Joshua Oha, Author at Matchplug Blog

James Milner SET for Brighton Move this Summer

Veteran Liverpool midfielder James Milner has reportedly agreed to join Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion this summer when his contract at Anfield expires.

The veteran midfielder has been at Liverpool since 2015, when he joined from Manchester City on a free transfer. He has been a key player for Jurgen Klopp on and off the pitch, with his leadership and work rate often hailed by the German boss.

The former Borussia Dortmund boss wanted to keep Milner beyond this season, but the 337-year-old wanted a fresh challenge.

He received interest from soon-to-be Premier League side Burnley. Still, he chose Brighton as he has been impressed by Roberto De Zerbi’s tactical innovation, which has seen Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola praise the Seagull’s football.

The former Leeds United midfielder sees the switch to the Amex as an opportunity to further challenge himself by adjusting to new demands and helping Brighton’s highly-rated conveyor belt of talent to apply themselves most professionally.

Milner’s mate Adam Lallana is currently playing a similar role at the club and has told the 37-year-old how great De Zerbi is with the elder statesmen in the squad, viewing them as more than just players but teachers.

Milner will mark 22 seasons in the Premier League in the new campaign. He represents an extension of the club’s policy to balance exceptional young talent with a core group of experienced leaders that set standards on and off the pitch.

While nothing has been finalised yet between both parties, according to a report by Sky Sports, Milner and the club have aligned over the move.

Milner will depart Liverpool as a club legend, having won a league title, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, World Club Cup and Super Cup.

Udinese vs Napoli: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Napoli will look to seal the Scudetto title this Thursday when they travel to Udine to face Udinese in the 33rd Round of the 2022/23 Serie A season.

With just six games left in Serie A this season, the hosts have nothing to play for except gathering points and acting as party spoilers.

They come into this tie sitting in 13th position, 15 points clear of the relegation zone and 16 behind the European spots. So they can relax and roll over for Napoli.

But they do not appear to be willing to do that even though they were beaten 1-0 by Lecce in their last outing. That defeat was a third straight away league defeat without scoring for the hosts, who should be relieved to return to Dacia Arena, where they are unbeaten in six league outings (W2, D4).

Any optimism drawn from that run is dampened when they see champions-elect Napoli are next to visit, and that largely owes to the fact that Udinese haven’t beaten the table toppers in any head-to-head meeting since April 2016 (D1, L13).

Meanwhile, Napoli failed to capitalise on Lazio’s loss to Inter Milan last week to seal the Serie A title with a 1-1 draw, with Salernitana extending their wait for the Scudetto a little longer.

The visitors will have the advantage of knowing what will be required of them following Lazio’s game against Sassuolo the previous day, with the potential heading into this game that they may not even need to win to claim the title.

However, regardless of Lazio’s result, they will want to win this game and end 33 years of hurt.

Their fate should be sealed here, considering they’ve won their last eight away league games; a run made all the more remarkable because Luciano Spalletti’s side conceded just once across all eight games.

Napoli haven’t been as watertight in Thursday-held Serie A away games, though, securing just one shut-out from their last six games (W1, D2, L3).

Click here to get betting tips today.

Brighton vs Manchester United: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Manchester United will take their fight for a top-four finish to Amex Stadium this Thursday, where they face high-flying Brighton and Hove Albion.

The hosts are enjoying a remarkable campaign in the Premier League this season and are among five teams looking to finish in the remaining European spots.

They have seen some remarkable results this season but hit their most significant height last Sunday in a 6-0 thumping of Wolverhampton Wanderers. They achieved that result despite resting several first-team players and could have had even more if not for some iffy finishing.

Highly-rated head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who is leading the charge for Brighton’s first-ever European qualification, described it as an honour to work with his squad.

The Seagulls trail the top seven by just two points ahead of this round while retaining games in hand over their rivals ahead of this revenge match against a Manchester United side that beat them in the FA Cup semi-final.

Meanwhile, Manchester United will look to continue their march towards a top-four finish with another important win. The Red Devils kept their place in the top four with a narrow 1-0 win over Aston Villa last weekend.

So, a return to the UEFA Champions League now looks almost certain, with Erik ten Hag’s men needing just three wins to seal a return to the UCL.

They will be desperate to win this game against a Brighton side that have won three of the five Premier League head-to-heads played at the Amex Stadium since they were promoted (L2).

Yet, with just two away wins in the league this calendar year (D2, L3) and 31 out of their 39 goals conceded away from home, this could be another long night for the Red Devils.

Meanwhile, Brighton have kept six clean sheets in their last ten games at home in all competitions. So we can expect a game of few goals.

Click here to get a sure home win prediction.

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.

Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Real Madrid will travel to San Sebastian on Tuesday to face Real Sociedad in the 33rd Round of the 2022/23 La Liga season.

The hosts kept their quest for a top-four finish alive last Friday courtesy of a 2-0 win over local rivals Osasuna. The win kept them locked in the fourth position, five points ahead of Villarreal and in the fifth position.

So they are now well-placed to finish in the La Liga top four for the first time since 2012/13. Star forward Takefusa Kubo declared they “have the right to dream–we are going for the Champions League.”

However, the month of May won’t be easy as they will take on each of the three sides above them, starting here with Real Madrid. The fact that manager Imanol Alguacil has never won the opposite number Carlo Ancelotti (D1, L2), points to the job’s difficulty.

Meanwhile, Madrid come into this tie on the back of a 4-2 win over Almeria, with Karim Benzema scoring a hattrick to make him fourth-highest all-time scorer.

The hosts will hope that Ancelotti rests the Frenchman with the upcoming CDR final and Champions League semi-final in mind. But Ancelotti’s options appear limited, with star forward Vinícius Júnior suspended after picking up his sixth yellow card of the season for dissent.

Yet, Madrid have won just one of their last four league away fixtures (D1, L2), and can’t afford to take their eye off the ball in a La Liga context as they bid to stay ahead of city rivals Atlético in the fight for second place behind champions-elect Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Los Blancos have averaged 1.4 goals per game across their last five La Liga road games (W2, D1, L2), so they should at least keep Sociedad’s defence busy regardless of the end result.

That said we can expect over 2.5 goals scored in this game. Click here to get winning soccer predictions.

Arsenal vs Chelsea: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Arsenal and Chelsea will renew their rivalry this Tuesday when they meet at the Emirates for the 61st Premier League head-to-head meeting.

The Gunners are looking to reclaim their place at the top of the Premier League table, albeit temporarily, after falling flat on their faces last weekend in a 4-1 loss to Manchester City.

That loss was not the main reason they are sitting second in the PL table, though, as their run of three consecutive draws before that game gave the initiative to City. So they enter this game without a win in their last four games (D3, L1).

For a side keen on winning the PL this season, such form is terrible and cannot give them a place on the podium. With the title destination now officially out of their hands, Mikel Arteta’s side will now hope City drops points to allow them a way back in the race.

They will have to keep winning and take their chances should Pep Guardiola’s side drop points. And given that they have never lost against Chelsea in the Premier League between Tuesday and Thursday (W4, D6), it should boost their morale.

However, Chelsea will feel like they can get something from this game, given how poor Arsenal have been. The Blues are in dire form, having lost their last five games under Frank Lampard.

Their total points tally after 32 rounds of games has kept them closer to the relegation zone than the top four, with their 39 points the same as Bournemouth, who are still technically in the relegation zone.

Although the Cherries have played two games more than Chelsea, Lampard will know that getting into a scrappy fight to stay inside the top half isn’t impossible.

Should they lose here, Chelsea will lose 20 competitive games in one season for the first time since 1987/88. But despite all the negatives, the Blues can boast a relatively respectable record in PL London derbies this season (W3, D4, L4). Yet Chelsea have won just one PL game against current top-half opposition this season (W1, D6, L9).

Click here to get correct score predictions.

Liverpool eye move for PSG star

Liverpool are reportedly considering moving for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Renato Sanches next season.

The Reds are in the market for a dynamic midfielder, having seen their midfield area in the field suffer degradation.

They have long wanted to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund but recently had to give up the chase for the Englishman due to his price tag.

But that hasn’t stopped them from looking to sign a midfielder as they attempt to rebuild in the summer. They hope to bring in at least two midfield players this summer and see Renato Sanches as a solid option.

This is according to Fichajes, who claims that Jurgen Klopp is an admirer of the Portuguese international and wants to bring him to the club.

As per the report, the player will likely cost Liverpool around €30 million, a fraction of what they were asked to pay for Bellingham.

Sanches is a smooth operator in midfield and will bring the kind of energy and guile often missing in Liverpool since Georgina Wijnaldum left the club two seasons ago.

The 25-year-old joined PSG last summer but has failed to nail down a spot in the starting XI due to a lack of fitness and form. So he would be willing to leave Parc des Princes if he is guaranteed more game time at Anfield and the right offer is tabled.

Joshua Oha

James Milner SET for Brighton Move this Summer

Udinese vs Napoli: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Brighton vs Manchester United: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

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

Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Arsenal vs Chelsea: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Liverpool eye move for PSG star

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