Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl says it is a good thing to see a heavyweight club like Chelsea go through a rough patch as the two sides prepare to meet this weekend.
The Blues have lost back-to-back home games over the past week, going down 4-1 to Brentford in the Premier League and 3-1 to Real Madrid in the Champions League.
It is only the second time Chelsea have lost successive matches in all competitions this term, while never before under Thomas Tuchel have they lost two league games in a row.
Indeed, Tuchel – appointed by the west London side in January 2021 – has managed the most matches without losing consecutive games in the history of the competition (48).
Despite Chelsea s recent wobble, however, Hasenhuttl is expecting the visitors…
Harry Kane s lack of goals at the World Cup does not worry his former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, who believes the striker s creative prowess can help England go far in Qatar.
Despite England scoring nine times in three Group B fixtures, Kane is yet to net at the tournament, with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka instead providing the Three Lions main goal threat from wide positions.
Kane has, however, recorded three assists at the tournament, becoming the first England player to do so at a single World Cup since David Beckham in 2002.
Asked about Kane s form by Sky Sports, Pochettino highlighted the England captain s creative contribution while also backing him to find his shooting boots in the knockout stages.
I think Harry can prov…
Robert Lewandowski could not hope to win more trophies at Barcelona and should therefore stay at Bayern Munich, as uncertainty over his future persists.
That is the message from former Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who has implored the Bundesliga giants to keep talisman Lewandowski at the club despite interest from the Blaugrana.
The Poland international has enjoyed another remarkable season, scoring 35 goals in 34 top-flight games – no player has scored more across Europe s top five leagues.
But Lewandowski, whose contract expires in June 2023, has been widely linked with Barca after enjoying another fine personal campaign to help Bayern to a record 10th consecutive league title.
Questions remain over his future after Lewandowski and hi…
Best Odds: 3/5
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Two sides who find themselves battling it out in the Serie B promotion chase, Operario will welcome Novorizontino to the Germano Kruger late on Tuesday night.
Operario
Starting with the hosts, managing to make a much-welcomed return to winning ways last week as they secured a 2-0 victory against Goias, Operario will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. Although Rafael Guanaes’ men might have only made their Serie B return this season, they have continued to receive a host of plaudits. Remarkably battling it out at the top of the table and with some even billing them as a potential top-four dark horse, the Parada-based outfit will also be excited by their extended success on home soil. Including a stellar 1-…
Robbie Keane has questioned why any player would swap Liverpool for Bayern Munich amid strong speculation that Sadio Mane could be on his way to the German champions.
Bayern are reported to have had a second bid of €35.3million (£30m), a part of which is made up of bonus-related add-ons, rejected by Liverpool earlier this week.
Mane has won six major trophies across his six seasons at Anfield and has another 12 months to run on his contract.
However, speaking while away on international duty with Senegal last week, the 30-year-old hinted he is open to departing the English giants this window.
But ex-Liverpool striker Keane has suggested Mane would be making a backwards step in his career if he moves from the Premier League runners-up to the Bundesliga…
Bernardo Silva was disappointed Manchester City could not fully complete the comeback in their thrilling 3-3 draw with Newcastle United at St James Park.
City trailed by two goals with 54 minutes played of Sunday s Premier League clash before Erling Haaland and Silva struck in the space of four minutes after the hour mark.
Pep Guardiola s side finished the game with an expected goals (xG) return of 2.20, compared to 2.02 for Newcastle, who had themselves recovered from a goal down to lead.
Although pleased with the way City responded to take a point against Newcastle, Silva felt the visitors had time to find a winning goal and maintain their perfect start to the season.
We scored the third goal in the 64th minute, so it was still very early in the game,…
Sarina Wiegman intends to stay put as England boss amidst swirling rumours the serial winner could be tempted into the recently vacated United States manager’s chair.
On Thursday, US Soccer announced Vlatko Andonovski would step down by mutual agreement following a disappointing World Cup campaign that saw the double-defending champions knocked out by Sweden for a worst-ever last 16 finish.
Wiegman and Chelsea manager Emma Hayes were already among the names frequently tipped to fill the post, but the 53-year-old issued a reassuring update two nights before leading the Lionesses into their first-ever World Cup final.
days to go!
Who takes home the ? |
— FIFA Women s World Cup (@FIFAWWC)
She said of the chatter: “I’m staying out …
Best odds: 10/17
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Reigning continental champions Italy continue their preparations for Euro 2024 on Tuesday evening, hosting fellow finalists Turkey in Bologna for an international friendly at the Stadio Renato Dall Ara.
The Azzurri have secured three wins in their last four matches, with the other being a crucial draw with Ukraine that ensured their qualification. Meanwhile, their visitors breezed through qualifying but suffered a heavy 6-1 defeat against Austria in their most recent outing.
Italy
Setting out to defend their continental title in Germany, where they will compete in their eighth consecutive European Championship finals, Italy aim to replicate their 2021 triumph at Wembley.
At the end of last year, the Azzurri faced a ma…
Wales’ Euro 2024 qualification hopes suffered another blow with a 2-0 defeat to Turkey as they once again finished with 10 men.
Substitutes Umut Nayir and Arda Guler scored in the final 18 minutes on a chaotic night in Samsun when Turkey had two goals disallowed, a penalty saved and Wales midfielder Joe Morrell was sent off before half-time.
Wales were reduced to 10 for the second successive game – and for the third time in six matches – four minutes before the break when Morrell caught Ferdi Kadioglu with his studs.
It was a stupid challenge and from that moment Wales, despite no lack of effort or brave defending, were heading for a second crushing loss in four days.
Turkey v Wales
— Phil Blanche
…
Should Rashford be among the final 23? / Image via 101greatgoals.com
Manchester United youngster Marcus Rashford has been one of the most positive surprises of the recently finished Premier League season as the 18-year-old striker went on to make his mark by putting in quality, mature displays.
Season to cherish
If there is one thing that Louis van Gaal had done right during his time at Manchester United than that definitely is youth promotion.
Marcus Rashford perhaps would not have been given a shot hadn’t it been for selection problems and lack of first-team choices, but this youngster certainly did well enough to make his case and convince the Dutch manager to prolong his spell in the second part of the season.
Rashford made his Manchester Unite…