Huge boost as Leeds trio escapes suspension ahead of Aston Villa clash Leeds host Aston Villa on Friday evening, and the side might have been handed as much as a triple suspension blow had Samuel Saiz, Pablo Hernandez and Luke Ayling got booked against Barnsley. The influential first XI trio were all on 4 yellow cards each prior to the game, and another one would have automatically ruled them out of yet another crucial clash. A booking against the Villans won’t see them pickup an automatic suspension, as the F.A has confirmed that the punishment for 5 cautions ended after 19 games of the Championship season.(Track other more moves through Sbobet.) The Whites are currently 2 places and 3 points off the playoffs spot, and victory against the 4th placed team can help get their promotion charge back on track. Saiz and Hernandez have contributed to 13 goals between them this term, while Ayling – the only Leeds player to have played every minute of the campaign thus far – has been solid rock at right-back as ever. |
Wijnaldum Out, Coutinho In Central Midfield – Strongest 4-3-3 Liverpool Line-up To Face Brighton Predicted Liverpool Line-up To Face Brighton and Hove Albion In The Premier League Mohamed Salah is easily the best buy of the summer transfer window as he is now on 12 league goals, 14 games into the season. The Egyptian international came off the bench away at Stoke City in the mid-week and added a brace to Sadio Mane’s opener in the first half, taking Liverpool to yet another victory. The Reds have moved to 5th place on the table and have a decent chance of retaining it when they travel to the Amex Stadium this weekend. The Seagulls played out a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace earlier this week and will hope to pull off a similar result in this game as well. However, Klopp is expected to go with a strong side for this game.(Watch the game before the race SBOBET Mobile | Sbobet.com.) Team News Nathaniel Clyne remains the only long-term absentee for Liverpool ahead of this clash. Midfielder Adam Lallana and defender Ragnar Klavan missed the previous game as a precaution but are expected to be back in the matchday squad this weekend. Formation: 4-3-3 Manager: Jurgen Klopp GK – Simon Mignolet The Belgian was very lucky not to be sent off in the previous game and will hope to have a better outing in this tie. RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold Giving Gomez some rest should be the youngster Arnold, who has been effective in almost every game he has started. |
CHELSEA VS NEWCASTLE UNITED PREVIEW | TEAM NEWS, STATS & KEY MEN Chelsea host Newcastle United in the opening fixture of the weekend and there will be a lot of interest in the game as Rafa Benitez returns to his former club. The Spaniard was never fully taken to at Stamford Bridge and he will be eager to return to haunt the Blues. His team are on a winless run of five matches and the timing of this fixture isn’t great for him, but the unpredictability of the Premier League means that anything could happen this weekend. Antonio Conte has managed to get his Chelsea team back on track with a good run of form that has lifted them to a secure position in the top four. A title challenge remains unlikely, but they do have a kind schedule over the Christmas period and there will be an opportunity to make up some ground on Manchester City. During the midweek fixtures, they took three points against Swansea City. Although it wasn’t a classic performance, they got the job done and that will please their perfectionist manager. Newcastle are currently ranked lowest of the three promoted clubs, but Benitez will be relatively pleased with their position considering the lack of money spent during the summer. The main aim for this season is to remain in the Premier League and their manager will be looking to build from there, as his aspirations are much larger than staying in the top-flight. There continues to be uncertainty regarding the ownership of the club as it is up for sale and discussions are ongoing with various interested parties. If a takeover can be completed before the new year, it will give them the opportunity to strengthen the squad and stay up with comfort. Otherwise, it could be another long season for the club as the past few weeks have been a struggle. TEAM NEWS Kenedy and Michy Batshuayi could both be back in the Chelsea squad for this weekend. However, Charly Musonda and David Luiz are expected to be missing for the match against Newcastle United. Jamaal Lascelles is one week away from a return to the Newcastle team. Meanwhile, Christian Atsu and Paul Dummett are one week further away from wearing the black and white again. The rest of the squad are available. INTERESTING STATS Chelsea have scored eight headed goals this season, which is more than any other team in the Premier League. They are a physical side under Conte and that could play a part on Saturday. Newcastle United failed to win a match in the month of November. They can’t afford for that record to stretch too far into December, or they will be in another relegation battle. KEY MEN Hazard It was a surprise to see Chelsea rest Eden Hazard on Wednesday, but the decision made it certain that he would be playing a crucial role in this match. Newcastle United will fear the Belgian and he will be fully rested to attack the fixture. Conte probably made the call to rest him as he didn’t have a full pre-season and the Blues can’t afford to lose him to another injury. The match against Swansea was one that the team should win regardless of the team that they put out, therefore it was the perfect chance to rest their key player. Prior to Wednesday, the Belgian international had scored three goals and contributed two assists in his last three appearances in all competitions. He is reaching his best ahead of the festive period and he will be the team’s biggest threat this weekend. Merino There were a lot of good signings made during the summer, but Newcastle’s capture of Mikel Merino will be looked back on as one of the best. After joining on an initial loan spell, the midfielder made his move permanent for a fee of around £7 million. In the current market, this is a great deal as the 21-year-old has already emerged as one of the most important players in the Magpies’ line-up. Benitez has proven that he still has an eye for a bargain and he will be the key player this weekend, as Newcastle will need to compete in midfield areas. He is combative in central areas, averaging 2.5 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game. VERDICT This is going to be an extremely difficult weekend for Newcastle United, as they haven’t won in five Premier League matches and are likely to be without their captain again. In the three matches that Jamaal Lascelles hasn’t started, the Magpies have conceded nine goals. He is crucial to their defence and it will be much easier for Chelsea to create chances in his absence. A team coached by Benitez should never be ruled out, but they are the outsiders on Saturday. It is likely to be a Blues victory, but it will be an intriguing watch to see how the visitors perform. |
Officials - Watford v Tottenham The Premier League have now announced the Match Day officials that will take charge of the game between Watford and Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday. Watford host Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday December 2 for the game at Vicarage Road and the match carries a 3pm kick off. Referee: Martin Atkinson Assistant Refs: Lee Betts and Stephen Child Fourth Official: Darren England Match Day referee Atkinson has officiated ten games in 2017/18, showing 27 yellow cards and one red card so far. He took in 43 games in 2016/17, returning 146 yellow cards and three red cards. His highest card count that season was eight yellows in the game between Crystal Palace and Hull City. He showed seven yellows in the game between Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion and seven yellows have appeared on four occasions. He took in 46 matches in 2015-16 and in those games, across all competitions and football divisions, he handed out a whopping total of 169 yellow cards but only one red card. He was most card happy in the game on February 14 between Arsenal and Leicester where he showed eight yellow cards and one red card. He showed eight yellows in April in the game between Sparta Prague and Villarreal. Prior to that Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen back on September 29 saw seven yellows He's also hit six yellows in five games as well. Let`s hope it`s not another repeat and more of the players edge closer to automatic bans. |
Former Portugal boss hints at China move for Cristiano Ronaldo Former Portugal boss hints at China move for Cristiano Ronaldo Michael Black 22 March, 2018 Cristiano Ronaldo, La Liga, Real Madrid, Transfer News & Rumours Luiz Felipe Scolari has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo has enquired about life in China. Scolari, who coached the Real Madrid forward when he was in charge of Portugal between 2003 and 2008, is the current boss of Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande. He has hinted that Ronaldo could play in China one day after revealing that the 33-year-old has asked him about the lifestyle there.“He who has asked me more than once how life in China is Cristiano Ronaldo – why can’t he go to China? he told Esporte Interativo. “Yes, he has asked me what it’s like to live in China. I gave him all the coordinates. And also we have to understand that China is China for different players. “Cristiano Ronaldo has brands, an industry. Then I told him what I always say – whoever receives an opportunity, has to go to China.” Ronaldo struggled during the first half of the season but he has proved his quality since the start of 2018, scoring 21 times in 13 appearances. He has been influential in Real Madrid’s defence of the Champions League, netting 12 times in eight games to help secure their place in the quarter-finals against Juventus. Ronaldo is under contract at Madrid until June 2021 and a move to China may well have to wait a season or two, but a lucrative swansong in Asia nearer to the end of his career could be on the cards. |