Tag: football

Competition: A-League

Market: Wellington Phoenix double chance

Odds: 8/15 @ 888sport

Looking to make it back-to-back A-League victories on Friday morning, Wellington will make the trip to a struggling Perth when this weekend’s fixtures get underway.

Starting with the hosts, while Perth might have finally managed to pick up a much-needed boost against Western United on December 10th, it appears that was nothing more than a minor positive note for the A-League strugglers. Making an immediate return to losing ways last weekend as they were hit with a toothless 1-0 loss away at Macarthur, Ruben Zadkovich’s men are at the heart of another nightmare domestic campaign. Lifting the wooden spoon last season and once again sat rock-bottom of the A-League standings this time around, the Purples have taken just six points from their opening eight top-flight showdowns. With their extended issues highlighted by a 4-0 drumming at the hands of

Competition: EFL Cup

Market: Brighton win

Odds: 4/11 @ 888sport

Looking to extend on their EFL Cup adventure on Wednesday night, Brighton will make the trip to a struggling Charlton.

Starting with the hosts, suffering another collapse on home soil over the weekend as they were eventually hit with a 2-1 loss at home against Bristol Rovers, Charlton find themselves at the heart of what has become a real nightmare. While the one-time Premier League outfit might have been dreaming of mounting a genuine play-off charge this season, many in their camp are now firmly looking over their shoulder at the drop zone. Coming under real scrutiny on December 7th as they came crashing out of the FA Cup following a 3-1 drumming away at League Two outfit Stockport, the Addicks are without a win from any of their last seven contests across all formats. With that woeful run of

Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City are reportedly the three leading candidates to land prized RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol after his excellent World Cup for Croatia.

Gvardiol, 20, has emerged as one of the top young centre-backs in the world after breaking into Leipzig’s starting XI last season, and with 19 senior caps for Croatia under his belt already, he is well established on the international stage.

Having been signed from Dinamo Zagreb for €16million in 2020, that deal has proven to be a bargain, but it remains to be seen if Leipzig feel it is good business to part ways with their young star with four more years remaining on his contract.

TOP STORY – EUROPE’S TOP CLUBS CIRCLE CROATIA’S ROCK IN DEFENSE

Gvardiol may feel his future does not lie in Leipzig, but with his contract tying him to the club until 2027, he has no leverage

Competition: Spanish Segunda

Market: Albacete win

Odds: 5/6 @ 888sport

Looking to claim back-to-back Segunda victories on Sunday lunchtime, Albacete will welcome Ibiza to the Estadio Carlos Belmonte.

Starting with the hosts, while Albacete might have only made their Segunda return this season, Ruben Albes’ men have continued on what has been a stellar run of form. Making a return to winning ways last weekend as they claimed a 2-1 victory away at Las Palmas, the Whites are dreaming of clinching a shock play-off spot in 2023. Opening Sunday’s showdown at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte sat just three points adrift of breaking into the top-six, the former Lugo boss has also seen his side gain a reputation for their rugged displays on home soil. In fact, including a 2-1 win against Racing Santander on November 26th, Albacete have lost just one of their previous seven matchups in Castile–La Mancha. With

Competition: League One

Market: Barnsley win

Odds: 10/11 @ 888sport

Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the League One table, Barnsley will welcome Burton to Oakwell on Saturday afternoon.

Starting with the hosts, while Barnsley might have lost their Championship status last season, Michael Duff’s men have their sights set on clinching an immediate second-tier return this time around. Last seen on December 2nd when laying down another marker as they picked up a 2-1 victory away at Peterborough, the Tykes should find the mood in their camp at a high. Tipped as a leading promotion contender, the former Cheltenham boss has seen his side gain plenty of plaudits. In fact, it should be noted that the Yorkshire-based outfit have now won six of their previous seven contests across all formats. Likewise, with that extended purple patch stemming all the way back to October

Competition: Chinese Super League

Market: Under 3.5 goals

Odds: 3/10 @ 888sport

Two sides who are battling it out at the top of the Super League table, Zhejiang Professional will welcome Chengdu Rongcheng to the Hangzhou Huanglong Stadium on Thursday morning.

Starting with the hosts, last seen putting in another dominant display as they picked up a 2-0 victory at home against Meizhou Hakka, Zhejiang Professional are in the midst of what has become a real purple patch. While Jordi Vinyals’ side might have only made their top-flight return this season, the Greens have their sights firmly set on clinching an AFC Champions League spot in 2023. Now winning each of their last six straight domestic showdowns, the one-time Barcelona coach will also be excited by his side’s recent displays at the back. Keeping a clean sheet in their previous three consecutive Super League victories, Zhejiang will be looking to

Erik ten Hag revealed Manchester United will target a striker to replace Cristiano Ronaldo in the January transfer window.

Ronaldo acrimoniously exited Old Trafford last month following an explosive interview, in which he criticised boss Ten Hag and the club’s owners.

United have been linked with moves for Cody Gakpo and Goncalo Ramos – both of whom scored three goals at the World Cup for the Netherlands and Portugal respectively.

Ten Hag says the Red Devils are on the hunt for a centre forward, but the Dutchman would not reveal the identity of their targets.

When asked whether United were on the lookout for a striker, the Dutchman replied: “Yes, but only when we find the right player. We do everything in our power.

“We are doing research on every opportunity, and we do everything we can if that opportunity is there to contract them.

“I cannot give comments on

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised his side for “facing every situation” after watching them come through a penalty shoot-out to see off the Netherlands and secure a place in the World Cup semi-finals.

Scaloni’s men squandered a 2-0 lead handed to them by a Nahuel Molina strike and a Lionel Messi penalty with two late efforts from Dutch substitute Wout Weghorst sending the match to extra-time and beyond.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved the Netherlands’ first two spot-kicks, from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis, before Lautaro Martinez slotted home the winning kick to send Argentina through to a last four clash with Croatia.

Scaloni said: “Argentina have team spirit because we know how to face every situation in the game.

“It’s true we did not deserve to go to a penalty shoot-out but we fought to the end because the Dutch caused trouble for us.

“It was a strange second

Competition: Turkey 1 Lig

Market: Samsunspor win

Odds: 1/2 @ 888sport

Looking to extend on their promotion charge on Friday evening, Samsunspor will welcome Yeni Malatyaspor to the Samsun Stadium.

Starting with the hosts, last seen putting in another stellar display as they breezed their way to a 5-0 romp at home against Denizlispor, Samsunspor are enjoying what has been a real purple patch. Opening up this weekend’s fixtures battling it out at the top of the second-tier table, it is no secret that Bayram Bektas’ side have their sights firmly set on clinching a Super Lig return this season. Knowing that they have been handed another golden chance on Friday evening, the Samsun-based outfit are enjoying an eight-match unbeaten run across all formats. With their extended charge highlighted by a 4-0 victory against Adanaspor on November 9th, Samsunspor have gained a reputation for their free-scoring displays in the final

Competition: Spanish Segunda

Market: Levante win

Odds: 1/2 @ 888sport

Hoping to find a route into the top-two on Thursday evening, Levante will welcome a struggling Ponferradina to the Ciutat de Valencia.

Starting with the hosts, while Levante might have lost their La Liga status last season, it is no secret that the Frogs have their sights fixed on an immediate top-flight return. Putting in another rugged display last weekend as they picked up a 1-0 victory at home against Malaga, Javier Calleja’s men will know that another victory here could see them skyrocket into the top-two. With the mood in their camp at a real high, the one-time Villarreal boss finds his side enjoying a stellar 10-match unbeaten run across all formats. With their extended purple patch stemming all the way back to September 9th, Levante have also continued to gain a reputation for their eye-catching performances on home