Monthly Archives: January 2017

Football Factz

Who’s going to win tonight’s Premier League games? Our factz will give you a guide

Who will win in the Premier League tonight? Our factz will give you some pointers.

Arsenal v Watford

  • Arsenal have won their last 7 matches against Watford
  • Arsenal have scored in their last 13 PL games
  • Watford are out of form – they haven’t won for 7 PL matches, including 4 defeats.
  • Watford have lost 5 out of their last 6 away matches – they drew at Bournemouth last time out.
  • Arsenal are unbeaten in 10 league games at the Emirates and have won their last 5 on the bounce.

AFC Bournemouth v Crystal Palace

  • The sides drew 1-1 earlier in the season.
  • Palace’s last win at Bournemouth came in 1987 in the old Second Division – although for most seasons since then the clubs have been in different divisions.
  • Palace have yet to win since Sam Allardyce took over – with 1 draw and 4 defeats in the PL.
  • Bournemouth are out of form as well, with 1 win in their last 6 games.
  • Neither side seems capable of keeping a clean sheet: Palace have conceded in each of their last 21 league games, while Bournemouth have had just 2 shut-outs in their last 10.

Burnley v Leicester City

  • Leicester beat Burnley 3-0 at the King Power earlier in the season.
  • Leicester have a good record at Turf Moor – having won on their past 4 matches their.
  • Burnley have won 25 points at home this season – a record only bettered by the top 3.
  • Leicester haven’t won away from home in 13 matches.
  • Andre Gray is Burnley’s in-form player – scoring 5 goals in his last 5 league matches.

Liverpool v Chelsea (8.00pm)

  • Liverpool won 1-2 at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season.
  • Liverpool have won just 1 of their last 8 matches in all competitions, and have lost their last 3 – including the FA Cup defeat to Wolves.
  • Chelsea have won 15 of their last 16 league games.
  • Chelsea have kept 13 clean sheets – the most in the PL.
  • Liverpool are unbeaten against Chelsea in 4 matches – winning 2 and drawing 2.

Middlesbrough v West Bromwich Albion

  • The sides played out a 0-0 draw at the Hawthorns earlier in the season.
  • Middlesbrough are the league’s low scorers – just 18 in 22 matches, although they have only conceded 26 goals.
  • West Brom have won 3 of their last 4 matches.
  • Middlesbrough are without a win in 5 matches, with 3 losses in that run.
  • West Brom are unbeaten in their last 5 matches, winning 4 of them.

Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur

  • Sunderland haven’t beaten Spurs since April 2010 – a run of 13 matches (3 draws).
  • The Black Cats have lost 4 of their last 5 matches, drawing the other.
  • In contrast, Spurs have won 6 of their last 7, drawing the other.
  • Sunderland have kept just 2 clean sheets all season in the PL.
  • Dele Alli has scored 11 league goals this season, one more than he managed in the entire 2015/16 season.

Swansea v Southampton

  • Saints won 1-0 at St Mary’s earlier in the season. They also won by the same scoreline the last time they visited the Liberty Stadium.
  • Indeed, Swansea’s PL record against Southampton is poor – 1 win in 9 games (6 losses) and only 3 goals scored.
  • However, Swansea have won 3 of their last 3 matches – but have lost their last 3 at the Liberty.
  • Saints are not in form – they won last time out but had lost the previous 4 PL games, and have won 1 in their last 8 away.
  • Swansea have conceded 29 goals in their last 10 games.

 

Football Factz

Adam Lallana named England Player of the Year

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana has been named England Player of the Year by the England Supporters Club.

While 2016 was a largely disappointing year for England – culminating in a last-16 exit at the hands of Iceland at Euro 2016 – Lallana has stood out. Previously a squad player, he has nailed down a starting position in the Three Lions’ midfield. He also scored 3 goals during the year.

During 2016 he also memorably appeared in an advert for Nivea, although it was doubtful that had any impact on supporters’ decisions.

Lallana received 39% of fans votes, and was way ahead of the next two on the list, Jamie Vardy (12%) and Wayne Rooney (8%).

Lallana told TheFA.com: “This award is a huge honour. Things have been going well this season for my club so that always helps. When you’re playing well for your club then hopefully you can transmit your form into the national team and help out.”

His club manager, Jurgen Klopp, congratulated his player, saying “he has had an outstanding year.”

Transfernewz

Pulis reveals ‘desperate’ search for new West Brom players before deadline

West Brom manager Tony Pulis has said that he is “desperate” to bring new players in before the transfer window closes tomorrow evening.

“There is such a small pool that we are fishing in,” said Pulis in his press conference ahead of the Baggies’ Premier League game against Middlesbrough.

“We’re moving forward, but it will take time. We have a budget and we’ve got to make sure the players are right. We’re desperate to bring players in.”

Thus far, it has been a relatively quiet window for West Brom in terms of completed deals, with the only major deals being £10 million spent brining in midfielder Jake Livermore from Hull City, and offloading striker Saido Berahino to Stoke for a reported £12 million.

But Pulis is pursuing other targets, which are rumoured to include Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

However, in admitting his desperation to bring in new blood, Pulis may have made a mistake. Given that is it also known that the Baggies have a much-enlarged transfer budget thanks to their recent takeover by a Chinese consortium, rival chairman will now be holding out for higher prices for Pulis’ targets – knowing the club can, and given Pulis’ statement, probably will pay.

Stand by for a busy couple of days at the Hawthorns – and maybe some over-priced signings.

Transfernewz

Liverpool star signs new deal – to the disappointment of Barcelona and PSG

Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho has signed a new 5-year deal with the side, which will tie him to the club until 2022 and make him the best-paid player.

The news that Coutinho, 24, has committed his long-term future to the Reds will come as a blow to Barcelona and Paris St-Germain, who were both said to be lining up bids for the Brazilian. Significantly, there is also no release clause in the new deal, which it has been reported will see Coutinho paid £150,000 per week.

Coutinho has become a key player for Liverpool since he joined in 2012, scoring 34 goals in 163 appearances.

“It is a club that I am very grateful to and this shows my happiness here,” he told the club’s website. “I signed this new contract to stay here for a few more years because it’s a great honour for me.

“It gives me great happiness because I was welcomed here with open arms by everyone at the club and the supporters right from my first day.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said the deal made a big statement, adding: “He knows he can fulfil his dreams and ambitions here at Liverpool.”

Football Factz

Could AC Milan’s Niang be on the way to the Premier League?

AC Milan’s French striker M’Baye Niang could be set for a move – possibly to the Premier League – after his manager left him out of the squad for the side’s upcoming Coppa Italia match and admitted he could be on his way out of the club.

Niang, 22, has been linked in recent weeks to Arsenal and West Ham – both known to be wanting a striker – as well as Torino and Genoa in Italy.

AC Milan manager Vincenzo Montella has said that the striker could leave before the end of the transfer window. Speaking to Milan TV, Montella said: “Niang might leave the club. He’s discussing it with the management. He won’t be called up for the [Coppa Italia] game against [Juventus] as I thought he would definitely have been distracted.”

However, Montella also said that Niang’s progress has stalled in recent months – although whether this was a tactic to discourage potential suitors is open to argument.