Market: Cephas Malele to score anytime
Odds: 21/20 @
Two sides who are battling it out at opposite end of the Super League table, Shanghai Shenhua will travel to Cangzhou on Monday lunchtime.
Starting with the hosts, while Cangzhou might have eventually kept hold of their Super League status last season, the Mighty Lions have an almighty challenge one their hands this time around. Missing out on what was billed as a potential opportunity last time out as they had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Wuhan Three Towns, the Blues are already sat in the drop zone and should be bracing themselves for a monumental challenge here. Crashing out of the FA Cup last month following a 1-0 defeat against second-tier outfit Nanjing City, Li Xiaopeng’s men have fai…
Erik ten Hag has backed Marcus Rashford to earn an England recall after confirming the injury that has ruled the forward out of Thursday s game with Sheriff is not serious.
Rashford is not part of Manchester United s squad for the Europa League tie in Moldova, with Anthony Martial, Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also absent.
The 24-year-old has impressed this campaign with three goals and two assists in six matches, compared to five and two respectively in 32 outings in all competitions last season.
That upturn in form was expected to lead to a call-up to the England squad for the first time since Euro 2020 when Gareth Southgate names his squad on Thursday.
Rashford s hopes of a recall appeared to be damaged by a minor injury sustained against Ar…
Carlo Ancelotti believes Real Madrid can win the Champions League but is braced for a tough quarter-final second leg against Chelsea.
Madrid hold a 3-1 advantage after defeating Chelsea for the first time in Europe and will be expected to finish off the job at in the Spanish capital on Tuesday.
Thomas Tuchel has conceded the holders face an almost impossible task in the Spanish capital, as they have to win by their biggest margin away from home in the competition just to take the tie into extra time.
No English side has ever won by more than a single goal at Santiago Bernabeu in the Champions League, making Ancelotti s team the strong favourites to make the semi-finals.
That would set up a meeting with either Manchester City and Atletico Madrid, but An…
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has not ruled out making a signing in the remainder of the January transfer window, but stopped short of making any guarantees.
The Blues have seen their title charge come to a grinding halt in recent games, having not won any of their last four Premier League outings and only claiming victory twice from their last nine.
They now sit 12 points behind leaders Manchester City having played a game more, and a point behind second-placed Liverpool having played two games more.
When asked at a news conference ahead of Sunday s game against Tottenham whether any January additions are likely, Tuchel replied: I cannot say no to it. Also, I am not convinced it is a clear yes. Let s wait and see.
The game with Spurs at Stamford Bridge wi…
Unai Emery preached patience as he met the media for the first time as Aston Villa coach on Friday, but that did not stop him setting a personal challenge to bring silverware to Villa Park.
Emery started work as Villa boss this week having left former club Villarreal, where he achieved Europa League success in the 2020-21 season.
But initial ambitions will have to be more modest at Villa, with the side 16th in the Premier League table ahead of Sunday s clash with Manchester United.
If results go against his new team on Saturday, Emery could find himself in the relegation zone by the time of his first match in charge.
For that reason, Emery had a dash of realism to go with his optimistic plans for the future on his return to the Premier League.
My…
Best odds: 9/4
Bookmaker:
Wolverhampton Wanderers will welcome Manchester United to the Molineux on Monday evening, in what will be the last game of the second round of the 2019/20 Premier League season.
United didn t fare too well on the last occasion they played there, when a strike from Diogo Jota and a Chris Smalling own-goal overturned Scott McTominay s opener and made sure all three points stayed at home. To make matters worse, Ashley Young earned his second yellow card before the hour-mark, leaving his team hanging with 10 men.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves have been one of the most pleasant surprises of the Premier League since their return to the top flight last summer. Even before that they were known to upset top sides in cup competitions, b…
Manchester City are going to great lengths to keep Raheem Sterling.
Though contracted until 2023, the England international s exceptional form has led to links with Real Madrid.
But it could earn him a fresh extension to his bumper deal at the Etihad Stadium.
TOP STORY – CITY SEEK STERLING INSURANCE
Premier League champions City have opened contract talks with star forward Sterling, according to the Mirror.
The 24-year-old agreed a new three-year extension a mere 12 months ago but City are taking no chances with his future amid rumours of interest from LaLiga giants Madrid.
Sterling has scored 14 goals in 17 club appearances this season.
EXCLUSIVE: Raheem Sterling opens contract talks with Man City over improving curr…
Everton boss Sean Dyche has refused to rule out the prospect of losing Dominic Calvert-Lewin before the end of the season.
Calvert-Lewin made 39 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees last year, having completed just 38 outings across the previous two campaigns.
The 27-year-old scored seven times for Dyche s side in the Premier League last year and was the club s joint-top scorer in the league alongside Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Calvert-Lewin has been linked with a move away from Goodison Park in the transfer window, with a reported move to Newcastle falling through in July.
Manchester United and West Ham have also registered their interest in the striker, who has just one year remaining on his current Everton contract.
Goal! DCL levels it…
According to a report from Sky Sports News, Premier League club Cardiff City are in advanced talks with French club AS Monaco over the possibility of securing a deal for Almamy Toure. The 22 year old hasn’t been able to find a consistent place in the first team with the Ligue 1 strugglers, whereas in South Wales, he’d almost be guaranteed a fighting chance at consistent time in the starting XI. Toure, who has been with Monaco since 2010 when he was a part of the youth setup, hasn’t played for any other club professionally other than the former Champions League finalists.
The Premier League would serve as a pretty big change of pace for the youngster, although give Cardiff’s current situation, there’s no guarantee whatsoever that their stay in the top flight of English…
NICOLAS OTAMENDI Valencia to Manchester City, £31.5m
Faring slightly better than Mangala, Otamendi has also struggled to justify a large price tag after two seasons in the Premier League. City could name a back five that has cost the club in the region of £200m if Otamendi was to partner Mangala with England internationals Walker and Stones also included in front of new goalkeeper Ederson.
ERIC BAILLY Villarreal to Manchester United, £30m
After a strong first season at Old Trafford, Ivory Coast international Bailly has looked like a bargain compared to some of these defenders. Bailly claimed three trophies in his maiden campaign in England as Jose Mourinho led United back into the Champions League by beating Ajax in the Europa League final.
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