Month: June 2023

– Celta Vigo have won just one of their last 11 LaLiga games 
– Barcelona have won nine of their last 14 LaLiga games 
– Recommended bet: Barcelona to win

Celta Vigo enter the final game of the LaLiga season in a precarious position, knowing that defeat against the newly-crowned Spanish champions could leave them in the relegation zone should other results go against them.

Barcelona have nothing left to play for after confirming their title success with victory over city rivals Espanyol on May 14, but the quality they possess means they remain a threat. 

The win over the struggling Parakeets was immediately followed by back-to-back defeats but they put in a fantastic performance in their last home game of the season to thrash Mallorca 3-0, and will be looking to sign off in style against their relegation-threatened hosts.

Team news

Celta Vigo will be without goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin once again as he has been ruled out since January, while the defensive duo of Joseph Aidoo and Fran Beltran are also sidelined after picking up injuries in May.

Barcelona’s own defensive pair of Ronald Araujo and Alejandro Balde are doubts and are unlikely to be risked with nothing to play for. 

That pair will join Pedri on the sidelines for the final game of the season.

The stats

Celta Vigo have won just one of their last 11 LaLiga games.

Barcelona have won nine of their last 14 league games.

Celta Vigo have only won one of their last seven meetings with Barcelona.

Robert Lewandowski has scored six goals in his last seven appearances for Barcelona.

Prediction

Only a win would guarantee survival for Celta Vigo but they face a tough task as they go up against LaLiga champions Barcelona and are likely to be reliant on results elsewhere to secure their top-tier status.

Celta have endured a torrid run of form over the last few months, winning just one of their last 11 LaLiga games to leave them precariously perched on the edge of the relegation zone. 

They have crumbled under the pressure of the relegation battle, losing five of their last six games and dropping crucial points to relegation rivals Getafe and Valencia in the process.

Barcelona did not help Celta’s survival hopes as they lost to 18th-placed Real Valladolid in their last away game, but the Blaugrana bounced back with an emphatic win over Mallorca last time out and will be looking to end the season with a flourish.

The visitors have won four of their last six games in the league and have beaten Celta in their last two encounters, and they are looking good to sign off a successful campaign in style.

Back Barcelona to win at 7/5 with LiveScore Bet.

– Real Valladolid have won their last four meetings with Getafe 
– Getafe have lost four of their last five LaLiga away games 
– Recommended bet: Real Valladolid to win 

Real Valladolid know that a win over Getafe would secure LaLiga safety on the final day of the season, although a draw could be enough depending on results elsewhere.

However, Getafe will not be downing tools just yet with their own top-tier status still hanging in the balance. 

The visitors, who are without top goalscorer Enes Unal, are 14th in the table and just two points above Real Valladolid, so they could still face the drop if other results go against them.

Team news

Real Valladolid centre back Martin Hongla and midfielder Monchu will miss the final game of the season after being booked against Almeria last time out, while Anuar Tuhami, Selim Amallah and Luis Perez remain sidelined.

Getafe will also be missing a couple of regulars after defender Djene Dakonam and versatile wide player Portu picked up suspensions last time out. Top scorer Enes Unal is still ruled out after picking up a knee injury against Real Betis in May, with midfielder Mauro Arambarri also a doubt.

The stats

Injured Getafe striker Enes Unal has scored 41% of their LaLiga goals this season.

Getafe have lost four of their last five LaLiga away games, while Real Valladolid have only lost three of their last nine at home.

Real Valladolid have won their last four meetings with Getafe, last losing to them in 2019, while Sunday’s visitors have never won away at the Zorrilla.

Prediction

Real Valladolid know that only a win would guarantee their LaLiga survival and they should be able to get the job done against a Getafe side missing their star striker through injury.

Enes Unal, scorer of 41% of his team’s goals this season, picked up an injury against Real Betis in their last away game and his absence could be key as the Azulones visit a desperate Valladolid outfit.

The hosts picked up a crucial point at Almeria last time out and gave their survival hopes a huge boost in their last home game as they beat LaLiga champions Barcelona 3-1. 

They have lost just three of their last nine home league games, beating Girona, Valencia and Espanyol prior to their shock win over Barcelona.

As well as having desperation on their side, Valladolid can also look back on a fantastic record against Getafe. They have won their last four meetings with their opponents and have never lost a competitive home match against them. Back them to avoid the drop on Sunday against a visiting side that have lost four of their last five away games.

Back Real Valladolid to win at 23/20 with LiveScore Bet

Rasmus Hojlund is one of Europe’s rising stars and Manchester United are reportedly interested in his services. 

The 20-year-old marksman has enjoyed an impressive debut season with Atalanta, helping the Serie A side secure continental qualification. 

United require a new centre forward, given Anthony Martial’s injury issues restricted him to just six Premier League goals this term, while the loanee Wout Weghorst failed to net in the competition. 

With the Red Devils facing Manchester City in the FA Cup final this afternoon, we consider what Hojlund could bring to the side, should he join.

Great Dane

Hojlund has registered eight goals — all from open play — in his debut Serie A campaign. 

Atalanta’s No17 breaks into the box with purpose, averaging 6.79 touches in the opposition penalty area. 

He is a capable provider, too, creating 24 chances and notching two assists. 

The Dane’s all-round attacking game makes him an attractive prospect as United look for a new focal point up front.

Youthful exuberance

Hojlund is adept at leading from the front without the ball, harrying defenders and leading his side’s press. 

The four-cap international has won 31 aerial duels and regained possession 37 times in the middle third in Serie A this term — evidence of his willingness to put in the hard yards. 

United boss Erik ten Hag would be particularly appreciative of that trait as he looks to build a side that both attacks and defends as a unit.

Catching the eye

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini hailed Hojlund’s quality at such a young age and admitted the interest in his striker does not come as a surprise. 

He said: “From a technical standpoint and in other areas, I have seen very few strikers who are as strong as him at 20 years old. 

“Nowadays, once this type of player emerges, the top European clubs generally swoop in with offers that are hard to turn down for a team like Atalanta.”

Gasperini’s exasperation

Gasperini has been unimpressed by the speculation surrounding his young centre forward, however, and believes that it has distracted him. 

He added: “The qualities are all there. At the beginning, we had to get to know him but he immediately stood out for his great will to break through. 

“He did very well after the first [part of the season], then he was called up to the national team and too many rumours distracted him, then there was the injury. 

“If he knows how to improve, he will mature in all aspects.”

City clash

Fierce rivals City await United in the FA Cup final for the first time ever in this competition. 

Ten Hag has already won his first trophy with the Red Devils after beating Newcastle 2-0 in last February’s Carabao Cup final. 

This time around will be a tougher task, given their opponents are chasing a Treble under Pep Guardiola, having already claimed the Premier League title. 

Regardless of their success or failure at Wembley this afternoon, the Red Devils need a new No9 — and Hojlund is an exciting prospect indeed.

Wolfsburg are one win away from their third Champions League title and Ewa Pajor could be the difference-maker. 

She is the competition’s top scorer with an impressive eight goals, including one in the semi-final first leg against Arsenal. 

If the 26-year-old can lead the German side to European glory, it would be the club’s first triumph in the competition since 2014. 

Ahead of tonight’s showdown against Barcelona, we take a look at how the Polish striker can influence the final.

Goals galore

Pajor has been in sensational form for Wolfsburg in the Champions League. 

The No9 has scored eight goals in 734 minutes — three more than any other player in the competition — at a remarkable rate of 0.98 goals per 90. 

If Wolfsburg are to pull off an upset against Barca, Pajor will likely need to find the net once more in the final.

Attacking style

Pajor highlighted her side’s attacking mentality and credited that approach for her glut of goals in the Champions League this term. 

She said: “The secret to this season is, we are playing great football. We always want to play forward and score goals. 

“I play as the No9, so I get all the chances.” 

Wolfsburg’s high-octane style, coupled with Barca’s technical quality, could well produce an entertaining, high-scoring final.

Dynamic duo

Wolfsburg manager Tommy Stroot has the luxury of fielding two quality forwards in Alexandra Popp and Pajor, who have struck up a lethal partnership. 

The former has enjoyed a fruitful season in the Frauen-Bundesliga, scoring 16 goals in 21 games.

But she has lacked the same productivity in the Champions League, only netting two times in 715 minutes. 

Despite this, Popp has still managed to make a positive contribution in the competition, averaging an impressive 4.78 progressive passes per 90 on the European stage. 

Her creativity could be key to allowing Pajor to flourish, providing her with plenty of chances from which she can showcase her impeccable finishing.

Demanding methods

Wolfsburg work tirelessly to recover possession after losing it.

Pajor explained: “We want to win the ball back quickly and we just do it without thinking because we just want the ball again. For me, I want it back as quickly as possible. 

“When I came to Wolfsburg, I was very thin with no muscle. I had to train with our fitness coach.” 

The German side’s demanding counter-pressing methods will have to be executed perfectly against a Catalan outfit renowned for keeping the ball well.

Breaking Barca down

Barca’s defence will not be easy to get past. 

Jonatan Giraldez’s side have kept an impressive five clean sheets in the Champions League — the second-best record in the competition. Only Chelsea have more (six). 

Additionally, the Spanish champions have only let eight goals past them in 10 games. 

Pajor will have to be ruthlessly efficient with her chances if she is to fire her side to victory in the final.

Randal Kolo Muani is one of the most sought-after strikers in European football after a breakthrough season with Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Frenchman also showcased his talents at the 2022 World Cup and has performed superbly in the months following the tournament.

He made three appearances in Qatar for Didier Deschamps’ side, scoring off the bench in the 2-0 semi-final victory over Morocco.

We shine the spotlight on the centre forward, who is attracting interest from the Premier League, ahead of Saturday’s DFB-Pokal final against RB Leipzig.

Flying start

Kolo Muani, 24, has hit the ground running at Frankfurt after joining on a free transfer from Nantes, where he scored 23 times in 87 games, last summer.

The marksman’s debut Bundesliga campaign yielded 15 goals and 11 assists — the most direct involvements of any player in the division. 

On top of that key output, the No9 has further shown his all-round capabilities by excelling in various other departments.

The France star leads the way in the Frankfurt squad for take-ons completed (71), big chances created (11) and shots on target (32). 

And from a more defensive standpoint, Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich was the only player in the German top flight this term to have won possession more times in the attacking third (32).

A striker who is such a complete package is a bit of a rarity even in the modern game — and a quality Leipzig outfit may struggle to contain him.

Frankfurt loyalty

It is no surprise that Kolo Muani’s numbers and performances have piqued the interest of Premier League clubs.

Manchester United and Chelsea are said to be in the race for his signature, with the former already holding talks over a potential deal this summer according to latest reports.

However, remaining in Frankfurt — where his contract runs until 2027 — looks the most likely outcome for the seven-cap international.

He said: “I could stay. I have a long contract and as a result there is, of course, the possibility that I could still be the striker for Eintracht.

“The millions can be a pressure, but there will be another time to say goodbye. Now is not the right time.”

Interested parties

Kolo Muani’s words will serve as a blow to United and Chelsea. They are each in need of a quality centre forward and the poacher’s skill set appears tailor-made for the combative nature of the Premier League.

The Red Devils cannot rely on Anthony Martial as their main man, while the Blues’ struggles in front of goal are made clear by the fact they scored only 38 times in the English top flight this term.

Kolo Muani may simply be trying to incite a bidding war for his services.

Although that could be a risky game with plenty of other quality strikers set to be on the market.

Euro 2024

Of course, Kolo Muani’s apparent reluctance to leave Frankfurt may stem from the fact that Euro 2024 is on the horizon.

Failure to adapt to the fast pace of English football would potentially see him drop out of France’s squad for the tournament, given the nation’s strength in attack.

But whether it is this summer or next, a goalscorer with such unquestionable talent will very likely be playing for a European giant before too long.

For now the striker’s focus will be on firing Frankfurt into the Europa League by winning the DFB-Pokal final.

Paris Saint-Germain look set for a busy summer and are keen to make Bernardo Silva their latest marquee signing. 

The Portuguese midfielder has played a starring role at Manchester City since his arrival in 2017. 

But the 28-year-old is reportedly keen on a move away following a failed exit last year.

He will likely be key to City’s chances of emerging victorious in this afternoon’s FA Cup final against rivals Manchester United.

Ahead of the game, we explore what he would bring to the Ligue 1 champions.

Pointing to Paris

Silva is reportedly a priority target for PSG. 

Lionel Messi is leaving the French capital on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract and the Lisbon native could be seen as a potential replacement. 

Earlier this season, Silva suggested that a move away from the Etihad could be on the cards. 

He said: “The plan is to end the season well, win the Premier League, go against United in the FA Cup final, and then Inter [in the Champions League final]. 

“After that, in the summer, we will see what happens.”

Clutch contributor

Silva has produced in key moments for City this season. 

His tallies of seven goals and six assists across all competitions do not necessarily catch the eye but his contributions have been significant, including two strikes in the Champions League semi-finals. 

He has proven incredibly tricky to contain in the Premier League, completing 28 dribbles and creating 31 chances while being fouled five times in the final third. 

He could prove decisive once again at Wembley this afternoon.

Pep talk

Earlier this season, City boss Pep Guardiola hailed Silva as one of the best players he has ever coached. 

He said: “[Silva] is a player who you tell to play in a position and you do not have to say anything else. 

“I have been lucky to coach some very good players for Barca and Bayern. He is one of the best players I ever trained in my life, ever. He is something special as a football player. 

“He can play everywhere because he understands the game perfectly and every action with and without the ball. 

“He is so, so important and lately he is scoring goals, which he lacked a little bit. Now he is being decisive.”

Tireless team player

In addition to his obvious technical qualities, Silva works tirelessly off the ball. 

City’s No20 hounds opposition defenders, ranking second among his team-mates in the Premier League for tackles (44). 

Only Jack Grealish and Rodri competed in more ground duels than Bernardo (21), while he also managed to win possession an impressive 66 times in the middle third.

Derby showdown

There has never been an FA Cup final Manchester derby and with City looking to match United’s historic feat of winning the Treble, there is plenty at stake for both sides. 

The Citizens have won three of the last four encounters, although United secured the bragging rights most recently with a 2-1 win at Old Trafford in January. 

If this is to be Silva’s final season in sky blue, he will want to leave on a high — and clinching the FA Cup en route to a historic campaign would be quite the way to bow out.

Manchester United and Bayern Munich are set to battle to sign Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic this summer.

The Serbian hotshot’s Juventus move has not panned out as expected so far with no silverware in two seasons.

And according to Italian transfer reporter Nicolo Schira, Vlahovic could be set to trigger a bidding war by asking to leave if Max Allegri stays at the club.

Juve’s manager and top striker reportedly share a rocky relationship and the tactician’s future is up in the air with Marseille boss and former Old Lady star Igor Tudor linked with the job.

Vlahovic, 23, was one of the world’s most wanted talents after scoring 17 times in 21 Serie A games in a prolific first half of the 2020-21 season for Fiorentina.

Juve won the race and the 21-cap Serbian international has 23 strikes in 63 outings since his arrival in Turin last January.

United and Bayern are in the market for more firepower, with Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen among the superstar names being linked with both clubs, although Chelsea could rival the duo in any bidding war.

Erik ten Hag has been forced to rely on loanee Wout Weghorst and injury-prone Anthony Martial to lead the line, while Sadio Mane has not settled in Germany after replacing Robert Lewandowski.

In other news

Barcelona are closing in on the capture of Ilkay Gundogan after offering the Manchester City star a three-year deal, according to reports in Spain.

90min claim that Chelsea are demanding around £35million to let Mateo Kovacic join City.

Liverpool have agreed to pay Alexis Mac Allister‘s release clause at Brighton, report Football Insider.

Kris Doolan believes Partick Thistle have all the ingredients of a cinch Premiership team as they stand on the brink of a return to the top flight.

The Jags will take a 2-0 lead from the first leg of their play-off final against Ross County to Dingwall for the return game on Sunday.

Doolan, who stepped up from the club’s academy to take over from Ian McCall in February – initially as interim boss – has total belief in his squad, the first team to finish fourth in the second tier to go all the way to the play-off final.

Former Thistle striker Doolan, who lost a play-off final against Livingston in 2018, said: “Ian McCall built this squad and he deserves a lot of credit for that because it is a fantastic squad.

“To me it is a Premiership squad and we have managed to find a shape and a style of play that suits us.

“We play to our strengths but ultimately there are guys in there who have played hundreds of games at Premiership level.

“It is not as if we are a young side who are wet behind the ears, we don’t understand what the games are all about. They know how to get through games.

“You look in their eyes, they are desperate to be in the Premiership.

“They have a one-track mind and that is what we have tried to instil. We have tried to instil a winning mentality, a winning environment and winning breeds winning.

“I say that all the time but it becomes a habit and it is a habit that is hard to break but likewise if you are losing games, it is a hard habit to break that as well.

“I have been on the flip side of it coming out the Premiership, I know what it is like in these play-off games, when there is so much at stake it is difficult to stop a team with momentum coming into the last game especially, even though you might be at home. It is still a difficult thing to stop.

“We have had five games under real pressure in the play-offs but the players play as if there is no pressure. We have nothing to lose. We have everything to gain.

“Ross County are the team who could potentially come out of the Premiership. But for us, we will go up there with the mentality to win and hopefully get the job done.”

Malky Mackay told his Ross County players to quickly forget their Maryhill misery to focus on overturning Partick Thistle’s cinch Premiership play-off final advantage.

The Staggies lost 2-0 in the first leg at Firhill on Thursday night to leave themselves with a huge task in the return game in Dingwall on Sunday.

County had 16-year-old defender Dylan Smith sent off in between Aidan Fitzpatrick’s early strike and Brian Graham’s late first-half goal which put the Championship outfit in the box seat in the tie.

Boss Mackay is aware of the severe ramifications  of removal from the Premiership but said: “At the end of the game I had 10-15 minutes with them and I spoke about getting their disappointment out (of) the way just now.

“By the time we get on that bus and go up the road I want them focused on recovering and nothing else but going out there with a positive mindset on Sunday afternoon.

“It is half-time. We are 2-0 down with 90 minutes to go. The only thing that will be on their minds is going out there to beat Partick Thistle.”

Mackay hopes the County fans turn out on Sunday to give their side a better chance of recovering the tie against a side who have gone 11 games unbeaten.

Asked what his message to the Staggies supporters was, he said: “Just to keep sticking with us. They were great on Thursday night.

“It is a long way to the Highlands and it was great that so many came down.

“There was a wee bit of misfortune as far as the sending off, that changes the dynamics of the game but I think they will see players trying for the jersey.

“You (have) seen the blocks that the players were putting in at the end and if nothing else you will see players that are trying really hard to make sure that we pull this back. So I would imagine that there will be a good crowd at Dingwall.”

Pep Guardiola believes stopping Manchester City winning the treble could give Manchester United extra motivation in the FA Cup final.

The two neighbouring rivals clash in the Wembley showpiece for the first time on Saturday with more than a trophy and local bragging rights at stake.

For Premier League winners City victory could be the second leg of a potentially glorious treble with the final of the Champions League to come next week.

United on the other hand – as the only side to have won all three of those competitions in the same season, back in 1999 – will be anxious to stop them and protect their place in history.

City manager Guardiola said: “I could understand that. It belongs to them, that’s normal. Sport is like that.

“’That belongs to us – we don’t want anyone else to do it,’ it’s normal, that feeling. It’s completely understandable. But it’s a football game, who will be better will win.”

United boss Erik ten Hag, however, has played down the party-pooping aspect of his side’s task.

The Dutchman has enjoyed an encouraging first season at Old Trafford having won the Carabao Cup and reclaimed a Champions League spot.

“I know what is the thinking from the fans,” Ten Hag said.

“But what we want is to restore Manchester United by winning trophies. We have an opportunity to win a trophy and we don’t want to be distracted by anything.

“If it’s important for the fans then it’s important for us, so we will give everything to win the cup.”

Guardiola insists the treble is not part of his thinking yet. He has spent the week preparing to face United and will switch focus to playing Inter Milan in Istanbul next week.

“We didn’t speak once about Inter these days,” he said. “We’ll have Sunday off, and after we’ll have three or four days training.

“We’ll introduce what we believe Inter are, to try to beat them, then. We have time. Saturday to Saturday is a long time to prepare for a game.

“United and the FA Cup deserve the full attention and commitment. The players are completely aware of that.”

City could have a fully-fit squad with Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji, who all missed last week’s game at Brentford, having since returned to training.

Guardiola has confirmed second-choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will start, as he has in all domestic cup fixtures this season.

United are without striker Anthony Martial due to a hamstring injury and winger Antony is also a major doubt.