Expert Steve Mullington gives his daily racing tips, including a NAP, NB and a Longshot. Scroll down now to find out horse racing tips Sunday 12th June at Downpatrick, Salisbury and Doncaster...
Today's NAP (Best Bet)
3.30 Downpatrick – Mr Moondance
Veteran performer Mr Moondance has a great chance of adding another victory to his career tally of five by taking this 2m 1½f handicap hurdle. The eleven-year-old faces just five other competitors with two of those looking highly unlikely to figure.
Mr Moondance has previously scored on his return from a long absence so do not let 282 days put you off backing him.
He has also won over this course and distance before, picking up this equivalent race twelve months ago at odds of 18/1.
He won’t be those kind of odds on Sunday afternoon but he certainly won’t be the favourite as the online horse racing betting will side with the Gordon Elliott runner – Britzka.
Today's NB (Next Best)
3.50 Salisbury – Nahaarr
Prolific in 2019, winning his first four starts, Nahaarr took his form to a new level in 2020, landing a massive gamble when winning the Ayr Gold Cup.
Last season saw him beaten a neck by Starman in the Duke of York Stakes and then he wasn’t beaten too far in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He’s clearly not heading to that venue next week, but looks the ideal candidate to take this Salisbury feature – the Listed Cathedral Stakes.
Forecast players may want to add Cheveley Park’s Benefit to their betting slips.
Today's Longshot
5.07 Doncaster – Hello Power
The Richard Fahey Ebor Racing Club have already tasted victory this week with My Little Queens at Wetherby and another filly can possibly oblige for them at Doncaster on Sunday.
Hello Power is the only winning horse in the entire field, having landed a 7f handicap at Southwell in April.
Her only two runs on the turf have hardly been inspiring but she could easily improve to give the top three horses in the handicap something to think about given the amount of weight she receives from them.
Oisin Orr is a decent jockey booking and he is enjoying a fair degree of success at the moment.
Danger: Qwicken
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.
He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.
Steven graduated from the University Of Lancaster in 1996 with a B.A (Hons) in Urban Policy & Race Relations (major) with Contemporary Religions & Belief Systems (minor) and still wonders if any of these help him find the winners?
He writes for a number of websites and online publications and you can sometimes hear him at the weekend discussing racing on a number of local radio stations.
Is Darwin Nunez the best Liverpool striker since Luis Suarez? @SamRCox_ looks at the Uruguayan amid rumours of a blockbuster move to Anfield...
Liverpool are close to agreeing a big-money transfer for Darwin Núñez
Núñez is set to arrive from Benfica for almost £90 million
How will the Uruguayan impact Jurgen Klopp’s team?
Liverpool might be waving goodbye to Sadio Mane this summer, and Mo Salah’s contract situation is no clearer.
Investment in the forward line was necessary even with the recent addition with Luis Diaz. Darwin Núñez is the man Liverpool are turning to.
The club have reportedly agreed terms with Núñez, though they are yet to come to an agreement on a deal with Benfica. It seems like the eventual fee will be just shy of £90 million.
Having had a breakout campaign in Portugal, Núñez was always going to be at the forefront of transfer betting this summer. He was linked with Manchester United and Arsenal, but Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are set to win the race for Uruguayan.
Núñez’s path to becoming one of the most prized players in the 2022 transfer window is slightly unusual. His performances were promising, but not stunning, during his days with Penarol.
Almeria took a chance on him in Spain’s second tier, and his 16 goals were enough to catch the eye of Benfica. Both Jorge Jesus and compatriot Luis Suarez have spoken highly of him, yet his first campaign in Portugal was unspectacular.
While his development has been enough to catch the eye, it wasn’t until 2021-22 that Europe’s wealthiest clubs started showing interest. West Ham and Newcastle reportedly had efforts to sign him rejected in January.
Ligue 1 football prediction favourites PSG and Premier League powerhouse Chelsea were both rumoured as destinations despite their loaded front lines.
Núñez primarily operated as a central striker for Benfica in 2021-22, but he is just as comfortable playing from the left flank. It’s convenient, then, that Liverpool are about to see their long-time left winger depart the club.
The circumstances of Núñez’s signing are very different to when they splashed on Suarez and Andy Carroll after selling Fernando Torres to Chelsea.
The club is in a far better position both on the field and from a player development perspective, but there are still similarities.
Like Núñez, Suarez was not an out-and-out centre forward upon his arrival, and it was a risk. During his time at Barcelona, Suarez urged the club to sign his Uruguay teammate.
Instead, Núñez, like Suarez, will arrive in Liverpool replacing a player who had provided the Kop with a catalogue of great moments.
What Are Liverpool Getting?
Turning 23 later this month and with only one really productive season at the top level, Núñez isn’t the finished product. This isn’t Liverpool’s direct answer to Manchester City signing Erling Haaland.
Then again, Suarez had work to do when he arrived at Anfield, and Liverpool have a sensational player development record under Klopp.
Mane, Salah, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino have all taken their games to new levels at the club (and that’s not to mention the success stories in other positions).
Standing at 6’2, Núñez has the frame of a traditional number nine. He’s far from a penalty box poacher, though, and one of the most eye-catching things when watching him is his pace.
He's not only got a high top speed; he accelerates far better than most players his size, able to burn defenders when given space to attack.
The decision-making can be poor. Núñez’s back to goal play is a work in progress – he’s a long way from Firmino as a link-up man if he’s used in the middle of Liverpool’s front three.
In addition, he is prone to giving the ball away, as illustrated by a 67.1% pass completion in Liga NOS last season. Jota’s 74.9% was the worst in Liverpool’s squad.
Liverpool’s sports betting backers are going to be frustrated by Núñez at times.
Smarter Scout, as shown in The Athletic, adjusted Núñez’s statistical output to Premier League standards, and it reflects a player capable of tormenting defences, albeit with clear flaws.
He was given a score of 11 out of 99 for ball retention, yet ranked 90 or higher in shot volume, receptions in the box, ball carry volume and expected goals from ball progression.
Liverpool are planning to prepare an opening, verbal bid for Darwin Núñez to test water with Benfica. Proposal could be around €80m with add-ons. Manchester United also in contact with Núñez’s agent. 🇺🇾 #LFC
Núñez can generate opportunities through his ball carrying, though his passing is a clear weakness at the moment.
Klopp may pick and choose his matchups for Núñez early on, and will likely experiment with him both from the left and through the middle.
He has been at his most dangerous when given space to run in to on the break, a luxury Liverpool are seldom afforded.
The Uruguayan is unlikely to be a candidate to be the club captain during his debut Premier League season. This is a signing for the long-term, for a future without Firmino, Mane and Salah.
That’s not to downplay Núñez’s potential in 2022-23 – he’s going to play considerable minutes, and could take another leap if his current steep development curve is anything to go by.
Exercise Caution
This is a signing for Liverpool fans to be excited about. Núñez might not reach the heights of Suarez, but history would suggest he’s unlikely to go the way of other high-profile forward signings in the Premier League.
The history of transfers of this ilk is patchy at best. Romelu Lukaku has disappointed to varying degrees at Manchester United and Chelsea.
Alvaro Morata, Alexandre Lacazette, Roberto Soldado, Sebastien Haller, Nicolas Pepe, Timo Werner and Anthony Martial are just a few others to have underwhelmed.
Liverpool have earned trust when it comes to their recruitment and their ability to nurture players.
Premier League predictions are unlikely to tab Núñez as a Golden Boot candidate in his first campaign, but the stability at the club, and their unwavering identity under Klopp makes the process of adaptation far smoother than many others have gone through in much less functional situations.
By the usual standards when splashing transfer fees of this size, Núñez is relatively unproven. The total outlay might not be as outlandish as some deals, however, with Núñez’s wages unlikely to shatter Liverpool’s wage structure.
Liga NOS has been a proving ground for some of the world’s best, from Ederson and Bernardo Silva to Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.
Transfers from Portugal have been hit and miss overall, though. Stepping up to the Premier League can unearth and exaggerate flaws in a player’s game, but Núñez is moving to the right club to succeed.
A transfer for a player with a limited track record deserves a degree of caution. On the other hand, what we know of Núñez’s game, his personality and Liverpool’s history with similar deals, suggests this will be a success.
Reaching Suarez’s level is another question altogether – if he’s 70% of the player Suarez was on Merseyside, this deal will be a triumph.
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
The Kane vs Shearer debate has been raging on for many years but who comes out on top?
@AlMacca93 looks at both strikers and gives his thoughts on the greatest English forward debate...
More often than not, Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry are the two names that crop up when discussing the greatest strikers in Premier League history.
But is Harry Kane destined to rival those two goal-scoring geniuses in the coming years? Still just 28 years old, the England captain could have another decade in the sport.
The Shearer vs Kane debate was a non-starter until a year or so ago but there is now plenty of support for the Tottenham striker – and that support is growing by the goal.
Goals aren’t everything of course but you could even argue that Kane is a better footballer than Shearer, linking up play and offering a more rounded skill set.
Two Premier League legends, two England greats. However, only one can come out on top in this debate.
Strap yourselves in sports betting fans, it’s time for our take on Shearer vs Kane. And it’s sure to be a controversial view, no matter which side of the argument we end up on…
Why Harry Kane?
Already a fully-fledged member of the Premier League 100 Club and the fifth highest goal scorer in top flight history, Kane is one goal away from matching Sergio Aguero and a further three goals off Andy Cole’s tally.
For what it’s worth, he has already surpassed Henry’s total of 175 goals. He will break the England national team goal-scoring record sooner rather than later as well.
Arguably the most prolific centre forward in the division, Kane has scored at least 17 goals in each of the previous eight Premier League seasons.
For what it’s worth, Shearer never managed more than four seasons in a row with 17 or more goals. And it’s important to remember, two of those seasons were 42-game seasons.
Kane has so much more to his game than just goals, earning a reputation as one of the best in the Premier League at linking play.
His on-field relationship with Son Heung-Min is clear for all to see and Kane has shown he is happy enough to assist as well as score.
Kane’s impact and influence has been crucial to Tottenham’s success over the past couple of seasons, assisting 23 goals while notching 40 of his own.
Injuries have impacted his career on more than one occasion but the England captain has always managed to get back to his brilliant best.
Should the Tottenham striker average 20 goals a season over the next three campaigns, he will find himself on the verge of breaking Shearer’s record at just 32 years old.
Given his consistency over the years, it is easy to assume that Kane will continue to score at his current rate and we could have a non-debate in his favour in the not-so-distant future.
The haters will point to Kane’s goal-scoring record for England and say 15 of his 50 goals for the national side have come from the penalty spot.
While that is of course accurate, Kane’s tally of 35 non-penalty goals for England is still more than Shearer’s tally of 30 Three Lions goals.
It is important to remember that six of Shearer’s goals for the national team were penalties, leaving him on 24 England goals from open play.
He has his critics but Kane is a joy to watch when he’s on top form. He is the perfect centre forward in so many ways and his goal-scoring record speaks for itself.
Why Alan Shearer?
A Premier League legend, Shearer sets the benchmark for aspiring strikers – notching 260 top flight goals throughout a sensational professional career.
Leading Blackburn Rovers to the Premier League trophy was a career highlight for Shearer but he is perhaps best known for his goal-scoring exploits at Newcastle United.
A boyhood Magpies fan, it was a dream come true for Shearer when Newcastle moved to sign the forward for a world record £15 million in 1996.
Shearer instantly endeared himself to the St James’ Park faithful and he would go on to become one of the greatest players in the club’s illustrious history.
Having joined the Premier League Golden Boot winners list on three occasions, Shearer is a worthy contender to go down as the greatest striker in the modern era.
In addition, he has a league winner’s medal to his name – something that Kane may struggle to replicate – and a Player of the Season award for 1994/95.
Shearer was playing in a sensational Blackburn team but he was the key cog for Rovers at the time, notching an incredible 112 goals in 138 Premier League games in four seasons.
This was in the early 1990s, long before the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were dominant forces in European football. In his own right, Shearer was the force of his era.
Shearer’s reputation as one of the sport’s leading forwards preceded him. Those looking at football betting odds knew in advance that he would be a very short price to score.
And most of the time, he did. Shearer’s record of 260 goals in 441 Premier League matches puts him right up there with the greatest to grace England’s top flight.
While others – namely Sergio Aguero, Thierry Henry and even Kane – have better goals per game ratios, Shearer’s longevity at the highest level is unrivalled.
Able to influence Premier League predictions on a weekly basis, Shearer defied the odds to record his seventh 20-goal season at 33 years old.
Was Shearer’s game limited? An exceptional goal scorer yes, but was he able to transform how a team played? Possibly not.
Limited scope shouldn’t define Shearer’s career – after all, he scored 260 Premier League goals. In this debate, however, his lack of influence outside the box cannot be ignored.
Kane vs Shearer – Who Wins?
On reputation alone, Shearer wins this debate every day of the week and twice on a Sunday but I’m not siding with reputation and history here.
Kane is going to break the record for most England goals and will surpass Shearer’s Premier League goals record as well.
Add to that his ability to link up with play and create opportunities for his teammates, Kane has to be the choice. I’m sure we’ll all be saying the same in four years time…
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
Expert Steve Mullington gives his daily racing tips, including a NAP, NB and a Longshot. Scroll down now to find out horse racing tips Saturday 11th June at Chester and York...
Today's NAP (Best Bet)
2.45 Chester - Golden Melody
All roads lead to the Roodee again the four-year-old filly Golden Melody who attempts to win at the Roman amphitheatre for the second time in her career.
Her form figures at Chester read 2-1-3, so she has to be taken seriously off her mark of 75 in this 1m 2½f handicap.
Last time out at Hamilton she was just pipped on the post in a Sunday Series Fillies' Handicap, with several winners subsequently coming out of that race since, so the form is very strong.
Although out of form so far this season, Michael Attwater’s Lone Ranger has previously run two cracking races at this venue and must rank as a forecast contender.
Today's NB (Next Best)
2.00 York – Arctic Fox
Just over a week ago 16-year-old rider Fern O’Brien went through the heartbreak of riding a Hunter Chaser to “victory” at Cartmel, only to be cruelly disqualified for weighing in light.
Today she can turn that disappointment into joy in this 1m 4f handicap for female amateur jockeys.
Arctic Fox is a previous course and distance winner here after winning this very race in 2019, and there is every reason to believe the six-year-old can be on the premises once again.
Dangers: Casilli and Dash Of Spice
Today's Longshot
3.40 York – Vintage Clarets
Richard Fahey’s Vintage Clarets reached an official ratings high of 103 last season and was a two-year-old to be reckoned with.
Things haven’t quite clicked into place yet this term on the handicapping front but the colt has to be worth another shot in this Heritage feature.
Currently trading around the 33/1 mark, it’s pretty hard to ignore any Fahey runner at York given his exemplary record on the Knavesmire.
Fahey’s other runner – Admiral D is one to ponder over too under jockey Oisin Orr.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.
He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.
Steven graduated from the University Of Lancaster in 1996 with a B.A (Hons) in Urban Policy & Race Relations (major) with Contemporary Religions & Belief Systems (minor) and still wonders if any of these help him find the winners?
He writes for a number of websites and online publications and you can sometimes hear him at the weekend discussing racing on a number of local radio stations.
There is a plethora of exciting young Irish players at the moment
Caoimhín Kelleher is one of the most recognisable young Irish footballers in 2022
Which players could be the future of the Republic of Ireland national team?
Ireland have qualified for two major tournaments since 2002. Despite going on an impressive run of results from March 2021 to June 2022, the Republic of Ireland were left watching as the World Cup playoffs took place.
An influx of young talent is required if The Boys In Green are to turn their sports betting fortunes around in the 2020s.
Even qualifying for Euro 2024 would be a success given Ireland’s level of competitiveness of late.
Their standing in European football is reflected in football betting odds, with the Euro 2024 outright markets putting them at the same price as Finland and Hungary to win the tournament.
They remain in Division B in the Nations League, and are yet to win a match in Europe’s newest competition.
Alongside Scotland, Armenia and Ukraine, Stephen Kenny’s team have a chance to pick up some positive results. Longer term, this is a squad requiring a fresh generation of talent.
Fortunately, there are plenty of gifted young Irish players out there. Some have already debuted on the international stage. Others are further away from that honour, but have shown the potential to be a difference maker for Ireland.
Ferizaj, a central midfield player with a keen eye for goal, is one of several Irish youth internationals of Albanian descent, and he has even earned praise from the Albania’s president, Ilir Meta.
Every time I watch Justin Ferizaj play for Ireland, he is so impressive
It’s clear to see why he has been on trials at big continental clubs
Ferizaj has shone for the under-17s, scoring two stunning goals in three games late in 2021. He’s earned a couple of caps at the under-19 level as he continues to work his way through the youth system.
A trial with Roma showed he has caught the eye of bigger clubs around Europe.
Ferizaj is a long way from being a regular in the Republic of Ireland senior team, but he’s certainly heading in that direction, and don’t be surprised to see his name in transfer rumour columns in the coming years.
Caoimhín Kelleher
Already a full international, Caoimhín Kelleher could be Ireland’s future between the sticks.
This summer is a big crossroads in Kelleher’s development, however, as he decides whether to persevere at Liverpool or look elsewhere. He’s reliant on an injury to Alisson to get regular minutes at Anfield.
While he has amassed medals under Jurgen Klopp, Kelleher has just 18 club appearances to his name. That’s only 13 more club outings than he’s had for Ireland.
Despite such limited experience in the men’s game, Kelleher will be a man in demand if he looks to leave Liverpool this summer.
Reports have already indicated that some Premier League clubs would be interested in taking the 23-year-old on loan for 2022-23.
Liverpool are apparently keen to keep hold of Kelleher for at least one more season before making a decision on his long-term future.
Dara O’Shea
An ankle injury suffered on international duty disrupted Dara O’Shea’s 2021-22 season.
Upon his return, he was a long way down the pecking order in West Brom’s central defence, and once again found himself used at right-back.
It’s a position he can play, but the Dublin native prefers to be at the heart of the defence, and he’s clearly at his most effective when deployed in that role.
O’Shea has established himself with Ireland and won FAI Young Player of the Year in 2020. He’s a solid, fearless defender, but has work to do with the ball at his feet.
Already an effective player at 23, O’Shea can develop into at least a starter at Premier League level.
The question is playing time at his preferred position – does he stay healthy next season? How many minutes can he get at centre-back?
Troy Parrott
Troy Parrott only turned 20 in February, yet he already has 13 senior caps to his name.
The Tottenham forward spent 2021-22 on loan at Milton Keynes Dons, accumulating over 40 appearances for the club. It remains to be seen what level of football prediction he will be involved in for the 2022-23 season.
Parrott has filled out, and demonstrated improved link-up skills. He previously was ineffective if he wasn’t scoring, but that has changed during his time in Milton Keynes.
A loan to QPR has been suggested in 2022-23, as Spurs evaluate their transfer betting options with their prized striker prodigy.
A Premier League loan cannot be ruled out just yet either. It would be a waste to spend a season on the bench at Tottenham.
Nathan Collins
Arriving in the Premier League with Burnley after a big-money transfer from Stoke, Nathan Collins wasn’t exactly in the discussion for the captaincy.
He earned some useful top flight experience with the Lancashire club, though, and made his senior Ireland debut a few months after his transfer.
Patience is a necessity with young football players, and especially so with central defenders. Collins has just 71 senior club appearances to his name, and he only turned 21 at the end of April.
Not looking to put pressure on the young man, but Nathan Collins looks levels above anyone on the pitch right now. I really think he's going to be a huge player for us in the future.
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
Diego Carlos moves to Villa Park having spent three years at Sevilla
The £26 million man brings a wealth of experience to the club
He can be a key figure for Steven Gerrard’s side in the coming seasons
Aston Villa have been busy in the summer transfer window and Diego Carlos has the profile required to thrive in the Premier League.
A first team regular in Seville since joining from Nantes in 2019, their loss will be Villa’s gain and Steven Gerrard will be delighted to get this deal over the line.
Statistically, Carlos ticks plenty of boxes but will he adapt quickly to the pace of England’s top flight? Only time will tell…
The football transfer odds are hinting at more activity in the coming months and the Villa starting line-up could be full of new faces on the opening day of the season.
Without further ado, it’s time to take a look at Diego Carlos and his strengths, weaknesses and how he may fare in English football.
In Possession
The modern game is all about keeping possession and Carlos is your stereotypical Brazilian defender in that regard.
According to various online sources, Carlos completed more passes than any other defender in La Liga last season.
In fact, only Sergio Busquets made more passes overall – which shows best of all just how impressive Carlos’ statistics were.
He ended the 2021/22 season with 89% pass accuracy, an incredible achievement for any player let alone a central defender.
Diego Carlos deal has been officially completed between Aston Villa and Sevilla. “I am really happy because the Premier League is one of the best competitions”, he said. 🇧🇷 #AVFC
“I always want to do the best for the club and the shirt I'm wearing”.
Versatility is another key trait of his, with many hinting that Carlos might be more influential in a holding midfield role – similar to the role taken up by David Luiz.
His calm and composed nature should help to ease pressure on the Villa defence as Gerrard continues to put his own stamp on proceedings.
Villa are odds on in most betting markets to finish in the top half this season and Carlos is the right type of player to lead the club to new heights.
Body On The Line
Any defender worth his salt needs to be willing to put their body on the line in any situation, no matter how precarious – Carlos certainly fits the bill here.
He finished the 2021/22 La Liga campaign with more blocks than any other defender and he was very influential in protecting the goal, particularly inside the 18-yard box.
Sevilla finished the campaign with the best defensive record in the league and Carlos was an integral figure throughout the campaign, helping the club to record 17 clean sheets.
Aston Villa often find themselves under the cosh, adopting a counter-attacking approach and Carlos’ presence at the heart of the defence will certainly give fans a boost.
He exudes confidence and charisma, throwing himself in the line of fire in a bid to protect his goalkeeper.
Whether playing alongside Tyrone Mings or not, Carlos can be a huge hit at Villa Park and he will be popular in Premier League predictions next term.
Reading The Game
Watch Virgil van Dijk and look how he reads the game – that is what separates him from his peers. Carlos is smart but he can certainly improve in that regard.
As previously mentioned, Villa often defend with a low block and so reading the game isn’t as important as it would be if they dominated possession.
However, Carlos will still be required to use his football brain and predict where attacks may or may not be dangerous and when to commit.
Intellect is now more important than ever before in the modern era and Carlos should look at the likes of Van Dijk and Antonio Rudiger when moulding his own game.
He has one of the best managers in the league for getting players drilled but the ability to understand and read passages of play comes naturally.
Weakness
Discipline has been a major problem for Carlos throughout his career, particularly when the pressure is turned up a notch.
Carlos was a star at the back for Sevilla throughout their successful Europa League campaign in 2019/20 but he found himself in a compromising position on several occasions.
He conceded a penalty in the quarter-final win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, the semi-final win over Manchester United and in the final itself against Inter Milan.
The Brazilian received 20 yellow cards in three seasons in La Liga and he will have to try and channel his aggression to avoid cautions in the Premier League.
While La Liga officials have a reputation for being card-happy, Premier League referees try not to brandish cards as frequently but Carlos’ reputation may precede him.
Watch this space – Carlos could thrive in England’s top flight but Villa fans should be wary of his hot-headed nature.
Will Diego Carlos Be A Hit?
Previously linked with Liverpool and Newcastle United, Carlos has been the subject of Premier League interest and that can only be viewed as a positive from a Villa perspective.
Gerrard will be over the moon to acquire a player of such experience and Carlos can be a leading figure at Villa Park for many years to come.
There is no way of knowing if a player will adapt to the Premier League or not but Carlos ticks plenty of boxes to enjoy a successful career in English football.
The Villa Park faithful should be happy enough. Carlos isn’t going to carry the club to the lofty heights of Europe on his own but he is a top calibre player.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
Expert Steve Mullington gives his daily racing tips, including a NAP, NB and a Longshot. Scroll down now to find out horse racing tips Friday 10th June at Newton Abbot, Sandown and York...
Today's NAP (Best Bet)
6.51 Newton Abbot – Sebastopol
On official ratings the Tom Lacey-trained Sebastopol is a class above his rivals here and should take all the beating in this 2m ½f affair.
Sebastopol was last seen running third to N’golo in the Swinton hurdle at Haydock which was a fair enough result given that his previous six runs had all been over regulation chase fences, and he had taken to that sphere really well.
Lacey has switched him back to the big obstacles once again here and I can see the eight-year-old dominating from the front.
Forecast backers may want to consider Leapaway for the runner-up spot given that he filled the same spot behind our nap back in April at Chepstow.
Today's NB (Next Best)
2.20 Sandown – Liangel Hope
The Ontoawinner-owned Liangel Hope is having a fruitful three-year-old season thus far and can put up another bold show today under William Buick.
Trainer David O’Meara has been in cracking form this last fortnight or so and it is rare for any of his stable to underperform at the present moment.
Jockey William Buick is a class act too which makes Liangel Angel a really solid each-way proposition for any punters placing their horse racing online bets at Sandown on Friday.
A danger on paper could come from Alan King’s Reversion who has been gelded and tackles handicap company for the first time.
Today's Longshot
4.05 York – Ugo Gregory
Ugo Gregory showed glimmers of his old self at Beverley a fortnight ago and has lent himself to being a speculative each-way bet given his attractive weight in this field.
The six-year-old grey gelding has been a fairly prolific winner for Tim Easterby, winning 8 of his 45 starts and placing on 10 other occasions.
He was a course and distance scorer here last October and jockey Dave Allan has already partnered him to four of his victories.
An open affair like this usually requires more than one selection and a few each-way pennies will also be going the way of Wobwobwob who looks like a winner waiting to happen.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.
He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.
Steven graduated from the University Of Lancaster in 1996 with a B.A (Hons) in Urban Policy & Race Relations (major) with Contemporary Religions & Belief Systems (minor) and still wonders if any of these help him find the winners?
He writes for a number of websites and online publications and you can sometimes hear him at the weekend discussing racing on a number of local radio stations.
That hasn’t stopped fans speculating about his future at the club, however, particularly when big names have been on the market like Antonio Conte, Erik ten Hag and Zinedine Zidane.
This is the Gunners’ longest run outside the top four since the 1970s. Arteta led them to fifth in 2021/22, bouncing back after consecutive campaigns down in eighth, but this is still a club far from where they expect to be.
Heading into 2022/23, online betting prices them as sixth favourites for the title, far behind Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United.
The days of frustration at their consistency under Arsene Wenger have drifted into the history books. The post-Wenger years have been rocky for a club which was so stable throughout the Premier League era.
Expecting a rookie manager like Arteta to provide Wenger-like results isn’t fair, and Arsenal were clearly in for the long haul when they handed the Spaniard the reins.
Some are already doubting Arteta, though, and even with the club exercising patience, there will be a moment when they ask if he’s the right man.
Challenges Facing Arsenal
Arsenal made the Champions League every season between 2000/01 and 2016/17. They have not featured in Europe’s premier club competition since, hitting their revenues hard and eliminating them from the elite group of European clubs.
With a late-season collapse under Arteta, the Gunners once again missed out on a top four spot in 2021/22, instead having to settle for a Europa League berth.
Premier League teams still have a financial advantage over the majority of clubs in Europe’s top five leagues.
Arsenal’s television and sponsorship deals enable them to pay far larger wages than their peers in Germany, Spain, Italy and France, but recruitment is a different game when there is no lure of Champions League football.
Naturally, a club’s spending is more controlled without the riches associated with the top level of continental football, too.
On a domestic level, they cannot compete with the Manchester clubs or Liverpool for players. The same has been true of Chelsea, too. Tottenham now have a high-profile manager and Champions League football to offer.
When 2022/23 begins, Arteta and Arsenal are competing with United, Chelsea and Spurs for the final two spots in the top four. Their squad is clearly the weakest of that quartet.
Understrength Squad
‘Rebuild’ is overused in football. Teams cannot bottom out and restock their squad with young talent through the draft like in the NFL or NBA, nor do they receive prospects in return for letting veterans go.
Arteta has been overseeing an overhaul of the senior squad, however, with Alexandre Lacazette following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out the door this summer. Their core should all have their peak years ahead of them.
While Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel and Ben White will all improve in the coming seasons, this squad is a work in progress. Not all of those six will reach their ceilings.
It’s uncertain if any will get close to the elite levels of Liverpool and Manchester City’s core players, which is what Arteta needs if he’s to make this team into a real challenger.
The latest Premier League football odds paint an accurate picture of where Arsenal stand in the Premier League hierarchy. This is a club working at a disadvantage to the rest of the traditional top six both from a financial and talent standpoint.
The way the season ended may reflect poorly on Arteta, but this isn’t an easy job at the moment. There are higher aspirations at the club, yet fifth has to be viewed as a good finish for this group.
Arteta’s Outlook
Despite the circumstances, a slow start to next season will see more discussion of next Arsenal manager betting. Manchester United will be better under ten Hag after the shambles of Ralf Rangnick’s tenure.
West Ham spent much of the season ahead of Arsenal before their attentions turned to the Europa League. Chelsea and Spurs will both be stronger.
As such, it’s difficult to really evaluate Arteta as yet. This summer will be significant for shaping the squad for the next five-plus years with the wage bill having been cut significantly with the departures of Aubameyang and Lacazette.
It might be the end of 2022/23 when we really get an idea of Arteta’s managerial ability against the best in the league. It might be another 12 months from then.
The manner of their 2021/22 demise was a point of frustration, and Arsenal have put in some poor performances against their supposed peers, but is this team any better than fifth right now?
Arteta has not dazzled in his first 131 matches in charge, nor has he underachieved. The semi-final and final wins in their FA Cup triumph could be viewed as a taster of what he could produce with a deeper, more talented squad.
Alternatively, a counter could be made that finishing ahead of a dysfunctional Manchester United and distracted West Ham is barely an achievement. Being any lower than fifth would have been a very poor season.
Fans might grow impatient with Arteta, and understandably so. It is unusual in the 21st century to say a manager needs more time with over 130 matches at the club, but a glance at Premier League predictions for next season shows how far Arsenal need to go.
Arteta hasn’t been perfect, though that’s no surprise for a man who arrived with no managerial experience. It has been a slow process nudging Arsenal back towards the top four.
While others (such as a certain Italian at the Premier League’s other north London club) might have brought better short-term results, Arsenal invested in a long-term vision with Arteta.
There are shoots of progress both in his management and the development of their under-25 core. It was never going to be a quick fix, and Arsenal risk undermining all the work over the last couple of years if they change course this summer.
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
Football expert Ste Tudor (@SteTudor123) tackles the Buffon vs Casillas question - read on to find out which side of the argument he is on...
These two goalkeeping goliaths have won 47 major honours at club level
Each have lifted the World Cup and five times apiece been voted the best around
Both are legends and record-breakers but who is number one?
For a quarter of a century and more, Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas straddled world football as goalkeeping goliaths who between them completed their sport.
Think that’s an exaggeration? Combined, the two legends have won 15 league titles for their respective clubs, and each have a World Cup winner’s medal pride of place in cabinets crammed to the brim with silverware.
Who gets your vote - Gianluigi Buffon or Iker Casillas?
They have been voted the best keeper on the planet a remarkable five times apiece and remained at the very pinnacle of their profession for such a long period it can only be described as an era.
Along with the almost-equally sublime Manuel Neuer, each have been at the vanguard of a goalkeeping revolution that has seen their position substantially change in recent years.
Along with the almost-equally sublime Manuel Neuer, they have elevated their craft to unparalleled heights.
So, while everyone else endlessly debates about the considerable merits of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and who is greater, isn’t it about time we turned to these two iconic figures between the sticks and did likewise?
Buffon vs Casillas? Who is number one?
Shot-stopping
To determine this, we must break down the various skillsets of a multifaceted role, beginning with their principle task of keeping the ball out of the net.
Here, Casillas wins out, but only marginally, blessed as he was with razor-sharp reflexes and outstanding agility, the likes of which we have rarely seen before.
Sam Cox (@SamRCox_) gives his thoughts on the biggest debate in Welsh football. Who comes out on top in the Ryan Giggs vs Gareth Bale argument?
Should acrobatics be required, the player nicknamed ‘San Iker’ (‘Saint Iker’) could be as spectacular as the next stopper until his retirement in 2020, but in truth he hardly needed to resort to miracle saves, his footwork and anticipation both consistently immaculate.
All of the above also naturally applies to Buffon, if to a slightly less degree, and if our life depended on a one-on-one we’d go with the Spaniard. This is the extreme example we must reach for to separate this magnificent shot-stopping pair.
Casillas’ impenetrable air pervaded the Bernabeu for 16 years, making him the bane of opponents great and good as Real Madrid challenged Barcelona at the top throughout. Our La Liga predictions for 2022/23 tip Los Blancos to once again reign supreme in Spain.
Last line of defence
Of course, palming a shot around the post is only a portion of a goalkeeper’s responsibilities and in all other regards Buffon can lay claim to being the best all-rounder of his generation.
In his organisation of the back-line ahead of him and from his formidable bossing of a penalty area – a strength that factors in his peerless ability in dealing with crosses – the Italian is unrivalled, and from this leadership comes a stature that should not be downplayed.
Strikers knew they were facing the great Gianluigi Buffon that particular afternoon. That thought alone was nigh-on worth a goal head-start.
Having blazed a trail at Parma as a precocious teenager, the Tuscan custodian went on to make over 500 appearances for Juventus, his presence and talent being a sizable reason why the Zebras so regularly legitimized their slender Serie A odds and won Scudettos year on year.
There in Turin he was nicknamed ‘Superman’ for goodness sake. What more needs to be said?
Achievements
Comparing each player’s career feats is like taking a measuring stick up K2, then Everest.
At club level, the highly accomplished duo won 47 major honours while for Spain and Italy they made an astonishing 334 appearances between them. No other player has adorned the azzurro jersey of Italy more than Buffon.
Casillas’ three Champions League triumphs with Real arguably edges him ahead of his rival for trophies won though Buffon can count himself very unfortunate, losing three finals.
In one, against AC Milan, the 6ft 4 giant made two penalty saves in a dramatic shoot-out.
Buffon’s longevity, however, possibly balances this out. As well as being Italy’s record appearance-maker, no other player has featured more in Serie A history, his 657 outings dating from the mid-nineties to the present day as his career winds down at Parma.
Frankly, so vast and impressive are their C.V.s that this particular segment should go down as a score-draw, or more accurately a goalless shut-out and to put their sizable deeds into proper perspective consider this: If you’re a fan of betting then it’s a dead cert that at some point you’ve had a flutter on a game involving one or both players.
If you backed their team, you very likely won your bet. If you went against San Iker or Superman, you very likely lost.
Testimonials
Unsurprisingly, these generational greats have amassed volumes of praise down the decades with some of the most interesting observations coming from former keepers, legends in their own right.
In rating one over the other, Peter Shilton was happy to nail his colours to an Italian mast in 2015 saying of Buffon: “He has always been a favourite of mine.”
The ex-Nottingham Forest and England ace went on to compliment ‘Gigi’s consistency but did point out that Casillas possessed a masterful big-game temperament.
Famed Italian stopper Dino Zoff meanwhile – who, like Buffon, also won well over a century of caps for the Azzurri, winning the World Cup into the bargain – weighed in on the debate that same year.
Raising eyebrows across the peninsula he went against his eventual successor who had idolised him growing up, saying simply, “Between Buffon and Casillas, I choose the Spaniard.”
Strikers too have offered their informed opinions on the pair down the seasons, with Fernando Torres once saying of his international team-mate Casillas that Spain were ‘lucky to have him’.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, by way of contrast, opted for his ex-Juve colleague, with one of the most brilliant forwards to ever grace the top 5 leagues in Europe, admitting Buffon was ‘impossible to beat’.
Verdict
For the second year in a row our annual Serie A predictions won’t include Parma this summer, with the Yellow and Blues now residing in the second tier.
And it is here we find a 44-year-old Gigi Buffon, still exasperating attackers on a weekly basis, even if now the reflexes are a touch blunter, his agility too lessened by age.
For a staggering 27 years though, the one-time Ballon d’Or runner-up has topped his field, for our money a better goalkeeper than any of the many pretenders who have come after his crown. And yes, the superior of Casillas also, if only by a fraction.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
Stephen Tudor is a freelance football writer and sports enthusiast who only knows slightly less about the beautiful game than you do.
A contributor to FourFourTwo and Forbes, he is a Manchester City fan who was taken to Maine Road as a child because his grandad predicted they would one day be good.
Our way too early predictions for next season include a runaway winner and a surprise package
Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl could be on borrowed time
Will Newcastle end their long, long wait for a trophy?
It’s usually a fool’s errand to make season predictions and for proof of this we only need look at prophecies made prior to last term. Manchester United to finish above Liverpool. Manchester City to fall into decline.
To be clear, these weren’t from our own crystal ball but we’re absolutely not judging whoever it was that hopelessly misread the room. We know how difficult it is to second-guess the future.
And it’s especially difficult making a football prediction at this early juncture, long before most transfers are made and ahead of pre-season friendlies.
What the hell though, right? We’re game if you are. Just please don’t remind us of these next May!
Manchester United To Secure Top Four
It would be quite wrong to over-estimate the impact Erik ten Hag can, or will, immediately have at Old Trafford just as it’s quite wrong to under-estimate the scale of the task at hand.
This summer, a wealth of under-achieving talent is leaving while numerous new faces are set to arrive, who all need bedding in and acclimatizing to the unique demands that come from being a Manchester United star.
Still, if the Dutchman instils a better structure to the team – and he unquestionably has the managerial acumen to do so – then the Reds should improve and quickly.
Furthermore, if the players buy into his thinking, a Champions League spot is there for the taking.
Southampton to struggle and Hasenhuttl to leave
It always feels somewhat unsavoury to suggest a man and his job will soon be parted but the Austrian will begin 2022/23 as one of the favourites to leave his position first and there are legitimate reasons why.
Throughout Ralph Hasenhuttl’s three-and-a-half year tenure on the South Coast his team have been streaky, capable of putting together a three-month run of good results only to then forget themselves completely and slide down the table. Last season was no different.
Only it feels distinctly different this time, a capitulation from early March on resulting from players looking jaded and in dire need of inspiration.
The Saints require three or more big signings this summer to rejuvenate a squad that’s gone stale. But will Hasenhuttl be given the backing to make them?
Manchester City to have it all their own way
The football odds for next term will naturally pitch City as favourites, with Liverpool close behind. Perhaps though, the duopoly we have witnessed in recent years may be showing signs of abating.
Sadio Mane has publicly admitted he intends to depart Anfield this summer and the Senegalese striker is a huge part of Jurgen Klopp’s attacking template.
City meanwhile have considerably strengthened their forward options, not only attracting the phenomenal goal-machine Erling Haaland but also Julian Alvarez, an Argentine who has been tearing things up for River Plate, leading to comparisons being made with Sergio Aguero.
Factor in too, the inevitable psychological baggage of Liverpool’s incredible campaign ending in heartbreak twice-over and the ultra-tight title races that have become the norm may give way to a fairly comfortable ride for the Blues.
We’re calling it now: City to win the league by 8+ points.
Newcastle finally win a trophy, just don’t ask Howe
The Magpies’ perilous circumstances going into 2022 meant their new owners erred towards pragmatism in the January window and in their choice of manager too.
Players were targeted with proven Premier League experience while ‘Steady’ Eddie Howe was recruited to stabilize results and it must be said the former Bournemouth boss did a tremendous job from the get-go.
With their top-flight status secured however, the wealthiest club on the planet will look to bring in more sensational fare this summer on the pitch and that consequently raises the expectation levels in the North-East and puts greater pressure on Howe to excel.
Is he up to the task? Only time will tell but don’t be surprised if a marquee name in a designer suit is at the helm come May.
As for Newcastle, their elevation will likely continue and though top four will remain beyond them for the time being, a domestic cup is well within their means. It would be their first trophy for 67 years.
Spurs to implode
We are in unchartered waters with Antonio Conte who has strayed from his typical M.O. of inheriting a side capable of winning a title and then fixing their problems to facilitate that happening.
Tottenham are not capable of winning the league and indeed are in possession of so many flaws that attaining a top four place last season should be considered an over-achievement.
The Italian deserves a great deal of credit for making that a reality but his contribution paled to that of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min who between them boasted a remarkable 38 direct goal involvements in Spurs’ 41 league goals from February on.
Can these go-to names for Premier League tips maintain this staggering return next term? We all saw how badly Tottenham stuttered in the early stages of 2021/22 when the pair fired blanks.
An over-reliance on their front two will surely back-fire on the Lilywhites at some juncture and when it does Conte will kick up a storm.
Mitrovic to misfire
The Fulham striker’s stats in the Championship last season were off-the-scale, a record-breaking 43 goals firing the Cottagers back into the top-flight. That equated to a goal every 89 minutes all season long.
The powerful Serb was unstoppable, a one-man force of nature. He was beloved by the online betting community because he offered assurances in a thoroughly unpredictable league.
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 | 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
🏅 Aleksandar Mitrovic
The first striker to score 43 goals in a second-tier season since Brian Clough for Middlesbrough in 1958-59, Mitrovic has thrived under Marco Silva. #TAUKAwards | @FulhamFCpic.twitter.com/KlMQr1ZaoU
Yet this prolificacy in the second tier is not exactly new. In 2017/18 he bagged 12 in 17 for the West London club. Two years later he notched 26.
In between however, were campaigns in the Premier League that had him toil for very little reward. Last time out, as Fulham finished 11 points adrift of safety, the forward eked out just three in 27 outings.
Fulham’s consistent yo-yoing in recent years suggests they are too good for the Championship but fall short of Premier League standards. The same is true of their burly front-man.
Forest to win best newcomer
After gaining promotion via the Play-Offs, how will Nottingham Forest fare in the best league in Europe?
For inspiration they only need look at the previous year’s Wembley winners, Brentford, who outstripped their fellow promoted sides – Norwich and Watford – both of whom went up automatically but are now Championship-bound again.
That is not to suggest that Bournemouth and Fulham on this occasion are doomed to drop but Forest have the wherewithal to match the Bees’ 13th place finish quite comfortably.
This admittedly depends on a well-strategized transfer window, with particular emphasis put on tying down their loanees, Zinckernagel, Garner, Spence and Davis.
Add a couple of experienced figures to the group on top of that quartet and the Tricky Trees could, and should, surprise in 2022/23.
Stephen Tudor is a freelance football writer and sports enthusiast who only knows slightly less about the beautiful game than you do.
A contributor to FourFourTwo and Forbes, he is a Manchester City fan who was taken to Maine Road as a child because his grandad predicted they would one day be good.
