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MATCHPULSE

October 26 – November 1, 2026

Arsenal win at Anfield as City stumbleFootball week report

Arsenal left Anfield with a 1-0 win and the Premier League summit to themselves, while Manchester City lost at home to Brighton despite 21 shots. Lazio hit six at Sassuolo and Barcelona six against Alaves.

MATCH PULSE EditorialPublished 10 min read

Few weeks pack so much into so few days. Kai Havertz's 16th-minute goal decided Liverpool against Arsenal on Sunday, and Arsenal lead the table on 24 points from nine games. A day earlier, Manchester City had dominated Brighton and still lost 1-0 to Yasin Ayari's early strike, a result that leaves Brighton third and City second.

Goals came in bunches elsewhere. Lazio won 6-2 at Sassuolo on Tuesday, with Tijjani Noslin scoring twice, and Barcelona beat Alaves 6-1 with two goals each for Raphael Dias Belloli and Lamine Yamal. Real Madrid won 3-0 at Racing Santander, and Atletico Madrid beat Levante 2-0 to hold second in La Liga.

The bottom of the Premier League also moved. Chelsea beat Manchester United 2-0, Tottenham won 2-0 against Crystal Palace despite 34 shots to 2, and Coventry beat Sunderland 3-1. Our model's insights came through in 9 of 18 cases this week.

La Liga · Monday, October 26

Sevilla make the chances count against Osasuna

Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, the venue
Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, the venue · Photo: Niels98 via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Sevilla opened the week with a 2-0 win over Osasuna on Monday 26 October. Isaac Romero scored in the 24th minute and Felix Correia added the second in the 82nd. Osasuna had more of the ball, 56% to 44%, but Sevilla carried the threat: 17 shots to 10, seven on target to two, and expected goals of 1.18 to 0.79. The win lifts Sevilla to sixth on 17 points from 11 games, inside the Conference League qualification places. Osasuna are 15th on 11 points.

La LigaFT
Sevilla2
Osasuna0

Isaac Romero 24', Felix Correia 82'

How our model read it

No settled insights for this match.

SevillaMatch statsOsasuna

44%Ball possession56%
1.18Expected goals (xG)0.79
17Total shots10
7Shots on target2
7Corners4

Match centre →

Serie A · Tuesday, October 27

Lazio run riot at Sassuolo in a six-goal rout

Sassuolo supporters
Sassuolo supporters · Photo: Chabe01 via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Lazio won 6-2 at Sassuolo on Tuesday 27 October. Kenneth Taylor scored after two minutes and Kristian Thorstvedt equalised in the seventh. Gustav Isaksen and Romano Floriani Mussolini then made it 3-1 by the 16th. Sebastiano Esposito pulled one back in the 43rd, but Mattia Zaccagni struck in first-half stoppage time and Tijjani Noslin added two more, in the 55th and 65th minutes. Lazio's expected goals of 3.41 to 0.82 and eight shots on target to two show how complete it was. They lead Serie A on 28 points, while Sassuolo are 15th on 8. Our model's leans towards Lazio, at 64% and 55%, both came through.

SassuoloMatch statsLazio

42%Ball possession58%
0.82Expected goals (xG)3.41
9Total shots16
2Shots on target8
2Corners1

Match centre →

La Liga · Friday, October 30

Cabrera's second-half goal sinks Villarreal at La Cerámica

Villarreal supporters
Villarreal supporters · Photo: Werner100359 via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Villarreal dominated the ball and lost anyway. Espanyol won 0-1 at La Cerámica on Friday 30 October, Leandro Cabrera scoring in the 60th minute. The hosts had 63% possession, 14 shots to 5 and expected goals of 0.92 to 0.26, but only four efforts hit the target against Espanyol's three. Espanyol move to 14th on 11 points from 11 games, while Villarreal stay eighth on 12. Our model's lean towards Espanyol with a +1.25 handicap, at 55%, came through, as did its 37% lean towards a draw or an Espanyol win.

La LigaFT
Villarreal0
Espanyol1

Leandro Cabrera 60'

How our model read it

  • Espanyol +1.25Model 55%Came through
  • Espanyol (draw void)Model 23%Came through
  • Draw or EspanyolModel 37%Came through

3 of 3 insights came through

VillarrealMatch statsEspanyol

63%Ball possession37%
0.92Expected goals (xG)0.26
14Total shots5
4Shots on target3
7Corners3

Match centre →

Premier League · Saturday, October 31

Rogers and Palmer lift Chelsea past Manchester United

Stamford Bridge, the venue
Stamford Bridge, the venue · Photo: Brian Minkoff London-Pixels via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Chelsea were the sharper side at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 31 October, beating Manchester United 2-0. Morgan Rogers scored in the 50th minute and Cole Palmer converted a penalty in the 64th. The numbers back the result: expected goals of 2.71 to 1.19, 18 shots to 12 and nine on target to five, with 59% of the ball. Chelsea are fourth on 16 points from nine games, in the Champions League places. Manchester United are 17th on 7 points, and the gap to the bottom three is narrowing.

Premier LeagueFT
Chelsea2
Manchester United0

Morgan Rogers 50', Cole Palmer 64' (pen)

How our model read it

No settled insights for this match.

ChelseaMatch statsManchester United

59%Ball possession41%
2.71Expected goals (xG)1.19
18Total shots12
9Shots on target5
8Corners7

Match centre →

La Liga · Saturday, October 31

Atletico win at Levante despite being outshot 20 to 11

Football supporters
Football supporters · Photo: Mr.ちゅらさん via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Levante had the better numbers and no points to show for it. They took 20 shots to Atletico Madrid's 11, with expected goals of 1.33 to 0.63, yet Atletico won 0-2 on Saturday 31 October. Alejandro Grimaldo scored in the 36th minute and Giuliano Simeone Baldini in the 62nd, and Atletico had five shots on target to Levante's four. Atletico are second on 28 points from 11 games. Levante stay 18th on 10 points. None of our model's three leans towards Levante came through, the strongest of them at 53%.

La LigaFT
Levante0
Atletico Madrid2

Alejandro Grimaldo 36', Giuliano Simeone Baldini 62'

How our model read it

  • Levante (draw void)Model 28%Missed
  • Levante +1Model 53%Missed
  • Levante or drawModel 42%Missed

0 of 3 insights came through

LevanteMatch statsAtletico Madrid

46%Ball possession54%
1.33Expected goals (xG)0.63
20Total shots11
4Shots on target5
5Corners3

Match centre →

Premier League · Saturday, October 31

Adli's stoppage-time goal seals Bournemouth win over Leeds

Vitality Stadium, the venue
Vitality Stadium, the venue · Photo: Shaun Ferguson via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

Bournemouth beat Leeds 2-0 at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday 31 October. Francisco Evanilson scored in the 31st minute, and Amine Adli added a second in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Leeds had 56% of the possession, but Bournemouth were more precise, with five shots on target to one and expected goals of 1.28 to 0.69. Shots were close, 11 to 10. The win takes Bournemouth to seventh on 12 points from nine games, one place and one point behind Leeds in tenth on 11.

Premier LeagueFT
Bournemouth2
Leeds0

Francisco Evanilson 31', Amine Adli 90+4'

How our model read it

No settled insights for this match.

BournemouthMatch statsLeeds

44%Ball possession56%
1.28Expected goals (xG)0.69
11Total shots10
5Shots on target1
4Corners4

Match centre →

Premier League · Saturday, October 31

Brentford beat Forest after an own goal and a lone finish

Gtech Community Stadium, the venue
Gtech Community Stadium, the venue · Photo: AndyScott via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Brentford won 2-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday 31 October, though the numbers favoured Nottingham Forest. Nikola Milenković put through his own net in the 30th minute and Igor Thiago added a second in the 76th. Forest had 58% of the ball, 15 shots to seven and expected goals of 0.87 to 0.51, but each side managed only one shot on target. Brentford are sixth on 14 points from nine games. Forest stay 19th on 6 points, in the relegation places.

BrentfordMatch statsNottingham Forest

42%Ball possession58%
0.51Expected goals (xG)0.87
7Total shots15
1Shots on target1
3Corners4

Match centre →

Premier League · Saturday, October 31

Coventry take control early and beat Sunderland 3-1

Coventry Building Society Arena, the venue
Coventry Building Society Arena, the venue · Photo: Lewis Clarke via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

Coventry beat Sunderland 3-1 on Saturday 31 October, with all three goals coming before the hour. Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scored in the 17th minute, Taiwo Awoniyi in the 37th and Jack Rudoni in the 52nd. Enzo Le Fée pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 67th. Sunderland had 57% of the ball, 17 shots to 12 and expected goals of 1.72 to 0.79, but Coventry were more clinical. Coventry are 15th on 9 points. Sunderland are 20th on 5. Our model's lean towards Coventry or a draw, at 62%, came through, as did its 50% lean towards Coventry.

Premier LeagueFT
Coventry3
Sunderland1

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto 17', Taiwo Awoniyi 37', Jack Rudoni 52'Enzo Le Fée 67' (pen)

How our model read it

  • Coventry (draw void)Model 50%Came through
  • Coventry or drawModel 62%Came through

2 of 2 insights came through

CoventryMatch statsSunderland

43%Ball possession57%
0.79Expected goals (xG)1.72
12Total shots17
4Shots on target2
4Corners4

Match centre →

Premier League · Saturday, October 31

Ipswich pull Hull back in a 2-2 draw

MKM Stadium, the venue
MKM Stadium, the venue · Photo: Martin Dawes via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

Hull City and Ipswich shared four goals at the MKM Stadium on Saturday 31 October. Florentino Luís put Ipswich ahead in the 22nd minute. Tim Iroegbunam equalised in the 58th and Oliver McBurnie put Hull in front in the 68th, before Julio Enciso levelled in the 74th. Ipswich had 62% possession, 15 shots to nine and expected goals of 1.08 to 0.76. Both sides finish on 11 points from nine games, Hull ninth and Ipswich 13th. Our model's two leans towards Hull City, at 55% and 53%, were voided by the draw.

Hull CityMatch statsIpswich

38%Ball possession62%
0.76Expected goals (xG)1.08
9Total shots15
3Shots on target3
6Corners3

Match centre →

Premier League · Saturday, October 31

Manchester City lose to Brighton despite 21 shots

Etihad Stadium, the venue
Etihad Stadium, the venue · Photo: Parrot of Doom via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Manchester City lost 0-1 at the Etihad on Saturday 31 October, undone by an early goal from Yasin Ayari in the 11th minute. City had 62% of the ball, 21 shots to seven and expected goals of 1.96 to 1.02, but Brighton survived and kept three efforts on target to City's six. City remain second on 21 points from nine games, while Brighton are third on 19, both in the Champions League places. Our model's 33% lean towards Brighton, with the draw voided, came through.

Premier LeagueFT
Manchester City0
Brighton1

Yasin Ayari 11'

How our model read it

  • Brighton (draw void)Model 33%Came through

1 of 1 insights came through

Manchester CityMatch statsBrighton

62%Ball possession38%
1.96Expected goals (xG)1.02
21Total shots7
6Shots on target3
8Corners2

Match centre →

La Liga · Saturday, October 31

De Frutos double powers Rayo past Celta Vigo

Estadio de Vallecas, the venue
Estadio de Vallecas, the venue · Photo: Davicilio20 via Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Rayo Vallecano beat Celta Vigo 3-0 on Saturday 31 October. Jorge De Frutos scored in the 36th and 55th minutes and Unai López added a third in the 73rd. The shot-on-target count tells the story: eight for Rayo, none for Celta. Celta actually had the higher expected goals, 1.26 to 1.13, but Rayo took 14 shots to 11 and made theirs count. Rayo are 11th on 12 points from 10 games, one place below Celta, who are tenth on 12 from 11. Our model's 48% lean towards Celta Vigo, with the draw voided, missed.

La LigaFT
Rayo Vallecano3
Celta Vigo0

Jorge De Frutos 36', Jorge De Frutos 55', Unai López 73'

How our model read it

  • Celta Vigo (draw void)Model 48%Missed

0 of 1 insights came through

Rayo VallecanoMatch statsCelta Vigo

53%Ball possession47%
1.13Expected goals (xG)1.26
14Total shots11
8Shots on target0
4Corners3

Match centre →

Premier League · Saturday, October 31

Tottenham beat Palace 2-0 after 34 shots and 19 corners

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the venue
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the venue · Photo: Hzh via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tottenham's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday 31 October was one-sided. Archie Gray scored in the 25th minute and Jan Paul van Hecke in the 73rd. Spurs had 79% possession, 34 shots to two, 19 corners to none and expected goals of 3.34 to 0.21, with nine of those shots on target. Only two goals followed, so the margin flattered Palace. Tottenham are eighth on 12 points from nine games. Palace are 18th on 7, in the relegation places.

Premier LeagueFT
Tottenham2
Crystal Palace0

Archie Gray 25', Jan Paul van Hecke 73'

How our model read it

No settled insights for this match.

TottenhamMatch statsCrystal Palace

79%Ball possession21%
3.34Expected goals (xG)0.21
34Total shots2
9Shots on target1
19Corners0

Match centre →

La Liga · Saturday, October 31

Betis edge Malaga as Bartra and Fornals strike before the break

Estadio de la Cartuja, the venue
Estadio de la Cartuja, the venue · Photo: alfonsocg1983 via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0

Real Betis beat Malaga 2-1 at La Cartuja on Saturday 31 October. Marc Bartra scored in the 38th minute and Pablo Fornals added a second in first-half stoppage time. Adrian Nino pulled one back in the 68th. Betis had 59% of the ball, 23 shots to ten and expected goals of 1.45 to 1.21. The win keeps them fourth on 23 points from 11 games, in the Champions League places. Malaga remain 20th on 5 points. Our model's 52% lean towards Malaga with a +1.5 handicap came through.

La LigaFT
Real Betis2
Malaga1

Marc Bartra 38', Pablo Fornals 45+2'Adrian Nino 68'

How our model read it

  • Malaga +1.5Model 52%Came through

1 of 1 insights came through

Real BetisMatch statsMalaga

59%Ball possession41%
1.45Expected goals (xG)1.21
23Total shots10
6Shots on target4
10Corners3

Match centre →

Premier League · Saturday, October 31

Villa and Fulham split the points in a 1-1 draw

Villa Park, the venue
Villa Park, the venue · Photo: Kolforn ( Kolforn ) I'd appreciate if you could mail me ([email protected]) if you want to use this picture out of the Wikimedia project scope. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. You are free: to share – to copy, distribute and transmi via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Aston Villa and Fulham drew 1-1 at Villa Park on Saturday 31 October. Nicolas Jackson scored in the 39th minute, and Zion Suzuki's own goal in the 64th levelled it for Fulham. Fulham had 55% of the ball, five shots on target to three and expected goals of 2.23 to 1.75, so they will feel they deserved a point. Villa took more shots, 16 to 14. Villa are ninth on 12 points from nine games, and Fulham 15th on 9. Our scoreline prediction of 1-1 was spot on.

Premier LeagueFT
Aston Villa1
Fulham1

Nicolas Jackson 39'Zion Suzuki 64' (og)

How our model read it

No settled insights for this match.

Predicted score 1–1 – spot on

Aston VillaMatch statsFulham

45%Ball possession55%
1.75Expected goals (xG)2.23
16Total shots14
3Shots on target5
7Corners7

Match centre →

La Liga · Saturday, October 31

Barcelona rout Alaves with a six-goal show at Camp Nou

Barcelona supporters
Barcelona supporters · Photo: Mutari 09:33, 21 September 2007 (UTC) via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Barcelona beat Alaves 6-1 on Saturday 31 October. Raphael Dias Belloli scored in the 8th and 41st minutes and Fermín López in the 23rd. Lamine Yamal added two, one in first-half stoppage time and one in the 64th, and Anthony Gordon made it six in the 81st. Mariano Díaz replied in the 84th. Barcelona had 77% of the ball and expected goals of 3.24 to 0.64. They lead La Liga on 30 points from 11 games, with Alaves tenth on 12. Both of our model's leans towards Alaves missed, the stronger at 60%.

BarcelonaMatch statsAlaves

77%Ball possession23%
3.24Expected goals (xG)0.64
13Total shots7
7Shots on target3
4Corners3

Match centre →

La Liga · Sunday, November 1

Getafe turn it round late to beat Sevilla

Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, the venue
Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, the venue · Photo: Miguelazo84 via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Sevilla led through Kike Salas in the 19th minute and lost 3-1 at Getafe on Sunday 1 November. Enes Ünal equalised in the 68th, Martin Satriano put Getafe ahead in the 73rd and Orel Mangala sealed it in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Sevilla had 53% of the ball and 12 shots to 11, but Getafe's expected goals were higher, 1.62 to 0.74. The defeat follows Sevilla's win on Monday. They stay sixth on 17 points from 11 games, and Getafe climb to 12th on 12.

GetafeMatch statsSevilla

47%Ball possession53%
1.62Expected goals (xG)0.74
11Total shots12
5Shots on target4
2Corners2

Match centre →

La Liga · Sunday, November 1

Mbappé, Bellingham and Diomande give Real Madrid a quick lead

El Sardinero, the venue
El Sardinero, the venue · Photo: Jesús Gómez Fernández via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Real Madrid had the game won by half-time at El Sardinero on Sunday 1 November, beating Racing Santander 3-0. Kylian Mbappé converted a penalty in the 11th minute, Jude Bellingham scored in the 21st and Yan Diomande in the 36th. Madrid had 22 shots to ten, seven on target to one, and expected goals of 3.5 to 1.23. They are third on 27 points from 11 games. Racing are 16th on 11. None of our model's three leans towards Racing came through, the strongest at 58%.

La LigaFT
Racing Santander0
Real Madrid3

Kylian Mbappé 11' (pen), Jude Bellingham 21', Yan Diomande 36'

How our model read it

  • Racing Santander +2Model 58%Missed
  • Racing Santander or drawModel 27%Missed
  • Racing Santander (draw void)Model 16%Missed

0 of 3 insights came through

Racing SantanderMatch statsReal Madrid

46%Ball possession54%
1.23Expected goals (xG)3.50
10Total shots22
1Shots on target7
4Corners6

Match centre →

Premier League · Sunday, November 1

Havertz decides it as Arsenal win at Anfield

Anfield, the venue
Anfield, the venue · Photo: Daniel from Glasgow, United Kingdom via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Arsenal won 0-1 at Anfield on Sunday 1 November thanks to Kai Havertz's goal in the 16th minute. Liverpool had 56% of the ball, 17 shots to ten and expected goals of 1.23 to 1.02, yet not one of their efforts was on target, against three from Arsenal. That was the difference. Arsenal lead the Premier League on 24 points from nine games. Liverpool are fifth on 15, in the Europa League places.

Premier LeagueFT
Liverpool0
Arsenal1

Kai Havertz 16'

How our model read it

No settled insights for this match.

LiverpoolMatch statsArsenal

56%Ball possession44%
1.23Expected goals (xG)1.02
17Total shots10
0Shots on target3
7Corners4

Match centre →

La Liga · Sunday, November 1

Sadiq's late goal lifts Valencia at Elche

Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, the venue
Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, the venue · Photo: Ruben Ortega via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Valencia won 0-1 at Elche on Sunday 1 November with Umar Sadiq's goal in the 69th minute. Elche had 69% of the ball, 16 shots to five and expected goals of 1.33 to 0.96, but each side put three shots on target and only Valencia found the net. Valencia are 19th on 9 points from 11 games, still in the relegation places but now one point behind Elche. Elche are 17th on 10, having failed to turn their control into goals.

La LigaFT
Elche0
Valencia1

Umar Sadiq 69'

How our model read it

No settled insights for this match.

ElcheMatch statsValencia

69%Ball possession31%
1.33Expected goals (xG)0.96
16Total shots5
3Shots on target3
6Corners2

Match centre →

La Liga · Sunday, November 1

Athletic edge Real Sociedad with a penalty before half-time

San Mamés Stadium, the venue
San Mamés Stadium, the venue · Photo: Mikel Arrazola via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0

Athletic Club beat Real Sociedad 2-1 at San Mamés on Sunday 1 November. Iñaki Williams scored in the 14th minute and Luka Sučić equalised in the 30th. Alex Berenguer then converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time. Sociedad had 62% of the ball and took 14 shots to 13, with five on target to three, but Athletic's expected goals were higher, 2.97 to 1.42. Athletic are seventh on 15 points from ten games. Sociedad are fifth on 19 from 11, in the Europa League places.

Athletic ClubMatch statsReal Sociedad

38%Ball possession62%
2.97Expected goals (xG)1.42
13Total shots14
3Shots on target5
5Corners8

Match centre →

The next round brings a different test for Arsenal, who are now top of the Premier League table, and for Manchester City, who have to respond to a home defeat. Sevilla will want to answer the loss at Getafe, and the bottom of the Premier League is still tight.

In La Liga, Barcelona lead on 30 points, Atletico Madrid have 28 and Real Madrid 27, so the top three remain closely matched. Our model will keep reading every match before kick-off.

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Before the week

How MATCH PULSE works

The day's key matches

Every day we select the most important matches across the leading competitions, with live scores, line-ups and stats.