5 must watch games in Europe this weekend

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It’s crunch time in European football once again as the top teams go head to head and this weekend there are some genuine mouthwatering games. Here is a run-down of the best of these games:

Liverpool v Everton – Saturday

The Merseyside derby needs absolutely no introduction as these two historic and great clubs go head to head once again. Liverpool have that all important 4th place at the moment but they will have one eye over their shoulders because 5th placed Manchester United have 2 games in hand of them. Liverpool need this win to boost their chances of a Champions League finish with just 9 games left to play.

For Everton it’s all about bragging rights. The Toffee men have been in excellent form losing just one game in their past six matches and striker Romelu Lukaku has just been named Premier League player of the month. This game has all the ingredients to be a very close affair and should be an edge of your seat thriller.

Monaco v PSG- Saturday

The two best sides in France will do battle in the Coupe de la Ligue final which will take place in Lyon. PSG, the French champions who have dominated French football for the past four seasons will be the big favourites to win this match. However Monaco have caught the attention of European football after qualifying for the last 8 of the Champions League.

Monaco have players that can score from any position and shouldn’t be considered too much the underdogs. Heading their front line will be the veteran Radamel Falcao who has found his touch once again after a miserable time in the Premier League. But there is also the 18 year old starlet Kylian Mbappe who is already considered one of the best forwards in Europe.

PSG of course have Edinson Cavani and new signing Julian Draxler has started well for Unai Emery’s side. Who will win the first trophy in France this season?

Schalke v Borussia Dortmund- Saturday

These games are always entertaining when these two teams clash and there is plenty at stake here. Schalke have had a very average season and yet they are within a whisker of qualifying for the Europa League next season. Though a loss here would damage their chances.

Borussia Dortmund are in a Champions League qualification place however Hertha Berlin are only six points adrift of them and so Dortmund will have the motivation to try and win this match. We should expect to see a game that is end to end stuff.

Arsenal v Manchester City- Sunday

Pressure is raining down on Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who is enduring his worse spell as Arsenal manager in his 21 year tenure. Arsenal have slipped out of the top four and sections of fans are asking for Wenger to walk away from the club.

Manchester City are a formidable force but haven’t always been firing on all cylinders this season. It has been quite a struggle for manager Pep Guardiola in his debut season for the Citizens.

Arsenal and Manchester City will be an explosive game and will go a long way into deciding who will finish in the top four. Quite simply if Arsenal drop any more points they could well be kissing goodbye to the Champions League next season.

Napoli v Juventus-Sunday

Juventus are 8 points clear at the top of Serie A but it only takes a couple of bad performances and the Old Lady will understand this as they search for their 5th title in a row. However they will be travelling to tricky Napoli who are in 3rd place, 10 points behind Juve, for Napoli this might be their final chance of mounting a title challenge.

From 15 games played at home this season Napoli have won 10 of them and the Southern club will be in confident mood to trip Juve up and gather pace themselves.

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Remates que matan

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Al igual que no es oro todo lo que reluce, podríamos aplicar otro dicho al fútbol que sería: no es gol todo lo que se remata. Sin embargo, muchos de los remates que llevan la firma de los jugadores de la Liga acaban detrás de las redes. El ranking de los máximos goleadores lo encabezan Messi, Suárez y Ronaldo. Pero quizá te sorprenda saber quiénes están entre los máximos rematadores; eso explicaría quiénes tienen mayor y menor efectividad de cara a cada remate.

Ronaldo
Es el jugador que más remata a portería, concretamente, lleva 101. Sus 19 goles no representan un mal porcentaje de acierto, pero aún así, está por debajo de otros futbolistas más efectivos, ya que el registro no alcanza ni 1 de cada 5 disparos a meta.

Messi
El argentino ha tirado 91 veces a portería y es el Pichichi de la Liga con 25 tantos. Buen promedio, pero no es el mejor del campeonato.

Suárez
El charrúa tiene una efectividad letal, la mejor de todo la competición. Ha marcado 22 goles y lo ha intentado 74. En términos estadísticos, prácticamente anota un gol de cada 3 remates que hace a puerta. Y teniendo en cuenta que es habitual que remate, no extraña que lleve una media de casi gol por encuentro.

Rubén Castro
El experimentado delantero se cuela en esta lista, sin embargo, no destaca precisamente por la efectividad. 63 disparos entre los 3 palos y solo 9 goles es un mal bagaje. Aún así, es la referencia ofensiva de un Betis que, de momento, está cumpliendo su objetivo en Liga.

Neymar
El brasileño aparece en la quinta posición gracias a sus 62 remates a portería que le han bridando 8 goles. Un registro goleador escaso para su perfil, pero que se compensa con creces con las asistencias y todo lo que aporta al equipo.

Florin Andone
El delantero rumano está siendo la referencia ofensiva de un Dépor que continúa en un tira y afloja. 57 disparos entre los 3 palos, que le han concedido 8 goles.

Detrás hay jugadores como Raúl García (56, Athletic de Bilbao), Griezman (55, Atlético de Madrid), Gerard (53, Espanyol), Boateng (52, Las Palmas)

Top Fantasy Football Midfielders– La Liga – Week 29

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It’s an intriguing weekend of action in La Liga and in this article we take a look at the five midfielders who are in with a good chance of earning fantasy football points for your team. Yannick Ferreira Carrasco and Jorge Resurrecion Koke of Atletico Madrid, Rafinha of Barcelona, Sarabia of Sevilla and Raul Garcia of Athletic Bilbao all come under scrutiny.

Yannick Ferreira Carrasco – Altetico Madrid

Atletico Madrid are in top form having won their last 3 matches, scoring 7 and conceding just 1 goal. They have closed the gap on 3rd placed Sevilla to just 2 points and with an away tie to Malaga (who have managed to pick up just 1 point in their last 5 matches) they should have enough to make it 4 wins in a row. Yannick Ferreira Carrasco is the top performing midfielder in the charts for La Liga with 63 points in his 20 starts. With 8 goals, 4 assists and 13 clean sheets, he is one player who should certainly be under consideration for your team this weekend. He is valued at 8.5M and his price/performance ratio is 7.3.

Jorge Resurrecion Koke – Atletico Madrid

Staying with Atletico Madrid, as mentioned previously, are in with a great chance of 3 points this weekend. Jorge Resurrecion Koke has scored 3, assisted 6 and kept 14 clean sheets, which gives him a points total of 46. He is valued at 9m and his price/performance ratio is 5.6.

Rafinha – Barcelona

Barcelona will bid to keep in touch with Real Madrid at the top of the table with a win over struggling Granada this weekend. They trail the leaders by 2 points having played 1 game more and they can’t afford to let that gap widen. Rafinha has started just 13 matches this season, but has a points total of 45 thanks to 6 goals, 2 assists and 9 clean sheets. He is valued at just 5M and his price/performance ratio is 9.4.

Sarabia – Sevilla

Sevilla are without a win in their last 3 with 1 loss and 2 draws, however, they will bid to bounce back with a home tie against relegation-threatened Sporting Gijon this weekend. Sarabia has been an influential figure from midfield with 6 goals, 6 assists and 7 clean sheets. He is valued at just 2.5M and his price/performance ratio of 16.8 is one of the highest in La Liga.

Raul Garcia – Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao face bottom side Osasuna and they should have enough in their locker to take the 3 points that will keep their hopes of a top 6 finish alive. Raul Garcia has been one of their top performers this season with 7 goals, 3 assists and 7 clean sheets and looks worthy of his value of 8M.

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Best Fantasy Football Midfielders – Premier League – Week 30

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There are some tasty fixtures in the Premier League this weekend and here, we take a look at 5 midfielders who are in with a great chance of earning fantasy football points for your side. Sadio Mane of Liverpool, Eden Hazard and Willian of Chelsea, Juan Mata of Manchester United, Leroy Fer of Swansea city all come under the spotlight.

Sadio Mane – Liverpool

Liverpool kick off this weekends Premier League action with a home match against city rivals Everton. They have a great record in this fixture and Sadio Mane has already scored this season against the Toffees. He is valued at 9M and has chipped in with 12 goals, 5 assists and 7 clean sheets, giving him a points total of 68. His price/performance ratio of 7.4 will only rise as the season draws to a conclusion.

Eden Hazard – Chelsea

With a 10 point lead at the top of the table and a home match against Crystal Palace, Chelsea should be good enough to take all 3 points here. Eden Hazard’s return to form has been instrumental in their rise to the top this season and the midfielder with 11 goals, 4 assists and 12 clean sheets should add to that tally this weekend. He is valued at 12M and his price/performance ratio is 6.5.

Willian – Chelsea

Sticking with Chelsea, Willian scored in his last match against Stoke City as Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners. That as his 6th goal of the season and along with 1 assist and 10 clean sheets, he should come under consideration for your team this weekend. He can be in your side for 8.5M and his price/performance ratio is 5.5.

Juan Mata – Manchester United

Manchester United have a strong record against West Bromwich Albion, their opponents this weekend. Juan Mata doesn’t always play 90 minutes, but when he is on the field, those minutes normally count. He has 6 goals, 3 assists and 7 clean sheets in just 20 starts and if he starts on Saturday, his price/performance ratio of 5.4 will surely rise as Manchester United look to keep tabs on the teams above them.

Leroy Fer – Swansea City

Swansea City aren’t having the greatest of seasons, but they will know that a win on Saturday against Middlesbrough will move them further away from the relegation zone. Leroy Fer has been one sand-out in the team with 6 goals, 2 assists and 2 clean sheets and can be in your side for 7M. His points tally of 24 should rise this weekend as a clean sheet at least looks on the cards for Swansea.

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All Eyes on Anfield for the Merseyside Derby

Sadio Mane

The Merseyside derby takes place on Saturday lunchtime and with just 6 points separating the sides, both sides will be looking to take the 3 points in this one. Liverpool have a far superior record in this fixture, however, Everton have shown this season that they are more than capable of matching the top sides in the Premier League.

Any chance of that elusive Premier League title win may have evaded Liverpool for another season, but manager Jurgen Klopp may well be pleased with a top 4 finish in his first full season in charge. They sit just 3 points off Tottenham Hotspur in 2nd place, and a win here against their city rivals would see them move into 3rd place for 2 hours at least. SadioMane has been a revelation this season and with 12 goals and having already bagged one against Everton, he will be looking to add to his tally.

Liverpool, arguably, have the easiest run in and have now played all the ‘top clubs’. After this match, they face Bournemouth, Stoke City, West Brom and Crystal Palace and 2nd place must feel like a real possibility and would lay down a marker for next season.

Everton’s record against their neighbours is shocking to say the least. Their last win over Liverpool in the Premier League came in 2010 with a 2-0 win at Goodison Park. They will be well aware that a win here would lift them above Manchester United and into 5th place, although they would have played 2 more games. Top Premier League goalscorer, Romelu Lukaku, who has scored a phenomenal 21 goals this season has dropped a bombshell, stating that he wants to leave at the end of the season and he will be one player who will be incredibly difficult to replace.

The corresponding fixture last season finished 4-0 in favour of Liverpool with Origi, Sahko, Sturridge and Coutinho all getting on the scoresheet and with a 1-0 win already this season, Liverpool will be confident of extending their unbeaten run against Everton to 14 matches. It’s not as bad as it sounds for Everton as 7 of those matches have finished in a draw.

All eyes will be on Anfield on Saturday and at the end of this fixture, and with so much at stake, it won’t just be bragging rights that are up for grabs here.

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Top Fantasy Football Goalkeepers – La Liga – Week 29

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It’s all to play for in La Liga as the season enters the business end. We take a look at the goalkeepers who are in with the best chance of earning fantasy football points this weekend. Marc ter Stegen of Barcelona, Kepa Arrizabalaga of Athletic Bilbao, Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid, Sergio Rico of Sevilla and Geronimo Rulli of Real Sociedad all feature. 

Marc ter Stegen – Barcelona

Barcelona take a trip to Granada this weekend and they should have no trouble securing the 3 points that will keep them in touch with Real Madrid at the top of the table. Marc terStegen has 11 clean sheets in his 26 starts this season and his price/performance ratio of 8.3 looks set to rise this weekend.

Kepa Arrizabalaga of Athletic Bilbao

Kepa Arrizabalaga of Athletic Bilbao has made a return to the Athletic Bilbao side and has performed well. He has kept one clean sheet in his last tow, and given that his last match was against Real Mdrid, he kept the score down to a reasonable 2-1 defeat. He will have it easier this weekend as they face Osasuna and the keeper, who has earned 28 points in his 13 starts so far is in with a great chance of increasing his price/performance ratio of 17.3. He can be in your side for just 1.5M.

Jan Oblak – Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid have their eyes set on third place and with Sevilla faltering in recent weeks they will be looking for a win here against Malaga that may even see them overtake Sevilla. Jan Oblak is regarded as one of the best keepers in the league and valued at 5.5M, he has kept 9 clean sheets in just 20 starts. His price/performance ratio is 10.0.

Sergio Rico – Sevilla

Sergio Rico has kept 9 clean sheets in 26 starts and will Sevilla facing relegation-threatened Sporting Gijon at home, the chances of him making it 10 clean sheets must be very high indeed. Rico is valued just 2M and has amassed a total of 37 points giving him a price/performance ration of 17.5, which is the highest price/performance ratio for a goalkeeper in La Liga.

Geronimo Rulli - Real Sociedad

Geronimo Rulli has kept 9 clean sheets in 20 starts and with a home tie against Leaganes this weekend, the Real Sociedad keepers price/performance ratio of 7.6 looks set to rise. He can be in your fantasy football side for just 2.5M and has totalled 20 points for the season so far.

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Best Fantasy Football Goalkeepers – Premier League – Week 30

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With a full card on this weekend in the Premier League, we take a look at the goal keepers most likely to keep a clean sheet and earn your fantasy football team points. Thibaut Courtois of Chelsea, Lukasz Fabianski of Swansea, David de Gea of Manchester United, Eldin Jakupovic of Hull City and Fraser Forster of Southampton all come under scrutiny.

Thibaut Courtois – Chelsea

Chelsea still hold a healthy ten point lead at the top of the Premier League and after this weekends action that lead should remain intact. They face a struggling Crystal Palace side at home and with Thibaut Courtouis in goal with the meanest defence in the league, a win with a clean sheet should be on the cards here. He has kept a phenomenal 13 clean sheets in his 28 starts so far this season and his price/performance ratio is 6.5.

Lukasz Fabianski – Swansea

Swansea are having a poor season this time around, however, a win here against Middlesbrough would put some serious daylight between both sides and would be a huge boost for Swansea’s survival. Lukasz Fabianski has only kept 4 clean sheets in 29 starts this season, but he can be in your side for just 1.5M and may well be one player worth considering as a cheaper alternative.

David de Gea – Manchester United

David de Gea has been part of the Manchester United team that has slowly chipped away at a top four finish and a win here against West Bromwich Albion would keep them well in touch with the 4 teams above them. West Brom have a poor record at Old Trafford and de Gea has every chance of adding to his 10 clean sheets and 56 points earned so far. He doesn’t come cheap though, valued at 12.5M with a price/performance ratio of 5.0.

Eldin Jakupovic – Hull City

A chance is taken on Eldin Jakupovic of Hull City, who face an out of sorts West Ham United side this weekend. West Ham have lost their last three on the bounce, and with Hull City in dire need of points to ensure survival in the Premier League the keeper who has just 1 point for the season so far, may well add to that total of 3 clean sheets for the season so far.

Fraser Forster – Southampton

Fraser Forster is one of the most consistent keepers in the Premier League. He has bounced back from injury and has kept 9 clean sheets in 27 starts this season. He is valued at 8.5M and his price/performance ratio of 2.7 may rise this weekend as they face Bournemouth this weekend, a side they have beaten in 5 of their last 6 matches.

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Las segundas oportunidades pueden ser buenas

deulofeu

Hay muchos futbolistas de gran nivel que, de jóvenes, no dan la talla en el primer equipo. Pero que tras su paso por otros conjuntos, se convierten en el deseo de la directiva y de la plantilla porque sacan a relucir todo su talento. Uno de los ejemplos más sonados es el caso de Gerard Deulofeu.

Deulofeu se forjó en la Masía y, tras su paso con más pena que gloria en Sevilla y la Premier, el canterano actualmente recala en Milán y vuelve a triunfar. La llamada de Lopetegui ha sido una gratificación y su gran partido ante Francia (con gol incluido) puede ser el inicio de algo aún más grande. Ahora, en el Camp Nou se han vuelto a fijar en lo que hace este jugador rebosante de proyección, y se especula con una posible recompra por 12 millones.

Este no sería el primer caso, la posible repesca de Deulofeu se uniría a la lista de otros futbolistas a los que también ha repescado el club azulgrana. Por ejemplo, he aquí algunos de los más recientes.

- Cesc. El catalán se crió en la Masía, pero la abandonó rumbo a Londres para forjarse como futbolista y hacerse hasta capitán. Más tarde, regresó a Barcelona.
- Piqué. Tras su paso por clubes como el Zaragoza o el Manchester United, el equipo técnico decidió que su regreso aportaría mucho al club. Y no se equivocó.
- Jordi Alba. Tras 7 años en las categorías inferiores del Barcelona, el Barça lo repescó tras un par de temporadas espectaculares en Valencia y con una gran actuación en la Eurocopa de 2012.
- Rafinha. A pesar de sus excepcionales números en el filial blaugrana, no contó mucho para el primer equipo. Por ese motivo, se buscó una salida en Balaídos, pero regresó como un recambio de garantías para la MSN.
- Aleix Vidal. Jugó en las categorías inferiores del equipo infantil. Años más tarde, volvió a Barcelona.

Jugadores de gran nivel, que quizá tardan un poco más brillar, pero que regresan al equipo de su corazón para estallar. Eso sí, tras un desembolso importan. ¿Será Gerard Deulofeu el próximo canterano en volver a Barcelona por la puerta grande?

England beat Lithuania but show signs that they haven’t moved on

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How do you see a half pint measure? That you still have half, or that you only have half?

This could well be represented with Gareth Southgate’s England team, a team who got all three crucial points in their World Cup qualifying match over Lithuania. England of course were expected to win, especially being at home and did so- it was job done.

It was also achieved in a rather relative professional matter, the goals, one by Jermain Defoe and the other by Jamie Vardy were well taken and executed well. Mention should go out to Defoe, who at his age of 34 was deemed surplus to requirements as far as international football went. But the striker has been superb in an ever growing nightmare of a season for his club Sunderland who are at the foot of the Premier league. Credit should go to Southgate to realise that the striker was in form and deserved a call up, one that was immensely justified.

But England’s performance was incredibly laboured, even lethargic because within ten minutes of kick off they had checked out their opponents and quickly realised that Lithuania playing what seemed to be almost six men at the back had come to Wembley Stadium for a 0-0 result. Perhaps with huge luck Lithuania would have countered in the final quarter of an hour for a shock of shock wins but this was never in realistic terms going to happen.

And so the three lions had to be awakened as such, it never even had to be a rude one as Lithuania rarely threatened. The key in the end was getting an early goal, which Defoe did and the rest was history. By the time the second half had kicked off the area around the bench, so gloriously filled with fans for the big games was almost empty. Most had opted not to make the visit, whilst some may have still been at the bar behind the stand or grabbing a snack.

This match underlined the English mentality- and you do wonder if much will change under Southgate’s wing. True he wants to be a winner and he may take more risks player selection wise than this predecessors but this was a match devoid of any tempo, the opposition were clearly here for the taking and the 70,000 or so fans deserved to see a game ending with four or five goals rather than just the two that England could muster up in 90 minutes.

Let’s hope that this was just a bad day at the office, yes a win is a win and it’s three points, but this match could well lead onto a path that many English fan has walked many a time, only to be re routed backwards when the going gets tough.

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5 of the best young strikers in European football today

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New generations of footballers are always coming through, and whilst the likes of Manchester United with Zlatan Ibrahimovic have proven that it’s an advantage to have a tried and tested forward on pitch, managers and owners are always on the look out for young strikers.

Below is a list of the top five young forwards in Europe today who may well be moving to some of the biggest clubs and perhaps even shattering the transfer records.

Kylian Mbappe- Monaco

If there is just one player lightning up Europe then look no further than 18 year old Kylian Mbappe at Monaco. The Frenchman has set Ligue 1 alight with 12 goals in 22 games and 19 goals in all competitions. He has scored 11 goals from eleven matches as Monaco lead the table over favourites PSG.

Many in France already knew of Mbappe’s qualities, but that extended to Europe after his goals against Manchester City in the Champions League, knocked the Premier league team out and Monaco are now in the quarter finals.

Mbappe has already been linked to Manchester United and Real Madrid and there have been reports that a hefty £130m transfer tag has been labelled upon him. There is little doubt that even at his age Mbappe does look like the real deal.

Gabriel Jesus – Manchester City

Jesus as the Brazilian is more commonly known has been tipped for big things, so it was no surprise when money bags Manchester City saw fit to pay £27m for the 19 year old this season. He was a revelation at first club Palmeiras and City manager Pep Guardiola was quick to make him one of his first signings.

At City he scored on his debut and has netted in 3 of his 4 Premier league games. Unfortunately for him he has succumbed to injury that has saw the talented teenager miss the last few weeks, but this Brazilian when fit looks a keeper and could end up being a solid replacement for Sergio Aguero if City do decide in the end to sell him.

Angelo Henriquez – Dinamo Zagreb

He might be just 22 years old but Henriquez has already been around for what seems forever and played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe. The Chilean plays for Dinamo Zagreb where he has notched up 30 league goals from 67 games, this includes his initial loan spell.

Sir Alex Ferguson brought him over for Manchester United but after Ferguson retired, Henriquez did not get a chance to play for the Red Devils. He has also had a spell at Real Zaragoza. One feels that this time and luck just needs to click to get a big transfer move and show his full potential.

Domenico Berardi- Sassuolo

Berardi has spent his career with Sassuolo in Serie A. The striker is still just 22 and has been on the edge of making a big team transfer. Injuries and some loss of form has hampered his career in the past two seasons but this can’t take anything away from his natural goal scoring abilities.

Berardi has scored 56 times for the Serie A team and had 3 superb debut seasons. He is on the tip of achieving his real goals, and at such a young age still has plenty of time to show his true qualities.

Harry Kane- Tottenham Hotspur

Surely one of the best centre forwards in Europe today, it’s hard to believe that Kane is just 23 years old. He has been the prefect foil to step into Gareth Bale’s shoes when the Welshman was sold to Spanish giants Real Madrid three seasons ago.

Kane simply scores goals and they are usually the most important ones. He has propelled Spurs from almost rans to title challengers. Kane has scored 68 league goals from just 105 appearances and has 88 goals in total for Spurs. In all he has 104 goals from 220 games and Kane like a vintage red Bordeaux seems to be getting better and better as each season passes. It will be a massive job if Spurs are to keep him in their team.

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