Month: January 2023

Xavi was “in a state of shock” following news of former Barcelona star Dani Alves being arrested on suspicion of carrying out a sexual assault.

Brazilian right-back Alves was arrested in Barcelona on Friday after it was alleged he assaulted a woman in a nightclub bathroom.

The 39-year-old denied committing the offence when he spoke to Spanish broadcaster Antena 3 in early January.

Alves, who has also played for Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla, gave a statement to the Mossos d’Esquadra police force on Friday before the public prosecutor’s office requested that he should be detained and not granted bail.

He has been kept in prison while investigations continue, and his contract with Mexican club Pumas UNAM has been terminated.

Xavi, a former Barcelona team-mate of Alves, signed the defender for a short second Barcelona stint last season.

Speaking in a Barcelona pre-match press conference on Saturday, Xavi said: “It is difficult to comment on a situation like this. I am surprised, shocked, in a state of shock.

“It is a matter of justice. Justice will dictate whatever.”

Alves became the oldest player to feature in a World Cup match for Brazil when he played against Cameroon in Qatar last month.

– Arsenal have won seven of their eight Premier League home games this season 
– Manchester United kept just one clean sheet in their last seven away league games 
– Recommended Bet: Arsenal to win and both teams to score

Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace has stalled their momentum and they now face the toughest test in the land as they head to Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday.

Before Wednesday’s result, this match was primed as a rivalry reborn featuring two great clubs returning to greatness.

However, the draw at Selhurst Park not only cost the Red Devils their recent momentum but it also resulted in an untimely late yellow card for the man who has shaped their performances this season, Casemiro, meaning the Brazilian will miss the game at the Emirates.

The Gunners sit top of the Premier League table, five points clear at the time of writing, and they will be looking to get revenge on the only side to have beaten them in the league this season.

United have risen to third having lost just one of their last 12 league games but Michael Olise’s late strike after Bruno Fernandes had put them ahead felt like a real blow at Palace.

After the high of winning last Saturday’s Manchester derby, Erik ten Hag needs to rouse his troops against a Gunners side who were irresistible in beating local rivals Tottenham last time out.

Team news

Arsenal are still without Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Reiss Nelson (hamstring), while new signing Leandro Trossard was registered in time to be eligible following his move from Brighton.

Mohamed Elneny is a doubt with a knee problem, while Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Bukayo Saka are all one yellow card away from a suspension.

Casemiro’s absence provides a quandary for Ten Hag. 

The Dutchman pushed Christian Eriksen forward into a number 10 role against City and may do so again, with Scott McTominay and Fred stationed behind him.

Diogo Dalot and Anthony Martial could come back into contention for Sunday’s game following respective leg injuries but Donny van de Beek is out for the season after undergoing knee surgery.

Jadon Sancho is also unavailable but on-loan Jack Butland could be included in the squad after being illegible against his parent club Palace.

The stats

Arsenal have won seven of their eight home league games in the league this season, with their sole dropped points coming in January’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle. 

However, they have kept just two clean sheets in that run.

The Gunners were fantastic in last Sunday’s 2-0 win over Tottenham and have not lost at home in the league to United since 2017, winning the most recent meeting 3-2 in April.

United have won five times on the road this season in the league, most recently beating Wolves 1-0 on New Year’s Eve.

However, their defensive record away from home is poor, conceding 17 times, a tally in stark contrast to at Old Trafford where they have let in just five goals.

With the last three meetings between the teams all producing over 3.5 goals, it could be another explosive meeting at the Emirates.

Prediction

Olise’s late strike for Palace and the yellow card for Casemiro, who also missed a chance to make amends and take the victory in stoppage time, has only added to the feeling that things are really falling into place for Arsenal.

The old saying is that you make your own luck and the Gunners’ dazzling play in recent months has left little doubt that on current form, they are the best team in the country.

While the atmosphere at the Emirates has occasionally turned toxic in recent years, there is a real optimism around the place this season and that has been reflected by performances on the field.

Arsenal won this fixture last season 3-1 and there is a real sense a similar outcome could be on the cards and a home win and both teams to score is available at 21/10 with LiveScore Bet.

Kyogo Furuhashi hit the 20-goal mark for the campaign as Celtic beat Morton 5-0 in the Scottish Cup.

The Japanese striker matched his tally for last season thanks to a first-half double in the fourth-round tie at Celtic Park.

Aaron Mooy also hit a brace and David Turnbull scored his second spectacular goal of the week but the game was not without controversy after the opener came courtesy of an extraordinarily harsh VAR decision against former Hoops defender Efe Ambrose.

Morton had enjoyed some decent spells of pressure before Mooy opened the scoring from the spot and had a chance to go ahead after Callum McGregor was just wide from long range at the other end.

Lewis Strapp had the sort of chance the 2,000 or so fans in the sold-out away end would have dreamed about after playing a one-two with Robbie Crawford. But the left-back shot straight at Joe Hart from 10 yards.

Morton continued to press and Robbie Muirhead could not turn the ball home from close range following Jack Baird’s header.

The game played on for about two minutes after Liel Abada saw a shot blocked but video assistant referee Craig Napier spotted something that had apparently gone unnoticed inside the stadium and eventually notified referee Kevin Clancy.

Footage showed Abada’s shot hit off the foot of Baird then bounced up away from goal and skimmed Ambrose’s arm, which was slightly out from his body. Napier decided it was a “clear and obvious” error from Clancy, who pointed to the spot after studying the incident on his monitor.

Mooy sent Brian Schwake the wrong way in the 18th minute and Celtic doubled their lead three minutes later when Ambrose took a heavy touch on the edge of his box and Abada set Furuhashi up to net.

Morton had their own VAR check for a possible penalty when Alistair Johnston closed Strapp down in the act of shooting but there was no offence.

Abada and Daizen Maeda threatened before Celtic went further ahead in the 42nd minute when Furuhashi laid the ball back for Turnbull to find the bottom corner with a first-time side-footed effort from 22 yards.

Furuhashi struck again in stoppage time after Grant Gillespie had taken a fresh-air swipe at Abada’s cutback.

Japanese midfielder Tomoki Iwata replaced McGregor at half-time to make his debut.

Ambrose survived another VAR check following a more obvious handball. No penalty was given as the ball hit his trailing arm after coming off his own foot.

Morton defended well and were on their way to a second-half shut-out after Abada hit the post and Schwake saved from Turnbull and Johnston.

But Mooy added the fifth in the 84th minute when he finished from close range after substitute Sead Haksabanovic had dribbled his way into the goalmouth.

– Man City have won eight of 10 Premier League fixtures at the Etihad, losing just once 
– Wolves have won just one away game in the Premier League this season 
– Riyad Mahrez has scored five goals in his last four games 
– Recommended bets: 
– City to win and over 2.5 goals 
– Mahrez to score first

Manchester City kept themselves in the Premier League title picture with a pulsating 4-2 comeback win over Tottenham on Thursday night but the team was berated by manager Pep Guardiola, who will be looking for an improved performance against Wolves.

City trailed Spurs 2-0 at half-time in midweek with Guardiola insisting his players were lacking fire, having previously ruled his side out of the title race.

Opponents Wolves have their own problems with relegation a real danger despite new manager Julen Lopetegui having overseen two league wins since taking charge.

Team news

Rico Lewis is a doubt for Manchester City after picking up a knock against Tottenham.

Kevin De Bruyne, Joao Cancelo, Phil Foden and Ruben Dias all started on the bench against Spurs and could come into the starting line-up for this contest.

Visitors Wolves will be without Chiquinho, Pedro Neto, Sasa Kalajdzic and Boubacar Traore, who are all sidelined, but new signing Pablo Sarabia could be involved.

The stats

Despite Guardiola’s concerns, City are going well in the Premier League this season with 13 wins from 19 matches.

That said, they have not been particularly tight at the back and have recorded only two clean sheets in their eight competitive matches since returning from the World Cup break.

Wolves have struggled defensively this season and have kept only one clean sheet in nine away games in the Premier League.

One player to keep an eye on going forwards is City’s Riyad Mahrez, who has scored five goals since the start of 2023.

Prediction

For many, Guardiola’s post-match comments following City’s comeback win over Tottenham could be construed as mind games, although it is clear the Citizens are not clicking in the way they did in the early stages of the season.

They were not exactly barnstorming in their 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Premier League at the start of the year, while they have already sustained defeats on the road to Southampton in the EFL Cup and Manchester United in the Premier League this month.

For any other team, it would not be particularly surprising and would be considered an expected dip in form.

However, Guardiola has set exceptionally high standards at City and it is fair to say they have not been gelling in the same way as runaway Premier League leaders Arsenal with fears over a deeper malaise in his squad.

But great teams get results even when not everything is going well and that is exactly what City did on Thursday night, which could act as a catalyst for a turnaround in performances.

City will also have added motivation going into this game with Wolves, knowing at least one of Arsenal or Manchester United will drop points this weekend when they clash at the Emirates Stadium.

City’s players will be well aware the spotlight is on them following Guardiola’s comments and this is the kind of game in which they could rack up the goals.

Even with the team having not been at its sharpest, City have managed to score at least three times in four of their eight matches since the hiatus and a bet on Manchester City to win and over 2.5 goals could represent value at 3/5 with LiveScore Bet.

One player Guardiola did give praise to in the aftermath of the Tottenham victory was winger Mahrez, who has sparked into life since the turn of the year, scoring a brace in that game and three goals in two games against Chelsea at the start of the month.

He could be a good selection to score the first goal of this contest against struggling Wolves at 5/1 with LiveScore Bet.

Xavi has challenged Ansu Fati to prove he can be a leader for Barcelona while suspended striker Robert Lewandowski waits to return.

Fati only played the closing moments of Barcelona’s 3-1 Supercopa de Espana final win over Real Madrid last Sunday as the club landed their first trophy since Lionel Messi left in August 2021. It was Xavi’s first trophy as Barcelona coach.

The 20-year-old Fati was a substitute again for the Copa del Rey win over Ceuta on Thursday, coming on to score the third goal in a 5-0 rout.

His bit-part role is something Fati may have to accept given Lewandowski is a seemingly guaranteed starter when available to head coach Xavi. This weekend sees Lewandowski serve the second part of a three-game ban.

Gavi, Pedri and Ousmane Dembele have featured off the Polish striker, with Raphinha and Ferran Torres also getting chances.

Now it seems Fati may get to start against Getafe in LaLiga on Sunday, with Xavi saying: “He plays a decisive role in the team. He makes a difference and has that great communion with the goal.

“He is decisive and is being important for the team, and more so in the games that Robert is not there due to suspension he has to be a reference.”

Barcelona are on a high after the Supercopa success, with Xavi saying: “This victory against Madrid means a lot to us, it gives us confidence and morale and makes us believe more.

“Now is the time to maintain our level and compete and fight for the three remaining titles.”

They have LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Europa League still to play for, having been knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage, with Xavi determined to wring everything out of his players.

“You have to keep demanding and even increase the demands,” the coach said. “Now it’s easy to relax, and you have to avoid that and make everyone feel important.

“You can play better. The game against Madrid was excellent and brilliant, but you have to keep up the level.”

Xavi said there are fitness concerns over Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong ahead of Getafe’s visit to Camp Nou.

“They’re available, but they’re having problems again,” Xavi said. “We can’t play with players who are at 80 per cent. Every game is a war, it’s a final.”

Barcelona headed into the weekend with a three-point lead over Madrid at the top of the table, also knowing they had not lost at home in their 17 previous games against Getafe (W13 D4).

The Catalan giants no longer have Memphis Depay in their ranks after he made a move to Atletico Madrid this week, with the Dutch forward having told Xavi he was “not comfortable” and needed to play more often.

Xavi is unsure whether he will be able to make signings before the January transfer window closes given financial fair play limitations, but he said it “wouldn’t be a problem” if there is no further movement on that front.

Carlo Ancelotti emphatically ruled out the possibility of Eduardo Camavinga leaving Real Madrid following links with Arsenal and Chelsea.

The 20-year-old midfielder joined Los Blancos in August 2021 in a reported €31million deal after emerging as one of Europe’s most promising young players at Rennes.

He unsurprisingly took ownership of a rotation role during his first season, making 13 LaLiga starts from 26 appearances.

But the France international has struggled to kick on this term, with only five of his 16 league outings coming as a starter.

His future was then called into question on Friday when speculation surfaced suggesting Arsenal were particularly keen on a loan move, while big-spending Chelsea have been credited with an interest.

Camavinga’s agent insisted on Saturday that the player is happy in Madrid, and Ancelotti looked to firmly put an end to the rumours.

“Eduardo is untouchable, like [Luka] Modric and [Toni] Kroos,” the Italian told reporters ahead of Sunday’s trip to Athletic Bilbao.

Camavinga is not the only Madrid player who has had to contend with a degree of uncertainty around his future.

Nacho Fernandez, Dani Ceballos and Marco Asensio are among the players who have entered the final six months of their contracts.

Nevertheless, Ancelotti is convinced the lack of certainty is not an issue.

“They could start the game, or be decisive in the game,” he added. “You have to evaluate. From what I see, I see very motivated players, and they show it. We have to see what happens.

“Their contracts are running down and they show that they have motivation, desire, and concentration. The fact that their contract ends does not affect them at all.”

Ancelotti also moved to draw a line under the recent controversy around Aurelien Tchouameni.

The Frenchman, who has been injured for two weeks, was not in attendance for the midweek Copa del Rey win over Villarreal because he went to watch the NBA game in Paris between the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls.

He apologised on Friday and Ancelotti says the situation is resolved.

Ancelotti said: “He made his apology public. He was wrong, but he is a young boy, and the subject has ended with this.”

Harry Maguire believes the growing competition for places at Manchester United is a recipe for success, despite seeing his own game time limited this season.

The Red Devils captain has endured a frustrating campaign, having started only seven matches, and just two in the Premier League since August.

Despite playing the full 90 minutes of United’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth, the England defender appeared only as a late substitute during the recent derby win over Manchester City, while he was unused in the midweek draw with Crystal Palace.

Erik ten Hag’s side headed into this weekend sitting third in the Premier League and eight points behind leaders Arsenal, who they face in a blockbuster clash at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

United then play Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup semi-finals before taking on Reading in the FA Cup fourth round, while an eagerly anticipated Europa League showdown with Barcelona is also on the horizon.

Maguire insists squad rotation is and will continue to be crucial as the club bid to be successful, and potentially end their six-year wait for major silverware, having last triumphed in the 2016-17 Europa League under Jose Mourinho.

“I think subs throughout our season have been really important,” Maguire told United Daily. “They’ve scored some crucial goals, players have come on and had a big impact in the game. So, we know it’s a squad game.

“Obviously, everyone wants to start and everyone’s disappointed when they don’t start the games, but that’s the way it should be because we’re all footballers.

“We’re all competitive, we want to play football, but we’ve also got to be ready when we’re called upon.

“I think our fixture list from now until the end of the season is relentless, not much break, not much rest in between games. So, I’m sure fresh legs will be used.

“And I think if you’re going to be a successful squad, it’s so important to have competition for places in each position, and I think we’ve got that in this team now.”

Massimiliano Allegri acknowledged Juventus must “do something extraordinary” to qualify for the Champions League following their 15-point deduction.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed the punishment on Friday following an investigation into the Bianconeri’s past transfer dealings, though the club confirmed their intention to appeal the sanction.

Former president Andrea Agnelli and former chief executive Maurizio Arrivabene also received two-year bans from Italian football, while former sporting director Fabio Paratici, who is now at Tottenham, was given a 30-month ban.

Juve, who were third in the Serie A table, subsequently slipped to 10th and 12 points off the Champions League places with 20 matches remaining.

“When they told me that the request was nine points, I immediately made the calculation on the distance from the Champions League,” Allegri said ahead of the Bianconeri’s clash with Atalanta on Sunday.

“When the sentence of 15 points arrived, I made another one – points that would be needed to go to the Champions League. To get there, you have to do something extraordinary.”

But Allegri has urged his players to demonstrate unity in the wake of the sanction and remain focused on the task in hand – starting with the visit of Atalanta.

“It’s a special game after what happened yesterday,” he added. “We must all unite even more, continue to work with a low profile. We, the staff and the players, just have to think about the pitch.

“Nothing [changes], we still have to score points. We have to try to win tomorrow. Atalanta are in great physical shape. We play at home, and it is to be faced in the best way. We have to try to do the best we can.

“We must not start again, these judicial events concern society. There will be an appeal, as the lawyers have communicated. We must think only of the field.

“Given the new standings, which is a fact for the moment, we have 22 points, and we must try to win tomorrow to get to 25.”

– Sunderland have lost four of their last six games at home 
– Middlesbrough have won seven of their previous eight in the Championship 
– Recommended Bet: Boro to win and both teams to score

Middlesbrough will look to strengthen their position in the Championship play-offs when they travel to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland on Sunday afternoon.

Michael Carrick’s side are fourth in the table, and could end the weekend in third if results go their way. 

Even though Sunderland are six places behind Boro, a win would take them to within one point of the visitors — such is the competitiveness of the Championship.

Team news

Sunderland go into Sunday’s game on the back of a 3-1 defeat to Swansea City at the Stadium of Light, although their game-plan last weekend was ruined by Luke O’Nien’s early red card.

With O’Nien serving a suspension this week, centre-back Danny Batth is expected to return to the heart of Sunderland’s defence.

Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray is unlikely to make further changes to his team, barring any late injury worries.

Boro coach Carrick will likely do the same and stick with the same XI that beat Millwall 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium last weekend. 

January signing Cameron Archer will have to settle for a place on the bench, while Darragh Lenihan remains the only long-term absentee.

The stats

Sunday’s meeting between Sunderland and Middlesbrough will be the first between the pair at the Stadium of Light since February 2018, so there is little to draw from the head-to-head stats, although Boro won the reverse fixture in September.

Mowbray’s men have been struggling at home of late, having won just two and losing four of their last six games in front of their own supporters.

The Black Cats will need to be at their best to stop Carrick’s troops, who have only lost one of their last five games, and that 5-1 defeat came in the FA Cup to Brighton.

In the Championship, Boro have lost just one of their last 10 games — to league leaders Burnley in December — while they have drawn one other and won eight, with Carrick having taken little time to get the best out of his squad.

Prediction

Any derby match can be unpredictable, and there will be no love lost between the two sides on Sunday afternoon.

But with Boro having won four on the spin in the Championship to surge into play-off contention, it is hard to overlook them across the 90 minutes, although they are not watertight at the back.

Carrick’s side have only kept one clean sheet on their travels all season, which should give Sunderland some hope of finding the back of the net.

Mowbray’s men are not shy in front of goal at home either, with Sunderland netting seven goals in their last four at the Stadium of Light.

Sunday’s contest should be entertaining and full of passion, but a Boro win and both teams to score appeals at 18/5 with LiveScore Bet.

New York Yankees president Randy Levine has joined the board of Serie A football giants Milan, it was revealed on Saturday.

The move tightens the connection between the two sporting titans, with Yankee Global Enterprises, which owns the Major League Baseball team, having acquired a minority stake when investment firm RedBird Capital took ownership of Milan last August in a €1.2billion deal.

In a statement, Milan said: “AC Milan today announced that Randy Levine, president of the New York Yankees, has joined the club’s board of directors.

“Mr Levine has been the president of the New York Yankees for over 20 years and is recognised globally as one of the most accomplished executives in the sports and entertainment industries.”

Milan chairman Paolo Scaroni said of Levine: “His experience and expertise will integrate with ours, contributing to the growth path of the club and creating opportunities to expand its global appeal.

“The appointment of Randy will help us develop new synergies at a global level, in line with RedBird’s strategic vision, opening new horizons for the club and its fans.”

Forbes last year listed the Yankees, owned by the Steinbrenner family, as the fourth most valuable sports team in the world, with an estimated value of $6billion.

Seven-time European champions Milan won Italy’s Serie A title in 2021-22, ending an 11-year wait. They entered this weekend sitting second in the 2022-23 championship, with Napoli the leaders.