Market: Raul Jiminez to score anytime
Odds: 6/5 @
Looking to make a return to winning ways in the capital this weekend, Wolves will make the trip to what appears to be a downbeat London Stadium on Sunday night.
Starting with the hosts, although West Ham might have managed to extend on their EFL Cup adventure after putting five past League One outfit Hull in midweek, it has been a worrying start to the New Year for the Hammers. Dealing with a string of off-field issues and a real feeling of animosity around the Lond Stadium, David Moyes men have been hit with back-to-back Premier League defeats and many have them tipped to be at the heart of another relegation scrap this time around. Only continuing to show the same defensive issues that haunted them for large s…
Barcelona are at risk of a last-16 exit from the Copa del Rey after a 2-1 first-leg loss at Levante left their trophy defence in doubt.
Memories of the 5-4 thriller at Ciutat de Valencia last season that cost Ernesto Valverde s men an unbeaten LaLiga campaign came flooding back during an end-to-end first half in which Levante thrived.
Jeison Murillo and Chumi, afforded opportunities amid a raft of Barca changes, floundered at the heart of defence and the hosts took full advantage, storming to an early two-goal advantage thanks to Erick Cabaco and Borja Mayoral.
The absence of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez hampered the holders hopes of extracting a result although they do have a goal to take back to Camp Nou on January 17 thanks to Philippe Coutinho s potentiall…
Beth Mead admits not being included in England’s Women’s World Cup squad was “a tough pill to swallow” but is looking forward to cheering the Lionesses on throughout the tournament.
This year’s competition takes place in Australia and New Zealand, with Sarina Wiegman’s side kicking off their campaign against Haiti in Group D on July 22.
England will be without the injured Mead, who won the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament awards when they won the Euros last summer.
The Arsenal forward is continuing her recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained last November and knew the turnaround to make the squad would be tight.
“When I did my knee I knew time was probably going a little bit against me,” Mead told the PA news a…
Liverpool are interested in signing Perr Schuurs from Torino in the summer transfer window, according to . The report in the Italian publication has claimed that Liverpool have made a bid for the 23-year-old Dutch central defender. Serie A outfit Torino have turned it down.
Former Premier League and UEFA Champions League winners Liverpool have offered Torino €30 million (£25.75 million) for the 23-year-old Dutch centre-back. The Italian club are looking for €40 million (£34.34 million) for Schuurs. Napoli, who won Serie A last season, are also interested in the youngster.
Napoli have made a bid of €25m (£21.46m) plus €3m (£2.58m) add-ons for Schuurs. Torino have rejected it as well. Schuurs made 28 starts and two substitute appearances in Serie A for Torino …
Negri Sembilan captain Shukor Adan believes Saturday s Malaysia Cup final against Terengganu will be a match to remember.
The 32-year-old midfielder claimed both sides have been the best throughout the tournament, thus making them worthy of their place in the decider.
I don t think anyone could ask for a bigger or better final, Shukor told the New Straits Times.
There is no doubt the two best teams have made it to the final. Terengganu are the ultimate. They are the best attacking team in the country.
But our football can be just as good. We have a lot of quality too. Both teams want to go forward and score goals.
Negri Sembilan have been consistent Malaysia Cup performers in recent times, with this being their fourth final in just six years…
Swiss champions Basel have completed the signing of veteran centre-back Walter Samuel on a free transfer.
The 36-year-old joins Paulo Sousa s side as a free agent after his contract at Serie A giants Inter expired.
Samuel enjoyed a trophy-laden nine-year stint at San Siro, collecting five league titles, three Coppa Italia medals and the UEFA Champions League in 2010.
Italian top-flight outfit Sampdoria had been linked with the Argentina international, but he has opted to make the move to Switzerland.
I am very happy and look forward to the new challenge and the adventure of at Basel, Samuel told the club s official website.
Basel president, Bernhard Heusler, added: With Walter Samuel Basel sign a very experienced player and also a great personali…
Leading up to Sunday’s Premier League opener at home to Stoke City, Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka said he never had any intention to leave last season, contrary to reports.
From leading the Championship in January to securing only three victories in 10 matches, Karanka was absent during Middlesbrough s 2-0 loss away to Charlton Athletic, sparking rumours of a rift with the dressing room.
But Karanka denied those reports as Boro prepare for their return to England s top flight.
I never wanted to leave. I spoke with the chairman Steve Gibson. There was talk about my relationship with the players, Karanka told the Daily Mail.
But I came back and we went the last 10 games unbeaten and went up. That’s some manager who has no relationship with his p…
Chelsea captain John Terry feels Monday s 3-1 win at Burnley was the perfect way to start their Premier League title push.
Chelsea trailed the top-flight newcomers after Scott Arfield s sensational early strike, but goals from Diego Costa, Andre Schurrle and Branislav Ivanovic led Jose Mourinho s men to victory.
Terry praised Chelsea s work in the close-season which has seen them sign the likes of Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Filipe Luis and was pleased to get three points on the board.
We ve had some very big signings, Terry told Chelsea s official website.
Diego Costa held it up well [against Burnley] and got on the scoresheet which is a great start for him.
We re hoping to win the Premier League that s our target this season.
It s going…
France head coach Didier Deschamps has cautioned his players against underestimating Netherlands when the countries meet in Thursday s World Cup qualifier at the Stade de France.
Deschamps men sit three points ahead of their opponents in second place in Group A, level on points with leaders Sweden who inflicted a surprise defeat upon Les Bleus in June.
World Cup semi-finalists three years ago, Netherlands have suffered a fall from grace having failed to reach Euro 2016.
Defeat away to Bulgaria during the current campaign led to Danny Blind being sacked as head coach and, after a 5-0 win over minnows Luxembourg, Dick Advocaat now faces the first significant challenge of his third spell at the helm.
Great things are expected of Deschamps current crop, boast…
Manchester City have claimed comments made by the president of LaLiga about the club s spending are pure fiction .
Javier Tebas, speaking at a Soccerex event on Wednesday, suggested super-rich clubs including City and Paris Saint-Germain have an unfair advantage over European rivals despite Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
Tebas commented specifically on Neymar s world-record move from Barcelona to PSG, saying the Ligue 1 side were caught peeing in the swimming pool while the Brazilian peed from the diving board .
LaLiga s outspoken president also warned City linked with a stunning move for Lionel Messi, who has a €300million release clause, even larger than the €222m paid for Neymar could complete similar massive deals due to their riches.
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