The hottest piece of Leeds United transfer news today suggests that Rodrigo De Paul could yet move to Elland Road this summer despite a snag in a potential deal for the midfielder.
According to ESPN journalist David Amoyal, Udinese have accepted that he is likely to leave the club this summer and Leeds have opened initial talks to bring the 26-year-old to Elland Road.
Labelled as a player with “bit of a nasty streak in him”, De Paul would bring added bite to the Leeds midfield ahead of the club’s impending return to the Premier League.
Previous reports have hinted that De Paul could stay in Italy but Amoyal believes that the only Serie A side that he would join this summer is Juventus.
The latest rumours in Italy claim that Leeds have agreed a £31 million fee for the midfielder but Whites fans may have to wait a little longer before a deal is officially announced.
It would mean that Leeds would break their club record transfer fee for the second time this summer, having signed Rodrigo from Valencia for an estimated £27 million.
Although described as a player with a nasty streak, De Paul’s disciplinary record isn’t terrible on reflection. The Udinese midfielder is physical but looks well suited to the Premier League.
Robinson Urges Leeds To Sign Experienced Keeper
Paul Robinson believes that Leeds must sign a veteran goalkeeper ahead of their return to England’s top flight later this month.
Illan Meslier heads into the 2020/21 campaign as Leeds’ primary option at the position, with Kiko Casilla now the club’s second choice shot stopper.
However, Leeds could do with an experienced top flight goalkeeper – not only on the pitch but to help the club with crucial insight on the training ground.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said, “Illan Meslier has done very well when he’s come in. Kiko Casilla has the experience, though.
“He’s been the number one for Leeds for the majority of the time under Marcelo Bielsa. I think you need three strong goalkeepers in the Premier League.
“Tottenham have just taken in Joe Hart – look at the three keepers they’ve got. Premier League sides tend to have three strong keepers.
“I’d like to see Leeds strengthen in that area. Meslier has done really well so far, but what happens if he gets injured?
“I’d like to see them sign an experienced, older goalkeeper who can come in and play in the Premier League if needed. Someone like Pepe Reina.”
Reina joined Serie A giants Lazio on a free transfer at the end of last season but a player of that calibre would certainly give Leeds a huge boost ahead of their Premier League return.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Manu Fernandez / 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.
Saturday sees the 54th running of the Sprint Cup being run at Haydock Park, a race that features some of the fastest horses in Europe.
Be Friendly won the initial running of the race in 1966 and there is a statue in his memory right next to the paddock at the Merseyside track. Be Friendly registered back-to-back victories in 1966 and 1967 and is the only horse ever to do so thus far.
The Sprint Cup is steeped in history with Champions including classic sprinters such as the late Sir Peter O’Sullevan’s Be Friendly, Danehill and G-Force, and three times winning jockeys Lester Piggott, Pat Eddery and Willie Carson.
Let’s take a look at all the Sprint Cup trends and statistics with a view to aiding you with your online betting:
Key Sprint Cup Trends: (last 10 years)
Age: 8/10 winners were aged between 3 and 5.
Rating: 9/10 winners had a rating of 111 or higher.
Season Form: 10/10 winners had at least 3 runs that season.
Course Form: 7/10 winners had at least one previous run at Haydock.
Group Form: 8/10 winners had at least one win in a Group 1-3 race.
Last Time Out: 3/10 winners won on their last run before the Sprint Cup.
Price: 7/10 winners were in the top 3 in the betting.
Runner-by-Runner Guide:
Brando (Kevin Ryan)
The Kevin Ryan team is represented by a trio of runners in this race and naturally one of those runners is Brando, runner-up in 2018 and fourth last year.
The eight-year old does go on soft ground, as his second to The Tin Man in 2018 thus proved, but all his best form has been on quick crowd and he does look up against it here.
Dream Of Dreams (Sir Michael Stoute)
Bounced back to winning ways in spectacular fashion in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury and a reproduction of that run would leave the others trailing in his wake in this.
The six-year-old handles soft ground and he is also a course and distance winner. What is there not to like about him and his chances?
Glen Shiel (Archie Watson)
A winner of three of his last four starts and his Group Three triumph at the Curragh last time was a highly commendable effort.
The six-year-old is also the first ride in a Group One in Britain for Hollie Doyle. No pressure there then!
Hello Youmzain (Kevin Ryan)
Winner of the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and also victorious in last year's Betfair Sprint Cup, the four-year-old was also second in the Prix Maurice de Gheest over six furlongs at Deauville and comes into this race at the top of his game.
Can he emulate Be Friendly and win back-to-back renewals of this contest? Well 7/2 in our horse racing betting says he can.
Summerghand (David O’Meara)
Stewards’ Cup winner and perhaps one of the greatest Placepot horses in the land at the moment, but whether he can make the frame in this, his toughest task to date, looks a little improbable.
He did however finish a neck second in Listed company last weekend so one can never say never.
Tabdeed (Owen Burrows)
Tabdeed defeated The Tin Man in the Hackwood Stakes at Newbury in July and has not been seen out since.
This will be his first run in Group One company and there is a suspicion that he may not be entirely at home on any ground resembling soft.
The Tin Man (James Fanshawe)
The eight-year-old boasts form figures of 1-2-2-3 in this race and it would be folly to write him off just yet, just for the sake of backing a younger rival.
The Tin Man seems to come alive at this venue and should be shortlisted for a place at least.
Art Power (Tim Easterby)
Three-year-old is Art Power was a Group Three winner at Naas in July and Tim Easterby is chasing down a third Sprint Cup following Pipalong (2000) and Somnus (2003).
An electrifying performance from hot favourite Art Power as he flies to victory in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap! ??
He needs to bounce back quickly from his poor Nunthorpe performance and if there is plenty of juice in the ground on Saturday, he could do just that.
Golden Horde (Clive Cox)
Three-year-olds have an excellent record in this race in recent years and Clive Cox will be hoping that the trend continues this weekend.
Golden Horde recorded his biggest career success in the Group One Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and his other top level efforts this season have been solid.
Haydock looks perfect for him and he should run a big race.
Lope Y Fernandez (Aidan O’Brien)
Placed in the Irish 2000 Guineas, Prix Jean Prat and Prix Maurice De Gheest so far this term, the Lope De Vega-colt deserves a change of luck and a win of his own.
The niggling doubt about him is whether he needs further than this six furlongs? He’ll probably be running on late again after the bird has flown one suspects.
Archer’s Dream (James Fanshawe)
Like the Tin Man, this is another horse owned by Fred Archer Racing, and this four-year-old is another likeable sort.
Archer’s Dream scored over course and distance on his latest start on soft ground and he has to come into the reckoning should Haydock conditions turn out like that again.
Forever In Dreams (Aidan Fogarty)
Aidan Fogarty’s star filly Forever In Dreams could well be the forgotten horse in Saturday’s feature race.
A former Listed prize winner at this racecourse, Forever In Dreams comes into this event on the back of a couple of great races this season at the Curragh with the most notable of those being her close second to Glen Shiel in the Phoenix Stakes.
The four-year-old looks well overpriced.
Queen Jo Jo (Kevin Ryan)
Kevin Ryan’s grey filly ran a fine second in the City Of York Stakes earlier this month and she also finished second here in Listed company back in June.
She will have to prove herself at this level but she could well be a contender.
Sprint Cup: 888 Prediction
A really hot renewal but Hello Youmzain looks a gutsy enough horse to battle his way to victory again.
Each-way punters should look no further than Forever In Dreams who looks well poised to do herself justice.
888sport suggests: Hello Youmzain and Forever In Dreams.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Jae C. Hong / 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.
The final Grand Slam of the calendar year, the US Open can be a chance at history or an opportunity to redeem a disappointing season. For many of these tennis betting favourites, it was usually the former.
New York is an exciting place to travel to on the back of a great season, but the pressure can be crippling for those who have underwhelmed in the preceding months.
Featuring many of the top 10 tennis players ever, this article looks at the greatest players in the history of the US Open. It isn’t all about titles won, though, with Bjorn Borg sneaking into the list.
Stefan Edberg
A six-time Grand Slam winner, Edberg lifted the US Open in back-to-back years. Edberg only made the semis on four occasions, in 1986, 1987, 1991 and 1992.
It was the two early nineties tournaments when he was victorious, but poor runs before and after his successes leave him 10th on this list.
Edberg’s winning percentage at the US Open was lower it was at Wimbledon and the Australian Open – he doesn’t make the top 10 all-time in that category.
Only 10 players ever have won multiple US Opens, though, and that was enough for Edberg to sneak on this list.
Bjorn Borg
Borg never won the US Open in his glittering career. His record at Flushing Meadows is still superb. Borg’s 81.6% winning percentage is tenth among players with at least 20 wins, and he was a four-time finalist.
The Swede twice fell to Jimmy Connors and twice to John McEnroe in the final, with his 1980 clash with McEnroe ranking among the best US Open finals.
Only Novak Djokovic and Ivan Lendl have lost more US Open finals than Borg.
Andre Agassi
Although a two-time US Open champion, Agassi could never replicate his Australian Open dominance at his home Slam.
Agassi won four times on the hard courts in Melbourne, but he suffered disappointments aplenty in New York.
Four finals losses, thrice to Pete Sampras, once to Roger Federer, left Agassi with a what-might-have-been record at the US Open.
Agassi holds the record for the most consecutive appearances at the tournament, however, appearing in 21 in a row from 1986 through to 2006.
Ivan Lendl
Lendl made it to the US Open final on eight occasions, winning three and losing five. His loss to Mats Wilander was an epic, and he was unfortunate to face so many all-time greats.
Only five players have more US Open titles than Lendl, though. He’s fourth all-time in tournament wins and sixth in winning percentage.
Making the final in eight years in a row is a spectacular achievement.
Lendl’s career is perhaps underrated – he’s one of the greatest US Open winners, and was a couple of match wins away from being right at the top of these rankings.
Novak Djokovic
Still a prominent name in online betting, there’s plenty of time for Djokovic to ascend into the top three of this list.
Although fifth in total wins, the Serbian is second all-time in winning percentage.
There’s a case for Djokovic to be higher. He’s already one of the greatest players ever, and he’s on course to strengthen his candidacy for that crown.
Djokovic has only lost nine of his 26 Grand Slam finals, but five of those came in New York. Following a fourth-round exit in 2019, he will be atop the US Open tips for this year’s tournament.
Rafael Nadal
The King Of Clay has reigned over the hard courts of New York. Nadal has won four of his five US Open finals, making him one of five players to win four or more US Open titles in the Open Era.
Nadal has missed the tournament in the past and has often played through injury.
He doesn’t have the same consistency in New York as he does elsewhere, and he has opted to sit out in 2020 too, citing concerns over coronavirus.
As a result, he’s down in eighth in aggregate wins, which seemed an appropriate tiebreaker to put him fifth.
John McEnroe
Between 1978 and 1984, McEnroe made the semis of the US Open on all but one occasion. He won four titles in that span and finished runner-up in 1985.
On top of his brilliance as a singles player, McEnroe also won four doubles titles in New York, making him the most successful player in US Open history.
Partly down to era, McEnroe had a short singles peak compared to the modern greats. That worked against him here.
Jimmy Connors
Connors made the semi-final or better from 1974 to 1985. He won five titles along the way, and was twice a runner-up. His record of 98 US Open match wins is still nine clear of Roger Federer.
An entertainer and so often controversial, Connors played up to the partisan New York crowds. He was a gritty opponent and played a different style in the serve-and-volley era.
In his pomp, only the bravest tennis tips went against him.
Pete Sampras
The leader in all-time US Open winning percentage, Sampras won five US Opens in his career.
He was a force to be reckoned with at Flushing Meadows throughout his career, but it was his final title that was most memorable.
Clearly on the wane and having struggled through the season, Sampras lost in the second round at Wimbledon and entered the US Open as the 17th seed.
He had a challenging path to his record-equalling eighth US Open final, but he navigated superbly. Meeting his old rival Agassi in the final, Sampras found top form and ended his career on a wonderful high.
When it comes to peak US Open performance, Federer is far clear of the rest. He won all five of his titles in a row in the 2000s and looked unbeatable throughout.
His recent record in New York is patchier, perhaps the late-season fatigue plays a greater part as he’s got into the back end of his career, but Federer’s record of five straight titles and a further two finals warrants top spot.
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 list of the fastest goals in Premier League history is a mixed one.
We have a goalkeeper, we have the all-time record scorer, and we have a striker renowned for not scoring. The circumstances are varied, some aided by the weather, others by calamitous defending.
Several of these goals, coming in the first 10 seconds or so of a match, will have had a major impact on Premier League Odds.
There is something chaotic about a goal so early. It sends the Soccer Saturday team into panic, and to use a cliché loved by commentators, it throws gameplans out the window. Here are the 10 fastest Premier League goals in history…
10) Asmir Begovic
Aided by the blustery Potteries wind, Asmir Begovic owns the record for the 10th earliest goal in top flight history and, by quite some margin, the fastest Premier League goal by a goalkeeper.
With the ball trickling back to Begovic soon after the kick-off, he decided to go for an agricultural hoof up the field.
Little did he know he would be celebrating a goal soon after as the wind swept the ball towards the goal, bouncing over Artur Boruc and into the net to become only the fifth goalkeeper to score a Premier League goal.
9) James Beattie
Chelsea didn’t concede many in 2004/05, but James Beattie took just 13.52 seconds to get the break through for Southampton.
A Joe Cole error gave Beattie a chance, and the journeyman striker unleashed a volley from range that flew past Petr Cech.
Chelsea were atop the outright winner odds, but Beattie’s strike made it a challenging afternoon for Jose Mourinho.
8) Kevin Nolan
Kevin Nolan and Kevin Davies were the heart of a surprisingly competitive Bolton side in the mid-noughties.
It was Davies who set up Nolan in 2004 for an opener in 13.48 seconds against Blackburn Rovers. The two linked up often, but there weren’t many occasions when Davies was crossing the ball. This was one of them.
7) Chris Sutton
Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton are one of the Premier League’s great striker partnerships.
In April 1995, they linked up like they did so many times over the years. A long ball was flicked on by Shearer in April 1995, and Sutton chased it down.
Sutton calmly finished, and Rovers were leading Everton within 13 seconds. At the top of football betting all season long, Blackburn lifted their first, and only, Premier League title the following month.
6) Dwight Yorke
Best known for his stint in the red of Manchester United, Dwight Yorke earns his place on this list in the colours of Aston Villa.
Facing Coventry City in 1995, Yorke headed home a cross just over 12 seconds into the match.
5) Mark Viduka
Back in the days when Leeds were a top four betting favourite, Mark Viduka’s got an extremely early goal similar to several others on this list.
Alan Smith got a touch on it to put Viduka through in March 2001, and moments later Leeds were 1-0 up against Charlton.
The former Celtic striker finished the 2000/01 season with 17 Premier League goals, a tally only bettered by Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and Marcus Stewart. Leeds had to settle for fourth, one point outside the Champions League places.
4) Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen netted the fastest goal at Wembley in 2018, an accolade that might never be beaten.
Spurs, playing at home to Manchester United, had time for a Harry Kane knock-down, and a touch from Dele Alli, before Eriksen found the net before the 11-second mark.
3) Alan Shearer
There was no quick team move for Shearer’s entry on this list. Manchester City goalkeeper Carlo Nash lost his footing as a backpass approached, allowing Shearer the easiest of rapid goals.
Newcastle finished third in 2002/03, but it wasn’t Shearer’s most prolific season – he finished with 17 league goals, only good for sixth in the scoring charts.
2) Ledley King
Ledley King held the fastest goal record for the best part of two decades. King scored in under 10 seconds against Bradford in December 2000.
His ambitious effort from range took a wicked deflection, bouncing into the far corner. King’s shock opener kick-started an epic, with Bradford fighting back to force a 3-3 draw.
1) Shane Long
The 'fastest Premier League goal' feels like a very Shane Long record to hold. Long is a striker with a reputation for goal droughts, a player who works tirelessly for little reward, but has the pace to harass defences.
He’s never an online betting favourite to open the scoring, but he did just that against Watford in April 2019.
Watford took kick-off and played it back to Craig Cathcart. Typically, Long hustled to close down the Hornets’ centre-back and blocked his attempted long pass.
It ricocheted behind the defence, Long chased it down, and dinked over Ben Foster to secure his place in the Premier League record books.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Frank Augstein / AP Photo*
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.
Many of the greatest cricketers of all-time never got the chance to shine in high-profile T20 cricket.
The IPL, Big Bash and Caribbean Premier League are all recent discoveries, tournaments that have made careers and lengthened the time at the top for some stars.
Looking back through the history of cricket, though, there are so many wonderful players who would have flourished in the modern world of T20.
Destructive or unstoppable in their time, they would have taken comfortably to the fast pace of 20-over cricket and likely been the best in the world at the sport’s shortest format.
So much of modern cricket betting is focused on T20 cricket. These 10 retired cricketers would have been true T20 stars…
Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev could open the batting and bowling in T20.
Bowling fast with a bit of outswing early on and swinging for the fences, the former World Cup winning captain had everything you would want in a T20 player.
For a long time, he held the record for the highest individual ODI score. If he played a few decades later, there’s no doubt he would have set a fair few T20 records, too.
Imran Khan
Another one of the all-time great all-rounders, Imran Khan led Pakistan to an historic World Cup win in 1992.
Although in the latter days of his career at that point, it showed that even seldom bowling, he was still a valuable player.
Khan, like Kapil Dev, could win matches with bat or ball. He could accelerate an innings, he could rebuild and he could blow batsmen away with pace and swing.
Viv Richards
The most destructive batsman the sport has ever seen. Viv Richards imposed himself on the game and on bowlers like no other player.
Richards could take deliveries from outside off and smash them through midwicket. A good ball was never safe with Richards in a Test – one can only imagine what he would have done given the freedom of a T20.
West Indies are already a very good T20 team. They would be a perennial betting online favourite with a batsman like Richards at the top of the order.
Curtly Ambrose
So many West Indian quicks down the years could have adapted to T20 cricket, but Curtly Ambrose might have been the most difficult to face.
Ambrose had great control, he bowled a toe-crunching yorker and that steepling bounce would unsettle batsmen.
His knack for taking wickets in clusters meant he could win matches on his own, and that would have been no different in the shortest form of the game.
Wasim Akram
Teams are always looking for variety. Wasim Akram, the best left-arm bowler in ODI history, was one of the first names on this list.
His quick arm action, his ability to nail yorkers and swing the ball, would have made him lethal in T20 cricket.
Brian Lara, Viv Richards and Ricky Ponting all named Akram as the toughest bowler they faced. Praise doesn’t come much higher. Akram would have been useful with the willow in hand, too.
Garfield Sobers
Quite simply, the greatest to play the sport. Garfield Sobers could play every shot in the book, and did so with natural power.
He was the first person ever to hit six sixes in an over in first class cricket. With an easy flair to his game, Sobers would have dispatched bowlers all over the park in T20s.
Where other all-rounders specialise as a spinner or fast bowler, Sobers could whatever was necessary. Leg-spin, finger spin or swing with the new ball, Sobers is the most skilled bowler ever.
Just for good measure, the Barbadian was also an exceptional fielder, a brilliant catcher close to the wicket and an athletic outfielder.
Saqlain Mushtaq
Until 2016, Saqlain Mushtaq was the fastest bowler in history to reach 100 ODI wickets. The man who invented the doosra would have had hard-swinging batsmen in a mess in T20 cricket.
Widely considered one of the best white-ball bowlers ever, Saqlain just missed the T20 revolution, but his influence on spin bowling in limited overs cricket is huge.
Gordon Greenidge
The first of a couple of openers, Gordon Greenidge was a batsman before his time. The Barbados-born right-hander dismantled bowling attacks, walking down the wicket and crushing the ball to the fence.
His pair of double centuries during the Blackwash in 1984 are two of the most brutal, irresistible innings ever played.
Put Greenidge in the IPL or Big Bash and he would lead the tournament in runs scored and strike rate.
Matthew Hayden
It’s a bit of a cheat to include a player who top scored in a T20 World Cup, but Matthew Hayden’s selection is a case of what might have been.
International 20-over cricket only took off towards the back end of Hayden’s career – he played just nine T20Is for Australia.
Photo credit: Max Nash / AP Photo
His spells with the Chennai Super Kings and Brisbane Heat had flashes of Hayden at his destructive best, though fans never got to see peak Hayden with the freedom to swing for the fences in the powerplay.
A tormentor of opening bowlers in the five-day game, the Unit would have been among the greatest T20 openers ever.
Abdul Qadir
Leg-spinners, bowlers who can bamboozle a batsman, are vital in T20 cricket. Few could make batsmen look as silly as the late great Abdul Qadir.
Qadir had every trick in the leg-spinner’s book. He could rip the stock delivery, he had a deceptive googly and would keep batsmen honest with top spinners and flippers.
One of the greatest spinners of all-time, Qadir averaged 26.16 in ODIs – he would have been even better in T20s.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Peter Kemp / AP Photo*
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 latest Leeds United transfer news rumours suggest that the Whites have contacted Liverpool regarding a proposed move for talented youngster Harry Wilson.
The Welsh international spent last season out on loan at AFC Bournemouth but could be set to leave the club this summer with no assurances on playing time at Anfield.
Liverpool have made their position on Wilson very clear indeed. The Reds will not be loaning Wilson out so he will either stay at the club or leave on a permanent transfer.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool have valued the Wales star at £20 million and it is now up to Marcelo Bielsa to weigh up whether the Reds winger is fairly priced.
Wilson scored seven goals in 31 Premier League matches for Bournemouth last season and proved that he is capable of holding his own in England’s top flight.
The Welshman may struggle to hold down a regular spot in Jurgen Klopp’s starting line-up this campaign though as Liverpool look to defend their Premier League crown.
At 23 years old, Wilson’s best years are still ahead of him and Leeds may decide that £20 million is an investment worth making if he can help the Whites avoid relegation.
Rangers Unlikely To Sell Borna Barisic
According to reports in Croatia, Rangers rejected an £8 million approach for Borna Barisic from Leeds United earlier this summer.
Marcelo Bielsa offered an estimated £8 million in an attempt to lure the Croatian star away from Ibrox but Rangers rejected that offer almost immediately.
Barisic has been linked with Napoli and Roma in recent times and Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has heaped praise on the 27-year-old.
Rangers rejected an offer of £8m from Leeds United for Borna Barisic earlier this summer [Sportske Novosti] #LUFCpic.twitter.com/QmJNVLgWPv
“We’re not surprised if there is any interest in Borna,” he said.
“He has signed a long-term deal here, everyone loves him, the fans like him and he was in the running for Player of the Year.
“If someone did come, they would have to bring an awful lot of money with them.”
Leeds have recently turned their attention towards Dinamo Zagreb defender Josko Gvardiol instead so a move for Barisic now looks very unlikely indeed.
Leeds To Hijack Move For Udinese’s De Paul?
Juventus have been linked with a move for the Udinese star but reports in Italy claim that Leeds are looking to rival the Serie A giants for his signature.
While De Paul himself would prefer a move to Juventus instead of Leeds, the Whites will be quietly confident of forcing a deal through to land the 26-year-old.
A creative playmaker, De Paul would bring Serie A experience to Elland Road and he could give Leeds a major boost in Premier League Odds odds ahead of 2020/21.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Manu Fernandez / 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.
Most goalkeepers go their entire professional careers without scoring a goal but some are the exception to the rule.
In fact, some goalkeepers manage to score more goals than their outfield teammates. Take Rogerio Ceni for example, he finished his career with a staggering 131 professional goals.
You often see goalkeepers step up to the plate in a penalty shootout but rarely witness a player take on the responsibility of a spot-kick during a match.
Here, we look at the top five goal scoring goalkeepers of all-time. We start with Colombia legend Rene Higuita, who many will know after that scorpion kick against England in 1995.
Rene Higuita
Higuita took on the ‘sweeper keeper’ role long before the days of Manuel Neuer and he will go down in history as one of football’s most recognisable goalkeepers.
Higuita made a name for himself as a set-piece specialist, scoring 41 club goals throughout his career.
Photo credit: Ricardo Mazalan / AP Photo
Higuita’s impact on the international stage went further than the scorpion kick. He notched three goals in 68 appearances for Colombia, with the highlight coming from open play in the 1-0 victory over Peru in the Copa Centenario de Armenia.
He developed a reputation for his crazy style of play, earning the nickname El Loco – a term that translates as ‘The Madman’.
Dimitar Ivankov
The highest goal scoring keeper in European football, Ivankov notched 42 goals throughout his professional career. The majority of his career was spent in his native Bulgaria, however he did spend some time in Turkey and Cyprus.
Ivankov played 64 times for Bulgaria, earning a call up to the squad for various qualifying matches for major tournaments.
⚜️ GK Stat Of The Day ⚜️
We've all heard of the goalscoring GK's in South America, but who is top of the list in European club ⚽? ??
The honour goes to Dimitar Ivankov from ??
With 42 goals to his name along with 64 international caps, will his record ever be broken? pic.twitter.com/2MhWQRfJtz
After a period on the sidelines, Ivankov became Bulgaria’s number one in 2004 and held that spot until March 2010.
His career highlight came whilst playing for Kayserispor. Ivankov was sublime in the 2007/08 Turkish Cup final, saving three penalties while scoring two of his own. It was a one of a kind performance.
Johnny Vegas Fernandez
After a career spanning 20 years and 14 different clubs, Fernandez ranks third on our list of top scoring goalkeepers. He was most prolific at his first club, Sport Boys, notching 20 goals in 189 league games.
While he played just three times for his native Peru, Fernandez earned a reputation in South America for his impressive resume of goals.
However, just one of his career goals came in the Copa Libertadores. 30 of Fernandez’s goals were penalties, nine were outfield strikes or from indirect free-kicks while six were from direct free-kicks.
No matter what the situation was, Fernandez always offered a genuine threat in the final third.
Jose Luis Chilavert
Named in World Soccer’s list of the 100 Greatest Footballers Of All-Time, Chilavert was one of the best goalkeepers of his generation.
He was nicknamed ‘The Bulldog’ and often wore a cartoon bulldog on his jersey. 48 of Chilavert’s 59 club goals came at Velez Sarsfield.
The Paraguay star enjoyed plenty of success there, winning four league titles as well as a Copa Libertadores crown and victory in the 1994 Intercontinental Cup.
Unlike other leading goalkeepers, Chilavert managed to make an impact for his national side. Over the course of his career, Chilavert scored an impressive eight goals in 74 matches for Paraguay.
Rogerio Ceni
Without a shadow of a doubt, Ceni is the greatest scoring goalkeeper of all-time.
He played the entirety of his 25-year career for Sao Paulo, notching 1,257 appearances for the Brazilian giants. A true legend of the game, Ceni holds a number of important records.
Photo credit: Andre Penner / AP Photo
He has scored more free-kicks (61) than any other keeper, has scored more penalties (70) than any other keeper and sits 10th in a list of Sao Paulo’s top goal scorers.
Ceni played for Brazil on 16 occasions but failed to score for the national team. However, he did play at two FIFA World Cups – including the successful 2002 tournament in Germany.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Ricardo Mazalan / 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.
Today’s hottest piece of Leeds United transfer news surrounds Lewis Cook, with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink stating that the Whites should go all in on the AFC Bournemouth star this summer.
Hasselbaink is one of the top Premier League goal scorers of all-time and the two-time Golden Boot winner believes that Leeds should do everything they can to sign Cook ahead of their return to England’s top flight.
Speaking just two weeks before the 2020/21 campaign gets underway, Hasselbaink said: “Lewis Cook is a really good midfield player and I can understand why Leeds want him back.
“He gets up and down the pitch well, Technically, he is very, very good. He would be a big plus for Leeds if he were to join.”
Cook is a Leeds academy graduate and a return to Elland Road will be very tempting indeed, particularly after Bournemouth’s relegation to the Championship last season.
According to reports, Marcelo Bielsa’s side will have to fork out £15 million to sign the midfielder in the summer transfer window.
Gvardiol To Join After Champions League Qualifier
As reported here last month, Leeds look set to sign Croatian star Josko Gvardiol. Bielsa has been working on bolstering Leeds’ defence ahead of 2020/21.
With reports in Croatia suggesting that the Whites have agreed a £17.7 million deal with Dinamo Zagreb, a deal looks imminent.
However, the latest Leeds United player rumours suggest that Gvardiol will join fellow new signing Robin Koch after Zagreb’s Champions League qualifying fixture on September 16th.
Leeds are in talks with Dinamo Zagreb to sign Josko Gvardiol. Price tag around €20m for the Croatian centre back. Another important target after signing Koch and Rodrigo - still working with Udinese to find an agreement for Rodrigo de Paul. ? #LUFC#transfers
If that information is accurate, it means that Leeds will be without the Croatian youngster for their opening weekend clash with Liverpool. However, that could change if the Whites decide to act quickly.
Leeds will be wary of being pipped at the final hurdle for this deal, with reports stating that Lille are in the market to replace new Arsenal signing Gabriel Magalhaes.
The French outfit placed a bid for Gvardiol but Zagreb will need to significantly up their price to compete with Leeds.
Derby Showing Interest In Tyler Roberts
According to a report in The Times, Derby County are interested in signing Tyler Roberts from Leeds United ahead of the 2020/21 Championship campaign.
Roberts played an important role for Leeds last season, making 12 league appearances, but he has fallen down the pecking order following a flurry of Leeds transfers activity this summer.
The 21-year-old is versatile and can play out wide or through the middle and he should fit in well at Pride Park. Only time will tell but a move away from Elland Road looks likely.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Manu Fernandez / 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.
According to the latest Leeds United transfer news rumours, Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe could move to Elland Road on a season long loan ahead of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign.
At just 22 years old, Tuanzebe has made 18 senior appearances at Old Trafford and the Red Devils may allow him to go out on loan to gain more invaluable experience. Tuanzebe spent the 2018/19 season on loan at Aston Villa.
Phil Hay has hinted at a move for Tuanzebe ahead of Leeds’ return to the Premier League and this could be a switch that benefits all parties. Leeds will bolster their squad with a talented youngster and Tuanzebe will return to Old Trafford a more rounded player.
Statistics available on the Premier League website show that Tuanzebe can cut it on the big stage. With a 64% tackle success rate and a pass success rate of around 90%, Tuanzebe has been consistent when called upon.
His varied skillset should suit Leeds down to the ground and he looks like a Marcelo Bielsa-type player. Follow the latest Leeds United player rumours throughout the summer transfer window to track activity ahead of the new season.
Leeds To Swoop For Arsenal Goalkeeper Martinez
The Whites are plotting a surprise move for Arsenal’s Emiliano Martinez, according to the Daily Mail.
Martinez was superb when standing in for Bernd Leno last season, helping Arsenal to FA Cup glory before keeping the starting role for their Community Shield victory over Liverpool.
The 27-year-old has stated that he only wants to stay at the Emirates Stadium if Arsenal can offer him regular first team football and Leeds could be a potential landing spot if he opts to leave north London this summer.
Leeds could sell Kiko Casilla to make space for Martinez in the coming months, particularly as his tenure at Elland Road has been drenched in controversy. The former Real Madrid shot stopper could be shown the exit door before the end of the transfer window.
West Brom To Beat Leeds To Batshuayi Signature?
According to today’s reports, it looks like West Bromwich Albion is the most realistic landing spot for Michy Batshuayi this summer.
Football Insider state that the Belgium international is unhappy with the lack of game time at Chelsea and he is likely to push for a move away from Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks.
Frank Lampard has deemed Batshuayi ‘surplus to requirements’ in recent months and the Blues are looking for around £25 million to let the Belgian leave the club.
While Leeds have shown interest, nothing has materialised as of yet and the Baggies could swoop in with a late bid to sign Batshuayi before the 2020/21 Premier League season.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Manu Fernandez / 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.
NFL fans around the world, the 2020 National Football League season is upon us. The Kansas City Chiefs were crowned Super Bowl champions back in February and plenty of NFL betting experts will fancy Andy Reid’s men to repeat this year.
It has been all change in the NFL in recent months, with the likes of Tom Brady and DeAndre Hopkins heading the player departures. But what about the head coach situation in the NFL?
It will be interesting to see how some of the new head coaches adjust to life in the NFL – though most are joining teams at the start of a rebuild. With that in mind, it would be foolish to expect too much from those sides.
Without further ado, it is time to look at our best NFL head coach rankings. Could we see Super Bowl odds impacted by astute coaching this year?
32) Zac Taylor – Bengals
Perhaps slightly harsh on Taylor, the Bengals head coach looked out of his depth at times in 2019 but NFL odds suggest an improved outlook ahead of this season. He at least deserves another chance to prove his worth.
With first round NFL Draft pick Joe Burrow at quarterback and players returning from injury, the pressure is on Taylor to make Cincinnati competitive in the AFC North.
31) Matt Patricia – Lions
Patricia was an excellent defensive coordinator in New England but it just hasn’t worked out for him since joining the Detroit Lions. Patience is starting to wear thin at Ford Field and you can’t really blame Lions fans after two sub-par years.
Detroit allowed the second most yards per game in the NFL last season while also shipping the sixth highest number of points. The clock is ticking for Patricia ahead of 2020.
30) Joe Judge – Giants
It is difficult to rank Judge based on his influence as a special teams coordinator but he has been tipped by many in the Patriots organisation to enjoy success in the NFL.
However, he is likely to find it difficult in 2020 – this Giants side is hardly blessed with talent and we could see Judge slump to a losing record in his rookie season.
29) Doug Marrone – Jaguars
Marrone is one of the NFL’s worst head coaches when it comes to man management. There have been constant feuds at Jacksonville during his reign and it is hard to envision a drastic turnaround in the 2020 NFL season.
The Jaguars have gone from a 10-6 team to one that has gone 11-21 over the last couple of years. Marrone’s time at the franchise could be coming to an end.
28) Kevin Stefanski – Browns
Again, this is a little harsh seeing as we have little to go off with Stefanski. However, he may find himself out of his depth as an NFL head coach – only time will tell though.
The Browns have plenty of talent on the roster so it really is sink or swim time for Stefanski. If he can get Cleveland to fulfil their potential, the Browns could be set for a big year.
27) Adam Gase – Jets
Labelled by many as an offensive minded coach, it would be fair to claim Gase has failed to live up to the hype in recent years.
Photo credit: Seth Renig / AP Photo
Gase’s offense have ranked 31st and 32nd in the last two years and his teams have recorded three losing seasons in a row. He might not be at the Jets for too much longer.
26) Bill O’Brien – Texans
O’Brien is becoming a meme. He has got lucky in recent years with the Texans competing in a week AFC South but he needs to show drastic improvement in the 2020 NFL season.
With just one losing season in six years, 26th may be a tad harsh but O’Brien has had enough opportunities. Houston need to win the division and challenge in the playoffs this year.
25) Vic Fangio – Broncos
Fangio has been labelled a defensive genius over the years but the Broncos fell short on that side of the ball last year. Is he a long term head coach option? Possibly not.
Denver have tried to focus on offense in the NFL Draft in recent years – only time will tell if that decision was brave or foolish but Fangio’s position is certainly rocky ahead of 2020.
24) Anthony Lynn – Chargers
The Chargers were one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL last year, finishing with a 5-11 record. And with Philip Rivers now out of the door, Anthony Lynn is under pressure.
With Derwin James suffering a major injury setback ahead of 2020, Lynn is on the back foot and plenty of punters will be keeping an eye on NFL news as the new season edges closer.
23) Dan Quinn – Falcons
The early stages of Quinn’s career were very promising indeed but the Atlanta head coach has failed to inspire confidence in the last few years.
Known for being the head coach of the team that blew a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl, Quinn is on the hot seat in 2020. It is last chance saloon for the Falcons head coach.
22) Matt Rhule – Panthers
On paper, Rhule should be a roaring success in the NFL. He has a rebuild job on his hands at Carolina but the Panthers could thrive with his college style playbook.
He led Baylor to 11 wins in 2019 and is experienced enough to have a crack at the NFL. It could go either way for Carolina this year; give Rhule time though – he deserves it.
21) Matt LaFleur – Packers
LaFleur led the Packers to a 13-3 record but it would be foolish to state that their success was all down to him. When you have Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, anything is possible.
With rumours suggesting that there is a rift between LaFleur and his quarterback, we could see the Packers tumble in 2020. LaFleur needs another big year to win his critics over.
20) Kliff Kingsbury – Cardinals
Kingsbury has potential. It was a slow start for the Arizona head coach but the Cardinals certainly showed signs of life in the second half of the 2019 NFL campaign.
The NFC West is one of the toughest divisions in football and Kingsbury will earn plaudits for his influence if he can lead Arizona to a .500 season. It won’t be easy but it isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.
19) Brian Flores – Dolphins
Flores did well to lead Miami to five wins in 2019 and neutrals will be hoping that the AFC East side can climb the NFL ladder. The Dolphins got stronger and stronger as the year went on.
Photo credit: Brynn Anderson / AP Photo
Flores was praised for his role in Miami’s successful NFL Draft and he could be one of the top climbers in the NFL head coach rankings next year.
18) Jon Gruden – Raiders
Perhaps a little high on this list, Gruden has made some excellent decisions as head coach but he has also made a few mistakes. Ultimately, he is a middle of the road option.
With a career record of 106 wins to 102 defeats, Gruden is hardly consistent and we could see the Raiders wring the changes with expectations high after moving to Las Vegas.
17) Matt Nagy – Bears
Nagy went from hero to zero in the space of a year in 2019. Widely regarded as one of the worst coaches last season, Nagy came under intense scrutiny for his poor play-calling.
He features in the middle of this list but could easily climb into the top 10 rankings if he can open up the playbook and get back to his 2018 form.
16) Mike Zimmer – Vikings
Zimmer is like marmite – you either love him or you hate him. His regular season record is excellent but Minnesota have won just two playoff games in his six years in charge.
That just isn’t good enough and Zimmer has been at fault for a few of their shortcomings. If Zimmer can get his side rolling early on, he could climb our NFL head coach rankings.
15) Ron Rivera – Washington
Rivera has been around in the NFL for years but he has yet to really crack the big time. With just three plus .500 records in nine years, the jury is still out on Rivera.
He has a winning record but has relied on the impact of top defensive players, particularly during his time at Carolina. At Washington, his coaching skills will be put to the test.
14) Mike McCarthy – Cowboys
McCarthy was a top five head coach back in his heyday and some time off may reignite the 56-year-old’s career. You could argue that he was too set in his ways at Green Bay…
Now with the Dallas Cowboys, McCarthy may thrive in the NFC East. He has a 125-77-2 career record as a head coach and can build around Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott.
13) Mike Vrabel – Titans
Vrabel has been a pillar of consistency since taking charge of the Titans, winning nine games in each of his first two seasons. In addition, he led Tennessee to a win over the New England Patriots in the playoffs.
He has been bold with decision making, choosing to bench Marcus Mariota mid-season but his choices have paid off so far. Could he be the NFL’s next superstar head coach?
12) Sean McDermott – Bills
You have to be impressed with McDermott’s early impact at the Bills. He has turned Buffalo into genuine contenders in the AFC and there is certainly reason for optimism after a 10-6 campaign in 2019.
With Stefon Diggs added on offense and Daryl Williams on defence, the Bills have trusted McDermott with investing for short term success. Let’s hope for McDermott’s sake that decision pays off.
11) Frank Reich – Colts
Reich hit the ground running in 2018 but injuries and Andrew Luck’s retirement threw the Colts head coach off guard in 2019. However, he looks set to bounce back this year.
Photo credit: Bill Feig / AP Photo
Indianapolis are Super Bowl dark horses and Reich’s coaching strategy will be key to their chances. The AFC is there for the taking and Reich could be destined to climb these rankings in the coming years.
10) Mike Tomlin – Steelers
Tomlin has coached in the NFL for 13 years now and has an excellent record, finishing .500 or better in all 13 seasons. And yes, that includes the 2019 campaign with Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges at quarterback.
Ben Roethlisberger has helped of course but Tomlin deserves plenty of credit and is worthy of his status as a top 10 NFL head coach.
9) Bruce Arians – Buccaneers
Arians has had to deal with his fair share of mediocre quarterbacks during his career, with the likes of Drew Stanton, Ryan Lindley, Blaine Gabbert and Jameis Winston not quite cutting it at NFL level.
Despite that, Arians has a 65-42 record during his seven seasons as a head coach. With Tom Brady under center, we might be about to see the full range of Arians’ coaching skills.
8) John Harbaugh – Ravens
Harbaugh is a veteran head coach, having spent 12 years in the NFL. In fact, his teams have been incredibly consistent with just one season with a sub .500 record.
With Lamar Jackson at quarterback, Baltimore tick all the right boxes to push for Super Bowl glory. The Ravens are primed and Harbaugh’s schemes can give Baltimore the edge in 2020.
7) Sean McVay – Rams
McVay became the youngest head coach in NFL history back in 2017 but he has established himself as one of the top coaches in the league. With a .688 win percentage, his record backs that up.
While the Rams had their issues in 2019, McVay has a 33-15 record over his first three years in the NFL. It wouldn’t be a huge shock to see LA get back to their best this year.
6) Kyle Shanahan – 49ers
After a slow start to life on the west coast, Shanahan has gone from strength to strength in recent months and he led the 49ers to the Super Bowl for the second time since 1993.
He developed his reputation whilst offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons but is now more than capable of holding his own against the best coaches in the National Football League.
5) Doug Pederson – Eagles
Pederson has just four years of coaching experience but the Eagles boss already has a Super Bowl title to his name. That is incredible, particularly given Carson Wentz’s injury history.
Philadelphia failed to live up to the hype in 2019 though so you could argue Pederson’s spot in the top five is a tad generous. He could prove himself in the 2020 NFL season.
4) Pete Carroll – Seahawks
Carroll has to be mentioned in the best NFL head coach discussion. Seattle’s draft strategy has been hit and miss in recent years but the Seahawks remain competitive – and one of the main reasons is Carroll’s play calling.
Never afraid to make bold decisions, Carroll always puts the team first. If the Seahawks are lucky on the injury front, they could be in the Super Bowl hunt come the playoffs.
3) Andy Reid – Chiefs
Reid is arguably the most underrated head coach in NFL history – he has received criticism over the years but the Chiefs coach finally got his hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy earlier this year.
Photo credit: David J. Phillip / AP Photo
His teams have won 10 or more regular season games in six of the last seven years. Reid is a pillar of consistency and more Super Bowl success could be on the cards.
2) Sean Payton – Saints
Payton is one of the most experienced head coaches in the NFL and he has never finished a season with fewer than seven wins. That in itself is some achievement.
An offensive genius, Payton has built his offense around Drew Brees. If you are looking for a head coach to construct a game-winning drive, Payton is your man.
1) Bill Belichick – Patriots
The greatest NFL head coach of all-time. Belichick is the master of getting the most out of his players and his astute coaching gives the Patriots an edge on their rivals.
With six Super Bowl triumphs since 2012, Belichick has been the driving force behind New England’s success in recent years. Brady has gone but it would be foolish to write Belichick off.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Matt Slocum / 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.
