March 30, 2018 - Matchplug Blog

James Rodriguez prepared to snub Premier League interest and remain with Bayern Munich

Liverpool’s hopes of replacing Philippe Coutinho with James Rodriguez have been dashed after the South American claimed he was happy at Bayern Munich.

Rodriguez joined the Bavarians last summer on a two years loan deal and seems to have rediscovered his best form with the Germans. He has just 15 months left on his current loan deal, but with the amount of game time he has been enjoying so far, he is not interested in leaving the Bundesliga just yer.

Liverpool were looking to bring him in next summer after they failed to replace Philippe Coutinho in the winter transfer window. Rodriguez also faces renewed competition for play at Bayern when Leon Goretzka joins next summer and Serge Gnabry returns on loan at Hoffenheim.

Manchester United and Chelsea were also eyeing a move for the FIFA 2014 World Cup best goal award winner.

Liverpool will now turn their attention to other midfield targets with Jurgen Klopp expected to invest heavily in that area of his team as he expects Emre Can to leave after this season.

One player who could join the Reds is Napoli’s Jorginho and the Brazil-born Italy international impressed Anfield bosses again in Italy’s game against England on Tuesday.

Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund Match Preview, Football Prediction and Betting Tips

Bayern were expected to win the Bundesliga in the last round of matches, but some poor defending saw them lost to RB Leipzig and delay their title celebration. However, they do have a chance to win the title with maximum points here if Freiburg avoids a defeat at Schalke. If they win here it would also mean they have beaten BVB three times in a single season for the very first time.

One star man for this game in Robert Lewandoski. The Pole left BVB in the summer of 2014 and he has developed into one of the world’s deadliest strikers. He has netted 7 times against his former employer and has 23 Bundesliga goals already this season.

Bayern Munich are the form favourites ahead of this game, however, Peter Stoeger is yet to lose a league game as BVB manager and he could mastermind a win here.

Bayern have 4 wins in their last 5 meetings with BVB including the last two times they have met this season, would this be a third time lucky for them or can Michy Batshuayi fire BVB to a win a delay Bayern’s title triumph again?

Bayern have won 11 of their 13 league games at home this season and over 2.5 goals were netted in 77% of those games.

Sevilla FC vs Barcelona Match Preview, Match Prediction and Betting Tips

With Champions League commitments on their mind, Vincenzo Montella and Ernesto Valverde could spring some surprise changes in this game, but both of these teams would need the maximum points.

Sevilla have earned a lot of plaudits for their exploits in the Champions League, but the Seville based side have been struggling in the league since they named Vincenzo Montella as their new manager. They are risking a third straight defeat if they fail to win here, and they have 8 losses from their last 15 games. They have just two wins from their last 7 home games, with three losses from their last six home games under Montella.

Barcelona would be delighted that Argentina decided against using Lionel Messi in the last international break and Ernesto Valverde may also feel he does not really have to make changes as they don’t play in the Champions League until Wednesday. Messi has netted in his last 6 games for Barca and should score here, while the Catalans have won 4 of their last 6 visits to Sevilla and all of their last 5 meetings together.

Sevilla have also conceded at least once in their last 14 home league games ahead of this match.