Squawka Predictor

Attention, everyone! Please enjoy this Squawka Talker bonus episode, featuring an interview with Marvin Sordell. Muhammad met up with the former Watford and England u21s forward recently to discuss his career (including a Brendan Rodgers anecdote and what Sean Dyche is really like) along with the issues of mental health and racism in football.

You can also watch the interview by going to the Squawka Football Youtube channel.

The international break is often a subject of derision, with some fans already pining for the return of the Premier League – but you should be all ears as Euro 2020 qualification reaches its climax.

This week’s Squawka Talker team, consisting of Sam Long, Will Hall and Tom Green, assess the state of play as the home nations attempt to secure a place at next summer's tournament.

But how on earth does qualification actually work now that the Nations League – and standard play-offs – are in the mix? And which big names are still at risk of missing out? We're looking at you, Cristiano Ronaldo.

TIMINGS

00:00:00 – 00:05:20 | Euro 2020 qualification and expansion explained

'It's confusing to the extent that you need a FIFA degree.'

00:05:20 – 00:12:15 | Too much transparency?
'The media gobbled up Southgate's openness policy.'
00:12:15 – 00:16:45 | Can Wales qualify?
'Red Bull powered Hungary could trouble Wales.'
00:16:45 – 00:24:20 | Netherlands back in the big time?
"We've missed Holland at international tournaments."

00:24:20 – 00:26:45 | Other talking points
"Five teams still have a chance of a 100% record."
00:27:20 – END | England beef
"On mass alone, Harry Kane has to be a contender."

The gloves are very much off as Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola – the game's most image-conscious managers – prepare to do battle (and compare outfits) as Anfield hosts Liverpool v Manchester City.

This week’s Squawka Talker team, consisting of host Jake Entwistle, Muhammad Butt, Will Hall and Sam Long, assess a Champions League goal-fest and preview the biggest fixtures in Premier League Gameweek 12.

 TIMINGS FOR THIS WEEK'S SQUAWKA TALKER FOOTBALL PODCAST:

Arsenal scored five goals against Premier League leaders Liverpool, Granit Xhaka was nowhere to be seen and Mesut Ozil produced trademark moments of brilliance – but Unai Emery somehow came away from Anfield with criticism ringing in his ears. 10-goal thrillers can do crazy things, can't they?

This week’s Squawka Talker team, consisting of host Jake Entwistle, Muhammad Butt, Will Hall and Sam Long, have cast their collective eye over an entertaining round of Carabao Cup fourth round fixtures.

Frank Lampard is making Chelsea likeable – which is a trait the west Londoners have scarcely possessed during the Roman Abramovich era – and managing to keep his fringe players happy despite the fact they are, well, on the fringes of his team.

This week's Squawka Talker team, consisting of host Jake Entwistle, Muhammad Butt and Sam Long, dissect the key action from Champions League Matchday Three, including the Blues' impressive victory over Ajax.

Meanwhile, how do you get over a flat, disappointing performance at Old Trafford? If you're Roberto Firmino then the answer is combine absurd skill with function to pull off a rabona through ball and draw comparisons with Ronaldinho.

There is also insight on Tottenham's attempts to get their mojo back, plus analysis on why Aston Villa midfielders Jack Grealish and John McGinn might just cause mighty Manchester City a bit of trouble this weekend.

We couldn't wrap things up without a spot of 'Squawka Six' to discuss the 2019 Ballon d'Or (not so) shortlist, including who was criminally overlooked and who had no right to be included.

EPISODE TIMINGS:

START - 00:07:00 | Spurs search for their mojo

'The Spurs stadium is a well-oiled, money-making machine.'

00:07:00 - 00:20:30 | Filthy Firmino & Liverpool's strength in midfield depth

'Firmino combines absurd, showy skill with function like Ronaldinho.'

00:20:50 - 00:33:00 | Lampard's likeable Chelsea producing results

'Lampard's likeable Chelsea will be title challengers within two years.'

00:33:00 - 00:39:33 | Mini Champions League round-up

'Haaland looks like a footballing lab experiment.'

00:39:33 - 00:47:46 | The big test for McGinn and Grealish

'Aston Villa are developing of the best midfields outside the big six.'

00:47:46 - 00:56:34 | Gareth Southgate's England No.10

'Unfortunately, the England squad already has everything Maddison offers elsewhere.'

00:57:01 - END | Squawka Six: Men's Ballon d'Or

'Raheem Sterling has become Superman.'

Manchester United v Liverpool is arguably English football's biggest game, so why won't Jurgen Klopp hurry up and win it?

This week's Squawka Talker team, consisting of host Jake Entwistle, Muhammad Butt and Will Hall, explores the Liverpool manager's record at Old Trafford and what's kept him from picking up three points so far.

START - 00:13:55 | Why has Old Trafford been so hard to conquer for Jurgen Klopp?

'This is not a happy hunting ground for Liverpool's front three.'

00:13:55 - 00:22:40 | Do Liverpool have any weakness Man Utd can exploit?

'An out-of-form Rashford may actually be a good omen for Man Utd v Liverpool... a third of his Premier League goals have actually come against the Big Six'

00:22:40 - 00:34:04 | Which Man Utd player would have the best chance of cracking Liverpool's XI?

'He's a counter-pressing machine... he'd earn the most Jurgen Klopp hugs of any Man Utd player.'

00:34:20 - 00:45:39 | The fallout from Monday's racist abuse in Bulgaria 0-6 England

'Are points deductions too harsh? For racist abuse, it needs to be that harsh.'

00:45:45 - 00:50:05 | West Ham vs Everton

'Perhaps only Spurs are under more pressure to win this weekend'

00:51:11 - 00:54:55 | Crystal Palace's quest for second place

'The last time Man City lost they then smashed Watford 8-0'

00:54:57 - 00:57:43 | Finally, those Man Utd vs Liverpool predictions

'Liverpool have been exhaustingly good this season'

00:57:43 - 01:01:13 | Now is the time to judge Arsenal

'If Arsenal don't improve with Tierney, Bellerin and Lacazette in the side then Unai Emery will be under serious pressure'

Stand-in host Sam Long was joined by guests Will Hall and Muhammad Butt to discuss which club has fallen into the deepest pit of despair – and who will be able to climb back on the horse this season.

00:01:23 - 00:29:30 | Which 'Big Six' team faces the biggest crisis?

'There's a 'now or never' element to cost of failure for Man City this season'

00:29:30 - 00:35:20 | Everton suffering from 'major European league syndrome'?

'Everton need their Brendan Rodgers'

00:35:20 - 00:44:26 | Germany 2-2 Argentina

'He looks like he has everything to be the new Robben.'

00:44:26 - 00:54:45 | What is Uefa's 'three-step protocol' to dealing with racism in stadia?

00:54:45 - 01:03:35 | Tammy Abraham on course to fulfil a big Lampard narrative

'He's overcome a penalty miss and a curse.'

01:04:00 - ENDS | Squawka Six – Best players of the Premier League season so far

'De Bruyne is Beckham and Scholes in one package.'

Returning to a Monday slot for one week only, Jake Entwistle is joined by Sam Long and Muhammad Butt to discuss some of the most in-form players in Europe ahead of another week of Champions League football.

00:02:35 - 00:12:35 | Is Martin Odegaard the best player in LaLiga so far?

'Sociedad could be for Odegaard what Wolfsburg was for De Bruyne'

00:12:35 - 00:23:48 | How do Spurs stop red-hot Robert?

'Lewandowski must hammer the half-time oranges!

00:24:07 - 00:32:39 | Is Germany's No.2 the best No.1 in the world?

'Ter Stegen has been better than Neuer for years now'

00:37:30 - 00:52:35 | Marvellous Riyad Mahrez... and more

'Man City have the most creative right-hand side in the world'

'Mahrez has the most graceful step-over in Europe'

00:52:35 - END | Liverpool's twin peaks meet Erling Håland

'Matip has the hardest job in the Liverpool defence'

00:02:21 - 00:17:05 | A win for PSG, a win for all team players

'Angel Di Maria is one of the best modern blends of flair and work rate'

00:17:05 - 00:23:54 | The end of Luis Suarez

'There's no reason to be scared of Real Madrid or Barcelona right now'

00:23:25 - 00:31:00 | What we learned from Atletico 2-2 Juventus

"Ramsey will be licking his lips at Sarri's pseudo forward role."

00:31:0 - 00:36:15 | Håland heroics, Man City's Mr. Perfect & Kane's penalties

"Erling Braut Håland looks like an actual mountain."

00:36:15 - 00:40:05 | Is Liverpool's Champions League away form a glaring weakness?

'There were some positives... Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho's link-up play looks strong.'

00:40:05 - 00:52:29 | Back-three system key as Lampard chases first win as Chelsea manager vs Liverpool?

'Tammy Abraham can equal a unique Luis Suarez feat vs Liverpool'

00:52:29 - END | A prediction for each of this weekend's 10 Premier League games

'This could be the gameweek that unlocks the Premier League table'