The Optus Sport Football Podcast - podcast cover

The Optus Sport Football Podcast

Optus Sportsport.optus.com.au
Join Socceroos great Mark Schwarzer, European football identity Phil Kitromilides and some of football’s most well-respected voices as they break down all the latest from the Premier League, FA Cup, Barclays Women's Super League, Internationals and J.League - plus the headlines from the entire world of football.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Season finale! | Our awards are dished out 🏆 | Schwarzie tells us what it was like at Anfield | A howler at Old Trafford costs Villa | Forest fans, rejoice!

Mark Schwarzer is joined by Phil Kitromilides and Julien Laurens for the final time this season as they wrap up a dramatic final day of the Premier League season, and dish out their season awards, including: Team of the season - and it may not be who you think! Player of the season Manager of the season Worst manager of the season (!) Shock of the season! Bold prediction for next season Listen to Optus Sport's award-winning limited series: Football Belongs , charting the cultural threads of Aust...

May 26, 202537 minSeason 6Ep. 81

Ange and Spurs win the Europa League!

Phil and Bridgey reflect on an historic night for Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur and Australian football. --------- Ange Postecoglou features in a special episode of Optus Sport's award-winning limited series: Football Belongs , charting the cultural threads of Australian society through the lens of nine football matches: Acast: https://play.acast.com/s/football-belongs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AzBek8ub2oEsWLYHWetg7 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/footba...

May 22, 202528 minSeason 6Ep. 80

Final Day Preview: Premier League finale is here and it has European drama written all over it! | Schwarzie recalls David James chaos as goalkeeper turned striker | Liverpool to lift trophy at Anfield

"...What's going to happen... is the CHAOS..." Mark Schwarzer, Phil Kitromilides and Julien Laurens are back to preview this week's final day of the Premier League. Five teams are chasing three spots in Europe. Who will they be? Anfield finally gets to see Liverpool lift the trophy Newcastle, Villa, City, Chelsea, Forest - which of these will make Champions League? Mark recalls a hilarious moment on the final day when Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce decided goalkeeper David James going up ...

May 21, 202517 minSeason 6Ep. 79

West Ham's 'vortex of nothingness' | Schwarzie's tribute to 'unbelievable' Jamie Vardy | Can Ange and Spurs win the Europa League?

Schwarzie is joined by Phil and Juls to recap a weekend of Premier League action which saw the race for Europe get even tighter, Everton say goodbye to Goodison Park and Jamie Vardy ending his time at Leicester City in typical fairytale fashion. Juls is also very annoyed at Graham Potter and West Ham, whilst Phil can't hide his nerves ahead of the Europa League final. Every game of the Premier League is live and exclusive on Optus Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...

May 19, 202548 minSeason 6Ep. 78

Weekend Preview: FA Cup Final awaits | Over-performing Palace meet under-performing City | Can Palace break trophy drought? | Goals GALORE predicted between these sides

"...Not sure what he can do with so much cotton wrapped around him...." Phil Kitromilides and Julien Laurens are back to preview this week's exciting FA Cup Final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City, with some enthralling storylines on the way! Can Palace win their first trophy in over 30 years - and their first FA Cup? These teams score GOALS when they meet... will it be another bloodbath for the scoresheet? Can a Palace that has turned its fortunes on its head take on the behemoth that ...

May 14, 202518 minSeason 6Ep. 76

'Stupid and disgraceful' Jackson costs Chelsea | Trent Alexander-Arnold: the view from Madrid | Ange reaches the Europa League Final

Phil Kitromilides and Julien Laurens brought their shooting boots for this one - much to Juls' frustration - as they dissect a weekend of Premier League action that saw twists in the race for Europe, owners storming the pitch, and Trent Alexander-Arnold getting booed by Liverpool fans. Juls also reflects on the ‘incredible’ Sonia Bompastor leading Chelsea to an unbeaten WSL title, and the guys discuss Ange making history by reaching the Europa League final. And Juls shares the story of how he en...

May 12, 202538 minSeason 6Ep. 75

Weekend Preview: Liverpool and Arsenal clash in 'what could have been' | Club rallies for European football: 'RIDICULOUS!' | Can Villa go back-to-back?

"...qualifying for Europe would be, quite frankly, ridiculous..." Mark Schwarzer is joined by Phil Kitromilides and Julien Laurens to preview matchweek 36 of the Premier League AND a massive final round of the WSL with Michelle and Ash! How 'special' it would be if Aston Villa can secure consecutive seasons of Champions League football Why Bournemouth's potential Conference League qualification can be described as 'frankly ridiculous!' The incredible fixture that might have decided the title Che...

May 07, 202520 minSeason 6Ep. 74

The race for Champions League intensifies | How do Arsenal get rid of their frailties? | Who will we see in the Premier League next year!?

Schwarzie is joined by Phil and Juls to break down a potentially pivotal Premier League weekend in the race for Champions League qualification. The guys also look ahead to Arsenal’s season-defining second leg against PSG in the Champions League, and share their picks for who’s most likely to win the play-offs and be gracing our screens on Optus Sport next season. Plus, Michelle and Ash round up all the key moments from an action-packed weekend in the WSL. Every game of the Premier League and WSL...

May 05, 202548 minSeason 6Ep. 73

Weekend Preview: Race for Champions League hits fever pitch | FA Cup finalist meets FA Cup failure | One club with a hard fight ahead, another on track for 'best season ever'

"...that's an incredible season for them. That's one of their best ever seasons..." Phil Kitromilides and Julien Laurens look ahead to matchweek 35 of the Premier League as the race for Europe is massive! FIVE points in between third and seventh for three places - who gets them? Could Bournemouth drag Arsenal into the fight for these Europe spots? Find out which team the lads believe is on track for its best ever season - with just one trophy to show for it! Chelsea and Liverpool meet in a block...

May 01, 202519 minSeason 6Ep. 72

'No one has come close to spectacular Liverpool'| 'Europa League won't save Ange's job at embarrassing Spurs'

Phil and Juls react to Liverpool romping to their 20th English league title with a comfortable 5-1 win over Ange's Spurs, whose domestic season seems to be going from bad to worse. But can the Europa League save his job? They also chat about the FA Cup semi-finals and whether Crystal Palace can cause an upset in the final against Manchester City. Michelle and Ash also chat WSL and how Chelsea and Arsenal's exploits in Europe may have an impact on the end of the domestic season. Every match of th...

Apr 28, 202539 minSeason 6Ep. 71

FA Cup semi-final preview: Crystal Palace v Aston Villa | Nottingham Forest v Manchester City

Schwarzie, Phil and Juls preview the FA Cup semi-finals as Crystal Palace take on Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest face Manchester City, live on Optus Sport. They reflect on the importance of the competition and the pressure on Villa, Palace and Forest who are desperate to lift a trophy. The team also debate Forest’s priorities: Champions League or FA Cup, whilst everyone picks their FA Cup winner. Michelle and Ash also look ahead to a big weekend of NWSL action on Optus Sport. Every match of t...

Apr 23, 202523 minSeason 6Ep. 70

Man United's UCL dilemma | Trent's 'epic adios' | Niclas Füllkrug: Barry big balls

Schwarzie, Phil and Juls break down another weekend of Premier League action that felt all too familiar: Manchester United underwhelming again, Leicester losing, and fresh headlines around Liverpool’s contract talks following Trent Alexander-Arnold's winner. The guys also chat about the battle for the Champions League spots and whether Niclas Füllkrug was right to call out his West Ham teammates, with Phil giving him the nickname 'Barry Big Balls'. Michelle and Ash round things off with the late...

Apr 21, 202553 minSeason 6Ep. 69

Weekend Preview: How much longer does Ange have? | 'Belter' of a Champions League qualification clash awaits | Better manager: Emery or Howe? |

'My dad always wanted me to sign for Everton!' We move into the final six weeks of the Premier League season, and Phil Kitromilides, Jay Bothroyd and Michael Bridges return for a big weekend preview: Bridgey tells us why he loved playing at Goodison Park, and how he and his old man were 'gutted' he never got the chance to play for the Toffees - and why Liverpool fans loved him! After a massive mid-week win for the Magpies, Aston Villa and Newcastle United clash in a huge fixture that could deter...

Apr 16, 202519 minSeason 6Ep. 68

Are Nottingham Forest ready for the Champions League? | Leeds' promotion is 'done and dusted!' | Will Isak leave Newcastle this summer?

Phil is joined by Bridgey and Jay this week to take stock of where we're at as we head into the final throws of the season: five Champions League spots are up for grabs and are Leeds on the cusp of returning to the Premier League? The guys also discuss Mo Salah's new contract at Liverpool and whether or not Alexander Isak will be leaving Newcastle this summer. Every Premier League match is live and exclusive on Optus Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Apr 14, 202538 minSeason 6Ep. 67

Weekend Preview: City v Palace in most open contest ever! | Newcastle's 'brilliant'/'exceptional' season has United up next | Would you take Isak or Hojlund? | Bournemouth and Fulham tussle for Europe spots

'Newcastle have had a brilliant exceptional season!' Some mouthwatering fixtures sit ahead of us this weekend in the Premier League, and you can see them all on Optus Sport! Mark Schwarzer is joined by Phil Kitromilides and Julien Laurens to preview a few picks of the matches: Manchester City and Crystal Palace meet at the Etihad, with a stagnating City and rising Palace promising one of the most open contests in the history of these two clubs! The lads try and decide whether brilliant or except...

Apr 09, 202517 minSeason 6Ep. 66

The Meh-chester dull-by! | De Bruyne to depart the Premier League as 'one of the greatest' | Has this still been a great season for Liverpool!?

This week Schwarzie, Phil, and Juls dive into the Meh-chester dull-by - a Manchester derby that lacked intensity and left everyone disappointed. With both teams underperforming, they discuss why this was one of the most underwhelming derbies in recent memory. The guys also reflect on Kevin De Bruyne’s legacy as one of the Premier League’s greatest players following his announcement that he will be leaving Manchester City at the end of the season, with Schwarzie sharing some personal stories from...

Apr 07, 202538 minSeason 6Ep. 65

'Bournemouth will be kicking themselves' | 'Crystal Palace will win the FA Cup for the first time!' | 'Mouthwatering' Merseyside derby headlines midweek Premier League

Schwarzie and Bridgey reflect on another epic weekend of FA Cup action outside the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, and they can't believe Andoni Iraola's men didn't get the job done! The guys also assess the rest of the round and give their tips on who they think will be lifting the trophy at Wembley in May. There's also a ton of midweek Premier League action to look forward to in the coming days including the Merseyside derby and Spurs v Chelsea. Every match of the FA Cup and Premier League is...

Mar 30, 202531 minSeason 6Ep. 64

Weekend Preview: FA Cup returns for Quarter-finals! | Will anyone topple the might of City? | Long-awaited major trophy up for grabs for ONE side (except for City!) | London derby proves juicy as in-form Palace take on Fulham

'Boom, boom, boom, boom...Mateta's in the room!' We are absolutely pumped up for the final EIGHT teams to line up in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup this weekend, with the lads Mark Schwarzer, Phil Kitromilides and Julien Laurens discussing: We are so excited that (aside from City!) one side may be able to break a long-standing trophy drought! Fulham and Palace meet in a London derby that, if Palace can field their talisman Jean-Philippe Mateta, could prove very tense! Brighton and Forest clash...

Mar 26, 202516 minSeason 6Ep. 63

Nations League, you have our hearts | Is it time for Portugal to ditch Ronaldo? | Michael Olise: the new Griezmann

Join Schwarzie, Phil, and Juls as they break down a thrilling night of Nations League quarter-finals action, which featured 21 goals on Optus Sport! The guys are buzzing about the high-scoring drama, but they still end up asking the age-old question: Should Ronaldo be starting for Portugal? Juls takes a bold stance, suggesting that Michael Olise might just be the next Antoine Griezmann for France, while Schwarzie is loving what he’s seeing from Germany… at least in the first half against Italy! ...

Mar 24, 202540 minSeason 6Ep. 62

International Weekend Preview: Nations League is back! | Questionable England squad for World Cup Qualifiers | Ronaldo 'the perfect sperm cell' 🫢

'... He's like the perfect sperm sample that's ever been created!...' We have Mark Schwarzer, Phil Kitromilides and Michael Bridges as they look forward to a weekend of more than 60 matches across five competitions... in particular the UEFA Nations League and World Cup Qualifiers! Thomas Tuchel's England squad gets put under the spotlight, including ONE very controversial selection. Should fans get to have a say on TWO picks in a country's squad? Bridgey thinks so! Schwarzie lays down the challe...

Mar 19, 202527 minSeason 6Ep. 61

Bridgey revels in 'historic' Newcastle trophy win | The rise and rise of Dan Burn | 'Terrible' Robert Sanchez leaves Schwarzie exasperated

It's the morning after the night before and Bridgey is a bit worse for wear following Newcastle United lifting their first domestic trophy in 70 years. He speaks about what this trophy means to his family, the people of Newcastle and how Eddie Howe's men can now build on this in the future. Schwarzie reflects on when he played with Newcastle's hero Dan Burn at Fulham, whilst Phil found himself in the middle of a Geordie takeover in London over the weekend. The guys also chat about the weekend's ...

Mar 17, 202541 minSeason 6Ep. 60

Weekend Preview: Huge London derby! | Can underperforming Palmer rescue Chelsea? | The most unlikely Champions League six-pointer! | This is Leicester's 2014/15 survival moment!

'Who would've said at the start of the season that we are talking about Manchester City v Brighton as a six-pointer for the Champions League!...' We have Mark Schwarzer, Phil Kitromilides and Jay Bothroyd on board to look ahead to this weekend's Premier League action! While Jay brings his habitual stirring to the occasion, Mark and Phil have their own big lines to drop on the crew as they look ahead to a weekend featuring: A huge one between classic rivals Arsenal and Chelsea - and how the guys ...

Mar 12, 202513 minSeason 6Ep. 59

'Arteta is inept as a manager' | Manchester United 'would be relegated without Bruno Fernandes' | The evolution of Fabian Hürzeler

Schwarzie and Phil are joined by a riled-up Jay Bothroyd this week, as his beloved Arsenal trail Liverpool in the title race by a staggering 15 points. Jay doesn't hold back, slamming Mikel Arteta as 'tactically inept,' while Schwarzie takes a deep dive into the set-up of the wall for Bruno Fernandes' free-kick. Speaking of Bruno, Jay boldly claims Manchester United would be facing relegation without him - at least based on this season’s form. Schwarzie also reveals that Brighton's Fabian Hürzel...

Mar 10, 202539 minSeason 6Ep. 58

Weekend Preview: Premier League returns with blockbusters! | Can Arsenal win their 'last-chance saloon'? | 'Forest have hit a wall' | Spurs v Bournemouth 'is the one to watch!'

'Arsenal are a WOUNDED ANIMAL right now...' Nothing beats the rampaging return of the Premier League this weekend on Optus Sport, and Michael Bridges joins Mark Schwarzer to run a comb through a few of the mouth-watering fixtures to come this week: Arsenal are smarting, according to the lads, and despite their midweek Champions League boilover, they will struggle against Manchester United! Tottenham v Bournemouth has the makings of a very entertaining match - predictions of many, many goals! How...

Mar 05, 202512 minSeason 6Ep. 57

Man United suffer 'big blow' in FA Cup | Is Eddie Howe under pressure at Newcastle? | 'Cunha's attitude will cost him a move to a big club'

Schwarzie and Bridgey are at Old Trafford reflecting on another disappointing night for Manchester United, as Fulham knock them out of the FA Cup on penalties. The guys also reflect on Danny Welbeck 'aging like a fine wine' as Brighton find a late winner against Newcastle - which leaves Bridgey wondering when the pressure will start to mount on Eddie Howe. Schwarzie is also still baffled by Matheus Cunha's outburst which led to his sending off against Bournemouth, whilst Bridgey compares himself...

Mar 02, 202526 minSeason 6Ep. 56

Weekend Preview: FA Cup returns for fifth round! Will a cup run do *anything* for United? | The 'hate-filled derby' to hit hard!

Preston North End v Burnley is 'an underrated...HATE-FILLED DERBY!' We cannot wait for the final 16 of the FA Cup to line up in this weekend's fifth round, with the lads Mark Schwarzer, Phil Kitromilides and Julien Laurens discussing: Manchester United taking on Fulham, and how even a possible FA Cup trophy lift won't do anything for United after the season they have had. The gloves are off and the claws are out as Preston North End prepares to host (but not happily!) their bitter rivals Burnley...

Feb 26, 202515 minSeason 6Ep. 55

'The Premier League is too easy for Liverpool' | 'Hand Mo Salah the Ballon d'Or NOW!' | Are Bournemouth Champions League bound!?

Schwarzie, Phil, and Juls are back, and this week they're asking: should we just hand Liverpool the Premier League crown already? Plus, Mo Salah’s record-breaking season shows no signs of slowing down - is he destined for the Ballon d'Or? The guys also discuss whether Manchester City's style of football is becoming outdated in England. So with Arsenal looking like their race is run in terms of the title race, we turn our attention to the European spots and Juls has a bold shout: could Bournemout...

Feb 24, 202555 minSeason 6Ep. 54

Weekend Preview: Reds showing vulnerability ahead of City! | City with nothing to lose | Moyes' Toffees injection | Which fixture is worth losing sleep over?

'Who'd have thought Everton would turn into the great entertainers?!...' Mark, Bridgey and Phil are back this week with a bumper weekend ahead: Liverpool keep dropping points... are they vulnerable ahead of their biggest clash of the year? Conversely, with a City side smarting from a Champions League loss.... are they on a hiding to nothing? Our guys choose which match is worth losing sleep over: Newcastle v Forest or Aston Villa v Chelsea? Watch EVERY Premier League match, every week on Optus S...

Feb 20, 202517 minSeason 6Ep. 53

Manchester United: Stale, stagnant, decaying | 'The Titanic turns quicker than Raheem Sterling!' | 'Chelsea have no identity'

Schwarzie and Phil are joined by Bridgey to reflect on Spurs' win over a 'decaying' Manchester United team that are really struggling. Phil also updates us on how Antony is doing in La Liga since leaving Old Trafford...and it's not a good look for his former employers. Meanwhile Arsenal are dealing with their injury crisis well so far, as Mikel Merino scores twice in his first ever runout at centre-forward. But can they still win challenge Liverpool for the title? Chelsea on the other hand are h...

Feb 17, 202550 minSeason 6Ep. 52
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android