Month: March 2023

Shakhtar Donetsk have filed a complaint against FIFA to the European Commission, claiming a ruling allowing their foreign players to suspend their contracts has cost them €40million.

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, FIFA permitted foreign players based in the country to suspend their contracts until June 2023, allowing them to seal short-term moves elsewhere.

Claiming those measures will likely be extended through to June 2024, Shakhtar – who have previously seen an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed – pledged to continue to fight the ruling.

A statement from the club’s chief executive Serhiy Palkin said: “Action has been taken to file this complaint to the European Commission, given the importance of Shakhtar undertaking transfer market trading with players within the European Union.

“Therefore, it is entirely legitimate and fair to bring this complaint before the EU Commission since FIFA’s actions violate EU competition law.

“The over-reaching measures applied by FIFA led to the massive loss of player transfer income and a depletion of essential club revenues amounting to approximately €40million.

“We expect the European Commission to understand and appreciate the extreme financial pressures being placed on our club due to FIFA’s actions – at a time when our nation is being ravaged by an illegal war.”

It is top versus bottom in LaLiga as runaway leaders Barcelona travel to an Elche side propping up the table. 

Real Madrid know they must embark on a consistent run of victories to have even the slimmest hope of catching their rivals, starting with the visit of Real Valladolid. 

Elsewhere, four European contenders are in action against one another, with Atletico Madrid taking on Real Betis and Real Sociedad heading to Villarreal. 

And Valencia’s struggle to avoid the drop continues as they host Rayo Vallecano on Monday evening.

Game of the weekend: Elche vs Barcelona (Saturday, 8pm)

Elche and Barcelona go into this fixture sitting at opposite ends of the division. 

Their head-to-head record suggests this is likely to be a one-sided affair — the hosts have failed to win any of their last 20 LaLiga meetings with the Catalan giants (four draws, 16 defeats). 

Additionally, Xavi’s men have been impeccable away from home, winning 11 of their previous 13 league games on the road (two defeats). 

The Blaugrana have scored in 12 of those 13 away matches and will feel confident of adding to that tally through talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski, who netted twice in the reverse fixture — a 3-0 win for the leaders.

Real Madrid vs Real Valladolid (Sunday, 3.15pm)

Real’s chances of retaining their LaLiga title are rapidly fading, so they will hope that a victory over Real Valladolid can spark a positive run of form. 

History is on Los Blancos’ side in this fixture — they have scored in all but one of their 45 home top-flight games against Sunday’s opponents, netting 113 times in the process. 

Carlo Ancelotti will hope Karim Benzema is among the goalscorers if his side maintain that positive record, with the Frenchman scoring just twice in his last six league outings — a slump by his lofty standards, given his record was nine in nine before that. 

The hosts’ breakthrough may come late in the day at the Bernabeu, given Valladolid have conceded the joint-most goals of any LaLiga side in the last 15 minutes of matches (14).

Atletico Madrid vs Real Betis (Sunday, 8pm)

Atleti have turned their season around in recent weeks and go into Matchday 27 just five points behind second-placed rivals Real Madrid. 

Their opponents are top four-chasing Betis, who themselves are only three points outside the Champions League spots. 

Diego Simeone’s record against Los Verdiblancos is excellent, with Atleti losing just once in 20 league meetings with their upcoming opponents under his stewardship (15 wins, four draws). 

However, Betis striker Borja Iglesias has scored 12 LaLiga goals this term, winning 15 points for his side in the process — more than any other player in the division. He will hope to be the catalyst for an away victory on Sunday.

Villarreal vs Real Sociedad (Sunday, 5.30pm)

Villarreal and Sociedad both have designs on a European berth and their meeting at Estadio de la Ceramica should be an entertaining affair. 

Quique Setien’s hosts are in good form, with three wins and one draw in their last four league outings. In contrast, La Real have recorded just one victory in their previous seven in all competitions (four draws, two defeats). 

However, the Yellow Submarine have been wasteful in the final third this term, netting 32 times from an expected goals tally of 37.5 — the second-greatest margin of underperformance in the division. 

And Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil has yet to lose away at Villarreal in LaLiga, winning two and drawing one of his three visits in the competition.

Valencia vs Rayo Vallecano (Monday, 8pm)

Valencia go into this weekend in the bottom three and will be desperate to claw their way up the table as Vallecano visit the Mestalla. 

Andoni Iraola’s men have slipped away from the European places of late, failing to win any of their last six matches (four draws, two defeats) — the longest active winless streak in the competition. 

The hosts, meanwhile, have won their previous two league outings on their own patch, keeping a clean sheet in both. 

Los Che manager Ruben Baraja will expect a greater contribution from veteran striker Edinson Cavani, who has failed to score in any of his last seven LaLiga appearances after netting five times in his first eight games.

The weekend’s other games

Mallorca vs Osasuna (Friday, 8pm) 

Girona vs Espanyol (Saturday, 1pm) 

Athletic Bilbao vs Getafe (Saturday, 3.15pm) 

Cadiz vs Sevilla (Saturday, 5.30pm) 

Celta Vigo vs Almeria (Sunday, 1pm)

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– Fast-starting Brighton are averaging over six corners per league game in 2022-23
– The referee was busy when Nottingham Forest last faced Wolves, issuing six yellow cards
– Morgan Gibbs-White has picked up two cautions in his last three Forest games

Brighton or Brentford, or both, could jump above Liverpool in the Premier League standings after Saturday’s tear up between two clubs punching well above their weight category.

At the other end of the table, Nottingham Forest and Wolves must box cleverly to avoid slipping into the bottom three.

These two clashes are the focus of our latest Saturday Bet Builder.

Brighton vs Brentford (Saturday, 3pm)

Bet 1: Half time / Full time result will be Brighton / Brighton

Brighton’s fast starts are becoming so regular, they are almost expected to take the lead – as they have done in 11 of their last 13 games.

During that run, the Seagulls have led at the break and final whistle six times. No Premier League team has scored more goals in the first 15 minutes than Brighton while Brentford have the division’s worst away record in that opening segment, conceding five goals without reply.

Bet 2: Both teams to score: Yes

Brighton had a raft of chances when Brentford beaten them 2-0 in West London earlier this season with only David Raya coming between the Seagulls and at least a consolation goal, if not a deserved point.

After firing blanks in each of Roberto De Zerbi’s first two home games in charge, Brighton have scored at a rate of two per game in the following eight and should breach a Bees defence with an inconsistent road record.

But Thomas Frank’s side have scored in five of their last seven Premier League away games, suggesting they have the ammunition to make it onto the scoresheet this Saturday too.

Bet 3: Over 10 corners in the game

Brighton are averaging over six corners per game this season, which is as many as Arsenal, and have accumulated seven or more in 10 of their 13 home league fixtures.

Their highest corner tally in any game this season came at the Gtech Community Stadium in October when they produced 11 with Brentford’s five on the night taking the match tally to an impressive 16.

Brentford’s overall average of corners both for and against is slightly less (9.9) than the 11 required to win this element of the Bet Builder, but the Bees have racked up 19 on their own across their last three fixtures.

Back Brighton / Brighton, both teams to score and over 10 corners in the game at 8/1 with LiveScore Bet.

Nottingham Forest vs Wolves (Saturday, 3pm)

Bet 1: Over 2 goals in the match for both teams combined

The odds of over two goals being produced by these two relegation-threatened sides are temptingly high given Nottingham Forest’s last four Premier League games have seen at least three goals scored and six of Wolves’ last 10 top-flight away games have also featured at least three strikes.

They were responsible for a rip-roaring affair in the Carabao Cup quarter-final at the City Ground in January which, although finishing 1-1 after 90 minutes, saw both goalkeepers on duty to make a string of notable saves.

Bet 2: Over 3 cards in the match for both teams combined

There were six yellow cards issued in that fiery cup clash and a couple of incidents where players were lucky to escape further censure.

Four more cautions were totted up when Wolves beat Forest 1-0 at Molineux in October in a game that featured 29 fouls.

Referee Chris Kavanagh, who has awarded five penalties in his last nine matches, is likely to be busy again here and it would not be a surprise to see him reach for his pocket on more than three occasions.

Bet 3: Morgan Gibbs-White to receive a card in the match

The former Molineux man was subjected to some stick from the away end when the clubs last met and was not shy in giving a bit back as he celebrated Forest’s penalty shoot-out win in front of Wolves fans, sparking an altercation with opposition players.

Gibbs-White has collected two yellow cards in his last three league appearances and will no doubt be in the thick of the action again on Saturday, which could lead to another caution at some stage.

Back Over 2 goals in the match for both teams combined, Over 3 cards in the match for both teams combined and Gibbs-White to receive a card in the match at 6/1 with LiveScore Bet.

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Antonio Conte has finally left Tottenham and I’d be making axed Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann my No1 target if I was Daniel Levy.

After the Conte news became public, and even beforehand, I think Mauricio Pochettino was top of Spurs’ wish list — but things change quickly. 

Nagelsmann caught Tottenham’s eye when they were looking to replace Jose Mourinho in April 2021. 

As it happened, he ended up going for the Bayern job instead. That’s the pinnacle for any German manager, so you can hardly blame him. 

But now I think he and Spurs are a far better fit. The ambitions and expectations of both parties are closer than they’ve ever been. 

Crucially, he also coaches a style that Spurs fans want to see their team play, especially as entertaining football was not high on Conte’s list of priorities. 

If a Nagelsmann team goes and beats Manchester City, you know they’re going to do it in impressive fashion. He loves to play expansive football. 

Even after defeats, fans could see what the plan was and it’s a process I think the supporters would get behind.  

For me, it would be a bad decision for Pochettino to go back.  

Naturally, there would be a desire on all sides for things to work identically to how they did during his previous stint.

We all know that’s not how football works, though. Time moves on and both Spurs and Poch are in a different place now to where they were in 2019. 

Nagelsmann would be my No1 target — and if that doesn’t work, I’d give Luis Enrique a call. 

Kane’s conundrum

All this upheaval is probably having an impact on Harry Kane’s future plans.

Being honest, I think he would’ve been considering a move anyway. Harry’s at a point now where he has a serious decision to make. 

In previous seasons, I think he’s let the negotiations play out and not got too involved himself, which has led to him remaining at Spurs. 

He now needs to make clear exactly what he wants early in the summer and make sure a suitable resolution is found — whether that be leaving or staying put. 

It’s big for the new manager, too. They don’t want to be told Harry’s staying only for him to be sold late in the window.  

On the other hand, if you’re told money is going to be available due to his departure and then he doesn’t end up going, that means Conte’s permanent replacement won’t get his targets in. 

I wouldn’t be surprised if Spurs involved Kane in the hiring process, especially if they want to keep him. 

He’s the main man at the club and deserves to be kept in the loop if he’s committing his future — though some prospective bosses wouldn’t like a player being involved. 

One thing you cannot question is Harry’s professionalism. However things pan out, he’ll handle himself in classy fashion. 

Joleon Lescott’s Premier League Matchday 29 predictions

Manchester City vs Liverpool (Saturday, 12.30pm, BT Sport)

What a way to start the weekend! This is always a tough game for both clubs, regardless of form, and they tend to tweak their approaches out of respect.

I’d probably fancy Liverpool if this was at Anfield. But I’ll back City to get the job done at home.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool 

Arsenal vs Leeds (Saturday, 3pm)

Leeds have made a strong start to life under Javi Gracia but I’m not expecting them to get anything against the league leaders.

If Arsenal are going to slip up, I don’t feel it’s going to come against teams from the bottom half.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Leeds

Bournemouth vs Fulham (Saturday, 3pm)

Fulham have had a great campaign but it has just derailed a little bit and was summed up by Aleksandar Mitrovic’s silly red card before the international break. 

Bournemouth might be in a position to take advantage of that and I could see them nicking an important win.

Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Fulham

Brighton vs Brentford (Saturday, 3pm)

This might not be a glamorous game compared to the City and Liverpool clash but it pits together two of this season’s standout sides.

Brighton have gone to another level under Roberto De Zerbi while Thomas Frank continues to work wonders at Brentford. It should be a cracker!

Prediction: Brighton 2-2 Brentford

Crystal Palace vs Leicester (Saturday, 3pm)

I feel Patrick Vieira’s sacking was harsh. Look at the teams Palace played recently and compare that with the teams they’re facing next — I think they panicked.

There’s no guarantee Roy Hodgson will keep them up but I do think this game is the kind they can nick by the odd goal.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-0 Leicester

Nottingham Forest vs Wolves (Saturday, 3pm)

I’ve been impressed with Julen Lopetegui, even though recent results haven’t been that strong. Wolves are on the right path under him.

Forest are decent at home but I’m going to say Wolves get something. That may be my heart talking, though!

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Wolves

Chelsea vs Aston Villa (Saturday, 5.30pm, Sky Sports)

Aston Villa must be happy with how things have been going in recent weeks but this could be a tough time to play Chelsea.

Graham Potter has had the international break to work with his star-studded squad and they’re improving slowly, so I’m leaning towards a home win.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Aston Villa

West Ham vs Southampton (Sunday, 2pm, Sky Sports)

This is a massive game. Given they’re at home, I think coming out on the wrong side of this one could do big damage to West Ham’s morale.

But I do fancy David Moyes’ men to find a way to a big three points.

Prediction: West Ham 2-0 Southampton

Newcastle vs Manchester United (Sunday, 4.30pm, Sky Sports)

I see Newcastle putting a big performance in. They’re back in the top-four mix and it’s going to be rocking at St James’ Park.

Marcus Rashford has been so important for his side recently. Who knows if he’s in the same goalscoring space still?

Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Manchester United

Everton vs Tottenham (Monday, 8pm, Sky Sports)

Spurs are a hard team to read after Conte’s departure. But if they play in a similar style under interim boss Cristian Stellini, they’ll be in trouble.

They’ve traditionally struggled against sides who sit back like Everton yet I think they may just sneak the win.

Prediction: Everton 1-2 Tottenham

Joleon Lescott was talking to Matthew Hill

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Emma Hayes was “relieved and exhausted” after Chelsea advanced to the Women’s Champions League semi-finals.

With a 1-0 lead from the first leg to defend, the Blues were forced into extra-time when Vanessa Gilles levelled matters on aggregate.

Despite being roared on by a bumper Stamford Bridge crowd, the hosts appeared destined for the exit when sub Sara Dabritz made it 2-0 on the night in the 110th minute. 

But they were rescued by Maren Mjelde’s spot-kick after Lauren James was tripped inside the box, with a VAR check leaving the tie in limbo for almost five minutes.

And keeper Ann-Katrin Berger made herself the hero with saves from Wendie Renard and Lindsey Horan to cap an incredible fightback as Chelsea progessed 4-3 on penalties — much to the relief of Hayes.

The Blues boss said: “We’ve never won a shootout so can you imagine what was going on in my mind?

“I was forced into every substitution. They were all injuries. I didn’t see a goal in us.

“When I saw Lyon’s subs coming on, world-class talent… I think we managed the best we could in the circumstances. 

“It was the most character-building performance, even if it was the ugliest. 

“I felt we went away from home and performed well last week but I knew Lyon would come for us. I’m just relieved it’s over and we’re through. 

“For Maren to do what she did with the last kick of the game. She’s a Chelsea legend.

“I knew if we got to that moment the momentum would turn. I’m relieved and exhausted.”

Lyon coach Sonia Bompastor felt referee Ivana Martincic’s decision to award the last-gasp penalty was inevitable once she had been instructed to review the incident. 

She said: “Disappointment is my feeling. Frustration, injustice as well. 

“The referee made the right decision live. Then she was obliged to go and look. 

“We know from experience that once they’ve been called over, it’s hard from them to go against what they originally thought.”

Chelsea will face old foes Barcelona in the semis.

Ann-Katrin Berger was the hero as Chelsea won a dramatic penalty shootout 4-3 to knock out Women’s Champions League holders Lyon and book a semi-final showdown with Barcelona. 

The Blues keeper, who revealed at the start of the season that her thyroid cancer had returned, saved two spot-kicks as the hosts came out on top after 90 minutes and extra-time had failed to separate the sides. 

With a 1-0 lead to protect from the first leg, the Blues were roared on by a bumper crowd at Stamford Bridge.

But Lyon refused to relinquish their crown without a fight and Vanessa Gilles levelled matters on aggregate when she netted after 77 minutes. 

The tie remained deadlocked until Chelsea appeared to be on the verge of being eliminated when sub Sara Dabritz made it 2-0 on the night in the 110th minute. 

But deep into stoppage time, Maren Mjelde kept her cool with the atmosphere at fever pitch after Lauren James had been felled to drill home a last-gasp spot-kick to send the quarter-final to penalties.

And Emma Hayes’ side, who were left biting their nails when James missed her spot-kick, had Berger to thank for denying Wendie Renard before stopping Lindsey Horan’s low effort to send the hosts through.

Delighted Mjelde, 33, perfectly summed up a breathtaking night while celebrating with her jubilant team-mates on the pitch at full-time. 

She said: “What a game. What a comeback. Amazing fans. This one was for you, Chelsea fans.”

Speaking on DAZN, former Leeds striker Lucy Ward added: “I can’t believe what we’ve just witnessed. It was tight the whole way through. 

“It needed somebody to make a mistake and unfortunately for Horan it was her. Stamford Bridge is in absolute raptures. 

“It was an incredible effort from everyone involved. Chelsea have had their injuries, the players were out on their feet by the end of extra-time. 

“The momentum ebbed and flowed throughout the two-legged tie. 

“Horan is inconsolable but her team will come again. A fantastic effort from Chelsea.”

Women’s Champions League semi-final draw

Chelsea vs Barcelona

Wolfsburg vs Arsenal

Andrew Robertson warned Liverpool team-mates they cannot afford to make any more mistakes if they are to meet their minimum expectation of Champions League qualification.

The Reds have endured a disappointing season, with Jurgen Klopp’s efforts not helped by a string of significant injuries to key players.

Last season, Liverpool won an EFL Cup and FA Cup double, reached the Champions League final, and finished just one point behind Premier League winners Manchester City.

However, this term has seen them fail to defend either cup crown, they were eliminated from the Champions League at the last-16 stage, and are facing an uphill battle to finish in the top four domestically.

Sixth-placed Liverpool are seven points behind Tottenham in fourth, and although the Reds have two games in hand on Spurs, so do Newcastle United, who only trail the north Londoners by a single point.

The underwhelming nature of Liverpool’s campaign is not lost on Robertson, who thinks they are on their last life if they want to pip Spurs and Newcastle – they now face consecutive games against City, Chelsea and Arsenal.

“The motivations are the exact same,” he told reporters ahead of Saturday’s trip to City. “We want Champions League football, and so the motivation is the exact same as though we were going for trophies.

“It is obviously a big week; we are playing against three big teams and it’s going to be an intense week, but it’s what you look forward to when you come to this club. These are the big games you want to be involved in.

“We don’t want to be in this position, and…we don’t really have time to waste, we don’t have any mistakes left in us if we want to achieve top four.”

He added: “[Expectations] have to be on the highest level when you play at this club – you don’t get an option not to do that, the people around the club demand that. I think we do that, but we have just lacked a little bit of consistency this season.

“In the last five or six years, consistency is the one word that would be put next to our name, as we always showed up and even when not at our best, we still managed to grind out results. We haven’t done that this season, and we have to fix that.”

Despite their issues this season, Robertson remains adamant Liverpool belong in the Champions League.

But he accepts the Reds cannot take qualification for granted.

“Going into April, not being in the Champions League, FA Cup or League Cup, and then not being in a title race is so disappointing – it’s a position we don’t want to be in.

“We are out of every competition, but we still believe we are a team that can compete in every competition.

“So to fix that, we have to be in these tournaments again next season, and the only way to do that is finishing in the top four.

“So we’ve got 12 games to fix it, and we are determined to put our all into those next 12 games.”

Hugo Lloris could feature for the first time in almost two months when Tottenham visit Everton on Monday, having recovered from a knee injury to return to full training.

Spurs captain Lloris sustained the injury during a 1-0 win over Premier League champions Manchester City on February 5, causing him to miss the team’s last nine matches.

Fraser Forster has deputised throughout that spell, which has seen Spurs exit the Champions League and the FA Cup, while they parted company with boss Antonio Conte after a 3-3 draw at Southampton prior to the international break.

While Lloris’ return provides a boost for acting head coach Cristian Stellini, full-back Emerson Royal has joined Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ben Davies and Richarlison on the injury list.

“Hugo is training,” Stellini told Spurs’ website on Thursday. “It’s a week where he has trained with the team. 

“We had a training match where we could let Hugo feel the pitch again. We will recover Hugo, but we have problems with other players.

“This is football. We have injured players, but we also believe in all the players. 

“We have a big squad; we also have young players ready, and we trust in them, like we trusted Pape Sarr and Oliver Skipp when they started to play. Young players are involved in our squad and if we need them, they are ready to play.”

Chelsea sealed a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Lyon to reach the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League, having rescued the tie through Maren Mjelde’s last-gasp spot-kick in extra-time.

Despite winning last week’s first leg 1-0, Chelsea appeared destined for an exit when Sara Dabritz drilled into the bottom-right corner in extra time after Venessa Gilles’ flick had levelled the tie.

However, a trip on Lauren James gave Mjelde the chance to keep the game alive at the last, and the Norwegian made no mistake eight minutes into stoppage time, taking the contest to a shoot-out.

James and Wendie Renard both saw their kicks saved before Jess Carter converted, meaning Lyon’s Lindsey Horan had to score to keep the holders in the competition.

Chelsea’s Ann-Katrin Berger got down to her right to palm Horan’s weak kick away, ensuring the Blues teed up an enticing semi-final tie against Barcelona — who beat Emma Hayes’ team 4-0 in the 2021 final.

Earlier on Thursday, two-time champions Wolfsburg clinched a 1-1 draw at home to Paris Saint-Germain, recording a 2-1 aggregate success to set up a semi-final tie with Arsenal.

Having taken a first-leg lead through Dominique Janssen’s penalty in the French capital last week, Wolfsburg found themselves with a two-goal cushion when Alexandra Popp fired home from outside the area 20 minutes in.

That strike came somewhat against the run of play after Kadidiatou Diani had an effort chalked off for offside, but there was no denying the forward when she nodded in on the half-hour mark.

Wolfsburg improved after the break and missed several chances to make the tie safe, but it was of little consequence as PSG failed to find a crucial second goal.

David de Gea remains content at Manchester United and is focused on helping the Red Devils qualify for the Champions League, as talks over the goalkeeper’s new contract continue.

De Gea’s contract with United is set to expire at the end of the season, though the Spaniard has repeatedly expressed optimism he will extend his 12-year stay at Old Trafford.

The 32-year-old outlined his desire to finish his career at United earlier this year, though a report from The Athletic this week suggested he had turned down the club’s first offer of fresh terms.

While that report suggested a positive outcome remains likely, De Gea is putting his future to one side as United look to beat Tottenham, Newcastle United and Liverpool to a top-four Premier League finish.

“I’ve been here many, many years, enjoying every moment at this club and playing many games,” De Gea told Sky Sports. 

“Of course it’s great to be here, it’s a massive club. I love the club and I’m really happy here.

“It’s been the same over the years. There’s a lot of noise about everything at this club, but the players just focus on games, especially the one we have on Sunday – it’s a massive game for us because we want to finish in the top four.

“We have many games so I think we have to be really caring about training, recovering well, helping the team and that’s the most important thing, more than contracts or anything.”

United visit top-four rivals Newcastle on Sunday, with the fifth-placed Magpies just three points adrift of Erik ten Hag’s team in third.

United have won more Premier League away games against Newcastle than against any other side (14), though they have lost on two of their last five trips to St James’ Park (W2 D1).