Best odds: 13/15
Bookmaker:
Inter Milan s upcoming match against Hellas Verona presents an opportunity for them to claim the top spot with exactly half the season gone in the Serie A. A point in this match, scheduled for Saturday at San Siro, would do in that respect.
However, it s not very likely that the Nerazzurri would be happy with anything but the whole prize against relegation-threatened Verona in front of their own supporters.
Inter Milan
Inter Milan had an eventful 2023, showcasing a commendable performance by winning the most Serie A matches (27) among all teams. In Europe s top five leagues, only Manchester City managed to secure more victories (29). Their overall triumphs, including clinching the Coppa Italia in May, marked a successful year…
Pep Guardiola tried in vain to persuade Vincent Kompany to spend one more season with Manchester City.
Kompany ended an 11-year association with the club by captaining them to an unprecedented domestic treble in England last season.
The 33-year-old Belgium defender netted an unforgettable long-range effort to seal a pivotal 1-0 win over Leicester City in what would prove to be his final competitive appearance at the Etihad Stadium, with Guardiola s men going on to pip Liverpool to the Premier League title by a point.
It has been a different story this time around, with City falling way off the pace set by the Reds.
Their defence has been shaky in the injury absence of Aymeric Laporte and, if Guardiola had his way, Kompany would still be an option for him …
Prediction: Sevilla to win 3-2
Odds:
Bookmaker:
Two of the favourites for this year s UEFA Europa League crown, Sevilla and AS Roma, clash on Thursday evening as they face off in the Round of 16.
Both teams will be aiming to lift the trophy in a couple of weeks time, with this rearranged fixture giving the winner a chance to face either Wolverhampton Wanderers or Olympiakos in the quarter-finals.
Sevilla
Serial winners of the Europa League having lifted the trophy on five occasions throughout their history, Spanish side Sevilla are the most successful side in the competition, ahead of the likes of Juventus, Inter Milan, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid. Once again, they will be aiming to reach the quarter-finals, which before last season s defeat…
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker:
Hoping to extend on their top-six charge in midweek, Brighton will travel to Kenilworth Road Road on Tuesday night when they meet Luton.
Luton
Starting with the hosts, while Luton might find themselves firmly at the heart of a relegation scrap, the Hatters have certainly gained plenty of admirers since making their famous Premier League return. Extending on their FA Cup adventure over the weekend as they snatched a last-gasp 2-1 victory away at Everton, the mood in Rob Edwards’ camp should be at a continued high. Despite signing off 2023 with an action-packed 3-2 defeat at home against Chelsea, that is the only loss that Luton have suffered from any of their previous seven domestic appearances across all competitions. With that exte…
Thomas Tuchel has urged Kai Havertz to shine as he gets the opportunity to lead the line for Chelsea with Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner out injured.
Premier League leaders Chelsea host struggling Norwich City on Saturday without those two forwards, who were injured during the 4-0 Champions League victory over Malmo on Wednesday.
Tuchel confirmed Lukaku and Werner will miss at least two games each and suggested it would be Havertz who fills the void after netting against Malmo.
Havertz has only started four of his side s eight league matches this season, scoring once while yet to register an assist, creating only one chance for his team-mates across 320 minutes of action.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)
Tuchel explained performances were t…
Fiorentina have appointed Cesare Prandelli as their head coach for a second time after the Serie A club sacked Giuseppe Iachini.
Prandelli previously managed La Viola between 2005 and 2010 before he left to take over from Marcello Lippi as Italy s national team boss.
The 63-year-old had been out of management since his contract with Genoa was terminated in June 2019, but he returns to the Artemio Franchi following Iachini s dismissal.
Iachini was relieved of his duties on Monday after Fiorentina picked up only eight points from their first seven Serie A games this season.
Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso said in a statement: Unfortunately, the current results require a change of technical guidance.
We believe that his skills, his professi…
The arrivals of Conor Gallagher and Julian Alvarez have energised Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone said on Sunday.
Gallagher, who joined this summer from Premier League side Chelsea, scored his first LaLiga goal in Sunday s 3-0 home win over Valencia, opening the scoring in the first half.
He is now just the third youngest English goalscorer in the Spanish top-flight (24 years and 222 days), after Jude Bellingham and Mason Greenwood.
He came with a lot of enthusiasm, and we needed that kind of player in the midfield because he makes us better, Simeone told a news conference.
He does not stop giving his best in every game situation in which he participates.
La Araña picó.
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti)
Another new signing, …
Paul Pogba s future at Manchester United has been the subject of widespread speculation.
The 28-year-old midfielder will be out of contract at the end of this season.
Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are among the sides linked with the World Cup winner.
TOP STORY – JUVE TO PRIORITISE POGBA DEAL
Juventus have made signing Manchester United midfielder Pogba their top priority, reports Calciomercato.
Pogba has regularly been linked with a move away from Old Trafford as he stalls on a new deal with the Red Devils.
The Frenchman spent four years with the Bianconeri from 2012 to 2016 and they are dreaming of his return.
ROUND-UP
Mundo Deportivo reports that Roma are leading the way to sign Mexico in…
If the battle for supremacy in your fantasy leagues is anything like as tight as the Premier League title race, there is no room for error.
That might encourage some managers to play it safe and stick with what they know, but the very best know how rewarding a risk can be.
So, should you wish to gamble and shuffle the pack, why not be guided by Stats Perform s Opta-powered picks?
Four players for the coming matchweek are highlighted below for your consideration
MARTIN DUBRAVKA (Norwich City v Newcastle United)
It is probably safe to assume that at least until the turn of the year, few fantasy managers were relying on a Newcastle goalkeeper. Not only did the Magpies give three different keepers a run between the posts, but they conceded a Premier …
Neymar remains on schedule with his recovery from injury and has been boosted by his return to individual training, Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino said.
The world s most expensive footballer suffered an adductor injury against Caen in the Coupe de France on February 10.
A four-week lay-off was predicted, potentially allowing for a return against former club Barcelona in the Champions League on March 10.
However, PSG won the first leg 4-1 thanks to a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick, easing the pressure on Neymar ahead of his comeback.
The Brazil superstar has only appeared in 18 of PSG s 35 games in all competitions this season and their win rate has actually improved from 66.7 per cent with the forward to 70.6 per cent when he has been absent.
…