Upfront - A Women's Football Podcast

It’s our final episode before Christmas! And Rach has got her special Christmas hat on – not that Chloe is particularly appreciative…Elsewhere, Chloe might have been busy tending to her sourdough but it was a hell of a WSL weekend. Chelsea dropped points and then – oh no – Man City only got done by Everton, didn’t they?We take a look across the table for our bumper mid-season review and try to work out what’s been going down at Aston Villa. Where better to start than LinkedIn…Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

Chloe and Rach are here to round up another goalicious weekend in the WSL, as Chelsea won again - despite a sloppy display against a decent-looking Brighton - and Aston Villa’s lack of consistency might put Robert de Pauw’s job at risk. Plus, has Renée Slegers done enough to earn the Arsenal job full-time?We also look ahead to the fourth round of the FA Cup as the WSL sides barge in and threaten to spoil the party and Chloe brings tales of her own 12-hour FA Cup coach trips, where she'd usually just end up on the bench. Ouch.Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

Whatever happens tonight in Ireland vs Wales, history will be made. And whatever happens, Rach will be watching it through her fingers!Chloe, on the other hand, jubilantly hails the renaissance of Mary Earps on today’s episode after England kept out Emma Hayes’ energetic, young US side. What did Saggy Weegs learn from an eventful 0-0?Plus, Brazil can’t do friendlies and Scotland can’t turn up for the big occasion. Will tonight in Helsinki be the night that all changes?Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

The wait is nearly over: the Lionesses take on Emma Hayes' USA in just TWO days! We ponder on the problems Sarina Wiegman could use this friendly to address and Rach explains why there will be plenty of catastrophising if England lose. Elsewhere, we discuss Emma Hayes’ USWNT reign so far - and her pint-pulling skills, of course - and Chloe explains why Hayes will arrive at Wembley with revenge on her mind! Plus, we reveal our score predictions! And spoiler: Rach may well be sitting on the fence once again…Follow us on X, Bluesky, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

In amidst the Conti Cup, there was a top four battle in the WSL! Well, top five. Sorry Chloe.We give our reaction to Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Man United and Rach explains why it’s time Marc Skinner gets real with the fans.Elsewhere, Marta gets over the pressure of playing in front of her mum to win the NWSL and the Euro 2025 play-off finals are here! We preview Wales vs Ireland, Scotland vs Finland and Northern Ireland’s tough test against a truly stacked Norway side…Follow us on X, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

Just over a year into her role as Northern Ireland head coach, Tanya Oxtoby joins us in the studio to reflect on her journey so far as she prepares for a crucial Euro 2025 play-off against Norway next week. Tanya explains how she landed this dream job in international management and reveals why her first six months in charge were really tough. Plus, she reveals the one thing her players hate most about her meetings and her key ingredients for unlocking young talent. Oh, and she attempts to give us a PG version of what that win against Croatia really meant to her and the team. Join us!Follow us on X, Bluesky, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

The French Revolution continues under Sonia Bompastor at Chelsea! Chloe and Rachel react to a statement victory over Manchester City thanks to a statement performance from Mayra Ramirez and co.Elsewhere, Everton finally break their duck in the Merseyside Derby – but Matt Beard cries conspiracy. And WSL royalty announce some exciting news…Follow us on X, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

Danish international Sofie Junge Pedersen is at the forefront of a powerful movement urging Fifa to end its sponsorship deal with Saudi oil giant Aramco over human rights violations and environmental concerns.Rachel sat down with Sofie to find out why her open letter - signed by over 100 players - is a crucial step forward in driving change, the power footballers have to make a real difference, and her vision for a more sustainable future.VOTE FOR US TO WIN AN FSA AWARD! CLICK HERE.Follow us on X, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

The season’s big showdown is almost here: Chelsea vs Manchester City. On today’s pod, Chloe and Rachel look at the numbers behind Chelsea’s sensational start – and whether Man City can stop them.Elsewhere, Arsenal surprise us pleasantly and – sadly – unpleasantly this week, while it was a difficult reality check for Brighton on Friday night. Plus, we meet the National League footballer who is trying to transform the way ACL injuries are predicted and analysed.VOTE FOR US TO WIN AN FSA AWARD! CLICK HERE.Follow us on X, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***