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. Read more: Sevilla vs Juventus: Preview and Expert Football Prediction  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. Click here to get accurate football prediction. 

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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.  Read more: Bayer Leverkusen vs AS Roma: Preview and Expert Football Prediction  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.

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Julian Nagelsmann’s agent AIMS Dig at Chelsea over manager pursuit

The agent of former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann has claimed that his client was right to reject Chelsea’s advances. Chelsea earmarked the German who Bayern sacked in March to become boss after the Blues sacked their manager Graham Potter around the same time Nagelsmann was sacked.  However, after it seemed the former RB Leipzig coach would be heading to Stamford Bridge, he decided to pull out of the race. Chelsea quickly turned their focus to Mauricio Pochettino and have reportedly reached a full agreement with the former Tottenham and PSG boss. Read more: Newcastle could MISS OUT on Premier League top four  But Naglesmann’s agent has backed his client for walking away from Chelsea’s offer. Speaking on Bild podcast Phrasenmaher via 90min, Nagelsmann’s agent, Volker Struth, insisted he was glad a move did not come to fruition. “I can confirm that Chelsea were quick to call,” he began. “There were some phone conversations. “It was the right decision [by Nagelsmann] not to go there. It’s a club in troubled waters at the moment. And their transfer policy, spending a few hundred million euros, has raised expectations that need to be met. There were also some other issues. “He was their number one; that was our information. I believe it would have happened if he had wanted it.”

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Real Madrid to battle Manchester City for Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies

Spanish giants Real Madrid are reportedly targeting Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies ahead of the summer transfer window. Los Blancos are looking to build their team with the long-term in mind and have identified the 22-year-old Canadian as the perfect candidate to become first-choice left-back. Davies starred at the World Cup in Qatar. Los Blancos sees him as one of the best left-backs in the world, with the Spanish giants seeing him as the heir to Marcelo’s throne at Santiago Bernabeu.  Read more: Chelsea RESUMES Mason Mount contract talks after Mauricio Pochettino agreement However, Real Madrid aren’t alone in their desire to sign Davies, with Premier League giants Manchester City also in the race for the Canada star. City are short in the left-back position after sending first-choice left-back Joao Cancelo on loan to Bayern Munich.  The Portuguese international is not expected to return to the Etihad after falling out with City coach Pep Guardiola. And City do not see their only current specialist left-back, Sergio Gomez, as able to lead them forward. Hence, their desire to sign Davies.  Meanwhile, the 22-year-old’s contract with Bayern Munich runs till the summer of 2025. And according to Sky Sports, Bayern will be reluctant to let him leave, let alone depart cheaply. Since joining Bayern in 2018, Davies has won the Bundesliga four times and the Champions League. 

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Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Preview and Expert Football Prediction 

Manchester City and Real Madrid will renew their UEFA Champions League rivalry this Wednesday when both sides meet at the Etihad for the second leg of their semi-final tie. The Cityzens went to Madrid in the first leg and snatched a decent draw, with a thunderbolt from Kevin De Bruyne cancelling Vinicius Junior’s equally great strike. So this tie is finely poised ahead of this second leg at the Etihad, which City will feel confident of winning, given their recent record at the Etihad.  Pep Guardiola’s side have won their last 14 games at home in all competitions. Added to that is an unbeaten UCL run at the Etihad Stadium that stretches back to September 2018 (W22, D2).  Read more: Inter Milan vs AC Milan: Preview and Expert Football Prediction  Overall they are unbeaten in 22 competitive games (W18, D4), with a 3-0 win over Everton the most recent in that sequence. That win kept their match towards the Premier League title alive, as they require just one more win to secure it. However, it is this competition that they crave the most, and Guardiola will be desperate to do all it takes here to overcome Madrid and book a place in Istanbul, where they will face either AC Milan or Inter Milan. But Madrid are no easy opponent and will come into this tie in a confident mood after resting many of their players at the weekend. Los Blancos are looking to book a place in their final for the second year in a row, while manager Carlo Ancelotti is aiming for five consecutive UCL wins over British opposition on foreign soil. However, that run only started after they lost 4-3 here last season, so the Italian knows how difficult it is to play City away with Madrid winless in four away trips to the Etihad (D2, L2). Click here to get accurate soccer predictions.

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Newcastle could MISS OUT on Premier League top four 

Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have claimed that third-placed Newcastle United are more likely to drop out of the top four than Manchester United before the end of the season. Both teams have enjoyed impressive seasons and have spent most of the recent months in the top four. However, they are now under pressure from Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side. The Reds have won seven league games in a row to narrow the gap between them and the two teams to one point. They have scored 20 goals in their last seven games while keeping three clean sheets in their last three games, leading to suggestions that they are back to their best. However, they have played a game more than Manchester United and Newcastle, meaning their top-four destiny isn’t in their hands. But Neville and Carragher have insisted there is a possibility that Eddie Howe’s side will miss out on qualifying for the Champions League. Read more: Manchester United target FOUR summer signings  “I think Newcastle have been unbelievable all season,” Carragher said on Monday Night Football.  “They’ve been one of the teams I’ve looked forward to watching. They’ve been outstanding. Even when they drop points, it’s not necessarily they play badly; they just drop points.  “But yeah, I think that Brighton game (on Thursday) is absolutely huge, and if they drop points in that, I think there will be a big worry.” Fellow pundit Neville backed up Carragher’s view and stated that Newcastle’s fixtures made it more difficult for them than Erik ten Hag’s side. The Magpies face Brighton and Leicester at home and Chelsea away, while the Red Devils travel to Bournemouth before hosting Chelsea and Fulham to end the season. “Newcastle is a little bit of a wobble by losing to Arsenal and drawing at Leeds, so I’d say probably Newcastle (to miss out), and that’s not me being overconfident, but I think I’d be more comfortable if I was United than Newcastle looking at it with the games. ‘Chelsea away last game of the season. I know Chelsea have been awful, but it’s still quite difficult.’ Neville continued: “I mean, the unthinkable could happen (United missing out on the top four). I’ve always expected Liverpool to go on this run and finish in the top four. I actually thought Newcastle would drop off before this, but they’ve been sensational. “I thought Man United would get in the top four, so it’d be harsh on Newcastle if they didn’t and obviously, United have comfortable games there.  “They’ve got a team near the bottom of the league and two games at home, so they’ll be shooting themselves in the foot if they don’t get in the top four.”

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Chelsea RESUMES Mason Mount contract talks after Mauricio Pochettino agreement

Chelsea are reportedly planning to accelerate contract talks with midfielder Mason Mount following their imminent hiring of Mauricio Pochettino as the new manager. The Blues are close to reaching a full agreement with the former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss, who is set to fly into London and sign a contract in the coming days. After months of uncertainty, the Argentine is expected to take over from Frank Lampard at the end of the season. And with that sorted out, Chelsea are expected now to turn their focus on the future of midfielder Mount. The 24-year-old’s deal at the club expires next summer, and he has previously rejected the offer of an extension. As a result, the club has told him that he will be sold this summer if he does not change his stance. Read more: Barcelona will do EVERYTHING to sign Lionel Messi And now, according to a report by 90min, Chelsea want to return to the negotiation table. They feel confident that they can persuade Mount this time, with the imminent arrival of Pochettino seen as the primary reason the midfielder would commit to new terms.  Pochettino is understood to be a massive fan of the 24-year-old England international and has made it clear to Chelsea that he wants them to fight to keep the academy graduate beyond this summer.  Should Mount renew his contract at Stamford Bridge, it will be a massive blow to Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool, who are keen on his services. The German boss wants to rebuild his ageing midfield and sees the 24-year-old as a perfect fit.

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Inter Milan vs AC Milan: Preview and Expert Football Prediction 

The Champions League return this Tuesday with Inter Milan and AC Milan facing each other for the second time in a week when they meet at San Siro in the second leg of their UCL semi-final tie. Inter come into this tie in serious form, having won each of their last seven games in all competitions. The most recent in that sequence was a 4-2 win over Sassuolo at the weekend. That result kept them on course to finish in the Serie A top four, as they ended the round sitting in third position, five points ahead of fifth-placed AC Milan.  Read more: Real Betis vs Rayo Vallecano: Preview and Expert Football Prediction They will not turn their attention to the Champions League, where they will look to secure their first European final since 2010. Inter put one foot in the final thanks to a 2-0 win in the first leg of this tie, with goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan giving Simone Inzaghi’s men a commanding first-leg lead. They only need to secure a place in Istanbul to avoid defeat here. They will fancy their chances here because they have kept four clean sheets from their five 2022/23 UCL knockout games.  Meanwhile, having been humbled in the first leg of this semi-final, things went from bad to worse for AC Milan, as they were humiliated by relegation-battling Spezia in the league.  That result leaves their hopes of UCL qualification for next season through a top-four finish in Serie A in tatters. So their best chance to play in the UCL is to win this tournament in this campaign. Stefano Pioli will be hoping his side can run this around at San Siro, where they enjoyed good form in Europe this season, despite a 2-0 loss in the first leg.  However, the Rosenneri haven’t won a UCL knockout game when they are the designated away side since 2006/07 (D4, L6). And their record of just one win in their last eight away games (D4, L3) also complicates their chances here. Meanwhile, AC Milan’s last eight games in all competitions have produced exactly two total goals. So, we can expect an under 2.5 goals game here. 

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Granit Xhaka attracting interest from Bayer Leverkusen

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has reportedly told his teammates he wants to return to the Bundesliga, with Bayer Leverkusen interested in his services. According to a report by Sky Germany, Xabi Alonso’s side are expressing a continued interest in the Swiss midfielder’s services. The 30-year-old’s future at the Emirates is still in the air as he is heading into the final year of his Arsenal contract. And according to the report, he is contemplating a return to the Bundesliga, despite establishing himself as a key player for Mikel Arteta. Read more: Manchester United target FOUR summer signings  Leverkusen have long held an interest in Xhaka and were close to signing him last summer before he managed to turn around his fortunes at Arsenal.  But he has now told teammates about returning to the German top flight, a league he played for four years when he was with Borussia Mönchengladbach. However, a move to the Bundesliga is likely in 2024, when he could leave for free, as Arsenal does not want to lose him this summer.

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Barcelona will do EVERYTHING to sign Lionel Messi

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has stated that the club will do everything possible to bring legendary attacker Lionel Messi back to Camp Nou. The Spanish club are one of the clubs that has been linked with a move for Messi, whose contract at Parc des Princes expires this June. The 35-year-old left Barcelona two years ago due to the club’s financial struggles but could return this summer if Barca can pull off a deal for him. The Catalan club have several hurdles to clear before they can sign the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, but Laporta has vowed to do everything in his power to make the dreams of the club’s supporters come true. Read more: Jurgen Klopp admits he waited TOO LONG to change things at Liverpool this season  Laporta told Jijantes after seeing the Blaugrana win the 2022-23 La Liga title at the weekend: “We will do everything we can to bring Leo Messi back to Barcelona.” In another interview on Monday with RAC1, the Barca president said: “I spoke with Messi recently. We have a relationship with him. Messi is the best player in the world; any coach would want him in his team. He had some unpleasant incidents with the fans in Paris. I won’t disturb him right now. We exchanged some messages recently. Barca is Messi’s home, and Barça can compete with Saudi Arabia and everyone.” During a recent conversation with Carrusel via Goal, the club’s vice-president Rafa Yuste said, “Messi? He’s a very good friend of many guys who are celebrating La Liga today… I’m sure he is so happy! I would love Messi to come back.”

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