Archives for March 2019

Jurgen Klopp Calls Liverpool Win Over Tottenham “slightly ugly”

March 31, 2019 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp feels his side is a bit of a victim of their style points success. The German said, following the Reds’ gritty 2-1 home win over Tottenham Hotspur today that the victory was “slightly ugly,” and that people have come to expect more entertainment value of Liverpool FC, given the reputation for exciting play that they have developed in recent years.

Still, a win in the Premier League’s biggest match of the weekend puts them back atop the table over Manchester City by two points, who currently have a game in hand on the Reds.

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Filed Under: Football/Soccer, Liverpool

Chelsea FC Very Lucky in Extremely Controversial Win at Cardiff City

March 31, 2019 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

Chelsea FC were certainly much more lucky than good in their controversial, come-from-behind 2-1 victory at Cardiff City today. At least a couple, perhaps even three or four, calls went against the hosts and may prove to ultimately doom them in the fight to stave off relegation.

Had Cardiff won, as they deserved, it would have moved them just two points behind Burnley for the final safety spot. In addition to the impact on the drop zone, this result also had massive implications for the top four race.

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Filed Under: Chelsea, Football/Soccer

Chelsea FC Supporter Backlash Against Maurizio Sarri Growing Stronger

March 31, 2019 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

Chelsea came back and won at Cardiff City today, thanks to a couple of extremely questionable calls going their way. However, the Blues spent the bulk of this game either trailing or in stalemate and that inspired the Blues supporters who made the trip to the Welsh capital to express their strong discontent with Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri and his tactics.

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Filed Under: Chelsea, Football/Soccer

Manchester United Starting XI Prediction at Wolverhampton Wanderers

March 31, 2019 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

Manchester United lost their last two matches heading into international break, so upon returning to action against Watford yesterday, it was imperative they flip the script. The Red Devils did indeed win, as hoped, but it was a bit of a rough ride to get there.

“The first 20 minutes we started so slow and sloppy. You could see we have had players out with injuries and, with the international break, not been able to train them,” Solskjaer said at his news conference yesterday.

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Filed Under: Football/Soccer, Manchester United

Man United Injury Report at Wolverhampton: Sanchez, Valencia, Darmian, Rojo

March 31, 2019 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer garnered a victory in his debut as full-time manager of Manchester United, with the Red Devils getting past Watford 2-1 at Old Trafford yesterday. Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford found the net, giving the club four double digit scorers in Premier League play for the first time since 1995-96.

United will next travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night, looking to avenge a Wolves side that knocked them out of the FA Cup, in the quarterfinal round, two weekends ago. Let’s take a look at the updated fitness situation.

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Filed Under: Football/Soccer, Manchester United

Man United 2, Watford 1 News and Notes: Martial, Rashford, Solskjaer

March 30, 2019 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

Manchester United gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a victory in his debut as full-time manager, with the Red Devils cruising past Watford 2-1 at home today.

United didn’t get off to the greatest start, and they were rather out-played early on, but Solskjaer made some halftime adjustments, and in the end it was a very convincing victory that gave the side 61 points, enough to put them fourth for the time being, with Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in action tomorrow and Arsenal playing their weekend match on Monday night.

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Filed Under: Football/Soccer, Manchester United

Arsenal FC Starting XI Prediction vs Newcastle United

March 30, 2019 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

Arsenal will host Newcastle United Monday night in what will be the final match of the Premier League weekend. The Gunners will obviously know how their three main rivals (Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal) for the final two UCL qualifying positions all did this weekend prior to kickoff, so Unai Emery’s men will be aware what they need to do in order to remain in the top four.

The series with Newcastle has been a very balance one, with the Geordies winning 67 of the 182 previous meetings, with Arsenal claiming 76 triumphs. There have been 49 draws.

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Filed Under: Arsenal, Football/Soccer

Arsenal FC vs Newcastle United Injury Report: Xhaka, Ramsey, Schar, Lascelles

March 30, 2019 By paulmbanks 2 Comments

After another dull international break, the Premier League weekend stretches into Monday night, with one game on the docket- Newcastle United at Arsenal FC. The Gunners are currently fourth place in the table, in the midst of an exciting four way battle royale for the last two UEFA Champions League qualification slots.

As for Newcastle, they have pretty much secured safety this season, as they currently sit 13th in the table. Rafa Benitez’s side won’t be relegated, but they also won’t finish any higher than mid-table. Let’s take a look at the injury and fitness situation for this match, starting with Arsenal.

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Filed Under: Arsenal, Football/Soccer

Ole Gunnar Solskajer Says there Will be Activity in Summer Transfer Window

March 30, 2019 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

Now that Ole is officially at the wheel, the newly minted full time manager promises a summer transfer window of consequence at Manchester United. They’re going to need it, as as Old Trafford

1.) has mostly become a summer buying only kind of club and 2.) last summer’s window was a massive let-down.

Having the interim label now removed from his job title, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer met the media as the new permanent manager for the first time and he was asked about upgrading the club this upcoming summer window.

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Filed Under: Football/Soccer, Manchester United

#1 Virginia Cavaliers vs #3 Purdue Boilermakers: Someone Will Get “Off Brand”

March 29, 2019 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

Saturday night you will say goodbye to “the narratives” (such an overused word these days) surrounding Tony Bennett and the Virginia Cavaliers or Matt Painter and the Purdue Boilermakers. Neither coach has been to the Final Four.

It’s been 35 years since Virginia has reached college basketball’s promised land; 39 for Purdue. It’s the proverbial “something’s gotta give” game as one side will finally see the “they just don’t make deep runs in March” motif put to rest for good (or at least for a long while). The time is now for either the Purdue Boilermakers or the Virginia Cavaliers to get “off brand,” and the opportunity to do so begins Saturday night at 8:49 EST on TBS.

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Filed Under: College Basketball, Purdue Boilermakers

Chelsea FC Starting XI Prediction, Team News at Cardiff City

March 29, 2019 By paulmbanks 1 Comment

Chelsea FC head to Cardiff City in a Premier League clash where something simply has to give. The Blues have been goalless in five of their last six domestic road fixtures while Cardiff have scored only 27 times in total this entire term.

Add to that the fact that both sides have scored in just three of the Bluebirds last 13 across all competitions, and one can expect this Sunday matinee to be pretty low scoring.

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Filed Under: Chelsea, Football/Soccer