In Today’s CleanSheet:

• Headlines 📌

• What 2 Look 4 👀 - this weeks match-ups

• Hot Topic 🔥🔥🔥- Saudi Arabia v Qatar

• Off Island 🏝️ - World Cup 2030, Champions League

• Best Bets 💰

Headlines 📌

• Pencil This One In. Arsenal v Man City Sunday 1030am cst. City is looking to rebound after a road defeat to Wolves. The Gunners have had a good start to the PL with 5 wins and 2 draws, but a mid-week loss Lens in the CL stings. A win at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal would put them top of the table and signal to City a fourth title is going to be a challenge.

• Phil’sosophies. (2 min read) The team most under pressure this weekend is PGMOL (league Referee’s and VAR). All eyes on them after the latest debacle.

  

• International “Break” II. It’s been a pretty brutal run of matches for the top clubs playing in Europe and for those who have players playing for their national teams. And for Pep Guardiola, one of the world's top managers, he’s become pretty vocal about the impact it has on his players. Keep in mind, Pep has a second string team that could compete for the PL title, but still he makes some good points. The bottom line - money talks, and the players are the only ones who will be able to impact the schedule. (1 min read). After this weekend Premier League matches will resume Saturday 10/21.

What 2 Look 4 👀- Match Week 8

SPICY Sunday. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

• Arsenal v Man City (1030 am) - See Above.

• BHA v Liverpool (8am) - Both teams played Thursday, BHA had to travel to France. Which Seagulls team will show up? You would think this one will have a lot of goals. Should be entertaining and could be a big step forward for Liverpool after last week's tough loss at Spurs.

• Wolves v Villa (8am) - Can the wolves follow up their take down of City with another take down of a top 5 club? Vill played Thursday and have struggled more on the road than at home.

• West Ham v Newcastle (8am) - How can Newcastle rebound after all the energy they exerted for the Champions League? Should be a clash of styles. Will Newcastle’s attacking or Hammer’s counter attacking come out on top?

MEDIUM Saturday. 🌶️🌶️

• Palace v Forest (1130am) - Big win for Palace at United last week, can they follow it up? Palace always seems to even things out. No big winning streaks no big losing streaks.

• Man United v Brentford (9am) - Normally this would be a solid Man United 2-0 kind of win, but another loss mid-week and there is true concern on the mentality of the team. Is someone going to step up or will Man U really spiral out of control?

DRY RUB RELEGATION Saturday. 🍗🍗🍗🍗

• Luton Town v Tottenham (630am) - After getting 3 points at Everton, disappointing to drop 3 points home to Burnley, can they get points off Hot Spurs?

• Everton v Bournemouth (9am) - Another chance for the Toffees to gain points against a relegation candidate, can they get the 3 points?

• Burnley v Chelsea (9am) - Burnley with their first win Tuesday at Luton Town. Are they catching Chelsea at the right time or have The Blues figured things out?

• Fulham v Sheffield United (9am) - Who is FFC this year? We may not learn much at Craven Cottage unless The Blades come away with points.

Hot Topic 🔥🔥🔥

Saudi Arabia v Qatar 

aka Newcastle v Paris Saint-Germain

Think of your favorite Professional Sports/NCAA team - the history, great players, traditions, game day experiences. Think of what it means to you, your family, friends and the community. Sport is meant to be shared. Fans/Supporters make an investment - putting themselves and their emotions on the line - feeling all the ups and downs as a community. Danny Rojas, from Ted Lasso, summed it up in 3 word - “Football Is Life”. Could also be “Sport Is Life”.

Anyone else think rookie Puka Nacua of the LA Rams is the Danny Rojas of the NFL?

You might be asking, what the F does any of this have to do with Saudi Arabia and Qatar?

Well, there’s been a lot of discussion about how far supporters should go when sticking by their team. What would you do if your childhood/hometown team were to be bought by a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), one whose culture (approach/religion/politics) were in complete contrast to the cultural history of YOUR club? Would you still root for your team?

This question came to the surface again this week as Newcastle United hosted PSG in the Champions League. Two big name tradition rich European clubs owned by a SWF. The Magpies were purchased by the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund in 2021 (think LIV golf). PSG were purchased in 2011 by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), run by the Emir of Qatar.

Here are some headlines at the time of the Newcastle purchase.

• “Newcastle are not selling their soul to the Saudis”.

• “I’ve never felt more disconnected to Newcastle”.

• “Fans ‘Elated’ Over Saudi deal”.

• “Saudi human rights activist to speak on ‘sportswashing’ at Newcastle fan forum”.

Based on the support The Magpies are getting from their fans, I think it’s safe to say the supporters are siding with sticking with their club.

• Check out this 2 page write up from the CleanSheet on The Magpies - what a Geordie is, what the Toon Army is, and to understand the history and deep connection the community has with the club.

• Are you a Geordie? The Toon Army was out in full force Wednesday. The atmosphere was unbelievable as The Magpies scored their first CL goal at St James’s Park in 20 years.

  • First Goal in 20 years (30s on X)

  • Champions League Anthem walk out (2min on X)

  • The effort on goal 2 was excellent. (1min on X)

• This Tweet pretty much sums up the sentiment. (X)

Off Island 🏝️

World Cup 2030.

The USA, Mexico and Canada host the 2026 World Cup. The 2030 World Cup host nation announcement just came out this week, and it's a FIRST. SIX countries will host the tournament across THREE continents!

• Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will host one match each in celebration of the first World Cup in 1930 played in Uruguay.

• Spain, Portugal and Morocco will split the remaining 101 matches.

• As a reminder, the World Cup is expanding from 32 teams to 48 teams in 2026.

• Here is a pretty accurate initial Reaction! (x 90sec)

Europe Competition Update.

Champions League Matches Mid-Week

• Man United LOSE AT HOME to Galatasaray. The wheels are coming off. United sit 4^th in Goup A.

• Lens stun Arsenal 2-1 in France to lead Group B.

• Man City handle Leipzig 3-1 to take control of Group G.

• Newcastle beat PSG 4-1 and are off to a great start in Group F.

Europa League

• West Ham beat Freiberg 2-1 in Germany. West Ham have the longest unbeaten streak by an English club in European History!

• Liverpool beat Union SG 2-0 at Anfield.

• Marseille and BHA Draw in France 2-2.

Europa Conference

• Aston Villa beat Zrinjski at Villa Park 1-0.

For a deep dive click the appropriate link to EUFA Champions League coverage, Europa League, and Europa Conference.

Best Bets 💰

Season Gains/Losses -$271.

Going with favorites on the road who are still getting good return odds.

Man City +135 to WIN at Arsenal. $40.

Villa +110 to WIN at Wolves. $40.

West Ham to WIN +225 v Newcastle. $20.