Month: December 2024

Market: Both teams to score

Odds: 1/2 @

In what is a real showdown at the top of the NPL Victoria table on Friday morning, Oakleigh will welcome Avondale to the Jack Edwards Reserve for what could be a lively affair.

Starting with the hosts, while Oakleigh might have opened July in the midst of a stellar purple patch, the Cannons have come crashing back down to earth over the past fortnight. Missing out on what they would have billed as a golden chance last time out as they suffered a 2-1 loss away at at Altona Magic, Chris Taylor’s men have now tasted back-to-back NPL Victoria appearances for the first time in 2023. However, cruising their way to another play-off ticket this season, the Blues will certainly be excited by make a return to home soil this weeken…

Captain Philipp Lahm is optimistic ahead of Euro 2012 as Germany look to get their quest for continental glory on track.

Joachim Low s men were runners-up in 2008, and endured further heartbreak in the 2010 World Cup, where they were beaten by Spain in the semi-finals.

However, the Bayern Munich defender is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to make up for previous disappointments, and feels his side are well prepared.

The tension is slowly rising, he told DFB.de. I could tell that the European Championship had truly started by our reception in Poland.

The opening game is on Friday, and we are looking forward to our first mission the next day. We have been working for two years for this moment. It s time to get going.

Everything is very positive…

Win and a place in the quarter-finals awaits – that is the simple scenario ahead of Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan.

Saudi Arabia coach Cosmin Olaroiu urged his team to be confident ahead of their crucial Asian Cup clash against Uzbekistan.

The winners in Melbourne on Sunday will join China in progressing from Group B and into the quarter-finals.

China (six points) have beaten both of these teams, leaving them to fight for second place with North Korea bottom.

After his team came from behind to beat North Korea 4-1, Olaroiu said his side were focused on Uzbekistan.

If we don t have confidence, what are we going to have? It will be different, a different team and a different way to play, he said.

We need to concentrate now on the next game.…

Manchester City centre-back Joleon Lescott says the club s fans must resist the temptation to celebrate Premier League glory prematurely.

Barring a miraculously large win for Manchester United at Sunderland, Roberto Mancini s men will seal the Premier League title by virtue of goal difference with victory over QPR at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

While the former Everton defender is refusing to get carried away, Lescott revealed his side s growing belief that they will seal the title.

It s a massive game at the weekend. It s not all over yet but, if we could close the title out, it would be unreal, Lescott told reporters.

You dream of these things. I never once thought: Yeah, I m bound to win the Premier League . But it was always in my mind. It will be c…

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar is keen to link up with Chelsea forward Eden Hazard, saying the two could cause havoc together .

Belgium international Hazard has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, with Real Madrid mooted as the most likely destination for the former Lille star.

However, PSG are also rumoured to be interested in securing his signature and Neymar believes his own style of play would gel well with that of Hazard.

I would like to play with Hazard. He has a style similar to mine,  Neymar told Fox Sports.

I think I could give it a try. We would cause havoc together.

I’m feeling good

— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr)

Neymar became the most expensive player in the world when he left Barcelona for Par…

Pep Guardiola is proud of the way Manchester City have engaged in a seemingly relentless battle with Liverpool this season but acknowledges it will mean little if they do not retain the Premier League title.

Defending champions City trail Liverpool by two points heading into their game in hand at home to Leicester City on Monday, with the Reds winning late at Newcastle United on Saturday.

This tense tussle will go to the wire and Guardiola is delighted to be able to keep pace with a Liverpool side he ranks among the best he has ever faced.

It has made for a title race Guardiola considers his toughest, but he feels City will not get the credit they deserve unless they are victorious.

It s the toughest league I ever played, with the quality from the rival…

Thomas Tuchel laughed off Ralf Rangnick s claim he was offered the Chelsea job in February, saying: Hopefully he got the date wrong.

Rangnick was this week appointed as Manchester United s interim manager until the end of the season.

The German confirmed in his first United news conference on Friday that he had turned down an opportunity to replace Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge on a four-month deal.

Tuchel was not surprised to hear his compatriot may have been approached by the Blues hierarchy, but hopes it came earlier than stated given the former Paris Saint-Germain boss took charge of the London club late in January.

When asked about Rangnick s comments, Tuchel served up a quip as he said: So maybe after our draw against Wolverhampton [Tuchel …

West Ham have completed the signing of Said Benrahma after days of uncertainty over the Brentford star s future.

The 25-year-old had appeared set to move to London Stadium after weeks of speculation, only for reports to emerge of complications with his medical on Friday.

Manager David Moyes insisted it was not true Benrahma had failed his medical but could not offer any guarantees the deal would be completed before the deadline of 1700 local time.

However, the Hammers later confirmed they have secured the signing of the Algeria international on loan with an obligation for a permanent deal.

COYI  

— West Ham United (@WestHam)

West Ham is a historic club, which has been in the Premier League for a very long time. It included and still …

England hit back from a goal down to defeat Colombia and book an appetising World Cup semi-final showdown against co-hosts Australia next week.

The Matildas were earlier tested to their limit but they kept their bid for success on home soil alive following a nail-biting penalty shoot-out triumph over France.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look back on the day as the last four line-up was confirmed.

Lionesses roar

The absence of the suspended Lauren James might have come back to bite England, who fell behind after 44 minutes when Leicy Santos looped an effort over Mary Earps at a sold-out Stadium Australia in Sydney.

However, England capitalised on a major slice of fortune to equalise before half-time as Colombia goalkeeper Catalina Perez inexplicably f…

Barcelona seized control of Group D in the Women s Champions League by thrashing Bayern Munich 3-0 in front of a crowd of 46,967 – a new group-stage record.

Second-half goals from Geyse, Aitana Bonmati and Claudia Pina helped Jonatan Giraldez s team maintain their perfect record in the competition on Thursday, as well as ending that of Bayern.

The Camp Nou crowd – which surpassed the competition s previous group-stage record of 18,341 by a considerable margin – had to remain patient for the opener, but the Blaugrana were good value for their win after Brazil international Geyse broke the deadlock.

The result moved Barca three points clear of their opponents as well as maintaining their six-point advantage over Benfica, who beat Rosengard 1-0 courtesy of Clo…