Russia vs Saudi Arabia World Cup - Group A - 14-06-2018

Russia vs Saudi Arabia - Competition: World Cup 2018 (Group A)
Date: 14 June 2018 - Kick-off Time: 16:00 BST
Venue: Stadion Luzhniki, Moskva

 

Russia team come into their home World Cup as the lowest ranked side in the FIFA, 70th, and three positions lower than the next lowest ranked side, who happen to be Saudi Arabia. They have won just two of their last 11 games, failing to beat the likes Austria (0-1) and Turkey (1-1) in their most recent friendlies. The last time the Russians won an international match was in October of last year when they fended off a late rally from South Korea to win 4-2. They failed to record a victory in Russia four years ago and have not won a match at a major finals since Euro 2012. They conceded three goals in successive matches against Russia and France last March.
Krasnodar forward Fyodor Smolov is expected to lead the line alongside ALeksei Miranchuk as Aleksandr Kokorin is not a part of the team, as he is sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Artem Dzyuba provide a further option in attack. In midfield, Erokhin, Golovin and Glushakov are likely to play in the middle of the park while Yuri Zhirkov and Aleksander Samedov should be the starting wing backs in a 3-5-2 system. At the back, Kutepov, Granat, Kudryashov should form the three man defense with veteran goalkeeper Akinfeev between the posts.

Saudi Arabia stepped up their World Cup preparations in an international friendly with Italy, losing 2-1 with Yahya Al Shehri scoring their only goal. Since then, they lost 3-0 at the hands of Peru but limted a full strength Germany side to a 2-1 win on 8th June. The former Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi is the third head-coach in the space of 10 months and he got little time to settle with the squad. Anyway, ten of their 23 man squad play for the same club, Al-Hilal, and this could be a massive advantage.
Top scorer Al-Sahlawi is likely to start up front. He should be supported by Al Shehri, Al Jassim, Al Dawsari as offensive midfielders. The likes of Otayf and Al Khaibri are expected to feature from the off in the middle of the park. In defense, Pizzi is likely to choose Al Shahrani, Om. Hawsawi, Os. Hawsawi and Al-Harbi while Al Mosailem should get the nod over Al Maiouf as starting goalkeeper.

 

Russia last 5 matches:

14/11/17 Russia 3 – 3 Spain
23/03/18 Russia 0 – 3 Brazil
27/03/18 Russia 1 – 3 France
30/05/18 Austria 1 – 0 Russia
05/06/18 Russia 1 – 1 Turkey

Saudi Arabia last 5 matches:

09/05/18 Saudi Arabia 2 – 0 Algeria
15/05/18 Saudi Arabia 2 – 0 Greece
28/05/18 Italy 2 – 1 Saudi Arabia
03/06/18 Saudi Arabia 0 – 3 Peru
08/06/18 Germany 2 – 1 Saudi Arabia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Portugal vs Algeria 3-0 Highlights 07-06-2018 Friendly

Portugal vs Algeria - Competition: Friendly
Date: 7 June 2018 - Kick-off Time: 20:15 BST
Venue: Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica

Goncalo Guedes nets twice for Portugal as they beat Algeria team 3-0 in this friendly in Estadio do Sport Lisboa (Benfica).

Portugal 3-0 Algeria (FRIENDLY)

17' Goncalo Guedes 1-0 // 37' Bruno Fernandes 2-0 // 55' Goncalo Guedes 3-0

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Real Madrid vs Liverpool Champions League Final - 26-05-2018

Real Madrid vs Liverpool - Competition: UEFA Champions League Final
Date: 26 May 2018 - Kick-off Time: 19:45 BST
Venue: NSK Olimpijs’kyj, Kiev

 

Real Madrid team came through the semi finals with a 4-3 aggregate win over Bayern. They bat the Bavarians 2-1 away from home in the first leg and held on at the death in Madrid to draw 2-2 in the return match. Prior to that they survived a scare against Juventus altough they beat the Italian champions 3-0 in Turin. They are currently on a 27 match scoring streak in European games. Los Blancos have bagged 3 UCL title over the past 4 campaigns and now look to break another record, amid a very disappointing La Liga campaign under Zidane – where they failed to cope with pace-setters Barcelona.
Real Madrid are expected to have a fully fit squad to choose from with Zinedine Zidane revealing Ronaldo would be 100% fit for this clash. Dani Carvajal returned from injury against Villarreal and will start as right back, with Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Marcelo completing the back four. Isco and Lucas Vazquez are in contention for the third berth in attack alongside Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. No changes are expected in midfield where Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are likely to retain their starting berth.

Liverpool team beat AS Roma in the semi-finals to advance to this showpiece clash. The Reds overcame the Giallorossi 7-6 on aggregate, courtesy of a 5-2 win at Anfield in the first leg match. Prior to that, Jurgen Klopp's men beat Manchester City home (3-0) and away (2-1) while in the first knockout round they delivered a 5-0 aggregate win over Porto with all the goals coming in the first leg in Portugal. They were unbeaten in 11 UCL games before to lose 4-2 at the Olimpico. In the Premier League Liverpool finished in fourth place, 25 points adrift of Man City, 6 behind Manchester United and 2 shy of Tottenham.
The Reds will also take an almost fully fit squad to Ukraine, with Emre Can and James Milner both returning to training this week. Jurgen Klopp, who will be only without long-term absentees Chamberlain and Joe Gomez for the final, will keep faith in his usual 4-3-3 formation in which Sadio Manè, Roberto Firmino and Mohammed Salah will lead the line. At the back, Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold should get the nod over Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno as full back, with Virgil Van Dijk and Dejan Lovren confirmed as centre-backs. Milner, Georginj Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson should form the midfield trio.

Probable lineups:

Real Madrid: Navas – Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo – Casemiro, T.Kroos, Modric – Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo.
Liverpool: Karius – Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, van Dijk, Robertson – Wijnaldum, Henderson, Milner – S.Mane, M.Salah, R.Firmino.

 

Real Madrid last 5 matches:

01/05/18 Real Madrid 2 – 2 Bayern Munchen
06/05/18 Barcelona 2 – 2 Real Madrid
09/05/18 Sevilla 3 – 2 Real Madrid
12/05/18 Real Madrid 6 – 0 Celta
19/05/18 Villarreal 2 – 2 Real Madrid

Liverpool last 5 matches:

24/04/18 Liverpool 5 – 2 Roma
28/04/18 Liverpool 0 – 0 Stoke City
02/05/18 Roma 4 – 2 Liverpool
06/05/18 Chelsea 1 – 0 Liverpool
13/05/18 Liverpool 4 – 0 Brighton

 

 

 

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Villarreal vs Real Madrid 2-2 Highlights 19-05-2018 La Liga

Villarreal vs Real Madrid
Competition: Spanish Primera Division
Date: 19 May 2018
Kick-off Time: 19:45 BST
Venue: Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal

Villarreal team score twice in the final quarter to come from behind and draw with Real Madrid in their final game of the season in La Liga.

Goals:

Real Madrid: 11' Gareth Bale 0-1 // 32' Cristiano Ronaldo 0-2 // 

Villarreal: 71' Roger Martinez 1-2 // 85' Samuel Castillejo 2-2 

 

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Newcastle vs Chelsea 13-05-2018 Goals 3-0 Premier League

Newcastle United vs Chelsea - Competition: Premier League
Date: 13 May 2018 - Kick-off Time: 15:00 BST
Venue: St. James’ Park 

Chelsea team have to settle for a UEL spot following a 3-0 loss to Newcastle United on the final day of the season In English Premier League.

Newcastle United 3-0 Chelsea:

23' Dwight Gayle 1-0 // 59' Ayoze Perez 2-0 // 63' Ayoze Perez 3-0 

 

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El Clasico Barcelona vs Real Madrid Liga - 06-05-2018

Barcelona vs Real Madrid - Competition: Spanish La Liga
Date: 6 May 2018 - Kick-off Time: 19:45 BST
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona

 

Barcelona have already wrapped up the La Liga BBVA title with a 4-2 win over Deportivo last weekend. They have won 26 of their last 28 home matches and can now become the first team in La Liga history to go unbeaten throughout the entire season. Plus, the Blaugrana have failed to score only once in their last 29 home league games. They have recently beaten Valencia (2-1) and Sevilla (0-5 in Copa del Rey Final) and held Celta Vigo (2-2) to a draw with ten men.
Ernesto Valverde has no injury concerns ahead of the Clasico and is expected to name his best starting XI. That would see Leo Messi and Luis Suarez spearheading the attack, supported by Philippe Coutinho and Andres Iniesta on the flanks. The likes of Sergi Busquets and Ivan Rakitic will anchor the midfield. Sergi Roberto should slot in at right-back, with the likes of Jordi Alba, Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Piquè completing the four man backline.
Fresh from securing their third UCL final spot in a row - and fourth in five seasons - Real Madrid team enter the Clasico in good form as they are unbeaten in their last eight La Liga games. They have struggled for consistency and have failed to make an impact this campaign. Plus, their Champions League performance against Juv and Bayern were severley conditioned by referees' mistakes. The Blancos are undefeated in 23 of their last 25 away matches. Anyway, Zidane's side suffered a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of their eternal rivals back in December.
Dani Carvajal and Isco both missed Real Madrid's midweek Champions League semifinal and are major doubts here. Nacho should fill in at centre-back, with Raphael Varane struggling midweek due to injury. As a result, Lucas Vazquez could play once again as right back, with Marcelo retaining his berth on the other flank. No suprises are expected in midfield and up front. Luka Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos should start in the middle of the park, with Isco supporting Karim Benzema and Ronaldo upfront. Gareth Bale and Marcos Asensio provide viable alternatives.

 

Probable lineups:

FC Barcelona: ter Stegen – S.Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, J.Alba – Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Coutinho – Messi, L.Suarez.

Real Madrid: Navas – Vazquez, Nacho, Ramos, Marcelo – Casemiro, T.Kroos, Modrić – Asensio, Benzema, Ronaldo.

 

Barcelona last 5 matches:

10/04/18 Roma 3 – 0 Barcelona
14/04/18 Barcelona 2 – 1 Valencia
17/04/18 Celta 2 – 2 Barcelona
21/04/18 Sevilla 0 – 5 Barcelona
29/04/18 Deportivo 2 – 4 Barcelona

Real Madrid last 5 matches:

15/04/18 Malaga 1 – 2 Real Madrid
18/04/18 Real Madrid 1 – 1 Athletic Club
25/04/18 Bayern Munchen 1 – 2 Real Madrid
28/04/18 Real Madrid 2 – 1 Leganes
01/05/18 Real Madrid 2 – 2 Bayern Munchen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich Champions League - 01-05-2018

Real Madrid vs Bayern Munchen - Competition: UEFA Champions League

Real Madrid team are in the driving seat in this UCL semi-final having won the first leg in Germany with a 2-1 scoreline. Anyway, the current holders cannot afford to be complacent about getting the job done because they were pegged back from a 3-0 advantage by Italian giants Juventus in the previous round before being awarded a last-gasp penalty which Ronaldo tucked away to seal it. Furthermore, their domestic season has been underwhelming as FC Barcelona have secured the title with four games left in La Liga BBVA. Since 2011-12, these clubs have met in two previous semi-finals and one quarter-final of the UCL and Los Blancos have recorded six consecutive wins over the Bavarians.
Dani Carvajal has been been ruled out for Real through injury. Isco both picked up a knock at the Allianz Arena, and he could be replaced by Marcos Asensio. Spanish defender Nacho returned to training at the start of the week after a long spell on the sidelines. As a result, Lucas Vazquez may have to fill in again at right back. Young Moroccan Achraf Hakimi is a viable  alternative. Cristiano Ronaldo has been rested last weekend and will be restored upfront alongside Karim Benzema, who was named on the bench in the first leg. No changes are expected in midfield, where the likes of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro are expected to retain their starting berth.

After suffering a 2-1 defeat at home, despite being the better team, Bayern Munchen  now must come from behind and defeat Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. Jupp Heynckes' men need to avoid to waste as many chances as they did in the first leg. They are in a similar position to when the two sides clashed in last season's competition, Bayern won 2-1 at the Bernabeu to level the tie on aggregate but lost out to two goals from Ronaldo and one from Marco Asensio in extra time. No team has ever overturned a 2-1 home first-leg defeat in the Champions League. The Bavarians cruised to a 4-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, altough they have already locked up the Bundesliga title and played with several fringe players.
Arjen Robben and Jerome Boateng were forced off during the opening half of the first leg and are major doubts. Javi Martinez also faces last-minute fitness test in a race to make the teamsheet though David Alaba could return. Niklas Süle will partner Mats Hummels at the heart of the back four. Jupp Heynckes is expected to play with a 4-3-3 system in which Robert Lewandowski will be flanked by Franck Ribery and Thomas muller upfront. James Rodriguez and Thiago Alcantara appear sure starters in midfield. The likes of Kingsley Coman, Manuel Neuer and Arturo Vidal remain sidelined for the away side.

Probable lineups:

Real Madrid: Navas – Vazquez, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo – Casemiro, T. Kroos, Modric , Kovacic – Ronaldo, Asensio.

Bayern Munich: Ulreich – Kimmich, Sule, Hummels, Alaba – J. Martinez – Alcantara, J. Rodriguez – T. Muller, Robery – Lewandowski.

Date: 1 May 2018 - Kick-off Time: 19:45 BST
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

 

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