In Today’s CleanSheet:

• Headlines 📌

• What 2 Look 4 👀 

• Hot Topic 🔥🔥🔥- Match That Kit

• Off Island 🏝️ - Schadenfreude

• Best Bets 💰

CONGRATULATIONS to the Columbus Crew of MLS for inspiring the CS Hot Topic 🔥🔥🔥 section! This 2024 home jersey retails for “only” $150 - Charlie Approved.

Headlines 📌

• Pencil This One In. Man City v Chelsea +750 (Sat 1130am NBC) - On the surface this seems like a cake walk for City. Playing at home, full healthy squad, stalking the top of the table. However, City has played London clubs 8 times so far this season, they are 4W 1D 3L and these two clubs drew 4-4 when they played last November at Stamford Bridge. The question for this match is, which Chelsea will show up. They are capable of winning the match and also losing by 5. Might be a typical 3-0 never in doubt win for City, then again if Chelsea strike early they could make things interesting.

• 7. 2. 1. Weekend. 7 Saturday, 2 Sunday, 1 Monday.

• America in England. Shilen Patel, a Florida entrepreneur, has reached an agreement with West Bromwich Albion (Championship - League below the PL) to acquire 88% of the club. Not as well-known as Tom Brady, JJ Watt or Rob/Ryan but adds to the trend.

• Hodgson Out. Looks like Palace Manager will be replaced by Oliver Glasner, former manager of Frankfurt.

• All Depends How You Count. It is reported that Brentford have made more profit in 2 seasons in the PL than Man United have made in 31.

• Since 1992. Look at this 40s X video of a time lapse of Player Sales by team. Give’s an idea of where Chelsea is at.

What 2 Look 4 👀- Match Week 25

Local Culture Highlight Match of the Week - West Bridgford, Nottingham

• Forest v West Ham +190 (Sat) - Forest need to stand tall and get 3 points this week. They benefit from getting 4 players back from their AFCON and Asian Cup participation and get a Hammer’s side really struggling. West Ham fans were calling for David Moyes head after a 0-6 drubbing at home to Arsenal, not just because of the outcome but because they are fed up with the team's defensive approach and lack of possession.

Sleeping Giants? Forest has won titles (but not since the 1970s), have a big fanbase, and great tradition. It's just been out of the spotlight stuck in The Championship. Much of the personality of the club is tied to Brian Clough, “the spiky, provocative and great self-aggrandizer” whose personality put a mark on English Football. Clough brought a brash style for close to 20 years, with success. Forest fans definitely have a “preferred-style” of play - to play beautiful soccer - described by Clough as “aiming for utopia”.

The fans have been unwavering and hope this second season back in the PL is a launching pad, yet so far relegation is very much in sight. This slogan on a 40-yard banner hung by supporters on the first level grandstand sums up a Forest fan - “Nottingham Forest. No matter what. We’ll be behind you. And will never stop.”

Desperation - You Can Taste the Stress

• Burnley v Arsenal -320 (Sat) - Clarets need a win. You could say the Clarets haven’t been very good at home, but they really haven't been very good anywhere. The Gunners have 5W 3D 0L in their last 8 at Burnley and have won all 7 matches this year against teams at the bottom of the table. This is why Arsenal are the biggest favorites this weekend and Burnley the biggest dogs +900.

• Sheffield United v BHA -155 (Sat) - Sheffield need a win. A big win at Luton Town have given Blades fans hope as they host a Seagulls team that last in the final seconds at Spurs last time out. Tricky spot for BHA to head on the road to take on a desperate team.

• Everton v Palace +400 (Mon) - Toffee’s and Eagle’s both need a win. Since a win at Burnley, Everton have been on a very tough stretch in the schedule and only earned 3 points in 7 matches. And while they wait for their appeal of the 10-point deduction to be decided upon, they sit at 18^th and relegation is a real possibility. Palace may be playing the worst of any team in the PL right now and will need to find some fortitude to turn it around.

• Luton Town v Man United +360 (Sun) - Both team’s need a win, for different reasons. The Hatters had been one of the hotter teams leading up to what looked like an “easy” match up at home to SU, but a 3-1 drilling by the Blades make you wonder what may happen with Man United in town. Man United are playing with great energy and confidence yet the expectation is Top 4 and there is ground to make up for ten Hag’s team. It seems the gaffer has figured out how to get the young guys integrated into the team. He has also taken on the pressure and moved it away from the team. Can they handle the unique setting Kenilworth Road.

Toss Ups - Clear favorites may struggle

• Brentford v Liverpool -185 (Sat) - Tricky spot for the Reds as Brentford is back to full strength and can score goals, however, the Bees have not beaten a big six club this year - 1D 5L. Liverpool will most likely be without two stars, Mo Salah is back in training but still recovering from an injury and Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss a couple weeks with a knee.

• Tottenham v Wolves +450 (Sat) - Spurs have not lost at home this season, have Son back in the attack and will continue to play aggressively on the front foot. Son’s fellow countryman, Hwang Hee-Chan, returns for Wolves and his 11 goals which should add an attacking presence. Should be an entertaining, high-energy game at Hotspur stadium.

• Fulham v Villa +130 (Sat) - Fun fact, Villa have won all 8 matches they’ve played in London this year. FFC have 8 point in their last 5 matches. They have a nice home W over Arsenal at Craven Cottage recently but also a loss to relegation side Burnley. Both sides will need to be at their best to get all three points.

• Newcastle v Bournemouth+260 (sat) - Been a season of runs for the Cherries. Winless in their first 9, 7 wins in their next 9, and winless in their last 5. For Newcastle, it’s been mainly win or lose having only 3 draws on the season. After losing 7 of 8 matches Newcastle have steadied the ship with 2 wins and a draw. St James’ Park has not been the home pitch advantage the Magpies are accustomed to, but when they’ve been good there, they have been really good scoring 3+ goals in 8 of their home wins.

•  Man City v Chelsea +750 (Sat 1130am NBC) - See Above.

Hot Topic 🔥🔥🔥

Match That Kit (Answer Key at Bottom)

One thing to get used to as you get hooked on the EPL is that team’s uniform’s change year to year. The home “KIT” (Jersey) is typically the primary color scheme of the club and follows tradition, but the Away Kit and Third Kit do not. Also, the name of the club takes a back seat on the kit to the primary kit sponsor. It can take some getting used to. The advantage of this approach is the added revenue from both year over year kit sales and advertising revenue. But, for those relatively new to the EPL and used to sports in the US, it can be confusing. The NFL, MLB, NCAA and NBA have all started down this path in different ways - Color rush is an example, throwbacks, etc. - yet they still prominently display the team's name over advertisers and stick to the team's primary colors.

So, to help you follow along - can you recognize the team jersey’s below in this year’s EPL? And for fun, there are a couple non EPL jerseys to keep you honest. (Answer Key at Bottom)

Off Island 🏝️

Champions League Off and Running

4 match 1’s (of 2) were played this week, 3 favorites won held serve with Bayern Munich being upset in Rome. Match 2’s will be March 5/6.

Man City 3-1 Copenhagen in Denmark

• Not even that close

• City can score fast. (X)

Real Madrid 1-0 Red Bull Leipzig in Germany

• Brahim Diaz scores to start 2H (X)

• Controversial VAR check took away a Leipzig goal and analysis from CBS Sports Champions League crew.

• It is the first time in 12 years Bayern have lost an opening game in the CL round of 16.

• A lot of pressure on former Chelsea Manager Thomas Tuchel. Tuchell has lost 10 of his 43 matches in charge of the club, that is as many losses as previous manager Julian Nagelsmann had in his 84 games in charge of the club.

PSG 2-0 Real Sociedad in France

• Mbappe is inevitable, 19 goals in his last 15 matches.

Lazio 1-0 Bayern Munich in Italy

• Red Card at 67’ against Bayern’s Dayot Upamecano.

• Ciro Immobile scores at 68’.

• A lot of pressure on former Chelsea Manager Thomas Tuchel. The current Bayern manager has lost 10 of his 43 matches in charge of the club, that is as many losses as previous manager Julian Nagelsmann had in his 84 games in charge.

  • Entlassen - the common phrase in Germany when you sack a manager.

  • Chelsea fans seem to be thriving on Schadenfreude - German for taking pleasure in another's misfortune.

  • Speaking of German - here is a good German Soccer Term translation site.

Best Bets 💰

Need Some Guest Picker’s. Send CS an email if you are interested!

CleanSheet Season Gains/Losses: Starting Balance $1000. Current Standing $1,190.

Liverpool Brentford O3.5. +120. $20

Brentford to Score First v Liverpool. +165. $20

Tottenham Wolves O3.5 +115. $20.

Arsenal Burnley O3. +100. $20

Sheffield United to Win v BHA. +400. $10

Sheffield United to Win v BHA. +300. $10

Forest to Win v West Ham+135. $20.

Villa to Win @ Fulham+130. $20

Everton to Win v Palace -135. $27.

Answer Key