Pep Guardiola proudly declared Manchester City and Liverpool have raised the bar in the Premier League, and on Sunday the north-west giants collide in a game that could have a telling impact on the destiny of the trophy.
It falls inconveniently between high-stakes Champions League quarter-final games, although the fact both City and Liverpool are ahead after the first legs of their ties somewhat mitigates that pressure.
Given City hold just a one-point lead over Liverpool with eight rounds of games remaining, a win for either at the Etihad Stadium would be a huge leap nearer to the title.
The prospect of Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp directing in their animated manner from the touchline, as their star-packed teams pull no punches on the pitch, makes this an unmiss…
Cesc Fabregas has urged Paris Saint-Germain supporters to get behind a struggling Lionel Messi, rather than criticising his former team-mate.
The seven-time Ballon d Or winner swapped Barcelona for Paris last August, ending his 21-year association with the Blaugrana.
Messi departed the Camp Nou as Barca s all-time leading appearance maker and goalscorer, having netted 672 times across 778 games in all competitions.
However, the Argentina captain has been unable to replicate that form in Ligue 1, scoring just twice in 18 appearances so far.
Mauricio Pochettino s side are well on course to regain their Ligue 1 crown, as they lead second-placed Marseille by 12 points with nine matches remaining.
But following their Champions League last-16 exit at …
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Looking to finish the job and punch their EFL Cup final ticket on Wednesday night, Liverpool will travel to Craven Cottage.
Fulham
Starting with the hosts, while Fulham might have signed off 2023 with a stellar 2-1 victory at home against title contenders Arsenal, Marco Silva’s side have largely struggled with their consistency this season. Last seen getting hit with a toothless 1-0 loss at the hands of west London rivals Chelsea, the former Everton boss has seen his squad lose four of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Slumping to a 2-1 defeat when they travelled to Anfield for their first leg showdown on January 10th, the Cottagers will be more than aware that they face a real challenge here. However, despite b…
Diego Simeone is targeting some new signings to reinvigorate an Atletico Madrid squad that needs new energy .
Atletico were disappointing in the defence of their LaLiga title and have lost nine games and conceded 42 goals – both their worst totals since the 2011-12 campaign, when they appointed Simeone midway through the season.
A strong finish to this term, in which they went on a run of nine wins in 12 outings, enabled them to secure a top-four finish and a place in next season s Champions League.
Simeone still has faith in the ability of his squad but feels it would be wise for Atleti to try to conduct some galvanising transfers.
We have a strong squad. In almost all areas, we have players who can give us what we want. We don t need many pla…
England boss Sarina Wiegman is “positive” Fran Kirby will bounce back from her latest fitness issue and brushed aside suggestions that the midfielder’s lack of playing time is becoming a concern.
Kirby pulled up in the warm-up before the Lionesses’ 7-2 friendly victory over Austria on Friday night, and on Sunday the Football Association confirmed she had withdrawn from the squad for further assessment on a “minor knee injury.”
It is yet another blow for Kirby, who missed out on the Lionesses’ World Cup campaign last summer after undergoing knee surgery for a long-standing issue, and in October pulled on an England shirt for the first time in over a year.
Asked about Kirby’s injury history and limited starts for her club, Wiegman said: “I don’t…
West Ham United are interested in signing Kieran Trippier from Premier League rivals Newcastle United in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that the Hammers are on the hunt for a new right-back, and that the London club have identified Trippier as a potential target.
Trippier has been on the books of Newcastle since 2022 when he joined from Atletico Madrid. The England international right-back is one of the best players in his position and has been superb for the Magpies during his time at St. James’ Park.
The former Tottenham Hotspur right-back has made 179 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career. Trippier has scored six goals, given 35 assists and kept 47 clean sheets in those games. Newcastle finished seventh in the Pre…
Marc Skinner has signed a one-year contract extension as Manchester United Women head coach with the option of a further 12 months.
The 41-year-old guided United to their first major silverware last weekend with victory over Tottenham in the Women s FA Cup final.
United are fifth in the Women s Super League with one game to go a massive drop on last term s runners-up finish but Skinner will stay on.
It s an honour to extend my stay at Manchester United, Skinner, who was appointed in 2021, told United s official website after the news was confirmed on Friday.
I ve always felt at home here, with our excellent players, staff, and fans.
Being able to secure the team s first major trophy at Wembley was a real career highlight for me and another sig…
Ajax head coach John Heitinga rued more frustrations in a disappointing season after Feyenoord came from behind to strike a significant Eredivisie title blow.
Arne Slot s side moved six points clear at the Dutch top-flight summit after Lutsharel Geertruida scored an 86th-minute winner in a 3-2 victory over second-placed Ajax on Sunday.
It marked the first time since August 2014 that Ajax lost an Eredivisie game they had led at half-time, after Edson Alvarez and Dusan Tadic goals had sent the hosts in leading 2-1 at the interval.
With only the top two qualifying for the Champions League, Heitinga – in charge until the end of the season following Alfred Schreuder s sacking in January – acknowledged Ajax are struggling with AZ and PSV in hot pursuit.
Le…
Bayern Munich s sporting director Max Eberl says that Leon Goretzka will not be exiled if he stays at the club after the transfer window closes.
Under Thomas Tuchel last season, Goretzka started in 25 of his 30 Bundesliga appearances, winning 23 of his 41 tackles, only ranking sixth highest in the Bayern squad.
The midfielder looks to have slipped down the pecking order since Vincent Kompany s arrival, playing a bit-part role during pre-season.
Goretzka, who has made 221 appearances since joining from Schalke in 2018, was left out of the squad for their 4-0 win over Ulm in the first round of the DFB-Pokal last Friday.
However, he did start Tuesday s 4-0 friendly win over Grasshopper Club Zurich, playing just over an hour as he filled a gap in defence aft…
Colombia will host the final of the 2020 Copa America, the Colombian Football Federation (FCF) has confirmed.
The tournament is being co-hosted with Argentina, but the FCF said on Friday it will stage the final for only the second time.
Colombia also welcomed the 2001 competition, when they won their first Copa America title by beating Mexico 1-0 in the final.
The executive committee of the Colombian Football Federation is proud and happy to announce that the final of the Copa America Colombia-Argentina 2020 will be played in our country, an FCF statement said.
For Colombia, it is a privilege to have this vote of confidence on the part of CONMEBOL, to elect us as the venue for the final of the most important tournament in South America.
The…