All posts by z3u9t.icu

Rangers qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League with a convincing 2-0 win at Ibrox in Gio van Bronckhorst’s first game in charge on Thursday night.

They beat Czech side Sparta Prague in Glasgow, with Alfredo Morelos scoring both goals to seal the three points and progression to the next stage.

The 25-year-old opened the scoring with a calm, first-time finish inside the box after good work from James Tavernier and Ianis Hagi. He was then presented with a golden opportunity to double his tally as a loose pass from a defender allowed him to nod into an empty net.

Forget Morelos

Whilst the Colombian centre-forward may grab the headlines with his match-winning brace, another player stole the show for Rangers with a terrific performance on the pitch, namely Glen Kamara.

The Finland international was sublime and controlled the game for the Gers alongside Steven Davis. He was able to put himself about effectively and win the ball back for Van Bronckhorst’s side on multiple occasions, stopping Sparta’s attacks and creating chances for Rangers.

Neil McCann, his former manager at Dundee United, once told The Athletic that the midfielder is a ‘special talent’, saying: “He isn’t a big, physical lad but he’s made of iron and really strong. I knew immediately that he could handle the ball under pressure and not give it away, so he was perfect. He’s a special talent. He’s lightning-quick but he doesn’t show it. He’s a player who takes instruction well.”

McCann’s comments on him being ‘made of iron’ are particularly pertinent given the nature of his display against Sparta. As per SofaScore, he won a whopping 91.6% of his duels and conquered 11 of his 12 battles on the ground and in the air during the game. He also made one clearance, two interceptions and five tackles as he dominated the midfield for the Gers.

He was solid on the ball. As per SofaScore, he completed 87% of his attempted passes and had 72 touches of the ball, as he also completed two of his three attempted dribbles. In the entire 90 minutes, he only gave possession away eight times in total, showing how composed and assured he was with the ball at his feet.

This highlights how he was able to piece together a brilliant all-round performance and why he was the real star of the show at Ibrox. Van Bronckhorst will surely be hoping that this a standard that Kamara can continue to match throughout the rest of the campaign, as he was brilliant against Sparta.

AND in other news, 129 appearances: Rangers secured dream deal with £0 gem who “embodies professionalism”…

Manchester United will be aiming to stay within touching distance of the top four when they welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford for their intriguing Premier League clash this evening.

The Red Devils are currently five points behind today’s visitors and six behind West Ham United, who are currently occupying the final Champions League qualification spot.

Things have improved for United in recent weeks, though, following Ole Gunnar Solsjaer’s dismissal.

A hard-fought victory over Villarreal in the Champions League was followed up by a respectable draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last time out, and interim manager Michael Carrick will be hoping to build of those positive performances.

The 40-year-old tactician will once again be without Luke Shaw, Paul Poagba, Edinson Cavani and Raphael Varane through injury, but he will be able to call upon the services of Harry Maguire once more following his suspension.

With Ralf Rangnick finally receiving his work permit ahead of his imminent arrival, this evening’s encounter will be the last of Carrick’s short reign, and he’ll be keen to hand over their reins with three extra points in the bag.

Consequently, this is how Football FanCast expects the retired England midfielder to line up against the Gunners, with two changes from the side that featured from the off over the weekend…

In goal, David de Gea is set to keep his place between the sticks once again, adding to Dean Henderson’s frustrations as he’s forced to watch on from the sidelines.

Ahead of the Spanish shot-stopper is set to be a back four made up of Alex Telles, Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka due to Shaw and Varane’s enforced absences.

However, Carrick will have a tough call to make when it comes to his engine room options, with several players vying for a limited amount of starting berths.

The likes of Donny van de Beek and the £120,000-per-week Nemanja Matic will be eager to feature from the off after receiving game time in recent weeks, but a trio of Fred, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes is the most likely setup.

And the interim manager also faces a selection headache when it comes to his star-studded forward line.

Carrick made the bold decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo to the bench against Chelsea, and he may do the same again against Arsenal, lining up with an extremely mobile and pacey front three of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho.

And, in other news…Huge boost: Man Utd receive big injury lift ahead of AFC, Carrick will be delighted

West Ham like the idea of signing Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi this month.

That’s according to The Daily Mail, and a number of Villa supporters have been reacting to the news on social media.

El Ghazi is reportedly unhappy with his lack of game time under new Villa boss Steven Gerrard, with the Dutch forward playing just 33 minutes of Premier League action following Gerrard’s arrival.

Villa are thought to be open to permanent and loan offers for the 26-year-old this month, although they would prefer a full-time transfer.

The Daily Mail claimed on Saturday that the Hammers want a forward, with El Ghazi one of the players they would like to sign in their bid for another impressive finish in the European places.

Villa fans react

The AVFC Faithful shared the news regarding West Ham liking the idea of bringing El Ghazi to the London Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with many keen to see him depart.

“Beg this is true”

Credit: @FloppyChicken92

“Swap deal for Bowen”

Credit: @marcw1987

“oh my god please take him”

Credit: @NoahKnowsBall

“Today is just getting better and better”

Credit: @avbiIly

“Imagine if we get rid of El Ghazi and replace him with Coutinho”

Credit: @PositiveVillan

“I’ll drop him off”

Credit: @Miller_JD

In other news: ‘Mental’ – Some Villa fans fume as Gerrard eyes club-record transfer. 

As per London World, a promising transfer update has come to light involving Tottenham Hotspur, Antonio Conte and Middlesborough defender Djed Spence.

The Lowdown: Spurs join race…

First reported by Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas, sharing news on his personal Twitter feed, Spurs and transfer chief Fabio Paratici have joined the race to sign Spence amid his impressive stint on loan at Nottingham Forest.

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The 21-year-old has been turning heads at the City Ground under Steve Cooper, attracting the attention of major Premier League clubs as Conte seeks out new right-back options.

Any deal to sign Spence this window would result in the player remaining at Forest until the end of the season and then joining in the summer, but that hasn’t swayed Spurs as they take a firm interest.

The Latest: Spurs ‘edging closer’…

According to London World, Tottenham are ‘edging closer’ to their ‘first January signing’ as Conte personally eyes a move for the Englishman.

The Italian is said to be ‘unimpressed’ with current right-back options Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal as he takes to the market in search of alternatives.

Spence, as a result, could ‘answer Conte’s prayers’ with his pace and delivery on that side – but north London rivals Arsenal are also still in contention for the starlet as things stand.

The Verdict: Exciting player…

The Boro man’s form on loan at Forest this season has been terrific, leaving little wonder there are now major players in the hunt for his signature this month.

Defensively, according to WhoScored, he’s shown real solidarity – averaging the third-most interceptions per 90 out of Cooper’s side in the Championship this campaign (1.6).

Meanwhile, going forward, Spence has been a constant threat – completing more dribbles per 90 (1.8) than any Forest regular with more than two league starts (WhoScored).

His form has attracted real praise, with Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff saying he has been a ‘massive player’ for the English second tier side and could well continue to be in their hunt for a Championship play-off spot (Sky Sports EFL Podcast via Football League World).

According to journalist Ryan Taylor of The Daily Express, Spence could cost up to £15 million, but a player of his high ceiling may well be worth the investment,

In other news: Reliable journalist: ‘Perfect’ player once valued at £83m now wants to join Conte at Spurs, find out more here.

Past the halfway point of 2021-22, Premier League finds Manchester City as the retainers of the Premier League titles.

However, several contenders could make a return, albeit a rocky start of the season. We will show you top-ranking teams’ odds to either retain or win the Premier League title.

Manchester City: Premier League Title Favourites

They were seen as favourites to keep the title even before the season kick-off. Manchester City seems to prove the predictions.

Given the strong start of the 2021-22 campaign and odds that evolved from 8/15 to 2/17 recently, with a 1/18 maximum, Pep Guardiola’s side remains at the top of the table.

Manchester City advanced ten points ahead of the main contestants, most recently following a 2-1 win against Arsenal. Rodri, one of the many team’s that are top FIFA performers of this season, scored the winner for Man City.

A win against Swindon Town seems to be a given. Still, the January 15 match against Chelsea may slightly affect its position. However, a 10-point advance and 95% probability of keeping the Premier League title is hard to topple.

The Main Contenders: Chelsea & Liverpool

With 12 wins out of 21 played matches, Chelsea may rival the 17 wins out of 21 matches feat of Man City.

Tuchel’s side, nonetheless, will have a hard time getting out of its string of constantly drawn matches, such as the most recent 2-2 result against Liverpool.

Is Liverpool the Main Contender?

This is also why some analysts place Liverpool as the second favourite, based on some bookie margins. And there is some truth to it.

The Reds have a better win percentage, with 12 out of 20. Additionally, both the objective number of goals and the goal difference are better than Chelsea’s, closer to Man City.

The most recent bookie odds place Liverpool at values ranging from 59/5 to 25/2, with the best choice being 61/5. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s odds are currently on the shift, with no consensus.

However, considering the point system of the Premier League title ranking, the Reds still lag behind Chelsea. But not by much.

Our educated guess is that the apparent instability between these two teams is rife with opportunities as far as betting is concerned. The Chelsea-Manchester City match will clarify it. While not resulting in the dethroning of the Premier League title favourites, a win or even a draw could put some distance between Chelsea and Liverpool.

The Rest of the Table

The official rankings show Arsenal, West Ham, the Spurs, and Manchester United to the remaining runners-up.

Other teams are sitting at under 30 points, or well over 20 points under the Premier League title favourites.

Bookie predictions also agree with the rankings, except for the presence of West Ham.

Manchester United

Manchester United disappointed many fans this season, especially given several high profile transfers, such as Jadon Sacho, Raphael Varane, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, following 19 matches, the team only accrued 31 points, and it seems to be in freefall.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur

The Spurs remain bookie favourites in matters of the regional rivalry with the Cannons, despite the former lagging behind the latter in the ranking ladder by two points.

We are hardly talking about Premier League title contestants. Still, as far as butting heads in the regional scene, the story is not clear-cut regarding Arsenal and Tottenham.

The Spurs can still challenge the Cannons for the fourth place, as the team is on the upswing. The wins to matches played ratios of the two clubs in this season are almost identical, with Tottenham Hotspur coming slightly on top. This trend is bound to continue, given the fewer games played by the team and Arsenal’s recent defeat against Manchester City.

However, just as for Chelsea, the draws the Sours faced hurt their rankings, compared to Arsenal that only saw a loss following a string of wins.

All things being said, the January 16 match between the two will clarify the rankings. A draw would not cut it for the Spurs, while the aggressive Arsenal playstyle may dish them the second notable defeat this season.

Final Predictions for the Premier League Title

Manchester City is bound to keep the title with no viable contestant. Neither Chelsea nor Liverpool have the time to close in the 10-point distance in half a season.

As for the second place in the Premier League title ranking, Chelsea will probably miss the mark and lose it to the Reds.

Arsenal does not have a steady enough hold on the fourth place. Tottenham Hotspur will advance in rank and will be a considerable challenge for the Cannons, judging by bookie odds.

West Ham United is another hurdle for the Spurs, as it still scores one point over the team. It has a better goal difference with similar other results. Nonetheless, West Ham failed to challenge Arsenal for advancing in the Premier League title ranking.

A final (potential) prediction for the Premier League title table would be:

Manchester City – the Premier League Title Winner Liverpool – the possible runner up in the future Chelsea – sent to third place if it fails to perform against Man City Arsenal – keeps its place only if it manages to beat the Spurs or ends with a draw Tottenham Hotspur – in case its advance stops with the Arsenal match West Ham United – it will probably be surpassed by the Spurs Manchester United – it can hardly recover from the season’s start Brighton and Hove Albion – it should manage to win against Crystal Palace Wolverhampton Wanderers – it may also maintain its 8th place if it performs well Leicester City or Crystal Palace – Leicester is falling in rank, while Crystal Palace has an opportunity to advance.

Is Manchester City guaranteed to win the Premier League title? No, but the team is the undisputed favourite of the 2021-22 season. No team has enough time nor a good enough performance to be a challenger. However, nothing is guaranteed, and the rankings, as well as bookie odds, are set to change in the future.

Image from: unsplash.com

Wolves could potentially reignite their interest in towering Lille centre-back Sven Botman in the coming months, according to journalist Luke Hatfield.

The Lowdown: Wolves linked with Botman move

Wanderers were linked with a move for the 21-year-old during the summer transfer window but the transfer did not materialise.

Instead, Botman has remained at Lille for the time being, starting nine Ligue 1 games so far this season and averaging 2.2 aerial duels and 4.4 clearances per game. Those are the second-highest and highest averages in the French champions’ squad for the respective metrics.

It appears as though Wolves’ interest may not be dead in the water, though, with a future bid possibly in the offing.

The Latest: Hatfield talks up Botman move

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Hatfield talked up Wanderers’ chances of reviving their interest in the nine-cap Netherlands under-21 international, who plays in a position where the journalist feels Bruno Lage needs to address

He said: “I imagine that they’ll be keen to revive their interest in Botman if it can be done. It’s an area they probably need to look at.”

The Verdict: Exciting future addition

Botman looks like a centre-back with huge potential, with Get French Football News describing him as ‘superb’ in a Champions League clash for Lille earlier this season.

While Wolves have been solid defensively this term, conceding just 12 goals in as many league games, bringing in a defender of the Dutchman’s stature could only make them stronger.

Botman’s pass completion rate of 91.3% in the Champions League is better than any Wolves player has managed in the league, with Conor Coady leading the way with 89.5%. That composure in playing out from the back, along with his aforementioned aerial ability and no-nonsense attitude to defending, marks him out as something who would be a great asset to Lage’s squad.

In other news, some Wolves fans loved footage which emerged after the win over West Ham. Read more here.

Taking to Twitter, Sportitalia TV journalist Rudy Galetti has broken a promising update on Tottenham Hotspur’s chase to sign AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye Kessie deal…

It is no secret that Tottenham and manager Antonio Conte hold a firm interest in the Ivory Coast international with reliable sources backing that they are well and truly in the mix.

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Kessie’s deal at the San Siro expires in 2022 as things stand with clubs reportedly racing to sign him, either for a cheap January fee or on a pre-contract ahead of a summer switch.

Spurs hold an interest in backing Conte with his signing as managing director Fabio Paratici eyes a move, with Galetti now sharing what he’s heard in a promising development.

The Latest: Galetti breaks Kessie update…

Taking to social media, the Italian journalist has broken an update that Tottenham are now ‘in the lead’ ahead of fellow contenders Paris-Saint Germain and an unnamed Premier League club as they enter pole position.

Galetti also explains that Milan’s star asset has a ‘€8m+€2m’ (£6.6m + £1.6m) salary offer on the table from Spurs, with a total wage package equalling £8.2m-per-season.

The Verdict: Promising development…

News that Spurs are leading contenders for Kessie’s signature as things stand will come as music to the ears of supporters, especially considering his pedigree in Italy.

The midfield man, called ‘extraordinary’ by ESPN pundit Nicky Bandini, has thrived going forward in recent seasons despite being a natural defensive anchor in front of the back four.

Following his 13 Serie A strikes last season with five this campaign, Kessie could provide that degree of threat from central midfield and it is clear that, for free, he could be a very astute potential signing.

In other news: Spurs agree £33.4m option for ‘sensational player’ after loan spell with EPL rivals, find out more here.

The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas has shared an update on West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma following the injury he sustained in the 2-0 defeat against Brentford on Sunday.

The Lowdown: Zouma’s injury

During the Irons’ clash against their London rivals, the 27-year-old had to be replaced by Issa Diop in the 29th minute after he sustained a knock to his ankle. Thomas Frank’s side then went on to score twice in the second half, dealing David Moyes a blow in the Hammers’ pursuit of a top-four finish.

Of more imminent concern, Zouma’s injury has sparked concerns ahead of West Ham’s Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon on Thursday night.

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The Latest: Thomas’ update on Zouma…

Taking to Twitter, Roshane Thomas provided an update on Zouma’s injury, revealing: “Kurt Zouma to be assessed before Lyon trip after twisting ankle in Brentford defeat. #WHUFC”

In his corresponding article from The Athletic, the reporter shared Moyes’s post-match comments as the West Ham manager spoke about the situation, saying: “Kurt’s twisted his ankle and we don’t know how bad it is.

“We’ll get him checked but I hadn’t had a chance to speak to the medical team yet. Coming off is not a good sign so hopefully it’s not too bad.”

The Verdict: Zouma is crucial to West Ham

According to FBRef, Zouma ranks in the 94th percentile for clearances made, demonstrating the importance he holds in making last-ditch interventions. In addition to the 1.1 blocks he averages per league game, this makes him an essential part of the Hammers’ back-line.

As a result, Moyes will be hoping that the France international can shake off the injury before the quarter-final clash against Lyon, having received a 7.3 Sofascore rating for his performance in the first leg last week.

It looks like it could be a race against time for Zouma to be fit for the match in his homeland on Thursday night, leaving West Ham supporters with a nervy wait on his injury status before then.

In other news: Thomas has voiced his concern with the form of another West Ham player

If you are looking for a break from the stresses of football……………..!

Poker is a trendy game, and rightly so. Unlike other games of luck like slots, roulette, and blackjack, you can play with other people. This makes poker a perfect game to play with friends, family, or even total strangers.

You can play poker online today, like many other casino games. And for those who love bonuses, you can check out casino bonus sites in the UK.

Poker is a sport that requires a high level of skill and mental alertness. Poker tournaments can last several hours, and stamina is required. A saying says poker takes a day to learn but a lifetime to master. In other words, don’t feel frustrated if you seem not to be learning fast enough. Mastering poker indeed takes time, effort, and patience.

This article will provide ways to improve your poker skills.

 5 Ways to Improve your poker skills

Here are some ways to improve your poker skills:

Learn about the game

When starting poker as a beginner, the first step you need to take is to learn everything you can about the game. If you don’t understand the fundamentals of the game, there’s no way you can learn quickly.

You can start by watching tutorial videos. There are tons of videos for poker beginners on YouTube and Twitch. You can also visit poker blogs to learn about the latest poker strategies.

If you have a couple of bucks to spare, you can pick up poker strategy books. Strategy books are available for both online and live poker. A poker strategy book costs around $20 to $30. This budget is perfect for small stake players.

A significant edge that poker strategy books have over watching videos or scouring blogs is the extensive information they contain. You can learn more from a single poker book than you would ever learn from videos or blog posts.

Join online communities

Online forums are another way to accelerate your growth as a poker player. You’ll always find more experienced players who are more than happy to offer advice to new players. And you know the best part? It’s free.

You can even post your hands for review on poker forums to receive valuable feedback. However, not all the feedback you’ll get will be beneficial. Some pieces of advice may not be from winning pros. And it’s of no use when a blind person tries to lead another blind person.

When using online forums, another thing to keep in mind is to be polite and respectful. Other members will be more willing to help and share tips with you.

Hire a poker coach

Free tips and advice will help you as a beginner but won’t take you far. Hiring a personal poker coach is sure to speed up your growth. The sky will be your limit when you have a seasoned professional dedicated to helping you improve.

However, the big drawback with hiring a coach is that it’ll cost you. Well, there’s no fixed price. Expect to spend at least $200 per hour if you want a decent coach.

Hiring a poker coach is only advisable if you’re a mid-stake or high-stake player.

Study your hand’s history

If you play online poker, a good poker tracker is an indispensable ally if you want to up your game. It tracks your hands and results and your opponent’s statistics. The statistics the software gathers from your opponent help you devise strategies to beat them.

You can review each poker session later to find out your mistakes. Once you’ve discovered your errors, the next thing is to work on them. You’ll undoubtedly notice a significant improvement in your game over time. 

Play more poker

Practice makes perfect. If you want to get good at poker, you need to devote more time to improve your skills. That’s just how it works. A coach and books can’t do your work for you.

You also have to find a perfect balance between theory and practice. Too much theory without much practice is useless. And practice without theory or strategy is like running without direction. Your progress will be slow— if you make any at all.

Practice what you learn consistently. You might not notice the daily improvements instantly. However, one day when you look back, you’ll be surprised at how far you’ve come and your progress. 

Conclusion

Getting good at poker can appear a daunting challenge at first. However, you can become that professional you’ve always dreamed of with patience and consistency.

Focus on one thing at a time. An overload of information does more harm than good. You’ll progress faster when you take things a step at a time than when you’re trying to learn everything at once.

Photo by Unsplash

Liverpool are interested in signing Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez if Mohamed Salah leaves, according to Serie A journalist Niccolo Ceccarini.

The Lowdown: Martinez shines for Inter

The 24-year-old has become one of the key figures at Inter in recent years, scoring 14 goals in just 21 Serie A starts this season, not to mention registering two assists.

Martinez has been described as ‘spectacular’ by the one and only Lionel Messi, which is high praise indeed, and it could be that he is on the move at the end of the season, with Inter seemingly already eyeing up replacements in the shape of Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Scamacca.

The £63million-rated Argentine’s current deal in Milan expires in the summer of 2026.

The Latest: Liverpool keen on signing

Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb [via Sport Witness], Ceccarini claimed that Liverpool are interested in making a move for Martinez if Salah leaves:

“As for Lautaro, the club’s (Inter’s) position is very clear. The Argentine striker remains central and fundamental in the Nerazzurri project, but in the face of a big offer, Inter will still make a reflection.

“We have to understand if a big European name will come forward concretely. Liverpool is a possibility, especially if Salah should leave at the end of this season.”

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The Verdict: Hard to see happening

While Martinez is undoubtedly a special talent who could thrive at one of Europe’s top teams, it is hard to see Liverpool signing him this summer.

In Salah, Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino, the Reds already have five magnificent options in attack, so the Inter man would struggle for playing time if he came in.

The only way that a move would make sense is if Salah, Mane or Firmino moved on, with the trio all out of contract in 2023, but there is no guarantee that that will happen.

In other news, a journalist has made an exciting claim regarding one Liverpool target. Read more here.