Tag Futebol

Glasgow Rangers return to action this afternoon as they take on Scottish Premiership rivals Hibernian at Ibrox on Saturday.

Steven Gerrard’s side beat St. Johnstone last time out but it’s back to the drawing board for the Ibrox boss as he chases the elusive league title.

Gerrard rang a couple of surprise changes for the trip to Perth, which means several first-team regular starters could be available for selection, including Scott Arfield and Alfredo Morelos, who has served his two-match ban after being found guilty of violent conduct by the SFA.

With that in mind, here’s our predicted starting lineup for this afternoon’s action, which sees Gerrard make three changes to the team that thumped the Saints.

It’s hard to tell where the changes will be made, such is their strength in depth, but what’s certain is the Ibrox boss will most likely bring Leon Balogun back into the fold after making a few small tweaks against the Saints.

Allan McGregor will keep the gloves again behind a back four consisting of Balogun, Borna Barisic, Connor Goldson and James Tavernier, with Filip Helander dropping to the bench.

Gerrard faces some tough decisions as he looks to extend their lead over Celtic as they’ll be desperate to build on their newfound momentum having beaten both Motherwell and St. Johnstone in quick succession.

Asking Steven Davis to play again may be a big ask, although Bongani Zungu has offered very little as of late, so we reckon Gerrard will stick with the veteran at the base of the midfield and bringing the fit-again Scott Arfield back into the starting XI alongside Davis and the in-form Glen Kamara makes sense.

Kemar Roofe started upfront against St. Johnstone, but switching Roofe back to the right and keeping Ryan Kent on the left could be a tempting option, with Morelos likely to lead the line.

This means that there is no place for Ianis Hagi despite his heroics against the Saints with Morelos still trying to find his best form.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers defender Borna Barisic stole the show vs St. Johnstone…

David Sullivan could land David Moyes a West Ham replacement for the Marseille-linked Manuel Lanzini by securing the services of Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard.

What’s the word?

According to talkSPORT, the Irons are in a queue of Premier League sides chasing the signature of Lingard during the January transfer window.

The Hammers, Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United have all expressed their interest in a mid-season deal, while Ligue 1 outfit OGC Nice and Liga NOS giants FC Porto have also been keeping track of his situation.

Manchester United remain reluctant to part ways with the 28-year-old this month as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer strives to contend for Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League honours, but Lingard’s long-term future remains in doubt.

Reports by ESPN recently noted Lingard and Solskjaer are in a tug-of-war over his situation, with the 24-cap England international desperate to find regular first-team action and the Red Devils boss keen to retain his services as cover.

Manchester United are yet to offer a definitive answer in response to any approach for the £9m-rated man, also monitored by Olympique de Marseille and Inter Milan, as Solskjaer’s side could play as many as 33 fixtures between now and May.

Lingard has featured just three times across all competitions this season and is yet to play a single second in the Premier League, with the Warrington-born playmaker’s only outings of the term thus far coming in the EFL and FA Cups.

Bye-bye Lanzini

Sullivan putting together a package that will convince Manchester United to part ways with Lingard this month could definitively spell the end for Lanzini at the London Stadium.

West Ham are said to have offered Lanzini to Marseille during discussions over Morgan Sanson, who Aston Villa have had a “pathetic” bid rejected for after claims of an €18m (£16m) offer as the Ligue 1 outfit hold out for €25m (£22m).

The Irons have also been shopping Lanzini’s services around on the transfer market since last summer, but have struggled to attract any interest in the £70,000-per-week midfielder who held Moyes’ side back during Tuesday’s 2-1 win at home to West Bromwich Albion.

Part of the issue in West Ham’s hopes of selling Lanzini may stem from the Irons valuing the 27-year-old at £15m, but securing Lingard’s services may see Sullivan prove more receptive to lower offers with the Argentine under contract for a further two years.

Lingard has been lauded for his ability to score important goals for club and country in recent years, having netted the extra-time winner during the 2016 FA Cup Final as well as key efforts for England against the Netherlands, Croatia and the United States.

Few have sung his praises more in recent years than former England and Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick, who once labelled Lingard as “unique”.

Lingard’s importance at Old Trafford may have dwindled of late, but his title-winning and international experience would likely be welcome at the London Stadium where Moyes has West Ham just two points below the top-four places.

AND in other news, West Ham are considering a £15.5m-rated striker without a goal since October to replace Seb Haller…

The winter transfer window will re-open in just a few weeks’ time which means that Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson will have started writing his Christmas wish list to prioritise his wants and needs.

Whether he will tread the traditional route of astute, cost-effective signings, or go out in a blaze of glory with a rather sizeable cheque to spend on new recruits for the first time since his days at Anfield, the former Liverpool manager will be keen to avoid making a similar mistake to the one that he made with infamous Palace flop Alexander Sorloth, which is why it’s quite surprising he is reportedly considering a swoop for Marcos Alonso.

That’s right folks, Palace are interested in signing the Chelsea left-back as a potential Patrick van Aanholt alternative.

According to The Daily Mail, Alonso is one of several options being considered to replace Van Aanholt if the popular Dutchman does depart Selhurst Park, with the Eagles also keeping tabs on Marseille’s Jordan Amavi.

However, the Palace gaffer should steer clear of signing the total liability, as he already has the perfect replacement in Tyrick Mitchell.

The Spaniard hasn’t featured for Frank Lampard’s side since the start of the season, as he has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge, whilst he is averaging just 0.3 tackles and 0.3 blocks per game in the Premier League so far, via WhoScored.

By comparison, Mitchell is managing 4 tackles per game in the top flight so far this season, as per WhoScored.

Rio Ferdinand recently criticised Alonso for his “silly” mistake, whilst former Blues midfielder Joe Cole was equally scathing in his assessment after he saw red during the 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League last season.

The Eagles shouldn’t even touch Alonso with a barge pole, let alone when you consider the fact that his market value is currently estimated at £16.2m via Transfermarkt, which implies that he won’t come cheap as his contract is set to expire in 2023. At 29 years of age, it wouldn’t make much sense, especially with Mitchell waiting in the wings.

Hodgson has been full of praise for the young prospect, saying he could become the next Aaron Wan-Bissaka. He told Sky Sports:

“Tyrick got his chance last season when Patrick dislocated his shoulder and he has taken that chance well and really continued it since the start of the new season.

“I hope he will continue to improve and I hope people won’t start to put exceptional pressure on him because he’s still a very young man and he’s still in the absolute nursery in terms of his career.

“Aaron [Wan-Bissaka] looked very much like Tyrick when he came in and took the game by storm, and he made the position his own very quickly.

“I wouldn’t disagree that in terms of being thrown in with no-one knowing much about him, I think there’s a direct parallel between the two players.”

Mitchell, who first burst onto the scene towards the closing stages of last season, is one of several players with deals set to expire in 2021. But the 21-year-old has established himself as the club’s first-choice left-back in recent weeks.  If that hasn’t earned the academy graduate a new deal, we don’t know what will.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace got rid of Aaron Wan-Bissaka at the perfect time…

MatériaMais Notícias

Um conhecido da torcida alvinegra está de volta. O lateral-direito Luis Ricardo é aguardado pelo Botafogo nesta segunda-feira, em General Severiano. Ele disputou e foi campeão da Série B pelo clube em 2015, mas, com o fim do empréstimo, retornou ao São Paulo. Agora, o jogador está novamente à disposição do técnico Ricardo Gomes.

Liberado em definitivo pelo Tricolor Paulista, Luis Ricardo deverá assinar por um ano com o Glorioso, tendo a opção de ficar por mais uma temporada. Em 2015, ele disputou 40 jogos e marcou dois gols. No atual elenco, disputará posição com Diego, jovem de 19 anos, e Marcinho, de mesma idade e da equipe sub-20, que vem treinando com o time principal.

A tendência é que o lateral viaje com a delegação alvinegra, na noite desta segunda-feira, para Domingos Martins (ES), onde o Botafogo seguirá sua pré-temporada até o dia 22 de janeiro.

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Aston Villa could have struck a hammer blow to rivals West Brom by landing Grady Diangana in the summer transfer window.

What was the story?

Despite the fact that West Brom had the youngster on loan at the Hawthorns last season during their promotion-winning campaign in the Championship, reports over the summer claimed that Villa were much interested in making a late swoop.

It was suggested that even when Diangana was holding a medical ahead of a proposed £18m move from West Ham, that Dean Smith’s side remained interested in completing a deal for the attacker.

In the end, Diangana did complete his switch to the Baggies, and Villa may feel like it was a missed opportunity.

Bilic in the mud

What better way to make a real statement in the transfer market, than simultaneously sign one of English football’s hottest prospects, as well as getting one over on your bitter rivals.

That could have been the case for Villa had they acted on their late interest in Diangana, and it would have sent a hammer blow to Baggies boss Slaven Bilic ahead of their first season back in the Premier League.

Not only would it have been a shot in the arm for Villa fans, but they also would have left West Brom considerably weaker given that they would have missed one of their stars of the Championship campaign.

Hilariously obscure Premier League players – Can you name them all?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

Last season, Diangana managed an impressive eight goals and seven assists in 31 games across all competitions, and that level of talent would have gone down a treat with Smith.

Instead, they chose to pass the chance over, and whilst Villa are unlikely to lose any sleep over it, they could have got a fine young player too.

أعلن إيهاب جلال المدير الفني لفريق بيراميدز قائمة مباراة عزام التنزاني في إياب دور الـ32 الأول من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.

ويحل عزام التنزاني ضيفا على بيراميدز في التاسعة مساء السبت بإياب دور الـ32 لبطولة كأس الكونفدرالية على استاد الدفاع الجوي، بعدما انتهت مباراة الذهاب بالعاصمة دار السلام بالتعادل السلبي.

طالع | إيهاب جلال يعلق على تعادل بيراميدز مع عزام التنزاني في الكونفدرالية قائمة بيراميدز لمباراة عزام التنزاني في الكونفدرالية

حراسة المرمى: شريف إكرامي – مهدي سليمان – يوسف نادر.

خط الدفاع: أحمد أيمن منصور – علي جبر – أسامة جلال – أحمد سامي – محمد حمدي – أحمد فتحي – عبد الرحمن صميدة.

خط الوسط: عمر جابر – إيريك تراوري – أحمد توفيق – رمضان صبحي – نبيل دونجا – إبراهيم حسن – عبد الله السعيد – إبراهيم عادل – عماد ميهوب.

خط الهجوم: دودو الجباس.

ويخوض فريق بيراميدز مرانه الأخير في الثامنة مساء الجمعة على استاد الدفاع الجوي في إطار معسكره المغلق.

MatériaMais Notícias

O empate por 3 a 3 entre Atlético-PR e Palmeiras foi recheado de polêmicas. Após o confronto da noite desta quarta-feira, Robinho atacou o árbitro Dewson Freitas da Silva.

A revolta palmeirense começou quando o juiz deixou o Atlético-PR cobrar a falta do terceiro gol rapidamente, e assim saiu o gol. Após Alecsandro empatar o jogo, Lucas xingou o árbitro, mas Robinho foi quem levou o cartão vermelho.

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– Ele é tão ruim que xingamos ele de todos os nomes e ele não expulsou ninguém – afirmou Robinho, na saída de campo.

Arouca, questionado se aquele clima de briga no fim do jogo era necessário, falou apenas: “pergunte para o juiz”. Dudu, um dos mais irritados com o árbitro, não quis falar. Além de Robinho, o zagueiro Jackson também foi expulso após se desentender com o adversário.

Na saída para o intervalo, Robinho já havia dado uma declaração, no mínimo, inusitada. O Palmeiras foi para o vestiário perdendo por 1 a 0, e o jogador alviverde disse que o time tinha que mudar a postura.

– Sei lá, cara. A gente corre, corre, corre. Não consigo entender o nosso time. A gente conversa, fala, acontecem os mesmos erros. No primeiro lance, gol. Lá na frente não conseguimos finalizar, às vezes tropeçamos na bola. Precisa mudar de atitude – disse Robinho, se referindo ao gol sofrido pelo Verdão no primeiro minuto de jogo.

Com o empate, o Palmeiras fica na décima colocação do Campeonato Brasileiro, com 49 pontos. Na próxima rodada, o equipe enfrenta o Cruzeiro.

Many Aston Villa fans have reacted to a claim by The Telegraph’s Matt Law on a potential deal for Norwich City’s Todd Cantwell or Emi Buendia.

Dean Smith’s side managed to keep their top-flight status alive with a good end to the Premier League season, beating Arsenal and drawing with West Ham United.

Having beaten off the drop to the Championship, Villa saw the likes of Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich drop down to England’s second tier.

Norwich, who would be expected to mount a promotion challenge next year, will seemingly be expecting a number of players to leave the club and Law has reported via Birmingham LIVE that Villa are keen on one of either Cantwell or Buendia.

Cantwell, valued at £18m by Transfermarkt, scored six goals and assisted twice in the Premier League last term, whilst Buendia scored once and assisted seven times.

Reacting to the transfer claim which was shared by Twitter account @villareport, Villa fans gave their opinion on the former Premier League duo. Whilst quite a few like the idea of Buendia, it seems that Cantwell would not be a popular addition which seems a little harsh given his impressive stats in his first top flight campaign.

Here is what some had to say…

Do you think either Cantwell or Buendia would be a good signing? Let us know in the comments section below…

Former Portsmouth defender Christian Burgess has suffered defeat in his first game for new club Union Saint-Gilloise.

Prior to Pompey’s play-off defeat to Oxford United, central defender Burgess had already agreed a move to Belgium side Union SG, seeing his five-year spell at Fratton Park come to an end.

The 28-year-old made 32 appearances for Kenny Jackett’s side during the 2019/20 campaign, ending it with League One play-off semi-final heartbreak against Oxford. Despite that disappointment, Burgess won the Player of the Year award at the club prior to his exit.

Featuring in his first game for his new club, Burgess started the pre-season friendly with Crossing Schaerbeek on the substitutes’ bench before coming on later in the match, which his team lost 1-0 as they began pre-season with defeat.

They will seek promotion from the Belgian second tier in the 2020/21 season, having been in fourth position when the 2019/20 campaign was brought to a premature end.

Burgess is not the only English person at the club, which is owned by Brighton chairman Tony Bloom.

Burgess is straight back in to football after finishing up with Portsmouth and he faces a slightly similar challenge in Belgium.

His absence from Pompey will be hard hitting, especially if Kenny Jackett can’t find a decent replacement for a man whose individual award for the 2019/20 season illustrates how important he was at Fratton Park.

Do you think Portsmouth will miss Burgess? Let us know in the comments section below…

أكد مدرب فريق ليفربول يورجن كلوب معارضته التامة لفكرة إقامة بطولة كأس العالم كل عامين بدلًا من أربعة سنوات، وهو الاقتراح الذي قدمه آرسين فينجر.

وكان فينجر، مدير لجنة التطوير في الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم، قد اقترح مؤخرًا فكرة تغيير نظام كأس العالم بحيث يُقام كل عامين بدلًا من أربعة.

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والتقى المدرب التاريخي لفريق آرسنال، آرسين فينجر مع يورجن كلوب الشهر الماضي، حيث تناقشا في عدة أمور، من ضمنها الاقتراح المذكور سلفًا.

وقال كلوب في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “ليفربول إيكو” الإنجليزية: “عادة ما تظل هذه الأشياء خاصة، لكن يجب أن أقول كل هذه الأشياء باستمرار عن المزيد من المباريات وأشياء من هذا القبيل”.

وأضاف: “كان هناك شيئان أخبرني بهما فينجر، بصرف النظر عن كل الأشياء اللطيفة التي تحدثنا عنها حيث لدينا علاقة رائعة، أخبرني بفكرة إقامة كأس العالم كل عامين، وأخبرته على الفور أن ذلك يعني المزيد من المباريات ومن ثم لا توجد فرصة لذلك، هذا ليس بالأمر الصائب”.

وأضاف: “أما الأمر الآخر فيتمثل في تقليل عدد فترات التوقف الدولي، وزيادة مدة الفترة الواحدة، بمعنى في أكتوبر على سبيل المثال لن يخوض اللاعبون أي مباريات مع الأندية، مقابل خوضهم خمس أو ست مباريات مع المنتخبات الوطنية، لا أعرف! لم أفهم ذلك بنسبة 100 %”.

وواصل: “أعلم أنهم أرادوا وضع جميع المباريات الدولية في فترة توقف أكتوبر، ثم عدم وجود أي راحة دولية حتى شهر ديسمبر أو أي شهر آخر، هذه الفكرة يمكننا التحدث عنها ولكن لا أعتقد أنها ستغير عالم كرة القدم”.

وأردف: “أما بالنسبة لفكرة إقامة كأس العالم كل عامين، لا يمكنني أن أؤيدها، لأنني أعتقد أننا نلعب بالفعل الكثير من المباريات، أين هو الموسم التحضيري المعتاد قديمًا مع عدم وجود أي بطولة صيفية في الوقت نفسه؟!”.

واستكمل: “لكنهم سيقولون بعد ذلك أن الأندية ستخوض بطولات صيفية من أجل الاستعداد، هي لقاءات معدودة ولكنها مفيدة بكل تأكيد، سابقًا كان لدى الفريق موسمًا تمهيديًا لمدة ستة أو سبعة أسابيع”.

واختتم: “لاعبو كرة القدم يلعبون طوال العام، لديهم إجازة فقط لمدة أسبوعين ثم يلعبون مرة أخرى، هذه هي كرة القدم، كيف تريد تحسين اللعبة بتلك الطريقة؟ لا يمكن فعل ذلك، أنت فقط تقول ولكن لا أحد يستمع، لذلك ليس من المنطقي التحدث كثيرًا عن ذلك”.