break down the latest moves in the transfer market, assess the squads heading into the new campaign, and give our expectations for the Premier League Top 6.

We also look ahead to the first major battles of the season with our UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield predictions. Who starts the season with silverware, and which clubs are actually ready to challenge at the top?

🎙️ In Episode 75:

• Latest transfer roundup

• Premier League Top 6 expectations

• Title and season outlook

• UEFA Super Cup predictions

• Community Shield predictions

Drop your Top 6 prediction in the comments and let us know who you think takes the first trophies of the season.

Arsenal are Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years. Pep Guardiola says goodbye to Manchester City after a decade. Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson bring the curtain down on nine years at Anfield.

This is Episode 74 of Football Focus -- our season finale. No tactics, no analytics. Just feelings.

We break down what this title means, how it all hit us, and say farewell to the players and managers who defined this Premier League era. Then we run through the Big Six -- Arsenal, Man City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham -- and give you our verdict on how each club's season went and what comes next.

Bernardo Silva crying in the tunnel. Odegaard lifting the trophy at Selhurst Park. Carrick confirmed as permanent manager. Salah in the Anfield centre circle with his kids. A north stand named after Pep Guardiola.

What a season. What a year.

🎙 Akrutto & Ndegz | 🎧 Producer: George

Arsenal are five points clear and closing in on their first Premier League title in 22 years. Trossard wins it late at the London Stadium, Raya produces the save of the season, and then VAR disallows a West Ham equaliser in one of the most dramatic stoppage times of the season.

On Episode 73 of Football Focus we break it all down. Doku is on a one-man mission to keep City in the title race. Liverpool and Chelsea play out a chaotic 1-1 at Anfield with Ngumoha subbed off to boos and Colwill making his case for Wembley. Carrick’s rotation backfires at Sunderland. Bournemouth keep their incredible unbeaten run going. Barcelona are La Liga champions after winning El Clasico. And Man City Women win the WSL and reach the FA Cup Final with a Bunny Shaw comeback for the ages.

Plus full predictions for City vs Crystal Palace, the FA Cup Final, and a huge GW37 including Arsenal vs Burnley.

🎙 Akrutto & Ndegz | 🎧 Producer: George

Manchester United are back in the Champions League. Arsenal are six points clear at the top. And Tottenham have climbed out of the relegation zone.

A massive weekend of football and Episode 72 of Football Focus breaks it all down.

Kobbie Mainoo wins it late at Old Trafford as United beat Liverpool 3-2 in one of the games of the season – sealing UCL qualification with it. Arsenal blow Fulham away in a scintillating first half, Gyokeres and Saka finally looking like the players we know they can be. De Zerbi wins back-to-back for the first time since the opening weekend as Spurs come from Villa Park with all three points and climb out of the bottom three.

Plus we react to Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest live, Barcelona sitting one point from the La Liga title ahead of El Clasico, Inter Milan crowned Serie A champions for the 21st time, and full predictions for Arsenal vs Atletico and PSG vs Bayern – both UCL semi-final second legs – plus a huge GW36 including Liverpool vs Chelsea.

🎙 Akrutto & Ndegz | 🎧 Producer: George

We went to Nyayo Stadium to watch the Mashemeji Derby where the atmosphere was electric! NI MBAYA!

Arsenal are back on top. City are in the FA Cup Final. And Salah might have just played his last game at Anfield.

A massive weekend of football and we broke it all down on Episode 71 of Football Focus.

Enzo Fernandez silences his critics with a Wembley header to send Chelsea through. Manchester City survive a Championship scare before Nico Gonzalez produces a late wonderstrike. Arsenal beat Newcastle to reclaim top spot — but lose Havertz and Eze to injury ahead of Atletico Madrid. Liverpool win but the Kop holds its breath over Salah's hamstring.

Plus the relegation battle is getting ugly — Spurs get their first win in 119 days but West Ham hit back late. We debate the Mt. Rushmore of your club since 1992, react to Ndegz' Real Betis holding Real Madrid, and give you full predictions for PSG vs Bayern, Atletico vs Arsenal, and a huge GW35 including Man United vs Liverpool.

🎙 AK Rutto & Ndegz | 🎧 Producer: George