As the Premier League returned after the international break, there was plenty of action on Saturday. However, the most exciting fixture of the weekend, at least on paper, is set to take place on Sunday. Liverpool, who began the gameweek as league leaders will take on Chelsea, who were placed fourth. 

Coming into gameweek eight, Chelsea were second in the league in terms of goals scored with 16, only behind Manchester City on 17. But, Chelsea had also missed 16 big chances against City’s 10. So, it could be argued that in terms of pure goal threat, Chelsea has been the best team in the Premier League so far this season. 

Meanwhile, Liverpool has had the best defence in the league so far, conceding only two goals (the next-best record was for Arsenal with six goals conceded).

It then looks like the Sunday fixture, at 9pm IST, will very much be a case of attack against defence. However, not quite in the traditional sense, as both teams will want to control the game—Liverpool ranked second for passes, behind City, with 4,000, while Chelsea were fifth with 3,575 passes. When you consider the fact that the Reds are not far behind Chelsea in terms of goals scored—they are joint fifth on 13—and that the match is being played at Anfield, it becomes increasingly clear that Chelsea will find it difficult to upset the table-toppers. 

One battle that will be key to the outcome of the match though will be Chelsea’s most potent attacking threat Cole Palmer against Ryan Gravenberch, who is playing a more defensive role in Liverpool’s midfield this season. Both have been excellent in their roles this term, and it seems as if whether Chelsea can overcome the home team depends on whether Palmer, who has six goals and five assists so far, can win the midfield duel against the Dutchman. 

The 22-year-old has looked revitalised by his new role under Dutch coach Arne Slot and has been a key cog in Liverpool’s dynamic midfield. He has broken up play with ease and has looked comfortable driving into the opposition’s final third. These runs often draw opponents in, freeing his teammates to receive the ball and Gravenberch stood second in the league for passes at the end of a ball carry, behind City’s Mateo Kovacic, ahead of the gameweek. However, Chelsea’s attacking threat may see him playing a slightly more reserved role. 

Therefore, it maybe his ball-winning capabilities that are more prominent on Sunday. 

And, he has been among the best players in the league for both ball recoveries and duel success. 

The biggest threat for Liverpool could be quick counter-attacks. Their only defeat of the season so far was at home and was the result of a successful counter-attack by Nottingham Forest. Under new manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea has excelled in counter-attacks. Indeed the Blues were clear at the top in terms of shots from quick counter-attacks after the first seven gameweeks, with 11 (the teams in joint second, which included Forest, had 9 each).

Palmer, also 22, expectedly, has been key in the most impressive of these breakaway chances. Indeed, since he joined Chelsea last season, the Englishman has been brilliant at creating chances from fast breaks, both for himself and for his teammates. He has created eight such chances this season, while taking on seven shots. As a result, in terms of direct attacking threat from dribbles, he has arguably been the most well-rounded—goal contributions, shots and chances created—threat this season, even ahead of City’s Erling Haaland and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. 

Therefore, while Liverpool has plenty of potency in the attack, they will have to keep Palmer quiet to avoid nervy moments in defence. To achieve this, Gravenberch will have to stay close to Palmer and prevent him from getting into his stride. It will take a dogged and determined performance and he will need plenty of help from his partner in midfield. 

If Gravenberch wins the battle of the two 22-year-olds, that will most definitely give Liverpool the platform to comfortably see off Chelsea’s challenge. If Palmer finds space and time, it could lead to another upset at Anfield. 

TEMPLEGATE tackles Wednesday’s racing confident of winners.

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FORT AUGUSTUS (4.35 Kempton, nap)

He ran a cracker when second on handicap debut here 14 days ago. This son of Blue Point left his challenge a little late from a wide draw and the line came too soon. Hold-up king Jamie Spencer is on board today and can hopefully time his run better.

DEEP PURPLE (3.18 Southwell, nb)

Showed promise when second on his bumper debut at Warwick. He will have learned plenty from that and can get off the mark for the Skelton team.

FRENCH SYMPHONY (1.55 Fontwell, treble)

Looked a decent type in bumpers but can do a lot better now jumping hurdles. Trainer Ben Pauling has plenty of first-time-out winners.

INSTANT GAMBLER (4.15 Fontwell, Lucky 15)

Made it three wins in a row at Hexham last time. He scored twice here before that and can strike again despite a reasonable 7lb rise in the weights.

Templegate’s tips

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Thanks to a fight against Nate Diaz back in 2019, Jorge Masvidal ushered in the “BMF” era after he became the first ever “baddest motherf*cker” champion in UFC history.

At the time, UFC CEO Dana White said the symbolic title that was wrapped around Masvidal’s waist by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was just something fun to heighten the stakes in the fight but he had no plans for the belt to stick around long term. That changed in 2023 when the UFC re-introduced the “BMF” title with Justin Gaethje claiming the belt following a stunning second-round knockout over Dustin Poirier.

Less than a year later, Max Holloway took that belt from Gaethje with arguably one of the greatest finishes in UFC history after he pointed to the canvas and invited the human wrecking machine to stand and trade with him. The final punch from Holloway that landed sent Gaethje crashing face first to the canvas and a new “BMF” champion was crowned.

“I’m the biggest Max fan also,” Masvidal said about Holloway when speaking to MMA Fighting. “I love this guy. I love how he fights. I love his style. I love how he carries himself outside of the ring. One of my favorite all-time fighters.”

While he’s still holding the “BMF” title, Holloway’s next assignment comes in October when he faces reigning featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in the UFC 308 main event.

Immediately after flattening Gaethje at UFC 300, Holloway called for the chance to reclaim the belt he previously held until coming up short in a trilogy of fights against Alexander Volkanovski.

The “BMF” title isn’t going up for grabs but no matter what happens in that matchup, Masvidal loves the idea of putting himself against Holloway in a fight for the ages.

“It would be an honor to get in there with Max,” Masvidal said. “It would be an honor and we could throw down. We’d put on a f*cking epic show. One of those fights for all the generations, all lifetime. I wouldn’t mind that.”

The promotional possibilities for a fight like that are nearly endless, especially considering Masvidal’s standing as the first ever “BMF” champion and Holloway now holding onto that same “BMF” title.

Masvidal isn’t necessarily calling for that fight but he has so much admiration for Holloway that he couldn’t at least entertain that idea if the UFC came calling.

“Me and Max could do some serious shit out there,” Masvidal said. “One of the greatest fights ever. One ‘BMF’ has the quickest knockout ever, the other ‘BMF’ has the latest knockout ever in a fight. It was at 4:59 in round five. So many interesting [parts] to me and Max fighting.

“We’re not going to grapple obviously, We’re just going to stand there and bite down on the mouthpiece and f*cking let the leather go. A f*cking dream match.”

Now if there was one major obstacle preventing that fight from happening it would be the weight class.

Holloway has spent most of his career fighting at 145 pounds but he has traveled up to lightweight a few times in his career including the fight against Gaethje in April.

Meanwhile, Masvidal started his career at 155 pounds but in recent years he’s been competing only at welterweight and he admits there’s very little chance he could ever go back down to his old division again.

That said, Masvidal understands the entire concept behind the “BMF” title is a willingness to throw down against anybody, at any time and doing it anywhere — and he has a feeling Holloway lives by that same code.

“It’s also a lot to ask of Max to come up to 155 or 170,” Masvidal said. “I can’t really fight at 155 anymore. I wouldn’t mind it one bit. Max is a legend and I’d love to get in there and mix it up with him.”

Thomas Frank says becoming the manager of a big club would “probably not make my life better” and he is “happy” at Brentford.

It comes amid reports he is a leading candidate, external to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, who have won just three of their eight Premier League games this season.

United beat Frank’s Brentford in their last outing on Saturday to relieve some of the pressure on Ten Hag, but the Bees boss says he is not thinking about leaving the club.

Speaking on the Sports Agents podcast, external, Frank said: “I am probably at one of the best clubs in the world. End of discussion.

“In terms of alignment, leadership, culture, everything. Why should I ever leave this place?

“Things can happen and you can want new inspiration, maybe you find another inspiration at your club and you stay.

“For sure, if I ever got the offer to go to a big club and I decided to go there, it would probably not make my life better. I think we all know that.

“Maybe it is a challenge you need to try. It is not something I am thinking about.”

An antitrust settlement between the UFC and a group of its former fighters has been temporarily approved by a U.S. district court judge, according to reports.

On Tuesday, Judge Richard Boulware of Nevada temporarily approved a $375 million settlement agreement for Le vs. Zuffa, multiple attendees of the hearing revealed on X shortly thereafter.

Per sports economist Paul Gift, who was present at Tuesday’s hearing, approximately $240 million to $260 million will be paid out to qualifying fighters (those who competed in at least one UFC bout from December 2010 to June 2017) over the next year.

Former UFC fighter Tom Lawlor was also present at the hearing and confirmed the temporary approval.

The Cung Le antitrust settlement is preliminarily APPROVED. Over the next year the #UFC will pay out approx $240-260 million to Zuffa fighters from Dec 2010 – June 2017.

The net number after fees was $260M in court but lawyer costs were unclear.

— Paul Gift (@MMAanalytics) October 22, 2024

Boulware initially denied a $325 million settlement agreement proposed by the two parties in August. That initial agreement also included plaintiffs from a second lawsuit, Johnson vs. Zuffa. Boulware cited concern with the discrepancy in agreement compensation as compared to the initial claims made.

For the new agreement, the parties removed Johnson vs. Zuffa and added an additional $40 million.

Over 100 former UFC fighters wrote letters in support of the agreement on the basis of needing relief for physical, mental, emotional, and financial struggles post-UFC career.

Veteran combat sports reporter Josh Gross was also on site Tuesday and said Boulware specifically highlighted the letters as a factor in the settlement’s temporary approval.

Fighters will be paid after June 2025, when the last of three payments by Zuffa is put into an escrow account. Boulware said the declarations from fighters played a “quite significant” role in his decision on Tuesday. https://t.co/N3lQOqmxEW

— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) October 22, 2024

While Tuesday’s temporary approval of the agreement is a step in the direction of what the two parties are seeking, final approval will still be needed.

Qualifying members of the Le class will be notified of the decision and asked to voice their support or disapproval of the terms. A hearing for final approval will be held in the coming months.

While Le vs. Zuffa strictly sought compensation, Johnson vs. Zuffa seeks injunctive relief, or potentially permanent changes to UFC contracts and business practices.

Five separate class-action lawsuits between December 2014 and March 2015 were eventually consolidated into one (Le, et. al), with a second separate lawsuit filed in 2021 (Johnson, et. al).

The lawsuits centered around alleged violations of the Sherman Act. Class-action lawsuits allow for treble damages, meaning the court could’ve tripled the amount it required the UFC to pay.

The group of former fighters claimed the UFC contract structure and business practices suppressed fighters’ abilities to negotiate and explore other promotional options, creating a monopsony. The efforts were headed by former fighters, including Cung Le, Kyle Kingsbury, Kajan Johnson, Jon Fitch, and Brandon Vera.

CUNG LE VS ZUFFA IS OVER🚨

LIVE FROM THE COURTHOUSE

Judge Boulware grants preliminary approval in the HISTORIC $375 million Le v ZUFFA antitrust lawsuit

BIG TIME BLOW LANDED BY UFC VETS
👊🏼#ufc #mma pic.twitter.com/rROqcAN1hK

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— “Filthy” Tom Lawlor (@FilthyTomLawlor) October 22, 2024

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