Month: December 2024

Market: Botafogo win

Odds: 19/20 @

Two sides who have their sights firmly set on securing a top-four finish this season, Botafogo will welcome Bragantino to the Nilton Santos late on Wednesday night.

Starting with the hosts, although Botafogo might have been frustrated last weekend as they eventually fell to a 2-1 loss away at Criciuma, Artur Jorge’s men have continued to impress since opening up the 2024 campaign. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions a run that stems back to May 5th the former Braga boss will certainly be excited to make a return to home soil here. Including a 1-0 victory against Fluminense earlier in the month, the Brazilian giants have been hit with just a single domestic defeat at…

Arsene Wenger is ready to take that gamble by attempting to push through plans for the World Cup to be staged every two years.

Wenger, now FIFA s chief of global football development, is the figurehead of a move to transform the game s calendar, with the Frenchman seeking influential support but also encountering serious opposition to the project.

The legendary Arsenal manager has proposed the World Cup is held every two years and that there are fewer international breaks throughout the year.

While FIFA claims the majority of supporters favour holding the tournament more frequently, the plans have been strongly criticised by other governing bodies.

CONMEBOL, which represents South American federations, argued a change could distort the most important foo…

Roy Keane has hit out at the Sunderland hierarchy following Dick Advocaat s resignation as manager.

The experienced Dutchman left his position at the Stadium of Light after the 2-2 draw with West Ham, a result which left the club without a win from their first eight Premier League matches.

Former Sunderland boss Keane was asked for his view on the situation as he spoke to the press ahead of Republic of Ireland s crucial Euro 2016 qualification tie against Germany and did not hold back in an apparent dig at owner Ellis Short, who sacked him in 2008.

The Ireland assistant manager said:  That is Sunderland, isn t it?

A brilliant club but while I can t comment on why different managers have left or have been sacked, people in the background probably need…

Harry Kane lauded England s last-gasp hero Jude Bellingham as one of the best in the country s history after his stunning finish saved the Three Lions against Slovakia.

Bellingham crashed in an overhead kick after 94 minutes in Gelsenkirchen, levelling the last-16 clash at Euro 2024 following Ivan Schranz s first-half opener on Sunday.

Kane headed past Martin Dubrvaka just 50 seconds into extra time, the fastest such goal in Euros history, as Gareth Southgate s side scraped into a last-eight meeting with Switzerland on Saturday.

The England captain reserved special praise for Bellingham, whose finish – timed at 94 minutes and 34 seconds – marked England s latest goal in European Championship history.

We work on so many details throughout the week, we…

Ousmane Dembele has agreed to sign a new contract with Barcelona, set to keep him at the Camp Nou for another two years, according to Fabrizio Romano. His previous deal has already expired, and he s now officially a free agent, but it seems he has no intention of leaving the five-time European champions just yet.

Having been linked with practically every major club in Europe reportedly searching for a new winger, the 25-year-old stood firm on his wage demands from the Catalan club for several months. He had been extremely reluctant to agree to reduced terms amid claims of Barcelona being keen on acquiring the services of Erling Haaland, who has joined Manchester City since.

Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez made it clear on more than one occasion that he would love to…

Javier Mascherano says he will make a decision on his Barcelona future at the end of this season after falling out of favour at Camp Nou.

The Argentina international is under contract until 2019 but could be set for a rethink as he competes with Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique for game time.

Mascherano says he has yet to discuss the situation with the club, but acknowledges a decision must be made.

I have my contract to honour with the club but, obviously, once the season is over, we ll see what needs to be done, he told TyC Sports. I haven t spoken to anyone about it yet.

At Barcelona, they ve always said that they re happy with me and I have time to think about it.

200 Javier Mascherano is the 4th Non-Spanish player to reach 200 apps for Barc…

Valencia are considering a summer bid for Napoli centre-back Raul Albiol, El Mundo Deportivo has suggested.

Los Che have seen both Nicolas Otamendi and Shkodran Mustafi linked with big club moves, and their former player will become the primary target in case one of them leaves this summer.

Raul Albiol came through the youth ranks at Valencia and went on to make 131 league appearances before moving to Real Madrid in 2009.

The central defender did fairly well at Santiago Bernabeu during a four-year stay, but eventually signed for Napoli in search of first team football.

Albiol, 29, featured in 67 Serie A games for the Azzurri, scoring one goal, but with Rafael Benitez leaving the club, the Spain international could be tempted by a return to Spanish La Lig…

Dorival Junior confirmed Endrick will earn his first start for Brazil ahead of their Copa America quarter-final with Uruguay.

Endrick will replace future Real Madrid team-mate Vinicius Junior after the Ballon d Or hopeful picked up his second yellow card of the tournament against Colombia.

The teenager, who has scored three goals in nine appearances for the Selecao Canarinha, will join Raphinha and Rodrygo in attack for the fixture at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

The attack has already been decided. Raphinha, Endrick and Rodrygo. I hope we can continue finding the way to goals, Junior said.

I think the work focuses on giving athletes the possibility of attacking the opponent s last line. We hope Endrick is very well prepared to deliver on every…

Atletico Madrid will be desperate to bounce back from last week s 2-1 defeat at Barcelona when they meet Eibar on Saturday.

Diego Simeone s men saw the defending La Liga champions come from a goal behind to triumph 2-1 thanks to efforts from Neymar and Lionel Messi at Vicente Calderon.

Atleti set that to one side with an impressive 2-0 triumph away at Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday, and focus now returns to their domestic efforts.

The 2014 champions began the campaign by emerging victorious over Las Palmas and Sevilla, with the match against Barca representing a first loss of the season.

Simeone will be delighted, then, to have a full-strength squad at his disposal for the forthcoming fixture.

Diego Godin had been the chief conce…

AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli is happy with the cohesion amongst his players but says performances still need to improve as they prepare to host Udinese on Saturday.

Milan threw away a two goal lead last weekend at Napoli as Olivier Giroud put them 2-0 up before the hosts scored two second-half goals to share the spoils.

Despite sitting third in Serie A, Milan are now without a win in their last two and Pioli would like his team to improve their performances.

Expectations for tomorrow Team unity About our opponent

Coach Pioli ahead of

— AC Milan (@acmilan)

He said in quotes reported on AC Milan’s official website: “I’m extremely satisfied with the group that’s been formed, as I am with our identity.

“I can safely say…