Prediction: Leicester win
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The Premier League is underway and fans are ready to really kick things into the next gear after an electric opening weekend. We saw upsets, cracking goals and a whole lot of dramatic moments in what still holds the title of being the best top flight in the beautiful game today. On Sunday we ll see another enticing match-up take place, this time in the capital as last season s surprise package West Ham United lock horns with FA Cup winners Leicester City.
West Ham
West Ham United came out of nowhere in 2020/21 and emerged as a team more than capable of mixing it up with the top flight s finest. They ll be joining Leicester in the Europa League and under the guidance of David Moyes, there s no reason w…
As we open the New Year this weekend, we have another stacked weekend of footballing action from across Britain on the cards throughout Saturday afternoon. On that note, for those of you looking to stick on a weekend acca, we have found a handful of helpful tips that are worth keeping an eye out for.
Saturday 2nd January
BST 15:00 Brentford vs Bristol City
Starting with Saturday s hosts, managing to mount what was a stunning turnaround on home soil in midweek, there is no doubt that the mood in Brentford s camp should be at a red-hot high. Last seen earlier in the week when facing off against fellow promotion chasers Bournemouth in West London, the Bees came from behind as they landed a late 2-1 win against the Cherries, a result that certainly impressed man…
Roberto Firmino scored a hat-trick on his Al Ahli debut as the former Liverpool striker got the much-hyped Saudi Pro League season up and running with dash of star power.
A host of big-name player from Europe’s top clubs, including Premier League stalwarts and Champions League winners, have been attracted to the oil-rich Gulf state in a trolley dash worth almost half a billion US dollars leading up to the 2023/24 campaign.
Firmino arrived as a well-paid free transfer from Anfield and the Brazil forward enjoyed a memorable start as he inspired a 3-1 win for Al Ahli over Al Hazem in Jeddah.
Hat-trick hero, Roberto Firmino
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN)
The 31-year-old, who was handed the captain’s armband, netted twice in the first nine mi…
Gareth Southgate does not feel any pressure for England to produce a political statement akin to Germany s team photo at this World Cup.
England, like Germany, were planning to support the OneLove campaign – which promotes inclusion and sends a message against discrimination of any kind – by having their captain wear an armband bearing its logo.
When FIFA threatened sporting sanctions – expected to be a yellow card for the captains – the teams involved backed out.
Germany still produced a demonstration, however, as their players covered their mouths for their team photo ahead of the defeat to Japan, suggesting FIFA was denying us a voice .
Southgate was asked on Thursday if England would have a unique protest of their own, but he replied: No, I do…
BATE Borisov midfielder Aliaksandr Hleb says he does not consider former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola to be the greatest coach in the world.
The Belarus international, who played all 90 minutes of his side s recent shock 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stage, spent four years with the Catalan giants between 2008-2012.
I learned more from (Arsene) Wenger than Guardiola, but Pep is a good coach, the 31-year-old told Esports en Xarxa.
Guardiola is not the best coach in the world because he coached the best team in the world, with the best players, and that s why he won.
It s hard not to win with a team like that and (Tito) Vilanova will have the greatest success.
The best coaches in the world are (Jose) Mourinho, (Si…
Tottenham Hotspur can maintain the pressure on rivals Arsenal and Chelsea in Wednesday s English Premier League clash with Liverpool.
Andre Villas-Boas men are seventh on the table after snapping a three-match losing streak with a 3-1 win over West Ham United on Sunday.
Tottenham are equal on 20 points with north London rivals Arsenal and four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who occupy the final Champions League berth.
The Liverpool fixture is Tottenham s second of three Premier League games in the space of seven days, with a London derby at Fulham to follow on Saturday.
Villas-Boas is likely to continue with Jermain Defoe up front after the England striker netted a superb brace against West Ham.
He s enjoying his football, Villas-Boas said…
Brisbane coach Rado Vidosic believes his side s strong record in Wellington may come down to the Phoenix respecting them too much.
Since Wellington joined the Hyundai A-League for the 2007/08 season the Roar have typically not left the New Zealand capital empty-handed and that form continued on Sunday when they claimed a point with a 1-1 draw at Westpac Stadium.
Brisbane s 2-0 defeat in New Zealand last season was played in Dunedin and the only other time the Roar have failed to earn at least a point from the away fixture was back in the 2009/10 campaign.
I think maybe they respect us too much, said Roar coach Rado Vidosic of his side s record in Wellington – a venue most other Australian sides struggle in.
You saw the way they played against Sydney.…
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas believes Pep Guardiola has left a lasting legacy for football.
Guardiola led Barcelona to unprecedented levels of success after taking charge in 2008, steering the Catalan side to 14 trophies in four years.
And the Portuguese manager was quick to acknowledge the lasting impression left by the former Spain international, praising his work as revolutionary.
Guardiola set the standard. People respect the style of play, football philosophy and values he created, Villas-Boas told Portuguese magazine Expresso.
Barcelona play fast football that can be slow at the same time. The players always make the right decisions when on the ball.
Villas-Boas was part of Jose Mourinho s backroom staff during their stint togethe…
Asamoah Gyan has been found guilty of having unethical hair under United Arab Emirates Football Association rules.
The former Sunderland striker is on loan at Al Ahli from Chinese side Shanghai SIPG.
Gyan s current mohawk style, which he sported while captaining Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations, has been found not to meet the guidelines of the UAE FA, with reports suggesting over 40 other players have fallen foul of the rules.
Some Islamic teachings ban Qaza hairstyles including mohawks as only part of the head is shaved.
In 2012, Waleed Abdullah was forced to alter his hair before playing for Al Shabab because his cut was deemed un-Islamic .
…
French sports minister Patrick Kanner has questioned whether Michel Platini was granted a fair hearing by FIFA before being hit with an eight-year ban from football-related activities.
UEFA president Platini was handed his suspension along with FIFA counterpart Sepp Blatter on Monday following an investigation by the Independent Ethics Committee of world football s governing body.
Blatter and Platini s lengthy punishments relate to a payment of two million Swiss francs made by FIFA, and authorised by the 79-year-old Swiss, to the former France captain in February 2011.
The duo cited a gentleman s agreement for a transaction concerned with work carried out for FIFA by Platini between 1999 and 2002, but this explanation was rejected by the adjudicatory chamber of …