Sports
Wazupnaija – Naija Entertainment blogs & Forums – Sports
Cavani and Pogba start, Predicted Manchester United line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Leeds United
Manchester United make the trip to Elland Road for Sunday’s early Premier League kick-off against Leeds United. The Red Devils are in the driving seat to finish in the top four. They are second in the standings with an 11-point lead over fifth-placed West Ham United. They can put themselves on the cusp of Champions League qualification if they beat Marcelo Bielsa’s side on the road tomorrow. The reverse meeting at Old Trafford saw them win by a comfortable 6-2 scoreline. Scott McTominay starred with a brace scored within the first three minutes. A victory would act as ideal preparation for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie against Roma on Thursday night. Formation: 4-2-3-1 Predicted Line-up: Dean Henderson has emerged as the first-choice goalkeeper for the league games si...
‘We can’t let this happen!’ – Some Spurs fans fuming as Fabrizio Romano shares exciting Everton news
According to transfer expert and Sky Sports journalist Fabrizio Romano, Everton are leading the race to sign Norwich City right-back Max Aarons ahead of the summer transfer window. Toffees manager Carlo Ancelotti wants a long-term replacement for Seamus Coleman, and he is keen on the England youth international. Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with Aarons, but Everton are now poised to land him as they are in advanced talks and negotiations are progressing. Spurs fans are not pleased with the update from the journalist as they feel the 21-year-old would be perfect for their club. Both Matt Doherty and Serge Aurier have failed to impress at right-back for Tottenham, and the incoming manager could look to bring in another option for the new season. However, that is unlikely to be Aar...
Reds go on the attack, Chelsea duo set for recall, boost for West Ham
The 33rd round of fixtures in the Premier League features some crucial matches at both ends of the EPL table. We’ll update this story with reports, results, highlights and the latest Premier League standings throughout the weekend. The action got underway on Friday evening with Everton recording a 1-0 win at Arsenal courtesy of Bernd Leno’s own goal. Liverpool’s top-four hopes suffered a blow as they were held 1-1 by Newcastle United at Anfield. Mohamed Salah put the home side ahead, but Joe Willock snatched a point for the Magpies with a 95th minute equaliser. In-form West Ham United loanee Jesse Lingard will be fit to face Chelsea in the early evening game after shrugging off the effects of cramp. Blues manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to recall Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva to his...
‘Keep going’: Everton players and Carlo Ancelotti react to PL win vs Arsenal on Twitter
Everton revived their Premier League top-four hopes with a 1-0 win against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night. A howler from Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno gifted Everton a crucial win in their bid for a Champions League place. Everton were without a win in six games in all competitions but have now moved to within three points of the top four. While the game can hardly be termed as a classic, it was a memorable night for the Toffees who triumphed at Arsenal in the league for the first time since 1996. Arsenal created a few good opportunities, but Everton’s defence was resolute. In the 76th minute, Everton forward Richarlison tried to roll a pass across the six-yard box, which should have been a routine save for Leno. However, the ball slipped through the Arsena...
Arsenal identify £21.8m Bundesliga star as summer alternative to Martin Odegaard
Arsenal will consider a summer move for Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Brandt as a permanent deal for Real Madrid attacker Martin Odegaard could prove expensive, Bild’s Christian Falk claims. Odegaard joined the north London on loan in January, and he has impressed in his 14 appearances in all competitions, contributing a couple of goals. The Gunners are open to the prospect of a permanent deal, but it is reported that they may struggle to meet the transfer demands of Los Blancos this summer. They may now return for the services of Brandt, who was on their radar in the last transfer window before they signed Odegaard. The Germany international has three years remaining on his contract with Dortmund, but he could be prised away for around £21.8 million. Sportslens view: Odegaard was valued at a...
“I hope and believe it is possible” – Radrizzani provides an update on Bielsa’s future
Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani is hoping to agree on a new deal with manager Marcelo Bielsa. The Argentine manager has done a stellar job at Elland Road this season and his side are on course to finish in the top half of the Premier League this season. Bielsa helped Leeds secure promotion to the Premier League last year and his side have gone from strength to strength over the last three years. The Whites will be hoping to establish themselves as a Premier League club now and keeping Bielsa at the helm should be a top priority for them. Radrizzani has revealed in an interview with L’Equipe that he enjoys a great working relationship with the Argentine manager and he believes that an agreement could be reached. “I hope and believe it is possible,” he said. “We are in discussions. Ther...
Rangers reportedly look set to land 13-goal attacker, pipping Lille to his signature
According to the Daily Record, Rangers are in advanced talks with Oostende attacker Fashion Sakala over a summer move as they look to beat competition to his signature. The 24-year-old forward is out of contract in the coming weeks, and he is attracting interests from Lille, other clubs from Belgium and from across Europe. However, Sakala prefers a move to Ranger as he is keen to play under manager Steven Gerrard and in the Champions League. The Ibrox boss led his side to the Scottish Premiership title some weeks ago and is already preparing to mount a successful title defence next term. Sakala bagged 13 goals and two assists in 28 league games for the Belgium outfit this season and has been on the Light Blues’ radar since January. The Zambian helped Oostende finish fifth in the league, an...
‘Behind you’, ‘Cash in’: Some Arsenal fans react to £100,000-a-week star’s display vs Everton
A selection of Arsenal fans on Twitter produced a mixed reaction towards Bernd Leno’s howler in the recent Premier League clash against Everton. The Gunners hosted the Toffees at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night, and it was a cagey encounter with a combined four shots on target. The hosts looked best placed to break the deadlock in the match, but against the run of play, the Toffees opened the scoring in the 76th minute. Richarlison’s attempted cross was deflected into the back of the net by Leno off his right leg, after he fumbled his attempt to grab the ball. The Gunners were unable to find the equaliser over the remainder of the game, and it was a frustrating night where they were denied a penalty by VAR. Leno’s own goal produced a mixed reaction among the club’s supporters with a f...
‘That is a worry’: Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for Liverpool vs Newcastle
Liverpool will face Newcastle United in the Premier League at Anfield on Saturday. Former great Liverpool defender turned popular football pundit, Mark Lawrenson, has predicted a 2-0 victory for the Reds. Newcastle find themselves 15th in the league table. They are undefeated in their last three games (including two wins) and are heading into this match on the back of a 3-2 win against West Ham United. With six games left to play, Newcastle are mathematically not safe yet, but they are eight points above third-bottom Fulham, who could find it hard to catch them now. Liverpool, on the other hand, have a serious fight on their hands to get into the top four. The Reds are undefeated in their last four games, winning three of them. Jurgen Klopp’s side are heading into this game on t...
Roma join Tottenham and Juventus in race for Premier League defender
Roma have joined the race for Southampton defender Jannik Vestergaard, according to Tuttomercatoweb. Vestergaard has been a hit at Southampton since signing from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2018. He made 42 appearances in his first two Premier League seasons and has featured a further 24 times this campaign. Vestergaard celebrates his goal against Brighton The Denmark international is renowned for being a good reader of the game and strong in the air, standing tall at 6ft 6ins. He can contribute at both ends of the pitch, netting three goals this season. Vestergaard has caught the eye of some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur both reportedly interested in his services. Tuttomercatoweb claims that Roma are also set to compete for his signature. Roma need ad...
NUFC-linked PIF chairman reportedly wanted to finance £4billion Super League plot
Saudi Arabia Crown Prince and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund Mohammed Bin Salman has been linked with financing the £4 billion Super League plot. According to German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung (SDZ), clubs involved in the attempted breakaway European Super League (ESL) had been told the plot did not come from New York bank JPMorgan Chase. The Telegraph claims many prominent figures in the broadcasting world and within European football have raised suspicions that the money trail leads back to Saudi Arabia. However, the 12 clubs have denied the claims, insisting the US bank was solely financing the deal. SDZ claimed Manchester City, owned by the UAE-based Abu Dhabi United Group, got cold feet due to the source of the financing for the ESL They insisted that the Premier League lea...
West Ham lining up move for World Cup winner
West Ham United are looking to sign French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, according to a report by the Express. Areola came through the youth ranks at Paris Saint-Germain and has since made over 100 appearances for the Ligue 1 giants. He has had several loan spells, including one at Real Madrid during their title-winning season of 2019/20. Areola was part of France’s World Cup-winning squad His displays over the last nine years have earned him three caps for the France national team, serving as Hugo Lloris’ understudy during their triumphant 2018 World Cup campaign. This year, he has been the number one choice at relegation strugglers Fulham. Despite their league position, the Frenchman has impressed between the sticks, keeping ten clean sheets. The Express claims that West Ham will make a mo...
