There weren't too many shocks in the group stage of this World Cup but it did at least have some surprises — the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde perhaps the most notable. Being in one of the first groups to complete their games, Scotland's exit from the tournament was slow. Yet another group stage exit sees them looking for a new head coach, with Steve Clarke stepping down. Iran's exit was perhaps the most heartbreaking with 3D avatar VAR denying Team Melli a fairytale late winner against Egypt.

Having impressed against Croatia, England's other two group games were uninspiring. Against both Ghana and Panama they struggled against low blocks and looked vulnerable on the counter. They finished top in the group but there are much tougher tests ahead.

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

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Day 12 of the World Cup and we're past the halfway point of the group stage. Some teams have already progressed while some are already out. The megastars of the game have also arrived with Lionel Messi becoming the all-time leading scorer at World Cups but Kylian Mbappe is hard on his heels.

England impressed in their opener against a talented Croatia side. Scotland meanwhile are in the unenviable position of having to avoid defeat in their final group game against five time champions Brazil. Fail to do so and they will have to wait to see if three points will be enough to progress to the knock-out stage.

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

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The opening weekend of the World Cup has already provided a number of talking points. There have been surprises, new heroes, a sacked head coach and a statement performance from co-hosts USA. On the other hand, newly introduced rules, enhanced tech and hydration breaks have had a more questionable impact.

At his pre-tournament presser, FIFA president Gianni Infantino told his many critics to "chill... relax" and that everything would be fine. At the moment, on the surface at least, things appear to have settled down now that the tournament has started but there's still a very long way to go.

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

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The new expanded World Cup is here but rather than the unworkable size of the tournament it’s the hostile political situation in one of the three co-host nations that threatens to throw the competition into chaos.

With 48 teams, how on earth can we do justice to them all in just one preview podcast? The answer: we just go back to basics, and pick out the 47 teams that won't win. Whoever remains, however improbable, must be the winner.

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

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Arsenal may be Premier League champions but Pep Guardiola has still managed to steal the headlines with his announcement that he is stepping down as Manchester City manager after 10 years.

In our last podcast of the season, we also look at how Bournemouth and Sunderland managed to grab the two Europa League places, and ask what now for Southampton as the club faces the aftermath of Spygate 2.

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

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The closing weeks of the season are where dreams are realised, or heart-breakingly dashed. Last weekend saw Celtic deny Hearts their title. It also saw City win another trophy while in Germany St Pauli were relegated at the expense of a non-50+1 club.

Also this week, we discuss three managerial appointments at three of the football world's biggest clubs: Alonso to Chelsea, Carrick confirmed at United, and Mourinho returning to Real Madrid*.

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

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What's in the Weekend Boxset?

The Premier League relegation battle comes to end with Spurs having to get a point at home to Everton. There's also the Championship play-off between Hull and Boro (subject to appeal). Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

In the weekend’s big fixture with importance at the both ends of the table, the VAR-assisted decision to rightly chalk off what would have been West Ham’s late equaliser against Arsenal has caused huge controversy. Or at least, it has everyone talking about controversy.

The incident itself has been passed on to the Premier League’s Key Match Incident panel to decide whether or not the referee and his VAR made the right decisions. With only one qualified referee on the panel of five, is it more concerned with the “smell of the game” than laws and processes? And who is it helping?

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

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What's in the Weekend Boxset?

It's the El Cheatico Cup Final weekend, but don't worry there's plenty of other stuff to watch too. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

The BBC is to ditch Football Focus at the end of this season after 52 years on our screens. The decision has come as a surprise to many football fans, especially those who thought it had been taken off air years ago. Was the Saturday lunchtime magazine show's demise simply down to a failure to evolve?

Also this week, we look ahead to next month’s FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City, which we’ve now dubbed El Cheatico.

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

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What's in the Weekend Boxset?

It’s the final round of fixtures in the Championship, with promotion and play-offs still to be decided. Also, Arsenal look to get to another Women’s Champions League final taking a 2-1 lead into the second leg of their semi-final in Lyon. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Defeat for Arsenal at the Etihad, has handed advantage to City in the title race. Is the dream over for the Gunners or are there still twists left in this season?

Also this week we discuss the appointment of Marco Rose at Bournemouth (once Andoni Iraloa leaves in the summer), Marie-Louise Eta’s first game as Union Berlin’s interim head coach and the prospect of relegation to League One for Leicester City, just a decade after they won the Premier League.

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

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What's in the Weekend Boxset?

The FA Cup semi finals have the potential to be classics with resurgent City facing a Southampton side in unstoppable form, and a repeat of the 1970 final as Chelsea face Leeds. You can also see Marie-Louise Eta’s Union Berlin take on RB Leipzig on Friday night. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

The Premier League has restarted after a lengthy break for internationals and the FA Cup with the run-in in full swing. With almost everyone in the top flight having something to play for, who is in the best shape to cope with a squeaky backside?

Also we congratulate Jack Wilshere on his Luton side winning the EFL Trophy at the weekend, a competition some would say is blighted by top flight development sides taking part in it. This week the FA announced that it’s looking into allowing development teams in the Women’s National League, the tier below WSL2.

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

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What's in the Weekend Boxset?

City look to pile the pressure of Arsenal's title chase when they host the Gunners on Sunday. There's also huge games at either end of Championship and a World Cup qualifier for the Lionesses. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.