Ten Hag doing ´a brilliant job´ at Man Utd despite pressure, says Moyes

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes believes Erik ten Hag is doing a brilliant job at the club despite the Dutchman coming under pressure.

United have made their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign in history, taking just eight points from their seven games so far, and sit in 14th.

It is their lowest tally at this stage of a league campaign since 1989-90 (seven) when they finished 13th in the top-flight.

They are winless in their last five games in all competitions, drawing four of those, including their opening two Europa League matches around a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have also only netted five goals in the Premier League this term, their lowest at this stage in the competition, with only 19th-place Sou…

World Cup 2022 countdown: Plain sailing or trouble brewing? The state of play with a year to go

To many it still sounds absurd, but on November 21, 2022, the 22nd FIFA World Cup will get under way in Qatar.

Twelve years will have slipped by since Sepp Blatter pulled a card from an envelope and declared Qatar the hosts, giving the Arab world its first crack at putting on the tournament.

When the announcement came at FIFA HQ in Zurich, former US president Bill Clinton wrestled to mask his disappointment and offered a congratulatory handshake as the Qatari delegation celebrated on the row behind him. Clinton was the US bid committee s honorary chairman. It was reported he smashed a mirror in fury after returning to his hotel suite.

The USA, Australia, South Korea and Japan had been the rival candidates to Qatar, and many in the game believed the Americans…

Switzerland beat Slovakia 2-0 in Euro 2008 warm-up

Switzerland enjoyed a 2-0 friendly win over Slovakia on Saturday, just two weeks before the Euro 2008 championships, which they are co-hosting, get underway.

Midfielder Valon Behrami opened the scoring in the 56th minute before he then turned provider seven minutes later setting up the second goal for veteran striker Alex Frei.

Captain Frei is now just one international goal away from the record of 34 set by Kubilay Turkyilmaz.

He could equalise the record, or even beat it next Friday in St Gallen during the last warm-up match for the Swiss, this time against Liechtenstein.

Swiss coach Kubi Kuhn also fielded Patrick Mueller, who left his club Lyon to join his national teammates in Lugano on Friday despite not getting permission from his French side w…

Ballon d´Or 2018: Messi, Neymar and Mbappe added to shortlist

Lionel Messi, Neymar and World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe are among the final players named on the 30-man Ballon d Or shortlist.

They are joined by Mbappe s France team-mates Hugo Lloris, Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane, as well as Croatia star Luka Modric, who won the World Cup Golden Ball.

Modric s international team-mates Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Rakitic are also on the shortlist, as are Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Completing the final 15 nominees for France Football s prize are Real Madrid s Marcelo and Sergio Ramos, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak and Barcelona forward Luis Suarez.

Mbappe scored 21 goals for Paris Saint-Germain last season before starring in France s triumphant Russia 2018 campaign, netting three times on their w…

RB Leipzig want to sign Tyler Morton from Liverpool

RB Leipzig are interested in signing Tyler Morton from Liverpool in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that Liverpool are willing to sell Morton for £20 million.

Morton has been on the books of Liverpool since 2009 when he came through the youth system and has played for the Merseyside club’s first team. The 21-year-old midfielder had has loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and Hull City in recent years.

Liverpool finished third in the Premier League table last season and will be determined to beat Arsenal and Manchester City to the league title next season under new head coach Arne Slot. As for RB Leipzig, the German club ended up fourth in the Bundesliga table last season and will be keen on at least challenging for the title in the next …

Russia beat Holland to reach Euro 2008 semi-finals

Russia beat 1988 champions Holland 3-1 after extra-time in their Euro 2008 quarter-final here on Saturday.

Two goals in extra-time from Dmitri Torbinsky and Andrei Arshavin sealed a deserved victory for the Russians, whose coach Guus Hiddink is a former Dutch national coach.

Arshavin extended Russia s lead in the 116th minute for his second goal in two matches after Dmitri Torbinsky had restored Russia s lead in the 112th minute with his first goal of the tournament, though, an earlier booking had ruled him out of the semi-final.

Roman Pavlyuchenko had opened the scoring in the 56th minute his third goal of the tournament.

However, Ruud van Nistelrooy equalised for Holland in the 87th minute his second goal of the tournament and taking him equal with…

Belgium stronger now than at 2018 World Cup – Martinez praises quality ahead of Nations League semis

Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez believes his side are stronger now than they were three years ago when they made the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.

Martinez s side, who are currently first in the FIFA rankings, will play their World Cup semi-final conquerors France in the final four of the Nations League on Thursday.

After their third-place finish at Russia 2018, Belgium were beaten by Italy in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals in July, prompting suggestions the Red Devils golden generation had missed their chance for silverware.

Martinez s starting XI in their World Cup semi-final defeat was the oldest (28 years, 356 days) of all of Belgium s line-ups during the tournament, which some might argue was evidence of them being at the peak of their powers.

Betwe…

Why Real Madrid will win La Liga in 2011-12

Real Madrid are currently seven points clear of second-place FC Barcelona in the La Liga table, with a game in hand, meaning that they have complete control over their destiny at the moment.

To say that Los Blancos have been on scintillating form this season might even be an understatement.

Jose Mourinho s side have won 18, drawn one and lost just two games in Spain s top-tier in 2011-12.

In 21 games, Madrid have bagged a whopping 71 goals, while conceding just 19. Truly remarkable.

Now then, let s take a look at Real Madrid s top goal-scorers of the season.

Top Goal-scorers

Iker Casillas has put together yet another good season in goal for Real Madrid. The Spain international has kept eight clean sheets in 21 La Liga fixtures, s…

Bears vs Steelers Monday Night Football Picks and Predictions: Steelers Will Cage Bears At Home

Monday Night Football in Week 9 features a battle between a pair of historic NFL franchises as the Chicago Bears face the Pittsburgh Steelers. We’re mentioning these clubs’ pasts because the present doesn’t look great and we’re a bit annoyed at the schedule makers who’ve given us some head-scratching matchups in prime time lately.

But hey it’s still football action on Monday night even if these sluggish offenses are giving us the lowest total on the NFL betting board this week. So here are our best free Bears vs. Steelers picks and predictions for Monday, November 8.

Chargers vs Chiefs TNF Prop Bets: Ekeler Becomes Bigger Part of Passing Game

The Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs will have a quick turnaround as the two best teams in the AFC West battle on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 2.

Keenan Allen is looking like a no-go but there is value to be had still in the L.A. passing game while bettors should be looking at the Chargers secondary for tackling opportunities as the Kansas City offense can’t be stopped. 

Here are my free NFL player prop picks for Thursday Night Football’s game between the Chargers and Chiefs.