The Overlap

Episode 8: City "Should" Have Won & La Liga Returns by Rheon Trim & Elyas Tecle

Another week, another match between two of the Big Six! This week, our friend and personal Arsenal apologist, Jay joins us to preview the big clash at Anfield this weekend between Liverpool and Arsenal. We talk to Jay about what changed at Arsenal this summer (1:00)and what he's most encouraged and concerned about this season (6:30). Then, we make our predictions for this weekend's match (17:30) and Jay gives his "unbiased" Arsenal predictions for the season.

La Liga is back this weekend and we've returned with an episode that Elyas has had marked in his calendar for at least a month. We discuss the match scheduling and broadcasting scandal in Spain (4:00) before Elyas waxes lyrical on his beloved Barcelona (14:00) and their complicated managerial future. Then we look ahead to the upcoming season for the two biggest teams in the capital. How does Real Madrid respond to one of the worst seasons in their history? (43:15) And what is the ceiling for this new look Atlético Madrid team that has prioritized attacking talent? (57:30) Finally, we make our end of season predictions with an especially bold prediction by Rheon. (1:11:45)

The transfer window has officially shut! Well, at least for England. In this episode, we discuss a few of the major transfer storylines from the final days leading up to the Premier League deadline. Does the early deadline for England provide a benefit for team development or a hindrance to fair market value? (4:15) What does the future hold for Christian Eriksen with Tottenham’s latest signing, Giovani Lo Celso primed to make his introduction to England? (13:40) Then, Rheon mourns the loss of David Luiz while assessing his and Nicolas Pepe’s fit with Arsenal. (28:18) We also talk about whether the transfer fee for Harry Maguire was as bad as people think. (39:50) Finally, since the transfer window in Spain is still open, Elyas vents his frustration over the Neymar saga (46:55) and praises one of his favorite La Liga transfers of the summer so far. (1:00:04)

The best league in the world (yes, Elyas, the best) is back this week and we look ahead to the weekend matches for the top six. First, we look back at a surprisingly entertaining Community Shield between Liverpool and City (4:17) and talk about what to expect from the Match of the Week, where Manchester United face off with Chelsea at Old Trafford (9:50). In Part 2, we preview the first matches for last season’s table toppers with Liverpool welcoming newly-promoted Norwich (24:50) and Manchester City travelling to London to face West Ham(36:20). In the final segment of this week’s episode, we look at the curtain raisers for the North London clubs, where Tottenham host Aston Villa in their first Premier League match at the new White Hart Lane (45:35), and Arsenal make a long trek to St. James Park to take on Newcastle (1:00:15).

On this mini-podcast, we analyze the pros and cons of VAR and it's introduction on some of the biggest stages in football. Rheon continues his vocal opposition to what VAR has brought to the beautiful game while Elyas provides an alternative perspective.

This week we’re making our predictions ahead of the upcoming English Premier League Season! In part one, we discussed why only one trophy matters now for Manchester City (5:00), how Liverpool can improve on their best season ever in the Premier League era (15:20), and what it’s going to take for Chelsea to fill the void left by Hazard after one of their weirdest seasons ever (26:15). Next, we take a look at the north side of London where Spurs’ biggest hurdle to overcome this season may come from within (32:30) and Arsenal have decided to double down on their strengths from last season rather than addressing their apparent weaknesses (41:45), then we try to make sense of the dysfunction at Manchester United (51:24) and its detriment on the upcoming season (1:01:55). Finally, we make our end of season top 6 and award predictions, with Elyas making a bold prediction(1:11:40).

On the next episode of The Overlap, take a deep dive into VAR, it’s merits, downfalls, and how it’s affecting the future of the sport.

Expected goals and assists explanation: https://www.optasports.com/services/analytics/advanced-metrics/

Video explaining expected goals and expected points: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCGtjXR4GAk

21st Club article: https://www.21stclub.com/2017/02/09/controlling-the-uncontrollable/

In our debut episode, we wrap up the international tournaments from the past couple of months including the Copa America (1:08), the Women’s World Cup (10:10), the Gold Cup (16:40), and AFCON (24:40). Next, we talk about the major transfers (28:25) and transfer rumors (56:30) from the summer so far. Finally, we quickly discuss a couple of our favorite managerial changes to happen since the end of the season (1:15:37). Next week we’ll take a look at England with our Premier League Preview!