Monthly Archives: December 2017

Football Factz

All the factz on Manchester United v Southampton, including which TV channel its on

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In the late kick-off in the Premier League, Manchester United take on Southampton. The match kicks off at 5.30pm and is live on BT Sport 1. Here are the factz you need to know:

* United won 0-1 at St Mary’s earlier in the season, with Romelu Lukaku the goal scorer.
* United have won 6 of their last 9 PL matches, losing 1.
* Saints however have won just 1 of their last 11 PL matches.
* They have also won just once in 9 away matches, losing 5.
* United have kept a clean sheet in half their PL matches this season.

Football Factz

All the factz on the December 30 Premier League 3pm kick-offs

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There are six Premier League matches kicking off at 3pm today, with several teams looking to reverse poor runs of form. Here are the factz you need to know:

AFC Bournemouth v Everton

* Everton beat Bournemouth 2-1 earlier in the season, thanks to 2 goals from Oumar Niasse.
* The Cherries are winless in 8 matches in the PL.
* Meanwhile Everton have yet to be beaten under Big Sam: 4 wins and 3 draws.
* Bournemouth have lost half of their 10 home matches this season, winning just 2.
* Everton have conceded just 2 goals in their last 7 matches.

Chelsea v Stoke City

* Stoke were thumped 0-4 at the Bet365 Stadium by Chelsea earlier in the season, largely thanks to an Alvaro Morata hat-trick.
* Chelsea have won 8 of their 9 home PL meetings with Stoke, drawing the other.
* Chelsea have won 7 of their last 10 PL matches, losing just 1.
* Stoke have lost 5 of their last 10 PL matches, winning just 2.
* Stoke also have the PL’s leakiest defence, with 41 goals conceded so far.

Huddersfield Town v Burnley

* Fans will be hoping for a more entertaining match than the one these two sides served up earlier in the season: a 0-0 draw with just 13 shots attempted.
* But don’t expect a goal-fest: both sides have scored 18 goals this season, only 3 sides have scored fewer (Brighton, West Brom and Swansea).
* Huddersfield are on a decent run – 2 wins and 2 draws in their last 5 matches.
* Burnley haven’t won in 3 matches, but have only lost one of those.
* Burnley have won 16 points away from home this season – a record only bettered by the top 4.

Liverpool v Leicester City

* Liverpool beat Leicester 2-3 earlier in the season – 4 days after the Foxes had knocked the Reds out of the Carabao Cup.
* The Reds are unbeaten in 11 league matches.
* Leicester have lost 2 of their last 3 matches, having won their previous 4 on the spin.
* Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Mohammad Salah have scored or assisted 36 of Liverpool’s 46 league goals this season.
* Leicester have kept 1 clean sheet in their last 10 matches.

Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion

* Brighton won the reverse fixture 1-0 earlier in the season thanks to a Tomer Hemed goal.
* Newcastle have won just 1 of their last 11 matches.
* Brighton are on a similarly bad run: 1 win in their last 9.
* Newcastle have lost 6 of their 10 home matches this season, including the last 5 on the bounce.
* But Brighton can’t win away from home – 4 consecutive defeats without scoring.

Watford v Swansea City

* Watford beat Swansea 1-2 at the Liberty Stadium earlier this season.
* Watford beat Leicester last time out – their first win in 7 (5 defeats).
* Meanwhile Swansea have won 1 of their last 12 PL matches.
* Watford have had 13 different scorers this season – more than any other club in the league.
* Swansea have lost their last 7 away matches.

Transfernewz

Everton target £50 million double swoop in January

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Sam Allardyce is planning a £50 million double transfer swoop for a striker and a midfielder in January as he seeks to remodel his Everton side.

Top of Allardyce’s list is Turkish striker Cenk Tosun. Tosun has netted 9 goals for Besiktas this season and has also played in the Champions League. The 26-year-old could be available for £25 million.

Allardyce is also weighing up a move for Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi, who could also cost £25 million.

N’Zonzi played for Allardyce when they were at Blackburn Rovers together. He also has Premier League experience at Stoke City.

Both players can be seen as ‘Allardyce’-type players and will cover two areas where Everton are Light at the moment. Tosun especially can be seen as a direct replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who departed in the summer.

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has indicated he is willing to back Allardyce in the window, despite shelling out extensively in the summer.

It is thought a left-back will also be on Allardyce’s shopping list, with Leighton Baines injured currently.

Transfernewz

Manchester City lining up January deals for Jonny Evans and Inigo Martinez

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is lining up a double swoop in the January transfer window as he seeks to strengthen further the squad of the runaway Premier League leaders.

Top of Guardiola’s list is a central defender, especially as Vincent Kompany has picked up yet another injury. City tried to sign West Brom defender Jonny Evans in the summer, but their £21 million offer was rebuffed.

However, Albion may be prepared to do business now, with new manager Alan Pardew conceding that keeping Evans at the club could be difficult. It is thought a bid of £30 million could secure the Northern Irish international’s signature.

City may face competition from Arsenal and Everton for Evans, with both previously having expressed an interest. However, the lure of Champions League football – and, seemingly, a Premier League winners medal – could tip the balance City’s way.

Another target is Real Sociedad’s Martinez. A deal here could be more straightforward as the 26-year-old Spanish international midfielder has a £28 million release clause in his contract.

Football Factz

All the factz on Crystal Palace v Arsenal in the Premier League, including what TV channel it is on

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Just one match in the Premier League today, a London derby between Crystal Palace and Arsenal. The match kicks off at 7.45pm and it is live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Here are the factz you need to know:

* Palace won the last encounter between the sides 3-0 back in April.
* However, that was the Eagles’ first victory over the Gooners since 1994 – Arsenal had won 10 of the 14 meetings between the sides since then in all competitions.
* Palace are unbeaten in 8 matches, with 3 wins and 5 draws – a run that has taken them out of the relegation zone.
* Arsenal are on a similar run, having won 4, drawn 3 and lost 1 of their last 8 PL matches.
* If Petr Cech keeps a clean sheet he will become the first keeper in the PL era to record 200 career shut-outs.