Posted on November 1, 2024November 1, 2024 • by liquidsp

Jadon Sancho made a shock loan move to Chelsea in the summer window after a miserable spell at Manchester United.

Manchester United signed Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund for over £70 million in the summer of 2021. It was a long-awaited transfer which excited the majority of United fans.

But things just didn’t work out the way people expected. Sancho couldn’t settle into the team under Ole Gunnar Solskjær before his dismissal and had a fractured relationship with Erik ten Hag.

The winger accused Ten Hag of making him a scapegoat after he explained that Sancho’s training performances were the reason why he was left out of a matchday squad at the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

Sancho was then exiled from the first-team squad, forced to play in the Academy until he apologised. That did not happen.

He was re-introduced into the first-team setup for the 2024 pre-season after he appeared to work things out with Ten Hag, but a summer move looked nailed on.

Despite the initial interest coming from abroad, it was a last-minute move from Chelsea which ended up being Sancho’s destination. He is on an initial loan at Stamford Bridge with the London-based club having an obligation to buy the player.

Sancho started the season well for Chelsea, assisting three goals in his first three games, but has since missed three consecutive games for the Blues. The latest was down to illness, while the prior two were ‘tactical’, according to Enzo Maresca.

Now, ahead of the game between United and Chelsea this weekend, some are unsure on whether Sancho will be eligible to play.

Posted on November 1, 2024November 1, 2024 • by liquidsp

AC Milan are back in Serie A action on Saturday night as they make the short trip to face Monza, looking to right the wrongs from earlier in the week.

The defeat against Napoli on Tuesday night has once again thrust Milan into a state of crisis, at least in the eyes of the media. They have now lost five of their 12 games under Paulo Fonseca across all competitions, and are 11 points behind the leaders in the league.

Paulo Fonseca did not do a pre-match press conference for reasons that remain unknown, but even without being asked any difficult questions he must know the pressure he is under to deliver results quickly.

AC Milan Team News

There was reportedly a meeting between Fonseca and his superiors after the defeat against Napoli. As Calciomercato.com reported, what emerged is that the coach will be evaluated at the next international break, so may potentially have a few games to save his job.

In terms of injury news, there are some long-term absentees that are still not available for selection in Alessandro Florenzi, Ismael Bennacer and Marco Sportiello, each of whom are still recovering from surgery.

Matteo Gabbia, on the other hand, is still on the sidelines with a calf problem. It was expected that he would miss the Monza game, and now all attention is on whether he can return against Real Madrid or if he might be done until the next international break.

Now we move on to the good news. First of all, Luka Jovic and Davide Calabria did the full training session with the rest of the squad which means they will almost certainly be available at the weekend.

In addition to that, Tammy Abraham ‘s recovery continues after the shoulder problem (presumably a dislocation) he suffered in the 1-0 victory against Udinese. The Englishman is also getting closer to returning to the field, but will not be available for this game.

Most importantly, Theo Hernandez and Tijjani Reijnders have served their suspensions and will be available again, while Christian Pulisic has fully recovered from the flu that made him sit on the bench from minute on of the Napoli loss.

Looking to the squad, there are no surprises in the fact that Mike Maignan will start from the first minute. However, a surprise arrives in the form of Filippo Terracciano at right-back, instead of Calabria or Emerson Royal. Malick Thiaw should keep his position in central defence, and the returning duo of Fikayo Tomori and Theo Hernandez make up the defensive line.

In midfield, Fonseca reverts to a more familiar partnership, which sees Youssouf Fofana being partnered by the returning Reijnders, which is the favoured midfield duo for the Portuguese head coach.

The front line also sees some change, as Samuel Chukwueze and Noah Okafor will flank the returning Pulisic. Rafael Leao had been heavily reported to be returning to the starting line-up but, there appears to have been a U-turn. There are no shocks provided by Alvaro Morata’s starting spot, though.

Monza Team News

It would be fair to say that Monza built on their first campaign in Serie A last season as they finished 12th, thus comfortably avoiding relegation and asserting themselves as a mid-table side after coming 11th in 2022-23.

However, the Biancorossi were caught up in the coaching merry-go-round that occurred over the summer. Thiago Motta left Bologna for Juventus, Vincenzo Italiano replaced him, and then Raffaele Palladino left Monza for La Viola.

Adriano Galliani turned to someone he knows very well from his days with Milan in Alessandro Nesta, who thus got his first Serie A coaching gig after spells with Perugia, Frosinone and Reggiana.

Monza spent just €3m in the summer, and that was on Georgios Kyriakopoulos from relegated Sassuolo. The other additions were Daniel Maldini, Stefano Sensi and Omari Fosun on frees, plus Stefano Turati, Alessandro Bianco and Samuel Pizzignacco on loans.

In terms of sales, it was also a quiet window. Carlos Augusto’s loan to Inter was made permanent for €13.25m, while Juventus signed goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio for a €4.5m loan fee and Andrea Colpani went to Fiorentina for a €4m loan fee. Both deals are expected to become permanent.

The rather underwhelming mercato seems to have seeped into their start to the season. It took the Brianzoli until matchday eight to win their first game (3-0 away at Verona), and it is their only victory to date.

Draws against Fiorentina and Inter in the first four games boosted spirits, however, they have lost to Genoa, Bologna, Napoli and Atalanta, leaving them hovering above the relegation zone and with talk of Nesta being on shaky ground.

After the loss to La Dea, Nesta is considering wholesale changes of his own and these will start in defence with Armando Izzo and Andrea Carboni set to replace Danilo D’Amborsio and Luca Caldirola – Pablo Mari will remain at the heart of the defence.

In midfield, there is only one change expected which will see Warren Bando return after serving his suspension in midweek, and he will partner the captain Matteo Pessina. On the wings, Pedro Pereira and Georgios Kyriakopoulos will be named once again.

Nesta is considering changing his front three as well, with Dany Mota set to be partnered by the returning Daniel Maldini after the former Rossonero addressed his condition during in his press conference. Milan Duric will start ahead of them.

Match Prediction

When Fonseca has been under the height of pressure and Milan have needed a result with their backs against the wall they have so far delivered, and we expect that trend to continue against a team also struggling for confidence. This will lure us into a false sense of hope, naturally, before a heavy defeat in Madrid.

Monza 0-2 Milan

Credit: Sempremilan

Posted on November 1, 2024November 1, 2024 • by liquidsp

• Arsenal travel to Newcastle in Saturday’s early kick-off
• Gunners controversially beaten at St. James’ Park last season
• Newcastle have endured poor start to 2024/25 Premier League campaign

A tough away trip is next on Arsenal’s radar as they take on Newcastle in the first outing of the Premier League weekend on Saturday lunchtime.

The Gunners enjoyed a serene night on Wednesday as they eased past Preston in the Carabao Cup fourth round, while Newcastle downed Chelsea 2-0 having lost to the Blues in the league on Sunday.

Eddie Howe’s side controversially beat Mikel Arteta’s men in this fixture last season by virtue of an Anthony Gordon strike, but Arsenal were dominant in the previous meeting, winning 4-1 in north London. Arsenal enter Saturday’s game third in the division and five points adrift of leaders Manchester City, but they’re much better off than their upcoming opponents.

Their midweek win was a rare bright spot in what’s been a tough campaign for Newcastle thus far. The Magpies currently sit 12th in the Premier League having picked up just 12 points from their opening nine games. They will always be a tough out at St. James’ Park, however, and have already taken points off Man City and Tottenham on home soil.

Newcastle vs Arsenal score prediction

Trips to St. James’ are always tough, but I think Arsenal will benefit from this game being an early kick-off. While the atmosphere is still bound to be fervent, St. James’ under the lights is a different beast.

Arsenal are facing up against a physical Newcastle team that will aim to disrupt and bullt their visitors through their work without the ball – as they did against Chelsea on Wednesday. However, Newcastle’s pressing success in midweek was rare, with the Magpies struggling to offer much resistance out of possession at the start of 2024/25. There are holes within their structure which Arsenal should exploit, and the return of a strong back four will help the Gunners tame any momentum the hosts build during the match.

Newcastle will have their moments and spells, but Arsenal will edge a physical encounter.

Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Credit: PainInTheArsenal

Posted on October 28, 2024 • by liquidsp

Even if Erling Haaland is expected to miss out on the Ballon d’Or next week, his campaign to win the bauble in 2025 is well underway.

Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior is the favourite to take soccer’s most prestigious individual prize on Monday in Paris, but Haaland has been in near-unstoppable form this season in England.

The Norwegian goal machine scored for the 14th time in 13 games for Manchester City to send the Premier League champions to the top of the standings after beating Southampton 1-0 on Saturday.

He needed just five minutes to score the decisive goal at Etihad Stadium, following on from his double against Sparta Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday, which included a spectacular mid-air, heeled volley.

His close-range effort against Southampton was more routine, but it was enough to send City two points clear of second-placed Liverpool, who play Arsenal on Sunday.

City manager Pep Guardiola described Haaland as a “guarantee for us” after the forward sealed three points against a Southampton team yet to win in the league since promotion last season.

Getty Images.

Haaland, the EPL’s top scorer for the past two seasons, leads the way again with 11 goals. Bryan Mbeumo is second with eight for Brentford, while Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood has seven.

On a day of late drama in the Premier League, third-placed Aston Villa dropped home points after Evanilson scored in the sixth minute of added time to earn Bournemouth a 1-1 draw.

Villa were moments away from moving within a point of Liverpool after Ross Barkley’s goal in the 76th looked like being enough before Brazilian Evanilson’s last-ditch equaliser.

“At the last moment we didn’t control the match,” Villa manager Unai Emery said. “It’s painful but we have to accept it.”

Brentford have been known for their fast starts this season after becoming the first Premier League team to score in the opening minute in three consecutive games.

Against Ipswich, though, Thomas Frank’s team had to rely on a last-gasp goal from Mbeumo to seal a comeback 4-3 win.

His second goal of the match came in the sixth minute of added time and settled a thriller, in which Brentford went 2-0 down early and blew a 3-2 lead.

“Let’s put it this way, when we play, it is exciting,” Frank said.

Wolves also staged a dramatic fightback by scoring in the 88th minute and then in stoppage time to salvage a 2-2 draw at Brighton.

After experiencing the agony of going down to John Stones’ late winner for Man City last week, Wolves responded impressively.

Gary O’Neil’s team went behind to goals from Danny Welbeck in the 45th and Evan Ferguson in the 85th, but staged an improbable comeback through Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha.

Wolves are second from bottom on two points, one ahead of last-placed Southampton.

Continuing the late goals theme in the day’s late match, substitute Beto’s stoppage-time header earned Everton a point as they drew 1-1 with Fulham at Goodison Park.

The striker nodded home in the fourth minute of added time to cancel out former Everton winger Alex Iwobi’s 61st-minute strike and extend the hosts’ unbeaten run to five matches.

Credit: TheRoar

Posted on October 28, 2024October 28, 2024 • by liquidsp

How much money did Erik ten Hag spend in total as Man Utd manager?

Manchester United have spent a total of £617,000,000 on 21 players across five transfer windows since Ten Hag took charge ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

They are the second biggest spenders in the Premier League across that period, with only Chelsea (£1,300,000,000) having splashed out more.

Who were Erik ten Hag’s worst signings as Manchester United manager?

Antony is considered by many to be among the very worst players United signed under Ten Hag.

Ten Hag worked with Antony at former club Ajax and paid the Dutch club £85m to bring the Brazilian winger to Old Trafford in 2022.

He hasn’t come close to justifying that transfer fee, though, producing just 12 goals and five assists across 87 games to date.

Casemiro is also widely thought to be one of Ten Hag’s worst signings with the club paying out a eyebrow-raising £70m to recruit him from Real Madrid.

United’s decision to make Casemiro the fourth-most expensive midfielder of all time at the time of his move – and one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League – was questionable, given that Casemiro was already 30 years of age.

Pundit Jamie Carragher said in May that Casemiro was no longer good enough for the Premier League and should move to Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States or the Saudi Pro League.

Mason Mount arrived at Old Trafford under Ten Hag’s management too and he is another player who has failed to justify his hefty transfer fee thus far.

Mount, who has struggled with various injury problems, has only managed 25 appearances since he joined the club in July 2023 in a deal worth £60m.

Even when he is fit, the England international hasn’t looked at his best and has struggled to get into the United XI ahead of captain Bruno Fernandes.

Credit: MSN

Posted on October 27, 2024 • by liquidsp

Photo: Getty Images

We knew that Juventus’ post-October international break slate of games was not going to be very simple. That’s not just because it’s a whole lot of fixtures within a 22-day period that doesn’t allow for much rest at all for a squad that is already shorthanded due to injuries. But when you’ve got a tough Champions League fixture — one that, as we now know, did not go very well at all — sandwiched in between two very important league matchups, the second of which being the biggest of them all.

Through the first two of those games, there hasn’t been a whole lot to write home about for Thiago Motta’s squad. Well, technically there has, but it’s not like it’s been all that positive.

So, as the Serie A schedule proves to be the gift that keeps on giving, here comes Juventus’ most-hated rival on the fixture list. And one that, with Motta now in charge in Turin, adds another layer onto a rivalry that is like a never-ending Russian nesting doll of storylines.

Sure, the 42-year-old Motta has managed against Inter Milan before, but he’s never managed this game against the club he won the Champions League with during his playing days as the head man at Juventus. Sunday night at the San Siro will be Motta’s first Derby d’Italia on the Juventus side of the equation, with quite some heated moments from his playing days in Milan will certainly come to the forefront of a lot of the talk surrounding these two teams that enter the weekend as the top two teams trailing league-leading Napoli. (Who just so happens to have his own recent past with Juventus and Inter, so there’s also that to consider, I guess.)

But this will be a night in which storylines are plentiful going into the defending champions (barf) hosting their biggest rival — the simple fact that it’s Juve vs. Inter, Motta’s first time at the San Siro as Juve manager, the first Thuram Derby between Khephren and Marcus in Serie A. And the biggest one, at least from Juventus’ point of view, could very well be how the Bianconeri can snap out of their funk ever since their wild comeback win over RB Leipzig 3 ¹⁄₂ weeks ago.

Ever since that win in Leipzig on Oct. 2, Juve have drawn against Cagliari, barely beaten 10-man Lazio and then looked not very good in suffering their first loss of the season — on their home field, no less — when Stuttgart finally found a breakthrough in second-half stoppage time this past Tuesday night. Things have not been great, and now Juve has to go into a 76,000-seat cauldron that will be more than just a little fired up to try help in extending their hated rival’s recent struggles.

Both Juve and Inter are dealing with their own injury situations. You can probably say that Juve’s injury situation is worse knowing that they’re without their best defender, their top summer signing as well as one of their best options out wide amongst others. Inter will also be without a couple of important pieces, most notably midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who left Inter’s win over Roma with an injury and has yet to recover.

Those injury issues for Juventus aren’t new outside of the absence of Douglas Luiz. They’ve been present during these first two games out of the international break. And in those two games, it’s not like Juve has looked all that great whether playing against 11 men or 10. So now, against an Inter team that hasn’t been as good defensively as they were a season ago but are still a quality defensive side, Juve will have to try and do so with an attack that is still trying to click on on a much more consistent basis.

At least Juve’s been strong defensively, right?

That Juve defense, too, will be tested considering the form that Marcus Thuram is in and the fact that Lautaro Martinez is always a huge threat to score even if he hasn’t started this season all that well as compared to 12 months ago.

We’ve seen a lot of big tests for this Juventus side during Motta’s first 2 ¹⁄₂ months in charge. While Napoli are currently top of the table, this very much could be the biggest of those tests considering who it is and where it’s being played. Motta, unsurprisingly, isn’t backing down despite the players who aren’t making the trip to Milan, saying that Juve “will have to be good at implementing our style of play in the game” against Inter Sunday night.

To do that will be a big ask, but a win can go a long way in hopefully turning the tide after some very obvious October struggles.

TEAM NEWS

• Motta said at his pre-match press conference that the injury list for the trip to the San Siro is the same as what there was against Stuttgart midweek. That means Juve will be without: Gleison Bremer, Teun Koopmeiners, Nico Gonzalez, Arek Milik and Douglas Luiz, who pulled out of pre-game warmups on Tuesday due to a muscle injury.
• Also not part of the matchday squad: Juve third-choice goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio, who welcomed baby boy Isac into the world on Saturday. He is, however, set to meet up with the squad in Milan on Sunday.
• With Juventus only calling up four midfielders for the trip to Milan, Nicolo Fagioli is being tipped to start in the No. 10 spot behind Dusan Vlahovic if Motta rolls with a 4-2-3-1.
• Although, when asked about Kenan Yildiz potentially playing in the hole rather than out wide where he’s been much of the season, Motta quipped ““He could play there, why not?”
• Regarding how he’s approaching things after Juve suffered their first defeat of the season on Tuesday, Motta said “Stuttgart is in the past, and we go to play against Inter.”
• The key for Motta against Inter? “We must face Inter with courage and determination,” he said.
• Even though Michele Di Gregorio is expected to come back into the starting lineup after being suspended midweek, Motta said that Mattia Perin “could play” after his standout performance against Stuttgart.
• We don’t usually mention who the referee is in previews around here, but it deserves mention this time around. Marco Guida will be in charge of the proceedings. That’s the same Marco Guida who officiated Lille’s 3-1 win over Atlético Madrid in the Champions League and handed the French side a quite controversial penalty that had Diego Simeone saying the 43-year-old Italian was “hallucinating” at the time of the decision.

JUVENTUS PLAYER TO WATCH

Kenan Yildiz announced his arrival at the Champions League level with one of the best goals that any Juventus player will score this season.

Since then, though, things have not exactly gone very well. And with the current state of Juve’s attack being what it is due to injuries and ineffectiveness, breaking out of the slump would certainly be nice, wouldn’t it?

Photo: Getty Images

In his last six games for Juventus in all competitions, YIldiz has not recorded a goal or an assist. At times he has looked dangerous, while other times he has looked a little out of sorts and potentially pressing a little too much to try and get things going again. Ever since his wonderstrike against PSV Eindhoven to recored Juve’s first goal of the season in Europe, things just haven’t been all that great for one of Motta’s most important players.

Is he tired?

Is he pressing?

Is it a little bit of both?

According to Motta, things are all good with Yildiz no matter how things look from the outside.

“Yildiz is feeling good, he needs to improve in every aspect of the game, like everyone else,” Motta said during Saturday’s pre-match press conference. “He has to be connected to the team in every moment, starting from the defensive phase. He’s a youngster but already a great player that we must use in the best way, both as a winger and as a midfielder.”

Despite still being months away from leaving his teens, Yildiz is very much aware of the fact of what wearing his new kit number means. And it was that goal against PSV that showed what kind of talent he is and that he can be a big part of this club’s future.

But there’s also a simple fact that Juve are asking a lot of him despite his inexperience. He’s played the third-most amount of minutes this season, behind just Dusan Vlahovic and Andrea Cambiaso. As much as he likes to drift out wide to the left, it’s still not totally certain that the left wing is the best position for him to be at full time going forward.

It’s obvious, though, that no matter if Yildiz is played out wide on the left or in the hole, his contributions are going to go a long way in Juventus having a good day or a bad day against their most-hated rival. He’s spoken about wanting to score a goal against Inter at the San Siro like his idol Alessandro Del Piero has done, so now seems like a pretty good time to break out of his slump and make that happen.

It certainly would go a long way in easing some of the heat that has (fairly or unfairly) come his way in recent games.

Prediction: Inter 2 – 2 Juventus

Credit: blackwhitereadallover

Posted on October 27, 2024 • by liquidsp

• Arsenal host Liverpool in a gargantuan Premier League clash this weekend
• Gunners fell to shock Bournemouth defeat last time out
• Reds can move seven points clear of Arsenal with victory

The biggest test of Arne Slot’s reign arrives on Sunday afternoon as Liverpool travel to Arsenal in a mouth-watering Premier League clash.

Both sides are looking to dethrone Manchester City come the end of the Premier League season and the outcome of this weekend’s encounter will have a major impact on the early stages of the title race. Liverpool are already four points ahead of Arsenal after eight matches and can extend that to seven with victory at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners will be eager to bounce back from last weekend’s surprise defeat to Bournemouth but will have to do without some key players. William Saliba is suspended, Martin Odegaard is sidelined and there will be late fitness tests for Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori.

Liverpool’s midweek victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League means they have won ten of their 11 matches under Slot. Seven of those have come in the Premier League, with last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea the biggest of the new era to date.

Arsenal team news

Bukayo Saka has missed the last two matches /GettyImages

Arsenal have a number of injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s clash, with influential defender Saliba also missing through suspension following his straight red card against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Martin Odegaard, Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu are guaranteed absentees, while Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is “very, very uncertain” on the availability of Saka, Calafiori and Jurrien Timber.

Saka has been missing since the international break with a hamstring problem, while Timber was injured in the Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain at the start of October. Calafiori picked up a knee issue midweek against Shakhtar Donetsk and could miss out.

Liverpool team news

Diogo Jota was injured against Chelsea last weekend /GettyImages

Liverpool have a handful of absentees ahead of Sunday, although they did avoid sustaining any fresh injuries during the victory over Leipzig on Wednesday evening.

Alisson is still sidelined with a hamstring injury and Caoimhin Kelleher, who sparkled midweek, will retain his starting berth. Conor Bradley is also likely to miss out in the backline after picking up a knock over the October international break.

Harvey Elliott has been missing since the September internationals and won’t return until mid-November, while Federico Chiesa continues to struggle with fitness setbacks at the start of his Liverpool career.

Slot confirmed that Diogo Jota will miss out at the weekend after being withdrawn before half-time against Chelsea last weekend. Darwin Nunez, who scored and impressed in Leipzig, will lead the line.

Arsenal vs Liverpool score prediction

This should be a belter. Both sides have been weakened by injuries but still boast a ludicrous amount of quality within their starting XIs and on their benches. They have both started the season positively and Sunday will be an opportunity to land a first psychological blow in the title race.

The absence of some key players in both lineups does add an element of uncertainty to this one and Slot’s more measured approach means it may not be quite the same energetic thriller seen more regularly under Jurgen Klopp.

With both teams desperate not to lose this one, they may settle for a valuable point.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool

Credit: 90Min

Posted on October 27, 2024 • by liquidsp

• Chelsea face Newcastle at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League
• Blues suffered defeat to Liverpool last time out and Magpies beaten by Brighton
• Two sides face one another again in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday

Chelsea face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon just three days before the clubs meet again in the Carabao Cup fourth round.

The Blues will travel to St James’ Park on Wednesday evening and will aim to do so having tasted victory in the weekend’s Premier League duel. After a draw with Nottingham Forest and defeat to Liverpool in their most recent domestic encounters, Enzo Maresca’s side will be keen to get back to winning ways.

The west Londoners did secure a second successive Europa Conference League victory against Panathinaikos on Thursday, lifting them to the summit of the recently expanded 36-team table. An entirely changed XI strolled to a 4-1 victory, leaving a number of first-team stars well rested for the weekend.

Newcastle’s form has taken a concerning dip in recent weeks and they are now four Premier League matches without victory. A goalless draw with Everton before the international break was followed by a disappointing home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion last time out. Eddie Howe’s side lost both their trips to Stamford Bridge last season but did beat the Blues 4-1 on home soil.

Chelsea team news

Cole Palmer will be key for Chelsea / Carl Recine/GettyImages

Chelsea have no significant injury concerns heading into Sunday’s clash with Newcastle but will name a much-changed side from the team that won in Greece midweek.

Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana return from their suspensions – the former did play against Panathinaikos – and Reece James should feature again at right-back after making his first start of the season against Liverpool last time out.

Mykhailo Mudryk, Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix all impressed midweek but are unlikely to displace Jadon Sancho, Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer in the starting XI. Enzo Fernandez’s 70-minute outing on Thursday means he may only make the bench this weekend.

Newcastle team news

Kieran Trippier is among those missing / Matt McNulty/GettyImages

Newcastle’s injury woes seemingly never disappear and the Magpies are still without an array of first-team players. In defence, Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman and Martin Dubravka are all sidelined, although Dan Burn should be fit to feature despite suffering a knock against Brighton.

Up front, Callum Wilson’s return has been further delayed after Howe confirmed that the England international would miss the next three games at the very least.

Cobham graduates Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall are likely to face their former employers, while Anthony Gordon features for the first time since signing a new long-term contract with the Magpies.

Chelsea vs Newcastle score prediction

Newcastle’s disappointing form in recent weeks doesn’t offer the Magpies much hope of securing a result in the capital. Considering that they haven’t beaten the Blues on the road since Papiss Cisse’s memorable double in 2012, a draw would be a great result for Howe’s side.

However, with Chelsea fielding an entirely changed XI midweek and boasting some of the division’s most devastating attacking players, they will be rightful favourites on Sunday. It’s unlikely to be a commanding victory up against an energetic Newcastle but the Blues should earn all three points.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

Credit: 90Mins

Posted on October 27, 2024 • by liquidsp

• Man Utd travel to West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon
• Red Devils have won just once in their last seven outings in all competitions
• Hammers battered by London rivals Tottenham last weekend

Two managers under growing pressure go head-to-head on Sunday afternoon as West Ham United host Manchester United in the Premier League.

Julen Lopetegui and Erik ten Hag are currently struggling in their respective dugouts as results and performances fail to inspire. The former has been unable to build on David Moyes’ stellar work, while the latter hasn’t managed to turn the tide after an underwhelming second season at the helm.

Man Utd’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur several weeks ago felt like a new low for the Red Devils under Ten Hag. The fact that there are so many low points to choose from is deeply concerning but the Dutchman has steadied the ship slightly since Spurs’ visit. Three draws and a victory against Brentford last weekend have eased the suffering.

Just like Sunday’s opposition, West Ham have won just once in their last seven matches in all competition. The Irons have particularly struggled against the division’s traditional ‘big six’, conceding 15 times in four meetings with these lofty opponents this term. Lopetegui’s men imploded in last weekend’s 4-1 defeat to Spurs and will be desperate to avoid similar embarrassment on Sunday.

West Ham team news

Mohammed Kudus is suspended /GettyImages

Mohammed Kudus was rightfully sent off last weekend for lashing out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and he serves the first match of a three-game suspension.

However, in terms of injuries, West Ham find themselves much fitter than their upcoming opponents, with summer signing Niclas Fullkrug the only absentee as he continues to battle with an Achilles injury.

Lopetegui is unlikely to make sweeping changes after last weekend’s defeat but there could be alterations in defence and midfield to help shore things up.

Man Utd team news

Kobbie Mainoo is among Man Utd’s absentees / James Gill – Danehouse/GettyImages

Ten Hag has blamed injuries for Man Utd’s difficulties this season and the Dutchman certainly has a lengthy list of absentees unavailable for selection.

In defence, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia are still out of action, while Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount are also unavailable in midfield. In the forward line, Antony is a fresh concern after he injured himself in the draw with Fenerbahce.

Jonny Evans should return to the squad after missing Thursday’s trip to Turkey and youngster Toby Collyer is also likely to be fit after a knock. Bruno Fernandes was serving a suspension against Fenerbahce in the Europa League but will captain Man Utd this weekend.

West Ham vs Man Utd score prediction

It’s difficult to know which versions of these two sides will turn up on Sunday afternoon. Both have shown glimpses of their quality in recent weeks but consistency is the issue when it comes to turning the corner for good.

West Ham won this exact fixture last season but have struggled against so-called ‘bigger’ teams. Their home record is actually worse than their away record, although Man Utd have struggled on their travels this term.

In all honesty, this really could go either way. West Ham could blow the Red Devils away or vice versa, but the safer bet is an entertaining score draw.

Prediction: West Ham 2-2 Man Utd

Posted on October 27, 2024October 27, 2024 • by liquidsp

• Tottenham travel across London to face Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon
• Eagles still without a victory in the Premier League after dismal start to 2024/25
• Ange Postecoglou’s side have won seven of their last eight matches

Tottenham Hotspur are hoping to exacerbate Crystal Palace’s woes on Sunday when they visit Selhurst Park in the Premier League.

Spurs have won seven of their last eight matches in all competitions and head into their weekend battle with Palace in impressive form. A 4-1 victory over fellow capital side West Ham United last weekend was followed by a 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

The Lilywhites have shown their fragility at points this season, especially when it comes to their defence, but they will understandably be strong favourites against a Palace side still yet to earn a Premier League victory.

Oliver Glasner transformed Palace when he arrived at the end of last season but that hard work has been undone by a woeful beginning to 2024/25. Last Monday’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest has left the Eagles on just three points as they struggle to escape the relegation zone.

Crystal Palace team news

Adam Wharton should be available /GettyImages

Glasner admitted that influential young midfielder Adam Wharton could undergo surgery in the near future but he will be available for the next three games, starting with Sunday’s battle with Spurs.

Cheick Doucoure will return from injury soon after featuring in training this week but Sunday is likely to come too soon for the midfielder. Chadi Riad, Matheus Franca and Chris Richards are all sidelined.

Jean-Philippe Mateta has been dropped from the last two starting XIs but could feature from the start against Spurs in Eddie Nketiah’s place. Daichi Kamada was also included alongside Eberechi Eze at Forest and should retain his spot.

Tottenham team news

Heung-min Son will miss out on Sunday /GettyImages

Despite returning from injury against West Ham, Heung-min Son is back on the sidelines for the short-term. “Sonny’s still not right, still not feeling 100 per cent. He won’t train today [Friday], so he’s unlikely for this weekend and we’ll see after that,” admitted Ange Postecoglou in his press conference.

Djed Spence will return to full team training next week but will be absent for Sunday. Wilson Odobert returned to the team against AZ Alkmaar from the bench and should feature among the substitutes again at Selhurst Park.

James Maddison’s position in the starting XI is under threat after his half-time substitution last weekend. Dejan Kulusevski’s impressive performances in an attacking midfield role could force the England international to miss out against Palace.

Crystal Palace vs Tottenham score prediction

Tottenham have won their last five meetings with Palace and should make that six on Sunday afternoon. The Eagles certainly have the personnel to cause Spurs issues but their confidence has taken a significant hit in the opening weeks of the season and goals have been frustratingly hard to come by.

Meanwhile, Spurs can’t stop scoring and should have enough in the tank even without skipper Son to claim all three points against the winless Eagles. They were able to rest players midweek against AZ and flexed their creative muscles in last week’s demolition of West Ham.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Tottenham

Credit: 90Mins