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. Read more: Lyon vs Monaco: Preview and Expert Football Prediction 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. 

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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 Thirty were later withdrawn, but he was found guilty and suspended from all football and football-related activities until January 16, 2024.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.” Read more: Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard in line for a new contract  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.”

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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.  Read more: Chelsea RESUMES Mason Mount contract talks after Mauricio Pochettino agreement 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.”

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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. Read more: Real Madrid to battle Manchester City for Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies 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.

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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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