With Salah, Mane and Keita leaving for the African Cup of Nations, do they have enough strength in depth, particularly up front to cope with those two huge losses?

“This is Jurgen Klopp’s best squad that he’s ever had, better than squads that have won the title and a Champions League, but with Salah and Mane in particular going to the African Cup of Nations it of course is going to make it much more difficult to win the league.

With the goalkeeper they are sorted. In defence they are sorted. In midfield they have strength in depth. Up front you have the front four who are phenomenal and Saturday proved that in Divok Origi they have another striking option with someone who can step up, again, when Liverpool need him most.

I think Liverpool can go all the way in the Champions League and be Champions of Europe once again. The Premier League title race is going to be fascinating with Chelsea and Manchester City likely to push Liverpool all the way. I believe Chelsea and City will look to strengthen in January, so I would love to see Liverpool to do the same.

During the season, fighting on all fronts, you have to rest players. With the added pressure of the Africa Cup of Nations absentees, bringing in another top player would be a real lift.”

Losing either forward for a significant period of time would certainly be a huge loss to the Merseysiders, with Salah in particular in sensational form this season. Indeed, with 20 goals and assists already to his name in the league alone, he is on course to smash all manner of long-standing records.

How does the Egyptian superstar compare to Luis Suarez, the Reds magical front-man from Enrique’s days at Anfield?

“I played with Luis. I saw him in training and he would do the same there as on the pitch. He was crazy and I know how much impact he had on us in the dressing room before games. So, between them I would have to err towards Luis.

However, if Mo Salah continues the numbers he has now until the end of the season I would have to change my mind and go with Salah. Because he’s a winger: I know he comes inside but he’s a winger, not a striker. So, for him to get these numbers is just incredible. Plus, there is all that he has done in the past.”

In the late-2000s and beyond, Enrique established himself as a firm favourite of the Kop, admired for his technical ability and regular marauding down the left flank from his full-back berth. Naturally then, his thoughts on Andy Robertson, the present incumbent in that role, are worth listening to.

“He has so many qualities that it is difficult to only mention one. I love the players who work so hard and Robbo gives you that work rate. He gives 200% per game. He is fast and crosses really well – his left foot is magnificent – and for me he is the most complete left back in the world. Other left-backs might be more skillful but if I was picking a dream team definitely I’d choose Robbo every time because he’d put in 7 or 8 out of 10 performances every game.”

If the affable Spaniard is evidently a fan of Robertson, that goes double for the England international on the opposing wing, a ‘unique’ talent who he reserves nothing but the highest of praise for.

“Trent is at a different level. Look at his age and what he’s producing now and what he can become. He’s still very young. His numbers are fake (laughs). They are just unbelievable. Usually a full-back would be very happy with six or seven assists per season but his are double that sometimes.

He has a right foot as good as Stevie (Gerrard) or De Bruyne and is the best passer in the team. I’ve never seen a full-back who can pass like he can. Wherever he looks he can just put it there and actually with his crosses they are ahead of the player, waiting for them, because he puts the ball where he feels the player is going to go. Most of the time he is right too. So, I’ve never seen a player like Trent who can deliver the balls that he does, from every single place on the pitch. It is unique, the way that he plays, and you can talk about world class players like Cafu – and I loved Cafu – and they don’t have what he has. He is unique.”

Prior to joining Liverpool in 2011, for a fee of £7m, Enrique excelled for Newcastle, a club that has experienced the wildest of extremes in 2021/22. Off the pitch, a recent headline-grabbing takeover instantly made the Magpies wealthy beyond all imagination. On it, they are finally off the foot of the table after a win against Burnley on Saturday, though relegation to the Championship remains a possibility.

Might that possibility deter potential transfer targets as Newcastle prepare to invest some of their good fortune?

“It’s difficult for Newcastle. They have one month before the transfer window starts and it’s certainly harder to attract top players to come to a club that is several points behind the rest. To a club where relegation is a possible reality. So, a lot depends on how December goes for them and hopefully this win will push them forward. It is important they are still in touch with the clubs around them and that will allow them to make a case to get in good players who can help them get away from the difficult situation.”

As for the calibre of player on Newcastle’s shopping list, Enrique hopes that his former employer purchase wisely.

“They need to approach the right kind of players. Do they go for big names or do they target players like Saint-Maximin, the kind who have the desire to prove themselves as top players?”

Whichever way they go, the North-East giants and their ever-loyal fans can expect some interesting times ahead, and with the distinct chance of some long-overdue success on the horizon, the 35-year-old is delighted.

“They deserve everything because the fans are incredible. I know how frustrated they have been and I was frustrated myself when I played there. When renewing my contract I had doubts because we were selling very important players and I was told no-one was coming in, that was the reality and it’s been the reality ever since I left the club. I played five years at Liverpool and I’ve been retired five years and nothing changed in that time. So, I’m really, really happy for the city and for the fans.

Jose Enrique quickfire questions

Who will win the Premier League? Liverpool 11/4 

*Odds accurate at time of publishing
Click here for the latest Premier league Outright Odds at 888sport

Who will win the Golden Boot? No doubt, it’s Salah

Who will win the Champions League? Liverpool  11/2 

*Odds accurate at time of publishing
Click here for the latest Champions League Outright Odds at 888sport

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Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre believes new interim boss Ralf Rangnick will be a big success at Old Trafford, and even end all speculation as to who might ultimately take on the job permanently.

“If I had to bet, I’d say the next permanent manager will be Ralf Rangnick because if it works out well why would the club look elsewhere? He’s not young but he has the strength and energy to carry on beyond the next few months. He’s in the best position to take on the job as Manchester United manager.

He has proven in the past in Germany that his method works and everywhere he’s been his teams have improved. His style of football is now the style favoured by teams who do well in the Champions League. If it matches up with the current players at United then they could go a long way.”

Presently, the agreement in place is that the 63-year-old takes the reins until next summer before taking on a consultancy role at the club but watch this space.

As for the here and now, Rangnick’s remit to turn around United’s flagging fortunes begins this Thursday, as the Reds take on another of Silvestre’s former employers, Arsenal. All the talk ahead of the game has focused on the manager’s insistence for high-intensity pressing from his teams and how Cristiano Ronaldo – for all his brilliance – is not exactly known for that. Might a problem lie in wait? The ex-defender who won five Premier League titles under Sir Alex Feguson – one of them alongside CR7 – is not having any of it.

“Cristiano has delivered in almost every single game for United. His goal-ratio compared to the chances is high and they’ve been important goals, turning games around. He is the one who has stood up.”

If Ronaldo has stood up, it’s fair to suggest others have not because otherwise United would not have suffered such an alarming slump in results and performances across 2021/22, a slump that eventually cost Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his position. How does Silvestre explain their decline?

“The reasons for United being in this situation are difficult to point out because we’re not in the dressing room and you can’t point at one specific thing that went wrong. It’s a mix of things and they aren’t major but minor. But lots of little dysfunctions can cause a club to lose their way. That’s what happened unfortunately.”

Injuries too have played a part, most notably being deprived of their summer signing Raphael Varane for chunks of the campaign. From one French centre-back to another, Silvestre is clearly a fan.

“Varane is up there with Van Dijk and Ramos. He’s bringing a lot of confidence and reads the situations well, winning most of his challenges. You can also build from the back with him. So, his introduction to the English game has been pretty good and the only sad thing has been his two muscle strains. This has stopped him from growing and leading the team.”

On the subject of defenders, United’s opponents this week have long struggled at the back, lacking a consistent line-up, with players prone to mishap. That seems to have changed of late, with a quintet of Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Tierney, Gabriel and White who have generally impressed. Has Mikel Arteta managed to assemble a rearguard that can help take the Gunners to the next level?

“Arsenal’s defence works as a unit and also individually they have taken notice of the task because this team – with the exception of Aubameyang and Lacazette – is almost brand-new. So you need a big strong foundation to get results and it was really important for them to sort out the defence. I think they’ve done enough and have enough now to challenge for the top four.”

Elsewhere, the emergence of Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka promises much, and carries on a legacy laid down by Arsene Wenger to blood and trust the club’s most talented homegrown talent. This was an approach witnessed first-hand by Silvestre during his two seasons at the Emirates and evidently, he approves of it being continued by Arteta today.
“Bringing through youngsters is something Arsenal is known for and that’s been the way for some time. Their academy is successful, and it makes sense to give the best players a chance, to help get the club through a difficult period. It’s also good for the identity of the club and for the fans. When they play for England it’s even better.”

The exciting displays of Smith Rowe and Saka have been instrumental in Arsenal sharply climbing the league table since August but still, the feeling is that a team that once competed at the very top remains a whole plateau behind Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. With the same arguably being true of United, which of Silvestre’s former sides does he believe will challenge again for a title the soonest?

“Maybe I would give a slight advantage to United just by looking at the finances and what they can spend in the transfer market. So, for that reason I would give United the nudge over Arsenal.”

As for this week’s clash, where once it was a must-see event, a rivalry that gripped the nation, now it’s a curio only for neutrals. Does this frustrate the likeable 44-year-old?

“It’s life. It goes in circles. You cannot stay at the top for decades. Look at Italy, when sometimes it is AC v Juventus and other times it’s other teams who are the hottest ticket. Perhaps the only country where it stays the same is in Scotland. In England it is quite common when you have big teams with big budgets and the situation changes. You have to accept that.”

Mikael Silvestre quickfire questions

Score prediction for Manchester United v Arsenal – 2-2

First goal-scorer – Saka

Who will win the Premier League? Man City 31/50 
*Odds accurate at time of publishing
Click here for the latest Premier league Outright Odds at 888sport

Who will win the Champions League? Liverpool 11/2
*Odds accurate at time of publishing
Click here for the latest Champions League Outright Odds at 888sport

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• Ralf Rangnick has been confirmed as the new interim Manchester United manager

• His previous clubs include RB Leipzig, Schalke and Stuttgart

• The German will move into a consultancy role at the club following the interim manager period

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It is official: Ralf Rangnick is the new interim Manchester United manager. If you’re big into football betting, you might have heard the name at some point…

However, most English football fans took to the internet to search for the German when the news broke – who exactly is Ralf Rangnick?

The 63-year-old German has been selected to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the Theatre of Dreams and Rangnick could be the man to take United back to the top.

Despite reports linking Mauricio Pochettino and Brendan Rodgers with the job, Rangnick was always the preferred choice for the interim manager position.

Following his six-month stint as interim manager, Rangnick will move into a consultancy role at Old Trafford for an additional two years.

Here, we take a closer look at the new Manchester United boss and his life – both in football and away from the sport.

Ralf Rangnick Family Life

Born on 29th June 1958, Ralf Rangnick was raised in Backnang by parents Dietrich and Erika – who met each other in Lichtenstein in 1945.

His mother grew up in Poland while his father was born and bred in Konigsberg, eventually settling in West Germany to start a family.

Rangnick married long-time girlfriend Gabriele Lamm-Rangnick in the 1990s and the couple share two sons; David and Kevin.

How Much Is Ralf Rangnick Worth?

Having been involved in football management and associate positions for over 30 years, Ralf Rangnick has built up a lucrative net worth.

According to online estimates, the 63-year-old’s wealth is valued at $20 million – though that figure is sure to rise after his time at Manchester United.

Rangnick reportedly lives a luxurious lifestyle, with sources claiming he owns a number of sports cars and an expensive property haul.

However, Rangnick loves to give back to those who are less fortunate than himself and he helped set up a non-profit organisation called Ralf Rangnick Stiftung.

The organisation intends to look after children interested in science and technology while also focusing on teaching music and creativity.

Ralf Rangnick Salary

According to the Daily Star, Ralf Rangnick will double his Lokomotiv Moscow salary at Old Trafford – with the German set to earn £3.8 million per year.

While the club put together a five-man shortlist for the position, United technical director John Murtough claimed that he was always the top priority.

“Ralf is one of the most respected coaches and innovators in European football,” Murtough said following the official press announcement.

“He was our number one candidate for interim manager, reflecting the invauable leadership and technical skills he will bring from almost four decades of experience in management and coaching.”

Ralf Rangnick Career

Rangnick never really broke out as a player, becoming something of a journeyman during his career. Never featuring in Bundesliga predictions, Rangnick has enjoyed more successful as a coach than a player.

Spells at VfB Stuttgart II, Southwick and VfR Heilbronn were relatively short-lived before an even shorter spell at Ulm 1846.

Happy enough playing in the lower echelons of German football, Rangnick began to develop his coaching resume as a player-coach for Stuttgart II and TSV Lippoldsweiler.

After biding his time in the lower divisions, Rangnick was handed the opportunity to manage Bundesliga side Stuttgart but was dismissed after a tough second season.

However, he enjoyed more success at Hannover. Rangnick led the club to Germany’s top flight before two decent spells at Schalke and a successful period at Hoffenheim.

He led Schalke to the German Cup, German Super Cup and Champions League semi-finals during his second stint at the club – firmly cementing his status as a top German manager.

Mastermind Behind RB Leipzig

Despite his extensive coaching resume, Rangnick stepped out of coaching to become director of football for RB Leipzig and Salzburg.

Rangnick’s impact and influence on the German club saw them climb the ladder, rising from the fourth division all the way to the Bundesliga.

The United interim boss oversaw Leipzig’s expansion into European football, contributing to recruitment strategy and introducing an exciting brand of attacking football.

Rangnick achieved great things at Leipzig, leading the club to the German Cup final and transforming them into Bundesliga regulars.

He opted to leave Leipzig in favour of AC Milan but that move collapsed and Rangnick then joined Lokomotiv Moscow last summer.

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Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 30th November 2021

The Savills Chase at Leopardstown has had an array of names over the years including, the Ericsson Chase, the Lexus Chase and the Christmas Chase, since it was first run in 1992.

The race itself is run over a trip of three miles at Leopardstown Racecourse each December and is one of the most high profile races in the Irish jumps calendar, acting as a key trial for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

Any horse that goes well in this Christmas Festival feature generally finds itself placed towards the head of the ante-post Gold Cup Cheltenham betting odds. Therefore as a punter, it is very important to take note of this particular event.

Over the past 30 years some great horses have made their way to Leopardstown at Christmas, including the likes of Beef Or Salmon, Best Mate, Denman and Tidal Bay who have all claimed the top honours.

Three-time winner Beef Or Salmon who made this race his own, while Denman lifted the trophy in 2007 before going on to be a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner just a few months later.

Prior to the race being run over its present distance in 1992, when it became known as the Ericsson Chase, the contest was known as the Black and White Whisky Champion Chase and had been run mostly over 2½ miles since 1986.

British trainer, David Nicholson celebrated victory in the very first “Savills Chase”, when Richard Dunwoody rode Very Promising to victory.

Savills Chase Winners

• 2020 - (6:25.70) A Plus Tard 6-y-o 11-12 15/2 (Darragh O'Keeffe/Henry De Bromhead)
• 2019 - (6:18.40) Delta Work 6-y-o 11-10 11/2 (Jack Kennedy/Gordon Elliott)
• 2018 - (6:06.50) Kemboy 6-y-o 11-10 8/1 (David Mullins/Willie Mullins)
• 2017 - (6:08.40) Road To Respect 6-y-o 11-10 8/1 (Sean Flanagan/Noel Meade)
• 2016 - (6:02.40) Outlander 8-y-o 11-10 11/1 (Jack Kennedy/Gordon Elliott)
• 2015 - (6:35.90) Don Poli 6-y-o 11-10 4/6F (Bryan Cooper/ Willie Mullins)
• 2014 - (6:33.90) Road To Riches 7-y-o 11-10 4/1 (Bryan Cooper/Noel Meade)
• 2013 - (6:17.10) Bobs Worth 8-y-o 11-10 11/4F (Barry Geraghty/Nicky Henderson)
• 2012 - (6:27.60) Tidal Bay 11-y-o 11-10 9/2 (Ruby Walsh/Paul Nicholls)
• 2011 - (6:19.50) Synchronised 8-y-o 11-10 8/1 (A P McCoy/Jonjo O'Neill)

Savills Chase Statistics

• Age: 9 of the last 10 winners were aged between 6 and 8. The last four winners have all been aged 6.
• Price: 2 of the last 10 favourites/joint favourites have won, 6/10 winners came from the top three in the betting which is a great place to start studying your horse racing bets.
• Last Run: 3 of the last 10 winners won on their last run before the Savills Chase, 10/10 winners ran within the last 57 days. 3/10 winners ran in the Champion Chase (Down Royal) on their last run, 1 of the 3 won, 1 placed. 3/10 winners ran in the Ladbrokes Trophy (Newbury) on their last run, 0 of the 3 won, 2 placed.
• Previous Course Form: 8/10 winners had at least one previous run at Leopardstown, 5/10 winners had at least one previous win at Leopardstown.
• Previous Distance Form: 9/10 winners had at least 3 previous runs over 3 miles, 10/10 had at least one previous wins over 3 miles, 7/10 winners had at least two previous wins over 3 miles.
• Previous Chase Form: 10/10 winners had at least five previous chase runs, 10/10 winners had at least three previous chase wins.
• Rating: 9/10 winners were rated 157 or higher.
• Graded Wins: 9/10 winners had at least one previous win in a Grade 1 race, 10/10 winners had at least one previous win in a Grade 1-3 race.
• Season Form: 10/10 winners had at least one run that season, 5/10 winners had a win that same season.

Leading Trainers

There are multiple leading trainers in the Savills Chase over the last 20 renewals with Noel Meade, Michael Hourigan and Paul Nicholls having all won the race three times apiece.

Noel Meade, Gordon Elliott, Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead have shared the last seven renewals of the Savills Chase between them.

Meade celebrated his third and fourth wins with Road To Riches and Road To Respect, while Don Poli and Kemboy have won for Willie Mullins.

Elliott saddled Outlander and Delta Work, while De Bromhead lifted last year’s silverware with A Plus Tard.

Leading Jockeys

Two jockeys lead the way in the Savills Chase over the last 20 renewals with those being Bryan Cooper and Jack Kennedy who have both won the race twice.

Cooper’s winners were with Road To Riches (2014) & Don Poli (2015) Kennedy’s winners were with Outlander (2016) & Delta Work (2019).

On the cold list is Davy Russell who has ridden in the race 14 times without recording any wins.

Savills Chase 'Trial' Races

At the Irish racecourses, the Clonmel Oil Chase and the John Durkan are two contests that are often used as warm-ups for Leopardstown.

Another race to keep a close eye on each season is the Down Royal Champion Chase at the start of November. In the UK, the Ladbrokes Trophy can sometimes provide a few pointers.

Starting Prices

Looking at the starting prices over the last 20 renewals, the biggest priced winner was Outlander for Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy at odds of 11/1 in 2016.

Over the last 20 renewals there have been a total of six favourites that have won the race.

Our 888sport antepost NAP of the day for the Savills Chase on December 28th is A Plus Tard @ 5/4.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 30th November 2021

• Inter Miami had the highest payroll in Major League Soccer in 2021

• MLS wages have increased at an astronomical rate in recent years, with the average base salary for non-designated players now $400,000

• Carlos Vela was the highest paid MLS player last season, earning $6.3 million

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The amount of money in soccer is ridiculous. As many other sports take a hit during such uncertain financial times, soccer continues to thrive.

In fact, Major League Soccer is now one of the most lucrative sports competitions in North America – with millions of dollars exchanged every season.

Despite the league losing over $1 billion during the recent worldwide situation, the average wage for non-designated players in the MLS has doubled since 2016.

One of the biggest sports betting competitions on the planet, supporters enjoy the general style and speed of play in Major League Soccer.

Highest Paid Players In MLS

1. Carlos Vela - $6.3 million

2. Javier Hernandez - $6 million

3. Gonzalo Higuain - $5.7 million

4. Alejandro Pozuelo - $4.6 million

5. Josef Martinez - $3.8 million

6. Jozy Altidore - $3.6 million

7. Rodolfo Pizarro - $3.3 million

8. Maxi Moralez - $3.2 million

9. Victor Wanyama - $3 million

10. Franco Jara - $2.8 million

With the game undoubtedly going from strength to strength in the United States, is it any wonder that MLS franchises are investing heavily in facilities and player salaries? 

If you enjoy a bet on football, whether on the MLS or other competitions, then chances are you’ll be interested to hear about the highest paid players in Major League Soccer.

Without further ado, we dive into the biggest earners in the league – starting with 32-year-old Argentine forward Franco Jara…

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FIRST PUBLISHED: 30th November 2021

• Futbol Club Barcelona Femeni were founded in 1970 and incorporated into the main club in 2002.

• After mixed fortunes, the team have won multiple trophies over the past decade.

• Now they are set to emerge as the greatest women’s team of the current era.

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History

Futbol Club Barcelona Femeni is the women’s football team for Barcelona FC, a journey that began with 17-year-old Inmaculada Cabecerán Soler, who fought for Barcelona to have a women’s team over fifty years ago, despite huge opposition.

They were initially known as Penya Femenina Barcelonista, and it was not until 2002 that Barcelona FC finally incorporated the team into the main club.

They experienced plenty of highs and lows for decades after their birth in 1970, with their first cup secured in 1985 and some relative success in the early 1990s.

What followed though was a significant decline, and it was their first league title in 2012 that changed the course of their history, along with turning professional in 2015.

This decision, combined with a greater focus on the Women’s Champions League, has helped them arguably become the best women’s team in the world, picking up plenty of silverware along the way.

Honours

After a decade littered with many triumphs, Futbol Club Barcelona Femeni are easily Spain’s most successful women’s club ever, both domestically and internationally, and it is pertinent too that they are outperforming their male counterparts right now.

As of the start of the 2021/22 season, they have won six league titles, eight Copas De La Reina, a Spanish Supercup plus a Champions League.

After their first Copa De La Reina triumph in 1994 however, they had a long wait for more silverware, their recent success beginning by winning that same cup for the second time in 2011.

The following season they secured their first league title and they have rarely looked back since.

They won the next three league titles but suffered a dip before picking up successive titles in 2020 and 2021. During this period the Copa De La Reina was won a further six times, and the Supercopa de España in 2020.

Unsurprisingly they had a vice-like grip on the Copa Catalunya, a cup for clubs in the Catalonia region, but their crowning glory was their inaugural Champions League triumph in 2021, thrashing Chelsea 4-0.

They could at last claim to be the greatest side in the world, as part of a treble season during which they won 33 of their 34 league games. Those betting on football may want to back Barcelona remaining top of the pile for many years to come.

Famous Players

While the current Barcelona squad may be its greatest ever, the club has been blessed with some world-class talent down the years, both from Spain and around the world.

As you may expect, much of their greatest talent has come from close to home and there is no better example than Vicky Losada, a key component of Barcelona’s rise to the top during multiple spells at the club.

The midfielder who moved to Manchester City in 2021 made over 300 appearances for her childhood club after her debut in 2006.

Elsewhere, the talented forward Olga García made over 150 appearances over two spells from 2010 to 2018, becoming top scorer in her debut season and scoring the winning goal in a cup final for good measure.

Protecting the defence between 2012 and 2015 was Virginia Torrecilla in midfield, a key component in the side’s rise to prominence as they won multiple trophies before turning professional. Her immense talent saw her capped 66 times by Spain.

But much of Barcelona’s past success has been achieved with great players from around the world.

One such star is English winger and forward Toni Duggan, who was at the club for just two years, but played a big part in their resurgence, while French midfielder Kheira Hamraoui spent three highly successful years at Barcelona before moving on to PSG, stating she had achieved all she could with the team.

With the current collective at their peak, many of their most famous players are still part of the set-up, and most bets predict that continuing for the foreseeable future.

Best Current Players

It was a clear sign of just how many world-class players represent Barcelona Femeni when they swept the awards at the UEFA gala in August 2021.

Alexia Putellas was named overall Player of the Year, a staple for her club side for almost a decade, scoring 26 goals in all competitions from midfield the previous season, and considered by many to be a future Ballon D’Or winner.

Her teammates Jennifer Hermoso and Lieke Martens meanwhile took the runner-up spots. Hermoso, a stalwart of the Spain side for a decade, was also announced as best striker, notching 31 goals domestically plus six more in the Champions League.

To complete the rout, Sandra Paños was named best keeper, conceding a paltry five goals on route to European glory, while Irene Paredes was named best defender.

Admittedly she was at PSG at the time, but Barcelona have since snapped up her services.

But frankly if you wanted to name the team’s best players, you could probably list many of the squad. There is Aitana Bonmatí in midfield, a young talent with the world at her feet, while behind her, the legendary Marta Torrejón is a steady hand in defence.

Having brought in three more top players in the summer of 2021 on free transfers, most La Liga predictions back them for more triumphs in the coming years.

Barcelona Women Rivals

As Barcelona developed into the best team in the world, they inevitably collected rivals along the way, though Real Madrid women’s team are not truly in that bracket yet despite finishing second in the 2020/21 season.

Instead, a domestic rivalry with Atlético Madrid has gathered pace in recent years with Barcelona finishing runners-up to Atlético in three consecutive league seasons back in the early 2000s.

In recent times though Barcelona have been streets ahead of their domestic rivals as the gap has grown, La Liga odds suggesting a comfortable league title in the 2021/22 season, with many of the highest paid female footballers eager to secure more trophies at Barcelona.

In Europe, rivalries intensified as Barcelona grew in stature. None could be bigger than the one with Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, a team that has set new standards in the game.

In 2019, Barcelona lost 4-1 to Lyon in the Champions League final. It took two years to exorcise their demons and claim the trophy they so cherished, finally becoming the team to beat.

Expect many new rivals to emerge in the coming years as the landscape changes once more.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

• 30 of the 32 National Hockey League teams have a mascot

• The New York Rangers were the only franchise to have never had a mascot before the Seattle Kraken joined the NHL in 2021

• ‘Benny’ is the secondary mascot for the Winnipeg Jets

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Mascots are a crucial part of the gameday experience in any sport and that is no different when it comes to ice hockey.

In fact, mascots have to get the crowd pumped up for 82 National Hockey League fixtures every season – which is no easy task considering the gruelling schedule.

While mascots don’t necessarily have a direct impact on NHL odds, home teams can benefit from a particularly energetic figure increasing the volume before a big game.

Bizarrely the New York Rangers have never had a mascot in their illustrious history. Founded in 1926, the Rangers remain the only NHL franchise to steer clear of a club symbol.

The Seattle Kraken are yet to confirm an official franchise mascot but they only joined the National Hockey League in 2021 and so we’ll let them off for now…

From the bouncy Stanley C. Panther to Blades the Bruin there are a wide range of mascots covered. Whether cuddly, fierce or scary, there is an NHL mascot for everyone.

We’ve tackled the different ice hockey positions, now we’re looking at the NHL mascots. With 30 of the 32 teams represented by a sporting icon, it’s sure to be one heck of a ride!

NHL Mascot List 2021/22

As of November 2021, there are two NHL teams without an official mascot. The New York Rangers have never had a mascot while the Seattle Kraken are new to the league…

On the other hand, the Winnipeg Jets have two ‘mascots’. Benny was the original Winnipeg mascot before Mick E. Moose was introduced in 2011.

Benny and Mick E. Moose work closely together to promote the Jets brand at every National Hockey League fixture.

Strap yourselves in betting fans, it’s time to look at every NHL mascot – starting with Detroit Red Wings mascot, Al the Octopus.

• Al the Octopus - Detroit Red Wings

• Bailey - Los Angeles Kings

• Bernie the St. Bernard - Colorado Avalanche

• Benny - Winnipeg Jets

• Blades the Bruin - Boston Bruins

• Carlton the Bear - Toronto Maple Leafs

• Chance - Vegas Golden Knights

• Fin the Whale - Vancouver Canucks

• Gnash - Nashville Predators

• Gritty - Philadelphia Flyers

• Harvey the Hound - Calgary Flames

• Howler the Coyote - Arizona Coyotes

• Hunter - Edmonton Oilers

• Iceburgh - Pittsburgh Penguins

• Louie - St Louis Blues

• Mick E. Moose - Winnipeg Jets

• N.J. Devil - New Jersey Devils

• Nordy - Minnesota Wild

• Sabretooth - Buffalo Sabres

• S.J. Sharkie - San Jose Sharkes

• Slapshot - Washington Capitals

• Sparky the Dragon - New York Islanders

• Spartacat - Ottawa Senators

• Stanley C. Panther and Viktor E. Rat - Florida Panthers

• Stinger - Columbus Blue Jackets

• Stormy and Caroline- Carolina Hurricanes

• Thunderbug - Tampa Bay Lightning

• Tommy Hawk - Chicago Blackhawks

• Victor E. Green - Dallas Stars

• Wild Wing - Anaheim Ducks

• Youppi! - Montreal Canadiens

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Southampton took the lead early on via a goal from Adam Armstrong, who had joined in the summer to replace attacking talisman Danny Ings, who left for Aston Villa for a whopping fee of £30 million after refusing to sign a new contract extension. With Ings missing out on a homecoming due to injury issues, Armstrong stole the show and fired Southampton to a 1-0 victory, which proved to be enough for Dean Smith, more than three years after taking over, to earn the sack.

The following day, Norwich City defeated fellow promoted side Brentford 2-1 thanks to goals from Scandinavian duo Teemu Pukki and Mathias Normann, ending a 20-game winless streak in England’s top-flight. Instead of provoking celebration and optimism at Carrow Road, however, the victory was followed by the sacking of Daniel Farke, with the German leaving after more than four years in charge of the Canaries. Whilst Villa appointed Steven Gerrard to fill their managerial vacancy, Norwich did not stand on ceremony either and hired Smith on a two-and-a-half year contract. His first opponent? The same team that cost him his job: Southampton.

Dean Smith made various changes to the team that defeated Brentford a fortnight ago. Whilst Tim Krul kept his spot in goal and Max Aarons and Brandon Williams continued to be the starting fullbacks, Grant Hanley returned from a groin adductor injury and replaced teenage defender Andrew Omobamidele, with the Scottish veteran starting alongside Ben Gibson in central defense. Smith abandoned the 4-2-3-1 formation that Farke had previously utilized and opted for a 4-3-3 with Billy Gilmour coming in for fellow summer arrival Pierre Lees-Melou. Despite being used sparingly under Farke, Gilmour started in the midfield trio alongside Mathias Normann and Kenny McLean and lasted 86 minutes before being hauled off for Lukas Rupp.

In attack, Todd Cantwell replaced Kieran Dowell and started on the left side of the front three, whilst Milot Rashica, having played on the left against Brentford, switched to the other flank. Up top, it was Teemu Pukki, with the Finnish striker eager to repeat his goalscoring heroics from the previous match against the Bees.

Norwich initially sat back and allowed Southampton to have the bulk of possession, choosing to stack numbers deep. This proved deadly early on as Mohammed Salisu tip-toed forward and dished it off to Kyle Walker-Peters, who skipped inside and gave it to Oriol Romeu. Romeu’s pass failed to find a teammate, but when Grant Hanley attempted to clear it out of danger, his clearance bounced back to Romeu who deflected it back into the path of Adam Armstrong. The ex Newcastle striker controlled the ball with his chest and gracefully placed it into the path of Che Adams, who held off Max Aarons and Hanley before firing it into the bottom right corner, a testament to his strength and finishing ability.

This early goal proved to be the wake-up call that the Canaries needed, and shortly after, they quickly came roaring back. Milot Rashica doggedly tracked back and won the ball off of Walker-Peters, with Aarons recovering possession and giving it back to Rashica. The Kosovoan winger drove forward, cut inside and slid a through ball into the path of the overlapping Aarons, whose cross found the head of Pukki to equalize the proceedings within seven minutes. Walker-Peters, who had been wrestled off the ball in his own half, had barely reached the halfway line as the Finnish striker snuck in ahead of Salisu and headed it past Alex McCarthy at the near post.

Whilst Norwich attempted to hang on for dear life for the rest of the half, Southampton entered the break frustrated after attempting to break down Norwich’s deep block. The visitors’ best chance came right before halftime after Hanley coughed up possession by the halfway line, allowing Ibrahima Diallo to recover the ball and slide in a through ball for Adams who forced a top-notch save from Krul. Smith elected to make a change at the break and sub off Cantwell, who had taken a knock on his Achilles, and bring on Josh Sargent.

Whilst the American striker has struggled since joining from Werder Bremen, his physicality and nonstop work-rate set the tone in the second half as Norwich increased the intensity of their pressing and hassled Southampton’s midfielders, with Rashica and Sargent also dropping into deeper positions to prevent Saints from exploiting the wide areas as they had done time and time again in the opening 45 minutes.

Rather than just sitting deep in their own box and attempting to block shots, Norwich could now win the ball back in dangerous areas and create havoc with their pressing structure. We saw an example of this early on in the second half as Brandon Williams, anticipating the pass from Jan Bednarek, quickly pushed up and made sure that Ibrahima Diallo barely got a touch before coughing up possession. It was one of those tackles that, even to a player in his second year in the division like Diallo, screamed: welcome to the Premier League, son. Rashica drove forward but made the wrong decision with his pass deflecting off Romeu, but Gilmour nevertheless picked it up and played it to Normann, who dished it off to Rashica, but the Kosovoan’s low shot barely tested McCarthy.

Norwich continued to pin Southampton deeper and put the visitors under pressure, much to the delight of the Carrow Road faithful, and came perilously close to a go-ahead goal as a long-range shot from Normann sailed just north of the goal. A lovely piece of individual trickery and quick thinking from Gilmour put Pukki into a dangerous scoring position, but the Fin’s shot was deflected out by McCarthy for a goal kick. The resulting corner kick saw Gilmour pick out his compatriot with a lovely set-piece, with Hanley soaring above his opponents and teammates to head home the second.

final quarter-hour saw Norwich drop deep and attempt to defend against a flurry of Southampton attacks, the most perilous of which saw James Ward-Prowse pick out Theo Walcott with a pinpoint cross, only for the ex Arsenal man’s header to sail just inches wide of the goal. Norwich would hold on to a 2-1 victory at home, their first comeback victory in the Premier League since May 2016 and their first home victory in England’s top-flight since February 2020. It was far from the strongest display -- Southampton maintained 63% possession and registered 17 shots to Norwich’s 8 -- but it was nevertheless enough to pick up back-to-back wins in the Premier League.

As they prepare for Saturday’s match against Wolves, Norwich no longer sit bottom of the league -- they are 19th with 8 points from their first 12 league matches, and just three points away from safety. Two seasons after leading a last-gasp escape from relegation with Aston Villa, Dean Smith will be looking to do the same at Carrow Road.

 

 

• Mighty Red is the official mascot of Liverpool Football Club
• Introduced in 2012, Mighty Red is a Liver bird – an iconic symbol to the city
• You can follow the Liverpool mascot via the official Mighty Red Twitter account

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Mascots are a huge part of a matchday experience for any football club. From getting the crowd excited to interacting with young fans, an official mascot is a game-changer.

Bringing colour and laughter to a football stadium may seem a given but Mighty Red takes it to the next level, which is why he is regarded as one of the top Premier League mascots.

Prior to 2012, Liverpool FC was one of a small number of clubs who didn’t have an official club mascot. However, Mighty Red was an instant hit with the Anfield faithful.

Mighty Red Mascot:

• Who Is Liverpool's Mascot?
• Split Opinion On Mighty Red
• Mighty Red Marketing
• Global Brand Enhancement

Created with the city’s Liver bird icon in mind, Mighty Red is an ever-present around the ground on matchdays and he has witnessed plenty of success on the pitch in recent years.

If you enjoy a bet on football, chances are you’ll recognise the Liverpool mascot. While he isn’t as famous as Gunnersaurus, Mighty Red is everything you want in a football mascot.

Mascots aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but they are important for marketing and creating a brand – and that is where Mighty Red has come into his own from a business sense.

Young fans eagerly search for Mighty Red on matchdays while older supporters have also embraced the Liverpool mascot. An official club figure can only be positive for maximising the LFC brand.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 28th November 2021

• Madden NFL 22 is the biggest American football game of the year
• The official EA Madden 22 playlist is made up of over 50 songs 
• 11 tracks were recorded specifically for the release of Madden 22

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The Madden NFL franchise has been a huge hit with American football fans around the world ever since its inception in 1984.

EA Sports approached Pro Football Hall of Fame coach John Madden with the idea and here are we – it is now one of the biggest franchises in gaming.

Over 250 million fans have purchased one of the Madden NFL games and EA Sports developers have worked hard to adapt and add new features to each new edition.

In 2003, the first Madden NFL soundtrack was released on the game. This was a huge hit with NFL betting fans around the world, especially in the United States.

Offering an eclectic mix of music superstars and new kids on the block, the first Madden NFL song list transformed the game for the better.

Since then, the game’s latest release has been eagerly anticipated for the music as much as anything else. The Madden NFL 22 soundtrack is widely regarded as one of the best yet…

With the likes of Blink-182, Kanye West and Bon Jovi featuring on Madden soundtracks in the past, EA Sports have managed to acquire big names to boost video game sales.

Almost every tune on the Madden NFL 22 soundtrack will get the blood pumping. Whether you’re controlling the fastest NFL player or hunting down the quarterback, EA Sports have nailed the audio once again.

Without further ado, it’s time to take a closer look at the Madden NFL official soundtrack for 2022. Scroll down and immerse yourself in some of the freshest tracks around!

Official Madden Soundtrack

A total of 11 tracks were created specifically for the release of Madden NFL 22, with the likes of Jack Harlow, JID and Morray featuring on the playlist.

First introduced for the previous edition of the game, EA Sports have focused primarily on scouting musicians to produce Madden songs specifically for the game.

Here, we take you through the 11 songs created purely with Madden 22 in mind – you’ll hear all of these tracks as you follow eSports betting events in the coming months.

Here's the complete listing for the original songs for the "Madden" soundtrack, in addition to the full playlist for the game:

• Baby, Shenseea - "How I'm Feelin'"
• Morray - "Mime"
• Swae Lee, Jack Harlow - "Ball Is Life"
• Moneybagg Yo, Tripstar - "Blitz"
• Tierra Whack - "8"
• YSB Tril - "Count Me In"
• BRS Kash, EA Sports Madden NFL - "Oh No - Madden Version"
• 42 Dugg - "Down Ready Set"
• JID - "Ambassel"
• Sally Sossa - "Number One"
• Tank and the Bangas - "Back In A Minute"

EA Madden 22 Official Playlist

As well as the 11 songs created for the Madden NFL soundtrack release, EA Sports created a playlist with over 50 tracks to feature on the game.

Fans can listen to the official Madden 22 playlist on Spotify, giving punters a chance to read the latest NFL picks straight up while listening to music from their favourite game.

• BRS Kash, EA Sports Madden NFL - "Oh No: Madden Version"
• Burna Boy - "Kilometre"
• Charm La'Donna - "Palm Trees"
• CHICKA - "HICKORY DICKORY"
• Coi Leray - "No More Parties"
• Coi Leray - "Okay Yeah!"
• Curly J - "No Drill"
• DDG, OG Parker, Tyla Yaweh - "Hakuna Matata"
• Deetranada - "HIGH AND lows!"
• Denzel Curry - "The Game"
• Drake - "What's Next"
• Future, Drake - "Life Is Good"
• Hit-Boy, Big Sean, Fivio Foreign - "SALUTE"
• Ian Kelly - "Soul Of A Man"
• IDK - "2 Cents"
• J. Cole, Lil Baby - "p r i d e. i s. t h e. d e v i l"
• Joyner Lucas, Lil Baby - "Ramen & Lil Baby"
• King Green, Hyro The Hero - "World Out, PT II"
• Moneybagg Yo - "Time Today"
• Mr. Jukes, Barney Artist - "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"
• Myles Parrish - "Most Wanted"
• Omeretta the Great - "Who Harder"
• P-Lo - "Going Off"
• Protoje, Koffee - "Switch It Up"
• Rockie Fresh - "Last Day of School"
• Rod Wave, Lil Baby - "Rags2Riches 2"
• Russ, Black Thought, Benny The Butcher - "Momentum"
• Saba - "Rich Don't Stop"
• Swoope - "No Grease"
• Tank and The Bangas, Jaime Woods, Orleans Big, Anjelika "Jelly" Joseph - "Self Care"
• Tierra Whack - "Peppers and Onions"
• Tobe Nwigwe, Big K.R.I.T - "BOZOS"
• Ty Dolla $ign - "Status"
• Young M.A - "Successful"

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*