The Optus Sport Football Podcast

Schwarzie and Phil are joined by a bullish Bridgey this week as he clashes with them on more than one of weekend's VAR decisions. The guys discuss:How Arne Slot has perfect adapted Klopp's LiverpoolKelleher 'is ready' to put pressure on AlissonThe rise and rise of Virgil van DijkShould the Man City winner have been chalked off?Are Man City struggling without Rodri?Whether ill discipline will cost Arsenal the titleShould Saliba have been sent off?A return to winning ways for Spurs and Manchester UnitedBridgey also speaks candidly about how injuries effected him throughout his career, admitting how a mental block stopped him from going into challenges. Meanwhile Michelle and Ash reflect on the weekend of WSL action, and whether there is any stopping Chelsea under Sonia Bompastor.Every game of the Premier League and WSL is live and exclusive on Optus Sport.

Mark, Phil and Juls are back with their hot takes ahead of the return of the Premier League this weekend:Phil reckons two Premier League managers will be sacked after this weekend!Schwarzie believes there will be FIVE goals in Liverpool v ChelseaJuls leaves everyone gobsmacked with his opinion that Manchester United will win a game of footballWe also hear from Ange Postecoglou after he chatted with Schwarzie at the Spurs training ground this week.Every game of the Premier League is live and exclusive on Optus Sport.

This week, Schwarzie is back in the host's chair with Phil and Juls as they reflect on the international break so far:Phil is basking in the glory of predicting a Greece win over Lee Carsley’s 'pathetic' England - which Juls labels: 'a circus'!What's next for England? Could Pep Guardiola or Thomas Tuchel be in the mix to replace Carsley?Is this Greece’s best team in a generation?Schwarzie gives his view on the Socceroos' first game under Tony PopovicIs Zumbimendi the second best midfielder in the world?Michelle and Ash are back with a WSL update as Chelsea's big win over a faltering Arsenal raises eyebrows about Jonas Eidevall’s future.The guys also tackle the topic of player welfare—stating overworked footballers might just ‘boycott and strike’ if things don’t change!Every match of the Premier League and WSL is live and exclusive on Optus Sport.

The panel are drawn into national bias during this week's Optus Sport Hot Takes as Phil Kitromilides and Thomas Sorensen back their homelands to cause an upset during the international break. Meanwhile, Julien Laurens doesn't even believe his own opinion as Robert Lewandowski and Cristiano Ronaldo come head-to-head at the weekend.The guys also discuss the Socceroos' chances under new manager Tony Popovic, whilst Michelle and Amy give us their predictions ahead of a mouthwatering clash at the Emirates in the WSL.Every Nations League and WSL match is live on Optus Sport.

Schwarzie has taken the international break a little too literally, as this week Phil is in the host's chair joined by Thomas Sorensen and Julien Laurens. The three of them reflect on the Premier League heading into the international break:A post-mortem on Ange's 'worst result' as Spurs managerWill Ten Hag manage another Premier League match for Manchester United?Liverpool flying highAlisson's injury worriesWhich style of play is best in the Premier League?Following Vítězslav Jaroš making his Liverpool bow at the weekend, Thomas Sorensen reminisces about his surprise international debut. Michelle and Amy also bring us up to date with all the weekend's WSL action.Every match of the Premier League and WSL is live and exclusive on Optus Sport.

'Hot Takes' is back this week with Mark Schwarzer, Phil Kitromilides and Michael Bridges previewing the weekend's Premier League action. We also get some more Hot Takes from Michelle and Ash ahead of matchweek two of the Barclays Women's Super League.This week: Can Everton make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League!?Jadon Sancho hasn't scored a Premier League goal for 18 months. Will that change this weekend?Schwarzie proclaims: "Erik ten Hag WILL be sacked!"The Barclays Women's Super League is into matchweek three and Ash & Michelle are expecting lots of goals with their Hot Takes!Optus Sport's Hot Takes will drop ahead of every matchweek during season 2024/25!

Schwarzie, Phil and Bridgey reflect on another tough day at the office for Manchester United and Erik ten Hag, discussing:Where it went wrong for Manchester United against SpursHow Ange has been vindicated by this result at Old TraffordBruno Fernandes' red card controversyThe rise and rise of Micky van de VenPhil literally sings Dejan Kulusevski's praisesThe Premier League title raceHow will Man City cope without Rodri?Why Chelsea must replace Robert Sanchez'Cold' Palmer's four goalsArsenal looking like title challengersWe also get an update on the second round of the WSL season, whilst Antoine Griezmann's name pops up on the pod once more as he announces his retirement from international football.Every game of the Premier League and WSL is live and exclusive on Optus Sport.

'Hot Takes' is back this week with Mark Schwarzer, Phil Kitromilides and Thomas Sorensen and we get some more Hot Takes from Michelle and Ash ahead of matchweek two of the Barclays Women's Super League.This week: Can Ange rattle the Red Devils' cage when Spurs travel to Old Trafford? One of our guys thinks so!Southampton's dismal start to their campaign is due to turn around - but to what end when they take on Bournemouth on the south coast?Action, action ACTION! Stamford Bridge set to explode this weekend as Chelsea host Brighton.The Barclays Women's Super League is into matchweek two and Ash & Michelle give us their Hot Takes with some great fixtures on the way.Optus Sport's Hot Takes will drop ahead of every matchweek during season 2024/25!-----------Listen to Optus Sport's award-winning limited series: Football Belongs, charting the cultural threads of Australian society through the lens of nine football matches:Acast: https://play.acast.com/s/football-belongsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AzBek8ub2oEsWLYHWetg7Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/football-belongs-australias-football-identity-by-optus/id1543067162