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Ralf Rangnick apologised to Manchester United s supporters after what he said was their worst performance under his management, as the Red Devils capitulated in a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion.

United fell behind to Moises Caicedo s first-half strike before Marc Cucurella, Pascal Gross, and Leandro Trossard scored second-half goals to condemn the Red Devils to a humiliating defeat at the Amex Stadium. 

The Red Devils have now conceded more league goals this season (56) than they have in any other Premier League campaign, and with 58 points after 37 games, are guaranteed to record their lowest points tally in the competition (previously 64 in 2013-14).

Meanwhile, the Red Devils have now conceded four or more goals in 12 separate Premier L…

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker:

Desperate to avoid a major EURO 24 qualifying upset on Thursday night, Poland will welcome Estonia to the PGE Narodowy in Warsaw.

Poland

Starting with the hosts, although Poland might have come under plenty of scrutiny during their EURO 24 qualifying adventure last year, it is no surprise that the Eagles are tipped as a leading contender to punch their ticket to Germany. Smelling a golden opportunity on Thursday night, new boss Michal Probierz will simply be looking to avoid an infamous qualifying upset here. Despite winning just a trio of their previous 10 competitive appearances across all competitions, Poland will certainly be excited by their remarkable qualifying success on home soil. In fact, Probierz’s men are unbeaten in all…

Market: Venezia draw no bet

Odds: 8/11 @

In what is a real battle at the top of the Serie B table, Venezia will welcome Cremonese to the Pier Luigi Penzo on Friday night.

Starting with the hosts, while Venezia might have eventually fallen short in their bid to punch a play-off ticket last season, the Winged Lions have come roaring back this time around. Gaining a string of plaudits from across Italy’s second-tier, Paolo Vanoli still have their sights set on securing an automatic top-flight return. Opening up Friday’s season-defining showdown sat just three points adrift of breaking into the top-two, the Venice-based outfit find the mood in their camp at a real high. Last seen mounting a second-half comeback away at Lecco as they secured a 2-1 victory, the fo…

Laurent Blanc will be hoping to form a French connection with Karim Benzema and N Golo Kante after his appointment as Al-Ittihad head coach.

The Saudi Pro League champions confirmed the 58-year-old s arrival on Saturday, with Blanc signing a two-year contract and the club holding an option for a further year.

Former France international Blanc was dismissed by Lyon in his last role, having stayed on for just under a year before his sacking came after losing three of four opening Ligue 1 matches in September 2023.

The former centre-back, who has also managed Paris Saint-Germain, is expected to make Houssem Aouar the first signing of his reign.

| Laurent Blanc meets the Tigers at the training camp

— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en)

Aouar impres…

Lionel Messi is backing Lautaro Martinez to win this year s Ballon d Or, believing his Argentina team-mate deserves the accolade more than anyone else .

The two players were on target during the world champions commanding 6-0 victory over Bolivia on Tuesday, Messi bagging a hat-trick while setting up Lautaro for their side s second goal.

It has been a 2024 to remember for Lautaro, who top-scored with 24 goals as he captained Inter to the Scudetto last season.

The forward was also the leading marksman during the Copa America with five goals, including an extra-time winner as Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in the final.

Lautaro s exploits have seen him shortlisted for the 2024 Ballon d Or, with the winner being announced on October 28.

Real Madrid s Vi…

Competition: Euro 2016
Market: Belgium to win Group E
Odds:

Belgium suffered defeat to Portugal in their own international friendly of the week, but in truth the result was irrelevant as the country has been in mourning following attacks in Brussels. The national team will be determined to make the country proud in this summer’s Euros as a result, but their group won’t be easy.

Italy, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland are the three other nations joining Belgium in Group E, and are sure to provide stiff competition in June. However, Belgium are no slouches themselves, boasting five wins from their last six games in all competitions, while having one of the strongest side in the Euros on paper. As a result, they are among the favourites to win the tournam…

Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick as England made an impressive start to their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a 5-0 win over the Czech Republic at Wembley on Friday.

Gareth Southgate s Three Lions qualified for the Nations League Finals in their most recent game late last year, and the four-month break since does not appear to have done them any harm, as Sterling inspired an easy victory.

With Marcus Rashford injured, Southgate handed a first senior start to Borussia Dortmund s Jadon Sancho and he made a strong impact, setting up Sterling s opener, before the Manchester City star won a penalty that Harry Kane converted.

The Czech Republic started the second half better, but two goals in six minutes from Sterling ended any slim hopes of a fightback, while To…

Arne Slot enjoyed a triumphant Anfield debut as his Liverpool side warmed up for their Premier League campaign by thrashing Sevilla 4-1 on Sunday.

A stunning volley from Diogo Jota and a brace from Luis Diaz put the Reds well in control by half-time, with Slot naming a strong starting line-up six days out from their league opener against newly promoted Ipswich Town.

Jota found the top-right corner with a brilliant left-footed finish after being picked out at the back post by Trent Alexander-Arnold, then turned provider to tee up Diaz for another powerful strike into the same corner.

Diaz then tapped home his second and Liverpool s third after good work from Dominik Szoboszlai on the stroke of half-time.

Sevilla boss Garcia Pimienta made nine half-time ch…

Eddie Howe was left with mixed emotions after seeing Newcastle succumb to a remarkable Liverpool fightback.

The Magpies’ head coach saw his players work themselves to within nine minutes of a first victory over Jurgen Klopp’s 10 men since December 2015 before they were floored by two late sucker punches to lose 2-1.

Howe admitted after the game that his players were hurting in the wake of Darwin Nunez’s last-gasp double, but sought to put a painful reverse a week after a narrow defeat at champions Manchester City into perspective.

The thoughts of Eddie Howe following this afternoon s defeat at St. James Park.

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC)

He said: “I’d want them to be hurting after that because we pride ourselves on trying to win fir…

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini will leave his position in the next few days.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes he made the wrong decision to reveal mid-season that he would be leaving the club for Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola to succeed him.

City were three points adrift in the title race at the time, but went on to scrape a top-four finish after the news broke, but is Pellegrini dressing up his own shortcomings with excuses?

City were bad before Pellegrini s revelation

Pellegrini announced the news of his impending departure in early February. At the time, Manchester City were second in the Premier League table with 47 points from 24 games. They were enjoying a seven-game unbeaten run and only three points off leaders …