– Paris Saint-Germain forward Ezequiel Lavezzi is in London, with Chelsea interested in signing him according to Sky Sports Italia.
– Leicester are in a three way tussle with PSV and Malaga to close a loan deal for Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira, according to reports in Brazil.
– Sunderland are set to offer Swansea £6m plus Fabio Borini for Andre Ayew, according to reports in England.
– Yaya Toure’s agent has suggested that the Manchester City midfielder is ready to listen to offers from other clubs when the Premier League season comes to an end.
– Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he rates Christian Benteke and scouted the striker when he was Borussia Dortmund boss.
– AC Milan’s hopes of signing Ajax winger Anwar El Ghazi have taken a blow as the club announce: “He’s not for sale.”
– Reported Real Madrid target Rodrigo Bentancur is happy at Boca Juniors for the moment, according to his father.
– According to reports, Everton want to sign Chelsea midfielder Bertrand Traore on a six-month loan deal until the end of the season.
– Atalanta have reportedly received a €10millon offer from Napoli for Alberto Grassi.
– According to ESPN, Manchester United are seriously considering making an offer for PSG striker Edinson Cavani.
– Adriano Galliani confirms Stephan El Shaarawy “cannot return to Milan. He either stays at Monaco or finds another club.”
– Real Betis are interested in West Ham United striker Mauro Zarate, but his agent confirms “he wants Fiorentina.”
– Inter left-back Dodo is expected to undergo his medical for a loan move to Sampdoria tomorrow.
Wojciech Szczesny
– Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny could extend his Roma loan by another season, according to reports.
– Giuseppe Rossi’s agent confirms interest from Levante in the Fiorentina striker is “real”.
– Aston Villa are in talks with Nemanja Vidic as Remi Garde looks to bolster his side’s defence, according to reports.
– Torino deny they are interested in PSG goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu.
Football tit bits:
– Manchester United could eventually pay £61.5million to Monaco for Anthony Martial if all of the clauses in the deal are met, according to an alleged leaked document.
– FFF President Noël Le Graët has described Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema “as stupid as a donkey” for his role in the alleged blackmail of Mathieu Valbuena
– Patrick Vieira has been presented as the new head coach at New York City FC today, where he will lead the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard and David Villa next season.
– Lionel Messi’s tax fraud trial in Spain has been set for May 31-June 3, conflicting with the start of the centennial Copa America in the United States.
– Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo says the moment he knew he was going to be a star came during his first training session at Sporting Lisbon when he was just 11 years old.
Daniel Amokachi
– Daniel Amokachi has signed a one year deal to manage Finish second division side JS Hercules.
This is Game week 15 of our Bookies corner where we help Punters forecast on the best matches to put their money on.
Tobi Olubiyi’s (@tobipreety) predictions:
Italian Serie A
Bologna Vs Napoli – Napoli win:
Napoli have been impressive this season with just 1 defeat in 14games and currently the table toppers after their latest feat which was a win against Scudetto favourites Inter Milan at the Stadio San Paolo to extend their run of straight wins to 5 in all competition.
Bologna will have it tough albeit on their home turf against high flying Napoli who have not lost in 18 matches. Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain is in the form of his life scoring 12goals in 14 games.
I see Napoli getting the victory in this game against 18th placed Bologna.
Inter Milan Vs Genoa – Inter Milan win :
Genoa will be travelling to the San Siro stadium where they have not been able to get a victory since 1994 and on the back of just one win from their last 5 games. It’s also worth noting Mancini’s Inter are wounded lions at the moment after loosing their last game to League Leaders Napoli which was their first defeat in 8 matches.
The Nerazzurri will be looking to get inspiration up front from Mauro Icardi and Jovetic to get them the victory.
French Ligue 1
Bastia Vs Monaco – Monaco Win or draw:
Monaco have not been as dominating as they have been in recent years in the Ligue Un. With a fringe squad and a bunch of average players they would be lucky to make the Champions league place at the end of the season. A trip to Bastia could prove tricky as they have won only 1 of their last 5 games which included a hard-fought 3-all draw at the Stade Velodrome against Marseille.
I expect Monaco to get something out of this game and put a dent to Bastia’s current run of only defeat in their last 5 games.
St Etienne Vs Rennes – St Etienne Win:
The perennial Dark horses of the Ligue Un in recent years, St Etienne will host 9th placed Rennes who are 3 points behind them. St Etienne have recently been on a bad run with just a win in 5 matches in all competitions but to be fair to them they have come against relatively tough opposition facing Lyon, Marseille, Rosenborg, and Lille during this period. I expect Christophe Galtier’s men to get back to winning ways and get all 3 points at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
English Premier League
Arsenal Vs Sunderland – Arsenal win :
The Gunners are having their usual mid- season injury crisis with key players picking up injuries at the same time. Sanchez, Koscienly,Carzola, Walcott, Rosicky, Coquelin, Welbeck and a couple more players are injured for arsenal. There has been very few good news coming from the arsenal medical department and the Physio’s treatment table of late but there has been indications Koscienly and Walcott could play a part in this fixture against Sunderland. Arsenal will depend on the fine form of their assist-master Ozil who has been linking up well with their attackers and creating goals therby creating a new premier League record of assists in consecutive games.
The Black cats have currently jumped out of relegation waters with an impressive back to back wins under new manager Sam Allardyce. I see Arsenal getting the win at the Emirates staking their claim for their title push.
West Brom Vs Tottenham – Tottenham win :
Tony Pulis would be fired up for this one after back to back games against London clubs, winning against Arsenal and getting a point at West Ham. He will be looking on to spur his team to a victory against Spurs another London club,Pochettino’s men haven’t lost in 13 league games since the opening day and made Chelsea labour for a goalless draw last game. I believe this new look Tottenham with Harry Kane back in form will be too strong for West Brom and they will get the victory against the baggies.
Spanish La Liga
Gary Neville photo credit, pixgood.com
Valencia Vs Barcelona – Barcelona win:
This would be the first game after the Neville brothers re-United at Valencia since after their playing days together at Manchester United. They couldn’t have wished for a tougher opposition to kickstart thier la liga campaign as the catalans will come visiting at the Mestalla. Barcelona have been scoring goals without remorse and even put 6 past their King’s Cup opponents without needing the services of Neymar, Messi or Suarez who are the most inform trio in Europe’s top 5 leagues. Valencia would have their work cut out against Luis Enrique’s team who they have managed to defeat only once in their last 6 games together. I expect Barcelona to get maximum points away from home.
Athletic Bilbao Vs Malaga – Athletic Bilbao Win:
In form Bilbao will finally return to play infront of their home fans at the San Mames after playing 4 consecutive away games in all competitions and winning their last 3 consecutively. They would need goal scoring veteran Aduriz to kill off Malaga after his run of 10goals in 13 matches this season.
18th place Malaga are still wallowing in relegation waters after a bad run of 4 consecutive defeats in their last 5 matches. The Lions of San Mames led by coach Ernesto Valverde should be able to get a win in front of their home fans.
German Bundesliga
Wolfsburg Vs Dortmund – Both Teams score (BTTS):
An exciting game at the Volkswagen arena as the 2nd placed Dortmund will be battling 3rd placed Wolfsburg. The home team would be hoping to close the wide gap of 7points in between them. There has been goals from both teams in 5 of their last 6 games against each other and I expect that to continue on saturday. Wolfsburg have been scoring a lot of goals this season, finding the net 40 times in 13 Bundesliga matches. Especially with the form of Gabonese Striker Aubameyang who has 17goals in 14games and the best shot conversion ratio in Europe’s top 5 leagues.
These two teams are difficult to separate but I expect a lot of goals and I see both teams getting on the score sheet.
Borussia Dortmund
Ingolstadt Vs Hoffenheim – Under 2.5goal:
It’s been a dream start to life in Bundesliga for newly-promoted Ingolstadt who are currently 11th on the log after an impressive 5 wins and 4 draws in their 14games so far. Hoffenheim are rooted to the bottom of the table after picking up 1 win all season. These 2 teams are not fond of scoring a lot of goals as the home team have scored a dire 10 goals in 14 games, the lowest in the league while the visitors have scored 15 goals in 14 games. I don’t expect an explosive end to end game with lots of goals, I believe both teams will score less than a total of 3 goals in this game.
Paul Ayorinde’s (@el_pauleta) predictions:
Italian Serie A
Lazio V Juventus- Double chance on Juventus:
Lazio continued their bad form last weekend when they lost to by a lone goal to Empoli while Juventus continue their resurgent as they trashed Palermo 3-0 away from home. I expect Lazio to be fired up for this match but I tip Juventus to get at least a point at Stadio Olimpico on Friday night.
Inter Milan V Genoa- Inter win:
10-man Inter Milan lost 2-1 against Napoli on Monday night in an unlucky fashion while Genoa snatched a draw at home against newcomers Carpi. I am expect Mancini’s men to get back to winning ways this weekend. I tip Inter Milan to win at the San Siro on Saturday night.
English Premier League
Swansea City V Leicester City- Double chance on Leicester:
Swansea continued their poor form last weekend losing by a lone goal against Liverpool while Leicester got a well-deserved draw against Manchester United. Swansea have picked up just 1 point in their last four premier league games, so I don’t expect them to be much of a threat against Leicester on Saturday. I tip Leicester City to get at least a point at the Liberty stadium.
West Bromwich Albion V Tottenham- Double chance on Tottenham:
West Brom picked up a point at West Ham on Sunday while Tottenham played out a goalless draw against Chelsea at the weekend to extend their unbeaten run to 13 Premier League matches. West Brom are on a good run of form, so i expect this match to tough for Tottenham. I tip Tottenham to get a point at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
Newcastle V Liverpool- Liverpool win:
Newcastle continued their abysmal form losing 5-1 against Crystal Palace in Game week 14 while Liverpool defeated Swansea 1-0 at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp’s men are in rich-vein of form after defeating Southampton 6-1 in the League Cup. I tip Liverpool to win convincingly at St James’ park on Sunday.
Spanish LIGA BBVA
Valencia V Barcelona- Barcelona win:
Valencia lost away from home last weekend to struggling Sevilla in a match that ended the reign of Nuno Espirito Santo while Barcelona continue their winning run defeating Real Sociedad 4-0 at Camp Nou. I expect Barcelona to be too strong for Valencia at the Mestalla on Saturday. I tip Barcelona to win in an entertaining match.
Deportivo La Coruna V Sevilla- Double chance on Deportivo:
Deportivo defeated Las Palmas away from home in Game week 13 while Sevilla got a lone goal victory against Valencia. Deportivo have lost just one game in their last five Liga BBVA matches, so i tip them to get at least a point at home on Saturday.
German Bundesliga
Cologne V Augsburg- Double chance on Cologne:
Cologne played a goalless draw against Darmstadt last weekend while Augsburg also played a goalless draw against Wolfsburg. I expect the match to be tight because both teams give extra details to defending. I tip Cologne to get at least a point at home on Saturday.
Wolfsburg V Borussia Dortmund- Both teams to score(BTTS):
Wolfsburg played a goalless draw with Augsburg last weekend while Dortmund defeated Stuttgart 4-1. In the last 3 Bundesliga meetings between Wolfsburg and Dortmund at the Volkswagen Arena both teams got on the score sheet, so I expect the trend to continue this weekend. I tip Both teams to score at Volkswagen Arena on Saturday night.
French Ligue 1
Ajaccio V Nantes- Double chance on Ajaccio:
Ajaccio continued their impressive form with an away win at Montpellier on Wednesday while Nantes held Olympique Lyon to a goalless draw on Tuesday night. I tip Ajaccio to get at least a point at home on Saturday.
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