The 198th Meeting of North London's Finest 🏟️

Hail GFOP!

I type with fingers ready to welcome Premier League football back into our loving arms, and have the gods ever bestowed gifts upon us this weekend. A North London Derby, the 198th edition of this delightfully bitter and petty local rumble. Liverpool hoping to prove themselves to themselves against Sean Dyche and Forest. City looking to bare their teeth at Newcastle and ratchet up the title race pressure. And Everton making me wait until Monday to meet my old friend “shattered hope” once again… 

Thank the lord, though: This international break was stirring. Peak international football, pure and uncut. The heightened emotions of Ireland clinching playoff football walked so that Scotland earning their first World Cup qualification in 27 years could fly. A night that made it a dangerous time to be a can of Tennent’s in the vicinity of Glasgow. What I loved about the delirious scenes that followed was the number of Scots who described the ecstatic victory as the most un-Scottish thing of all time. To witness a nation so wracked by loss, doom, and trauma was astonishing. Even as an Evertonian, I have to take my hat off and respect the Scottish mindset of negativity, fear and pain. All I know is there are going to be so many babies named Kenny in nine months time. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

More: How the best week of football surpassed all expectations.

And: If you want to feel better about your day: watch Irish manager Heimir Hallgrímsson – yes, the Icelandic dentist! – address his players with life-affirming positivity post-game. 💚

ii. I am writing from San Jose. That magical kingdom where, last night, we hosted a sold-out live show celebrating this weekend’s NWSL final between two redemption-seeking teams, Washington Spirit and Gotham (TOMORROW, 8 p.m. ET, Paramount+). It was an incredibly moving night – a packed audience communing with many of the stars who will do battle in the game. To spend time with Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett is to learn about football, life and friendship. I was really blown away by the Spirit’s Hal Hershfelt who has a ferocious intensity. Hearing her talk about the searing pain of last season’s loss in the final, and how that has propelled the season, made me believe the Spirit can prevail. Above all, it was so good to meet so many of you GFOPs who have flown in from all points for this final. Let’s keep making memories together. 🏆

iii. This week, I spent some time with Régis Le Bris, the fascinating manager of the astonishing, surging Sunderland who currently sit fourth in the table. I asked him how he bonded 14 new players from 10 different leagues in nine different countries, and formed such a robust chemistry so quickly, and he laughed and said, “I don’t know.” But to hear him talk about the impact of Granit Xhaka was to soar. Watch here. 🐈‍⬛

iv. One of my great recent joys was watching our team launch a brand new Men in Blazers shop with brand new merch. It is really beautiful, including some essentials for MiB, The Women’s Game and VAMOS. It’s such a pleasure to see this clothing, these hats and mugs all living alongside each other in our own store, a place where we’ll continue to drop new collections and some limited-edition collabs ahead of the World Cup. Your support allows us to do more, and create more. Have a look and find something to wear over a Premier League weekend. 🎁

v. In the week ahead, Rory Smith and I will tape the podcast on Monday and “European Nights” on Tuesday. James Horncastle joins me LIVE on Wednesday for a post-Champions League final whistle “Big Match Breakdown.” These gents will then be over in the U.S. for our two World Cup Draw shows — in New York City on Dec. 5 for the live draw watch-along, and in Boston on Dec. 6 to break down the sea of storylines unfurling before us. I cannot wait. 🍻

PS - How about a last-second college soccer equalizer to start the weekend off right?

Courage,
ROG

MiB HQ Bulletin Board 📣

To the Football 🍻

Arsenal vs. Tottenham (Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET, Peacock)

Happy North London Derby weekend. Arsenal have not lost to Spurs at home in 15 seasons. Thomas Frank’s side have the best away record in the league, truly coming alive on the road, as they showed in sitting deep and countering to beat City 2-0 at the Etihad in August. However, they have 10 injuries, but will be elated that Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall, Mo Kudus, and the masked Randal Kolo Muani reportedly all trained. 

Your league-leading Arsenal were last held by Sunderland’s pluck, snapping their streak of 10 wins across all comps. This is a massive week for them with Harry Kane’s Bayern arriving midweek, then Chelsea at the weekend. They have heft and depth, but both will be tested by their injury blight. Viktor Gyökeres is amongst the many attackers grappling with fitness challengers, but the biggest loss is Gabriel, who suffered a thigh injury on international duty and will be out for “weeks,” which will hurt Arsenal as much in attack as in defense. 

Great Read: How Eberechi Eze to Arsenal changed Tottenham’s future forever.

Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Peacock)

Once more unto the breach, dear friends. In case you have forgotten, eighth-placed Liverpool have lost seven times in their last 10 games. Last time out, they were flattened by Manchester City. The good news is the fixture list is kind for a moment, offering them respite in the form of a run of games against bottom-of-the-table foe. Last time we podded, Rory felt so bleak, and his Reds so bedraggled, he could barely imagine victory. While Forest are a shadow of the team who shocked the champions at Anfield last season, the Sean Dyche diet of long balls will be like a trip to the proctologist for Arne Slot. The spotlight will be on Alexander Isak as it is his time to deliver. Bad news, redemption lovers: Florian Wirtz has a muscle knock. We will not get to see if he can play in red, as he does for Germany. Look at this stunning clip from this week. Kid can ball. 

Please: Listen to Slot reflect upon Andy Robertson’s moving Diogo Jota tribute in Scotland’s moment of triumph. A glimpse into the grief which grips the Reds behind the scenes. ❤️

Burnley vs. Chelsea (Saturday, 7:30 a.m. ET, USA)

Cole Palmer has broken his toe in the most Cole Palmer fashion possible - he stubbed it on a door at home. “It doesn’t half hurt!” was his quote. Whom amongst us has not felt that pain? The 23-year-old was poised to return, but will now miss the Blues' next three fixtures: this weekend’s clash at Burnley, Tuesday's Champions League fixture against Barcelona and probably next weekend's match at home to Arsenal. Burnley are relegation-zone curious, above the drop on goal difference only. The stealth great rumble of the weekend though: Kyle Walker of Burnley facing Alejandro Garnacho in an echo of Manchester lives past.

Newcastle vs. Manchester City (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)

Newcastle have looked like themselves in the Champions League, but are just two points off the relegation zone. City are in second after winning seven of their last eight. Can 14th-placed Toon manager Eddie Howe beat Manchester City for the first time ever? Eighteen times he has faced City, and never won. Short answer, no. 

Wolves vs. Crystal Palace (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Peacock)

Welcome back, new friend: Rob Edwards left second-place-in-the-Championship Middlesbrough to take the reins at cellar dwellers Wolverhampton. A floundering team who have conceded 15 goals in their last five games and not kept a clean sheet in the league since April. The former Wolves player admitted, “There’s no perfect job in football. I know the scale of the task.”

Bournemouth vs. West Ham (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Peacock)

One of these teams has two straight wins, one has two straight losses. And you would be surprised which is which. Nuno has West Ham beginning to cohere. Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola has experienced a deflating international break, losing winger Ben Gannon-Doak to a hamstring knack and fragile Dutch attacker Justin Kluivert to an adductor strain. He has also had to listen to, and attempt to dampen, the transfer-rumor rumble around Antoine Semenyo leaving in January. The good news: both Adam Smith and Tyler Adams have been cleared from concussion protocols after that brutal clash of heads and will be fit to play. Up the Cherries and mean it…

Manchester United vs. Everton (Monday, 3 p.m. ET, USA)

At least my weekend will be defeat-free. United are on a five-match unbeaten run, which does not mean haircut time, but is enough to terrify me with the menacing Mbeumo and Cunha continuing to maraud together so intelligently at center-forward. I hate this stat: No team has more Premier League wins against another side than Manchester United’s 42 against Everton.

WATCH: Full Premier League broadcast schedule HERE 📺

2026 City Guides: For Fans, By Fans 🍻 🌮📍

The most important tournament in world football is nearly upon us! To celebrate, we are creating Men in Blazers city guides for all 11 host cities to help the footballing faithful experience your city like a local fan. First up… Atlanta! Home of Crunk, Lemon Pepper Wet and so much more

Come June 2026, the entire planet will descend upon your city and we want you Atlantans to tell us what’s great about the place in which you live, what the world should go see, what to eat and drink, where to watch, and how to experience the A like an A.T.Lien.

To tell us (and the footballing world) about your favorite locations, simply fill out the short survey below.

Reflections on Poch’s Big International Break: Soccer’s Coming Home 🇺🇸

We have a rule on our show: Never read too much into friendlies. That is the rational approach. However, emotionally, how can you not allow yourself to lose your mind over USA 5-1 Uruguay? I certainly did, along with Herc Gomez, as we broke down the vibes of the night and the repercussions here.

The complexity of the moment is this: We achieved this historic victory – our first time scoring that many goals against a CONMEBOL opponent – with five goals off 0.74 xG – but also, with a starting line-up widely perceived to be a B-string experimental outfit. The first four goals were netted by MLS players, all of whom have been considered controversial selections over the last year. So, how do we rank a win that featured none of the Pulisics, McKennies or Weahs we consider our “big players”?

In our Discord, which was unhinged in the best way possible this week, @swore04 asked it differently, “Is our B-team now our A-team?” and I have not stopped thinking about it. Look, Poch is definitely feeling validated by his process that has focussed on shuffling through players who buy into his mentality. You saw how he flew off the hook at journalists who he perceived to be questioning their abilities. I look at what he did at Tottenham, walking in and becoming disenchanted with two of the highest-earning big names, Emmanuel Adebayor and Younes Kaboul. He proceeded to cast them aside, and rebuild the culture he wanted out of young, raw talents like Harry Kane, Eric Dier and Dele Alli. All of which is to say: there is a scenario where the March roster is full of the names we consider undroppable, but there is also precedent in Poch’s methodology where a big name player, previously considered untouchable, like Weston McKennie, is left outside the squad. 

To 2026. No sleep ‘till Metlife. Soccer’s coming home.

Even More Football ⚽️

• Great read: “We start them early’: the small Swedish club that produced Gyökeres, Bergvall and Kulusevski.

• Fascinating: Ian Wright says Jude Bellingham’s many haters not ready for a black superstar.

• Premier League teams unanimously reject new financial control effort that tied the spending of the league’s clubs to a multiple of the revenue earned by the division’s bottom-placed side the previous season.

The Correspondent w/ Rory Smith: 🔍 Is Football Actually Coming Home For England?

Rory writes: This is not a sentence I write lightly, but with barely seven months to go, it feels like an act of public service – a duty, really – to offer fair warning. There is a good chance that England will win the World Cup in New York and/or New Jersey next summer. We do not know what the consequences of that might look like. But it is probably worth stocking up on tinned goods and buying a fierce Alsatian just in case.

A lot can change between now and June, obviously, but noted Englishman Thomas Tuchel led his team to a flawless qualification campaign: eight games, eight wins, zero goals conceded. Thanks to his policy of radical honesty, he seems to have found a way to leave out some of his more famous players in service of the team itself, which is harder for England to understand than it should be.

Read the full newsletter here 📧

Beautiful Football Around the World 🌎

Bayern Munich vs. Freiburg (Saturday, 9:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+) 🇩🇪

While Bayern proved their fallibility in their last outing, a 2-2 draw with Union Berlin, Vincent Kompany’s side have had an international break to lick wounds, gather thoughts and plan vengeance. Their roster is packed with players who return to Bavaria with a World Cup to look forward to, but Julian Schuster’s young and organized side have lost only one of their last 13 competitive fixtures.

Barcelona vs. Athletic Club (Saturday, 10:15 a.m. ET, ESPN+) 🇪🇸

After over two years away from home, Barcelona are finally back at the Spotify Camp Nou, helpfully just in time for this year’s Wrapped! Marcus Rashford scored a worldie for Manchester United the last time he was here, but with his fitness in doubt after missing training this week, Hansi Flick will be relieved that Raphinha is set to return to the squad. For Athletic Club, hopes are pinned on whether star Nico Williams comes back from a groin strain.

Napoli vs. Atalanta (Saturday, 2:45 p.m. ET, Paramount+) 🇮🇹

Antonio Conte’s Napoli have dropped to fourth, losing 2-0 to Bologna pre-international break, but if Scotland McTominay has sweated out the celebratory Johnnie Walker and Tennent’s, a tumultuous Atalanta are ideal opposition. After nine years of Gasperini-ball, former Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino is the second man to take the reins at Atalanta this season, following the swift sacking of Ivan Jurić. At the top of his agenda is finding a way back for abandoned star striker, Ademola Lookman.

Elche vs. Real Madrid (Sunday, 3:00 p.m. ET, ABC) 🇪🇸

Xabi Alonso’s side might be top of La Liga, but it’s not always sunny in Madrid as their last two results have been a goalless draw and that loss to a lackluster Liverpool. Seemingly half their squad is injured, but Kylian Mbappé, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde should all return. Mid-table Costa Blanca outfit Elche have impressed on their La Liga return, but are winless in their last six, so their venerable Estadio Martínez Valero must again become the fortress that helped them win promotion. 

Inter Milan vs. AC Milan (Sunday, 2:45 p.m. ET, Paramount+) 🇮🇹

It’s been a while since the Derby della Madonnina felt so crucial with only two points separating these room-sharing brothers. Christian Pulisic and Adrien Rabiot return for the third-placed away side who’ll be intruders in their own San Siro home, while top-of-the-table Inter are deterred by an ankle injury to key defender, Denzel Dumfries. Anything other than a draw drastically swings Scudetto momentum in favor of the victor, so no pressure, fratellos.

Introducing Pet FC’s Newest Member: Darwin 🐶

We have partnered with the two-legged people at Purina to create Pet FC, a new initiative where we will be featuring YOUR four-legged friends that show a true love of football on par with their human counterparts.

Say hello to Darwin! This Whoodle and his humans hail from Victoria, British Columbia, where he causes just as much havoc as his namesake – the Uruguayan god of chaos, Darwin Nuñez – leaping into the air whenever Liverpool score a winner. ❤️

Do you have a great football story involving the dog or cat in your life? Click the link below to submit your pets and pet stories, and we will be regularly featuring the best of the best here in the Raven and on our social channels. What's more, we have Purina prize packs for every pet featured.

Submit your Pet FC stories here 🐾

MiB Mad Libs 📝

This week’s phrase is: “Arsenal vs. Tottenham is like a battle between _____ and _____”

Email us your submissions to be in contention to win a coveted MiB patch.

There were lots of brilliant entries this week, but there can only be one winner:

Ted Cummings: “Going from the Premier League to the international break is like going from a passionate kiss to a firm handshake”

Ted, send us your postal and we will send you a firm handshake and a patch.

Not Football and All the Better for It 📖

• The single question keeping Ken Burns up at night: What was the American Revolution for?

• Which TV Show Has the Best Coaching Tree? Better yet, is Greg Daniels the Pep Guardiola of comedy?

• Icon: She Has Taken 30 Years to Write a 7-Part Novel About 1 Day. It’s a Sensation. 

• Taipei turned an abandoned football stadium into a community garden. Gives a whole new meaning to “the Meadowlands.”

• Some folks just want to watch the world burn. Why don’t people return their shopping carts? A somewhat scientific investigation.

A GFOP Writes… ✍️

The mighty Gil Rutledge wrote this moving reflection on Liverpool and Robbo and Diogo. I found it so moving and am sharing it in its entirety.  

Gil writes: “Thrilled for Scotland. Thrilled for Gunners legend Kieran Tierney. Thrilled for Andy Robertson. His was an unbelievably touching tribute to Jota. I'm proud of him for going there, for talking about his friend. For taking a moment of joy to reflect on the light of one lost far too soon.

I've spent a lot of time this year thinking about the diverging circumstances surrounding the Jota tragedy with one a little closer to home for me - that of Johnny Gaudreau ("Johnny Hockey") of the Columbus Blue Jackets. In some respects, they eerily resemble each other: Both were senseless tragedies, both involved automobile accidents, both occurred shortly before preseason, and both tragically robbed the world of a pair of brothers.

And yet, in many ways, that is where the similarities end. There are perhaps few better ways to compare the fundamental cultural differences in our nations than our response to tragedy, and the approach to grief.

For the Blue Jackets, the group spoke openly and often about the loss. The coaches, the players, the beat writer, they went there, often. Admittedly, it was a group with some unfortunate prior experience in tragedy, having previously lost beloved goalkeeper Matiss Kivlenieks a few seasons prior. They could also hardly avoid the gaping hole in the locker room. It is probably not overstating things to say Johnny Hockey was the most important (and possibly best) player to ever sign for the team. His best friend had also just joined in the offseason, with the goal of raising their young families in the same neighborhood. The team simply couldn't avoid the pain, nor did they try to. They rallied together and defied all preseason expectations, only narrowly missing out on a playoff spot on the final day of the season.

I'm not sure if it's purely down to the stiff upper lip mentality of English society, but Liverpool's response has felt markedly different. More insular, less willing to let the world see their grief, less willing to go there.

Perhaps it feels crass to mention a genuine tragedy in the same sentence as football, like it might cheapen or diminish the loss. Admittedly, there is no right way to grieve. I don't want to bash them for it, or cast aspersions in any way. I wish them only peace.

My deepest hope for this Liverpool team is that they all can share in moments of wonder and joy. Hopefully in so doing, they'll be able to follow in Robertson's footsteps, and those of last season's indomitable Blue Jackets. I hope they can dedicate victories to their #20, and regardless of anything on the pitch, I hope they can all find peace and comfort on their journey through grief.

Rog writes: Godspeed, Gil, you soulful human being. To memory, and strength, and light in the darkness.

Keep sending your stories and questions to [email protected].

To Better Days Ahead for All.

Let’s not take a moment watching football together for granted and make great memories.

Big Love.

Courage,
ROG

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