Market: Bayer Leverkusen win

Odds: 11/20 @

Looking to extend on their bright start to the new Bundesliga campaign, Bayer Leverkusen will make the trip to Mainz on Saturday afternoon.

Starting with the hosts, while Mainz might have shocked many as they secured a top-half finish among Germany’s elite last season, the Carnival Club have struggled to find a similar level this time around. Last seen putting in another downbeat display as they suffered a 2-1 loss away at Augsburg, Bo Svensson’s men have now lost each of their previous three Bundesliga appearances. Marking their return from September’s international break with a 3-1 defeat at home against Stuttgart, the Reds find themselves sat rock-bottom of the table and have collected jus a single point from t…

Giorgio Chiellini has, as expected, re-signed with Juventus following the announcement of a new two-year contract.

Chiellini, 36, technically ceased to be a Juve player when his previous deal expired at the end of June after 17 years with the club.

His agent, who referred to potential retirement talk after Euro 2020 success as madness , suggested Chiellini was open to hearing offers from other clubs, not just Juve.

Though it was always widely believed he would sign on again in Turin, Monday s confirmation put any doubts to bed.

The deal also suggests Chiellini has designs on featuring for Italy at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with the veteran seemingly deciding to carry on with the Azzurri after Euro 2020.

Chiellini s performances in that tournam…

David Moyes has been appointed West Ham manager for a second time after Manuel Pellegrini was sacked.

The Hammers are struggling in 17th in the Premier League, prompting Pellegrini s dismissal following Saturday s 2-1 home defeat to Leicester City.

Former Manchester City boss Pellegrini largely failed to get the best out of a talented group of players as West Ham slipped towards a relegation battle.

They have again turned to Moyes, who guided the London club to safety in the 2017-18 season. He has signed an 18-month contract, West Ham announced on their website.

We are pleased to confirm that David Moyes has returned to the Club as first-team manager.

— West Ham United (@WestHam)

The former Manchester United manager lifted West Ham to…

Mesut Ozil could make his first appearance in more than three months when Arsenal host Stoke City in the Premier League on Sunday.

Germany international Ozil has endured a lengthy lay-off due to a torn ligament in his left knee, with his last outing coming in Arsenal s 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on October 5.

However, the 26-year-old is set to be included in Arsene Wenger s squad this weekend and could yet make the starting line-up.

Speaking at a news conference, Wenger said: He will have a training session on Friday with the squad.

He will certainly be available for selection on Sunday. Will I start him or not? I haven t decided yet.

Wenger was also able to offer positive updates on the fitness of Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini, who have been s…

Sergio Busquets will remain at Barcelona until June 2019 after agreeing to sign a new contract with the club.

Barcelona have announced that midfielder Sergio Busquets has agreed a new three-and-a-half-year deal with the club.

Busquets, who made his debut for the Catalan giants in September 2008, will sign the contract  which includes the option of a further year on Friday.

Since making his bow, the Spain international capped 74 times has gone on to make 313 appearances for Barcelona.

During that time, Busquets has played his part in winning 16 titles with the Camp Nou outfit, including four Liga crowns and two UEFA Champions League trophies.

World Cup-winner Busquets has made 23 league appearances under coach Luis Enrique this term, scoring one g…

Market: Over 1.5 goals

Odds: 4/11 @

In an all-League Two showdown on Sunday afternoon, Stockport will host Walsall with both sides looking to extend on their FA Cup adventure.

Starting with the hosts, while Stockport might have seen their stellar four-match winning run come to an abrupt end on New Year s Day, the mood in Dave Challinor s camp should still be at a real high. Storming their way to a League Two return last season and with their sights set on claiming a top-half finish this time around, the Blues will be seeking an immediate response on Sunday afternoon. Likewise, along with signing off 2022 with a deserved 2-0 win away at Walsall in a fourth-tier showdown, Stockport have also gained a reputation for their continued success on home soil. Last seen a…

Pep Guardiola hopes Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso remain in football after bringing down the curtain on their glittering playing careers with Bayern Munich this weekend.

Lahm and Alonso will play professionally for the final time when the Bundesliga champions host Freiburg.

Guardiola led Lahm for three seasons between 2013 and 2016 and brought Alonso to Bavaria from Real Madrid at the end of his first season in charge.

Speaking ahead of Manchester City s final match of the Premier League season at Watford, Guardiola hailed two men he views as exceptional in all terms , while he has no doubt Alonso – a 2010 World Cup winner with Spain – will follow him into the dugout.

Philipp, it will be a surprise if he becomes a coach. When we spoke about that when…

Prediction: Mexico to win 3-1

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Venezuela and Mexico will lock horns with each other in the 2024 Copa America this week. The Group B game between Fernando Batista’s side and Jaime Lozano’s team will be held at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. It is scheduled to kick off at 2am UK time on June 27.

Venezuela

Venezuela are a modest footballing nation in South America who would be happy just to qualify for major international competitions. La Vinotinto have never qualified for the World Cup and do not come even close to doing so. 

Fernando Batista’s side are not expected to do much of note at the 2024 Copa America. Venezuela have been drawn against Mexico, Ecuador and Jamaica in Group B, and their aim has to be…

Real Madrid are interested in signing Youcef Atal from Nice in the summer of 2022, according to . It has been reported that the Spanish and European giants could be in the market for a new right-back to complete with Daniel Carvajal, and Nice defender Atal is one of the options Los Blancos are reportedly exploring.

Atal is a very good player who can play as a right-back or as a winger. The Algeria international has been at Nice since 2018 and has a strong reputation in Ligue 1. The right-back would make Madrid better and would give manager Carlo Ancelotti another option.

Nice are an established club in France, but Madrid are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and there is no doubt that Atal would jump at the chance of signing for the former Spanish and European cham…

Pep Guardiola has lauded Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque for continuing the work started by Luis Aragones and feels he can continue to keep the side at the highest level.

Ahead of Euro 2008, Spain had not progressed beyond the quarter-final stage of any major competition since ending the 1984 edition of the same tournament as runners-up.

Aragones led the nation to the trophy in Austria and Switzerland, before Del Bosque took the reins and oversaw a successful defence of the title after triumphing at the World Cup in 2010.

Although Spain were unable to retain that trophy in Brazil last year, making their exit at the group stage, Guardiola is certain the 64-year-old remains the right man for the job.

We managed to break the mythical quarter-final barrier t…