May 3, 2023 - Matchplug Blog

PSG bans Lionel Messi for two weeks

Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly handed Lionel Messi a two-week ban for an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia on Monday.

The Argentina international travelled to the Middle East as part of his agreement with the oil-rich nation. However, the timing of the trip wasn’t great as it came just a few hours after his side had lost 3-1 at home to Lorient.

According to reports, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner did not inform senior officials at the club about his trip, and that infuriated them, leading to his punishment.

According to a tweet by football journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Ligue 1 giants will suspend the attacker for two weeks, with the suspension expected to see him forfeit his weekly wages.

“Paris Saint-Germain have decided to suspend Lionel Messi with immediate effect for two weeks, sources confirm,” Romano said.

“The suspension will take place now after Messi’s trip to Saudi NOT authorized by the club as per @RMCSport.

“Messi’s side, still waiting on official communication.”

Meanwhile, a report by GOAL has stated that Paris Saint-Germain have decided against renewing Messi’s contract, following his unsolicited trip to Saudi Arabia.

This opens up an opportunity for Messi’s former side Barcelona to hasten up their pursuit of the player.

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to RETURN to Europe this summer

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly wants to quit Al-Nassr just five months after signing for the Saudi Pro League club.

The Portuguese icon joined Al-Nassr in the January transfer window after his contract at Manchester United was mutually terminated.

He left the club after one and half season acrimoniously after a shocking tell-all interview with Piers Morgan in which he criticised the club and head coach Erik ten Hag.

But just five months after joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in a world record deal, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is reported to be looking to quit.

According to reports by Spanish newspaper El Nacional, he is tired of life in Saudi Arabia and wants to return to Europe this summer.

As per the report, Real Madrid are the next club on the agenda, with the Spanish giants still maintaining a good relationship with Ronaldo.

Los Blancos will reportedly offer the Portugal international the opportunity to make his return. However, the report says that the role would entail him becoming an ambassador meaning any playing time would not be included.

“Florentino Perez has guaranteed that [Ronaldo] will not lack work at the Santiago Bernabeu,” the report stated.

“But obviously, he wouldn’t do it to be a player, because he considers that it is a cycle that should be considered closed.”

Although Ronaldo offered himself as a player, Perez and Carlo Ancelotti quickly rejected that offer. So as it stands, Ronaldo might have to continue his stay at Al Nassr until he finds a top club in Europe.

Not every club can afford the superstar, who commands the heftiest weekly salary in world football at the moment.

Liverpool vs Fulham: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Liverpool will look to continue their march higher up the table when they welcome Fulham to Anfield this Wednesday.

Just a few weeks ago, the prospect of the hosts not featuring in European competition next season was a genuine reality, with Fulham the side most thought would crack the top six.

But a remarkable turnaround has seen them win four Premier League matches on the bounce to quash those fears. The most recent in that sequence was their dramatic 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday.

Despite going 3-0 up after just 15 minutes in that game, Liverpool required substitute Diogo Jota to net a 94th-minute winner to secure all three points.

That result has left them in fifth position going into this game with Fulham. They can still finish in the top four, given that they are currently six points behind Man United, having played a game more. But that will require them to win all their games and hope the Red Devils and Newcastle United drop points.

Meanwhile, a few weeks back, Fulham were expected to be among the top six outsiders. But the Cottagers find themselves ten points behind the top six with almost no chance of European football.

They have lost their last two games, with their last outing a 2-1 loss to Manchester City at home.

They will be desperate to end that losing run and extend their recent unbeaten run against Liverpool to four matches (W1, D2).

However, they have lost seven of the last eight matches against a team starting the day above them in the standings (W1).

So that will be something they look to overcome when travelling to Anfield. But the odds will be stacked against them, given Liverpool’s form at home, and they have lost four of their last five away assignments (W1).

Meanwhile, Liverpool have scored a PL-high 220 goals in Wednesday fixtures while winning their last eight matches on this day. So we can expect another goal-fest and BTTS/GG.

Click here to get a sure home win prediction.

Manchester City vs West Ham: Preview and Expert Analysis

Manchester City will look to retain their place at the top of the Premier League table when they welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

After taking the title initiative courtesy of a 4-1 win over Arsenal, the hosts shot themselves to the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Fulham at the weekend.

The win against the Cottagers was their third win in a down and extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 18 hands (W15, D3). Goals have been the foundation of that run, as they have scored 3+ goals in 12 of those games.

They are even more dangerous at the Etihad, where they have won their last 13 games in all competitions while scoring 3+ goals in the last seven of those games.

So they will fancy their chances of beating West Ham here. At the same time, a run of just one defeat in their last 16 meetings with the Hammers will boost their confidence (W13, D3).

Meanwhile, West Ham will be desperate to get back to winning ways after losing their last two games to stay within the relegation zone.

Their most recent defeat was a 4-3 loss to fellow Londoners Crystal Palace–their first-ever PL away defeat after scoring thrice. That result kept them four points ahead of the relegation teams with five games to play.

So that makes winning this game necessary as they could find themselves inside the bottom three if they lose here and at the weekend. But with a sorry away from that has won just three games away from home this season (W3, D3, L10), there is little hope they can get an unlikely win here.

Meanwhile, given that the visitors have kept just one clean sheet in their last six games, City’s attack could enjoy another feast at the Etihad. So a high-scoring game with over 2.5 goals is expected.

Click here to get accurate football predictions today.

Day: May 3, 2023

PSG bans Lionel Messi for two weeks

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to RETURN to Europe this summer

Liverpool vs Fulham: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Manchester City vs West Ham: Preview and Expert Analysis

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