Leaked betting investigation

GM football fans. Route One here, and we’re covering Guardiola’s future plans, Paqueta urging FA probe into betting leaks and much more. Enjoy Route One? Share us with a friend on WhatsApp with this link.

PREMIER LEAGUE MW8 STATS

Liverpool vs Chelsea (Sun, 16:30 UK). It’s usually close between these two teams, with five of the last six Premier League meetings ending as a draw. Liverpool have only conceded two goals this season, while Chelsea have scored the second-most goals (16). Wolves vs Manchester City (Sun, 14:00 UK). If City win, extending their unbeaten run to 31 matches, they will set a new Premier League unbeaten record. And apart from a loss last September, City have won seven of their last eight meetings with Wolves, scoring 25 goals in total. Tottenham vs West Ham (Sat, 12:30 UK). Spurs have only managed more Premier League victories against Everton (31) and Manchester City (28) than their 26 over West Ham. Full list of Premier League Matchweek 8 fixtures here.

Plus…

• Lionel Messi received the ‘GOAT’ award by Marca (More)

• Barcelona nearly scammed during Robert Lewandowski deal (More)

• Opta’s Championship fixture difficulty over six games (More)

• Spanish outlet puts Trent Alexander-Arnold on front cover with a strong message to Liverpool (More)

• Alcohol in stands at games to be trialled in women's second tier in England (More)

PEP’S FUTURE

Pep Guardiola likely to stay at Man City if the club is found guilty of 115 charges

A verdict on Manchester City’s alleged 115 charges case (details of the case here) is expected before the end of the year. Sources suggest that, if City were to be found guilty, it would make Guardiola more likely to sign an extension on his contract that ends at the end of the season. The Athletic claim the Spaniard would do this partly out of defiance and partly because he wouldn't want to leave the club in a difficult spot.

In general, though, City aren’t changing internal procedures as a result of the charges. The reigning champions have no clauses inserted in new signings’ contracts related to the 115 charges — or, in other words, any potential relegation they might face. It could imply City are confident with their defence against the charges.

At the moment, Guardiola’s future is uncertain. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, City are preparing for the Spaniard’s departure. Sporting Lisbon’s coach Ruben Amorim is being strongly considered and so too is Bayer Leverkusen’s manager Xabi Alonso – who led his side to an unbeaten title run last season, despite inheriting a relegation zone side (Stats for that season here).

POLL

HEAD START

❌ Sir Alex Ferguson told to stay away from dressing room. Aside from losing his multi-million-pound ambassadorial role at Manchester United this week, the most successful manager in the club’s history has been told to not enter the dressing room anymore. While the club denies directly banning Ferguson, they say there is now a ‘collective understanding’ over who goes inside. It’s a major change from tradition for the Red Devils, who have allowed club legends inside access for decades.

📹 VAR errors down 80%. Referees’ chief Howard Webb says there has been an 80% reduction in the number of VAR errors this season. It has been five years since VAR was introduced and the independent Key Match Incidents panel found there were 31 incorrect uses of VAR last season. But an independent survey commissioned by the Premier League found that four out of five fans want to keep VAR in the league.

😬 Tuchel plans to raid Chelsea backroom team. The new England manager Thomas Tuchel is reportedly looking to bring his previous backroom staff from Chelsea to his new role. This includes performance analyst James Melbourne and goalkeeping coach Henrique Hilario.

PAQUETA BETTING PROBE

Paqueta wants FA to investigate leaks from his case over betting rules

West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has asked the FA to investigate how information from its case against him over alleged breaches of betting rules has been leaked to the media. His statement was posted on his social media.

In May, the Brazilian was charged with misconduct by the FA in relation to yellow cards received in four Premier League games. Paqueta denies all charges but could receive a lifetime ban if found guilty. The Brazil international believes the “false and misleading” reports about his case could jeopardise his chances of receiving a fair hearing.

Last week, it was reported that the FA were eyeing a lifetime ban for Paqueta for disposing of evidence (more details in a previous edition). Paqueta’s hearing is set to take place next year. For the moment, the Brazilian playmaker — whose contract expires in 2027 — is still eligible to play, having scored two goals in seven league appearances this season.

AROUND THE FOOTBALL WORLD

🇪🇸 La Liga: Atletico won’t sell tickets to some fans for the next five away games after sanctions from Uefa (More)

🇺🇸 USWNT: Emma Hayes names USWNT team for first matches since winning gold at the Olympics (More) 

🇮🇹 Serie A: Paul Pogba says he considered retirement after being handed a four-year ban for doping – which was reduced to 18 months (More)

🇨🇴 Colombia national team: Jhon Duran scored again after coming off from the bench for Colombia (Watch via X)

ROUTER’S VOICE

Yesterday, we asked you: With the international break over, which match are you most looking forward to this weekend? and why?

🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 🔥 Tottenham vs West Ham (25.4%)

🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🤩 Liverpool vs Chelsea (54.24%)

🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 🔝 Celtic vs Aberdeen (6.7%)

🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 🤌 Roma vs Inter Milan (5%)

🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️  ✍️ Other (write in!) (8.4%)

Your punditry takes:

• 🤩 T.B: “I am a Liverpool fan and it is important that we win this game to stay at the top of the league. It would also show the doubters that we deserve to be considered as potential champions.”

• 🔝 G.B: “Aberdeen are unbeaten so far this season in all competitions but now they have their first big test in the Champions. Let’s see if they have the bottle and, even if they lose, can they maintain a challenge to Celtic this season.”

• ✍️ P.C: “Morecambe vs MK Dons. Hopefully, Lindsay will get MK [Dons] moving up the league.”

EXTRA TIME

Barcelona and Coldplay launch new shirt design.

Why Americans love owning Serie A clubs.

Who is the fastest and who walks the most in the Premier League?

Bayern Munich update logo colours.

Ligue 1 announce a new trophy design.

Romelu Lukaku on the criticism he received during his time in the Premier League. / via X

How do playing styles change across the top European leagues?

The origins of Cole Palmer's 'cold' celebration.

GAME FACE ON

Question: Can you name which manager’s trophy cabinet this is?

• Italy: Coppa Italia, Supercoppa, Serie B, Serie C, Serie C Coppa.

• Spain: Copa del Rey. 

• France: Ligue 2.

• England: Premier League.

• Europe: Super Cup, Intertoto Cup.

Scroll below for the answer.

ON TODAY

Championship

• Leeds vs Sheffield United (20:00)

League Two

• Newport vs Chesterfield (20:00)

La Liga

• Alaves vs Valladolid (20:00)

Bundesliga

• Borussia Dortmund vs St. Pauli (19:30)

*All times in UK. EST -5. PST -8. CET +1. CST +8. JST +9.

Answer

Claudio Ranieri. Manager profile here.