Category: Football

Premier League action is on hold for the summer with just over one month to go until the new season starts. Although fixtures are on pause for now, there is still plenty of footballing news to indulge in over the break. Teams have been busy battling out for the signatures of some of the most sought after talents in Europe. Elsewhere, Chelsea and Manchester City have been occupied with the Club World Cup, competing against some of the best sides on the planet. In this blog, we talk you through all of the transfer news and Club World Cup action as we look ahead to the new season. 

Tottenham Hotspur 

There has been plenty of activity from Premier League clubs in the transfer window this summer and it’s not just players on the go either. After the departure of Ange Postecoglou from Tottenham, Thomas Frank has made the move from West London to North London in the hope of carrying on Spurs’ European success from last season.  

The Lilywhites have been active in the transfer market as well with the permanent signings of Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel, while also signing Croatian youngster Luka Vušković. With a Europa League Trophy in their cabinet, they will have to prepare for a tough Champions League campaign in the hope of kicking on for more success in 2026. 

Arsenal 

Their North London neighbours, Arsenal have been particularly quiet in the window so far. Mikel Arteta’s side finished second last year, however, their lack of a striker has been a prominent issue that proved to be a hindrance in the quest for their first Premier League title since 2004. A number of players are thought to be on Arteta’s radar including Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak, however, it remains to be seen whether the Frenchman can acquire either of the European talents. 

Liverpool 

Arne Slot’s first season at Liverpool certainly surpassed expectations as the Reds marched to the Premier League Trophy. Nobody had Liverpool down for the title with many thinking it would be between Manchester City and Arsenal, however, Mohamed Salah’s incredible form helped them to their second ever Premier League trophy. 

In order to build on their success from last season, they have already been very busy in the transfer window signing big names from around Europe including Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez spending over £200 million. Rumours are also suggesting that they are in the race for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, however, whether they can get their hands on the high-flying Swede remains to be seen. 

Manchester United 

Aside from the signing of Matheus Cunha, Manchester United are another team who have had a quiet window so far. The Red Devils had a very disappointing campaign last year, losing the Europa League Final to Spurs and finishing 15th in the league. Ruben Amorim will certainly need to add more firepower if he is to improve his side next season, as they look to return to European Football, having suffered their worst league campaign since 1974. 

Manchester City 

By Manchester City’s standards it was a mediocre season as they saw an end to their dominance at the top of the table. Pep Guardiola’s side were not as good as they have been in recent years as they finished in 3rd place, 13 points behind the Champions. After the departure of club legend, Kevin De Bruyne, City have been getting down to business in the window signing Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait Nouri and Marcus Bettinelli in the hope it propels them back to a season of silverware. 

Their Club World Cup campaign has also left fans disappointed having been beaten by Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal in the Round of 16. They will certainly have to improve come August if they want to be back at their very best. 

Chelsea 

Chelsea finished 4th last season and added a Conference League Trophy to go with it, as they found themselves back in the Champions League places for the first time since 2022. It was a turbulent campaign for Enzo Maresca’s side, at one point they were amongst the title challengers whilst also threatening to slip out of the European spots at others. The Blues are also keen to stay busy in the transfer market having already signed Liam Delap from Ipswich and a deal almost done for Brighton’s João Pedro. It will be interesting to see if Chelsea can kick on and challenge for the title in what could prove to be a very exciting 2025/26 season. 

Chelsea will face Palmeiras in the Quarter-Final of the Club World Cup on Saturday as they look to cement their position as one of the best teams in the world, having had a successful tournament so far.  

With clubs keeping busy over the summer break, there is plenty to look forward to this season! Can Liverpool defend their Premier League Title or will they be overhauled by someone else? Find out with Engage Hospitality offering fantastic packages for you to watch the Premier League 2025/26 campaign from the best seats in the house! 

If you’re missing domestic football, don’t worry because there’s plenty more to look forward to this summer, including the FIFA Club World Cup. There’s been international action, with England struggling to impress in their two outings – fingers crossed the women’s and team and under-21s fare better as they look to defend their European crowns. 

But for those more interested in club matters, the Club World Cup gets underway this weekend. We’re set for almost a month of action, with the best clubs from across the planet going head-to-head in a revised format of the tournament. 

The top teams from each continent are taking part as they look to win the trophy that is currently held by Manchester City, who went all the way back in 2023. Ahead of the competition, here’s everything you need to know. 

How does the FIFA Club World Cup work? 

The Club World Cup has been around since 2000, although this summer will see the competition completely revolutionised. While it has varied in its format over the years, it has typically consisted of seven teams – the winners of each continent’s respective Champions League.

It also used to take place every year, generally over the winter. However, FIFA have transformed the tournament ahead of the 2025 competition. It will now take place every four years, much like its international counterpart, and has grown enormously to now consist of 32 teams. The teams are split into eight groups of four, with the top two in each qualifying for the knockout stage. 

There’s a whopping £739 million in prize money to be won from the tournament, with the overall winner set to pocket almost £93 million. As a result, teams are taking it incredibly seriously. In fact, FIFA sanctioned an early transfer window, which allowed qualifying teams to bring players in to be eligible for the competition. Real Madrid swooped early to bring in Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, paying around £8.4 million to secure him in time for the Club World Cup. 

When is the Club World Cup? 

The tournament is taking place in 12 different stadiums across America. It gets underway on Saturday 14th June as hosts Inter Miami, armed with Lionel Messi and co., take on Egyptian outfit Al Ahly. There will be 63 matches in total, with the final on Sunday 13th July at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Who is taking part? 

There are 32 teams taking part in total, including 12 from Europe. The European sides qualified based on the Champions League winners between 2021 and 2024, as well as the highest-ranked others according to UEFA’s coefficient system. 

As a result, Premier League sides Chelsea and Manchester City will be hoping to win the competition. Chelsea start their campaign against Los Angeles FC, where they’ll face former striker Olivier Giroud. City have a slightly tougher group as they look to retain their crown, which includes Serie A giants Juventus. 

Meanwhile, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Atlético Madrid and Red Bull Salzburg are also representing Europe.  

There are three representatives from the States, while four clubs from Brazil are also taking part, including Flamengo, who have been drawn in a group alongside Chelsea. 

Group A: Palmeiras (Brazil), FC Porto (Portugal), Al Ahly FC (Egypt), Inter Miami CF (USA) 

Group B: Paris Saint‑Germain (France), Atlético Madrid (Spain), Botafogo (Brazil), Seattle Sounders FC (USA) 

Group C: Bayern Munich (Germany), SL Benfica (Portugal), Boca Juniors (Argentina), Auckland City (New Zealand) 

Group D: Flamengo (Brazil), Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia), Chelsea FC (England), Los Angeles FC (USA) 

Group E: River Plate (Argentina), Inter Milan (Italy), CF Monterrey (Mexico), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) 

Group F: Fluminense (Brazil), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) 

Group G: Manchester City (England), Juventus (Italy), Al Ain (UAE), Wydad AC (Morocco) 

Group H: Real Madrid (Spain), Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), CF Pachuca (Mexico), Red Bull Salzburg (Austria) 

Who are the favourites? 

With such a huge prize pot on offer for the winner, there’s no chance of anybody treating their games like pre-season friendlies. The European sides should be the strongest – the last non-European side to win the Club World Cup was Corinthians back in 2012. 

PSG will be full of confidence after thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 to win their first ever Champions League title at the end of May. Meanwhile, both Real Madrid and Manchester City’s new signings will be looking to impress in their first outings for their new clubs. 

Bayern Munich will be looking to win the competition for the third time, having previously lifted the trophy in 2013 and 2020. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Atlético will fancy their chances of ending the season on a high and triumphing in the Club World Cup. 

After 380 matches played across nine exhilarating months, another Premier League season has come to a close. Liverpool secured their 20th league title, drawing level with fierce rivals Manchester United.

Meanwhile, there will be nine Premier League sides competing in Europe next season following a breathtaking race to qualify. As football fans up and down the country reflect on the campaign, we’ve taken a closer look at the key talking points.

Liverpool stroll to Premier League title

Following legendary manager Jurgen Klopp’s departure at the end of last season, there weren’t many people predicting that Liverpool would be this year’s champions. Yet under new boss Arne Slot, they strolled to the title pretty comfortably in the end.

Mohamed Salah enjoyed one of his best seasons at Anfield as he blew his Golden Boot opponents out of the water with a remarkable 29 goals. Liverpool ultimately finished 10 points clear at the top, with a combination of injuries and poor form halting both Arsenal and Manchester City’s title hopes.

Chelsea and Newcastle secure Champions League football

While Liverpool wrapped up the title weeks ago, there was still something to play for on the final day of the season. As the last round of matches kicked off, Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest all still had hopes of securing Champions League football.

Ultimately, Chelsea and Newcastle took England’s final two league spots in Europe’s premier competition. The Blues endured a mixed debut season under Enzo Maresca but will feel they can push on next year. Meanwhile, Newcastle’s qualification was the cherry on top of a phenomenal season, which saw them win the Carabao Cup to end their 70-year wait for a trophy.

Villa tasted Champions League football this season but will have to settle for Europa League action next year. Another phenomenal season under Unai Emery saw them almost topple Paris Saint-Germain in Europe, but they may be forced to sell some big names to comply with PSR this summer.

Nottingham Forest were on track for a top-five finish for much of the campaign, thanks to the remarkable goalscoring form of Chris Wood. While their momentum stalled and they slipped into the Conference League places, they’ll still be delighted to bring European football back to the City Ground. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace will also be competing in Europe having won their first-ever trophy, beating Manchester City to win the FA Cup.

A dismal league campaign for Manchester United and Tottenham

Last week’s Europa League final was the ultimate showdown between Manchester United and Tottenham. With both sides floundering in the bottom half of the Premier League table, it was an all or nothing game.

Win and your league position is irrelevant as you secure a trophy and, most importantly, Champions League football next season. Lose and your season is a failure, with the club in crisis and the manager’s position at risk.

In the end it was Spurs who came out on top. Ange Postecoglou was proven right in his trophy promise and he’ll be keen to stay in the job to prove he’s the man to take the north London side forward.

Meanwhile, a major inquest is needed at Old Trafford, with a serious squad overhaul required. Work already seems to be going on behind the scenes, with a number of new faces already linked with a transfer. But with no European football on offer, they may struggle to attract the names that would propel them back among the Premier League elite.

A dismal league campaign for Manchester United and Tottenham

For the second season on the trot, all three promoted sides went straight back down to the Championship. This time, they barely even put up a fight as 18th-placed Leicester finished 13 points shy of safety.

Southampton only managed one point more than Derby’s record-breaking low of 11 points from back in 2008, while Ipswich fizzled out despite looking to be the strongest of the three at the beginning of the season.

It could be evidence that the gulf between the Premier League and the Championship is getting bigger, with newly-promoted sides unable to compete with the established teams financially. However, with Leeds and Sunderland back in the top flight, next season may see those coming up able to put up more of a fight.

The middle of May marks ‘crunch time’ across the English Football League, as fans across the country watch nervously with the possibility of promotion on the horizon. In the Championship, League One and League Two all three Play-off Finals are now set up as we anticipate some absolute thrillers underneath the Wembley Arch. Here at Engage we talk you through everything you need to know, as teams look to secure the final spot in the league above.

Championship

In the Championship, two of English Football’s most historic clubs will battle it out on the 24th May as Sheffield United take on Sunderland AFC. It’s a game between 3rd and 4th in the league, however, a 14 point difference separates the pair with the Blades finishing their campaign the stronger of the two. The sides have taken 3 points each off each other this season, therefore, it seems fitting that Wembley will be their final encounter to decide who goes back to the ‘big time’.

If the Blades are to do it, then it will be their fourth time in the Premier League in seven seasons as Bramall Lane prepares to welcome some of the biggest clubs in Europe back to Sheffield. Meanwhile, Sunderland, contrary to the success of their Geordie neighbours, have witnessed more difficult times on Wearside. Back-to-back relegations in 2017 and 2018 saw the sleeping giants fall to League One, spending 4 seasons there before returning to the Championship. After an 8 year absence from the Premier League, can Regis Le Bris pull off a shock result?

Sunderland have only won one of their last eight games, however, after seeing off Coventry in the semi-final, the Black Cats have their tails up and could prove a difficult task for Chris Wilder. Sheffield United breezed past Bristol City in their semi-final, 6-0 on aggregate, however, four wins in eight games including defeat to, now relegated, Plymouth Argyle, suggest neither team are in scintillating form.

With the final so hard to call, we are expecting a cracker! Who do you think will join Leeds United and Burnley next season in the Premier League?

League One

Charlton Athletic are another ‘sleeping giant’ as they look for a spot in the Championship for the first time since 2020. The Addicks were mainstayers in the Premier League for seven successive years between 2000 and 2007, however, after their relegation in 2007, they have struggled to reach anywhere near their previous heights. This year with Nathan Jones, it is looking different. Finishing fourth in League One and beating Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 on aggregate in the semi-final, Charlton have a trip to Wembley to look forward to on the 25th May, however, it won’t be an easy feat.

Charlton will face Leyton Orient, who are perhaps shocked to be involved in a battle for Championship Football. Orient haven’t featured in the second division since the 1970s, having played more recently in the National League between 2017 and 2019. Richie Wellens, however, has done a fantastic job this season in securing a play-off place, beating Stockport County to make it there, as well as a win over Wrexham in the league season. Can Leyton Orient gain promotion to the Championship for the first time in over 50 years?

League Two

The League Two Play-off final also boasts what is expected to be a thrilling affair. One team with a turbulent history, whilst the other displaying a monumental collapse in the second half of the season. AFC Wimbledon take on Walsall on the 26th May at Wembley in the hope that they can return to League One status. Wimbledon are looking to return to League One for the first time since 2022, whilst Walsall hope to reintroduce themselves for the first time since 2019.

Walsall started the season off strongly as Mat Sadler led his side on a nine match winning streak gaining 58 points after just 25 games, however, 13 games without a win saw Walsall slip off the top spot and out of the automatic promotion places. They did eventually manage a comfortable 4-1 aggregate win over Chesterfield in the semi-final, however, the pressure will certainly be on for Sadler to make sure they beat Wimbledon this weekend.

Meanwhile, The Dons have had a good campaign under Johnnie Jackson, beating Notts County in both legs of their semi-final, as well as wins over champions Doncaster Rovers and already promoted Bradford City. They are certainly well set for the final as they look to push on and gain bragging rights over fierce rivals MK Dons.

Fancy being there yourself to find out who goes up this season? Join us at Engage Hospitality for each play-off final at Wembley. As Wembley’s official ticket agent, we are offering premium hospitality at the most famous stadium in the UK as six sides battle it out for promotion in the English Football League.

The FA Cup final takes place this weekend and Manchester City are looking to win the competition for the eighth time. Pep Guardiola’s side are in their third consecutive final and they come up against a Crystal Palace side looking to win their first ever major trophy.

City have endured a disappointing season by their own high standards and will be looking to end the campaign on a high. Despite a difficult period, they’ll see the season as a positive if they can finish second in the Premier League and win the FA Cup.

For Palace, it’s been a phenomenal campaign following a recovery from a poor start. They need just one more point in the league to record their highest-ever tally and they’d top off an incredible first full season under Oliver Glasner if they can claim some long-awaited silverware at Wembley.

The road to the FA Cup final

The final of the oldest and most prestigious cup competition in world football takes place on Saturday 17th May, with the game kicking off at 4:30pm. This year’s FA Cup started way back in August with the qualifying rounds and we’re now down to our final two.

Palace and City both joined in the third round and have seen off some strong opposition to reach this stage. City started in style by beating Salford 8-0, before surviving potential banana skins. Both Leyton Orient and Plymouth Argyle went 1-0 up in their ties with City, before the Premier League giants roared back to avoid an upset.

City then saw off Premier League opposition in Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest to reach the final, with goals from Rico Lewis and Joško Gvardiol at Wembley last month setting up a final showdown against their south London opposition.

For Palace, they’ve endured a similar journey to City. The first three rounds saw them overcome challenges from lower league opposition as they beat Stockport County, Doncaster Rovers and Millwall to reach the quarter-finals.

They then turned on the style and produced consecutive 3-0 thumpings over Premier League rivals Fulham and Aston Villa, mainly thanks to the attacking prowess of Eberechi Eze and Ismaïla Sarr.

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Who will come out on top?

City’s side is full of attacking threat but they’ve flattered to deceive at times this year. Their lack of form has in part been down to the prolonged absences of both Rodri and Erling Haaland. The good news for City is that both players are back, while the silver lining for Palace is they’re both likely to be very rusty and far from their best.

However, City have so much more ammo at their disposal and on their day, the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish are capable of moments of magic. Omar Marmoush has been electric since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt in January and he was on the scoresheet as City beat Palace 5-2 at The Etihad just a few weeks ago.

That result was proof enough that City have what it takes to put Palace to the sword. Following that rout, Glasner warned Guardiola that he will solve his side’s problems from that afternoon and Palace may prove to be a thorn in City’s side once again, having thwarted them so often in recent years.

Palace’s form has gone under the radar slightly since the turn of the year. The balance in their side makes them a match for any team in the league, with a solid defensive structure and midfield pivot providing the foundations to attack with purpose on the break.

Marauding wing-back Daniel Muñoz is a constant threat down the right-hand side, with his unrelenting tenacity a crucial cog in the way Palace play. In Eze and Sarr, they have unpredictable attackers capable of producing moments of magic, as seen in this competition already this season.

They provide the perfect foil for lone frontman Jean-Philippe Mateta, who will be desperate to make amends after missing a penalty in Palace’s semi-final win over Villa. The Frenchman is a handful for most Premier League centre-backs and he won’t make things easy in his battle with Ruben Dias.

City will undoubtedly dominate the ball and fashion chances to win the game. Yet that may well play into Palace’s hands – the Eagles deliberately allow their opponents to control matches, lulling them into a false sense of security before punishing them with a co-ordinated press and ruthless counter attacks.

While City will be the bookies’ favourites, Saturday’s final could genuinely go either way. If City are on the top of their game, the result will be a foregone conclusion and they’ll be celebrating yet another trophy. But if City start with the same nervousness that has become a habit of theirs this season, Palace will smell blood and we could see a famous upset at Wembley.

And then there were two. Almost nine months after the first qualifying rounds, we have our 2025 FA Cup finalists, with Crystal Palace set to face Manchester City next month.

The Eagles were imperious as they comfortably beat Aston Villa at Wembley on Saturday, before City edged past high-flying Nottingham Forest the following day.

Third time lucky for Palace?

Wembley is becoming a regular venue for Palace, although they haven’t always been on the right side of the result. They’re set for their third FA Cup final appearance, with the previous two both ending in wins for City’s rivals, Manchester United.

But despite the ghosts of their past, and a juggernaut opponent standing in their way, something feels different about Palace under Oliver Glasner. While their previous sides in 1990 and 2016 felt like underdogs, the current side have a swagger, a confidence and a winning mentality.

They were unstoppable in their semi-final win over Villa, as a wonderstrike from Eberechi Eze and a second-half brace from Ismaïla Sarr gave them a 3-0 win. The margin of victory could have been greater, with Jean-Philippe Mateta having a goal ruled out in the first half before missing a penalty after the break.

Palace’s brutal dismantling of their Premier League opponents was emblematic of Glasner’s ruthlessness. The Austrian coach has been in charge for just over a year and after adapting to life after the departure of Michael Olise and a tricky start to the season, he’s got his side flying again.

Glasner has pedigree in cup competitions having guided Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory back in 2022. And he’s continued that trend in south London, with Palace conceding just once en route to the final.

In fact, he’s already won more cup matches in just one season for Palace than predecessor Roy Hodgson managed in five. He clearly takes these competitions seriously and having found the perfect balance of a stable defence and a dynamic attack, he could be the man to deliver the first major trophy in Crystal Palace’s history.

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Palace’s route to the final

Third round: Crystal Palace 1-0 Stockport County
Fourth round: Doncaster Rovers 0-2 Crystal Palace
Fifth round: Crystal Palace 3-1 Millwall
Quarter-final: Fulham 0-3 Crystal Palace
Semi-final: Crystal Palace 3-0 Aston Villa

Man City look to end nightmare season on a high

While it’s easy to be positive about Palace’s prospects, there’s one huge hurdle standing in their way. City have been far from their vintage best this season, but they still boast a phenomenal squad and have arguably the greatest manager of all time in their dugout in Pep Guardiola.

They’ll know about Palace’s strengths more than most, having suffered two defeats to them in recent years. In fact, only a few weeks ago the Eagles raced into a 2-0 lead at The Etihad in their Premier League meeting before Kevin De Bruyne inspired a comeback to secure a 5-2 win.

City are in desperate need of silverware following a disastrous season and they’ll see the FA Cup as the perfect way to end the campaign on a high. It’s their third consecutive appearance in the final, although they did come unstuck last May as they were beaten by neighbours United.

Despite beating Nottingham Forest 2-0 in their semi-final clash, they rode their luck at times. Goals from Rico Lewis and Joško Gvardiol earned them a place in the final, although Forest hit the woodwork three times in a frustrating second half.

They’ll go into the clash against Palace as the bookies’ favourites but they’ll need to be at their best to secure an eighth FA Cup title, particularly if Palace are in the mood. City will be buoyed by the news that talisman Rodri and Erling Haaland have made a return to training, although they face a race against time to be fit for the final.

De Bruyne is set to leave the club at the end of the season and with the FA Cup final likely to be one of his final games in a City shirt, it would be fitting for the Belgian to go out on a high and fire his side to glory.

But it’s not been a typical season for City. Having won four consecutive league titles, their dominance is over and they currently find themselves fourth in the table, with Champions League football for next season still not secured.

And they know all too well not to underestimate the underdog, having fallen victim to one of the great FA Cup shocks back in 2013, when Ben Watson’s late header secured a famous victory for Wigan Athletic.

Can Manchester City rescue their season with an FA Cup win?

It’s been a strange season for many reasons, not least because Manchester City only have one trophy on their radar. They’re out of the Champions League and their title hopes are long gone, meaning the FA Cup is their only chance of silverware this season.

They’re also not guaranteed a Champions League spot this season, meaning the next few weeks could be pivotal for Pep Guardiola’s side. They’ve endured an uncharacteristically poor campaign, thanks to a combination of disappointing individual performances and injuries.

Former talisman Kevin De Bruyne has struggled for fitness and has been far from his best when available. Meanwhile, the likes of Phil Foden and Jack Grealish haven’t delivered, while Rodri has spent much of the campaign sidelined.

In previous years, City would be the odds-on favourites to go all the way in the FA Cup based on the semi-final line-up. But with a tricky test against Forest followed by either Villa or Palace, they’ll have to be at their very best to guarantee their eighth FA Cup.

Manchester City’s route to the final

Third round: Manchester City 8-0 Salford City
Fourth round: Leyton Orient 1-2 Manchester City
Fifth round: Manchester City 3-1 Plymouth Argyle
Quarter-final: Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester City
Semi-final: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Manchester City

Watch the FA Cup final in style

If you fancy watching this year’s final at Wembley, why not make the most of Engage’s exclusive hospitality packages? The showpiece event takes place on Saturday 17th May – enquire today to reserve your place.

After eight months of action, 745 entrants and 741 matches, we have this season’s four FA Cup semi-finalists. Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest all have a day out at Wembley to look forward to later this month.

They’ll all be hoping to be back at the iconic venue for the final on Saturday 17th May – but there can only be one winner. Following yet another exciting weekend of cup football, we’ve taken a closer look at each of the final four.

FA Cup quarter-final results

Saturday 29th March

Fulham 0-3 Crystal Palace
Brighton and Hove Albion 0-0 Nottingham Forest (Forest won 4-3 on penalties)

Sunday 30th March

Preston North End 0-3 Aston Villa
Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester City

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Aston Villa look to end trophy drought

Villa as a club are established winners in this competition, with seven titles, but their last one came way back in 1957. They reached the final in 2015 but were roundly humbled by Arsenal in a 4-0 defeat.

They’ll be desperate to win their first major trophy since 1996 as they look to continue their incredible resurgence of the last few years. Since Unai Emery took charge, they’ve established themselves back at the top table of English football and have a Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain on the horizon.

If they can get through that, the FA Cup will feel insignificant in comparison, although they’ll still have dreams of going all the way. They eased past Preston on Sunday, winning 3-0 thanks to Marcus Rashford’s first two goals in Villa colours.

While Palace in the semis won’t be easy, they now possess players with a history of stepping up in big games. As well as Rashford, the likes of Marco Asensio, Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins have experience in high-profile situations.

Meanwhile, Youri Tielemans knows the FA Cup like the back of his hand, having struck the winner as Leicester beat Chelsea in the 2021 final.

Crystal Palace dream of first ever major trophy

Fans of Crystal Palace are getting used to FA Cup days out at Wembley, although they’re yet to see their side lift the famous trophy. They suffered heartbreak in 2016 when Manchester United came from behind to beat them in the 2016 final, 26 years after their last Wembley meeting.

Patrick Vieira guided the Eagles to the semi-finals in his first season three years ago, but he was unable to find a way to beat Chelsea. Yet things feel different this time, with proven winner Oliver Glasner at the helm.

The Austrian is no stranger to silverware, having masterminded Europa League success with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022. And with Palace on a run that’s seen them win 10 of their last 12 games, they’re hitting form just at the right time.

They brushed Fulham aside with ease in their quarter-final clash on Saturday to set up a semi-final against Aston Villa. And while Unai Emery’s side is packed with quality and will likely be favourites, Palace have already beaten them twice this season, including a 4-1 thumping in February.

Can Manchester City rescue their season with an FA Cup win?

It’s been a strange season for many reasons, not least because Manchester City only have one trophy on their radar. They’re out of the Champions League and their title hopes are long gone, meaning the FA Cup is their only chance of silverware this season.

They’re also not guaranteed a Champions League spot this season, meaning the next few weeks could be pivotal for Pep Guardiola’s side. They’ve endured an uncharacteristically poor campaign, thanks to a combination of disappointing individual performances and injuries.

Former talisman Kevin De Bruyne has struggled for fitness and has been far from his best when available. Meanwhile, the likes of Phil Foden and Jack Grealish haven’t delivered, while Rodri has spent much of the campaign sidelined.

In previous years, City would be the odds-on favourites to go all the way in the FA Cup based on the semi-final line-up. But with a tricky test against Forest followed by either Villa or Palace, they’ll have to be at their very best to guarantee their eighth FA Cup.

Will Nottingham Forest’s dream season continue?

It’s fitting that it’s April Fools’ Day because if you’d have told Nottingham Forest’s fans at the start of the season they’d be fighting for a Champions League spot and an FA Cup on 1st April, most of them would have laughed in your face.

Yet remarkably, that’s where they find themselves as we approach the business end of an astonishing season for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. They edged into the semi-finals with their third consecutive FA Cup penalty shootout win, this time getting the better of Brighton.

And they find themselves third in the Premier League, five points clear of Chelsea in fourth. Their resilient defence combined with their energetic, pacey attack has seen them blow sides away this year, while Chris Wood has been rolling back the years up top.

The New Zealand international is set for a spell on the sidelines but Forest will feel they have adequate cover and fear nobody, particularly semi-final opponents Man City. They beat them in their last meeting just a few weeks ago and with City far from their best this season, it really will be anyone’s game when they meet at Wembley.

March 16th marks the Carabao League Cup Final 2025 and the first opportunity for English sides to get their hands on domestic silverware. Taking place at Wembley, it’s expected to be a thriller with a scintillating atmosphere to accompany it. Here at Engage we give you the full rundown of what to expect including the two teams, key players and how they might line up on the big day.

With two sides hungry for silverware, we are all set for a fantastic final. League Cup holders, Liverpool will face Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United as the latter look for their first domestic honour in 70 years. The last time the Geordies witnessed glory was back in 1955 winning the FA Cup, beating Manchester City 3-1. Since then it has been pretty bleak on Tyneside. Runners-up in the League Cup in 2023, it is the closest they have come to silverware in the last 20 years whilst prior to that they hadn’t made it to Wembley since 1999. It is only the third time the Magpies have reached the League Cup final and they will be determined to make it third-time lucky.

Liverpool on the other hand, are in a position they have found themselves in many times before. Winners last year they are looking to defend the trophy they have won on 10 separate occasions. The Reds’ certainly look destined for trophies this season under new boss Arne Slot who has them firing on all cylinders in the Premier League. 15 points clear of Arsenal in second, they are storming towards their 20th league title. However, it hasn’t been straightforward for Slot in all competitions, having been knocked out of the FA Cup by Plymouth Argyle, before defeat to Paris Saint Germain on penalties in the Champions League’s Round of 16 at Anfield. With only two trophies left for the Reds to play for, they will be keen to make amends for Tuesday night’s disappointment by winning on Sunday.

So how will the two teams line up?

Newcastle

Eddie Howe’s side are well-drilled and are hungry for silverware. In recent weeks it hasn’t gone all their way, however, they still sit on the cusp of the top 4 in the tight race for Europe. They will be without Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall and Sven Botman all of whom have proved key players in recent months. Lewis Hall, especially, will be a huge miss after the former Chelsea man has boasted his consistency in recent games. Newcastle’s midfield trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali will be a challenge for Liverpool to break down with the three players often contributing both in attack and defense.

The key man for Newcastle will be Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker, often compared to Thierry Henry, has scored 19 goals in the Premier League for Newcastle and was the player of the round in the Magpies’ 4-0 aggregate win over Arsenal in the semi-final. Slot will be aware of his prowess in front of goal and he could be the man to steer Newcastle to silverware for the first time in 70 years.

So who do you think will lift the trophy? Both teams will certainly be up for it. Will Liverpool’s extra time fatigue from last night prove costly and can Newcastle’s high-press force mistakes on tired legs? Or can Arne Slot win his first piece of silverware in front of a sea of Red at Wembley?

It has all the hallmarks of a fascinating game, as Liverpool and Newcastle battle it out on Sunday underneath the Wembley Arch. Watch the Premier League, FA Cup Finals and the Carabao League Cup Final all with Engage Hospitality. Enjoy the action from the best seats in the house as sides battle it out for silverware surrounded by deafening atmospheres with fans roaring their teams on. 

With plenty of action to be excited for in 2025, who could forget about the English Football Season? With the Premier League, Carabao League Cup and the FA Cup all in full swing, there are plenty of teams in pursuit of silverware this Spring. Here at Engage we take a look at each domestic competition and who could emerge with a trophy.

Premier League

The Premier League has had its fair share of thrills this season with a rather unusual campaign panning out. Liverpool are in control at the moment, currently 7 points clear at the top. Arne Slot was the successor of the Reds’ German hero, Jurgen Klopp, with questions around whether the Dutchman could deliver in the same way. However, he has certainly proved people wrong with his exciting football earning the Reds 18 wins so far this season.

Slot’s side haven’t had it all their own way though and last week’s game away at Everton proved that their weaknesses can be exposed. A fiery 2-2 draw made tensions spill over as a last minute equaliser saw the Gladys Street End result in chaos, before a brawl at full time resulted in three red cards including one for manager, Slot. What better way to give Goodison Park one last derby send off?

Liverpool don’t have the easiest run of fixtures coming up with Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle United in succession. It will be a true test of the Reds’ grit and a pivotal period in the title battle.

In second place, Arsenal, without a recognised striker, are certainly not going to let Liverpool run away with it. Unbeaten in their last 15 league games, Mikel Arteta’s North London men are in good form in the hunt for their first league title since 2003.

In the battle for Champions League, there are some unusual suspects emerging as Nottingham Forest sit in 3rd place, Manchester City in 4th and AFC Bournemouth rounding up the top 5. Before the season, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side would expect to be fighting for their 5th consecutive title, however, poor form throughout the season makes that achievement seem an unlikely feat at this stage, especially considering a famous 5-1 thrashing at Arsenal 2 weeks ago.

Further down the table, after a good start to the season, Chelsea have slipped into some difficult form with a 3-0 drubbing away at Brighton, the most recent defeat. Only two wins from their last nine league games makes for pretty bleak reading and their form will have to pick up if they are to secure a Champions League spot this season.

Meanwhile, a torrid season for an injury-struck Tottenham Hotspur see Ange Postecoglou’s side in 12th place, far from the levels we usually see from the North London side. They are, however, in a better position than Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United. Defeat to Spurs on Sunday courtesy of a James Maddison strike sent the Red Devils into 15th place, their 6th league loss in 9 games. If both sides are to secure Europe again this season, a big run of form is required in the last 13 games!

FA Cup

It was Plymouth Argyle who pulled off the FA Cup upset of round four as they beat Liverpool at home. Argyle won 1-0 as they welcomed a high-flying Liverpool team to Home Park. Their victory was rewarded by an away tie at Manchester City, in the hope that they can pull off yet another mammoth upset in the 5th round.

With Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham all out of the competition, there is no reason why we won’t see a new name on the FA Cup trophy in 2025. Holders Manchester United are still in the cup and they will certainly be keen to defend the trophy in Ruben Amorim’s first season in charge despite their disappointing league form. With finalists having the opportunity to visit Wembley Stadium on two occasions (the semi-final as well), who do you think will make the trip to the capital for England’s most iconic trophy?

Carabao Cup

February saw the outcome of the semi-finals of the Carabao League Cup with two teams all set to face each other at Wembley Stadium on the 16th March. After a shock 2-0 win in the first leg of the semi-final at the Emirates Stadium, Newcastle United repeated that feat at St James’ Park as they thumped Arsenal 4-0 on aggregate to be the first team to make a final this season. Eddie Howe’s side return to Wembley after a two year absence where they finished as runners-up in 2023 to Manchester United. Having beaten a dejected-looking Mikel Arteta, comfortably at the beginning of the month, Howe will be eager to quench the Geordies’ long-awaited hunt for silverware.

The second team to announce themselves in the League Cup final were Arne Slot’s Liverpool. Facing Tottenham Hotspur and a 1 goal deficit after the first leg, the Reds had to be on top form if they were to win the tie. However, a professional Liverpool team were dominant as they blew over a Spurs side decimated by injuries, winning the semi-final 4-1 on aggregate at Anfield.

For the first opportunity of domestic silverware this season, holders Liverpool will play Newcastle in what is an eagerly anticipated affair. With both sides in good form, it’s very difficult to call which way it will go. With no FA Cup now for Liverpool, they will be more determined than ever to make amends for their slip up against Plymouth, however, Newcastle will be hungry, with no trophy at St James’ Park since 1955. Make sure you save the date for the 16th March because it is going to be a cracker!

Having just passed the halfway mark of the season, there are still three trophies to be won in England in 2025, who do you think will take the glory this year? Watch all of the football in the Premier League 2024/25 season, FA Cup and League Cup with Engage Hospitality!

Enjoy the thrilling finale of two of England’s biggest competitions live from the best seats in the house at Wembley Stadium or perhaps visit one of the iconic Premier League grounds to watch your favourite teams in action!

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