Month: April 2023

– City have scored at least three goals in seven of their last 10 PL games
– City have won with over three goals in four of their last five meetings against Fulham
– Recommended bet: Back Manchester City to win and over 2.5 goals

Following their midweek defeat of leaders Arsenal, Manchester City can reclaim top spot in the Premier League with a win at Fulham on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola’s men are now just two points behind the Gunners with two games in hand, meaning their fifth title in six years is within sight.

Three points at Craven Cottage are not guaranteed, but City have beaten the Whites 13 times in a row dating back to 2012.

Fulham came close to ending that awful sequence in November when it took a 95th-minute Erling Haaland penalty to drag 10-man City back to the top of the table on a day of high drama at the Etihad Stadium.

Team news

Fulham could be without Willian again after the Brazilian, who was originally named in the starting XI ahead of their defeat at Aston Villa on Tuesday, suffered an injury in the pre-match warm-up.

Harry Wilson should shake off a knock to feature but the Cottagers remain without the suspended Aleksandar Mitrovic and injured defender Layvin Kurzawa.

As for City, Guardiola will have the same squad available as against Arsenal with Nathan Ake the only absentee through injury.

The stats

City have won their past 13 meetings with Fulham in all competitions, only ever having longer winning runs against Watford (15) and West Brom (14).

They have also netted at least twice in each of their past 14 clashes with the Cottagers in all competitions.

Haaland’s 33rd strike of the season established a new 38-game Premier League record, surpassing Mohamed Salah’s tally of 32 in 2017-18.

The Norwegian marksman is now only two goals behind Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer’s record of 34 goals across an entire Premier League campaign (1993-94 and 1994-95 respectively) when 42 matches were played.

Fulham remain on course to record their highest Premier League placing in over 10 years, having last finished inside the top 10 in 2011-12 (ninth).

Prediction

City’s seemingly inexorable march to another title will continue at Craven Cottage. If the record of Guardiola’s side against the Gunners looked scary, then their total dominance of Fulham in the last decade should leave the hosts fearing another loss on Sunday.

Silva will set his side up to hide their weaknesses but City can be like hungry piranhas picking at opponents until they eventually give in.

They have scored 32 goals and conceded just five across their last nine games in all competitions, including three against Bayern and four apiece against Liverpool and Arsenal.

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Dean Smith has questioned the fixture schedule and feels it put extra pressure on Leicester in the survival race.

The Foxes play their next four games on Monday nights – starting with the visit of relegation rivals Everton on May 1.

They then go to Fulham, due to the King’s coronation, host Liverpool and travel to Newcastle while having to wait to see if other results go against them.

They slipped back into the Premier League’s bottom three this week and Smith feels the fixture run is not fair, with the Foxes already a point from safety.

“I’m not so sure that I agree with the scheduling when there’s a lot of big games being played and there’s a lot of teams who are involved in getting out of a relegation battle,” said the Leicester boss.

“To be playing after everybody isn’t right, personally, with the scheduling. It is what it is and we deal with that.

“I don’t believe you’ve got any choice in it, once broadcasters have picked which games they’re going to broadcast, you’re stuck with it unfortunately.

“It’s just a bit odd that we’re playing four Monday night games on the spin.

“It does (add pressure), because the table can look very different after some fixtures and you’re having to react to that, I suppose, in some games.

“We can’t do anything about that, all we can do is concentrate on ourselves and look to get wins, especially at home.”

Meanwhile, Kelechi Iheanacho faces a race to be fit for Leicester’s survival run-in.

The striker injured his groin in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Leeds and could miss the final five games.

Iheanacho has scored twice in Smith’s opening three matches and suffered the injury helping to set up Jamie Vardy’s leveller at Elland Road.

There is a hope he will recover in time to play a part in the battle to beat the drop, with the Foxes back in the bottom three ahead of the visit of Everton.

Smith said: “He’s not great, he’s got a tear in his adductor muscle. It’s significant enough. I’m not going to rule him out for the rest of the season but it will be tough to get him back. Hopefully we can.

“He’s disappointed, scored two goals and was putting in good performances. Like always, it gives opportunities for others.

“It’s a blow, he came on at half-time against Man City and did ever so well. He did well in the Wolves game, scored the penalty, and his all-round displays have been really good.”

Jonny Evans should return to training on Saturday but Ricardo Pereira remains out with a hamstring injury.

Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow says he thinks the Premier League is investigating Newcastle’s Saudi-led takeover.

The league gave the green light to the takeover which gave the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) majority control of Newcastle after receiving “legally-binding assurances” that the Saudi state would not have control of the club.

However, court documents published in the United States in February described the PIF as “a sovereign instrumentality of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” and PIF governor and Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan as “a sitting minister of the Saudi government”.

The documents appeared to raise fresh questions over the link between the PIF and the Saudi state.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters did not comment on whether his organisation was investigating the takeover following the publication of those documents when he faced a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee last month.

However, Purslow is confident the league are looking into it.

“I think they are (investigating),” he told Sky News.

“If there is a contradiction in representation made at the time of the takeover, as to the nature of the relationship between the rulers of that country – the sovereign wealth fund and Newcastle – of course, the Premier League, I’m sure, are investigating that.”

Masters told MPs last month: “Obviously we are completely aware (of the US court documents). And you’re correct about the general nature of the undertakings that we received at the point of takeover. But I can’t really go into it at all.

“The time when the Premier League comments publicly on regulatory issues is when it’s charged and at the end of the process when an independent panel has decided whether any rule breaches have actually taken place. The investigatory process, we don’t talk about at all.”

Purslow said the backing of foreign governments to clubs represented “a clear and present danger” to the league.

“I’ll speak as a football fan. I don’t want to look back in 20 years’ time and say that I was part of a group that were asleep at the wheel,” Purslow added.

“And in 20 years’ time we look back and three teams, controlled by nations, are the only three teams winning the Premier League ever again.

“How do we stop that? We stop it with what we have today, which is extremely strict financial rules.”

Kelechi Iheanacho faces a race to be fit for Leicester’s survival run-in.

The striker injured his groin in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Leeds and could miss the final five games.

Iheanacho has scored twice in Dean Smith’s opening three matches and suffered the injury helping to set up Jamie Vardy’s leveller at Elland Road.

There is a hope he will recover in time to play a part to beat the drop, with the Foxes back in the bottom three ahead of Monday’s visit of Everton.

Smith said: “He’s not great, he’s got a tear in his adductor muscle. It’s significant enough. I’m not going to rule him out for the rest of the season but it will be tough to get him back. Hopefully we can.

“He’s disappointed, scored two goals and was putting in good performances. Like always, it gives opportunities for others.

“It’s a blow, he came on at half-time against Man City and did ever so well. He did well in the Wolves game, scored the penalty, and his all-round displays have been really good.”

Jonny Evans should return to training on Saturday but Ricardo Pereira remains out with a hamstring injury.

Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 win over Brighton on Wednesday put the Foxes back in the drop zone, with Everton a point and a place behind.

Smith said: “It’s a big game for both teams with the positions we’re both in and with games running out. This time we will have home advantage and we want to use it to the best advantage we can.

“There’s still no target of points. Forest won the other night, we can’t get involved in that, we have to concentrate on the games we’ve got to play.

“You can’t take the pressure fully off them (the players). They watch football, see the games, see the table, they know.

“What we can do is make it clear with our plan what we’re trying to do. If you can do that they will go in pretty calm and relaxed but having that fire to win games.”

EFL clubs will be asked to approve a new broadcast deal with Sky at a meeting next Friday.

The league announced Sky as its preferred bidder on April 3 following the issue of invitations to tender earlier in the year.

The EFL said in a statement on Friday afternoon: “The EFL has called a meeting of all clubs for Friday, May 5 2023 to consider proposals for a new domestic broadcast agreement from 2024-25 onwards.

“The league has been in an exclusive month-long negotiating period with the preferred bidder and at next week’s meeting a recommendation from the EFL board and commercial committee will be put forward, before asking clubs for approval in principle.

“In accordance with EFL regulations, a majority vote of clubs overall and a majority vote of clubs in the Championship is required for any proposal to be passed.

“No further details or comment will be provided on this matter at the current time.”

Streaming platform DAZN was understood to be keen on a long-term deal which it felt would help the EFL close the financial gap with the Premier League.

Screening all matches under DAZN’s plans would have required the EFL making a request to lift the Saturday blackout between 2.45pm and 5.15pm.

The league’s existing deal with Sky runs until the end of next season, and is reported to be worth a total of £595million.

Manchester United teenager Alejandro Garnacho has committed his future to the club by signing a new contract which will keep him at Old Trafford until the summer of 2028.

The exciting 18-year-old striker has scored four goals in 31 senior appearances since joining United from Atletico Madrid in 2020.

Garnacho, who is currently working his way back from an ankle injury, said: “When I joined this incredible club, I dreamt of achieving my debut, playing at Old Trafford, scoring my first goal and winning trophies with this badge on my chest.

“I feel very proud and emotional to have experienced these moments already, together with my family who have supported me every step of the way.

“We are all humbled to have this chance to continue our journey at Manchester United and I have already begun to work on achieving the next set of targets and ambitions.

“The manager and his coaching staff have helped me to improve in every way and, with their support, I am developing each day to help the team to be successful. I am relishing the future and can’t wait to create more special memories with this group, in front of our amazing supporters.”

Madrid-born Garnacho, who qualifies for Argentina through his mother, has not played for Erik ten Hag’s side since picking up his injury last month, but is expected to return to action within days.

Football director John Murtough said: “Alejandro has really dedicated himself to achieving the objectives that the club set out for him since he arrived in Manchester.

“His talent, drive and determination to succeed saw him quickly progress from our Academy into the first team, and this new long-term contract reflects our confidence in him to continue his exciting development under the guidance of Erik and his staff.

“Alejandro has huge potential and we are all looking forward to working with him to ensure he can fulfil his ambitions here at Manchester United in the coming years.”

Bitter rivals Ajax and PSV Eindhoven meet in the final of the KNVB Cup on Sunday. 

The game comes just a week after the two teams met in the Eredivisie as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men earned a 3-0 victory to move up to second in the table. 

With Feyenoord set to win the title, this match represents both clubs’ most realistic chance of silverware this season. 

Ahead of the showdown, we have picked out a combined XI of Ajax and PSV players.

Goalkeeper: Walter Benitez (PSV)

Goalkeeper has been a problem position for Ajax this season with Geronimo Rulli signed from Villarreal in January to address the issue.

His fellow Argentine Walter Benitez, 30, has been a steady presence for PSV since arriving from Nice last summer and gets the nod in our side.

Right-back: Devyne Rensch (Ajax)

This was a tough decision with Jordan Teze having also excelled at right-back this term.

However, Ajax ace Devyne Rensch has been linked with a big-money Premier League move in recent months, so the 20-year-old takes the first spot in our defence.

Centre-back: Jurrien Timber (Ajax)

Of all the defensive decisions, this was the easiest to make. 

Jurrien Timber is already a regular in the Netherlands’ starting XI and the 21-year-old looks destined to go to the very top of the game in the years ahead.

Centre-back: Jarrad Branthwaite (PSV)

It is somewhat ironic that in a season where Everton are desperately fighting against relegation, their on-loan defender Jarrad Branthwaite is chasing trophies with PSV.

Some of the biggest clubs in Europe are reported to be planning a summer swoop for the 20-year-old Englishman, who cut his teeth with League Two outfit Carlisle.

Left-back: Patrick van Aanholt (PSV)

This would have been an easy call had Daley Blind not moved to Bayern Munich in January. 

Instead, former Premier League ace Patrick van Aanholt’s steady presence and strong recent form sees him edge out his rivals on the left of our back four.

Defensive midfield: Ibrahim Sangare (PSV)

This was the toughest choice to make as Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez is also enjoying an impressive campaign.

But ultimately we chose Ibrahim Sangare, with the 25-year-old Ivorian another Eredivisie talent who looks primed for a huge move at the end of the season. 

Central midfield: Steven Berghuis (Ajax)

It has been another impressive season for Dutch international Steven Berghuis in Amsterdam. 

The versatile 31-year-old has scored 11 goals and set up another 11 in all competitions — including two strikes and two assists in this season’s Champions League.

Central midfield: Joey Veerman (PSV)

There was a temptation to call upon the impressive Kenneth Taylor here, but it is impossible to look beyond the productivity of Joey Veerman. 

The PSV star, 24, has scored nine times and made 13 assists in all competitions this term, recently seeing that fine form rewarded with a first senior Netherlands call-up.

Right forward : Mohammed Kudus (Ajax)

Ghana international Mohammed Kudus has recently returned to training and could feature in this weekend’s final in some capacity.

Kudus, 22, has been used as a striker and midfielder by Ajax but it is on the right of attack where he has looked the most dangerous, so far netting a fantastic 18 goals this campaign.

Left forward: Xavi Simons (PSV)

Another versatile attacker is Xavi Simons, who looks set to be the next superstar of Dutch football. 

The 20-year-old could soon return to former his club Paris Saint-Germain, who have a buy-back clause, after a debut campaign in Eindhoven that has seen him bag 18 goals and lay on 11 assists.

Striker: Dusan Tadic (Ajax)

Dusan Tadic is still delivering at 34 years old.

Likely to start as a false nine for the Amsterdam giants this weekend, the former Southampton star has scored 11 goals and set up a staggering 20 more this season.

Do you agree with our line-up? Let us know by tweeting @LiveScore.

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank believes it would be “fantastic” for fans to be able to toast his side as the best in west London as the Bees aim to finish the season well.

A 2-0 victory at Chelsea in midweek saw Brentford move eight points clear of the beleagured Blues, while Fulham are sandwiched between the pair in 10th place.

The win also came on the back of a six-game winless run for Frank’s men as their season threatened to peter out – although they have now surpassed their points tally from the previous campaign, their first in the Premier League.

Now they host relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest on Saturday where another success will leave them as strong favourites to be the toast of the west side of the capital.

“If that could happen, of course it would be a fantastic thing,” said Frank.

“I think more for the fans than for us. I think it’s fair to say we just want to end as high as possible and if that means that two rivals are below us, OK, of course it’s fine.

“It doesn’t really matter who is below us in my mind, but I understand it from the fans’ perspective and I said that to the players before the Chelsea games, that it’s big for us to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, of course, but for the fans it’ll mean mean everything.”

As well as eclipsing their points total from last season, Brentford have also hit the 50-goal mark, having managed 48 goals across the whole of last year.

“I think that is very important,” he said of maintaining a goalscoring threat.

“Chelsea, they’ve been struggling for goals – goals are key. Everton are struggling for goals.

“It’s just a reminder of how privileged we are that we have been able to score 50 goals and hopefully we will score a lot more in the last five games.”

Forest gave their survival bid fresh impetus with victory over Brighton last time out and held Brentford to a 2-2 at the City Ground in November – with Frank all too aware his side need to be at their best to continue their upturn in form.

“First and foremost, I think every game you play in the Premier League – the day where you think it doesn’t matter is the first day where there’s complacency,” he added.

“We are very aware. Earlier this season we played against them and I think we can lose tomorrow, if we show up tomorrow and perform we could still lose – I think difference between two teams is small.

“Against Aston Villa I was disappointed, like Newcastle, disappointed we didn’t win both games actually but we lost and draw. That can happen on Saturday. So as long as we are performing, that’s the key thing.”

Celtic are set to welcome back three key players for Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers – and manager Ange Postecoglou has already felt the benefits.

Midfielder Reo Hatate and wingers Jota and Liel Abada have all shaken off injuries.

Postecoglou said: “From last week everyone got through unscathed and Abada, Jota and Reo have trained all week so they are available. (James) Forrest is probably another week or so away.”

Jota’s previous involvement was scoring the clincher in the 3-2 win over Rangers on April 8, which all but sealed the cinch Premiership title.

Japan international Hatate has not featured since suffering a hamstring injury early in Celtic’s victory over Hibernian on March 18.

Israel international Abada came off the bench that day but then suffered a thigh injury while on international duty.

On their likely comebacks, Postecoglou said: “It’s hugely beneficial for us as a group. I mean, even training this week has gone up a level because three more quality players have joined in training.

“All three boys have missed a bit recently and are itching to get involved.

“It certainly helps, not just with the starting XI but the ability to then go to the bench and impact the game.

“We obviously have training to go on Saturday and they need to get through that but they have had a strong week of training and I am really pleased they are available.”

Alejandro Garnacho has signed a new long-term deal with Manchester United.

The 18-year-old winger on Friday put pen to paper on a contract to keep him at the Premier League club until June 2028.

Garnacho has made 31 first-team appearances for the Red Devils and it appears there will be many more to come.

The United academy graduate said: “When I joined this incredible club, I dreamt of achieving my debut, playing at Old Trafford, scoring my first goal and winning trophies with this badge on my chest. 

“I feel very proud and emotional to have experienced these moments already, together with my family who have supported me every step of the way.

“We are all humbled to have this chance to continue our journey at Manchester United and I have already begun to work on achieving the next set of targets and ambitions. 

“The manager and his coaching staff have helped me to improve in every way, and with their support, I am developing each day to help the team to be successful. 

“I am relishing the future and can’t wait to create more special memories with this group, in front of our amazing supporters.”

The teenager has been out since last month due to an ankle injury, but is set to make his return as United attempt to secure a top-four finish and win the FA Cup.

United boss Erik ten Hag on Friday revealed Garnacho will not be allowed to represent Argentina when they host the U20 World Cup, which starts on May 20.