The key matches of Rafa Benitez’s career

John Bennett is joined by Guillem Balague, Julien Laurens and Rafa Honigstein for the first Euro Leagues of 2025. They discuss the match they are most looking forward to and highlight players you should keep an eye on in 2025. From Omar Marmoush at Eintracht Frankfurt to the young Argentine flourishing at Como, they pick out players who could be set for a big move, those on the cusp of great things and a couple of youngsters making big strides. They also pick out something that they are looking forward to in football this year – and end the show with some predictions.TIMECODES 0 mins: Introduction and New Year’s Resolutions 1 min: Fixtures to look forward to in 2025. 7 mins: Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush. 12 mins: Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi. 15 mins: Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller. 20 mins: Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche. 25 mins: Como’s Nico Paz. 29 mins: Heidenheim’s Paul Wanner (on loan from Bayern Munich). 33 mins: Real Madrid’s Joan Martinez. 35 mins: The team discuss something that they are looking forward to seeing in football in 2025.

2 Jan 40min

Ali Bruce-Ball, John Murray and Ian Dennis present a selection box of stories from life as 5 Live commentators. From getting a wasp in the mouth mid-commentary, to getting in trouble with Kenny Dalglish and Tony Pulis, they tell the tales you don't normally get to hear.

27 Dec 202430min

Neil Warnock joins Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff for a festive Christmas treat and to look back on some of his favourite memories in football.From bowling and chiropody, to Chris Morgan and Adel Taarabt, Neil Warnock lifts the lid on some of his funniest and memorable stories.He talks about what Christmas is like in the Warnock household and looks back at almost 60 years in football.Plus, find out if Yorkshire puddings are on Neil Warnock’s Christmas dinner!

24 Dec 202456min

Jonathan Sutherland travels to Naples to speak to two Scots who are starring in Serie A.Napoli's Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour chat to Jonathan about adapting to life in Italy, their relationship with Antonio Conte and following in the footsteps of Diego Maradona.McTominay also opens up on his decision to leave Manchester United, while Gilmour discusses swapping Brighton for Naples.BBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League commentaries this weekend: Sat 21 Dec, 1500: West Ham v Brighton on 5 Live Sat 21 Dec, 1730: Crystal Palace v Arsenal on 5 Live Sun 22 Dec, 1400: Everton v Chelsea on 5 Live Sun 22 Dec, 1400: Man Utd v Bournemouth on 5 Sports Extra Sun 22 Dec, 1400: Fulham v Southampton on BBC Sport website Sun 22 Dec, 1400: Leicester v Wolves on BBC Sport website Sun 22 Dec, 1630: Tottenham v Liverpool on 5 Live

21 Dec 202434min

John Murray returns with Ian Dennis and Ali Bruce-Ball to lift the lid on life as a commentator. From being pulled over by police in Moscow to talking tailoring with Thomas Tuchel, they reveal the stories they don’t normally get to hear. Plus, Steve Bunce drops in from Riyadh ahead of #UsykFury2 to talk boxing commentary. And Clash of the Commentators takes on an Asian feel.01:20 Interviewing Thomas Tuchel 02:55 27-hour journey back from Moscow 08:10 Don’t speak to Pep on the golf course 11:10 How are commentary games chosen? 13:55 Commentating with Clinton Morrison 18:10 Steve Bunce talks boxing commentary 28:25 Best goal scored by a European player this year? 33:30 Clash of the Commentators goes Asian 38:05 Looking ahead to the weekend’s fixtures 42:00 The Great Glossary of Football CommentaryBBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League commentaries this weekend: Sat 21 Dec, 1500: West Ham v Brighton on 5 Live Sat 21 Dec, 1730: Crystal Palace v Arsenal on 5 Live Sun 22 Dec, 1400: Everton v Chelsea on 5 Live Sun 22 Dec, 1400: Man Utd v Bournemouth on 5 Sports Extra Sun 22 Dec, 1400: Fulham v Southampton on BBC Sport website Sun 22 Dec, 1400: Leicester v Wolves on BBC Sport website Sun 22 Dec, 1630: Tottenham v Liverpool on 5 Live

20 Dec 202446min

Conor McNamara joins Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball to reveal the stories behind the 5 Live commentaries. From Conor taking a printer to games, to using the facilities on the Anfield roof! They tell the tales you don’t normally get to hear. And ‘Clash of the Commentators’ is back!02:05 Upsetting football fans 06:00 Conor’s portable printer 09:20 Using Championship Manager to help prep 11:20 Getting the overnight sleeper train 15:00 What do commentators do at half-time? 18:05 The Anfield commode 22:30 Best derby to commentate on? 28:20 Commentating at late notice/without notes! 31:40 Most difficult pronunciations 35:45 Clash of the Commentators 41:50 Great Dictionary of Football CommentaryBBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League / Women’s Super League commentaries this weekend: Sat 14 Dec, 15:00 – Liverpool v Fulham – 5 Live Sat 14 Dec, 17:30 – Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa – 5 Live Sun 15 Dec, 14:00 – Brighton v Crystal Palace – 5 Live Sun 15 Dec, 14:30 – Liverpool Women v Arsenal Women – 5 Sports Extra Sun 15 Dec, 16:30 – Man City v Man Utd – 5 Live

13 Dec 202450min

It's been confirmed the FIFA World Cup will be returning to the Middle East in 10 years' time after FIFA awarded Saudi Arabia the hosting rights to the 2034 tournament. Securing football’s most high-profile tournament is just the latest example of the Kingdom’s growing influence on global sport, which its critics say is in an effort to 'sportswash' the regime's reputation.Katie Smith is joined by BBC sports editor Dan Roan and Tariq Panja, global sports correspondent for The New York Times, to provide the background to Saudi Arabia’s unopposed bid.We hear from the president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Yasser Al Misehal, and from Amanda Staveley, who was part of the Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle United in 2021, on why the tournament will be a great success, while BBC sports news correspondent Laura Scott speaks to Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness about Norway's decision to abstain from the voting process for the 2030 and 2034 tournaments.Stephen Cockburn, Amnesty International’s head of housing, workers rights, and sport, and Wycombe Wanderers midfielder David Wheeler, the PFA’s sustainability champion, also join the podcast to discuss their concerns over human and the environment.And we ask what all this means for Saudi Arabia’s huge investments in domestic football, particularly at Newcastle United.

11 Dec 20241h 1min

In this special episode of the Football Daily Nedum Onuoha travels to Italy to have a typical Milanese dinner with AC Milan striker Tammy Abraham to discuss his many career highlights, relationship with Jose Mourinho and how life abroad has changed him as a player and person. Tammy chats to Nedum about the importance of embracing Milan and how he has found settling in to a new environment, including the fashion!

7 Dec 202433min