The Athletic FC Podcast

A major weekend of action kicks off on Friday evening, culminating in a massive game in the title race, as Liverpool welcome Manchester City. Arne Slot's Reds have 17 wins from 19 games in all competitions, while Pep Guardiola's side are coming off the back of 3 Premier League defeats in a row - as many as they’d lost in their previous 47. Can Pep turn things around? Or will Liverpool go 11 points clear? Elsewhere, big battles at the bottom for Palace, Southampton and Ipswich and what on earth will we get from Spurs? Host: Adam Leventhal With: Tim Spiers, Oli Kay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ahead of this weekend’s games the top five teams in Italy are separated by just one point. Added to that, the last five seasons have seen four different clubs end as champions. So, why is Serie A so competitive and it is Europe’s most entertaining league? The Athletic's James Horncastle joins Ayo Akinwolere to discuss the start to the Italian season with Jordan Campbell also dropping by having recently written for The Athletic about The Scots thriving in Italy. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Horncastle and Jordan Campbell Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aston Villa are exceeding expectations in the Champions League, but it’s seems to have come at a cost. Their form has dipped in the Premier League, leaving them eighth in the table. So, can sides like Villa stop themselves becoming victims of their own success? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jacob Tanswell and Thom Harris Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, Premier League clubs voted in favour of amendments to the associated party transaction rules. After labelling the rules ‘discriminatory and distortive’ back in June, Manchester City were one of four clubs to vote against the adjustments.  So what exactly has changed, and which clubs will benefit?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater, Jacob Whitehead Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices