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The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

by The Athletic
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Latest episodes

  • Chelsea vs Spurs + how are Brighton this good?

    October 23, 2026 · 43 min

    It’s a jam packed show this week as Kate Mason is joined in the studio by tacticos Liam Tharme and Rob Green to discuss all the weekend’s goings on, including a fierce London derby as Chelsea host rivals Spurs. Plus, we’re joined by former…

  • Weekend Preview: Leeds vs Man United + Spurs vs Coventry

    October 16, 2026 · 34 min

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  • Liverpool vs Man City preview + a guide to 'rest defence'

    October 9, 2026 · 43 min

    This week's Tactical Preview focuses on one of the biggest games in Premier League history: Liverpool vs Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday. The matchup has been given more significance after the news of City's guilty ruling, so how will…

  • Premier League trends, surprises + disappointments so far

    October 2, 2026 · 37 min

    The Tactical Preview becomes the Tactical Review during the international break, as we look back at the first five weeks of Premier League action. Kate Mason is joined by Rob Green and Duncan Alexander to discuss the trends from the…

  • Spurs vs Aston Villa + the importance of pressing

    September 18, 2026 · 47 min

    It’s Tactical Preview time, and this week our primary focus is Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa in north London. Kate Mason is joined by Rob Green and Liam Tharme to break down how Roberto De Zerbi’s side can try and score their first…

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  • Arsenal vs Chelsea + how to rebuild a squad

    September 4, 2026 · 42 min

    Welcome back to the Tactical Preview, this week, our focus is on Arsenal vs Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Kate Mason is joined by former England goalkeeper Rob Green and The Athletic’s Tactics writer Liam Tharme to analyse…

  • Villa vs Arsenal + who has had a quietly good transfer window?

    August 28, 2026 · 45 min

    The Tactical Preview is back and Aston Villa's clash against Arsenal is our primary focus this week. Host Kate Mason is joined by The Athletic's data writer Thom Harris and former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke to dissect where the game…

  • Newcastle vs Liverpool + early season tactical trends

    August 21, 2026 · 45 min

    Welcome to a brand new offering on The Athletic FC Podcast as we merge with the Athletic FC Tactics Podcast.  Kate Mason, Rob Green and Liam Tharme are here to run you through the biggest matches from an analytical lens. This week, we talk…

  • Canada at the World Cup: Can their tactics spring a surprise?

    June 9, 2026 · 44 min

    We’re bringing you a special episode of the podcast this week - it’s time to talk World Cup tactics. We’ll dive into international tournament prep, opposition analysis and much more! With a very special guest - assistant coach of the…

  • The World Cup's most tactically interesting teams

    June 4, 2026 · 36 min

    With the World Cup right around the corner, we’re discussing the most tactically interesting teams at this summer’s tournament. Plus, we’ll assess how the favourites are looking — and… how to build a successful World Cup squad. Host…

  • 2025/26 Tactical learnings & set piece takeaways

    May 28, 2026 · 40 min

    What can we learn from the tactics employed in 2025/26? Are we too reliant on set pieces (even employing MMA fighters to help!) and how will that shape recruitment this summer? Plus what makes the ‘perfect ball’ and we look ahead to the…

  • How Pep Guardiola transformed the Premier League

    May 21, 2026 · 36 min

    Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City this summer after 10 trophy-laden years. So how did he change the landscape of Premier League tactics?  And what comes next for Man City? Host: Michael Bailey Guests: Michael Cox, Mark Carey & Thom…

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About the show

Hosted by Michael Bailey, revered football tactics writer Michael Cox is joined by Mark Carey, Liam Tharme and more of The Athletic's brightest tactics and data department to break down the tactical and technical details behind the biggest footballing stories each week - assessing the latest trends, systems, players, managers and all manner of statistics in order to give you a deeper understanding of the game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.