Month: May 2023

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes hopes in-form striker Kyle Vassell can dust himself off for their do-or-die showdown with Ross County.

Vassell struck twice in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Dundee United, which kept Killie in pole position in the race for cinch Premiership survival.

The Ayrshire side will secure their top-flight status for another year if they avoid defeat against Ross County at Rugby Park on Sunday but they face a play-off if they lose.

Vassell, who missed games in recent weeks before hitting three goals in three matches, went off after a heavy challenge from Charlie Mulgrew in the second half on Wednesday.

McInnes said: “He’s not really trained properly since the Hearts game around seven weeks ago. We’re just getting him out there, to be honest.

“He’s been doing a lot of work with the physio, but we don’t want to irritate his knee.

“He did a wee bit of work with us on Tuesday and declared himself fit, as he does. He turns up for his work and he’s prepared to get his hands dirty.

“He’s so important to me and the team. We’re hoping that he’s all right.

“We’re conscious that it usually takes five or six days for it to clear up, we’ve only got three, so we’re up against it. Knowing him as I do, he’ll be willing to put himself out there.”

Arsenal have unveiled their new home shirt for 2023-24, marking the 20th anniversary of their Invincibles campaign.

The new kit pays homage to the jersey worn during that iconic title-winning season in 2003-04, when the North Londoners went 38 Premier League matches without defeat under Arsene Wenger.

Designed by adidas, it features a new shade of striking red offset with a white sleeve and a lightning bolt pattern which flows vertically from top to bottom.

The Gunners’ crest, adidas’ logo and three stripes down each sleeve feature in gold while the team’s record of 26 wins and 12 draws in that historic season is etched into the side.

Member of that Invincibles side Ray Parlour said: “Playing in that season 20 years ago, surrounded by so many wonderful players is something I will never forget. 

“And it is great to see we are celebrating our club history by bringing out this new home shirt — something I think all the supporters will truly love.”

The new kit will be worn for the first time when Arsenal face Aston Villa in the final game of the Women’s Super League season on Saturday. 

Mikel Arteta’s men will also debut it at home to Wolves in their last Premier League game of the campaign on Sunday.

Arteta will be plotting success both at home and abroad next term, having qualified for the Champions League for the first time in six years thanks to their second-place finish behind Manchester City.

The home jersey is available to purchase from Arsenal stores, via selected adidas retail stores, and online. 

– Crystal Palace have won three of their last four Premier League home matches
– Nottingham Forest have conceded at least twice in ten of their last 12 away games
– Recommended bet: Crystal Palace to win & over 2.5 goals

Nottingham Forest secured their Premier League status with a memorable victory over Arsenal last week, but for their last game of the season they face a tough trip to Crystal Palace, who have been rejuvenated since the return of Roy Hodgson.

It will have come as a huge relief to Forest that their Premier League spot for next season has been secured before the final day of the campaign.

Their place outside the bottom three is owed to a huge extent by their good form at the City Ground, as they have been poor travellers in their first season back in the top-flight for 24 years.

There was a time when it looked as if Palace could be dragged into trouble as they faltered under Patrick Vieira, but veteran Hodgson has returned to the dugout and given the Eagles a new lease of life.

An exciting attacking team have cemented their position in mid-table and they will be looking to go out on a high after some decent results in recent games at Selhurst Park.

Team news

Palace are set to be without Wilfried Zaha, who is nursing a thigh injury, while Nathan Ferguson, James Tomkins and Luka Milivojevic are also missing.

Forest have had to deal with a host of injuries in the closing weeks of the season and have seen stars such as Neco Williams and Chris Wood having to end their campaigns early.

They will be hoping goalkeeper Keylor Navas will be available after he limped off against Arsenal, but Wayne Hennessey is ready to take his place between the posts if needed.

It would also be no surprise if top goalscorer Brennan Johnson was handed a starting berth after his attacking prowess was sacrificed for the Gunners game.

The stats

Crystal Palace have won three of their last four home league matches, while six of Forest’s last seven away games have featured at least three goals.

Forest have taken just one point from their last eight away games and have conceded at least twice in ten of their last 12 away games.

Both teams have scored in just two of Palace’s last seven games.

Only Manchester City have beaten the Eagles in their last nine home matches.

Prediction

The City Ground became a fortress for Forest upon their return to the Premier League, but their away form has been poor and that makes them vulnerable to a final-day defeat at Palace.

The Tricky Trees have collected just one away win, at relegated Southampton, and, while they lost just two of their final 15 games on the banks of the Trent, seven points from 18 away matches is a poor total.

That does not bode well for a trip to Selhurst Park, where the Eagles have got their act together and made themselves difficult to beat.

Leicester City, West Ham and Bournemouth have all been put away in recent weeks and they should come out on top of this one, even if Forest’s safety suggests Steve Cooper’s side are unlikely to throw caution to the wind.

Back Crystal Palace to win and over 2.5 goals at 7/5 with LiveScore Bet.

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– Six of Coventry’s seven wins against top-half teams were by a 1-0 scoreline
– Only Championship winners Burnley conceded fewer regular-season goals than Luton’s 39 
– Recommended bet: Draw at 2/1 with LiveScore Bet

Coventry take on Luton in the Championship play-off final on Saturday and the race for a place in the Premier League could go down to the wire.

Coventry and Luton meet at Wembley with promotion to the Premier League on the line and both teams’ campaigns have been built on excellent defensive records. 

The Sky Blues showcased their strength in that department by shutting out Championship play-off favourites Middlesbrough over two legs to claim a 1-0 aggregate victory in the semi-finals. 

Luton, beaten only once in their last 20 games of the regular season on their way to a third-placed finish, fought back from a 2-1 first-leg defeat at Sunderland to clinch their place at Wembley and they could be set for an epic final against the Sky Blues.

Team news

Gustavo Hamer, who scored Coventry’s semi-final winner at Middlesbrough, is managing a knee problem but should be fit to start. Kasey Palmer is back in training but hasn’t featured since February and Callum O’Hare, Fabio Tavares and Tyler Walker are set to miss out. 

Luton boss Rob Edwards could name the same team who started the semi-final second leg against Sunderland. 

Striker Cauley Woodrow is the Hatters’ only injury doubt.  

The stats

Six of Coventry’s seven wins against top-half teams were by a 1-0 scoreline.

City’s regular-season away matches averaged just 2.17 goals per game.

The Sky Blues failed to win any of their nine away fixtures against top-ten sides.

Only Championship winners Burnley conceded fewer regular-season goals than Luton’s 39.

No team in the Championship drew more games than the Hatters’ 17 this term.

Luton lost just one of their last 20 regular-season games, a 1-0 home defeat to champions Burnley.

Prediction

Both regular-season meetings between Coventry and Luton finished in draws and, with the stakes so high in the play-off final, it would be no surprise if the scores were level after 90 minutes again.

Luton had the second-best defensive record in the division while Coventry kept clean sheets in both legs of their semi-final tie against a talented Boro side so a tense, low-scoring contest is on the cards at Wembley.

Both clubs drew four of their last seven fixtures in the regular season and, although Luton are worthy favourites after finishing ten points clear of the Sky Blues, Mark Robins’ men will have taken great confidence from their semi-final victory.

Only two of the last ten Championship play-off finals have featured over 2.5 goals in 90 minutes – 2-1 wins for Aston Villa against Derby in 2019 and Fulham against Brentford the following season – and extra-time may be required to separate Saturday’s evenly-matched promotion rivals.

Back the draw, available at 2/1 with LiveScore Bet.

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– Everton have racked up 12 draws in the Premier League this season 
– Bournemouth have lost each of their last three league games 
– Recommended bet: Draw

It is crunch time in the Premier League with the final day of the season approaching and one game which will attract plenty of attention is Everton’s tussle with Bournemouth at Goodison Park.

The match on Merseyside will play a significant role in the Premier League relegation battle with Everton in 17th spot going into the final day.

A win for the Toffees would secure their survival and ensure they avoid a first relegation since 1951, while they could also stay up with a defeat, provided that Leeds fail to beat Tottenham and Leicester do not win against West Ham.

Everton’s fate is in their own hands but a nervy atmosphere is expected at Goodison Park, where they will welcome a Bournemouth team already assured of Premier League football for next season.

Team news

Everton have a pretty lengthy injury list featuring Seamus Coleman, Vitaliy Mykolenko, Ruben Vinagre and Andros Townsend, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Nathan Patterson are also doubts in what could prove to be a double blow for the Toffees.

Visitors Bournemouth, meanwhile, will be without Marcus Tavernier, Joe Rothwell, Ryan Fredericks and Junior Stanislas.

Hamed Traore and Philip Billing, meanwhile, are to be assessed.

The stats

Everton have recorded 12 draws in this season’s Premier League, four of which have come since the start of April.

As for Bournemouth, they have lost each of their last three league games, having scored only once in the process.

The Toffees have failed to win 13 of their 18 home games in this term’s Premier League.

Prediction

Sunday’s clash with Bournemouth will be a huge occasion for Sean Dyche and Everton and the club’s supporters will be doing their best to get behind their team at Goodison Park.

A first relegation since 1951 looms but the club at least have their fate in their own hands thanks to Yerry Mina’s 99th-minute equaliser away to Wolves last Saturday.

Make no mistake it has been a disastrous season for Everton. But they have shown signs of promise recently, losing just one of their last four matches and recording one of the shocks of the season when they thumped Brighton 5-1 earlier this month.

A win is definitely in reach for Dyche’s men and would certainly ease the nerves around Goodison Park, but Everton have failed to win 13 of their 18 home league matches this season.

The likely absence of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin will not help matters and at 15/4 with LiveScore Bet, the draw looks the better selection.

Since the start of April, Everton have drawn with Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Leicester and Wolves in the Premier League and a share of the spoils could be on the cards on the final day of the season.

Back Everton vs Bournemouth to finish as a draw @ 15/4 with LiveScore Bet

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Fancy winning up to £100,000?

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Relegation from the Premier League is a scary prospect and yet there are few better feelings in football than securing survival on the final day of the season. 

This season, two from Everton, Leicester and Leeds will join Southampton in being sent down to the Championship. One will stay up and join the ranks of last-gasp survivors.

Ahead of Sunday’s fixtures, we look at the teams who stared down the drop before pulling off a great escape. 

Oldham (1992-93)

In the very first Premier League season, Joe Royle’s Oldham needed to win their last three games to survive. 

Miraculously, the Latics won the first two games against second-placed Aston Villa and then Liverpool to set up a final day showdown against Southampton. 

Oldham beat the Saints 4-3, despite Matt Le Tissier scoring a hat-trick. With Crystal Palace losing against Arsenal, it was the South Londoners that went down. 

West Brom (2004-05)

No team had been bottom of the Premier League at Christmas and survived before West Brom pulled off that feat in 2004-05. 

Bryan Robson’s side were one of four teams that could be relegated on a final day dubbed Survival Sunday. 

West Brom were the only one to win, confirming their safety with second-half goals from Geoff Horsfield and Kieran Richardson. 

Bradford (1999-00)

Paul Jewell’s Bradford looked doomed in 1999-00. Six points adrift with five games remaining, they nevertheless won two and drew one of their first four of that sequence. 

This gave them a chance to stay up on the final day. The only problem is that they were hosting a Liverpool side looking to qualify for the Champions League. 

Bradford centre-back David Wetherall was the unlikely hero, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win as the jubilant Valley Parade crowd flooded on to the pitch at full-time. 

West Ham (2006-07)

Defeating Liverpool at home would have been a daunting prospect for the Bantams, but the stakes were even higher for West Ham in 2006-07.

Alan Curbishley’s side headed to Old Trafford needing a victory having given themselves a chance with six wins from eight games. 

It was a future Manchester United player who scored the vital goal, with Carlos Tevez netting in an unlikely 1-0 victory. 

Fulham (2007-08)

Fulham were just 14 minutes away from being relegated on the final day of the 2007-08 season. 

The Cottagers were one of three teams chasing a solitary survival spot, with Birmingham and Reading also battling to stay up. 

With a 4-0 win over relegated Derby, it looked like the Royals would survive, only for Danny Murphy to head home a late goal at Portsmouth to keep Roy Hodgson’s side safe by virtue of goal difference. 

Everton (1993-94)

We thought that we would end with this great escape, to give some hope to Evertonians before Sunday’s showdown. 

Back in 1994, Mike Walker’s Toffees went into the last day of the season in the drop zone, only a point behind Ipswich, Sheffield United and Southampton, but needing a win against Wimbledon. 

The omens did not look good when the Dons went 2-0 up after Anders Limpar had needlessly given away a spot-kick and Gary Ablett scored an own goal, but Graham Stuart restored hope with a penalty. 

Barry Horne levelled in the second half with a spectacular long-range effort. Survival was secured in the 81st minute when Stuart scored again with a bobbling shot that somehow crept in.

Play-off final weekend is always one of the most memorable on the domestic football calendar.

Matches in which dreams are realised, ambitions fulfilled and careers made, the Championship, League One and League Two showpieces will also bring heartache and regret.

Ahead of the trio of showdowns, we remember five classic moments from the many nail-biting matches.

Mendonca’s hat-trick (1998)

A remarkable 4-4 draw between Charlton and Sunderland was capped by the first ever Wembley play-off final hat-trick.

Clive Mendonca scored the first, fourth and eighth goals of the incredible battle between the Addicks and the Black Cats in the 1998 Division One final, the last of those an extra-time equaliser that set up a penalty shootout.

The forward’s touch and volley from a looped cross defied the fatigue he must have been feeling after 103 minutes of football and paved the way for his side to ultimately win promotion.

Dickov’s delight (1999)

When the 1999 Division Two play-off final was still 0-0 after 80 minutes, it seemed unlikely it would go on to be considered one of the most dramatic matches in Football League history.

But inside the next 15 minutes, Gillingham would take a 2-0 lead against Manchester City, and then blow it, to leave their promotion hopes in tatters.

Paul Dickov stole the headlines, smashing home a 95th-minute equaliser that remains one of the most euphoric moments in City’s history, including what they have since achieved.

The despondent Gills would lose on spot-kicks and must wish the game had petered out into a 0-0 draw all along.

Hometown hero (2008)

Dean Windass fired his boyhood team Hull to promotion to the Premier League in 2008, 17 years after he had first made his debut for the club.

The goal itself was scored in true Roy of the Rovers fashion, too, as Windass thumped home a stunning volley from the edge of the area to down Bristol City at Wembley.

The forward offered his man-of-the-match award to the Tigers’ assistant manager Brian Horton, who had released him from the club in 1995, saying: “He told me all those years ago to prove him wrong. That goal’s enough for me.”

Set-piece sorcery (2010)

Charlie Adam was the poster boy for Blackpool’s unlikely 2009-10 promotion bid and produced the goods in the play-off final in trademark style.

The Tangerines had gone behind early to Cardiff at Wembley but soon won a free-kick 25 yards out from goal.

The Scottish international whipped it into the top corner, the iconic moment of a brilliant final Ian Holloway’s team would go on to win 3-2.

Zamora drama (2014)

Perhaps the most brutal moment on this list, Bobby Zamora’s winner for QPR in the 2014 Championship play-off final denied Derby a promotion that was all but theirs.

Gary O’Neil had been sent off early in the second half for Rangers, who were second-best throughout the 90 minutes against Steve McClaren’s effervescent Rams.

But Harry Redknapp’s team, featuring Richard Dunne, Joey Barton and Niko Kranjcar, kept their cool and Zamora was on hand to capitalise on a Richard Keogh error to steal promotion.

Wrexham’s historic Racecourse Ground will become known as the SToK Racecourse under the terms of a new sponsorship deal brokered by Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

This is the first time the world’s oldest international football stadium – Wales played their maiden home game there against Scotland on March 5, 1877 – will have a sponsor, with the deal becoming effective on July 1.

Wrexham’s Welsh-speaking fans will now know the ground as SToK Cae Ras.

SToK Cold Brew Coffee, according to the official Wrexham website, is one of the largest and fastest growing cold brew coffee brands in the United States but does not sell in the UK.

Wrexham co-owners McElhenney and Reynolds announced the stadium’s name change in a light-hearted video where they decide to secretly replace the team’s traditional afternoon tea with SToK Cold Brew Coffee to see if they would notice.

A joint statement from McElhenney and Reynolds read: “We wanted a stadium sponsor that captured the vitality and energy of Wrexham while also, like Welsh, being a bit of a learning experience to say. SToK Cold Brew Coffee fit the bill perfectly.

“We’re incredibly excited and a little overcaffeinated.”

Wrexham say attaching a stadium sponsor name to the Cae Ras/Racecourse was backed by the club’s advisory board, which is made up of supporter representatives.

Brittney Polka, vice president of Ready-to-Drink Beverages at Danone North America, said: “Some may wonder why a US-based cold brew brand would sponsor a tea-drinking Welsh football team.

“The answer: SToK is all about bold moves.

“We were captivated by the story of Wrexham — the team, the fans, and the community — and we’re honoured to be welcomed into the Wrexham family.

“We’ll be cheering on the Red Dragons and raising our cold brews from afar.”

Wrexham executive director Humphrey Ker said: “We are delighted to welcome SToK to the Wrexham family.

“Having secured the support of the club advisory board and understanding that the majority of fans were happy for the stadium to be sponsored, we were delighted to partner with one of the fastest growing cold brew coffee brands in the US, as their ambitions and upward trajectory matches our own.”

Last month Wrexham returned to the English Football League after a 15-year absence, having won the Vanarama National League title with a record total of 111 points.

SToK will now sponsor Wrexham’s summer American tour, which will include friendlies against Chelsea and Manchester United.

Euro 2022 winner Jill Scott believes England can overcome the absence of key players to claim World Cup glory this summer.

Manager Sarina Wiegman’s preparations for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, which begins in July, have been hampered by the loss of some star names to injury.

The European champions will be without captain Leah Williamson and midfielder Fran Kirby due to long-term knee problems while another casualty, forward Beth Mead, is rated highly doubtful having been sidelined since November.

With two more experienced campaigners in Scott herself and Ellen White having retired since last year’s European success at Wembley, there could be a very different feel to the Lionesses squad.

Scott told the PA news agency: “Obviously we’ve had a few injuries. You can’t shy away from the fact that we’re going be missing the captain, a fantastic player.

“Her game has reached new heights and she’s going be a really big miss, but it’s an opportunity that presents itself to the younger players. I still think we’ve got a great squad.

“You’ve had players like Lauren James step in and she looks like she’s played for England for years.

“Being led by Sarina, I still fully believe that we can go out there and win the World Cup.

“What she is really good at is focusing on you and the team – focusing on your performance and the team’s performance.

“It’s like (you think) the only person that can beat us today is ourselves. I’m sure that will be the same mindset going into this tournament.”

Scott was speaking at the launch of ‘The Greater Game’, a new programme by the Football Association to encourage better health and wellbeing among 12-16 year-olds.

The initiative aims to harness the power of football to inspire young people and their families to make at least one healthier action each week.

Delivered in the form of workshops and with the help of grassroots clubs, it focuses on the four key areas of moving well, eating well, sleeping well and thinking well.

The scheme is being piloted in five areas before being rolled out nationally next year.

Scott, an ambassador for the programme, said: “This is about getting young people more physically active and looking after the their mental wellbeing as well, using the power of football. I’m a really big believer in it.”

Scott is pleased to be able to use her profile for the benefit of others.

“I’ve always tried to be a role model,” she said. “I had David Beckham as as my role model growing up and I thought he always had time for people.

“To think you might have young girls, young boys, looking up at you when you’re playing in the Euros – I do take that role very seriously.

“The next generation is our future, so prevention is better than cure. I always say that, and if we’re going make them feel better now, then it’s only going to benefit society in the future.”

With Feyenoord boss Arne Slot ruling himself out of the Tottenham job, the North Londoners are back to square one in their manager hunt.

It has been two months since Antonio Conte departed and their search seems set to surpass the 72 days it took to replace Jose Mourinho in 2021.

We look at the names in the frame to take the reins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique has been linked with the Spurs job since Conte’s dismissal and he is one of the few names that would help ease the pressure on chairman Daniel Levy.

His stint in charge of Spain may have ended with disappointment after exiting the World Cup at the hands of Morocco, but he still has credit in the bank from his time at Barcelona.

Enrique prides himself on possession-based football and favours playing with four at the back, which would require significant change to the current setup.

Ange Postecoglou

Celtic’s dominance in the Scottish Premiership this season saw Ange Postecoglou linked with the vacant Chelsea job and now he could be of interest to Tottenham.

The Australian previously enjoyed spells at the helm of the Socceroos and Japanese outfit Yokohama F Marinos.

Known for his high-pressing style, the 57-year-old would be a risky appointment with no previous coaching experience in England.

Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers has been linked with the Spurs job before and he remains an outside shot for the hot seat in 2023.

The former Leicester and Liverpool boss enjoyed successful stints in charge of both clubs but looked worn out in his final months with the Foxes.

A 4-2-3-1 formation would be the way forward for Spurs under the Nothern Irishman, which was the preferred setup during the Mauricio Pochettino era.

While Rodgers may not be a popular choice among the Spurs fanbase, it is worth remembering that the 50-year-old was inches away from winning the Premier League title at Anfield and he delivered the FA Cup to the East Midlands.

Ruud van Nistelrooy

Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy announced his surprise exit from PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday despite lifting two pieces of silverware this term.

The 46-year-old has emerged as an outside contender for a spot in the Spurs dugout and is capable of setting his squad up in a back five if necessary.

Van Nistelrooy is keen on controlling the ball and he implemented a relentless attacking mentality at PSV.

No team has scored more Eredivisie goals than the Dutch giants (87) this season, including champions Feyenoord (81).

Luciano Spalletti

Napoli eased to Serie A glory this season thanks to the efforts of Luciano Spalletti.

The fiery Italian now seems destined to split from the Partenopei and he could turn to the Premier League for his next challenge.

Spalletti’s team are notorious for scoring goals and his Scudetto winners recorded memorable victories against both Liverpool and Ajax in the Champions League this term.

The 64-year-old aims to keep opposition teams as far away from the goal as possible by initiating a press that forces a rushed clearance.