April 2023 – Page 19

Michael Beale welcomed influential defender Connor Goldson back to training ahead of Rangers’ Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic at Hampden Park on Sunday.

The 30-year-old has missed the last three matches – two of which the Light Blues have lost – due to a hip problem.

Ryan Kent and Scott Wright have sat out the last two fixtures with injuries but they are also back in the frame ahead of the crucial clash with their Old Firm rivals.

The Ibrox boss said: “Connor trained today, Scott Wright and Ryan Kent trained today, so it is seeing if they come through OK.

“Obviously they have all been out for two or three weeks so we have competition. It is nice to have them back.

“Alex Lowry is back training now, he just missed out on the squad last week. I believe Adam Devine will probably train tomorrow but the game might come a little bit too soon for him.

“Centre-back has been the one position this year that has not been stable in the team.

“The centre-back position has had a lot of impact on our season – the amount of games Connor has missed this season compared to all the other seasons combined.

“He is our vice-captain, he is a big voice on the pitch and when he plays the results for the team, the points-per-game goes up. So it is nice to have him back.

“It has been great to have John Souttar in the last three or four weeks, at times he has performed well in the games.

“That gives us some strength. The most important thing for me is stability in the team in key positions; goalkeeper, centre-back and number nine and possibly this year it hasn’t been the case.”

With Celtic 13 points clear of Rangers at the top of the cinch Premiership with five post-split fixtures remaining, the Scottish Cup offers the holders the last realistic chance of silverware this season.

Since beating Celtic 2-1 in last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final, the Light Blues have not won in five Old Firm games, three of them since Beale took over from Giovanni van Bronckhorst in November, the most recent of which was a 3-2 league defeat at Parkhead earlier in the month.

Beale said: “It is a huge game. We know that.

“This season has been a rough ride for the fans and this is a chance for us to right a few wrongs in this game.

“It is just one game but I think it would have a big impact on the season if we were to win and go back to the Scottish Cup final again.

“We just need to bring the best of ourselves.

“The games (against Celtic) have been reasonably tight and have been won and lost on mistakes so it is important that we bring our best effort and best performance.

“Again, the penalty boxes will be decisive. In the game a couple of weeks ago I thought we performed quite well overall but we just need to eradicate one or two things defensively.”

Beale revealed long-term injured defender Filip Helander, whose last game was just over a year ago against St Mirren, is still struggling.

The former QPR boss said: “Filip has a unique problem about his bone structure in his foot. He is away seeing a specialist.”

Joao Gomes insists he made the right decision moving to the Premier League over Ligue 1.

The 22-year-old joined from Flamengo in January after Wolves won the race for the midfielder ahead of Lyon.

He has made eight appearances since scoring on his debut against Southampton in February to help the club to the brink of survival.

“I was torn between Wolverhampton and another offer I had on the table,” Gomes said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Brighton.

“The campaign was one of the things that made me stop and reflect on what to do and really weighed my final decision.

“Everyone who has supported me offered all the love I needed for me to come and play to the best of my ability, which is what really matters.

“It has always been a dream and a wish come true to play in the Premier League but the people who have welcomed me here made all the difference.

“Matheus Cunha, Diego Costa, Matheus Nunes and Toti have given all the support I needed.

“There have been times when Cunha rang me to hang out at his place because I was on my own, so I definitely think they have helped with my adaptation and to perform better. I need to work harder and harder to help Wolves to become a threat.”

Wolves are eight points clear of the bottom three after Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace but Gomes insists the club should aim higher.

He told the club’s official site: “We had a meeting with (Julen) Lopetegui and he said that our main objective was to stay in the Premier League and that was clear to all of us.

“But as we grow our ambitions and aim higher, we can then see that there is a real chance for us to get further up the table.”

Barcelona head coach Xavi was left perplexed by a question about Lionel Messi and Bruce Springsteen on Friday, but said the club will discuss a potential move for Messi once they have won the title.

Springsteen is playing concerts at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona on Friday and Sunday, while many Blaugrana fans would like to see Messi once again playing his own greatest hits in the city next season.

Messi is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the campaign, with rumours abound Barca could look to bring him back to the club where he scored 672 goals in 780 games.

At a press conference ahead of Saturday’s LaLiga clash with Real Betis, a journalist asked Xavi if he will see Messi at the concert.

“I don’t understand the metaphor,” he said, laughing. “We don’t know if it’s going to happen or not about Leo. It’s very soon. We are focused on Betis and winning this league, it would give us a lot of stability. We’ll talk about possible signings when we win LaLiga.

“For Bruce, I would like to go but I don’t have tickets!”

Reports have suggested the club will meet LaLiga officials to discuss the viability of Messi returning given Barca’s ongoing financial concerns, but Xavi said the discussion will be more wide-ranging than just centring around the Argentinian.

“It’s not just for the possible arrival of Leo, it’s to improve next year’s squad,” he said. “It’s not an important issue, there’s a league to win. Mateu [Alemany, the club’s sporting director] informs us and in theory, everything is going well.”

With Barca leading LaLiga by 11 points with seven games remaining, despite losing 2-1 at Rayo Vallecano last time out, Xavi disputed the idea that the season has been a long one, suggesting it felt longer last year when they finished 13 points behind champions Real Madrid.

“I don’t understand why you say it’s getting long,” he responded to a reporter. “Last season it was an eternity. Now I look at the table and I’m happy. Sometimes I don’t understand it. I’m having a good time in this league. Who wouldn’t have signed up for this?

“The other day we played the worst game of the season, but tomorrow is a good opportunity and there is hope to win. Last year it was long.”

On the defeat at Rayo Vallecano, he added: “Madrid lost the day before [4-2 at Girona] and that happens. You’re not always going to be outstanding, it’s sport. What you have to do is react tomorrow and return to our game model and values. You don’t have to look back.”

Barca confirmed on Friday that Andreas Christensen and Ousmane Dembele will be back in the squad after recovering from injuries, much to Xavi’s delight.

On Dembele, he said: “The injury was in an area that was more difficult to heal. He’s fine and happy. We’ll see if we play him from the start or as a substitute, but it’s very important news for us.

“We have missed him. He is the best footballer one-on-one, there are few in the world like him. Ask the LaLiga full-backs who they prefer. He is a player with tremendous speed, he is a differential. It is logical that we have missed him.”

Leeds’ Premier League survival hopes have been dealt a blow as Luis Sinisterra has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Colombia winger Sinisterra, who has scored three goals in his last five appearances, was forced out of the midweek home draw against Leicester due to an ankle injury.

Head coach Javi Gracia, whose side play at relegation rivals Bournemouth on Sunday, said: “Luis will be out for the rest of the season. I think it’s something in his ankle, a ligament.

“It’s tough for us to lose key players. I prefer to not complain. I have enough players to compete better and try to work with them and find a way to get results.”

Gracia is still waiting to learn whether USA midfielder Tyler Adams will play again this season following hamstring surgery last month and key defender Max Wober remains doubtful for the game at Bournemouth.

Gracia has come in for heavy criticism for not starting winger Willy Gnonto in recent weeks and he could return to the starting line-up at the Vitality Stadium in Sinisterra’s absence.

Italy forward Gnonto was an unused substitute against Leicester and has been named among the substitutes in Leeds’ last five matches, with his omission a source of anger and puzzlement for a large section of fans.

Gracia said: “You ask me about Willy many times and I always say the same. He’s an exceptional player with an amazing character.

“The last game I decided to play with Cree (Crysencio Summerville), but I am sure in the next games Willy will have chances to show.

“It’s something about what I think is better for the team. I choose what’s best for the team. I think both will help us for sure.”

Former Watford boss Gracia collected 10 points from his first six games in charge after replacing Jesse Marsch in February.

But only one point from his last four has seen the pressure cranked up and a growing number of Leeds supporters fear relegation.

When asked if he was worried about his own position should Leeds lose on Sunday, Gracia said: “I’m concerned about the situation of the team.

“When I arrived we were in a worse position. When we arrived we were able to get 11 points in 10 games and of course we want to get more.

“We are focused on trying our best in these five games that are left, starting from Bournemouth.”

Leeds halted a run of three straight defeats on Tuesday night, but have won only one of their last six matches and sit one point above the bottom three in 16th place.

Another key weekend in the Premier League is upon us and we could have new leaders come Sunday afternoon, with Manchester City looking to overtake Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola’s men, who are seeking a third consecutive title, are included in our value treble for this weekend’s action which, if successful, will return at 13/1.

Saturday, 3pm

Bet 1: Brighton vs Wolves – BTTS No Draw at 7/4

Two teams that had contrasting fortunes in midweek meet at the Amex Stadium, as European hopefuls Brighton face Wolves.

After an agonising FA Cup semi-final defeat, the Seagulls followed that up on Wednesday with a 3-1 loss at Nottingham Forest.

The evening before, Wolves claimed a crucial 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in their battle to beat the drop.

Roberto De Zerbi’s men have lost just one of their last six Premier League home games and have scored in each of their last eight top-flight matches.

It is a similar story for Wolves, with goals in each of their last eight league games, but their away form will be a concern for Julen Lopetegui.

Wanderers have not won any of their last five on the road, with three defeats and two draws, and lost 2-3 to Brighton in the reverse fixture back in November.

None of the last four meetings between the sides have been draws, with Brighton’s last three league games seeing both teams scoring.

Sunday, 2pm

Bet 2: Man City to score over 2.5 goals at 21/20

A crushing win over Arsenal on Wednesday has put Manchester City in pole position to win the title and a game against a team with nothing to play for looks the ideal fixture.

After an impressive season, Fulham are already safe but Marco Silva’s men are too far off the pace to qualify for Europe, having lost three of their last five games.

The Cottagers have not kept a clean sheet in eight matches in all competitions, conceding 15 goals during that run.

City though have stepped up a gear during the month of April, winning all four league games and scoring 15 goals in the process.

After another in midweek, it is now 33 Premier League goals for Erling Haaland this season and the Norwegian will have the 40-mark firmly in his sights, with seven games remaining.

Sunday, 4:30

Bet 3: Diogo Jota to score at anytime vs Tottenham at 6/4

Liverpool and Tottenham meet at Anfield with both teams still harbouring hopes of a top-four finish, but with the hosts in better form.

Jurgen Klopp’s men are looking for a fourth consecutive league win, having scored 11 times in those three wins, which includes a 2-1 win at West Ham on Wednesday.

Spurs meanwhile, have won just one of their last six Premier League games and now sit just a point ahead of their opponents.

Although it was an improved display in Thursday’s draw with Manchester United, Tottenham have conceded 11 goals in their last three games while they have not won at Anfield since 2011.

Diogo Jota is Liverpool’s in-form forward at present, with the Portuguese ace finding the net four times in the last three games.

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Luka Modric could miss Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey final clash with Osasuna and the first leg of the Champions League sem-final against Manchester City after suffering a thigh injury.

Modric sustained an injury to his left leg during Madrid’s surprise 4-2 defeat at Girona on Tuesday, a result which kept them 11 points adrift of LaLiga leaders Barcelona.

The blow comes at an unfortunate time for Los Blancos, who will bid to end a nine-year wait to lift the Copa del Rey on May 6, before hosting City three days later.

Asked about Modric’s fitness ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Almeria, Ancelotti acknowledged losing the Croatian’s experience would be a big setback.

“He got an injury in the game against Girona. We will see how he progresses in the next few days,” Ancelotti said.

“He will be doubtful for the Copa final. We must evaluate him, we are hurt, but it can happen. I hope he recovers for the important matches.

“We have very important midfielders like Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni. We have many resources.

“But to replace Luka… you cannot replace his experience in these kinds of games.”

Madrid have won just four of their past nine league games (D2 L3) to allow Barca to pull clear at the summit.

Pushed on why Madrid had failed to replicate their cup heroics in LaLiga this term, Ancelotti said: “I don’t know, it’s a matter of concentration, it’s normal, not always being able to be at the top.

“The schedule is very demanding and I see many coaches complaining about this. We are human and it’s the truth, sometimes I can’t prepare all the games in the same way either.

“In some games you concentrate better, and in others it’s worse. It happens to everyone, good days and bad ones.

“You have to trust the players. I see the group in great shape. What happened last season was unforgettable and we want to repeat it.”

Christophe Galtier has hailed the impact made by Sergio Ramos this season as Paris Saint-Germain look to close in on the Ligue 1 title against Lorient.

The former Real Madrid defender arrived at the club ahead of the 2021-22 season but struggled for minutes during a campaign derailed by injury.

However, with a full pre-season and a clean bill of health behind him, the former Spain star has been one of the leading lights for PSG in 2022-23.

Ahead of his side’s clash with Lorient, where they can help maintain their eight-point gap at the summit, Galtier has highlighted the impact made by Ramos.

“Sergio had a difficult season last year linked to calf injuries,” he said. “[This time,] he had complete preparation. He is a hyper-professional player.

“When you have such a record at this age, it is because you put all the chances on your side. He brings his experience [and] he is an important player in the locker room.

“There have been exchanges between the sports management and him. I am very satisfied with his season and with what he brings on matchdays but also in everyday life.

“He is an example, which all our young players must follow.”

Ramos was integral to helping arrest PSG’s slide earlier this month, netting in their 2-0 win over Nice to bring a two-game wobble to a close.

He was overlooked by Spain for the Qatar 2022 World Cup and confirmed his retirement from the international game following discussions with new coach Luis de la Fuente.

The 2022-23 EFL season is almost over with a dramatic finish in store across all three divisions.

Promotion and relegation battles in the Championship, League One and League Two are heading right to the wire, meaning plenty of nerve-shredding contests are on the cards.

We round up the key permutations ahead of the penultimate weekend of action.

Championship

Burnley and Sheffield United can afford to take things easy having already secured their respective returns to the Premier League.

Who will join them remains unclear, though.

Overachievers Luton and Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough are assured of a play-off berth, with the Hatters able to seal third place with victory at Blackburn on Monday evening.

Rovers are one of eight teams who still have genuine prospects of grabbing one of the final two spots, with Coventry and Sunderland currently holding the aces thanks to their strong goal differences.

That pair sit on 65 points alongside Blackburn and Millwall, while the chasing quartet of West Brom, Preston, Norwich and Swansea could see their promotion dream dashed if they drop points this weekend.

At the bottom, Wigan will be relegated if they lose at fellow strugglers Reading and Blackpool could follow if they lose to Millwall and other results go against them.

Cardiff and Huddersfield’s Sunday showdown also looks pivotal, though the Bluebirds took a huge stride towards safety when beating Rotherham on Thursday.

League One

Plymouth and Ipswich know one win from their final two games will be enough to seal automatic promotion.

Both host mid-table opposition next, with leaders Argyle welcoming Burton to Home Park, while the Tractor Boys — who have won a remarkable 12 of their last 13 outings — host Exeter at Portman Road.

Third-placed Sheffield Wednesday have crumbled in recent months and will have to settle for the play-offs unless they win at Shrewsbury and one of the top two slip up.

Barnsley are assured of a top-six spot, while Bolton, Derby and Peterborough are fighting it out for the final two spaces.

Posh sit two points behind their fellow hopefuls, so may need maximum points against Bristol Rovers to take things to the last day.

Forest Green‘s relegation has already been confirmed and both Accrington and Morecambe could follow them out of the trap door this weekend with negative results.

Stanley face second-bottom Cambridge in a seismic clash, though the U’s cannot be relegated this weekend due to holding a game in hand over their rivals.

League Two

Leyton Orient have already been crowned League Two champions and both Northampton and Stevenage can join them in League One this weekend.

The pair can seal automatic promotion with a victory and both are at home. The Cobblers face play-off hopefuls Bradford, with Boro taking on FA Cup quarter-finalists Grimsby.

Should either team slip up, both Stockport and Carlisle can take the top-three race to the final day by winning their respective penultimate fixtures.

County head to all-conquering Orient, while Paul Simpson’s Cumbrians entertain a Salford side that still hold their own play-off ambitions.

The Class of 92-owned outfit are level on points with both Bradford and Mansfield, with one of that trio looking likely to painfully miss out on a top-seven spot as things stand.

Should Salford or the Bantams drop points in their tough fixtures, the door will open for the eighth-placed Stags who are at home to lowly Harrogate.

Rochdale‘s relegation was confirmed last weekend and Hartlepool look almost certain to follow them out of the EFL.

Pools’ disastrous home loss to fellow strugglers Crawley last week means a point for the Red Devils at home to Walsall will mathematically seal the deal.

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Sheffield United owner Prince Abdullah still intends to sell the club despite their promotion to the Premier League but admits a sale to Dozy Mmobuosi now looks “unlikely”.

The Nigerian businessman agreed a reported £115million deal to take over the Blades before Christmas but the Saudi is doubtful that will go through.

He is now looking for other buyers and would like something sorted before the start of next season.

“I can’t say it’s off but I think maybe now it’s unlikely. But everything is open,” the Prince told talkSPORT. “I can’t comment more than that.

“If we reach a decision I want it to be before we start preparations for the next season. It can’t affect the team next year. It has to be done now. If we are in the club, we are going to manage it the best we can.

“(To sell) is my intention, but nothing is guaranteed. I’m not going to sell to just anybody. I care about who owns the club next.

“The most important decision in any club is not hiring the right manager or the right players, it starts from the top. If the owner is a bad owner it can drive everything eventually to the ground.

“My intention is to sell but it’s not guaranteed yet.

“There are other parties interested I would rather do something in the next four weeks or do nothing, but these things never go as you expect, there are always complications. The most important thing is we are now in the Premier League.”

United have been suffering with financial problems throughout the season and were up until last week under an EFL transfer embargo due to unpaid transfer fees.

Reports have suggested Mmobuosi has already put a large amount of money into the club, but the Prince says he will not be owed anything if the deal collapses.

“No, this is not accurate but I don’t want to talk about that,” he said. “Dozy is a good man and hopefully he will be successful in whatever he does in the future. But we don’t owe anyone any money.”

Carlo Ancelotti has called on officials to dole out “justice” to prevent Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior from being targeted by aggressive opponents.

Vinicius has contributed 18 goal involvements (10 goals, eight assists) during another fine campaign in LaLiga, but the Brazilian has repeatedly received harsh treatment from opposing defenders.

The winger was the centre of attention once again during Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat at Girona, being booked for his furious reaction after Santiago Bueno aggressively kicked the ball against him.

Vinicius has drawn 113 fouls in LaLiga this season, comfortably the highest tally in the competition – Rayo Vallecano’s Isi Palazon is second with 87.

Vinicius has also been targeted by racist chants from opposing supporters on multiple occasions this term, causing LaLiga to release several statements in support of the 22-year-old.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Almeria, Ancelotti repeated his calls for Vinicius to receive more protection on and off the pitch, saying: “He’s a player that dribbles one-on-one. In order to stop these players, people stop them with fouls.

“We are concerned for our player, and the only way to preserve these players is justice. Only this can prevent injuries from happening.

“It’s true that Vinicius suffers a lot of nasty tackles. In the past there were other players, like Diego Maradona and Pele, who also suffered a lot from these challenges.

“We have been very lucky that Vinicius has a strong physique and is capable of enduring them. He has not had any injuries.

“There are two topics – one inside the pitch and one outside the pitch. One of them, on the outside, is bad for society. A modern society cannot be like that.”

With Madrid trailing Barcelona by 11 points at the top of LaLiga, some have suggested Ancelotti’s own future could be dictated by his team’s ability to defend their Champions League crown.

Ancelotti has previously expressed a desire to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu until the expiration of his contract in 2024, and the Italian repeated that intention on Friday.

Asked whether he needed to lead Madrid to a 15th European Cup/Champions League title to keep his job, Ancelotti said: “That is not so.

“My future is already written, I’ll stay until 2024. After that, I don’t know.”