Liverpool could still end up with a record-shattering 107 points this season, though whether they will continue to carry everything before them after winning the title so early remains to be seen. Their game against Manchester City on Thursday should offer a fairly large clue about how the champions intend to approach their remaining fixtures, though by virtue of wrapping up the title with seven matches to play, Liverpool have already managed one of the most impressive Premier League campaigns.
Whether it will be deemed the best probably depends on the final points tally. If it falls below the 100 mark set by City two years ago it will look less arresting in the record books, which tend not to reflect the fact the title was won so comprehens…
Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal’s fixation on rectifying their near-miss in the Premier League last season is the difference for his players this time around.
After battling to a 2-2 draw against Manchester City last Sunday, the Gunners booked their place in the EFL Cup fourth round with an emphatic win over Bolton Wanderers, with several of their emerging talents starring at the Emirates.
Ethan Nwaneri and Jack Porter stole the limelight in midweek, with the former grabbing two goals on his senior Arsenal start, with Arteta also giving four more teenagers the chance to shine against the League One outfit.
But speaking ahead of this weekend’s fixture against Leicester, the Arsenal head coach believes his squad’s hunger to achieve this season is the difference…
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has tipped Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas to impress as much in this month s European Championships as he has in the Premier League over the last few seasons.
The Frenchman has been amazed by how the slightly-built Fabregas manages to get the better of his more robust and muscular counterparts.
His intention is always to play football, and that is fantastic to see at a young age, said Wenger.
I see him every day, and he has a great understanding of the game.
I like it that in a period where football is going more towards the athletes only, as long as you have the quality, you don t have to run 100 metres in 10 seconds.
Intelligence still means a lot and in the modern game where everyone is quick and strong, it…
Chelsea begin their bid to become the first team since Manchester United in 2008-09 to retain the Premier League title when they travel to Burnley on Saturday.
But with Antonio Conte disgruntled by the number of players the Blues have managed to bring in – not to mention one they have been unable to move on – can the Manchester clubs convert their latest close season of huge spending off the field into defining success on it?
Conte s concerns over fighting on two fronts will be similarly felt by Jurgen Klopp, whose Liverpool squad depth will be severely tested by a Champions League campaign, irrespective of whether Barcelona manage to prize Philippe Coutinho away from Merseyside. Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino had a Wembley hex to ponder at Tottenham long before Dann…
Sunday May 15, 2004 will go down as one of the most significant dates in English football s rich history.
That was, of course, the day Arsenal beat Leicester City 2-1 to become the first team to go an entire league season unbeaten since Preston North End in 1888-89.
When Arsene Wenger hoisted aloft his third Premier League title in seven seasons on that sunny Sunday at Highbury, nobody would have predicted that, 11 years later, the Frenchman would still be awaiting number four.
There have been near misses since.
Wenger often cites Arsenal s failure to last the course in 2008 when they were five points clear at the top in late February, but fell away as the psychological impact of Eduardo s horrific leg break at Birmingham City took its toll as a source…
Spanish midfielder Xavi was named player of Euro 2008 by UEFA on Monday.
The 28-year-old Barcelona dynamo scorer of eight goals in 63 internationals was judged to be at the heart of Spain s triumphant campaign which saw them top it with a 1-0 victory over Germany in Sunday s final ending a 44 year title drought.
It was him (Xavi) who gave the team its tempo, said UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh.
Xavi scored once in the tournament and also created the goal for Fernando Torres in the final.
…
Raphael Varane says France must avoid comparing their current squad to the team that won the 2018 World Cup, after reaching the knockout stage at Qatar 2022.
Les Bleus are looking to defend the title they won in Russia, and are into the last 16 after opening victories against Australia and Denmark in Group D.
Varane, who returned from an injury sustained on club duty with Manchester United to feature in his country s second game, was a member of Didier Deschamps side that beat Croatia 4-2 in the final in Moscow four years ago.
But the centre-back says the current crop must dodge the pitfalls of measuring their current achievements against those set before, despite the presence of several World Cup-winning players.
You have to avoid making too many compar…
When it comes to making NFL betting picks, everyone has their own process. Some folks dig deep into the digits and rely on advanced models to make their bets for them. Others monitor the markets, catching key numbers and chasing steam.
Myself, I do a little bit of everything, including going beyond those handicapping tactics to see what the schedule is serving up. Situational handicapping – AKA spot bets – is a fantastic way to undercover value that others may miss.
Here are the spot bets – letdown, look-ahead, and schedule – to keep in mind when making your best NFL Week 5 bets.
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One of the final major dominoes yet to fall leading up to the NFL Draft is Deebo Samuel, who’s broken off contract negotiations with the San Francisco 49ers and is now asking for a trade.
Samuel is coming off his best season as a pro, hauling in 77 catches for 1,406 yards and six touchdowns. He’s entering the final year of his rookie deal but while the 49ers appeared ready to make him one of the league’s highest-paid receivers, the star wideout expressed frustrations about his usage within the San Francisco offense.
“He’s a top receiver but he also takes a lot of hits and is used like a running back, put all over the field and it just does not sound like he’s comfortable as of right now with the way he is being used,” explained NFL insider Ian Rapoport.<…
Super Bowl 57 is less than a week away and with all the star power that comes with two No. 1 seeds clashing, this championship could easily be decided by some lesser-recognized players on both sides or some secondary skillsets from key players.
I will try and shine a betting light to some possible unheralded X-Factors for Sunday’s Big Game. I’m looking at some players or skills that might be slipping the attention of many, which in turn could potentially return some value in their Super Bowl player prop markets.
I break it all down in my best Super Bowl picks below.
Best Super Bowl bonuses
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