'He needs silverware...and this is a REALLY good chance'

There are few greater words for a football fan in January than FA Cup third round. And that's where we find ourselves this week as Mark Schwarzer, Phil Kitromilides and Michael Bridges join forces to run a rule across the biggest, best and ugliest fixtures to take place this weekend, all LIVE on Optus Sport. The trio discuss:

• Who will come out on top between Arsenal and Manchester United in the pick of the round
• The Lamb Ground...which is where Spurs will head to try and overcome Tamworth
• The worst pitches the fellas played on in their cup runs - and which Premier League pitch has a SLOPE on it!
• The mischief Bridgey got up to as an apprentice at Sunderland
• Find out the 'secret phrase' Bridgey and Phil give Schwarzie to drop during the FA Cup Draw!

-----------

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.

The Optus Sport Football Podcast kicks off the new year with Schwarzie, Phil, and Bridgey breaking down a dramatic night at Anfield.

Manchester United stunned everyone with what Schwarzie calls their "most impressive performance of the season," but the big question remains—can they sustain this momentum?

Liverpool’s attacking flair was on full display, but defensive frailties stole the spotlight, with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s struggles reigniting debates about his future and a potential move to Madrid (which Phil insists is "a no-brainer!").

The team also unpacks Ange Postecoglou’s fiery post-match interview after yet another Spurs loss, exploring whether deeper issues are behind their recent slump.

Schwarzie and Bridgey share some cracking yarns, including Yakubu "throwing in the towel" at Middlesbrough when Everton came calling, how Mark Viduka could have been one of the world’s best with Cristiano Ronaldo’s professionalism, and fascinating insights into how Leicester handled the pressure during their 2016 title charge.

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

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

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

New to close out 2024: we welcome you to the very first episode of Takes from the Terrace, where we throw the interview textbook out of the window and ask our guests what we really want to hear.

In this premiere, legendary England, Manchester City and Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart joins Adamo De Nigris for a candid and sometimes emotional discussion on his career, and details why Australia's Ange Postecoglou left such a lasting impact on his career.

From Premier League champions to Socceroos greats, as well as topics that really get you thinking (who EXACTLY makes the Premier League Mount Rushmore?!), join these incredible conversations with world football identities that go further than the results on the pitch.

LISTEN: https://shows.acast.com/takes-from-the-terrace

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

'Best song in the Premier League...!'

Football fans in South London have plenty of reason to chant one man's name at the moment, and Mark Schwarzer, Phil Kitromilides and Julien Laurens sing along as we preview a big weekend of Premier League action, LIVE on Optus Sport:

• Tottenham host Liverpool in a vital match - but which Spurs side will be there to play?
• We hear from Yves Bissouma on what they need to do to take down the Reds
• Crystal Palace have hit a bit of form and come up against another unpredictable giant in Arsenal - and our lads predict they will cause the Gunners trouble!
• Villa and Manchester City lock horns with the winner to make a leap up the table!

-----------

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 unwrap all the weekend's football drama with Gary O’Neil and Russell Martin both losing their jobs at Wolves and Southampton - proving it’s not just Santa handing out the sack this time of year.

Elsewhere, Rashford and Garnacho are on Ruben Amorim's naughty list after being dropped from the squad for the Manchester derby. But there’s no Christmas miracle for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, as they gift-wrap a win for Manchester United. Are they really out of the title race already?

Chelsea are also jingling all the way towards the top of the league, storming ahead of Arsenal and chasing down Liverpool. Could they be the team to ruin everyone’s holiday spirit this season?

Meanwhile, Michelle and Ash fill our stockings with all the latest from the WSL’s final weekend before the new year, whilst Phil plays Scrooge after his son confesses to diving—bah...humbug!

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.

Bold call as Amorim tipped to 'pull off a masterstroke' over Manchester City!

Football fans are champing at the bit this week with another Manchester Derby awaiting us, LIVE on Optus Sport on Monday morning AEDT. Michael Bridges and Phil Kitromilides join Mark Schwarzer to preview the big clash and dive into:

• Best memories and moments from the famous rivalry between the red and blue sides of Manchester
• Who they predict to be the difference in the match
• Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa - not to be forgotten, the winner of this could find themselves in fourth place by next week!
• Michelle Escobar and Ash Sykes drop in with their preview of the Women's Super League!

-----------

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 have returned from their golfing trip to run the rule over the latest Premier League weekend with Phil:

• Chelsea are looking unstoppable under Maresca
• Will struggling Ange be at Spurs by the start of 2025?
• Manchester United's turmoil continues on and off the pitch
• How to stop Arsenal at set pieces
• Is Pep cracking up?
• Leicester's superb start under Ruud van Nistelrooy

Michelle and Ash are also back with their assessment of the first WSL weekend after the international break.

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.

Do Arsenal's front men have enough goals in them to win the league?!

Midweek football is here on Optus Sport!

With Mark Schwarzer galavanting on a Spanish golf course, Phil Kitromilides and Julien Laurens pore over this week's midweek fixtures.

• Arsenal v Manchester United will be huge - we give our pre-game analysis on what lineups will cause the greatest trouble for the opposition
• Newcastle sit in a disappointing 11th place and take on an absolutely flying Liverpool at St. James' Park. How can the Magpies take down the seemingly-unassailable Reds?

-----------

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.

With Schwarzie and Bridgey sunning themselves on a Spanish golf course, Phil and Juls pick up the slack to reflect on a momentous weekend of Premier League action.

• How Arne Slot has found the 'perfect blend' at Liverpool
• Why the title race isn't over yet
• Have Manchester City fallen off a cliff?
• Juls goes big on Guardiola: "He doesn't have a clue!"
• Do great managers lose this many games?
• Amorim's tactical transformation of Manchester United
• Should Hojlund, Rashford or Zirkzee lead the line at Old Trafford?
• Chelsea flying high
• Aston Villa looking 'horrendously bad'

Phil also tells us about a special moment for him at the weekend as he took his son to his first ever Tottenham match.

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

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