How to follow FPL on BBC Sport in 2025-26 season
Listen to the FPL Podcast by BBC Sport
The latest episode of The FPL Podcast from BBC Sport comes out every Wednesday on BBC Sounds.Join Alistair Bruce-Ball, Statman Dave and Chris Sutton every gameweek as they discuss, digress and debate all things FPL.
More expert advice on BBC Sport
We have signed up four FPL experts for 2025-26 and each week one of Pras, Holly Shand, FPL Heisenberg and Gianni Buttice will bring you their top tips, answer your questions and tackle the most pressing talking points in the FPL world.Every Thursday, we'll publish the BBC Sport team of the week - our best free hit XI to give you inspiration for the coming gameweek.And on Friday mornings you can read the FPL Talking Point, as that week's expert and the podcast team tackle a pressing issue for fantasy managers - such as whether to sell underperforming premiums or what to do when a good team has a bad fixture run.
Live Q&A every Friday
Set your alarms for 15:30 BST every Friday when we'll have a 90-minute question and answer session, live on the BBC Sport website, with one of our FPL experts.You can send your questions in on SMS and Whatsapp as we answer your deadline dilemmas.
More FPL on social and in our live coverage
Make sure you are following BBC Sport on TikTok, external, Instagram, external and X, external for more FPL tips and advice.And we'll be have more FPL insights this season across our live coverage online, TV and radio.
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The Guardian
30 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Mateta gives Crystal Palace advantage over Fredrikstad in Conference playoff
It might not be the Europa League. But even the absence of Eberechi Eze as he closes in on his £67.5m move to Arsenal could not spoil Crystal Palace's first taste of European football as they sealed a victory in the first leg of their Conference League playoff. After a summer of uncertainty over which competition they would play in, the last thing that Oliver Glasner would have wanted was to receive a call from Eze on the morning of the game informing the Palace manager that he was not feeling well enough to play. Yet having struggled to break down well-drilled Norwegian side Fredrikstad in the first half in the absence of their talismanic England forward, Jean-Philippe Mateta's goal calmed Palace's nerves, even if they could not find a second that could have proved crucial as Palace attempt to secure their place in the group stages of Uefa's third-tier competition. Glasner, who led Eintracht Frankfurt to victory in the Europa League in 2022, will know that this tie is far from over given that they must play the second leg next week on an artificial surface. Nothing is ever certain when it comes to Palace. Glasner could not hide his disappointment beforehand that Eze would not feature, admitting that it had disrupted his side's preparations. 'It is not what you want to do, to change the starting XI on matchday, especially in this situation – the first time in European football for Crystal Palace,' he said before kick-off. Despite the lingering feeling of disappointment of not being able to take up their place in the Europa League, there was still a sense of anticipation on the streets of south London beforehand. The Conference League anthem was widely booed as the Palace ultras behind the goal immediately struck up their chant that takes aim at Uefa, former part-owner John Textor and the Nottingham Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis – all of whom have been blamed for their controversial demotion to this competition for breaking multi-club ownership regulations. Strictly speaking, Palace have played in Europe before but it was in the long forgotten Intertoto Cup in 1998 when they qualified because they were the only English team to apply for entry. That adventure lasted only two matches in 4-0 aggregate defeat against Turkish side Samsunspor and having been eliminated in a playoff while in charge of Wolfsburg, Glasner was clearly taking no chances here. Justin Devenny – who scored the winning penalty in the Community Shield victory – struggled after being handed the unenviable task of replacing Eze, although the Croatia defender Borna Sosa impressed on his full debut. Fredrikstad, who capped their first season back in Norway's top flight since 2012 by winning their domestic cup competition, lined up with five at the back and came ready to defend. They could even have snatched an equaliser when substitute Henrik Skogvold dragged his shot wide in injury-time. Without Eze to inspire them, it took Palace time to find their feet against a side that are more than half way through their league campaign and will have the weekend off before the second leg. Mateta finally forced goalkeeper Martin Børsheim into a save after 20 minutes but otherwise the vociferous group of travelling supporters had reason to feel encouraged. A speculative shot that flew way off target from Marc Guéhi – another Palace player whose future is uncertain – summed up the hosts' frustration. The swaggering Adam Wharton looked like their most likely creative source from his deeper midfield role, although it was from a corner that Mateta was able to swivel and strike the post. That seemed to wake Palace up and Ismaïla Sarr's header moments later was just about scrambled away to safety. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Glasner did not seem happy as he strode down the tunnel. His side emerged with renewed purpose for the second half and Devenny headed over a golden opportunity from Guéhi's cross. But, to the home crowd's relief, they finally found the breakthrough when Mateta cleverly redirected a wayward volley from Will Hughes. Sosa could have extended their lead but he fired just over after good work from Sarr, with Glasner turning to the out-of-favour Odsonne Édouard to replace Devenny as they went on the attack. Daniel Muñoz hit the post from Jefferson Lerma's cross and Guéhi headed wide from a corner but Fredrikstad's defence was able to hold firm. The lack of alternatives from the bench – Romain Esse, the 20-year-old who cost around £12m from Millwall in January was surprisingly not called upon here – will only strengthen Glasner's case for reinforcements before the transfer window closes, as he made his feelings clear after the game. But after the disruption of the last few days, Palace will still be strong favourites to finish the job next week.
North Wales Chronicle
41 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Oliver Glasner believes Eberechi Eze has played his final Crystal Palace match
The Palace boss insisted Eze would start the Eagles' first leg against the Norwegian side at Selhurst Park – also their first foray into major European football – before Arsenal swooped in with a £60million deal. The transfer of 27-year-old, who had for a long time been linked to Tottenham, could be confirmed as early as this weekend, the PA news agency understands. However, on Thursday morning, Glasner revealed he received a phone call from Eze, who said he was not feeling well enough to play, forcing him to bring Northern Ireland international Justin Devenny into his starting XI. 'I'm responsible for Crystal Palace and I think he won't play for us again,' said Glasner when asked to confirm whether Eze was heading to the Emirates Stadium. 'So I have to prepare the team for Nottingham (Forest, in the Premier League on Sunday) and for the second leg against Fredrikstad, and I'm planning without Eberechi.' Quizzed as to whether Eze was feeling physically or mentally unwell, the Palace boss merely replied: 'You have to ask him. Maybe in a few days (you can ask).' Glasner also shared that he has never faced a situation where a player in Eze's situation had called to say they were unavailable. 'No,' Glasner confirmed. 'And I don't want it to happen anymore.' The drama and speculation around Eze – and his absence from Palace's starting XI – overshadowed the FA Cup holders' historic major European debut, which they won 1-0 after Jean-Philippe Mateta nodded home in the 54th minute. Glasner, who blamed late business for Palace's poor start last season, did not hold back when sharing his frustration about their lack of activity in the transfer window, so far signing just Croatian defender Borna Sosa for £2million and goalkeeper Walter Benitez on a free transfer. 'I can't do anything,' said Glasner. 'I can't sign a player's contract. We have to act. We need this. This is Crystal Palace's future. It's easy to add numbers, we need to add the right players. Can't beat a JP celebration at Selhurst 🖼️ — Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 21, 2025 'The profile has been defined for months, for months. Also it's not surprising for everyone that Ebs left, because five days earlier we couldn't have done anything if he leaves (release clause). 'We knew that this chance is very high that this would happen, and honestly, I say it like it is, we missed the chance to replace him early enough. That's completely our fault, and nobody else's fault.' Speaking to Channel 5 after the victory, Palace chairman Steve Parish said: 'It is what it is. We've got to move past (it). He's been fantastic for the club. We all love him for what he's done and achieved, and we're pleased that he can go on and fulfil the other ambitions that he's got. 'The king is dead, long live the king. We have to move past it and we have to find other players to bring in that can support the rest of the team and Oliver.'
North Wales Chronicle
41 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Enzo Maresca hopes Chelsea can improve their conversion rate to aid title hopes
The Blues have spent around £160million on attacking players, all of whom played some part in Sunday's lacklustre 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge. Despite a new look forward line, the difficulty the home side had in breaking down Palace bore hallmarks familiar to supporters who frequently watched their team labour to create and convert opportunities last season. 📸😁 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 20, 2025 Chelsea ranked second in last season's Premier League in terms of big chances missed and placed 11th in percentage of shots scored. Their tally of 64 league goals was beaten by Brighton and Brentford and matched by 17th-place Tottenham, whilst champions Liverpool outscored Maresca's team by 22. 'I don't know if we (now) have more capacity (to score), but for sure if we've made changes it's because we think that with changes we could improve out attacking phase,' said Maresca. 'I was quite happy last year in terms goals we scored but with the amount of chances we created, I think we were one of the best in the league.' Strikers Liam Delap and Joao Pedro have been brought in to try and revitalise an attack which relied too heavily on goals from defence and midfield during the last campaign, though both players struggled to make an impact in the draw with Palace. Nicolas Jackson was the team's only senior striker last season but suffered a goal drought which lasted almost five months between December and May, whilst teenager Marc Guiu failed to score in the league. Both players also spent significant time out injured. Neither is set to play a role at Stamford Bridge this season with Jackson having been told he can leave and Guiu currently on loan at Sunderland. 'Hopefully also this season we can be a bit more lucky in terms injury,' said Maresca. 'Don't forget last season we lost Nico and Guiu. But if we are able to create the same volume (of chances) that we created last year I'm quite happy. 'Hopefully this season we can be more clinical when we need to be.' Maresca reiterated the club's position on Jackson, who scored just 10 league goals last season, and has been made surplus to requirements following the arrivals of Delap and Pedro. The 24-year-old, who was suspended for the draw with Palace, will not play in Friday's trip to West Ham and has drawn interested from Newcastle, who are waiting for a resolution to their stand-off with Alexander Isak before deciding whether to move. 'We've brought two strikers,' said Maresca. 'The player (Jackson) is open to leave. If there is any good solution, he is going to leave. 'It's very easy. It's not complicated. I've said already that Nico is a very good player. He can be even better.' On the new arrivals, the Italian added: 'Pedro probably in the small space gives us more than Liam. Liam probably gives us a bit more in terms of physicality and runs in behind. It depends on the gameplan. 'On Sunday it was difficult for any striker, but both are good and both are going to score goals.' Chelsea have accepted a £26million offer from Villarreal for defender Renato Veiga, the PA news agency understands. The Portugal left-back's departure would take Chelsea's total player sales this summer to over £250m. The Blues are poised to make a hefty profit on the 22-year-old having paid £12m for him when he arrived from Basel in July 2024. Veiga, who signed a seven-year contract with Chelsea, made just one Premier League start for them last season and six appearances off the bench. He spent the second half of the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Juventus, making 12 starts in Serie A. Chelsea have so far sold 10 players this summer and should Veiga complete his move, they will have recouped around £252m from 11 departures to offset the £277m they have spent on nine new players.
