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Predicted Leeds starting XI: Bielsa to make just one change, 29-year-old dropped
Leeds United will face Sheffield United in the Premier League at Elland Road on Saturday. The Premier League returns this week, and Leeds are set to welcome a familiar face at Elland Road. Paul Heckingbottom, whose 16-month spell at Leeds ended in 2018, is now the caretaker boss at Sheffield following the departure of Chris Wilder. Leeds have all-but assured their place in next season’s Premier League, but Marcelo Bielsa will be aiming for more. A top-half finish should be their aim, and it is well within their reach. In defence, Bielsa will welcome skipper Liam Cooper, who is back in training after missing the last few games through illness. Mateusz Klich is doubtful as he is currently undergoing the COVID-19 protocol following his positive test while on Poland duty. ...
Boost for Chelsea as top player returns, but key West Brom man misses out
The 30th round of fixtures in the Premier League features some intriguing games 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 is already underway, with Chelsea facing West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge. Blues defender Thiago Silva returns to the starting XI, but Conor Gallagher misses out for the visitors. Team news is in! 🤝#CHEWBA pic.twitter.com/oaJRjaneX3 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 3, 2021 📋 Team news is in at Stamford Bridge. We make one change, with Semi Ajayi replacing Conor Gallagher.@MonsterEnergy | #CHEWBA — West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) April 3, 2021 There are three further games today, starting with Leeds United versus Sheffield United at ...
‘Strong option’: Journalist reveals Arsenal are preparing move for €30m versatile defender
Arsenal are working on a possible summer deal for Borussia Dortmund centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou, reputed journalist Duncan Castles claims. Zagadou will enter the final year of his Dortmund contract in July, and the lack of progress over a renewal has led to interest from multiple clubs. Speaking on The Transfer Window Podcast, Castles highlighted the Gunners have been keeping a close eye on him and he is a ‘strong option’ for the north London club. He added that the Premier League outfit are preparing a move to sign the 21-year-old Frenchman, who could be available for €30 million or less this summer. Sportslens view: Zagadou is a left-footed centre-back and he has impressed over the past few years with his strong aerial presence and quality distribution. The Gunners presently have t...
Pundit puts his foot in it again with dodgy opinion on prolific Premier League forward
Welcome to the weekend folks, and our latest edition of ‘barely a day goes by in football without someone spouting nonsense’. The latest entrant into our newly-founded Hall of Shame is former Leicester City clogger, Robbie Savage. The blonde-haired attention seeker regularly puts the cat amongst the cats with his opinions, and he has been at it again in his latest column for the Mirror. Savage’s latest pearl of wisdom is a cracker – Manchester United should go all-out to sign Sergio Aguero. “It’s only 12 years since another Argentinian, Carlos Tevez, made the short journey from Old Trafford to Eastlands and became a title winner with both United and City,” he wrote. “Aguero has been linked already with Chelsea, which would hardly be a retrograde step going from one powerful, multi-national...
Predicted Liverpool starting XI: Klopp to make just one change; 29-year-old returns
Liverpool are back in action after almost three weeks away. They face a pivotal week, with Arsenal first up on Saturday at the Emirates followed by a mouth-watering Champions League clash against Real Madrid. After seeing their title defence crumble, Jurgen Klopp has vowed to end the season on a high. A top-four finish is high on their priority list. The Reds find themselves just five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, and their faint hopes of a top-four finish are still alive. Ahead of the match, Klopp has confirmed that Roberto Firmino, 29, is back in training after three games out, and he is available for selection. It should comfort Klopp that none of his 12 internationals returned with injury issues, while the likes of Diogo Jota and Xherdan Shaqiri producing a ...
Former Arsenal star is deluded – social media boycott won’t make a difference
“If we do not alert people to the problem, then nothing happens. That is why I have taken my own action, not for applause, but to highlight the issue. Social media is a wonderful and important tool, but it needs to be safe.” It’s tough not to feel empathy with Thierry Henry’s impassioned explanation of his recent boycott of social media platforms over their failure to address issues of abuse and racism. Putting aside the fact that he chose to be interviewed by one of the most racist media outlets around, Henry’s efforts to enforce change are admirable. “I am not putting anyone under pressure – it should be a feeling you have inside,” he said. “But you should never underestimate the strength of the pack. Can that (a weekend boycott) be powerful? Yes, very powerful. “I like to talk, but...
Arsenal handed big boost in signing £50m-rated playmaker, club ready to sell
Arsenal have received a boost in signing Martin Odegaard permanently, with Real Madrid willing to listen to offers for the Norwegian playmaker. Odegaard made the temporary switch to the Gunners in January, and he has since netted a couple of times while playing a part in several other goals. His impressive displays have led to suggestions that the north London club will look to sign him permanently, but he could cost as much as £50 million this summer. The Gunners have now been handed a boost with Los Blancos willing to part ways with the 22-year-old to financial a deal for Erling Braut Haaland, as per The Times. The Borussia Dortmund striker is one of their top summer targets, and they are aiming to recoup funds from the sale of several players out on loan. Aside from Odegaard, Dani ...
Leicester City, Crystal Palace enter talks to sign 28-year-old with 17 goal contributions
Leicester City and Crystal Palace have opened talks to sign Florian Thauvin, whose contract with Marseille expires in June, L’Equipe reports. The 28-year-old had a difficult 2019/2020 season with a serious knee injury, and he ended up making just two appearances in all competitions. He has managed to make a superb comeback this term with eight goals and nine assists in 37 appearances, but there is uncertainty over his future. His current deal with Marseille expires in less than three months, and he has yet to decide whether he will extend his stay with the club. Earlier this year, Thauvin seemed more likely to leave Les Phoceens on a free transfer, but it is stated that he is now considering a renewal. AC Milan, Sevilla, Leicester and Crystal Palace have all held talks with the versatile a...
Predicted Celtic XI vs Falkirk: Kennedy to make two changes, 29-yr-old set to start
Celtic host Falkirk in the Scottish Cup this weekend, and they will be looking to pick up a comfortable win at home. The Hoops are firm favourites heading Saturday’s contest, and it will be a big surprise if they fail to secure a victory. Celtic have an excellent head-to-head record against Falkirk in all competitions, winning nine of their last eleven meetings. The Hoops are also undefeated in their last 29 Scottish Cup matches. Falkirk will be looking to pull off an upset tomorrow, and the home side cannot afford to underestimate them despite the gulf in quality between the two teams. Celtic have had a mediocre season by their standards and have already conceded the Scottish Premiership title to Rangers. They have been quite inconsistent this term, and Falkirk will hope to make the most ...
Report reveals the two positions Aston Villa want to strengthen, Four players set for new deals
Aston Villa have already begun their summer transfer preparations, and the Midlands club are thought to be keen on signing a winger and a centre forward, as per The Telegraph. There is no doubt that they need to bring in more support for Ollie Watkins, and a quality centre forward signing could help the side improve immensely. Brazilian striker Wesley is set to return to action from his lengthy injury lay-off, but there are no certainties that the striker will be able to recapture his peak form. Dean Smith has been overly reliant on Watkins for goals, and the England international needs more help up front. Signing a quality winger should also be a top priority for Villa, given the fact that the likes of Trezeguet and El Ghazi are quite inconsistent. Jack Grealish has been the main source o...
Predicted Newcastle XI vs Spurs: Bruce to make two changes, 24-yr-old to start
Newcastle United host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this weekend, and the Magpies will be looking to pull clear of the relegation zone with a win at home. Steve Bruce’s side have failed to register a win in their last six league games and are massive underdogs heading into this contest. Spurs have an impressive away record against Newcastle, winning five of their last six matches at St James’ Park. Jose Mourinho’s men have shown an upturn in form over the last few weeks and head into this game on the back of four wins in five league matches. The home side will be without the services of Fabian Schar and Isaac Hayden due to injury. However, Allan Saint-Maximin could feature here after recovering from his injury. Bruce has confirmed that Callum Wilson is unlikely to be fit for this...
Predicted Aston Villa XI vs Fulham: Smith to make one change, 25-yr-old to start
Aston Villa take on Fulham in the Premier League this weekend, and they will be looking to get back to winning ways. Dean Smith’s men have won just one of their last six league matches and are under pressure to pick up all three points here. Villa are currently 10th in the Premier League table, but they should be doing a lot better after the start they made to the season. The Midlands club have been quite inconsistent in recent months, but they will be expected to beat Fulham at home. Fulham are fighting to beat the drop this season and have won just two of their last six Premier League matches. The Londoners will be eager to pull off an upset here, and Villa will have to be focused to grind out a result. The last time these two sides met, Villa picked up a 3-0 win away from home, and...
