English Premier League
Lacazette and Chambers start, Predicted Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Liverpool
Arsenal host Liverpool in today’s late Premier League kick-off from the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have improved their league form since the turn of the year, although they have remained inconsistent. Their last match was a thriller as they came from three goals down to register a 3-3 draw at West Ham United. The Reds are in a poor run of form themselves with only six points (two wins) accumulated from the last five games. Their away record against the Gunners has been dismal, with only two wins from their previous 20 league meetings. The Gunners have the chance to capitalise on a weak Reds backline and keep their slender top-four hopes alive. They are currently nine points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea with 10 games to play. Formation: 4-2-3-1 Predicted Line-up: Bernd Leno has been t...
Barcelona enter race to sign 26-year-old Everton target valued at €20m – report
Barcelona have joined Everton in the race to sign midfielder Adrien Rabiot from Juventus during this summer’s transfer window, Calciomercato reports. Rabiot is presently in his second season with the Bianconeri, but it is reported that the Serie A holders are seriously considering his sale. The club have identified Paul Pogba and Manuel Locatelli as potential midfield additions, and Rabiot could be offloaded to recoup funds. Rabiot’s mother and agent Veronique has reportedly made contact with the Blaugrana, but the Catalan giants are yet to decide on a possible move. Ronald Koeman’s side are aiming to pursue a top-class striker, and it is claimed that a part-exchange deal like last summer (Arthur-Pjanic) could be on the cards. Both Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann are in the tran...
Solskjaer to make seven changes, Expected Manchester United line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Brighton
Manchester United will be aiming to return to winning ways when they host Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Red Devils went into the international break in a disappointing fashion as they lost 3-1 to Leicester City in the FA Cup quarter-final. It was their first defeat in 15 matches in all competitions, and they will be aiming to make amends when the Seagulls make the trip to Manchester. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are presently in a solid position to make the top four with an eight-point gap over fifth-placed West Ham United. They have an excellent chance to extend the advantage against the Seagulls after Chelsea’s shock 5-2 defeat to West Bromwich Albion. Formation: 4-2-3-1 Predicted Line-up: Dean Henderson has been the preferred choice in goal for six games for U...
‘Excellent’, ‘Great performance’: Some West Brom fans react to 24-year-old’s display vs Chelsea
A selection of West Bromwich Albion fans heaped praise on Matheus Pereira following his standout performance against Chelsea in the Premier League. The Baggies registered a stunning 5-2 triumph over the Blues at Stamford Bridge in today’s early kick-off, and Pereira was hugely instrumental towards the result. The Midlands outfit went 1-0 behind in the 27th minute but just moments later, Thiago Silva received his marching orders for the Blues after a second yellow card offence. That gave the Baggies a solid advantage, and they made it count by finding the back of the net twice in first-half stoppage time. Pereira scored the leveller with a lob over the goalkeeper after a superb first-time touch from a long ball from goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. A couple of minutes later, the 24-year-old bagged...
Arsenal interested in signing reported Liverpool target with 20 goal contributions
Arsenal have been credited with an interest in signing Sporting Lisbon midfielder Pedro Goncalves this summer, according to Eurosport. The Gunners have benefited from the services of Martin Odegaard, who joined them on loan from Real Madrid during the winter transfer window. However, it is unclear whether they can sign him on a permanent deal later this year, and the club are likely to look at alternative options. Real Betis’ Nabil Fekir is known as a potential target, and it is now reported that Goncalves is another player who has caught their attention. Sportslens view: Goncalves has had a superb campaign with Sporting in the Primeira Liga, where they are 10 points clear of Porto at the top of the table. The 22-year-old bagged seven goals and eight assists from 40 appearances in a centra...
Maverick 28-year-old could take West Ham or Everton to the next level
The news that Paris Saint-Germain could offload Mauro Icardi this summer is potentially an interesting development for selected Premier League clubs. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Press Reader), the Ligue 1 giants need to free up some finances to facilitate contract extensions for Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. Icardi is thought to favour a move to Juventus, although their desire to re-sign Moise Kean this summer could scupper his hopes. Roma has also been suggested as a possible destination, but they may struggle to afford Icardi’s lofty price tag and salary in the current economic climate. SL View Icardi built up a reputation as a clinical finisher during his time with Inter Milan, bagging 124 goals in 219 goals for the club in all competitions. The Argentine subsequently joined P...
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...
