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.

How have four-time winners of the World Cup Italy got themselves into a position where they have failed to qualify for three consecutive tournaments? With UEFA also now questioning the country's suitability to co-host the 2032 Euros, how deep are the issues in Italian football?

Also, after a weekend that saw Arsenal dumped out of the FA Cup to Championship opposition, fans of other clubs are hopeful that this signifies the Gunners are in meltdown. Why do so many neutral fans want to see Arsenal fail when the alternative is Manchester City?

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 can put pressure on Arsenal at the top of the table by getting the better of a fragile looking Chelsea, while Fulham look to take advantage of a Liverpool side in disarray. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Roberto De Zerbi has been given the task of saving Tottenham Hotspur from relegation, after Igor Tudor's time in charge of the club came to an end after just 44 days. The decision to hire De Zerbi has already proved unpopular among fans; is the club really that low on choices?

Also this week, we discuss Roy Hodgson coming out of retirement to take charge at Bristol City until the end of the season, a club he previously managed 44 years ago. There's also the findings of the FSA's latest survey into fan dissatisfaction with VAR.

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

pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_648.mp3

What's in the Weekend Boxset?

FA Cup quarter finals dominate the Easter weekend along with crunch ties in the Championship promotion race. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

This week the Premier League handed Chelsea a £10 million fine for years of financial cheating under the ownership of Roman Abramovich. The fine equates to the difference in prize money for finishing one season in 12th instead of 8th.

Retropsective punishment is a tricky thing, and there are definitely wrong ways of doing it. This week we saw Africa's governing body controversially strip Senegal of the Afcon title they won two months ago and hand it to the hosts Morocco.

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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A crushing home defeat to Crystal Palace has pushed Tottenham closer to the edge of relegation. They are one of the most financially successful clubs in the world and were one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Premier League in 1992. Relegation seems unthinkable but is a very real possiblilty. But could there be a way out for them?

If they do go down, at least it will be easier to finish among the play-off places in the Championship. From next season six teams will be involved in the post-season knockout.

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

pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_646.mp3

What's in the Weekend Boxset?

After an insane evening in Madrid, Spurs go to Liverpool to try and turn their league form around. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

In the constant hunt for marginal gains, the introduction of dedicated set-piece coaches has allowed otherwise lower-mid-table clubs to thrive with goals from corners and long throws. But now the bigger clubs are following suit, is this development damaging the entertainment value of the Premier League? And, if so, should the lawmakers do something about it?

And talking of lawmakers, in yet another move to change the laws to make VAR more palatable, Arsene Wenger's suggestion for relaxing the offside law is to be trialled in the Canadian Premier League, a league that doesn't even have VAR, let alone semi-automated offside detection.

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

pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_645.mp3

What's in the Weekend Boxset?

It’s FA Cup fifth round with Wrexham v Chelsea, Newcastle v City and Port Vale v Sunderland among the games on offer. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Palace fans have had their fill of Oliver Glasner now he's told them to stay humble. Terry was at Selhurst Park at the weekend to see for himself how humble the fans feel like being right now. Meanwhile Tottenham fans are facing up to the reality of being in a relegation scrap after another home defeat, this time in the North London derby.

Also this week, we welcome back Gary Andrews for his thoughts on the upcoming Women’s Asian Cup in Australia which will boast a galaxy of WSL stars. In the UK you'll be able to watch it on YouTube.

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

pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_644.mp3

What's in the Weekend Boxset?

There are some big title race matches across the weekend, with Arsenal hosting Chelsea, an Old Firm derby and Dortmund trying to close the gap with Bayern in Der Klassiker. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Last week Nottingham Forest became the first Premier League side ever to sack three permanent managers in the same season. Less than 24 hours before Sean Dyche was relieved of his duties, Thomas Frank's time in charge Spurs came to an end. Will the new men in charge fare any better in the fight to avoid relegation?

Also this week we discuss the weekend's FA Cup fourth round, which saw Mansfield coming from behind to beat Burnley at Turf Moor.

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

pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_643.mp3

What's in the Weekend Boxset?

Tottenham's new interim head coach Igor Tudor goes straight in the deep end with the North London derby. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

The chaotic scenes at the end of the weekend’s match between Liverpool and Manchester City laid bare one of the most fundamental problems with VAR: it may make the game more correct but it also makes it less joyful. Why then is it such a surprise to those who support VAR, like Gary Neville, that it sucks pleasure from football? Is there a place for “the smell of the game” in a world of VAR?

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

pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_642.mp3

What's in the Weekend Boxset?

This Valentine’s weekend has all the romance of the fourth round of the FA Cup. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin's last-gasp winning goal against Real Madrid must go down as one of the greatest moments in Champions League history. But is it enough to prove to the doubters the entertainment value of the new format Champions League? It certainly reminded everyone that Jose Mourinho is still one for the big occasion.

Also this week, we discuss the close of the winter transfer window, Arsenal Women becoming world champions and Rodri's problem with referees.

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

pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_641.mp3

What's in the Weekend Boxset?

Will City have better luck with the referee at Anfield on Sunday? Probably not. Also, Spurs look to take the positives from their comeback against City to take on a resurgent United. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.