Joshua Oha, Author at Matchplug Blog

Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Bayern Munich will continue their quest to retain the Bundesliga title this Saturday when they welcome top-four hopefuls RB Leipzig to Allianz Arena.

Bayern come into this tie sitting just one point ahead of Borussia Dortmund in the race for the league title. However, they have just two games to seal the title and must win this game to ensure that their title destiny remains in their hands by the last weekend of the league.

They were expected to choke last weekend when they faced Schalke 04. But Thomas Tuchel’s side ended up recording a massive 6-0 win. Returning to a packed-out Allianz Arena for the final time this season should provide a huge boost for the Bavarians, who scored eight unanswered goals across their last two Bundesliga wins.

The hosts have scored in each of their last 56 home league games. However, the last time they failed to do so was in a goalless draw against RB Leipzig back in 2020. So, they will know that this game will not come easy for them, especially as their visitors are desperate to secure Champions League football for next season.

Leipzig comes into this tie sitting in third place, four points ahead of fifth-placed Freiburg. So a win will secure a place for them top-four finish in the Bundesliga. But they could still qualify if they fail to win here and Freiburg fails to win.

Yet winning here and finishing as high as possible with the associated prize money remains a worthy cause. That’s not to mention the importance of maintaining momentum (W3) ahead of their DFB Pokal final against Eintracht Frankfurt next month.

Any continuation of Leipzig’s current four-game winning streak will likely rely on their solid backline playing at their best, as they have done for much of the season. Die Bullen have allowed opposition sides a league-low 284 shots and just 99 on target, making for impressive per-game averages of 8.88 and 3.09, respectively.

Despite this, Leipzig are winless in 15 of their 16 competitive H2Hs against Bayern Munich (W1, D6, L9), which includes their longest current winless streak against any side (D5, L6).

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Liverpool vs Aston Villa: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Liverpool will look to keep their top-four hopes alive when they welcome Aston Villa to Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s side kept themselves in contention for a place in the Champions League next season with a solid 3-0 away win to Leicester City in the last round. The win was their seventh in a row and guaranteed them a place in the Europa League next year.

The result also broke a five-game streak of winning by exactly one goal and gave them their third clean sheet in a row. Therefore, The Reds are in red-hot form ahead of their final home game of the season. They’ve made a habit of getting good results in their final match at Anfield, having won their last home game for the last six Premier League seasons.

However, Aston Villa travel to Liverpool in a confident mood, having ended a two-game losing streak without scoring a goal with a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

The result put Unia Emery’s side equal on points with seventh-placed Spurs prior to the weekend. So they remain at the doorstep of European qualification as finishing in seventh will qualify them for the Europa Conference League group stage.

That would be a remarkable achievement considering their last top-seven PL finish came back in the 2009/10 campaign. However, Villa have a bad history in the final away game of the season, having lost 23 of their final away game of a league campaign since the 1981/82 season (W5, D12).

Add to that; they have lost nine of their last ten league encounters against Liverpool (W1). Meanwhile, Liverpool have won 14 of their last 15 PL games played in May (D1). Click here for expert football predictions.

Atletico Madrid want another Barcelona veteran: Jordi Alaba linked with a move to Wanda Metropolitano

Atletico Madrid are reportedly looking to poach Barcelona again as they target veteran left-back Jordi Alba this summer.

The Blaugrana are looking to lower their wage bill this summer to allow them to sign new players, including their former star Lionel Messi.

They currently owe Alba around €38 million of salary due to deferred wages this summer, with his contract at Camp Nou set to expire in 2024. As such, Joan Laporta might either offer the 34-year-old a new deal with a pay cut or offload him this summer.

Although the Spanish defender has reiterated his desire to stay at the Catalan club beyond this summer, the emergence of Alejandro Balde at left-back has reduced Alba to a limited role under Xavi this season.

He is no longer the first choice left back, and his prominence in the team will only diminish next season, with Marcos Alonso also an option in that position.

But Atletico Madrid feels that Alba still has a lot to offer and could be tempted to sign him this summer, according to a report by GOAL.

The Madrid-based club will try to test Barca’s resolve to keep the player beyond this summer. But according to the report, the Spanish La Liga champions could use Atletico’s interest in Alba to acquire the services of Yannick Carrasco, who has been one of the key members of Diego Simeone’s side. The Belgian is an experienced head in the Los Rojiblancos saud and was key to their challenge for the second spot in La Liga following tremendous performances since the turn of the year.

Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal are also reportedly interested in Alba, but Barcelona have the better option of working a deal with Atletico that benefits both clubs.

Lyon vs Monaco: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Ligue 1 returns this Friday when Olympique Lyonnais hosts Monaco in the 36th Round of the 2022/23 Ligue 1 season.

The hosts are looking to get back to winning ways after beginning life under new owner John Textor with a disappointing 2-1 loss to Clermont Foot in their last outing.

The new American investor owner wants his club to become a regular in the Champions League. But that might not be possible this season, given that his side currently sits four points behind the top five with just three games and nine points left to play.

However, they can at least narrow the gap between them and the top teams with fourth-placed Monaco, who are currently nine points above them, a good place to begin.

Given their rock-solid competitive home form since February, Les Olympians will fancy their chances here (W5, D3, L1). Furthermore, winning three of their five home league games against sides beginning the round above them (W3, L2) will also give them huge confidence.

Meanwhile, Monaco has bigger fish to fry, as they can secure a top-four spot here if they win. A top-four finish would at least guarantee them Europa League, given that Champions League football is looking unlikely, as they are eight points behind third-placed Marseille.

Despite this, a win here could be enough to secure a top-four berth with two games to go depending on results elsewhere, given that Marseille will play fifth-placed Lille this weekend.

But to achieve this, the visitors must improve their patchy recent away form (W2, D2, L1). A win will be new territory, though, given that Monaco are winless in their last four away games to top-seven sides (D2, L2).

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Cadiz vs Real Valladolid: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

La Liga returns this Friday, with relegation strugglers Cadiz and Real Valladolid facing off at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla.

The hosts come into this tie desperate to return to winning ways after recording back-to-back away losses to Atletico Madrid (5-1) and Real Mallorca (1-0). However, despite these losses, Cadiz remain in a relatively strong position regarding their survival prospects.

They sit in 16th place, just one point ahead of 18th-placed Getafe. But they have a better run in given that two of their four remaining La Liga fixtures are at home to current bottom-half opponents.

They come into this round with an unbeaten La Liga home record this season against bottom sides (W3, D4), making them confident ahead of this tie.

Meanwhile, Real Valladolid are level on points with their hosts but are a place lower on the table due to a worse goal difference. In addition, they come into this tie on a run of four consecutive losses, with a 3-0 home loss to Sevilla the most recent in that sequence.

They will be desperate to win here against a weaker opponent to ensure that they don’t end this round in the bottom three. It is even more important to win here as they will still play 2022/23 La Liga champions Barcelona in late May.

But having won just two of the last ten head-to-head meetings with Cadiz (D5, L3), they will not be so confident going into this tie.

Meanwhile, all but two of Valladolid’s last 13 La Liga games scored more than 2.5 goals. So we can predict over 2.5 goals here.

Brentford striker Ivan Toney BANNED for EIGHT MONTHS for betting offences

The English Football Association (FA) has handed Brentford striker Ivan Toney an eight-month ban after being found guilty of a string of betting offences.

The 27-year-old England international was charged with 262 breaches of the FA’s rules in regard to betting in November and December. Thirty were later withdrawn, but he was found guilty and suspended from all football and football-related activities until January 16, 2024.

The FA confirmed his punishment in a statement: “Ivan Toney has been suspended from all football and football-related activity with immediate effect for eight months, fined £50,000 and warned as to his future conduct for breaches of The FA’s Betting Rules.

“The Brentford FC forward was charged with 262 breaches of FA Rule E8 in total between February 25 2017, and January 23 2021. The FA subsequently withdrew 30 of these breaches, and he admitted to the remaining 232.

“His sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission following a personal hearing. He is permitted to return to training only with his club for the final four months of his suspension starting from September 17 2023.

“The independent Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for these sanctions will be published in due course, and The FA will wait to review them before commenting further.”

Toney has also been fined £50,000 and warned over his future conduct. He cannot train with Brentford’s first team until September 17.

A statement by the club confirming their notice of the ban read: “Brentford FC notes the decision of an independent Regulatory Commission to issue an eight-month ban from all football and football-related activity to Ivan Toney with immediate effect.

“Ivan was charged with breaches of FA rule E8 and had a personal hearing earlier this week.

“Brentford FC is currently awaiting the publication of the written reasons of the Independent Regulatory Commission. We will review them before considering our next steps.”

Liverpool confirm departure of Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita

Liverpool have confirmed that the quartet of James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita will leave the club this summer.

All four players will be out of contract at the club this summer and were thought to be on their way out. However, it has now been confirmed that they will leave this summer as free agents.

Milner joined the club from Manchester City as a free agent in 2015 and have enjoyed eight successful years there. He was also an influential figure at the club and was made the club’s assistant captain. He is thought to be on his way to Brighton, who are keen to land him due to his experience and leadership.

Meanwhile, Firmino joined the club at the same time as Milner, initially playing as a winger under Brendan Rodgers before making his name as a false nine under Jurgen Klopp. The German manager had wanted to keep the Brazilian at Anfield beyond this season, but the 31-year-old insisted it was time for a new challenge.

Barcelona are thought to be interested in his services, but nothing has been agreed yet.

Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita joined the clubs at different times and have won several trophies with the team. But their time at Anfield have been marred by injuries and lack of form, despite their early promise.

A club statement on the news of the four players’ departures reads: “Liverpool FC can confirm Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, James Milner, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will leave the club upon the expiry of their contracts this summer.

“The quartet will each embark on new chapters in their careers following the conclusion of the 2022-23 season, having helped the Reds lift a host of the game’s biggest honours during their spells at Anfield.”

The club also confirmed that ‘special acknowledgements’ will be paid to the players during Liverpool’s last home game for the season against Aston Villa.

“With the visit of Aston Villa on Saturday being the Reds’ final home fixture of the campaign, special acknowledgements will be paid to the quartet at Anfield, with further tributes to follow across the club’s digital platforms after the end of the season as we wish Roberto, Naby, James, Alex and their families the very best for the future.

“All four players will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for the contribution they have made.”

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard in line for a new contract

Arsenal are reportedly set to offer their captain Martin Odegaard a bumper new contract.

This is according to 90min, who claim that the Norwegian will sit down with the Gunners to discuss a new contract when the season ends.

Odegaard joined Arsenal permanently in the summer of 2021 after an impressive six-month loan spell from Real Madrid. He has since gone on to establish himself as one of the Gunners’ most important players, becoming the captain of the team and contributing in goals and assists.

He has scored 15 goals and registered eight assists in 35 Premier League games this year. Such is his importance to Arsenal that the Gunners are keen to hand out a bumper new contract to reflect his emergence as one of the leading midfielders in the Premier League.

According to the 90min report, Odegaard’s representatives are happy to sit down with Arsenal in the coming weeks with a view to an extension which will include a significant pay rise.

His current contract at the Emirates, which expires in 2025, sees him earn £115,000 a week, making him the sixth highest-paid player in the team. However, that sum is less than half the sum that the club’s highest earner, Gabriel Jesus, currently collects at the club.

Having grown in stature and importance at the club, Arsenal want to reward Oodegaard with a new deal reflecting his status. The fact that he has just two years left on his deal at the club is also pushing the Gunners to move towards thrashing out a new deal.

Bayer Leverkusen vs AS Roma: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

AS Roma will look to book their place in their second European final in two seasons when they travel to BayArena to play Bayer Leverkusen.

Leverkusen were beaten 1-0 in the first leg but have the chance at redemption at the BayArena, where they have won five of their last seven games in all competitions (D1, L1).

However, the hosts come into this tie in poor form, having not won a game in their last four tries (D2, L2). Their last outing was a 1-1 draw with Stuttgart, which has all but ended their chance of finishing in the top four and qualifying for the UCL next season.

Therefore their only chance of playing UCL football next campaign is by winning the UEL this season. Beating Roma here by multiple goals is the first step toward achieving that goal.

Coach Xabi Alonso indicated, “Nothing is lost” after their defeat in Rome. But having not scored more than once in their last four games, it could be another disappointing end to what has been a brilliant UEFA Europa League campaign.

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho will look to take Roma to their second European final in as many years when they visit Germany on Thursday. The Portuguese tactician will fancy his side’s chances of winning this tie given that Giallorossi have a tremendous record of winning ten of their last eleven European ties following a 1-0 success in the first leg at home (L1).

However, that lone exception did come against a Bundesliga club, but Mourinho will be more concerned about their failure to score in each of their last three European away ties (D1, L2), with both those defeats coming by a 1-0 scoreline.

Should this tie end 1-0 in favour of the hosts, then a place in the final in Budapest will be determined in extra time and potentially a penalty shootout. Such an occurrence would be another huge test for a squad that has “reached their limit”, according to Mourinho.

Meanwhile, Roma lost five of their last six (D1) UEFA visits to Germany, including a 3-1 H2H defeat in 2004.

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Sevilla vs Juventus: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

The battle for a place in the final of the UEFA Europa League resumes this Thursday as Juventus travel to Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán to to face Sevilla in the second leg of their semi-final tie.

The first leg at the Allianz Stadium ended level, with Juventus coming from a goal down to rescue a 1-1 draw in the 97th minute.

Despite narrowly missing out on a win in the first leg, José Luis Mendilibar’s side will come into this tie as the favourites, given that they play at their famed Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, where they have enjoyed remarkable success.

Sevilla beat Manchester United 3-0 on this ground in the last round after securing a credible 2-2 draw at Old Trafford. However, after winning a 3-0 win away to Real Valladolid in their last outing, they will fancy their chances to win this game.

The Andalusian side can bank on an almost perfect home record in all UEL football since 2018/19 (W15, D2) to push them through this tie. That run includes six clean sheets in the post-group stage phase (W5 D1).

Meanwhile, Juventus will feel lucky to still be in this tie after a lucky escape in the first leg. They come into this tie on the back of a 2-0 win over Cremonese at the weekend. That win means they need just two points in their remaining three Serie A games to secure a place in the next UEFA Champions League group stage.

That should allow them to throw everything they have at this tie. Having rested key players like Filip Kostić, Manuel Locatelli and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny in the last game, they will hope that they can continue their decent away run in the competition this season (W2, D1).Meanwhile, the first period has been the highest-scoring half in just one of Sevilla’s last 12 competitive games. So, we suggest a first-half goal prediction here.

Joshua Oha

Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Liverpool vs Aston Villa: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Atletico Madrid want another Barcelona veteran: Jordi Alaba linked with a move to Wanda Metropolitano

Lyon vs Monaco: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Cadiz vs Real Valladolid: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Brentford striker Ivan Toney BANNED for EIGHT MONTHS for betting offences

Liverpool confirm departure of Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard in line for a new contract

Bayer Leverkusen vs AS Roma: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Sevilla vs Juventus: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

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