GM football fans. It’s Tuesday, Jan. 04 - Spain’s kiss trial begins, Premier League projections, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.

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Copa Del Rey, Quarter-Final: Atletico Madrid vs Getafe, 20:30 / 15:30. While Atletico are in fine form, sitting second in La Liga and automatically through to the Champions League knockout stage, Getafe are on a six-match unbeaten run. Atletico won their last match-up in December 2024 in the league in a tightly contested 1-0 home win. See the upcoming Copa Del Rey fixtures this week here.

Coppa Italia, Quarter-Final: Atalanta vs Bologna, 20:00 / 15:00. Bologna are unbeaten against Atalanta in their last four league meetings and are unbeaten in seven matches across all competitions. Despite their strong start to the season and being third in the Serie A, Atalanta have just one win in their last seven league matches. See the upcoming Coppa Italia fixtures here.

Results…

The former president of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, has gone on trial this week. He is accused of sexual assault for kissing forward Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s victory at the Women’s World Cup final in 2023. Rubiales, alongside four other men, are also being accused of attempting to coerce Hermoso into declaring the kiss had been consensual.

Prosecutors, Hermoso and Spain’s players’ association demand a prison sentence of two and a half years for Rubiales, plus payment of $51,800 for damages, and for him to be banned from working as a sports official. The trial is expected to last at least 10 days.

Rubiales is also under investigation into contracts behind the country’s Super Cup matches in Saudi Arabia. An audio was leaked between him and former player Gerard Pique regarding millions of dollars in commissions. The probe is looking for corruption in business, improper management of assets and money laundering.

Liverpool have been given a 90.7% chance of winning the Premier League title, according to Opta’s latest predictions. Six points ahead of second-place Arsenal, Arne Slot’s men will play their second game of Matchweek 24 next Wednesday (Feb. 12) against Everton—a chance to extend their lead by nine points.

However, Arsenal’s chance of winning the league has crept up. Opta predicted Mikel Arteta’s side a 7.1% chance at the end of January, but it has risen to 9.2% after their impressive 5-1 win over Manchester City. No other team in the league is predicted to be in contention of winning the title.

At the start of the season, Opta projected that Nottingham Forest would finish 17th place–and had a 9% chance of finishing bottom. Now, in its latest predictions, Forest is predicted to secure a Champions League place, with a 22.4% chance of finishing third and a 25% chance of finishing fourth.

See how Opta calculates its projections here.

Costa Rican club Liga Deportiva Alajuelense has taken Fifa to court for allegedly breaking its own rules. The club claims that the inclusion of two Mexican clubs—Club de Futbol Pachuca and Club Leon—which share an owner is in breach of the Club World Cup’s regulations.

The club’s lawyers reference article 10.1, which states that “to ensure the integrity of the competition,” no participating club may “hold or deal in the securities or shares of any other club.” Alajuelense argues that one of the two Mexican teams should be stood down, enabling them to take their place.

Fifa argues that Alajuelense shouldn't be involved in any legal proceedings related to the matter. However, the Costa Rican club has highlighted that Chile’s national team were involved in legal proceedings related to their spot in the 2022 World Cup after accusing Ecuador of fielding an illegible player in the qualifying rounds. Chile, ultimately, lost its appeal.

> Mathys Tel joins Tottenham on loan from Bayern Munich with no buy option clause (More) | Evan Ferguson joins West Ham from Brighton on loan for the rest of the season (More) | Aston Villa have signed PSG’s Marco Asensio and agreed a deal for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi (More) | See the full list of winter window transfers (More)

> Wrexham has unveiled plans to build a new 5.5k-seater Kop stand (More)

> Antony was awarded the La Liga player of the match on his debut for Real Betis (More)

> Chelsea women striker Sam Kerr arrives at court to stand trial after allegedly racially abusing a police officer (More)

> Boca Juniors secured their first win of the Argentine Primera Division's season with a 2-1 home victory over Huracan (More) 

> Sergio Ramos is set to join Liga MX side C.F. Monterrey on a free transfer (More)

> Lionel Messi created two goals in Inter Miami’s 3-1 preseason win over Panama’s Sporting San Miguelito (More)

> Holders Al-Ain slumped out of the Asian Champions League Elite on Monday as the side from the United Arab Emirates lost 2-1 to Qatar's Al-Rayyan (More)

> Cape Town City have identified their next coach with Andries Ulderink expected to take the reins next season (More)

> A fan of one of Ghana's biggest football teams, Asante Kotoko, has died after being stabbed at a match against their neighbours Nsoatreman (More)

Yesterday’s Poll: Do you think that Marcus Rashford can revive his career at Aston Villa?

🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 👏 Absolutely... (54%)

🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ 🙅 Nope... (44%)

🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (write in!)... (2%)

Your punditry takes:

Harry Redknapp now manages the ‘worst’ team in England.

Messi’s bodyguard finally lost versus a pitch invader. (via X)

Gillingham give their goal of the month to an own goal.

Transforming football shirts into puffer jackets.

The story behind West Brom’s No Smoking shirt.

Erik Lamela’s Puskas award contender...

… and remembering Lamela’s previous Puskas winner.

Analysing Man Utd’s new left-back’s strengths and weaknesses.

Burnley’s announcement of Marcus Edwards is unmatched. (via X)

Who Am I…

Scroll below for the answer.

Copa Del Rey QF

DFB Pokal QF

Coppa Italia QF

Coupe de France

EFL Championship

*All time in UK. ET -5. CST -6. PST -8. MST -7. CET +1.

Answer

Leroy Sane.