Prediction: West Ham vs Freiburg

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker:

Knowing that a single point will be enough to officially punch their ticket as Group A winners, West Ham will welcome Freiburg to the London Stadium on Thursday night.

West Ham

Starting with the hosts, putting in a woeful performance over the weekend as they slumped to an infamous 5-0 drumming at the hands of Fulham, it is no secret that West Ham are seeking an immediate response here. However, despite watching their six-match unbeaten run come to an abrupt end at Craven Cottage a few days ago, the Hammers have enjoyed another stellar European romp. Making real history last season as they were crowned Europa Conference League champions, the one-time Manchester United boss will be calling on his squad to find off their Group A romp on T…

Chelsea willing to pay €120m for Rafael Leao

Chelsea are interested in signing Rafael Leao from AC Milan in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that Premier League club Chelsea are willing to offer as much as €120 million to Serie A outfit Milan to secure the services of the 23-year-old, who can operate as a forward or as a winger.

Leao has been on the books of AC Milan since 2019 when he moved from Ligue 1 club Lille. The Portugal international forward scored 11 goals and gave it assists in 31 Serie A starts, and scored one goal and provided one assist in four UEFA Champions League matches last season.

Chelsea are on the hunt for a new striker and has been linked with a move for Barcelona star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Leao is not a natural striker like the former Arsenal ace, but…

Barcelona linked with Chelsea midfielder Jorginho

Barcelona are interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Jorginho in the summer of 2023, according to . The report in the Spanish publication has claimed that former La Liga and UEFA Champions League winners are looking at signing free agents next summer, and that Italy international midfielder Jorginho on their radar.

Jorginho has been on the books of Chelsea since 2018 and has been superb for the London club over the years. The 30-year-old has won the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup once each other with the Blues. Jorginho has scored 20 goals and created 21 big chances in 133 Premier League appearances for Chelsea so far in his career.

Barcelona are at the top of the La Liga table at the moment with 22 points…

Chasing Premier League records no motivation for Guardiola

Pep Guardiola feels setting a points target would be a mistake for Manchester City as they seek to defend the Premier League title for the first time.

No team has won back-to-back Premier Leagues since Manchester United under Alex Ferguson in 2008-09, with City failing on their two previous attempts.

City won the league by 19 points last season, smashing a host of records as former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach Guardiola collected a maiden Premier League crown.

But the Catalan says he is not motivated by the prospect of setting further landmarks with his side, noting clubs such as Chelsea have struggled to follow up their successes.

It s not the point. I m not here to say we have to win by 20 points, Guardiola said at a news conference on Friday. To …

Bayern’s Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich to be checked ahead of Wolfsburg clash

Bayern Munich will check on Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich ahead of their final Bundesliga match before the winter break against Wolfsburg.

The midfield pair missed the weekend win over Stuttgart with illness and they are still being monitored.

Goalkeeper Sven Ulreich is not fit to return to the squad so Daniel Peretz will continue to deputise.

Tuchel on the squad: We re hoping that no other players fall ill. We re checking in regularly with Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich. It will be tight for both of them. We re assuming that everyone else is available to play.

— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN)

“We hope there are no more ill players,” Thomas Tuchel said on the club’s official website. “It’s an hourly update with Leon Goretzka …

Prediction: North Macedonia vs England

Best Odds: 23/20

Bookmaker:

Simply looking to sign off their EURO 24 qualifying adventure with a final statement, England will make the trip to North Macedonia on Monday night.

North Macedonia

Starting with the hosts, while North Macedonia might have signed off October’s international break with an eye-catching 3-1 victory at home against Armenia, the Lynxes have continued to struggle with their qualifying stability this year. Marking their return to Group C duties over the weekend with an action-packed 5-2 loss at the hands of reigning European champions Italy, Blagoja Milevski s squad have won just a pair of their previous seven appearances across all competitions a run that stems back to March 27th. Knowing that they face a monumental challenge when they r…

Retired Robben leaving door ajar to comeback

Retired former Netherlands winger Arjen Robben has not ruled out the possibility of resuming his playing career.

The 35-year-old called time on a 19-year period as a professional in July.

Groningen product Robben spent 10 seasons at Bayern Munich following spells with PSV, Chelsea and Real Madrid.

He won league titles in Germany, Holland, England and Spain and says he could consider returning to the pitch if the spirit of competition proves too great to ignore.

I always say: never say never, Robben told NPO Radio.

goals
 South Africa 2010
 Brazil 2014

All the best in retirement, Arjen Robben!  

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup)

Maybe in one or two months I ll have a strange feeling that I miss the whole thing t…

Manchester City have little room for error, acknowledges Guardiola

Pep Guardiola could not rule out the possibility that Manchester City will have to win all their remaining Premier League games to overhaul Liverpool in the title race.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday s trip to Newcastle United, the City manager acknowledged Jurgen Klopp s side were unlikely to drop many points.

The Reds have a four-point cushion at the summit, although their next match at home to Leicester City is not until Wednesday, so the reigning champions have a chance to cut the gap.

City reached the 100-point mark last season and Guardiola was asked if a similar feat may be required to retain their crown.

I would say it s not breaking the record, that doesn t matter, but we ll have to win a lot of games. They ll not drop too many, said Guardiola, whose…

Chicago Fire 1-4 Inter Miami: Suarez on target once more in road win

Luis Suarez scored two and orchestrated another as Inter Miami cruised to a 4-1 win over Chicago Fire at Soldier Field on Saturday.

His shot led to the opening own goal before his second-half double put the game out of reach as Miami stretched their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference to nine points.

Suarez played a neat one-two with Diego Gomez to set up a strike from the edge of the box, and though Chris Brady did well to save it, he pushed it straight against Tobias Salquist, who chested it over the line 25 minutes in.

The Uruguayan thumped a free header against the bar minutes later, but finally got his reward just after the break – he raced in behind before slotting a neat shot in at the near post.

Alba then picked him out for his second in …

Cristiano Ronaldo on turning 35: By now I thought I´d be a fisherman in Madeira!

Cristiano Ronaldo thought by the age of 35 he would be a fisherman in Madeira and remains convinced of Champions League glory with Juventus.

The Portugal superstar celebrated his birthday on Wednesday and reflected on a glittering career during which he has become acknowledged as one of the all-time greats.

Ronaldo has won top-flight titles in England, Spain and Italy, the Champions League with Manchester United and Real Madrid, celebrated European Championship and Nations League glory with his country, and is also a five-time Ballon d Or winner.

Such accomplishments were beyond the expectations of Ronaldo when he dreamed of becoming a footballer.

At 35? I thought I was going to be a fisherman in Madeira, he said to Canal 11.

This never came int…