Fans are in for a treat this summer with five major tournaments taking place across the world over the next few months.
The inaugural UEFA Nations League Finals kick things off in Portugal on June 5, while the Women’s World Cup gets underway in France a couple of days later.
The Copa America in Brazil is next on the agenda the following week, with the Africa Cup of Nations joining in the fun on June 21.
Attention switches back to club football on July 16 as the International Champions Cup takes centre stage …
“Herein lies a recurrent theme throughout (Gian Piero) Gasperini’s career; an ability to revitalise slightly jaded or undervalued talent to achieve maximum potential”, (Source: thesefootballtimes.co).
AC Milan?…no, Roma?…no, Lazio?…no, but Atalanta will be one of Serie A‘s representatives in the Champions League next season. Not only have they secured their highest ever league finish, but finishing third has put them automatically into the group phase. Before the season started this was not deemed possible. This accomplishment however, is a reward for sticking with their manager (Gasperini), selling players for good money …
Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool meet in Madrid on Saturday, June 1, hoping to round off the season by clinching the prestigious Champions League trophy.
Both sides seemed unlikely finalists during their respective last four ties, but showed tremendous character to make it through.
Punters using the bet365 bonus code to wager on the final can back Liverpool at odds of 1/2 to lift the trophy, while Spurs are priced at 13/8.
Liverpool are almost at full strength for the game, with midfielder Naby Keita the only first team regular who has definitely been …
Chelsea and Arsenal go head-to-head in Azerbaijan, on Wednesday, May 29, aiming to finish off the season by claiming the Europa League trophy.
The game has added significance for both sides, with neither having secured any other silverware during the current campaign.
Chelsea are slight favourites with NetBet to beat Arsenal, although there is little to choose between the two sides in the betting.
Blues’ boss Maurizio Sarri has been handed a massive injury blow ahead of the game after Ruben Loftus-Cheek limped off during a 3-0 friendly win against New England Revolution …
Real Madrid host Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg on Wednesday having drawn 1-1 at the Nou Camp three weeks ago.
Madrid caused Barcelona plenty of problems in the first meeting, with Lucas Vazquez opening the scoring before Malcom equalised.
However, their record in this competition is surprisingly poor, having won it just twice in the last 25 years.
By contrast, Barca have lifted the trophy six times in the last 10 years and are chasing their fifth Copa del Rey success in a row.
Ernesto Valverde’s side head to the …
At the start of the season I made my predictions for the Champions League Group Stage, and 14 out of 16 teams tipped to qualify were correct, with Schalke getting through instead of Galatasaray (Group D), and Lyon ahead of Shakthar Donetsk (Group F). So now it is time for the knockout stages, let us have a look at who will advance to the Quarter Finals.
Champions League Round of 16
Legs to be played on 12th February & 6th March
Manchester United v Paris Saint Germain
This tie could not come about …
In the summer, Chelsea, let go of Coach Antonio Conte and bought in his fellow Italian Maurizio Sarri, to replace him. Sarri’s demand of quick passing, movement and getting the ball into wide areas to supplement the strikers (‘Sarriball’), was quickly implemented by Chelsea’s players. Chelsea started the Premier League season by going 12 games unbeaten, before losing to Tottenham. Since then, Chelsea have lost to Wolverhampton, Leicester and drawn with Southampton. These results have meant after their great start, that they have fallen away from the top 3 of …
With Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur looking good bets to fill the top three spots in the Premier League, there a trio of teams battling to claim fourth and a lucrative place in next season’s Champions League.
Chelsea are currently in pole position, three points ahead of Arsenal with Manchester United a further three points adrift in sixth place. Read on as we assess their respective chances of finishing in the top four.
Blues need more firepower
Chelsea’s failure to sign a top class forward last summer could seriously impact their chances …
With just six points separating the top three sides in the Premier League this season’s title race could be one of the most exciting in years.
Liverpool currently lead the way by four points from reigning champions Manchester City, with Tottenham Hotspur a further two points adrift in third place. Read on we assess their respective title chances.
Liverpool eager to avoid wobble
Liverpool followed up their defeat by Manchester City by getting knocked out of the FA Cup and they will be eager to ensure those results don’t turn into a full …
