General Football News
Van de Beek starts in three changes | Predicted Manchester United line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Wolves
Manchester United make the trip to the Midlands for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Red Devils started their season in fine form with a 5-1 thumping of Leeds United, but struggled at Southampton last week. They settled for a disappointing 1-1 draw at St Mary’s and could have easily lost the game if not for David de Gea’s saves. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will hope for a strong reply from his players, but it won’t be easy against Wolves on the road. The games between the clubs have been closely fought in recent years, with the largest winning margin being just one. Formation: 4-2-3-1 Predicted Line-up: De Gea has been under pressure recently, but he has proved a point with key saves. He is widely expected to start in goal. The backline could see a solitary chang...
Champions League Group H previous meetings: Chelsea and Juventus the standouts in Group H
The eighth and final Champions League group has been drawn, and it promises to be an interesting one. Defending champions Chelsea will come up against a Cristiano Ronaldo-less Juventus, while Zenit Saint Petersburg and Malmo also compete to reach the knockout stage. Here are the previous meetings between these sides. Chelsea vs Juventus It’s been a while since Chelsea and Juventus faced off against each other. The last meeting was in the 2012/13 group stages when the Blues were eliminated early just months after winning the competition. The Londoners squandered a two-goal lead in the home fixture, having gone ahead through Oscar’s double. Arturo Vidal pulled one back before half-time, and Fabio Quagliarella netted a late equaliser. And in Turin, the hosts comfortably came out on top. Quagl...
‘They would be doing that deal’ – Phil Hay reveals Leeds want midfielder on one condition
Leeds United will sign Lewis O’Brien if Huddersfield Town lower their demands for the midfielder, according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay. The Elland Road outfit value the 22-year-old at £4 million, but the Terriers want no less than £8m for their man. Leeds do not feel they need O’Brien enough to make the extra money worth paying, and there is no sign of either club shifting ground at the moment. Sportslens View The Peacocks clearly need to bring in reinforcements in central midfield despite Adam Forshaw’s return to the squad after almost two years out injured. However, a move for O’Brien could prove difficult ahead of next Tuesday’s summer transfer deadline. Huddersfield are unwilling to sell the Englishman for half the asking price, and it is unclear whether both parties can still reach a ...
Five changes, Lokonga starts: Predicted Arsenal line-up (3-4-2-1) vs Manchester City
Arsenal make the trip to the Etihad Stadium for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Manchester City. The Gunners have not registered a point after their opening two games of the new league campaign. They secured a resounding 6-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in the second round of the Carabao Cup in midweek. The result was expected against a weakened Baggies outfit, but it should give them confidence for the City clash. The Gunners have failed to pick up a single point in the last eight league meetings against the reigning English champions. However, they beat them in the FA Cup semi-final last year, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang bagging a brace. The club captain scored a sublime hat-trick on Wednesday. He needs to be at his best for the Gunners to avoid another loss. Formation: 3-4-2...
Sterling and Jesus start, Predicted Manchester City line-up (4-3-3) vs Arsenal
Manchester City host Arsenal in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off at the Etihad Stadium. The Cityzens picked up their first victory of the campaign last weekend with a convincing 5-0 triumph over newly-promoted Norwich City. They are firm favourites for the upcoming meeting against the Gunners, with their dominating league record against them since 2017. They have beaten the Gunners in the last eight league encounters. Their only defeat during this period came in the 2020 FA Cup semi-final. Formation: 4-3-3 Predicted Line-up: Ederson has been the undisputed starter in goal for the league and European games. He is expected to start between the sticks ahead of Zack Steffen. John Stones has been working on his fitness in recent weeks after his late return to training after his internat...
Kante and Lukaku start, Predicted Chelsea line-up (3-4-2-1) vs Liverpool
Chelsea travel to Anfield for Saturday’s late Premier League kick-off against Liverpool. The Blues have made the perfect start to the season with successive wins, and they are only behind West Ham United on the table in terms of goals scored. They are scheduled to face the Reds on the road tomorrow. Their recent league record is not great against them, but they won at Anfield earlier this year. Jurgen Klopp’s side were missing several key defenders including Virgil Van Dijk. The tussle between Van Dijk and Romelu Lukaku will be one to watch out for. Formation: 3-4-2-1 Predicted Line-up: Edouard Mendy has started the season with successive shutouts, and he has been faultless with the limited shots at him. He is expected to start in goal ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga. No changes are likely in t...
‘A source in London…’ – Phil Hay shares Leeds transfer update in midfielder search
Leeds United have rejected a chance to sign Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks on a temporary basis, according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay. The journalist wrote on the website: “A source in London told The Athletic that Leeds turned down an approach offering them Harry Winks on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. “(Marcelo) Bielsa’s comments last week were as good an indication as any that the club are likely to let the deadline pass.” The England international has been linked with an exit from the north London outfit this summer as he is out of favour under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo. With Leeds keen on having another midfielder, Winks could have been a perfect addition, but it appears they have other ideas. Sportslens View Leeds manager Bielsa has the final say when it comes to transf...
Alan Nixon: NUFC & Wolves plot late move for free La Liga attacker, Hasenhuttl keen too
Newcastle United, Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers are looking to sign Valencia attacking midfielder Kang-in Lee, according to The Sun’s Alan Nixon. The South Korean international is available on a free after the La Liga outfit decided to terminate his contract, and he is also wanted by Mallorca. A late summer swoop is on the cards for the Asian, and the Premier League trio are now looking to win the race for his signature. Wolves Southampton and Newcastle taking a look at a late move for Kang-In Lee. Valencia midfielder. South Korean international. Being freed. Mallorca also trying. — Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) August 27, 2021 Free https://t.co/QSgmPMXTtc — Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) August 27, 2021 Sportslens View The 20-year-old will be looking to prove himself elsewhere afte...
Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for Manchester City vs Arsenal
BBC football expert Mark Lawrenson has stated his prediction for Saturday’s Premier League clash between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. City started their season with successive 1-0 defeats against Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the Community Shield and Premier League respectively. They made amends with a convincing 5-0 triumph over Norwich City at home. The club are now scheduled to host the Gunners in tomorrow’s lunchtime kick-off. The north London club have failed to register a point in their first two league games of the season with 2-0 losses to London counterparts Brentford and Chelsea. Mikel Arteta’s side ended the losing streak with a stunning 6-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in the second round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. The result will bo...
Mikel Arteta provides fitness update on three Arsenal players ahead of Man City clash
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta provided a fitness update on three players ahead of the Premier League clash against Manchester City on Saturday. The Gunners recently registered a 6-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in the second round of the Carabao Cup, ending a two-match losing run. However, the London club are still under immense pressure as both of those defeats came in the first two games of the new league campaign. They can’t afford a third-straight league loss heading into the international break, but the prospect of avoiding it remains an arduous task for them. The club have failed to pick up a single point in the last eight league meetings against City, and they could be up for another difficult outing. Ahead of the early kick-off at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, Arteta provided a f...
‘It’s Donny time’: Some Manchester United fans react after blow for 24-year-old star
A selection of Manchester United fans reacted on Twitter after the club confirmed that midfielder Scott McTominay underwent groin surgery. The Scotland international has been a key player for the Red Devils, but he won’t play any part in the Wolverhampton Wanderers game this weekend. The 24-year-old has also been ruled out for the upcoming fixtures for Scotland. It is unclear whether he will return to action following the international break. This has produced a mixed reaction among the fans, with some of them believing that McTominay’s injury could open up a spot for Donny van de Beek. Twitter reactions: Get well soon. This need to be Donny’s breakout chance now to have a run of games and show what he’s got — Tom (@VandeGOAT) August 26, 2021 Even more of a reason to sign a midfielder now ...
Man City vs PSG the standout as Champions League groups drawn
The groups for the Champions League 2021/22 have been drawn. Chelsea are looking to defend their title, having defeated Manchester City 1-0 in the final last March. Those two are joined by fellow English sides Manchester United and Liverpool. Paris Saint-Germain look to win the competition for the first time, hoping that the acquisition of Lionel Messi can help them over the final hurdle. Man City are also yet to win the trophy, while Juventus have gone a quarter of a century since their last European triumph. Meanwhile, Sheriff Liraspol become the first ever Moldovan team to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League. There are several exciting fixtures to come out of the draw. The headline tie of the group stage will likely be Man City vs PSG in Group A, while Barcelona and Bay...
