Greetings everyone and welcome to the last TLFG before our annual Christmas/New Year Special.
Things have cleared up a bit for me this week, so the midweek previews are back and hopefully I'll add the weekend ones in a few days time.
As I mentioned last week, I did successfully make my way down the road to watch QPR v Oxford United on Wednesday night.
It was, by all accounts, a poor game but a Sam Field double in the second half saw the R's end the evening with a fairly comfortable 2-0 win as they moved further away from the bottom three.
Thanks again to TLFG reader Liam for the free tickets.
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| On Wednesday I watched QPR beat Oxford Utd |
With Christmas coming up fast, things are starting to wind down ahead of the big day so there isn't as big a selection of games as there is most weeks.
I'm hoping to possibly do a QPR double with an U21 game on Thursday and the first XI against Preston on Saturday but we'll see.
Ideally I'd go and watch Actonians at Maidenhead United on Wednesday night but I don't think my shifts will allow that.
Anyway, have a great week.
THE WEEK AHEAD
This week's highlights include games in the UEFA Conference League, UEFA Women's Champions League, Premier League, EFL, National League and lots of other games featuring our local non-league clubs. Aside from a small number of midweek games, all our local women's teams have finished for Christmas and will return in 2025.
As always, please make sure you check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or the venue or kick-off time has changed - this is highly possible for some of the lower non-league clubs. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.
Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (orange pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.
Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.
It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top.
MIDWEEK MATCH MAP
Monday fixtures - yellow pin
Tuesday fixtures - green pin
Wednesday fixtures - turquoise pin
Thursday fixtures - purple pin
Friday fixtures - black pin
WEEKEND MATCH MAP
Saturday fixtures - blue pin
Sunday fixtures - orange pin
TLFG DAILY DIGEST
In the following section, I list what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.
Monday 16 December
Premier League 2
Arsenal v Sunderland @7pm - neither of these sides are really pulling up any trees in this U21 league. The Gunners are eighth and Mackems 14th as Brighton, Fulham and Manchester City battle it out for top spot. This is being played at Boreham Wood and entry is usually free so if you're in north London, there are a lot worse things you could be doing!
Isthmian League Cup
Carshalton Athletic v Leatherhead @745pm - if you want a match with a bit more riding on it, then head south to watch this all-Surrey affair. The Robins play a level above the visiting Tanners so should start as favourites, on paper at least. Tickets
ECL Division 1 South
Newbury Forest v Enfield Borough @745pm - having reached the halfway point in the season, the hosts find themselves in the relegation zone and four points adrift of safety. The visitors are in the lower reaches too but keeping themselves the right side of the line. If Forest are to stay up, they need to win matches like this. This is being played at Redbridge's ground, just by Barkingside station. Tickets are £5 on the gate
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Tuesday 17 December
National League Cup
Sutton United v West Ham United U21 @730pm - the much maligned NLC returns on Tuesday for this match at Gander Green Lane. Still in the group stage, the U's won 3-0 in their opening game in the competition against the youngsters from Spurs. The Hammers lost their first game against Braintree Town 4-2 so you'd have to fancy the hosts here. Tickets are £10
Premier League Cup
Charlton Athletic v Birmingham City @7pm - we're also in the group stage for this other U21 competition too. The Addicks are currently top of Group H with four points but it's tight as bottom club Birmingham are only a point behind. This is being played at Dartford. I haven't seen any ticket details yet but it won't be more than £5
Essex Senior Cup Quarter-Final
Hashtag United v Hornchurch @745pm - we're down to the last eight in this county cup and I guess you can call this a derby of sorts. Although the Tags groundshare at Aveley which isn't far from Hornchurch, it's hard to know where their fanbase are located as they're primarily an internet phenomenon. They may have almost 230,000 followers on X but their average matchday attendance is only 236. As for who wins, it should be the Urchins as they play a level above. Tickets are usually £12 for adults and are available on the gate
London Senior Cup Third Round
Athletic Newham v Brentford B @745pm - after causing a cupset at Donkey Lane by beating Enfield Town who play three levels above them, Essex Senior Leaguers Newham now face a side from a Premier League club. For some reason, the game is being played at Hanwell Town in west London. I haven't seen any ticket prices but it shouldn't be more than £10 on the gate
Combined Counties League Women's Cup
Leyton Orient v Haringey Borough @730pm - the seventh-tier O's play host to Haringey from the fifth in this London derby. The best things about this tie are that it's being played at Brisbane Road and admission is free
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Wednesday 18 December
EFL Cup Quarter-Final
Arsenal v Crystal Palace @730pm - the Gunners have been to eight EFL Cup Finals but haven't been to Wembley to contest this bit of silverware since 2018. In fact, you have to go all the way back to 1993 for their last win. Palace have found things a struggle in the league this year but they've made smooth progress in this, a competition they've never won. Tickets will be few and far between but check Arsenal's website for the latest
UEFA Women's Champions League
Arsenal v Bayern Munich @8pm - the scheduling of this game has caused all kinds of controversy. It was supposed to be at the Emirates but the men's team got drawn at home in the EFL Cup and they took precedence which was not a good look. When it comes to the football, these sides have dominated Group C and this final game will decide who wins it. With Bayern a point ahead, they only need to draw to claim top spot. With the game now at the much smaller Boreham Wood, it's sold out
Professional Development League
Brentford v AFC Bournemouth @7pm - the Bees are in action for the second night running but this time it's their U21 team rather than their 'B' side - how much difference there is I'm not quite sure.These two are both in the top four in Group South of this competition so it could be well worth a watch. This is being played in Staines and tickets are available
CCL Division 1
Colliers Wood United v Westside @730pm - my non-league pick of the night is this groundshare derby in south-west London. CWU are the landlords and Westside the tenants but it's the latter who are having a far better season and if they win here, they'll go top. Tickets will be available on the gate, for no more than £10
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Thursday 19 December
EFL Cup Quarter-Final
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United @8pm - Spurs fans are often ridiculed for their club's lack of trophies. In recent years, this has been their best chance of winning anything. They've made nine finals and picked up four wins, the last in 2008. United have been even more successful, winning six of the 10 finals they've contested but their last win in 2023 was much more recent. On that occasion they beat Newcastle United 2-0 and they could face the Magpies in the next round if they beat Brentford the night before. Most tickets have gone so check the Spurs website for the latest information
UEFA Conference League
Chelsea v Shamrock Rovers @8pm - over in west London, the Blues should be confident of extending their 100% record in this competition. However, the Irish side are doing well and find themselves sixth in this 36-team league as they head to Stamford Bridge. Nevertheless, if they get anything from this game, it will be a huge achievement. Most tickets have gone but there might be some hospitality packages - check Chelsea's website for the latest
Premier League Cup
QPR v Blackburn Rovers @7pm - with little chance of getting into either of the above without parting with some serious cash, the only alternative I'm aware of is this U21 game which is being played at Hayes & Yeading United. These two are first and second in Group E and the winner will either stay top or go top. Tickets are usually around £5 and available on the gate
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Friday 20 December
Isthmian League South Central
Ashford Town (Middlesex) v Binfield @745pm - still playing their games at Cobham while they wait for their 3G pitch to be installed, the Tangerines are really struggling. They put out a statement saying that the delay in putting the pitch down is costing them a fortune and consequently they have no playing budget. As a result, the squad are essentially volunteers in a semi-pro league so they're not doing too well. Binfield aren't having a great season but should start as favourites. Tickets will be available on the gate for no more than £10
Essex Senior League
Barking v Woodford Town @745pm - on the east side of town, there's a game of some importance in the ninth tier. The Blues have the games in hand to move into the play-off places whilst visitors Woodford will go top if they win both of theirs. Tickets will be available on the gate, again it shouldn't exceed £10
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Saturday 21 December
Premier League
Brentford v Nottingham Forest @3pm - I think it's fair to say that both sides are doing way better this season than many predicted. The Bees, arguably the smallest club in the division, are more than holding their own in 11th whilst Forest are up in the top four and are the only team to have beaten leaders Liverpool. Brentford are unbeaten in six against the East Midlands club but that record could be severely tested here. Tickets are only available to members
West Ham United v Brighton & Hove Albion @3pm - although the Hammers are incredibly inconsistent and in the bottom half, they're still in better form than the highly rated Seagulls. The Sussex club have earned a lot of admirers in recent years and rightly so but they're currently winless in four but unbeaten in seven at London Stadium so I'd still have them as favourites. Tickets are available
Crystal Palace v Arsenal @530pm - now unbeaten in five, the Eagles seem to be turning things around and are moving away from the relegation zone. These two played in midweek at the Emirates in the EFL Cup and the Gunners won an entertaining match 3-2. The north London club badly need a win in the league as two draws have left them six points behind Liverpool who also have a game in hand. Tickets are only available to members
Championship
Millwall v Blackburn Rovers @3pm - the Lions enjoyed back-to-back wins over Burnley and Leeds at the beginning of November which put them right up in play-off contention. However, they haven't won since and are back down in 13th. As we approach Christmas, Rovers are in the top five and are top of the division's form table having won six in a row. Tickets
QPR v Preston North End @3pm - only a point apart in lower midtable, these sides are both unbeaten in six games. With three wins to PNE's one, the R's are in better form and climbing the table. Games between these two are really tough to call but draws are very rare with only one in the last 16 meetings. Tickets
Premier League Cup
Chelsea v AFC Bournemouth @12pm - if you want an early game so that you can do a double with a local non-league game like Raynes Park Vale, head down to Kingsmeadow for this U21 match. The Blues are top of their four-team group with the Cherries bottom but there's only three points between them. Tickets
National League
Barnet v FC Halifax Town @3pm - with Forest Green and York faltering in recent weeks, the Bees have capitalised and gone top. Being top of the National League makes them London's highest ranked non-league club. Only goal difference is keeping the Shaymen out of the play-off places and they beat Barnet back in August so they could be tricky opponents. Tickets
Sutton United v Tamworth @3pm - the U's came down from the EFL last season and have really struggled for consistency and they're in midtable as a result. However, with 10 points from five games, they're in reasonable form. With only seven wins from 21 games, the visitors aren't doing all that well but this season has been all about the FA Cup for them. So far they've claimed the scalps of Robbie Savage's Macclesfield and, even more impressively, Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion. In the next round they host Spurs in what must be one of the biggest games in their history. Tickets
Wealdstone v Dagenham & Redbridge @3pm - in the other fifth-tier game of the day, we've got a crosstown derby where West hosts East. The Stones were really struggling but have got themselves out of the drop zone, just. They're another side to have done well in the FA Cup this season, beating Grimsby Town before going out to Wycombe Wanderers in the Second Round. The Daggers, however, are still going strong after superb wins over Crewe Alexandra and AFC Wimbledon and now face a mouthwatering trip to Millwall in the next round. In the league, they've just won two to move up to 14th and should start as marginal favourites. Tickets
National League South
Boreham Wood v Tonbridge Angels @3pm - my game of the day in the sixth tier takes place at Meadow Park in north London. The Wood suffered relegation last season and saw manager Luke Garrard depart. However, five months later he came back after the club made a disappointing start. They're now firing on all cylinders and are up to second, just a point behind Torquay. Kent club Tonbridge are 10th but only two points adrift of the play-off places. Tickets
Isthmian League Premier Division
Dulwich Hamlet v Cray Valley PM @3pm - it's hard to pick a standout game in the seventh tier but you can't go too far wrong with an afternoon at a packed Champion Hill. For one of the biggest clubs in the league, the Hamlet have been rather underwhelming this season but despite being in 15th, the play-off places are only five points away. CVPM have made a great start to life at this level following promotion and could go second with a win. Matches at this venue often sell out on the day so you're advised to buy tickets in advance
Isthmian League South Central
Hanworth Villa v Kingstonian @3pm - in the eighth tier, two of the top six meet at Rectory Meadow. The hosts were roaring up the league and in red hot form until they ran into Southall last weekend and lost 5-1. The K's are currently second and actually beat Southall in their last game. Six points behind leaders Farnham Town, they have a game in hand so a title challenge is still on. Tickets are £11 on the gate
CCL Premier South
Abbey Rangers v AFC Whyteleafe @3pm - in the ninth tier there's a top-six clash too. The top five are starting to pull away from the rest so it's essential that the hosts beat some of the teams in that leading group. The Leafe are currently top but title rivals Redhill have two games in hand so they can't afford to lose either. Tickets are £8 on the gate
CCL Division 1
Westside v Staines & Lammas (Middlesex) @3pm - a midweek 3-1 win over landlords Colliers Wood United kept Westside at the top of this 10th-tier division. Next up they face a visit from recently promoted S&L. Although down in 11th, they have the games in hand to get firmly into play-off contention. Tickets will be available on the gate for no more than £8
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Sunday 22 December
Premier League
Fulham v Southampton @2pm - unbeaten in four and up to eighth, the Cottagers are having a cracking season. A win here could put them level on points with the ailing champions Manchester City. With the visiting Saints in terrible trouble at the bottom, another three points for the London club looks very likely indeed. Tickets are available
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool @430pm - the week concludes with this big game at the THS. Both clubs enjoyed midweek wins which saw them through to the EFL Cup semi-finals where they will play each other. With Spurs in wildly erratic form and the Reds looking imperious at the top, an away win looks like the most probable outcome. Tickets are only available to members
GET INVOLVED
If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground in the London area for this blog then get in touch. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.
NEED HELP?
Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries. I do not charge for this advice like some other sites so don't hold back!
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Have missed your previews of matches while you have been enjoying life at home and abroad. They are always so interesting and informative.
ReplyDeleteNice to have your previews back. I follow Beckenham Town and we now except card payments, as previously we were a cash only venue.
ReplyDeleteSorry should have been "accept"! And I'm a teacher!
ReplyDelete