Month: April 2023

Alexia Putellas is in Barcelona’s squad for the first time all season for their Women’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea, with Lucy Bronze out following knee surgery.

Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Putellas has not played since picking up an anterior cruciate ligament injury in July 2022.

Home fans on Thursday will be hoping her return can help Barcelona complete the job which they started by winning the first leg 1-0 at Stamford Bridge last week.

The midfielder had been seen in open training at the Camp Nou before the official announcement, after which she was declared fit to play.

As a result of last year’s ACL injury, Putellas was unable to contribute to her country’s run in Euro 2021, delayed for a year after the Covid pandemic, which saw Spain lose to England in the quarter-finals.

But her club have not suffered so much without her, sitting 10 points clear at the top of the Primera Division, and cruising in the Champions League so far this season.

One fresh setback, however, for the Catalan club is the absence through injury of England’s Lucy Bronze, who was seen hobbling off the pitch in the first Chelsea clash.

England’s right-back had keyhole surgery on her knee following the injury, but is expected to be back within a month.

The semi-final second leg is on Thursday night, with the winner facing either Arsenal or Wolfsburg in the final in June.

Former Arsenal striker Kelly Smith has joined the Women’s Super League club’s coaching staff until the end of the season.

The PA news agency understands the 44-year-old is joining the first team set-up on an informal basis, working with the squad a couple of times a week, and will be in the technical area for next Monday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Wolfsburg at the Emirates Stadium.

Smith has been working at Arsenal’s girls’ academy while completing her A License with the Professional Footballers’ Association.

Across three spells playing for the Gunners, from 1996 to when she retired in 2017, Smith scored 125 goals in 144 appearances and helped them claim a glut of silverware.

That included winning a quadruple in 2007, with her having netted 30 goals in 34 games across the four competitions.

She also scored 46 times for England — a record Lionesses haul until Ellen White surpassed it in November 2021 — and played for Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics.

Smith told the Times: “After speaking with [Arsenal manager] Jonas [Eidevall] and Clare [Wheatley, the club’s head of women’s football] it was a really easy decision to join the coaching set-up here.

“The club have been really supportive in helping me complete my A License and take the next step in my own post-playing career.

“It’s an exciting time to become part of this team — we’ve seen over the past few weeks just how resilient and together they are and I’m look forward to working with them more closely on and off the pitch at this key point in the season.

“I love this club and it’s such a great feeling to be wearing the Arsenal badge once more.”

Eidevall’s side, who won the Continental Tyres League Cup last month, drew 2-2 in the first leg of the Wolfsburg tie last weekend, fighting back after going 2-0 down. They are currently fourth in the WSL table, six points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand.

– Southampton have the worst home record in the top flight
– Bournemouth have won three of their last five away games
– Recommended bet: Bournemouth draw no bet

Bournemouth have enjoyed a boost to their survival hopes in recent weeks and victory in this south coast relegation scrap would virtually confirm their top-flight status.

That would be some achievement for Gary O’Neil, who made his managerial debut when taking charge of the newly promoted club in the wake of thumping defeats of 4-0, 3-0 and 9-0 in their first four matches.

The former Portsmouth player has endured plenty of stressful moments this term but it would be the cherry on the top of the cake if he was able to cement his new team’s position at the expense of Pompey’s south coast rivals, Southampton.

The Saints have suffered a nightmare campaign, with Ruben Selles the third manager to have so far failed to halt an inexorable slide towards the Championship.

Fail to win on Thursday and it would seem their 11-year stay in the top flight is all-but over.

Team news

Southampton centre-back Mohammed Salisu and full-backs Juan Larios and Tino Livramento remain unavailable through injury.

Concussion protocol will determine the availability of centre-back Jan Bednarek but striker Che Adams should return from a calf injury and midfield loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles returns after being ineligible against parent club Arsenal.

Bournemouth travel without defender Jack Stephens – who cannot face his parent club – and injured pair Ryan Fredericks and Junior Stanislas.

Midfielder Hamed Traore is also unlikely to feature due to an ankle problem.

The stats 

Bournemouth suffered a 4-0 home defeat to West Ham on Sunday but have been more productive on the road than at the Vitality Stadium.

Since mid-February, they have claimed just six points from five home matches but have taken nine points from five on the road. 

Southampton have been better on the road than at St Mary’s all season. They have collected 14 points from 16 away matches and only 10 from 16 at home, losing eight of their last 10 league matches in front of their own fans. 

Bournemouth have conceded more goals on the road than any other Premier League team this season and no side has conceded more goals per game at home than Southampton. 

Prediction

With both teams so weak defensively, ‘over 2.5 goals’ looks a sensible addition to Bet Builders at a shade over odds-against. 

And a high-scoring encounter could go Bournemouth’s way, as while they suffered a setback last weekend, the Cherries have frequently reacted positively to bad results under O’Neil.

O’Neil took charge in the wake of the 9-0 drubbing at Liverpool and led them on a six-game unbeaten run and in recent weeks they have bounced back from a last-gasp defeat at Arsenal to beat Liverpool, followed a 3-0 loss at Aston Villa with victory over Fulham and won at Leicester after a home defeat to Brighton.

Southampton will be feeling flat despite getting a point at Arsenal last time out as they squandered a 2-0 lead with the concession of a 90th-minute equaliser in their 3-3 draw.

That late heartbreak sums up the fortunes of a team who look increasingly doomed and their results against fellow strugglers since the World Cup break is a major factor in their predicament – they have lost five of seven meetings with other teams battling against the drop.

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Robert Pires has heralded the work of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and believes his former club have “rediscovered their DNA.”

Arsenal face Manchester City in a crunch Premier League fixture on Wednesday with the Gunners sitting five points ahead of their rivals, though defeat at the Etihad Stadium will mean Pep Guardiola’s side move to within two points with two games in hand.

Regardless of the result, Pires – winner of two league titles with Arsenal – believes their progress should still be celebrated as they continue on an upward trajectory since Arteta’s appointment.

“Arsenal are becoming a great English club again,” he said, speaking to Le Parisien.

“They’re fighting for the title and rediscovering their DNA – playing beautiful football, one which also allows us to see young talents to emerge, like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.

“It’s everything that Arsene Wenger put in place when he arrived at the club. He wanted people to be inspired by him and play beautiful football. 

“These days, Arteta, who played under him before becoming Guardiola’s assistant, has managed to bring that back. Arsenal are back up on their feet and that’s why I like watching this team play. 

“You can compare their style of play to that of Lens or Marseille in Ligue 1 – these are teams that constantly attack. Of course there are weaknesses, but this tendency to attack is what we want to see more of in football.”

Arsenal are winless in their last three games after draws against Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton, while City remain unbeaten in their last 16 in all competitions.

Arteta’s men are set to be without influential centre-back William Saliba through injury, with Pires adamant that squad depth may ultimately hinder Arsenal’s title charge. 

“That’s the main difference between the two squads,” he said. “City’s is much deeper and more powerful than Arsenal’s. Mikel Arteta has often played with the same 12 or 13 players.

“They’re a younger team, they have less experience, and that can be difficult when you have to go and get a title. The last two months are difficult. Everyone keeps telling you that you’re going to win, there’s tension, you’re more and more nervous. You can get tripped up.”

– Everton have more than doubled their home points-per-game under Sean Dyche
– Newcastle have only three wins from their last eight league away games
– Recommended bet: First-half draw

Everton slipped up in their last Goodison Park outing to push them deeper into relegation danger and Sean Dyche’s men now desperately need their home supporters to help carry them towards safety.

The Toffees face an uphill task after that loss to Fulham as they have a dreadful record on the road and their final three home games see them host a potential relegation decider against Bournemouth after visits from highflying Manchester City and Newcastle.

The Magpies put on an exhibition performance against Tottenham last weekend, obliterating their supposed top-four rivals with five goals in the opening 21 minutes.

However, Everton will not be as accommodating as a shambolic Spurs side, with Dyche sure to have to have his team well-drilled, compact and battling for their Premier League survival.

Team news

Everton right-back Seamus Coleman has a thigh injury and replacement Mason Holgate is suspended, meaning Ben Godfrey is likely to deputise.

Winger Andros Townsend is unlikely to return from injury this season and the same is true of left-back Ruben Vinagre and Dele Alli.

In better news, striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin lasted 90 minutes before being replaced in stoppage time during last weekend’s return and should again start. 

Key man Abdoulaye Doucoure returns from suspension and fellow midfielder Amadou Onana could recover from a groin strain.

Newcastle attacker Allan Saint-Maximin and centre-back Fabian Schar both have thigh injuries and are likely to both miss out but midfielder Bruno Guimaraes should feature despite picking up an ankle knock. 

Emil Krafth will not return until the summer and Ryan Fraser has been demoted from the first-team squad. 

The stats

After a five-game winless run in February and early March, Newcastle have now won six of their last seven matches. 

That form coincides with the availability of Guimaraes, who was suspended for three of those games before returning for a closely fought Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United and a 2-0 loss to Manchester City. 

Indeed, the difference in Newcastle’s results with and without the Brazilian is stark – they have won 67% and lost only 10% of games he has started this season but have won only one of the nine he did not start – and that was against League Two Tranmere. 

Everton have continued to struggle away since Dyche took the reins but their Goodison Park record has improved from 0.8 points per game in the 10 home games under Frank Lampard to an average of 1.67 under Dyche. 

While that six-match record takes in defeats to Aston Villa and Fulham, Everton were unlucky in both losses – both visitors registered less than 0.3 more expected goals than the Toffees – and it includes victories over Arsenal, Brentford and Leeds and a draw with Tottenham. 

Prediction 

While Newcastle rightly earned plaudits for their electric St James’ Park romp against Tottenham, a midweek trip to Everton is a very different test. 

The Toffees are solid on home soil and while they slipped up against Fulham, Dyche made a rare tactical error in playing an attacking 4-4-2, which was compounded by the absence of Doucoure and Onana in midfield.

Doucoure will return and could be joined by Onana and it is likely that they will revert to a more solid midfield three against dangerous visitors.

Shutting down Newcastle’s attack will be Everton’s first priority, making under 2.5 goals an appealing addition to Bet Builders, but it also points to a slow-starting match.

Newcastle have led in only one of their last eight Premier League away games and, facing an Everton side in full survival mode, they may again struggle to take control early on.

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In his most prolific season, Brighton winger Solly March suffered a huge moment of disappointment last Sunday.

The 28-year-old blazed his spot-kick over the bar in the penalty shootout against Manchester United in the Seagulls’ FA Cup semi-final.

It was a miss that saw Roberto De Zerbi’s side lose 7-6, after a goalless match at Wembley in which the South Coast club were arguably the better team. 

Ahead of Brighton’s Premier League contest at Nottingham Forest this evening, we examine March’s campaign and whether he can overcome this bitter blow. 

Double disappointment

March’s penalty miss against United was the second time that he has suffered this unfortunate fate this season. 

Back in December, he struck a shootout penalty over the bar in the Carabao Cup fourth round against Charlton, after a goalless draw in regular time. 

Considering that experience, it was perhaps no surprise that March was down as Brighton’s seventh penalty taker at Wembley. 

Yet in between those penalty misses, the former England U-21s international has been in the best form of his career. 

Before the disappointment against the Addicks, March had not scored a goal all season and had only assisted twice. 

Now he has eight goals and eight assists across all competitions, with the vast majority of those goal involvements coming in the Premier League. 

Goal glut

Having already bounced back from missing one crucial penalty with a great run of form, there is nothing to suggest that March will not be able to repeat the trick. 

Once considered a player without much end product, he has thrived under De Zerbi. 

March was mainly used as a left wing-back during Graham Potter’s time at the club. Since the Italian took charge, he has been regularly utilising the Sussex native on the right of the attack. 

In his previous nine seasons since making his Brighton debut in 2013, the former Lewes player only scored a total of 14 goals. 

Under De Zerbi and with the security of having a regular position, March looks likely to hit double figures for the first time in his career. 

Manager influence

March has spoken about the difference that De Zerbi has made to both his career and the team as a whole, since the manager took over from Potter. 

He said: “The dressing room is different, it’s more animated. It’s a good thing. It gets the players going, it gets the crowd going. It’s benefitting us. 

“He tells me he trusts me and believes in me to deliver more. It’s benefitting me a lot.” 

March has also gone on record regarding the disappointment of missing that penalty against Charlton and his past profligacy. 

He said: “It plays on your mind for a few days but you’ve just got to get back out on the training pitch and practise and play again. 

“Maybe in the past, I’ve thought about it too much. I’m just going out there and trying to correct it. 

“Everyone can miss a chance. He [De Zerbi] says get your head up and just do what we know you can do. That helps as well.” 

This new attitude bodes well for his chances of making a quick recovery from his penalty woes. March might never be a spot-kick king, but he is finally delivering for Brighton.

Ryan Mason wants to bring back “energy and positivity” to Tottenham after taking over as the club’s interim boss for a second time.

The former midfielder has been placed in charge of Spurs following the dismissal of initial caretaker boss Cristian Stellini, who was sacked following a 6-1 loss to Newcastle United.

Mason previously was in charge of Tottenham on a temporary basis in 2021 following Jose Mourinho’s exit, and led them in their EFL Cup final loss to Manchester City.

Ahead of his first game at the helm again versus top-four rivals Manchester United, the ex-England international is looking for a response after being handed the reins again.

“My immediate focus is Thursday,” he said. “The most important thing is a reaction. Sunday was obviously very disappointing for us.

“I would hope and expect there is a reaction from the players, from everyone. Another important thing is getting energy and positivity back into the group and the fans as well.

“We have to be realistic. With three training sessions before two games, it is hard to change a big deal, but I would hope before the end of season people would see my stamp on the group.”

On returning to the top seat in the dugout for a second time, Mason gave assurances he feels up to the task at hand, adding: “It came about relatively easily from my point of view.”

“Naturally I feel comfortable, and it is just part of being involved in football. From a personal perspective, we handled it well two years ago.

“Obviously a lot of things have happened [since then] but ultimately I feel ready.”

Tottenham lie sixth in the Premier League with just six games to go, and face a battle to ensure their European qualification for next season.

They are six points behind fourth-place United, who have games in hand on them, though Spurs in turn have a match to spare compared with fifth-place Aston Villa.

Everton manager Sean Dyche is well aware time is running out for his relegation-threatened side but hopes a change of routine can harness the power of home advantage and give them the boost they need.

After just one win in the last nine matches his side are in the bottom three, with just six games left to extend a 69-year stay in the top flight.

What little strength they have had has been at Goodison Park, where they have picked up 18 of the 28 points, and there has now been a move to weaponise the support of fans ahead of the visit of high-flying Newcastle.

Since Dyche arrived in late January players have driven to the match in their own cars but following pleas from supporters’ groups they will arrive in a coach so fans can repeat last year’s late-season welcomes by lining Goodison Road armed with flags and smoke canisters.

“All Evertonians, not just those who come in the stadium, know just how important this run of games is,” said Dyche.

“They are all important games but of course this last clutch of games are bound to be important because of what it means.

“It (the coach welcome) was well documented last season and a couple of fan groups mentioned about it this season and I’ve a massive respect for them from what I’ve seen and heard from the fans since I’ve been here.

“They wanted to play their part, if that can make a difference, and beyond that we want the team to play their part and make a difference.

“I think it helps to create an atmosphere but the focus remains on the whistle blowing because that alone can’t win you the game as you have to make sure you are in the right frame of mind regardless.”

Everton will be boosted by the return of midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, one of the best players since Dyche took over, following his three-match suspension for a red card against Tottenham earlier this month.

“I certainly don’t ask players to make amends for moments in a game,” added the Toffees boss when asked whether the player owed the side for his costly absence.

“You want the passion, pride and belief in that player and he’s been delivering that.

“He has been a driving force within the team unit and he was the catalyst in certain games and other players followed that.

“Now we want other players to lead it and him to be part of it.”

The match will see the return of former winger Anthony Gordon and while his acrimonious January departure may stoke up fans’ anger, Dyche does not believe it will affect his players.

“I don’t see why they get caught up in any noise about it. It was before my time here,” he said.

“That player left, other players get a chance with that player leaving. I don’t see why our players will be worried about that rather just focusing on the game.”

Dyche will make late decisions on captain Seamus Coleman and midfielder Amadou Onana after both missed the last two matches with hamstring and groin injuries respectively.

Chelsea are preparing to enter a new era this summer with another manager set to arrive at Stamford Bridge.

Kai Havertz has been leading the line for a struggling Blues side this season and has provided seven of the 30 league goals scored by the West Londoners.

But with reports suggesting that Real Madrid could make a move for the German, the former Bayer Leverkusen star may decide to pursue a new challenge in the 2023-24 campaign.

Ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Brentford tonight — which may see Havertz miss out through injury — we take a look at the best course of action for the 23-year-old.

Premier League pressure

Havertz arrived in England with a weight of expectation on his shoulders after signing for over £71million but has failed to take the Premier League by storm in his three-year stint.

His final season in Germany had seen him bag 18 times in all competitions but the 34-cap international is yet to replicate that quality with the Blues.

Under Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, the Leverkusen academy product has been utilised as a false nine rather than as a No10 — his favoured position.

Havertz has often found himself in excellent positions on the pitch but has lacked the goalscoring instinct that would see him compete with England’s elite strikers.

Chelsea’s No29 has missed 13 big chances in the top flight this term and must take some of the blame for his side languishing in the bottom half of the table.

An awkward fit

Former Blues defender Glen Johnson is one of many who believe that the two-time Champions League winners would be better off selling Havertz this summer.

He said: “Havertz is a good footballer, but I don’t think he really suits the Premier League.

“Everything he does is so slow and lethargic and, although he is a very technical player, it helps when you’re in the Bundesliga playing for a top team.

“I also think he would bite your arm off to go back to Germany, so if Chelsea have to get rid of a marquee name this summer, I think it will be him.”

Made for Madrid

Although Johnson believes that Havertz could return to Germany, reports suggest that Spanish giants Madrid are the frontrunners to land the talented playmaker.

Mauricio Pochettino is a hot favourite to take the reins at Stamford Bridge in the summer and the Argentine may choose to cash in to free up some space in his squad.

Havertz has yet to feature on the winning side since Lampard returned to the dugout and will be growing frustrated with his lack of minutes.

In Spain, Havertz would be afforded more time and space on the ball in a less physical league, which may suit his style of play.

And with the likes of Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric all approaching the end of their careers, this summer could be the perfect time for Los Blancos to make their approach for the left-footed attacker.

Out of position

Alan Shearer is another former player who has recognised that Havertz would be better off in an attacking midfield role.

The ex-Newcastle and Blackburn centre forward said: “I like Kai Havertz but not as an out-and-out No9.”

Under new management, Chelsea could thrive if they were able to recruit a more clinical goalscorer and drop Havertz into a deeper role.

At his peak, the Champions League winner is an outstanding player and he may be able to unlock a new level to his game in a different environment next season.

Bruno Fernandes has “a question mark” over his fitness, Erik ten Hag said ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Tottenham.

The midfielder was forced off during United’s FA Cup semi-final win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday with an ankle injury and was later pictured in a protective boot.

With Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane already sidelined in a blow to United’s defence, the loss of Fernandes would hurt Ten Hag’s side going forward.

But on the eve of the trip to Spurs, the manager could not confirm whether Fernandes would be available.

But the Dutchman is not ready to reveal whether the midfielder will sit out their crucial encounter with Spurs or if he could yet be available to feature.

“There are some unavailable,” he said. “Martinez, Varane. We have to see how Bruno Fernandes is. We don’t know yet. He is a question mark.

“It’s more often that players [wear the boot], that we protect them. But [the ankle] has to settle down. We all have seen he played the full game [90 minutes before extra time].

“It happened in the first half. [The game is] Thursday, so tomorrow is quick, but we have to see what is possible.”

The win on penalties at Wembley was an effective tonic for an ailing United side after they had lost emphatically at Sevilla to crash out of the Europa League three days earlier.

David de Gea and Harry Maguire both committed costly errors leading to goals in that game, but Ten Hag has continued to talk up their character as the pair recover.

“They are resilient,” he said. “They are able to do it. It’s not easy, but they can do it. You can have a bad setback but show your character to bounce back.

“I am the Manchester United manager. I have to make sure our players are ready tomorrow against a good opponent, good team, good players. I have to focus [and make sure] they have energy.”

Now, United will face a Tottenham team reeling from a 6-1 rout at the hands of top-four rivals Newcastle United last time out.

Harry Kane, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, scored the only Spurs goal.

“It’s quite clear, his impact on the game for Spurs,” Ten Hag said of Kane. “We have a plan for that. You have to defend as a team. He’s a clever player, he can have a big impact on the game.”