Category: Football

If your new year’s resolution is to watch more football, you’re in for a treat. There’s no slowing down in January, with games coming thick and fast in the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and European competitions.

As the biggest teams in the country prepare for the second half of the season, they may be thinking about whether to prioritise certain competitions. Liverpool are in pole position in the title race, although there’s still time for Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City to make up some ground.

Meanwhile, for Manchester United and Tottenham, they may be looking at the cup competitions in order to salvage some pride following poor starts to the campaign.

Are Liverpool running away from Arsenal in the title race?

Following a blistering first half of the season under Arne Slot, Liverpool are now six points clear of Arsenal with a game in hand. With their opponents dropping so many points and Mohamed Salah in the form of his life, it’s their title to lose.

They’ve lost just once so far in the Premier League and with the likes of Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota now back to full fitness, they’re only getting stronger. With games coming thick and fast, the only question mark against them is how they’ll tackle fixture congestion.

But with a six point cushion on ninth place in the Champions League and an easy tie in the FA Cup, they can afford to rest players in their upcoming fixtures. And while there’s a lot of noise off the pitch surrounding the future of both Salah and Alexander-Arnold, all that matters is that they keep performing.

For Arsenal though, it’s a different story. They dropped points against Brighton on Saturday and while they were on a run of four wins in all competitions, they’ve also failed to beat Fulham and Everton in the last month.

With their title hopes slowly starting to dwindle, they’ll still be confident of mounting a challenge. But Mikel Arteta may look at other competitions in order to get his hands on some much-needed silverware.

After edging past Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, they face a tricky two-legged semi-final against an in-form Newcastle. It could set up a potentially mouthwatering final against rivals Tottenham, who meet Liverpool in the other final four clash.

Elsewhere, the Gunners are currently third in the Champions League but will need results in their final two group games to guarantee a top eight finish. While both squads are packed with talent, Liverpool and Arsenal may look to strengthen in the transfer window this month.

The Reds have been linked with a move for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, who is seen as a long-term replacement for Andy Robertson. Meanwhile, Arsenal may look to strengthen in attack after Bukayo Saka was ruled out for two months with a hamstring injury.

Key fixtures this month

Arsenal v Newcastle – Tuesday 7th January, Carabao Cup
Tottenham v Liverpool – Wednesday 8th January, Carabao Cup
Arsenal v Manchester United – Sunday 12th January, FA Cup
Nottingham Forest v Liverpool – Tuesday 14th January, Premier League
Arsenal v Tottenham – Wednesday 15th January, Premier League
Arsenal v Aston Villa – Saturday 18th January, Premier League
Liverpool v Ipswich – Saturday 25th January, Premier League

The Manchester clubs look to turn things around

It’s been a season to forget so far for both Manchester City and Manchester United. Pep Guardiola’s City side are currently sixth in the Premier League, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.

They recently went on a five-game winless run that included draws against Crystal Palace and Everton as well as a defeat to rivals United. But they’ve won two on the spin and Erling Haaland is back among the goals after a brace against West Ham at the weekend.

City traditionally go on winning runs in the second half of seasons so it would be unwise to count them out of the title race despite Liverpool’s head start. But if a fifth consecutive title begins to slip away, you can bet your bottom dollar they’ll go hell for leather to get their hands on the FA Cup and Champions League.

From a United perspective, City’s struggles are enviable. Despite sacking Erik ten Hag at the end of October, new boss Ruben Amorim is yet to have the impact that the United hierarchy would have hoped for, although Sunday’s battling draw at Anfield will have raised spirits.

His two-month reign has been littered with bad results and poor individual performances, with defeats to Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Wolves and Newcastle overshadowing United’s win at the Etihad. They remain 13th in the table, just seven points clear of the bottom three – a poor result against Southampton in their next league outing would be catastrophic.

For City, their struggles are in part down to a lack of options. They’ve been without key players Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne for much of the season and they may look to strengthen this month. Eintracht Frankfurt star Omar Marmoush and Atalanta midfielder Ederson have been linked with moves.

However, there’s seemingly no money for incomings available for Amorim at Old Trafford, meaning he may be forced to work with the hand he’s been dealt. Marcus Rashford has been ostracised and his departure is inevitable – an exit this month could provide United with a much-needed transfer kitty.

Key fixtures in January

Arsenal v Manchester United – Sunday 12th January, FA Cup
Manchester United v Southampton – Thursday 16th January, Premier League
Manchester United v Brighton – Sunday 19th January, Premier League
Manchester City v Chelsea – Saturday 25th January, Premier League

London rivals worlds apart

At the halfway point of the season, things couldn’t be more different between rivals Chelsea and Tottenham. Over in west London, the Blues are quietly enjoying a steady campaign in the upper echelons of the tables.

Chelsea finally seem to have settled following a whirlwind couple of years under their new ownership. They looked to be dark horses for the title under Enzo Maresca, although a recent dip in form has put that talk on ice.

They’ve got incredible squad depth, with a different starting eleven both domestically and in Europe, while talisman Cole Palmer has continued where he left off from last year. On the contrary, Spurs are having a difficult campaign.

Ange Postecoglou has been criticised for his gung ho approach and following a string of poor results that has seen them pick up one point in their last four games, plus an injury and illness crisis, the north London side are 12th and only one point better off than United.

They desperately need reinforcements this month – Heung Min Son looks a shadow of his former self, meaning Spurs lack a talisman. Meanwhile, summer midfield signing Archie Gray has been forced to deputise at centre-back due to a lack of options.

Tottenham have already snapped up goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky and they’re likely to dip into the market again. However, it may be quiet on the transfer front at Stamford Bridge for once, with plenty of options available for Maresca to choose from, although injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile could see them move for cover in defence.

Key fixtures in January

Tottenham v Liverpool – Wednesday 8th January, Carabao Cup
Chelsea v Bournemouth – Tuesday 14th January, Premier League
Arsenal v Tottenham – Wednesday 15th January, Premier League
Chelsea v Wolves – Monday 20th January, Premier League
Manchester City v Chelsea – Saturday 25th January, Premier League
Tottenham v Leicester – Sunday 26th January, Premier League

While everybody celebrates Christmas slightly differently, there are some traditions that are universal. Christmas dinner is an obvious one, as are stocking, carols and Father Christmas.

But in the world of sport, perhaps the most important Christmas tradition is Boxing Day football. Whether you’re braving the cold to head down and watch your favourite team or putting on your brand-new Christmas pyjamas ahead of a day in front of the TV, Boxing Day football is one thing that everybody looks forward to throughout the festive period.

But why is it so important? And when did it start? Let’s find out!

The history of Boxing Day football

Way back in 1888, in the first season of the football league, there were two games on Boxing Day, as Derby County played Bolton Wanderers while West Brom faced Preston North End. This sparked the beginning of a tradition, with games now played the day after Christmas every year.

However, it wasn’t just Boxing Day that saw football fans head out to watch a game. Back in the day, there were also games on Christmas Day. In fact, often teams would face each other on Christmas Day, before meeting again for the return fixture a day later. The idea was that crowds would be at their biggest, with the majority of people in the country off work for the two bank holidays.

With the arguments about fixture congestion and player welfare, that seems unthinkable today, but the rules were different back then. Back then, bank holidays were typically an opportunity for friends and family to meet up outside of their home and spend the day together, meaning football was the perfect opportunity to celebrate.

However, at some point during the 1960s, traditions changed and it became the norm to spend Christmas at home with your family. As a result, Christmas Day attendances began to suffer and those in charge felt a change was needed. The last Christmas Day game in England was way back in 1965 but Boxing Day games have remained.

Typically, to make it easier for fans and players travelling, teams will play against sides relatively close to them, although this isn’t always possible. Almost all professional football teams in England will play on Boxing Day this year, except for a few exceptions where matches may have been moved by a day or two for TV.

Festive games are a very British tradition, with many countries across Europe opting to have a two-week winter break over Christmas. But the fixture schedule in the UK thrives at the end of the year, with games almost every day until New Year’s Day.

Memorable Boxing Day moments

For those that are active on social media, you may be well aware of the Boxing Day results from 1963. While many of us may not have been born to witness it, you’d have done well to miss the screenshot that goes viral each year.

The 10 top-flight games that day produced a phenomenal 66 goals. Standout results include Burnley 6-1 Manchester United, Fulham 10-1 Ipswich and West Ham 2-8 Blackburn Rovers. Whether the players were hungover from Christmas or still stuffed from their turkey, we’re not sure, but we’re sure the fans weren’t complaining. Well, maybe the Ipswich fans were.

In recent times, there have also been some incredible Boxing Day matches in the Premier League. Sir Alex Ferguson’s final Boxing Day game back in 2012 saw Javier Hernandez score a dramatic last-minute winner as Manchester United came from behind three times to beat Newcastle 4-3.

Five years previously, Chelsea and Aston Villa shared the spoils in a thrilling 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, one of the Premier League’s most iconic moments also took place on Boxing Day. With Hull 4-0 down at half-time to Manchester City in 2008, manager Phil Brown famously forced his players to stay out on the pitch at the break and delivered his half-time team talk in the cold in front of the fans.

Boxing Day comebacks have become a tradition for United, as they fought back from two goals down last year to beat Aston Villa 3-2 thanks to a brace from Alejandro Garnacho and a late winner from Rasmus Hojlund. Meanwhile, goals from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota gave Liverpool a 2-0 win at Burnley, who were eventually relegated.

Premier League festive fixtures

Thursday 26th December

Manchester City v Everton
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace
Chelsea v Fulham
Newcastle v Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest v Tottenham
Southampton v West Ham
Wolves v Manchester United
Liverpool v Leicester

Friday 27th December

Brighton v Brentford
Arsenal v Ipswich

Sunday 29th December

Leicester v Manchester City
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Everton v Nottingham Forest
Fulham v Bournemouth
Tottenham v Wolves
West Ham v Liverpool

Monday 30th December

Aston Villa v Brighton
Ipswich v Chelsea
Manchester United v Newcastle

Wednesday 1st January

Brentford v Arsenal

We’ve reached the quarter-final stage of the Carabao Cup and we’re set for four all Premier League clashes to see who can reach the final four. Arsenal will be keen to secure a major trophy but they face a tough prospect against in-form Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will be looking to win the competition for the second year on the trot as they face Southampton. Ahead of the action, here’s everything you need to know.

Can Arsenal avoid a potential banana skin?

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is desperate to win another major trophy, having failed to deliver silverware to the Emirates since winning the FA Cup back in 2020. This year’s Carabao Cup represents a great opportunity to get another trophy under his belt – but games are coming thick and fast over the festive period and he may see the Premier League as his priority.

Arsenal take on Crystal Palace in their quarter-final clash in the first of two meetings in four days between the pair. Despite a tricky start to the season, Palace are in a false position in the Premier League and they’ll be a tricky test for the north London side having started to show their class in recent weeks.

The Eagles have lost just one of their last nine games in all competitions and they were imperious as they beat fierce rivals Brighton 3-1 on Sunday. And while Arsenal are a different beast with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard at their disposal and a strong defensive unit, Palace have countless threats themselves.

Oliver Glasner’s side claimed a scalp in the last round as they won at Aston Villa. Arsenal are yet to be truly tested in the cup so far, beating Bolton and Preston to reach this stage. Palace are more than capable of causing an upset and you could see the action from the luxury of Engage’s exclusive hospitality areas – enquire today to book your place.

Newcastle face tricky test against Brentford

When the Carabao Cup quarter-final draw was made, both Newcastle and Brentford would have been licking their lips at the chance to reach the final four having avoided the big-hitters like Arsenal and Liverpool.

The Magpies reached this stage of the competition last season where they were beaten by Chelsea on penalties. The previous year they reached the final and ultimately lost to Manchester United. Meanwhile, Brentford also have recent experience in the quarter-finals – they too were knocked out by Chelsea back in the 2021/22 season.

Newcastle have been far from convincing of late but they appear to have turned their form around and they smashed Leicester 4-0 at the weekend. Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak were back among the goals and they’ll both offer a huge threat to Brentford’s backline.

Yet the visitors have attacking weapons of their own in the shape of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa and they’ll be familiar to Newcastle – Brentford beat them 4-2 in the Premier League just 10 days ago and they’ll be confident of repeating the feat at St James’s Park tomorrow evening.

Liverpool take on managerless Southampton

While there’s certainly evidence that a new manager can instill a reactive bounce in some teams, it’s unlikely that the turnaround at Southampton will be that immediate. The Saints are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League and they finally sacked Russell Martin at the weekend after a shocking first-half performance against Tottenham.

Southampton were 5-0 down at half-time and while their players will be motivated to turn things around, there are few scarier opponents to attempt to get back on track against than league leaders and reigning Carabao Cup champions Liverpool.

Arne Slot’s side were far from convincing against Fulham on Saturday and they may rest players ahead of their Premier League clash against Tottenham this weekend. But they should have too much for Southampton and have already seen off West Ham and Brighton in the competition so far.

Can Man United prevail at Tottenham?

While both Tottenham and Manchester United have not been at their best this season, both sides delivered statement wins at the weekend. Spurs have been criticised following successive defeats to Bournemouth and Chelsea but they put Southampton to the sword in a first-half rout inspired by James Maddison.

They’ll be looking to continue their momentum against a confident United side that masterminded a late comeback to stun neighbours Manchester City on Sunday. Both Ange Postecoglu and Ruben Amorim will be keen to go all the way in the Carabao Cup this season.

Spurs’ last silverware came in this competition as they beat Chelsea in the final way back in 2008. Meanwhile, United have a strong recent history, winning it for the sixth time in the 2022/23 season.

Whichever side reaches the semi-final, they’ll be confident of making it to the final and you can enjoy the clash from the best seats in the house with our exclusive hospitality packages, with food, drinks and entertainment options to suit all needs.

The end of Gameweek 11 in the 2024/25 Premier League Season marks the beginning of the third International Break as teams from across Europe will take part in their last group stage fixtures of the UEFA Nations League. England will look to finish their League campaign with two victories against Greece and Ireland, having announced the appointment of new manager Thomas Tuchel, set to start in January. Here at Engage, we take a look at how England might set up under the new head coach.

Thomas Tuchel’s appointment came as a shock to many as the German man’s appointment brought a mixed reception from England fans. The former Chelsea manager who won the Champions League with the Blues, will not take charge until January, however, his appointment has brought a lot of controversy with it. Questions surrounding how good of a fit he will be for England have been raised with the coach’s managerial spells often being cut short.

With that said, Tuchel has won numerous trophies including Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and the Champions League. Can he steer England to their first trophy since 1966?

What has Tuchel won?

As mentioned, Tuchel’s CV is quite extraordinary with a great list of honours. Tuchel’s first trophy came at Borussia Dortmund when he won the DFB-Pokal in 2017 before being dismissed 3 days later after a difficult relationship with the board.

In 2018, he was appointed as PSG manager, winning the league in his first season at the club. The following season he won the domestic quadruple and took the French giants to the Champions League final where they were beaten by Bayern Munich. Another poor relationship with the club’s hierarchy saw him depart PSG in December 2020 with the highest win percentage in Ligue 1 history (75.6%).

Tuchel joined Chelsea signing an 18 month contract in January 2021, leading the Blues to Champions League glory in the same season with an unlikely victory over Manchester City in the final. He was dismissed from the club in 2023 after yet another disagreement over the club’s transfer strategies, with Chelsea Chairman Tedd Boehly describing Tuchel as a ‘nightmare’.

Tuchel’s final job before being announced as England manager was back in Germany at Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga title in 2023 and a Champions League semi-final was all that he could muster when he was dismissed just over a year after his appointment.

With an illustrious trophy cabinet and plenty of experience at some of the biggest clubs in Europe, can Tuchel deliver silverware for the Three Lions?

How might Tuchel set up?

Thomas Tuchel will begin his tenure in charge of England on 1st January 2025, signing an 18 month contract, which will see him in charge until after the 2026 World Cup. However, seeing how Tuchel will set up for the games leading up to 2026 will certainly be interesting.

Tuchel’s relationship with Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane may be one that benefits England with reports that the pair are happy to be ‘reunited’. The Englishman has proved pivotal in England’s success in recent tournaments and has excelled since making the move to Bayern Munich scoring 44 goals in 45 games under Tuchel. Fans will be keen to see how this relationship gels while in charge of England.

Tuchel’s tactics are characterised by flexibility and he is often described as a good ‘tournament manager’ which could help England when faced with major competitions. He is also not afraid to alter the lineup drastically, a refreshing change perhaps for some England fans, with many frustrated at Gareth Southgate’s stubborn team selections.

However, the worrying thing for England fans will be Tuchel’s tendency to cause fallouts in the setup. Southgate was credited for bringing a sense of togetherness to the England team, something which many England managers have struggled to do in the past. Will Tuchel’s past disagreements affect the England camp?

Furthermore, Tuchel’s nationality has also been debated by fans and pundits with the question raised about whether a non-English manager understands the desire for the Three Lions to win a trophy and what it means to be England manager. He is only the third non-English manager to take control of England, however, his time in England at Chelsea will bode him well as he takes the reins at one of football’s most difficult managerial jobs.

So can Tuchel change England’s misfortune? Two European final defeats and a World Cup semi-final, Southgate couldn’t quite get England over the line. However, with a new man at the helm, can he steer England to their first trophy since 1966? Find out with Engage Hospitality! Check out their brilliant packages to watch England vs Republic of Ireland as well as all of their games at Wembley Stadium in the build up to the 2026 World Cup!

A disappointing start to the season for Manchester United sees the Premier League giants on 12 points in 10 games as they sit 13th in the league, while their Europa League form doesn’t boast many positives either. The woeful start is their worst since the inception of the Premier League and it has led to the departure of manager Erik Ten Hag. The Dutchman was appointed in June 2022 and won both the League Cup and FA Cup before being sacked, with his league form leaving much to be desired.

Replacing Ten Hag on the 11th November will be former Portuguese international, Ruben Amorim. Here at Engage we take a look at what Amorim’s appointment could mean for the Red Devils and their hunt for a trophy this campaign.

What trophies has Amorim won?

Amorim spent the majority of his career at Belenenses and Benfica making 237 appearances throughout his club career, alongside 14 caps at senior international level with Portugal. The midfielder won Liga Portugal three times as a player with Benfica and the Portuguese League Cup 6 times with both Benfica and Braga; United will be eager that he can carry his title winning mentality into the club’s dressing room.

Currently manager at Sporting CP, Amorim has quite the record there as well. Since becoming manager of the Portuguese giants in March 2020, he has won the League Cup and Liga Portugal twice as well as the Portuguese Super Cup. Amorim’s side are unbeaten in all competitions this season, with two wins in the Champions League to match their 100% win record in Liga Portugal. Since his appointment he has won 71% of his games at Sporting.

Amorim will be hoping he can transfer his perfect start to the league campaign across to Manchester with the Red Devils only on three victories all season. His first game in charge will be away to newly promoted Ipswich Town with The Tractor Boys still hunting for their first win of the Premier League 2024/25 season.

Can Amorim turn United’s fortunes around?

Amorim’s 71% win record at Sporting certainly suggests a sign of a positive appointment for Manchester United fans, however, defeats to a struggling West Ham side as well as 3-0 thumpings at home to Liverpool and Tottenham, it certainly isn’t looking good.

Although the title race may be out of the question, they have progressed to the quarter finals of the League Cup and are still very much competitive in the Europa League. If Amorim can turn their form around, then United could still be in the hunt for three trophies this year as they look to regain their League Cup title from 2023 and defend their FA Cup title having beaten their neighbours, Manchester City, in the final last year.

A brilliant 4-1 win for Sporting over City on Tuesday night in the Champions League, also brings a lot of hope at the prospect of Amorim being able to propel the Reds back to their best. Can he replicate this historic victory at Old Trafford with United?

If Amorim is to continue his impressive managerial record in Manchester, can we see Manchester United back to their very best? Between 1993 and 2013, the red side of Manchester won an astonishing 13 top flight titles dominating English football, is there any possibility they can repeat this feat under Amorim?

Fancy finding out for yourself how Ruben Amorim will get on at Old Trafford? Check out Engage Hospitality’s fantastic packages for you to watch Manchester United in action in the Premier League, live from the Theatre of Dreams. Discover hospitality packages like no other including Hotel Football and Evolution, and dine in luxury surrounded by footballing legends! Enquire now!

With the International Break coming to a close and the Premier League returning, the action was back like it has never been away. Shock results, great goals and some freak moments made for a fantastic Premier League Gameweek with plenty of action on show. Want to see it for yourself? Here at Engage we take a look at all of your options to watch the Premier League live at a whole host of venues including some of the best sides in World Football!

Chelsea

First up on the list of Engage’s Premier League hospitality is at Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea FC. The London side are one of the biggest clubs in England with 5 Premier League titles, 8 FA Cups and 2 Champions League trophies.

Fancy watching the famous club live? Engage have some magnificent hospitality options for you to indulge in! The Champions’ Club is a wonderful place to start offering East Stand Middle Tier padded seating as well as a three course buffet and more! It is also the only hospitality in the ground offering East Stand seating while the Tambling Suite, Under The Bridge and Museum hospitality are all situated in the West Stand. Each hospitality option offers delicious food and drink while the Museum features a stunning pre-match stadium tour with table dining and a complimentary bar for a more luxurious choice!

Arsenal FC

Having been so close to Premier League glory in the previous two seasons, Arsenal look to be enthralled in yet another exciting title race. Mikel Arteta’s side have been in amongst it right until the very end in the last couple of seasons, only to be pipped by Manchester City. Can they finally do it this season?

Fancy finding out if they can do it live from the Emirates Stadium? Engage are providing Premium Hospitality at the North London stadium that will cater to everyone’s hospitality needs. Hospitality at the Emirates Stadium includes premium match seats, fantastic onsite hospitality and a complimentary matchday programme to keep as a souvenir! For more information, enquire with us!

Tottenham Hotspur

Staying in North London, and the Gunners’ noisy neighbours, Tottenham are another Premier League club that Engage offer hospitality for. Ange Postecoglou’s Lilywhites finished in 5th place last season to secure Europa League football for the first time in two years and they will be hoping to secure a top four spot this season.

Spurs’ new home, The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, was opened in 2019 as a replacement for the iconic White Hart Lane and this stunning new venue has certainly delivered since its introduction. This state of the art sports theatre sees Spurs play all of their home games here, as well as hosting concerts and American Football. Want to see inside this incredible stadium’s modern hospitality? Here at Engage we offer a magnificent opportunity for you to experience the Travel Club, Tottenham’s famous hospitality suite, with VIP seating in the North-East Corner, complimentary food and drink and even a talk from Spurs legends!

Manchester United

One of the biggest clubs in the world, Manchester United have won everything there is to win. With 20 First Division/Premier League titles, 13 FA Cups and 3 Champions League trophies, the Red Devils are one of the most renowned names in world football. They won their 13th FA Cup last season, although their league form has left room for improvement in recent years. Old Trafford, also known as The Theatre of Dreams, is perhaps one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world and you can be there to experience the phenomenal atmosphere yourself!

Here at Engage we have two brilliant packages for you, Hotel Football and Evolution. Hotel Football includes a delicious menu provided by our talented chefs with the mouth-watering ingredients sure to suit your appetite, complimentary drinks, a Q&A with a Manchester United legend and more! Meanwhile Evolution includes Champagne and Canapés upon arrival, VIP seating in the North East Quadrant and a three-course á la carte menu!

Manchester City

The other side of Manchester, Manchester City, have enjoyed rich success in recent years. Treble winners in 2023 and four consecutive Premier League titles make City one of the best clubs in the world at the moment and they don’t look like stopping. Attending a game at the Etihad to see Pep Guardiola’s side is a must visit!

Come along to The Tunnel Club, a hospitality package like no other! Enjoy the unique experience of watching the first team arrive as well as VIP heated seats just metres away from your favourite players in the dugout! Not to mention, the beautiful 11 course bowl food menu offered before and after the game as well as a complimentary bar! Feel like a winner while you watch the Champions with Engage!

Liverpool FC

Last, but certainly not least, Liverpool are the final team that Engage offer hospitality for. Boasting impressive honours, the Merseyside Reds are a team steeped in history from multiple Champions League trophies to 19 Top Flight title wins, they have won everything! Step into Anfield with Engage and watch one of England’s most successful sides!

Check out Anfield’s Premium Hospitality with Engage including brilliant fine-dining options, VIP seating and more. Enquire now to find out more about your dream matchday!

With a magnificent range of hospitality available throughout the Premier League 2024/2025 season, here at Engage we have something for everyone! Come and watch the stars in action this season from the best seats in the house!

Shock results, an early title race and some teams looking destined for the drop, the Premier League 2024/25 season is delivering as usual. With five games down, we take a look at the season so far, some of the teams who have been quick to get out of the blocks and some surprising results.

Another Title for City?

The race for the Premier League title is unravelling once again with the usual suspects emerging at the head of the table. Sunday saw the first twist in the tail with the Etihad hosting a fiery encounter as Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City took on Arsenal. A thrilling encounter saw Manchester City level the score at 2-2 in the 98th minute as tempers boiled over before the full-time whistle. The shared points see Manchester City top the table while Arsenal remain in 4th place two points behind.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are one point behind City in 2nd place. A shock result at home to Nottingham Forest saw their first defeat of the season and Arne Slot’s first competitive defeat as their new manager, however, they bounced back strongly on Saturday with a dominant 3-0 win over Bournemouth. It will be interesting to see how the Reds fare this season after Jurgen Klopp’s departure, but they will certainly have their eyes on preventing the Citizens’ dominance in English football.

Separating Liverpool and Arsenal is Unai Emery’s Aston Villa. The Villans finished fourth last season and have had a strong start to the 2024/25 campaign. With only one defeat so far, they shouldn’t be underestimated, can they pull off a shock and win their first League title since 1981? However, with the addition of Champions League fixtures, will it be one too many games for the West Midlands club?

So can Manchester City win the Premier League for the fifth consecutive season? Or will Arsenal get revenge, having come so close for the last two seasons?

Everton’s Consecutive Collapse

It has been a bleak start to the season as far as Sean Dyche’s Everton are concerned, with just one point in five games. The miserable record sees them 19th in the table and destined for the drop having conceded 14 goals. However, it hasn’t just been the leaky defence that has been cause for worry. In consecutive games, the Toffees have been 2-0 up before succumbing to 3-2 defeats. Perhaps in the most spectacular game of the season, when Everton hosted Bournemouth, they were 2-0 to the good with only 3 minutes of normal time to play. The Cherries then scored three goals in seven minutes to snatch the points away at Goodison Park.

Struggling to hang on to leads will be a worry for Sean Dyche and many Everton fans. They will be eager to not see the move to their new stadium clouded by their first relegation since 1951.

Elsewhere down the bottom of the table, Wolves find themselves with only one point as do Southampton after disappointing starts from either side. With three teams occupying the drop zone on one point it may give an early indicator of who will face relegation this season.

The Battle for Europe

After an exciting battle for all three European tournaments last season, the Premier League 2024/25 season is promising to play out in a similar fashion. It was Aston Villa who rounded off the top 4 last season, beating Tottenham to the final Champions League place. Villa will be eager to do the same again this season, perhaps, going one better and becoming entwined in a title race.

Spurs on the other hand, haven’t had the strongest start to the campaign, boasting only two wins, finding themselves in the middle of the pack while Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United are also yet to find their feet in 11th. The Red Devils opened their season with a victory over Fulham, however, consecutive defeats to Brighton and Liverpool in weeks 2 and 3 see them struggling for points.

After considerable speculation about his future at the club amid gossip surrounding the England job, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United have started with intent. Although lacking in spectacular performances, the Magpies are sixth in the division with three wins and only one defeat. After narrowly missing out on European football last season, they will be determined to make amends in May.

Defeat on the opening day to Manchester City concerned Chelsea fans that they could be in for another bleak season, however, they have been undefeated since. After emphatic wins over Wolves and West Ham, the Blues find themselves in fifth place, in a prime position to battle it out for Champions League football. Can Enzo Maresca propel his squad to Champions League football for the first time in three seasons?

Shock contenders for Europe include a Nottingham Forest side who have started the campaign undefeated. After many had Forest tipped for the drop, away wins against Liverpool and Southampton have been pivotal and they find themselves in eight place, level on points with Brighton in seventh. Many wondered if Brighton would struggle this season after losing manager Roberto De Zerbi, however, they also remain undefeated this season under German head coach Fabian Hurzeler. Could Forest and Brighton throw the cat amongst the pigeons and salvage European football in 2025?

So a fascinating start to the new Premier League season, who do you think will come out on top? Will Everton be playing second division football next season for the first time in 70 years? Can Arne Slot deliver in his first season? Find out how the season will pan out with Engage Hospitality. Watch your favourite teams in the Premier League, live from the best seats in the house!

After their second consecutive European Final defeat, Gareth Southgate announced his departure and stepped down from his role as England head coach. After what had been a whirlwind 10 years in charge, Southgate’s time at the helm was one that gave England fans their first hopes of success in years, with many dreaming that it could finally be ‘England’s Year’.

After coming mightily close, silverware wasn’t to be in the end for Southgate who was credited for bringing the country together by the hope and positivity he had created around the England camp. Southgate’s departure brought with it much speculation on a replacement. Graham Potter and Eddie Howe were both mentioned as potential candidates, however, it was England Under 21s manager, Lee Carsley who stepped up to the plate and took charge.

Here at Engage, we take a look ahead to Carsley’s first Nations League game in charge as England boss, and what we might expect from him in the games to come after his first team selection.

Carsley’s First England Team Selection

The first UEFA Nations League fixtures of the new football season mark the start of Lee Carsley’s tenure in charge as England head coach. The fixtures have also allowed Carsley to pick his first England team to face Ireland and Finland on the 7th and 10th September.

After much criticism surrounding Southgate’s team selections, with many accusing him of not picking players based on form, the pressure was on for Carsley immediately. However, the reaction to the team was positive with some outlets describing it as ‘brave’ and ‘exciting’ with the addition of young talent.

It appears Carsley has gone with the aim of selecting players the Irishman has previously worked with. Angel Gomes, Tino Livramento, Noni Madueke and Morgan Gibbs-White have all received their first senior international call-up having all played for England at youth level.

Nick Pope has also been reintroduced to the squad replacing Aaron Ramsdale. Meanwhile, Kyle Walker’s lack of playing time for Manchester City this season sees him dropped from the squad. Walker’s exclusion may come as a shock to many, having been named in the Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament.

Levi Colwill, Harry Maguire and Walker’s Manchester City teammates, Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis also all return to the England squad.

So with what seems like a promising squad of young talent, what can we expect in Carsley’s first games?

Upcoming Fixtures

After being employed as interim head coach by the FA, Carsley has said he hasn’t been considering taking the role up permanently or thinking about whether he will be offered it, however, there is no doubt he will be keen to impress with his first games in charge. Especially considering the negativity surrounding England teams in the past, Carsley will be cautious about making sure his squad performs to the best of their abilities.

The first task Carsley will be dealt involves the nation he played for himself. On the 7th September, England will travel to Dublin to begin their UEFA Nations League campaign away at Ireland. The last time the sides met was in 2020 as England came out as 3-0 winners courtesy of goals from Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

In what should be another comfortable victory for England, Carsley will be keen to show intent and ruthlessness in the hope he can prove that he is the man for the job.

England will then be in action only 3 days later as they host Finland in the second game of the Nations League at Wembley. England haven’t faced the Scandinavian side since 2001 as part of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The Three Lions triumphed 2-1 that day maintaining their unbeaten record against Finland. Having faced Finland 11 times in their history, England are unbeaten and have won 9 of those encounters. Carsley will be doing the utmost to make sure that impressive record continues.

With Greece, being the third side in England’s group, Carsley will have to wait until October before he can prepare to face the Euro 2004 winners. Greece are another side that England are unbeaten against, winning seven of their nine meetings.

In what is a fairly comfortable Nations League group, England should be able to get over the line with little hassle considering the strength of their squad. However, Carsley will be wary of any possible complacency and he will be eager to take none of these three sides lightly.

Do you think Lee Carsley is the man for the England job? He certainly joins a list of great former England managers, including Alf Ramsey, Bobby Robson and Sven-Goran Eriksson. The pressure is on for the former Irish international, but will he be able to deliver? With a strong team of talented individuals consisting of experience and youth, there is no reason why not. Find out with Engage how he will get on with hospitality for all three of England’s UEFA Nations League home fixtures!

The wait is finally over – the Premier League is back tomorrow. It’s been almost three months since the end of last season and while we’ve had the Euros, Copa America and the Olympics to whet the appetite, there’s nothing quite like the weekly highs and lows of domestic football.

Ahead of an action-packed opening weekend, we’ve taken a closer look at some of the key clashes.

City start title defence against new-look Chelsea

Manchester City enter the new Premier League season with ambitions of winning their fourth consecutive title and their first step on that journey is a trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea. While there have been question marks over the long-term future of Kevin De Bruyne, City still have a star-studded squad despite the loss of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid.

The reigning champions head into their opening game as favourites but they’ll be wary of their west London counterparts. Chelsea are in the infancy of yet another new chapter, this time under Enzo Maresca, who previously spent a year learning his trade as Pep Guardiola’s assistant.

The Italian guided Leicester to promotion last season and faces a battle to get Chelsea back into the Champions League following their sixth-placed finish last time out. In true Chelsea fashion, they’ve splashed out again in the transfer market by bringing in nine new faces so far, including Pedro Neto from Wolves.

With such a huge squad to pick from, it’s hard to predict who will be selected to take on the might of City. Regardless of the other 10 players, one guaranteed starter is former City man Cole Palmer, who shone during his debut campaign at Chelsea as he scored 22 Premier League goals.

With the England star on their side, Chelsea will feel that they can take the game to anyone. But if their recent friendly is anything to go by, City should start their title defence with three points. The two sides met in a pre-season game across the pond earlier this month and two-time Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland reminded everyone of his class by smashing in a hat-trick in a 4-2 City win.

Potential banana skins for Liverpool and Spurs

While on paper they could be considered the easier fixtures, nobody wants to face a newly-promoted side on the opening weekend. The new kids on the block are an unknown quantity, eager to make an impression and still on a high from their promotion heroics in the previous campaign.

For Liverpool and Tottenham, they’ll have to navigate these early challenges and hope to get through unscathed. Jurgen Klopp will no doubt be laughing to himself on a beach somewhere that Liverpool have once again been dealt with the dreaded Saturday lunchtime kick-off.

Yet it’ll be no laughing matter for his replacement, Arne Slot, if he fails his audition against new boys Ipswich. Despite the changing of the guard, Liverpool have been remarkably quiet in the transfer market, bringing in no new faces so far.

And while Slot would have ideally liked some additions, he’ll be confident that his current squad can compete for now, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota firing in pre-season.

Ipswich impressed last year playing attacking football and they did well to keep hold of boss Kieran McKenna amid summer interest from more established clubs. The Tractor Boys are back in the top flight for the first time since 2002 and while they’ve strengthened well, they’ll be wary of being too bold and not having a ‘Plan B’ in certain games, which was ultimately Burnley’s downfall last year.

Elsewhere, Spurs travel to another promoted side in Leicester. Meetings between the two sides have traditionally been high scoring, with at least four goals in each of the last five matches.

There may well be goals in this clash. Tottenham caught the eye with their attacking play under Ange Postecoglu last season and they’ve bolstered their attacking ranks by splashing out on Dominic Solanke. Meanwhile, Leicester scored 89 goals on the way to the Championship title and have made smart additions up top.

Arsenal and Manchester United target strong starts

While they ultimately missed out to City again, Arsenal were even closer to the title last term, finishing just two points behind the champions. They’ve dusted themselves off, regrouped and they’ll fancy their chances at finally closing the gap this time around.

Jurrien Timber is back from injury, new signing Riccardo Calafiori adds defensive depth and Kai Havertz is finally showing glimpses of the huge potential he has. The Gunners take on Wolves, who they did the double over last season.

The Midlands outfit were no pushovers last year as Gary O’Neill silenced his early critics. But they’ve got work to do before the transfer window closes after losing two key players in Neto and Max Kilman.

And in the opening fixture of the new campaign, Manchester United welcome Fulham to Old Trafford. The Red Devils have been splashing out under their new ownership. They’ve already brought in exciting youngsters Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee for big fees, with Matthijs De Ligt not far behind.

But Fulham will hold no fear going into the clash. The west London side won 2-1 in this fixture back in February and they’ve added Emile Smith-Rowe to their attack, who has popped up with a couple of goals in pre-season.

All eyes will be on the Premier League curtain raiser on Friday night and Erik ten Hag will be desperate to avoid a pressure-building defeat after surviving the sack by the skin of his teeth. United looked solid enough in their Community Shield defeat to rivals City but they’ll need key players like Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford to rediscover their form if they’re to have any chance of challenging for the top four.

Premier League opening weekend fixtures

Friday 16th August

 Manchester United v Fulham – 8pm

 Saturday 17th August

 Ipswich Town v Liverpool – 12:30pm
Arsenal v Wolves – 3pm
Everton v Brighton – 3pm
Newcastle v Southampton – 3pm
Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth – 3pm
West Ham v Aston Villa – 5:30pm

 Sunday 18th August

 Brentford v Crystal Palace – 2pm
Chelsea v Manchester City – 4:30pm

 Monday 19th August

 Leicester v Tottenham – 8pm

The conclusion of the Olympics signals the approach towards the end of what has been a phenomenal summer of sport. From Euro 2024 to Royal Ascot, Engage Hospitality has been with you every step of the way. However, don’t fret that it is coming to an end because the domestic football season is just around the corner. Here at Engage we run through the sides to watch out for with a Premier League 2024/25 preview!

After last year’s thrilling campaign that went right down to the wire, Manchester City reigned supreme once again. The Citizens painted Manchester blue for the fourth consecutive year as Pep Guardiola’s side ran riot scoring an astonishing 96 goals, the fifth time they have surpassed 90 goals in a season in the last six years. The three newly promoted sides all were relegated while Aston Villa were the second team in two seasons to infiltrate the ‘big six’ and achieve a top 4 finish.

We take a look at what might happen this year with another title to be decided, European football to play for and a relegation dogfight on the cards.

Premier League Relegation Battle

First up we take a look at the teams looking to remain in the Premier League. Last year it was Sheffield United, Burnley and Luton Town, the three newly promoted sides, who were eliminated from the division. The three teams promoted this year from the Championship were Ipswich Town while Southampton and Leicester City, Premier League Champions in 2016, were both promoted at the first time of asking.

It is difficult to say who will remain in the Premier League after last season where Nottingham Forest avoided the drop with only 32 points, however, the next closest side to them was Brentford on 39 points, denoting the gulf in class between last year’s newcomers. With Leicester’s relegation coming as a shock to many, they will be especially wary of survival in the division. It’s Ipswich’s first outing in the pinnacle of English football since 2002, while Southampton return in the hope of cementing their Premier League status once again.

Forest will be keen to survive for the third consecutive year after toying with the drop for the last two seasons. Considering their points deduction, Everton impressed last season comfortably avoiding the dropzone after many had tipped them to go down. The Toffees will be eager to push on and perhaps challenge further up the table.

After what was probably their worst season since being back in the ‘big time’, finishing 16th, Thomas Frank’s Brentford will be eager to reach the heights they have done in previous seasons finishing 9th in 2023. Whoever does go down, it’s safe to say the battle to stay in the league will be an exciting one!

Premier League Race For Europe

After what was an enthralling battle for European football in May, here at Engage we are hoping for more of the same! Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa secured Champions League Football while Tottenham and Chelsea held the Europa League places. Newcastle United thought they had secured the Conference League place with 7th position, until Manchester United snatched it from their grasp with an FA Cup final victory.

Aston Villa disturbed the script last season as they found themselves in the top four boasting victories over Manchester City and Arsenal to beat Tottenham to the final Champions League spot. They will be keen to do the same again this year, but will the heavy schedule see a dip in their form? 

Spurs achieved European football once again after going without it last campaign, while a Chelsea team that struggled in 2023 did the same. Will the two London rivals be able to keep up with the demands of European football and the domestic calendar to maintain their improved form next season?

After what was a disappointing league campaign for Manchester United, they achieved European football once the season was complete. Against all odds, the Red Devils were victorious over Manchester City in the FA Cup Final securing them a Europa Conference League place. They will be keen to improve this season and secure Champions League Football again but will be challenged by Newcastle, who will be keen to gain revenge after the Conference League place was snatched from them when they finished in 7th place.

Premier League Title Contenders

As mentioned, Manchester City marched towards their fourth consecutive Premier League title last season and their eighth in 12 years. With that said, it was much less of a stroll than their usual dominance, with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, pushing them all the way to the final day. A blip in form in April, saw Liverpool drop out of the race for the crown, while defeat at home to Aston Villa with 6 games to go saw the Gunners come runners-up for the second consecutive year.

Will it be third time lucky for Mikel Arteta? For the last three seasons, Arsenal have been mightily close to Premier League glory but for Pep Guardiola’s mesmerising Manchester City side. With exciting new signing Riccardo Calafiori, can they finally get themselves over the line and end the Citizens’ reign at the top?

Liverpool, on the other hand, may be at the beginning of a new project. The announcement of Jürgen Klopp’s departure sent shockwaves through the footballing world, marking the start of a new era on Merseyside. With no marquee signings just yet, it remains to be seen whether new manager, Arne Slot, can bring success to Anfield and challenge for their second Premier League title.

Will Manchester City break their own Premier League record with 5 in a row? After victory over Manchester United in the Community Shield on Sunday, it certainly seems likely. One of the best sides in football, Guardiola’s team are well-drilled, ruthless and strike fear into their opponents; they will be no different this season and it will take a stellar run of results to get the better of the Blues.

So how do you think the season will pan out? Will there be an upset in the title race? Can the newly promoted sides stay in the division? Find out with Engage as we offer all of the very best hospitality for you to watch the Premier League 2024/25 season live from the best seats in the house!