'... He's like the perfect sperm sample that's ever been created!...'

We have Mark Schwarzer, Phil Kitromilides and Michael Bridges as they look forward to a weekend of more than 60 matches across five competitions... in particular the UEFA Nations League and World Cup Qualifiers!

• Thomas Tuchel's England squad gets put under the spotlight, including ONE very controversial selection.
• Should fans get to have a say on TWO picks in a country's squad? Bridgey thinks so!
• Schwarzie lays down the challenge to the Socceroos: 'if they don't beat Indonesia, they don't deserve to automatically qualify'.
• And we hear from Michelle and Ash with the Women's Super League live and exclusively on Optus Sport this weekend!

Watch UEFA Nations League and Europe's World Cup Qualifiers on Optus Sport.

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Listen to Optus Sport's award-winning limited series: Football Belongs, charting the cultural threads of Australian society through the lens of nine football matches:

Acast: https://play.acast.com/s/football-belongs

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AzBek8ub2oEsWLYHWetg7

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/football-belongs-australias-football-identity-by-optus/id1543067162

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the morning after the night before and Bridgey is a bit worse for wear following Newcastle United lifting their first domestic trophy in 70 years. 

He speaks about what this trophy means to his family, the people of Newcastle and how Eddie Howe's men can now build on this in the future. 

Schwarzie reflects on when he played with Newcastle's hero Dan Burn at Fulham, whilst Phil found himself in the middle of a Geordie takeover in London over the weekend. 

The guys also chat about the weekend's Premier League where Chelsea continued to struggle and Nottingham Forest took another huge step towards Champions League football, whilst Michelle and Ash wrap up a big few days in the WSL and the Women's League Cup Final.

Every game of the Premier League and WSL is live and exclusive on Optus Sport.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Who would've said at the start of the season that we are talking about Manchester City v Brighton as a six-pointer for the Champions League!...'

We have Mark Schwarzer, Phil Kitromilides and Jay Bothroyd on board to look ahead to this weekend's Premier League action!

While Jay brings his habitual stirring to the occasion, Mark and Phil have their own big lines to drop on the crew as they look ahead to a weekend featuring:

• A huge one between classic rivals Arsenal and Chelsea - and how the guys think each side can get over the other.
• Manchester City v Brighton shows up as one of the most unlikely must-watch matches of late!
• And why YOU must watch Leicester City v Manchester United this weekend... it's a pretty compelling argument!

Watch EVERY Premier League and Emirates FA Cup match on Optus Sport.

-----------

Listen to Optus Sport's award-winning limited series: Football Belongs, charting the cultural threads of Australian society through the lens of nine football matches:

Acast: https://play.acast.com/s/football-belongs

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AzBek8ub2oEsWLYHWetg7

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/football-belongs-australias-football-identity-by-optus/id1543067162

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Schwarzie and Phil are joined by a riled-up Jay Bothroyd this week, as his beloved Arsenal trail Liverpool in the title race by a staggering 15 points.

Jay doesn't hold back, slamming Mikel Arteta as 'tactically inept,' while Schwarzie takes a deep dive into the set-up of the wall for Bruno Fernandes' free-kick. Speaking of Bruno, Jay boldly claims Manchester United would be facing relegation without him - at least based on this season’s form.

Schwarzie also reveals that Brighton's Fabian Hürzeler used to coach his son at FC Pipinsried in the lower leagues of Germany - reflecting on how he has evolved as manager and a man in that time.

Every match of the Premier League is live and exclusive on Optus Sport.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Arsenal are a WOUNDED ANIMAL right now...'

Nothing beats the rampaging return of the Premier League this weekend on Optus Sport, and Michael Bridges joins Mark Schwarzer to run a comb through a few of the mouth-watering fixtures to come this week:

• Arsenal are smarting, according to the lads, and despite their midweek Champions League boilover, they will struggle against Manchester United!
• Tottenham v Bournemouth has the makings of a very entertaining match - predictions of many, many goals!
• How can Nottingham Forest arrest their fall off of recent weeks? They take on a Manchester City side that may well put them to the sword!

Watch EVERY Premier League and Emirates FA Cup match on Optus Sport.

-----------

Listen to Optus Sport's award-winning limited series: Football Belongs, charting the cultural threads of Australian society through the lens of nine football matches:

Acast: https://play.acast.com/s/football-belongs

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AzBek8ub2oEsWLYHWetg7

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/football-belongs-australias-football-identity-by-optus/id1543067162

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Schwarzie and Bridgey are at Old Trafford reflecting on another disappointing night for Manchester United, as Fulham knock them out of the FA Cup on penalties. 

The guys also reflect on Danny Welbeck 'aging like a fine wine' as Brighton find a late winner against Newcastle - which leaves Bridgey wondering when the pressure will start to mount on Eddie Howe. 

Schwarzie is also still baffled by Matheus Cunha's outburst which led to his sending off against Bournemouth, whilst Bridgey compares himself to Will Smith. You'll have to hear it to believe it!

Every game of the FA Cup is live and exclusive on Optus Sport.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Preston North End v Burnley is 'an underrated...HATE-FILLED DERBY!'

We cannot wait for the final 16 of the FA Cup to line up in this weekend's fifth round, with the lads Mark Schwarzer, Phil Kitromilides and Julien Laurens discussing:

• Manchester United taking on Fulham, and how even a possible FA Cup trophy lift won't do anything for United after the season they have had.
• The gloves are off and the claws are out as Preston North End prepares to host (but not happily!) their bitter rivals Burnley!
• Can Jean-Philippe Mateta be the difference the boys claim he will be against Aussie-favourites Millwall?
• Quarter-final spots go up for grabs so do NOT miss this weekend!

Watch EVERY Emirates FA Cup match on Optus Sport.

-----------

Listen to Optus Sport's award-winning limited series: Football Belongs, charting the cultural threads of Australian society through the lens of nine football matches:

Acast: https://play.acast.com/s/football-belongs

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AzBek8ub2oEsWLYHWetg7

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/football-belongs-australias-football-identity-by-optus/id1543067162

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Schwarzie, Phil, and Juls are back, and this week they're asking: should we just hand Liverpool the Premier League crown already? Plus, Mo Salah’s record-breaking season shows no signs of slowing down - is he destined for the Ballon d'Or? The guys also discuss whether Manchester City's style of football is becoming outdated in England.

So with Arsenal looking like their race is run in terms of the title race, we turn our attention to the European spots and Juls has a bold shout: could Bournemouth really sneak into the Champions League?

The guys also dive into Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio hitting the ground running at Villa Park, plus the bizarre stat that home and away goals perfectly balanced in the Premier League this season.

Every game of the Premier League is live and exclusive on Optus Sport.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Who'd have thought Everton would turn into the great entertainers?!...'

Mark, Bridgey and Phil are back this week with a bumper weekend ahead:

• Liverpool keep dropping points... are they vulnerable ahead of their biggest clash of the year?
• Conversely, with a City side smarting from a Champions League loss.... are they on a hiding to nothing?
• Our guys choose which match is worth losing sleep over: Newcastle v Forest or Aston Villa v Chelsea?

Watch EVERY Premier League match, every week on Optus Sport.

-----------

Listen to Optus Sport's award-winning limited series: Football Belongs, charting the cultural threads of Australian society through the lens of nine football matches:

Acast: https://play.acast.com/s/football-belongs

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AzBek8ub2oEsWLYHWetg7

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/football-belongs-australias-football-identity-by-optus/id1543067162

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Schwarzie and Phil are joined by Bridgey to reflect on Spurs' win over a 'decaying' Manchester United team that are really struggling. Phil also updates us on how Antony is doing in La Liga since leaving Old Trafford...and it's not a good look for his former employers. 

Meanwhile Arsenal are dealing with their injury crisis well so far, as Mikel Merino scores twice in his first ever runout at centre-forward. But can they still win challenge Liverpool for the title? Chelsea on the other hand are heading in the opposite direction.

And after Ederson became the goalkeeper with the most Premier League assists, Schwarzie also talks very proudly of his only one, which was mostly thanks to Yakubu.

Every match of the Premier League and WSL is live and exclusive on Optus Sport.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.