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8

CHAMPO LEAGUE A-Z

WORLD’S BIGGEST DERBIES

CL Previews......................... 26
INSIDE…
WSL Kick-Off.......................28
Aston Villa W Poster........... 2
Footy On The Box.............32
Everton W Poster................3
Predict The Result............ 34
Leicester W Poster ...............4 Fantasy Football ............... 35
Champions League ..............6 World’s Biggest Derbies..36
Man. City v Arsenal ..............8 MATCH Gear .......................38
Manuel Ugarte ..................10 Big MATCH Quiz ...............40
EFL Cup Third Round .......11 @MATCH ..............................42
MATCHY Cartoon...............12 Did You Know? ................. 44
Win Epic Prizes...................13 Man. United W Poster ....45
PL Transfers Rated...........14 West Ham W Poster..........46
PL TRANSFERS RATED Player Of The Month........16 Man. City W Poster............47
Champions League A-Z... 18 Arsenal W Poster ............ 48

WSL
KICK-OFF

EPIC NEW GEAR

 WHAT’S THE
NEW FORMAT?
The total num
ber
increased from of teams has
32 to 36 in th
Champions Le e
ague this seas
the traditiona on, with
l group stage
scrapped for a being
single league
Every club is gu phase!
aranteed a min
of eight league imum
-stage fixtures
against eight
different oppo
makes you IN THE KNOW – four home ga
mes, four away
nents
!

every single ISSUE

e so me m ajor ch an ge s to co nt inent al football in

There ar wd own on the new
2024 -2 5, so M AT CH br ing s yo u the lo
AM PI ON S LE AG UE ca mp aig n – st ar ting this fortnight!
CH

WHO PLAYS WHO

IN THE LEAGUE?
ded into
The 36 clubs were see
en t po ts ba sed on their
four dif fer
ien t at the
individual club coeffic m was
son ! Ea ch tea
start of the sea
o dif ent
fer
then drawn against tw
t, playing one
teams from each po
me an d on e aw ay. In the
team at ho
no t face
league phase, teams can ntry
the ir ow n cou
opponents from
fac e a ma xim um of two
and can
ntry!
sides from the same cou

6 MATCH!
 WHO WILL QUALIFY FOR
THE KNOCKOUT ROUNDS?
will qualify
The top eight teams in the league
kno ckou t stag es, while
automatically for the
finis hing in nint h to 24th place will
the teams
-off to secure a
compete in a two-legged play
of the com peti tion . Teams
place in the last 16
6 are elim inat ed from all com ps with
ranked 25-3
the Euro pa Leag ue!
nobody dropping down to

WHAT ABOUT
THE EUROPA AND
CONFERENCE
LEAGUE?
Similar changes have been made
to the Europa League and the
Conference League, with 36 teams
now in each competition! Teams
in the Europa League will have
eight matches v eight different
opponents in the league phase,
while Conference League teams
will have six matches against six
different opponents in the league!

Turn to WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE KNOW?

6 Since there are two more games than there were in previous
p ag e 2 o u r
s e e Champions Leagues, the league stage won’t be completed
now to s of until the end of January – a month later than before! The
previe w
tnight ’s knockout rounds will still begin in February, with the final
this for ean taking place in Munich at the Allianz Arena on May 31, 2025!
Europ
action!

MATCH! 7
 record anfield attendance!
itk preview Anfield hosted its largest ever crowd for a league
fixture when Liverpool beat Brentford last month –
60,107 fans saw Arne Slot get his first PL home win!

v
We simply can’t wait for MAN. CITY’s crunch
title showdown with ARSENAL this fortnight!
Here are the game’s biggest talking points…

TITLE CLASH!
These
T teams have been the main n HAALAND v GABRIEL!
contenders
c for the Premier League
guee In last season’s clash at the Etihad,
trophy
tr over the past two seasons,ns, there was some beef on the pitch
with The Gunners not just knocking,
kingg, between Erling Haaland and Gabriel,
but blasting at the door! Two points
oints but the two eventually shook hands
separated the sides last season n in after the final whistle! We reckon
the table, so there’s only a really
ly there could be some leftovers from
tiny margin that the Londonerss that and it’s going to be a battle to
need to overturn in 2024-25! keep your eyes on this time around!

THE CLASH Last season’s

goalless draw
Man. City
bossed

IN
was the first over 72%
between possession

NUMBERS!
these two in in their last
their past 34 match in
meetings! Manchester!

8 MATCH!
match ball message! calendar curse!
After Erling Haaland scored back-to-back PL hat-tricks One fan noticed how badly the 2024 Leeds Calendar
in August, one of his City team-mates signed his match aged after they sold Archie Gray, Georginio Rutter and
ball with the message, “I’m sick of writing these”. LOL! Crysencio Summerville during the summer window!

ETIHAD
EXPECTATIONS!
Arsenal’s recent record at the
Etihad isn’t one to shout aboutt,
about,
unless you’re a Man. City fan!
The Gunners are winless in ten n
matches at the stadium in all
competitions, although last
season’s hard-fought 0-0 draw w
did manage to put an end to a
rut!!
dreadful eight-game losing rut

GROUNDED
GUNNERS!
Going into this fortnight, City have
scored in 52 of their last 53 home
Premier League matches! The only
one they didn’t bust net in? Their
2023-24 clash at the Etihad against
The Gunners! In fact, Pep Guardiola’s
j
side had just g that
one shot on target
day, proving that they can be stifled!

BOSSES BATTLE!
BO E!!
In 202
2023-24, Arteta became
just th
the fourth manager to
etss
keep ttwo league clean sheets
against a Pep Guardiola team
again m
WATCH in a single
si campaign, after
IT… Borus
Borussia Monchengladbach
in 2014-15,
201 Man. United in
2020
2020-21 and Crystal Palace n
e in
Man. City
v Arsenal 2021-
2021-22. Pep will be wonderingng
rin
Sunday 22 why heh mentored him so well!
ell!!
September
4.30pm

Guardiola has We’ve never The Gunners

beaten Arteta had a goalfest have only won
eight times as between these three of their
a gaffer in all two like the one last 20 away
competitions, in 1956, when matches against
lost three and Arsenal beat Man. City in all
drawn one! City 7-3! competitions!

MATCH! 9
 prem’s big spenders!
itk new signing Chelsea spent the most money during the summer
window splashing out over £200m, with Liverpool
the lowest spenders – just adding Federico Chiesa!

THE
DEAL!
The Red Devils agreed
to pay PSG just over
£40m for Ugarte, which
could rise to around £50m
with add-ons! By selling Scott U-GOT
McTominay to Napoli for around A BALLER,
£25 million, it means they’ve
UNITED!
managed to upgrade their
midfield without being
too out of pocket!

We’ve got the lowdown on MAN. UNITED’s

new defensive midfielder MANUEL UGARTE!
COPA
KING!
The Uruguay midfielder
had a successful summer
with his country, despite their
elimination in the semi-finals of
the 2024 Copa America! He scored
the winning penalty in the quarter- Turn to
e
final v Brazil, past none other page 14 to se
than Liverpool goalkeeper d- up of
our roun
ub’s
Alisson, and was then
every Prem cl
named in the Team of er tr an sf er
summ
the Tournament! sine ss !
bu

10 MATCH!
 aussie ace joins spurs! united’s new winger!
Tottenham Women have landed Australia forward Part of the reason Spurs Women swooped for
Hayley Raso! The former Everton and Man. City star Raso was because their Norwegian wing wizard
was most recently at Spanish giants Real Madrid! Celin Bizet agreed to join Man. United Women!

EFL CUP!
DEFENSIVE
MACHINE!
If you look at his stats
over the past two seasons,
you can see what Ugarte is all Check out the EFL Cup third
about! He is a monster holding round fixtures taking place this
midfielder, who bosses defensive fortnight and jot down the
actions and duels. He’s basically a scores when they happen!
younger and fitter version of
Casemiro, who struggled v
AFC Wimbledon Newcastle
Liverpool, and also carries
the ball more than the
Brazil legend! Arsenal Bolton

Blackpool Sheff. Wed.

Brentford Leyton Orient

Brighton Wolves

Chelsea Barrow

Coventry Tottenham

Everton Southampton

PERFECT
RFE
FE
F EC T
PARTNER?
TN
N
NER?
ER ?
Kobbieie Mainoo
Maainoo
looks set to be e United’s
heartbeat inn midfield
midffield for the
next decade, but oneone part of his
game that he e still lacks a bit of
is physicality – but that’s where
Ugarte comes es in! The
T England
gem’s magic feet a and pinpoint
passing could
uld be the perfect
combination
ation w with the
Uruguay ay star’s
star’s ball-
winning
ning ability!
abbility!
Liverpool West Ham

Man. City Watford

HAPPY
Man. United Barnsley
TEN HAG!
Erik ten Hag isn’t the Preston Fulham
most smiley manager in the
Premier League, but even he
QPR Crystal Palace
must be happy with United’s
business over the summer! At the
start of the transfer window he Stoke Fleetwood
spoke about the club’s lack
of strength in depth, but
Walsall Leicester
they’ve added quality
all over the pitch!
Wycombe Aston Villa

MATCH! 11
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 Wes t Ham Tottenham Southampton
x Kilman Star signing: Dominic
St ar signing : Ma S
Sollankke ng: Aaron Ramsdale
igniing:
Star sign
St
Ha mm er s st reng thened Verdict: Spurs’ prioritie
s were another p,,
Verdict: The striker and a dribbly win Verd ict: Ram sdale was quite the coup
n, Jean- Clair ger,
all over in Kilma Grade:: and they got both in Sol while Taylor Harw ood- Belli s d
and
n- Bissaka, Grade: Flynn Downes made their moves Grade::
Todibo, Aa ro n Wa anke
is Gu ilh er e,,
me and Wilson Odobert. Luc
Lu as
Niclas Fullkrug, Bergvall, Archie Gray permanent! Ben Brereton Diaz ,
er ville, Carlos and Timo
Cr ysencio Summ Werner were added bon Cameron Archer and Max wel
ido Ro driguez! uses!
Soler and Gu Cornet were others to join!

Nott’m Forest
Star signing: James Ward-Prowse
S
Verdict: JWP and Elliot Anderson should
V uld
prove top CM additions, while
N
Nikola Milenkovic has tons of Grade:
E
Europea n and international
experien
e ce. They also signed
a few
w players
p for the future!

K IL M A N Newcastle
Star sign
St ng: Lewis Hall
igniing:
g
Verdict: Another underwhelmin
window for Newcastle saw
them make Hall’s contract a
Grade:
permanent one, while Lloyd
Kelly
K joined on a free. They ’re e
g ed
gutt
gut they didn ’t get Gueh i!

Man. Cit y
Star sign
St ng: Savinho
igniing:
o
g to
Verdict: Savinho look s like he’s goin
be a thrilling addi tion to City ’s
attack, while Ilkay Gundogan’s Grade:
SOL ANKE homecoming was always going
y
to go down well with fans . They
didn’t really need much more...

Liverpool
Star signing: Federico Chiesa
S
Verdict: A weird window for Liverpoo
oll
saw them not strike until
quite late in the summer,
with Chiesa proving to be
Grade:
a bargain buy. Their fans
definitely wanted more!

Leicester
Star signin
ing: Abdull Fata
F wu
Verdict: The Foxes signed proven
Premem
players like Odsonne Edouard, Olive
GREAVES
r
Skipp, Jordan Ayew and Bobby
De Cordova-Reid plus lively, Grade:
talented youngsters in Bilal
El Khannouss and Fatawu!

E ve r t o n Fulham Ips wich

St ar signing : Em
ile Smith R
Rowe
Iroegbunam ari Hu tchinson
St ar signing : Tim on
er to n
Verdict: Joao Pa
lhinha leaving wa St ar signing : Om d to
ult window for Ev a shock and Sand s hardlyy were determine
Verdict: A dif fic w fa ce s a decent replace
er Berge was Verdict: Ipswich ee t pr om ot ion
me ne at sw
saw them get so ment ! Smith spend a lot of th
arily enough Grade: Rowe and Joachim G ra d e : g in to ns of
Grade:
in bu t not necess Andersen are
re d ugh, inv
do es tin
th ey ’ll still quality additions, lents with
quality. At least ite un til while Reiss exciting young ta Cla rke ,
thwa Nelson was a las e Jac k
have Jar rad Bran t-gasp loan! high potential lik
er window ! Hu tchinson!
at least the wint Liam Delap and
MATCHMAN OF THE MONTH

MAN. CITY goal machine ERLING HAALAND has won

MATCH’s first Player of the Month award of 2024-25!

HOW HE WONtheITPre! m’s MEGA

MATCH scouts picked out
four best players from August ,
rs on soc ial
and
med ia
MOMENTS!
asked our followe Here’s why Ha
aland was
to vote for the bes t! The Man . City
chosen as MATCH
striker was the runaway winner ’s
monthly winner!
of our first vote of the year!

GAME
ONE
ART!
SIZZLING STN. CIT Y
CHELSE A 0-2 MA
AUGUST 18
son with a
Haaland started the sea
en go al at Stamford
brilliantly tak
dg e – he po we red his way
Bri
fen de rs be fore
through two de
the on rus hin g Ro bert
chipping
ha nd ful all
Sanchez! He was a
the Blu es ba ckl ine
afternoon for
his inc red ible ph ysi cal ity!
with

GAME
TWO
HAT-TRICK HERO!
MAN. CITY 4-1 IPSWICH
AUGUST 24
first
It didn’t take EH9 long to net his
ich
hat-trick of the season! After Ipsw
y on, he hit back with a
went ahead earl
pen alty, then follo wed it up with a
solid
e from
clinical second and a deadly strik
area to com plet e the treble!
outside the

16 MATCH!
 GAME
THREE

ANOTHER TREBLE!
WEST HAM 1-3 MAN. CITY
AUGUST 31

DID YOU KNOW ? His phenomenal treble v West Ham,

which included a left-footed hammer
shot, made him the first player to
s w as
n goal
Haal and’s seve score a hat-trick in two of a team’s
yer has ever first three Prem games in a season
the most a pla since 1994-95. He also became the
’s firs t three second player to score back-to-back
scored in a team hat-tricks twice, after Harry Kane!
season!
PL games of a

GOAL OF
THE MONTH!
There were some absolute
bangers on the short
list for
August’s Goal of the
Month
prize, but it was Jean-R
icner
Bellegarde’s thunde
rbolt
ef for t against Notting
ham
Forest which won ou
r first
GOTM award of the se
ason!

MATCH! 17
 A ANTHEM
The world-fam
which blasts
ous anthem
,
out through
speakers be th
fore ever y ga e
could be slig me,
htly differen
this year, wit t
hU
some small ch EFA making
an
still be basica ges. It will
lly the same!

B C

CELTIC
ship
The Scottish Premier
be ing rep res en ted this
is
rei gn ing
season by the
BALL champs, Celtic! They
’ve
n in
The Champo League
ball was managed just one wi
ns
revealed by adidas rec
ently! their last 12 Champio
The iconic stars are Le ag ue ga me s in the
in black
for 2024 -25, on a wh past two seasons!
ite
background, returning
to a more classic loo
k!

18 MATCH!
 MATCH gives you
the ultimate guide
to this season’s
Champions League
campaign!

D DEBUTANTS
G
A few sides will
be
making their de
buts in
the Champions
League
since it was rebr
anded
in 1992, while
French
club Brest and
Spanish
side Girona are
making
their first appe
arances
in European foot
ball!

E
ERLING HAALAND
The Man. City goal machine
somehow looks even more
lethal than usual this season!
The comp’s top goalscorer in
2020-21 and 2022-23 star ts
2024-25 just nine goals short
of his CL half century!

F FANTASY
FOOTBALL
GOAL
MACHINE
If you’re a Fantasy
me lethal
Football fan, you’ll be There are so
s fighting
pleased to hear that goal machine e top
r th
there’s also a version Haaland fo
iz e th is season,
for the Champions scorer pr
t player
League! Just hit up but no curren s than
go al
the official UEFA has more CL
lo na ’s R ober t
website or app! Barce
i. H e’s just
Lewandowsk 00!
or t of 1
six sh

MATCH! 19
 H I
HARRY KANE
The England
ca
still be gutted ptain will
ITALY
any
trophyless la
about going Both Italy and Germ
st term, but vin g five
we’re confid can boast ha
ent he’ll get in thi s se as on ’s
his hands on teams
ir
this season.
silver ware league stage, after the
What he’d rfo rm an ce s
really love is side’s top pe
a Champo rop e in 20 23 -24 .
League winne in Eu
rs’ medal! Well deserved!

J JUDE
L
BELLINGHAM
This wouldn’t be a pro
per
Champo League A-Z
without
mentioning one of 20
23-24’s
top performers! No pla
yer
provided more assis
ts than
Bellingham’s five – inc
luding
one in the final – wh
ile he
also scored four goals
!

K LEAGUE
We’re shouting out to
the new league forma
which is the biggest
t,

KYLIAN MBAPPE
change of the new-loo
k
competition. Now it’s
d about where you fin
From one Real Madri among 36 teams, rat
ish
megastar to another… than just four in a gro
her
g to
Mbappe will be itchin up!
ha nd s on the tro phy,
get his
ha ve won
which Real Madrid
sin ce he ma de
four times
pro fes sio na l de bu t!
his

20 MATCH!
M
MUNICH
The road to Munich star ts now
!
The final will be taking place at
Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena
in
May 2025, where the 2012 fina
l
was also held – when Chelsea
beat Bayern on penalties!

N O
NEW SIGNINGS
New signings lookin
impress the ir ne w fan
g to
s OUTSIDERS
do the ir ch an ce s a In most seasons we get a dark
would horse
tea rin g up doing better than people though
world of good by t
Le ag ue ! We ’re they would, whether that’s bec
the Champo ause
of they play well above their leve
thinking of the likes l or
Da ni Olm o make a shock run to the final
Julian Alvarez, – like
an d Joa o Ne ve s! Borussia Dor tmund in 2023-24!

P
POTS
of how strong
You can get an idea
t they were
a team is from the po
e CL big guns,
in for the draw! Th
dri d an d Ma n. City,
like Real Ma
the teams
were in Pot 1, while
er do wn in their
who qualified low
leagu es we re in Po t 4!

MATCH! 21
 Q R
QUALIFIERS
The qualifiers gave teams
from some of Europe’s
lower coefficient leagues
the chance to play in this
season’s Champo League,
with Rangers one of the
teams who were knocked
out during qualifying!

S
REAL MADRID
The reigning champions
and record 15-time
SPAIN winners are one of the
big favourites to win
nish
Talking about Real Madrid, Spa the trophy once again.
e
sides have won the trophy mor Los Blancos have added
oth er cou ntry , wit h more star quality over
times than any
celo na also five -tim e win ner s! the summer and have
Bar
to
Atletico Madrid, despite getting one of Europe’s most
three fina ls, hav e nev er won it! talented squads!

T TIFOS
Atmospheres on European
nights are normally off the
charts, with some of the best
U
tifos often saved for special
Champions League clashes!

UEFA
We call it the Champio
ns
League, but the tou
rnament is
officially the UEFA Ch
ampions
League. The Union of
European
Football Associations
– aka UEFA
– organise the competi
tion!

22 MATCH!
V W
WEDNESDAY
VILLA No, not Sheffield! Champo
League footy is famously
Aston Villa are competing in the played on a Tuesday or
t
Champions League for the firs Wednesday evening, with
tim e sinc e the 198 0s! The y’ll
the Europa and Conference
be aiming to go further than Leagues played on
’t
Newcastle last year, who didn Thursday nights!
make the knockout phase!

X Y
YOUNGSTERS
The letter ‘Y’ could have
been reserved especially
for Lamine Yamal, but we
thought we’d shout out to
all the wonderkids we’re
looking forward to seeing
– from Barca’s baller to
Endrick and Desire Doue!

Z ZAGREB
Champions League foo
played in the Croatian
Dinamo Zagreb quali
ty will be
capital after
fied via the
play-offs. Luka Modri
XABI ALONSO the most successful
football and have so
c’s old side are
club in Croatian
mega me crazy fans!
Bayer Leverkusen’s
lar co ac h Xa bi Alo nso
po pu
sh ot at the
gets his first
a
Champions League as
na ge r! He wo n the CL as
ma
ool
a player at both Liverp
and Real Madrid!

MATCH! 23
 Now it’s your turn! Try to only copy a maximum of four of MATCH’s words if you can!

A N
B O
C P
D Q
E R
F S
G T
H U
I V
J W
K X
L Y
M Z
24 MATCH!
MATCH takes a look at five of the biggest and best Champions

1 3
WATCH
IT…

Tuesday 17
September,
5.45pm

YOUNG BOYS v ASTON VILLA

Villa start their long-awaited Champions League campaign with an away
clash against the 2023-24 Swiss champions, Young Boys! Their supporters
are known for making tons of noise, at home and away, so the atmosphere
should live up to the occasion. Can the Villa players hold their nerve?

2
WATCH
IT…

Tuesday 17
September,
8pm

MILAN v LIVERPOOL
Milan and Liverpool have history in the CL, meeting in the 2005 and 2007
finals! They’ve lifted 13 CL trophies between them, so historically they’re
two of the most successful clubs in the competition. Watch out for former
Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, who joined Milan on loan over the summer!

26 MATCH!
League matches happening over the coming fortnight. Get in!

WATCH
4
IT…

Wednesday
18 Sept.,
8pm
WATCH
IT…

Wednesday
18 Sept.,
8pm

PSG v GIRONA
This is a fascinating tie between one of Europe’s elite sides and one of the
tourno’s newcomers! It’s Girona’s reward for lighting up the Spanish league
last season, although they might struggle at Parc des Princes – Luis Enrique’s
side started 2024-25 perfectly, scoring 13 goals in their first three games!

5
WATCH
IT…
MAN. CITY v inter
We’ve got a repeat of the 2023 Thursday 19
Champions League final this September,
fortnight as City welcome Inter to 8pm
s
the Etihad! The English champion
just edg ed a nerv y 1-0 win last
year, and they ’ll be favourites to
get star ted with all three points.
Erling Haaland failed to score that
ATALANTA v ARSENAL
night and Inter are one of a select Atalanta qualified for the CL after beating “unbeatable” Bayer Leverkusen
group of teams that he’s played in the final of last season’s Europa League! The Italians thrashed Liverpool
but never busted net against! 3-0 at Anfield en route to the trophy too, so The Gunners can’t turn up and
expect this clash to be a breeze, even though they’ll be the favourites!

MATCH! 27
 MATCH checks out the 2024-25 WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE title
contenders ahead of the competition’s big kick-off this fortnight!
CHELSEA
The Blues have won
the last five Women’s
Super League titles
and seven of the last
eight! Legendary
gaffer Emma Hayes
left in the summer
to take the USA job,
but new boss Sonia
Bompastor was a
proven winner at
Lyon, so she’ll be
hoping to pick up
where they left off!

MAN. CITY
Gareth Taylor’s side
missed out on last
season’s title by goal
difference! They’ll
still be gutted they
couldn’t get their
hands on their first
league trophy since
2016, but they’ll be
ready to pounce on
any hiccups Chelsea
may have in their
transition period
under a new boss!

28 MATCH!
 ARSENAL
The Gunners were
only five points off
MATCH
top spot last season,
and have been in the
top three in the past
ten WSL campaigns!
PREDICTS!
We’ve taken a guess at how
In fact, they were the final league table will
the last team to win look in May 2025! What do
the title other than you reckon? Fill out your
Chelsea – when they
topped the table in
predictions underneath!
2018-19. They have
lifted the last two
Women’s League Cup
trophies, at least!

MAN. UNITED
After they finished
second in 2022-23,
just two points below
Chelsea, United had 1 MAN. CITY
a well disappointing 2 CHELSEA
2023-24 campaign,
finishing fifth behind 3 ARSENAL
rivals Liverpool. They
did lift the Women’s
4 MAN. UNITED
FA Cup trophy for the 5 TOTTENHAM
first time ever, but
they’ll be desperate 6 LIVERPOOL
to improve on their 7 ASTON VILLA
league position!
8 WEST HAM
9 EVERTON
10 BRIGHTON
11 LEICESTER
12 CRYSTAL PALACE

1
BEST OF 2
THE REST 3
We’ve mentioned 4
Liverpool finishing
fourth last season, 5
which was a bit of 6
a shock, but they’d
love to lock down 7
the top four again! 8
Tottenham have also
made great strides 9
under gaffer Robert 10
Vilahamn since he
took over in 2023! 11
12

HAVE YOUR SAY!

Write down your own
predictions and keep this
mag somewhere safe!

TURN THE PAGE FOR MORE WSL ACTION!

 8 KIRBY’S A SEAGULL!
Brighton might have lost Terland to United,
but they announced the arrival of England
legend Fran Kirby! The former Chelsea ace
was desperate for more regular game time!

9 YOUTUBE STREAMING!
Last season’s FA Player streaming service
has been replaced by the league’s YouTube
channel for the live broadcast of all 66 league
matches not televised by BBC or Sky Sports!

10 WICKED WONDERKIDS!
5 PROMOTED PALACE! There are tons of wicked wonderkids in the
Crystal Palace won the Women’s WSL, including Man. City goalkeeper Khiara
Championship in 2023-24 to Keating, Chelsea striker Aggie Beever-Jones
secure promotion to the top tier and Man. United midfielder Grace Clinton!
for the first time in their history!
It marked a magic achievement
for The Eagles, who had come
11 KERR’S RETURN!
seventh, fourth and fifth in the Chelsea’s superstar striker Sam Kerr damaged
three previous seasons leading her knee back in January, which ruled her out
up to their unexpected success! of the rest of the season, plus the Olympics,
but her return to the pitch isn’t too far away!

12 RECORD ARRIVAL!
Another wonderkid we can’t wait to see make
her WSL debut is Liverpool’s Olivia Smith, who
joined for a club record fee during the summer!

13 DERBIES WEEKEND!
Stick the weekend of November 16-17 in your
calendar now! Everton take on Liverpool, while
Tottenham host Arsenal. It’s going to be fierce!

14 BREAKOUT STARS!
As well as the players we know everything
about, there are always breakout stars who
come out of nowhere to make a real name
6 SICK STADIUMS! for themselves. Who will it be in 2024-25?
Aston Villa have confirmed
that they will be playing all
15 INTERNATIONAL ACES!
11 of their home games at The Women’s Super League is able to attract
Villa Park this season, which some of the biggest and best names from
is brilliant news for the club, across the world, with players from every
while Arsenal announced the corner of the globe playing in England!
Emirates as the official home
of their Women’s team. Sick! 16 OUTRAGEOUS WORLDIES!
There were some jaw-dropping goals in the
WSL last season, including Danielle Turner’s
stunning volley for Aston Villa v Man. City!
Here’s to many more worldies in 2024-25...

17 STUNNING SAVES!
As well as worldy goals, we also saw some
sick saves last season! Even with Mary Earps
leaving Man. United to join PSG, there are still
some top-quality goalkeepers in the league!

18 WOMEN’S EURO 2025!

With the WEuros taking place next summer,
players should be extra motivated to perform
for their clubs to secure their squad spots!

7 NEW MANAGERS! 19 FC 25 CAREER MODE!

As well as Bompastor’s arrival Gamers will be able to manage WSL sides in
at Chelsea, a few other clubs will EA FC 25 for the first time after the league
be starting with new managers! was added to Career Mode. Get in there!
Villa have appointed Dutch coach
Robert de Pauw, Brighton have 20 MATCH HAS YOU COVERED!
handed Dario Vidosic the keys
and Leicester will be coached by Like every season, MATCH will be previewing
French boss Amandine Miquel! all the biggest matches and profiling some of
the league’s superstars, so don’t miss a copy!

MATCH! 31
 ARSENAL W
v MAN. CITY W
Sunday 22 September, 12.30pm

Women’s Super League fixture organisers

chose drama when deciding on this year’s
calendar – starting a season with Arsenal
v Man. City is wild! It has even more of an
edge in 2024-25 after Vivianne Miedema’s
move to Manchester, with the Netherlands
striker actually admitting that she’s glad to
get the fixture out of the way early doors!

DID YOU
KNOW?
Heung-min Son has
scored five goals
against Arsenal in
his last six games
against them!

TOTTENHAM
INTER v ARSENAL
v MILAN Sunday 15 September, 2pm
Date and Time TBC
The NLD is one of the first games we look
The North London derby isn’t the only for when the Premier League fixtures are
heated rivalry taking place in Europe’s top announced! Last season produced a 2-2 at
five leagues this fortnight – we’ve got the the Emirates and a 3-2 thriller in Tottenham,
Derby di Milano to look forward to as well! while we haven’t had a single goalless draw
Serie A champions Inter secured the title in this fixture in over 15 years! The Gunners
against their rivals last season, so they’ll are targeting a third consecutive PL away
probably rub that in as much as they can, win over their rivals, which would also make
potentially with one of their iconic tifos! it five unbeaten head-to-heads in all comps!

32 MATCH!
 MATCH looks ahead
to the live football
to watch over the
next fortnight!

BEST OF THE REST

LEEDS v ASTON VILLA

BURNLEY v EVERTON
Saturday 14 September, 12.30pm Saturday 14 September, 5.30pm

We predicted these two for promotion We’re expecting Jordan Pickford to be

this season, but it looks like there are busy v Villa – although he did keep a
a few teams who’ll be battling them! clean sheet against them in January!

WOLVES v CHELSEA W v
NEWCASTLE ASTON VILLA W
Sunday 15 September, 4.30pm Friday 20 September, 7pm

Interestingly, six of their last 11 H2Hs Chelsea are huge favourites against a
have ended 1-1, with Wolves winning side they’ve beaten 12-0 on aggregate
just one of their other Prem meetings! in their last three WSL head-to-heads!

SUNDERLAND v WEST HAM

MIDDLESBROUGH v CHELSEA
Saturday 21 September, 12.30pm Saturday 21 September, 12.30pm

These northern rivals are both eyeing This east versus west London clash
up at least the play-offs this season, has been even in recent years, with
so there’s going to be an extra bite! both taking points off the other!

CRYSTAL PALACE BRIGHTON v

v MAN. UNITED NOTT’M FOREST
Saturday 21 September, 5.30pm Sunday 22 September, 2pm

The Eagles thrashed The Red Devils In their last three H2Hs, we’ve had
4-0 at home in May and haven’t lost two own goals, four penalties – one
there to Man. United since 2019-20! in the 90th minute – and a red card!

MATCH! 33
PREDICT THE RESULT!
We take on 15 massive upcoming fixtures! Can you beat MATCH?
WEST HAM ASTON VILLA
v CHELSEA v WOLVES
The Hammers should gain a point We fancy the home side to come
thanks to a battling performance! out on top of this Midlands derby!

MATCH SAYS 1-1 MATCH SAYS 2-1

YOU SAY YOU SAY

FULHAM v LEICESTER
NEWCASTLE v EVERTON
Newcastle have won their last six We’re struggling to pick a winner
v Fulham, conceding just one goal! here, so we’ll have to say a draw!

MATCH SAYS 0-2 MATCH SAYS 1-1

YOU SAY YOU SAY

LIVERPOOL v SOUTHAMPTON
BOURNEMOUTH v IPSWICH
Their last five PL H2Hs at Anfield Omari Hutchinson scored the only
have an aggregate score of 20-2! goal at St. Mary’s in 2023-24!

MATCH SAYS 3-0 MATCH SAYS 1-1

YOU SAY YOU SAY

TOTTENHAM C. PALACE v
v BRENTFORD MAN. UNITED
Brentford caused Spurs problems The hot atmosphere will spur The
away last season but still lost! Eagles on, but United will nick it!

MATCH SAYS 3-1 MATCH SAYS 1-2

YOU SAY YOU SAY

BRIGHTON v MAN. CITY

NOTT’M FOREST v ARSENAL
Both teams boast electric wingers, We reckon Arsenal will give City
so look out for the dribble stats! fans another scare at the Etihad!

MATCH SAYS 3-1 MATCH SAYS 1-1

YOU SAY YOU SAY

SUNDERLAND v CHELSEA W v
MIDDLESBRO’ ASTON VILLA W
The North East derby is always a The reigning champions will get
fierce one in the footy calendar! three points in their WSL opener!

MATCH SAYS 2-1 MATCH SAYS 2-0

YOU SAY YOU SAY

ARSENAL W v JUVENTUS
MAN. CITY W v NAPOLI
We reckon the away side will lay Napoli coach Antonio Conte takes
down a marker with three points! on the team he used to manage!

MATCH SAYS 0-2 MATCH SAYS 0-1

YOU SAY YOU SAY

INTER
v MILAN FINAL SCORES!
We think Inter will beat their city Give yourself 1 point for a correct
neighbours and stadium sharers! result and 3 for the exact score!

MATCH SAYS 2-0 MATCH SCORE

YOU SAY YOUR SCORE

34 MATCH!
 The stuff we’re mad about, on and off the pitch!
Nike Third Kits
2024-25
Nike launched a new third kits collection,
called Together We Rise, which included
Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Atletico
Madrid and Inter! Each shirt features the
vertical Swoosh opposite the club crest,
which represents the rise and growth of
the women’s game. Punk was the theme
behind The Reds and The Blues' patterns,
while Spurs' green look was inspired by
a ring of elm trees near their stadium!
Shirt Price: £84.99 each nike.com

38 MATCH!
Everton Fulham
Third Shirt Third Shirt
2024-25 2024-25
The story behind the new We can’t remember ever
Toffees third shirt dates seeing Fulham wear a
back to 1924, when the purple strip before – well,
Chicago White Sox and except for their 2020-21
New York Giants played goalkeeper away jersey,
an exhibition baseball and that was barely ever
game at Goodison Park! used! This season’s one
The shirt’s neutral colour, seems to have gone down
v-neck collar and subtle well with their fans, with
pinstripes give the look the camo graphic giving it
of a traditional baseball another cool dimension.
jersey, while a waistband It’s one of the standout
on the shorts and socks shirts of the 2024-25
completes the style! Premier League season!
Price: £75 Price: £80
evertonfc.com shop.fulhamfc.com

Women’s
Champions
League Ball
2024-25
As well as the ball for the
Men’s Champions League,
adidas also revealed the
design of the Women’s
footy! It’s actually a more
eye-catching design, so
we’re looking forward to
seeing it on the pitch
when the UWCL group
stage starts in October!
Price: £130
adidas.co.uk

Mitre Umbro Tocco Boots

Goalkeeper Umbro have released the Tocco IV Pro, designed for
the passmaster whose game depends on perfect touch
Gloves and pinpoint accuracy! The latest version features new
British brand Mitre haved materials and technology to improve grip and water
launched a super stylish resistance, without worsening touch or softness!
pair of goalkeeper gloves – Price: £220 umbro.co.uk
their first for over 15 years!
The Ultimatch gloves have
a modern, strapless design
with pull assisted loop for
easy wear, and advanced
technology to deliver grip,
comfort and protection.
There are also mesh panels
in the fingers to keep hands
cool and dry for comfortable
and confident performance!
Price: £35
mitre.com

MATCH! 39
MATCH! 41
M A S A K A Z
Spot The Ball: 2. A A
F D
Who’s Missing?: Collins, T O M A S R O B I N S O N

/3 4
J V B R
Janelt and Schade.
M I E D E M A S
A J L K
They Said What?: Arne Slot.
C A L D E N T E Y

SCORE
E I F
en.
List It: Your score out of te
answers

L S M I T H U

MY
A O U B J
Wordfit: See right.
W E E R D E N A I
L E T E R L A N D
E T O
Y K E E S
I L
M A L A R D
B
Y
E D E M A M I
Zadorsky Terland Masaka Kirby Fujino
Weerden Smith Malard Kees Caldentey
Veje Robinson Mace Kafaji Bartel
Tomas Miedema Lawley Hunt Baltimore
Fit 20 Women’s Super League summer signings into this grid!

ACT
ACIVEITY
 GET A
LOAD OF
OUR FAVE
PICS SENT IN

magazine BY MATCH
READERS!

Brilliant ball!
Check out Arsenal supporter
Hendrix’s drawing of his own
Slick shirt designs! Foden fan! European Championship ball!
Jacob was inspired by all of the shirts on
his wall chart to draw some of his own! Max drew one of his fave
players, Man. City megastar
Phil Foden. Nice work!

CR7 cartoon! Card bonanza! Footy goats!

Sam drew loads of all-time footy
Take a look at Archie’s cool Varis made a Euros Dream Team legends, including the likes of
cartoon of Portugal legend with his cards, with all the other Diego Maradona, Wayne Rooney,
Cristiano Ronaldo. Love it! football stars becoming fans! Ronaldinho and Andres Iniesta!

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 1 Al Hamadi is
Ali Al-Hamadi i
the first player
from Iraq to
play in the PL,
with the nation
becoming the
124th country
represented in
the Prem!

is footy know ledge! Peruvian player Sebastian Munoz was sent offf
Wow your mates with th recently for appearing to have a wee by the
side of the pitch during a Copa Peru clash!

50
Berlin Zoo, in Germany, recently
welcomed the birth of a baby
pygmy hippo, which was named
al
Toni after German internation
centre-back Antonio Rudiger!

James
Maddison has
been directly
involved in
50+ goals in
It’s not the only zoo animal wit
Premier League a footy star ’s name – a beaver
h
away games! was
named Rashford in 2021 in Exm
oor,
UK, after fans voted for the nam
e!

2 39 23
James Milner
KKatie Zelem Ashley Young
is the first
became the is the oldest
second-ever player to player to
England star to receive a red feature in 23
card in the Premier League
play for USA’s Premier League
Angel City! at 39 years old!
seasons. Wow!
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