The Athletic FC Podcast

Manchester City host Tottenham at the Etihad, the first game since Pep Guardiola announced he’ll be staying in Manchester a little longer. 

Tottenham were beaten at home to Ipswich last time out, while Manchester City are four games without a win in all competitions — the panel assess which side look better placed to bounce back. 

All that plus a look at the fixtures elsewhere with drop ins from the club podcasts across our network.

Host: Adam Leventhal

With: Tim Spiers, Nick Miller

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producers: Mike Stavrou & Jay Beale

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Today we’re talking; captains, differentials, and when to wildcard. You know it. We’re talking Fantasy Premier League aka FPL.

So, how has a fantasy game changed the way we watch football?

Host Ayo Akinwolere

Guest, Sam Bonfield. Mark Critchley

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Pep Guardiola has agreed to extend his contract as Manchester City manager 

So why has he decided to stay and will he be able to build another team to dominate the Premier League? 

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Sam Lee and Pol Ballus 

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Mike Stavrou

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Today’s focus is on Kylian Mbappe’s stuttering start to life at Real Madrid 

Has the big-money move made Madrid worse? 

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Dermot Corrigan and Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Mike Stavrou

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This week across The Athletic we’re focusing on the people that own the 20 clubs that make up the Premier League.

So who are they? How much does it cost? and what do they get in return?

Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Matt Slater and Adam Crafton is assess and debate how the nature of Premier League ownership has changed since the league's inception.

Phil Buckingham also drops in to discuss his article on how much each ownership group has invested since taking control of their respective clubs as well as the impact the likes of Abu Dhabi's wealth has had at Manchester City.

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Matt Slater, Adam Crafton and Phil Buckingham

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Guy Clarke

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We’re eleven games into the season, today we’ll be assessing the table – and asking the question – is the quality of the Premier League the best it’s ever been? 

Host: Adam Leventhal

With: Tim Spiers, Nick Miller

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Mike Stavrou

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England have had nine players drop out of their squad ahead of their matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.

Captain Harry Kane is not impressed speaking out about the importance of playing for the national team.

So is Kane right? Outside of major tournaments is international football respected?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Phil Hay, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Chris Waugh and Nick Miller

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Guy Clarke

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Roma have sacked a second manager in less than two months and are now in talks to bring former coach Claudio Ranieri out of retirement.

So… can Ranieri stabilise the turbulent Italian club?

And what is the latest on Roma’s owners, The Friedkin Group, and their proposed takeover of Everton?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: James Horncastle and Paddy Boyland 

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Mike Stavrou

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Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami crashed out of the MLS Cup in the first round of the playoffs.

So what now for Messi and Miami after being granted a place in the Club World Cup?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Felipe Cardenas and Phil Hay

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Mike Stavrou

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After another defeat Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou was quick to accept responsibility following their 2-1 home loss to Ipswich Town.

So why are the Spurs so inconsistent and what can they do to fix it? 

Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Charlie Eccleshare and Phil Hay to analyse Spurs' start to the season with Jon Mackenzie also dropping in to analyse their underlying numbers in comparison to last season's lightning-fast start.

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Phil Hay, Charlie Eccleshare and Jon Mackenzie

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Guy Clarke

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