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Five Famous FA Cup Fifth Round Upsets

The later we get into the FA Cup, the rarer shocks become. The biggest third round upsets are famous, and there’s usually a shock of significance every season. It’s a bit different by the time we reach the fifth round.

Minnows have been knocked out, and the smaller clubs that remain are often drawn against the best clubs in the country.

Teams who have ridden waves of adrenaline and excitement have reached the end of their journey and, in recent years especially, the fifth round has been dominated by Premier League clubs.

The depth of the top sides allows them to see opponents off even with heavily rotated teams.

Featuring three matches from this century and a couple from the distant past, we have selected five of the biggest fifth round shocks in FA Cup history…

Colchester United 3-2 Leeds United (1971)

Fourth tier Colchester were a team of veterans when they hosted Leeds in the fifth round in 1971.

Referred to as ‘Dad’s Army’ by much of the press, they were heavy underdogs against a Leeds team led by Don Revie and featuring Jack Charlton and Norman Hunter.

Ray Crawford was Colchester’s hero at Layer Road, physically imposing himself on a Leeds defence that was vulnerable to the aerial ball. Crawford scored twice in the first half to give the hosts a commanding two-goal lead, and they made it 3-0 just after the interval.

Leeds turned it on after that, though. Two goals in 12 minutes made a comeback look possible, but Colchester clung on for the final few minutes to celebrate what might just be the greatest upset in fifth round history.

Revie congratulated the Colchester players after the match and Crawford became an FA Cup legend.

Burnley 0-1 Lincoln City (2017)

Lincoln’s 2017 FA Cup run was historic. They became the first non-league team in over a century to reach the quarter-finals when they snatched a last-minute victory at Turf Moor against Sean Dyche’s Burnley.

The Imps took over 3,000 to Lancashire for a nervy 90 minutes. Sean Raggett was the hero when he headed past Tom Heaton in the 89th minute, but that didn’t secure the victory the visitors.

Burnley fought straight back, piling on pressure through the five added minutes. Andre Gray could, and perhaps should, have scored an equaliser.

The win made Lincoln only the third non-league team ever to knock out four Football League sides in a single FA Cup run, having already got the better of Oldham, Ipswich and Brighton.

Unfortunately the dream of a Wembley appearance wasn’t to be, as Arsenal thrashed Lincoln 5-0 in the last eight.

Leyton Orient 3-2 Chelsea (1972)

Chelsea featured in our famous fourth round shocks and the west London club crop up again here, albeit several decades before their embarrassing loss to Bradford.

The Blues lifted the FA Cup in 1970 and were heavily fancied to cruise past Leyton Orient, who were near the bottom of Division Two.

A star-studded Chelsea team, featuring Peters Bonetti and Osgood and Ron Harris, arrived at Brisbane Road with few considering anything other than a comfortable win.

The match started how it was expected to, with Chelsea taking a 2-0 lead. Orient didn’t role over, however, and fought back with three unanswered goals to upset their London rivals and head to the last eight.

They were knocked out by another team from the capital in the form of cup holders Arsenal.

Liverpool 1-2 Barnsley (2008)

Liverpool’s FA Cup run was far from straightforward. Ties with Luton and Havant and Waterlooville had become hard work. Despite that, they were obviously expected to get the better of Barnsley at Anfield in the fifth round.

A Champions League clash with Inter a few days later was a bit of a distraction and led to Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres sitting out.

They still had sufficient quality to win easily though, particularly considering Barnsley had just been forced to sign goalkeeper Luke Steele on an emergency loan.

Dirk Kuyt gave the Reds the lead, but Steele put in the performance of his life to keep it 1-0 at the break.

Stephen Foster equalised before the hour mark and, with Steele holding Liverpool off, Barnsley skipper Brian Howard struck an inch-perfect shot into the bottom corner late on to claim an improbable victory for the visitors.

Arsenal 0-1 Blackburn Rovers (2013)

The 2012/13 season wasn’t a nice one for Arsenal in domestic cup action.

Having been knocked out of the League Cup by Bradford, Arsene Wenger named a very strong team for the visit of Blackburn Rovers. A routine win was surely on the cards at the Emirates.

It was a performance indicative of late-Wenger era Arsenal in many ways. Theo Walcott and Gervinho missed clearcut chances as they failed to break the deadlock against a stubborn defence.

Michael Appleton’s Rovers defended resolutely, and Colin Kazim-Richards delivered the sucker punch in the closing stages.

Arsenal have, of course, gone on to enjoy plenty of FA Cup success since then. Mikel Arteta, who played that day, is now in the dugout. Blackburn remain in the Championship after getting relegated in 2012.

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Matt Dunham / AP Photo*

February 28, 2020

Football

By Sam Cox

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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.

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How Should Gareth Southgate Use England's Right-Backs At Euro 2020?

No one grew up wanting to be Gary Neville. People will grow up wanting to be Trent Alexander-Arnold or Reece James. The role of the full-back has evolved hugely since the turn of the century.

Full-backs on the best teams are attack-first, defend-later players. A position that was once filled with rejected centre-backs is a home for former wide-midfielders and wingers.

As Southgate selects his England squad for Euro 2020, it is right-back where he has the greatest depth. England’s right-back options are the best in the world with four or five legitimate international quality players, possessing a range of different qualities.

James, Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Aaron Wan-Bissaka could all be first choice in a different era. Max Aarons is playing his way into that group.

This is where Southgate encounters a dilemma. There is such talent at right-back that it gives England options, but it raises questions too; would it be a waste to leave two or three of the five out of the squad? How can they be used best?

One of the options involves a step backwards, and a change of shape from the 4-3-3 that Southgate has favoured in a strong qualification campaign.

Back Three

This can be considered the moderate tactical change. Southgate did this at the World Cup two summers ago, opting for a back three with Walker as the right-centre-back and using Trippier at wing-back.

Alexander-Arnold would be the wing-back in this scenario, lifting some of the defensive burden which is clearly the weakest area of his game.

Wan-Bissaka is the best candidate for the Walker spot. The Manchester City man is a longshot to make the Euros squad, having been omitted from three successive England squads.

There’s no room for James or Trippier in this team, and neither come close to rivalling Alexander-Arnold as an attacking force down the right flank.

If Southgate rolled with this into the tournament proper, the assumption would be that James or Trippier are taken as cover and they name enough centre-backs to replace Wan-Bissaka if necessary.

Another tweak on the back three option involves a bolder move from Southgate.

Unorthodox

Moving the best right-back in the world to a not-right-back position seems a strange suggestion.

Put your best players in their best positions and build around them is usually a good starting point for any manager. The collection of right-backs at Gareth Southgate’s disposal could, perhaps should, make him test that conventional wisdom.

England have a dearth of midfield options. Dele Alli, James Maddison, Jack Grealish, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mason Mount are all in contention for an advanced spot, but the deep-lying position is England’s weakest.

Jordan Henderson is a certain starter if fit, but Harry Winks and Declan Rice are uninspiring selections at this juncture.

Given Alexander-Arnold’s distribution, his passing would be invaluable in the centre of the park, as Jamie Carragher has previously suggested for Liverpool.

Alexander-Arnold and Henderson as the central midfield pairing in a 3-4-3 would allow Southgate to use James as the wing-back and potentially Wan-Bissaka as a third centre-back.

It is the most extreme fit-all-the-right-backs-in option, and the least likely since Southgate has not experimented with anything close to this yet and England only have four matches before the group stage starts.

A compromise with Alexander-Arnold and Henderson in a 4-3-3 could be considered, too. With so many very-winnable games in the group, it would have been good to see Southgate try Alexander-Arnold in central midfield.

While the replacements at right-back are weaker, it might just be worth it for the upgrade at England’s clear weak spot.

Alexander-Arnold looked up to Steven Gerrard as a youngster too, “Everything about his game I really admired... I always studied him and wanted to be like him.”

There’s no guarantee he would be Gerrard reincarnate, but he has all the tools to translate into central midfield, even if only on a temporary basis as England look to build on their semi-final run at the World Cup.

Vision for passes few others see, the ability to execute them from both feet and a decent tackler (he’s at 1.6 per game in the Premier League this season, a solid return considering how much possession Liverpool have), Liverpool’s right-back is better on the ball than Henderson, Winks or Rice, and he reads the game well enough to break up play.

He could be a perfect springboard to launch counter-attacks through Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho.

As fans prepare for the summer with the Euro 2020 tournament guide, England’s loyal supporters will have many questions – Harry Kane’s fitness, Jordan Pickford’s status, centre-back options – but Alexander-Arnold will not be one of them.

It is a topic that should be at least discussed, and hopefully trialled, between now and England’s tournament opener against Croatia on 14th June.

Most Likely Outcome

With so little time to prepare, the 4-3-3 is set to stay for the Euros with Alexander-Arnold remaining at right-back.

There’s no issue with that, of course, as that shape allows Southgate to use the Sterling-Kane-Sancho front three and possibly fit in two of the advanced midfielders.

Alexander-Arnold in midfield feels like it will be a missed opportunity, however. It might have been a disaster, but it could have delved into England’s greatest strength to address their greatest weakness.

It would leave no room for Alli, Grealish or Maddison without Sancho or Sterling missing out, and that’s an issue.

With injuries possible, England could have benefited from testing different setups in the lead up to the Euros though, and having enjoyed an easy path to qualification, they had ample opportunity to try things.

England are the 5/1 favourites in the latest Euro 2020 odds. They have the best right-back on the planet and Southgate is starting him at right-back.

It’s not exactly a major gripe, but with such a collection of superb talents at right-back, not attempting to use more than one of them in the XI feels like a bit of a waste.

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alastair Grant / AP Photo*

February 26, 2020

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Michael Brown EXCLUSIVE With 888sport: Team Spirit Is The Secret Of Sheffield United's Success

Not many footballers play until they’re forty and certainly not those who are industrious in midfield; entrusted to give their all every game. Then again, Michael Brown was a rare breed.

In a career that spanned well over two decades the Hartlepool-born star estimates that he played for over 30 managers and at every one of his nine clubs he was greatly admired by the supporters for his ceaseless endeavor. He won Player of the Year awards at Manchester City and Sheffield United. He won about a million tackles.

Now a respected pundit, here the former England Under 21 international looks back on some of the clubs where he made his mark, starting with one very much in the ascendency against all expectation.

Blades Can Get Even Sharper

Having established himself as a competitive midfielder of note at Manchester City, Brown moved across the Pennines whereupon he quickly became a firm fan favourite, loved for his tough tackling.

Even many years on from his four-year stint at Bramall Lane his affinity with the Blades remains; which is clear when marveling at their remarkable climb to the highest echelons of the Premier League.

With United fast becoming one of the success stories of this season the question on everyone’s lips is what are they doing so well that other teams cannot? For Brown it’s all about the collective.

“I spoke to Chris Wilder on the media day at the start of the season and I asked him how he was going to go about it and set his team up. And I think there is the key point – team.

"They have a great team spirit. His signings were players he felt were still hungry and with something to prove. They want to join the team ethic.

"It’s just such a great place. I was down there last week for the Bournemouth game and there is a buzz about the place with everyone enjoying it. Even the players who are on the bench are happy to contribute and are waiting to help.

"And how brave have the players been? They always look to keep the ball and you think they might lose possession but they don’t. They’ve been incredible.”

If wondering what lies behind United’s perceived over-achievement is the most obvious line of enquiry the inevitable follow-up is to ask whether it can be sustained. Brown is confident it can.

“They’re still building and improving things: their training ground; infrastructure; the recruitment; stadium improvements; their media department.

"They have spent some money improving all that and the ownership situation because there were some issues there. It can only get better and we have seen what a successful season in the Premier League has done for certain clubs.”

And what of the possibility of qualifying for the Champions League, the impossible dream? The unlikely notion of Oli McBurnie and co rustling feathers at the Bernabau next term is certainly one for the romantics among us.

“They’re two points off the top four and have a good run of games but they just need to keep doing it week in, week in. You’re probably thinking they’re going to lose this game or that game but they go on to win them.

"They have to just keep enjoying it and working hard; don’t get complacent and finish as high as they can. Anywhere in those European spots would be a remarkable achievement for Chris’ guys."

For all of Brown’s consistent excellence in Yorkshire – that led to him being selected in the PFA Team of the Year in 2003 – what also comes to mind is his heavy involvement in the infamous ‘Battle of Bramall Lane’.

With Neil Warnock and Gary Megson at war on the touchline their sides fought out an inflammatory contest that resulted in the Blades having three men sent off.

When Brown and Rob Ullathorne both subsequently limped off injured the match was abandoned. What does he recall of that stormy afternoon?

“It was just bizarre. I’m asked on many occasions what it was like and you don’t realise what type of game you’re involved in until the game finishes.

"It was just a very strange game that finished really poorly but it’s only when you look back on it that you realise just how crazy it was.”

City's Legacy Will Be Their Breath-taking Football

The Manchester City of the nineties was a very different beast to that of today.

Riddled with ‘City-itis’ it was a club that persistently grabbed farce from the jaws of victory and so it’s perhaps fitting that after coming through the ranks at Maine Road, Brown found himself sent off mere minutes after coming on as a substitute to make his professional debut.

“I just remember getting around the pitch a little bit then I pulled on Andrew Impey’s shirt and the ref came over.

"I thought it was going to be a yellow card but it was actually deemed a red because he said I was the last man. I wasn’t. Alan Kernaghan was coming around the back.

"So it was a really surreal feeling. You’ve gone from the biggest high to the biggest low, sitting in the dressing room thinking I was never going to play again. I thought my career was over.”

It was an early set-back that could have had a substantial effect on the callow teen. Instead it was character-building.

“It was a great learning curve for me to deal with the highs and lows and the adversities football can throw at you. As a young player going through you will get so many of those and that is probably why I played until I was forty.

"People kept knocking me but I kept on coming back because I knew there are many ways not to give in. That’s what I did right throughout my career.”

Fast-forwarding to the present-day City are the reigning Premier League champions with a coach widely credited with re-imagining the game for the better.

Yet the recent punishment of a two-year Champions League ban administered by UEFA for allegedly inflating sponsorship income threatens to tarnish their image significantly. Might it even result in all of their good work being disregarded by some?

“We will get rival fans with opinions and that is normal these days. But we just have to look at what we were treated to last season with City’s performances in the Premier League and to win every game in the run-in was remarkable.

"Some of the football we’ve seen under Pep Guardiola has been breath-taking the likes of which no-one else has ever produced.”

Leeds Can Attack Their Way Back To The Top

After battling for the causes of Manchester and Sheffield, Brown enjoyed spells at Tottenham, Fulham, Wigan and Portsmouth before Leeds United came calling with the player then firmly into his thirties.

Reunited with Warnock, his second stint in Yorkshire saw him re-energise the Leeds midfield in typical fashion and again typically gain the affections of a new fan-base. It is an endearment that is still reciprocated.

Does Brown believe the Whites are heading back to the big time under the idiosyncratic and box-office Marcelo Bielsa? And, perhaps more pertinently, is there a danger the Argentinian might walk away if promotion once again eludes them?

“Only he can answer that. They didn’t make it last year and he obviously decided to give it another year. They’re in a fantastic position and play a great style of football: very attacking.

"It’s a big club as we know and sometimes there comes with that a bit of pressure. That pressure can heat up and it’s been a bit tough for them with a couple of injuries and suspensions.

"Hopefully now though they can get back on the right track and get the results to return to the Premier League.”

And what of Kalvin Phillips, the player enforced with energizing Leeds’ midfield several years after Brown did likewise. How much has he impressed the 43-year-old?

“I think Kalvin Phillips is a brilliant player. I can’t say enough about him. He’s a great character and great lad and he’s got everything.

"His experience is gaining and he can play in different positions and Leeds missed him when he was out. It’s great that he’s back now for the run-in.”

Pompey Have Done Themselves Proud

It was arguably on the south coast where Brown experienced his greatest days, reaching a FA Cup final – after beating Tottenham in a semi that is still very fondly recalled by the Pompey faithful – and all to the backdrop of looming administration after the club over-spent to their peril.

Memories created that year sustained them through the prolonged freefall that followed.

Buoyant once again and seeking a return to prominence Portsmouth have recovered well from a disappointing opening few months of the season and now find themselves stoically in the promotion mix.

As Brown points out, that is not all they have to be optimistic about either.

“It’s an understatement regarding a recovery on what Kenny Jackett has done. It’s been an amazing turn-around because the pressure was mounting. It was a real slow start.

"But they’re really hit the ground running with fantastic home form. It was an exciting one to get to the final of the Leasing.com. I’m going to be covering the game against Arsenal on the Monday night in the FA Cup.

"So they’ve got a cup final, a FA Cup game against Arsenal at Fratton Park, and a promotion push. So it’s really good times.”

How does he think his former club will fare in their forthcoming cup clash with the Gunners?

“Fratton Park will be rocking. There is no better atmosphere. It’s a great place to play though yes it can be improved.

"But when all of those supporters are there it’s a great atmosphere and Arsenal are still in transition with Mikel Arteta still trying to find his formations and tactics. It will be tough for them.”

Finally, when asked about his most treasured reminiscence of his time down there his response reveals a good deal about the attributes of a player who always gave his all and always came back from adversity. A rare breed indeed.

“The game against Spurs was amazing and walking out for the cup final was also a bit special. They’re the occasions but for me it was great leading the Portsmouth team out when captain. I was very proud and honoured to do that.”

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Jon Super / AP Photo*

February 26, 2020

Football

By 888sport

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Top 5 FA Cup Matches Of All-Time | FA Cup Betting

Although the FA Cup is a topic of controversy at times, the world’s oldest cup competition still provides excitement aplenty. There are underdog stories and thrillers every season.

A lot of time is devoted to asking whether the FA Cup is struggling. Perhaps more needs to be focused on the positives of the competition, the funding it brings for teams lower down the pyramid and the cracking matches it provides.

Not every team will take the FA Cup seriously – that’s okay. It’s a competition built on a wonderful history, and sometimes football needs to be reminded of that (beyond the montages run by TV companies when they’re hoping for a giant-killing).

This list looks back on the greatest ever FA Cup matches…

Tottenham 3-4 Manchester City (2004)

Chelsea’s comeback was impressive, of course, but Manchester City’s at White Hart Lane pips it.

City and Tottenham had drawn in Manchester 11 days prior, forcing a fourth-round replay in north London. As 30,000 or so fans looked on, Tottenham took what appeared to be an unassailable lead in the first half.

Ledley King and Robbie Keane scored early on, King finding the net from outside the box and Keane converting a chance created by a long ball from Stephen Carr.

Nicolas Anelka, City’s main forward at the time, went off injured soon after and was replaced with the less talented Jon Macken.

Just before the interval, Joey Barton picked up a booking for a foul outside the area. Christian Ziege converted the free-kick. Barton was sent off for arguing with the referee down the tunnel at half-time.

Sylvain Distin made it 3-1 from a set piece just after the break. A deflected Paul Bosvelt shot reduced the deficit to one, and Shaun Wright-Philips lobbed Kasey Keller to equalise against all odds.

Macken, who missed a key chance in the first leg, made it 4-3 in the 90th minute as City completed an improbable, almost unimaginable, comeback.

Chelsea 4-2 Liverpool (1997)

Chelsea were a flair team in the late 1990s, led by Ruud Gullit and with talented players all over the squad.

Liverpool had been inconsistent when they headed to Stamford Bridge in January of 1997 for a fourth-round FA Cup clash that turned out to be a spectacular afternoon (for Chelsea fans, at least).

Liverpool boss Roy Evans used John Barnes in midfield, and the ploy worked out well in the first half. Liverpool took a 2-0 lead into the dressing room and it should’ve been three if not for a poor finish from Steve McManaman.

Gullit reacted, putting Roberto di Matteo on Barnes. Barnes was nullified, and Mark Hughes was thrown on up front.

Hughes, a battle-tested, physical centre-forward, caused Liverpool problems, scoring soon after the break and setting Gianfranco Zola up for the equaliser a few minutes later.

Not long after, Dan Petrescu found Gianluca Vialli to give Chelsea a 3-2 lead. Vialli got his second with 15 minutes to go, securing the victory the Blues and sending the Stamford Bridge faithful wild.

Chelsea saw off Leicester, Portsmouth and Wimbledon en route to the final. A wonderous Di Matteo strike in the first minute set them up for victory over Middlesbrough and ushered in a new era for the club.

Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal (2001)

The 2001 FA Cup final was the first that saw the two teams led out by managers from outside the British Isles.

Almost 600 million people watched the match around the world and over 72,000 were packed into Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium to see Liverpool win their sixth FA Cup.

Arsenal’s 13 triumphs top the FA Cup records, but 2001 wasn’t their year. They must have thought it was when Freddie Ljungberg put them ahead with little over 10 minutes to play, however.

Thierry Henry missed a chance to put Arsenal two up soon after, and Liverpool made the Gunners pay.

Robbie Fowler and Patrick Berger replaced Vladimir Smicer and Danny Murphy. As Arsenal piled on the pressure, Liverpool held them off.

Michael Owen then stepped up for Gerard Houllier’s side, tucking the ball past David Seaman after Arsenal failed to clear the ball.

With two minutes to play and already exhausted players dreading extra time, Owen stole the match for Liverpool in the 88th minute.

He latched onto a long pass from Burger, outpacing the Arsenal defenders and sliding it past Seaman into the bottom corner. Four days later, Liverpool won the UEFA Cup to complete a cup treble.

Blackpool 4-3 Bolton Wanderers (1953)

Commonly known as the Matthews Final, the 1953 FA Cup final was all about one man. Stanley Matthews lit up Wembley as Blackpool overturned a two-goal deficit to snatch victory in the 92nd minute.

Matthews got his hands on the trophy that had eluded him, but Stan Mortensen made history himself, becoming the first and only player to score an FA Cup final hat-trick at the old Wembley.

The boots worn by Matthews for the final were sold for almost £40,000 at an auction back in 2010 and his winners’ medal fetched over £200,000.

Matthews is one of the greatest English players ever, and this might just be his finest moment of all. Nat Lofthouse, despite suffering defeat, is believed to have stood and applauded.

Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United (1999)

After a bore draw at Villa Park in the first clash, Arsenal and Manchester United went to a replay at the same venue three days later.

Alex Ferguson was eyeing up a treble, and he had to get past their greatest title challengers and rivals. The stage was set for an epic FA Cup encounter.

A delightful early goal put United in front, but a deflected Dennis Bergkamp shot levelled it up after the hour mark.

Down to 10 men, Ryan Giggs scored one of the greatest goals in FA Cup history, weaving past defenders before smashing it into the roof of the net.

It was a brilliant match between two great teams. The team sheets were littered with big names – few FA Cup matches are as memorable as this one.

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Max Nash / AP Photo*

February 26, 2020

Football

By Sam Cox

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Combined XI: North West Clubs | Premier League Betting

We’ve already put together a combined London XI, now it’s the turn of England’s northwest clubs. The Merseyside giants and the two Manchester clubs have combined for 53 league titles and that’s going to become 54 in a few months’ time.

The balance of power has shifted in Manchester. There’s been change in Liverpool, too. Liverpool are dominant once again, a far cry from the team that languished in mid-table for several seasons.

Everton have had major investment, though they remain the outsider of the northwest quartet, still looking to force their way into regular European contention.

Here we are then, a northwest clubs combined XI, set up in a very attacking 4-3-3…

Alisson

Alisson is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, and there’s a case to be made that numbers two and three are Ederson and David De Gea.

The Brazilian gets the nod here, despite a couple of errors this season. His impact on the Liverpool defence cannot be overstated after seasons of goalkeeper chaos.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

There’s not much debate to be had with this one. Trent Alexander-Arnold is the best all-round full-back in the world right now.

His struggles defensively are often overplayed. At the other end of the pitch, he is as effective as any full-back in recent memory.

Alexander-Arnold didn’t have much competition from his England teammates Kyle Walker and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Virgil van Dijk

It’s three out of three for Liverpool with Ballon d’Or runner-up Virgil van Dijk taking the first centre-back spot.

Like Alexander-Arnold and Alisson, van Dijk is the best in football at his position, which makes him a shoo-in to start in this northwest XI.

Van Dijk, like Alisson, changed this Liverpool team. The heart of defence had been a problem for years, and within days of the signing being confirmed, there was a renewed sense of calm.

Aymeric Laporte

Liverpool and Manchester City are hardly comparable this season. That could have been so very different if Aymeric Laporte hadn’t suffered a long-term injury earlier in the campaign.

Laporte arrived for a substantial fee a couple of years ago. The Frenchman hasn’t received the same plaudits as Van Dijk, but perhaps he should do after we’ve seen how Manchester City defend without him.

Andrew Robertson

Left-back was Everton’s best chance of a selection in the back five. Lucas Digne is great, but there’s no stopping Andy Robertson from joining Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold and Alisson here.

Robertson is one of the best examples of Liverpool’s excellent recruitment. A bargain from Hull, he’s grown to be considered among the very best left-backs on the planet.

Fabinho

Sitting in front of the back four in this fantasy XI, Fabinho was another straightforward choice. Fernandinho has been more centre-back than midfielder this season, and Scott McTominay isn’t at the same level.

Fabinho provides everything a team needs from that spot. He reads the game superbly and moves the ball quickly.

Paul Pogba

Injured for much of this campaign, Paul Pogba is Manchester United’s lone representation in this side. The Frenchman is a divisive figure, but his quality shouldn’t be forgotten amid Mino Raiola’s outbursts.

The attacking midfield berths are very competitive here. Bernardo Silva, David Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could all make a case.

Kevin De Bruyne

Even with Liverpool cruising to the title and possibly an unbeaten season, Kevin De Bruyne deserves serious consideration for PFA Player of the Year. The Belgian is on course to break the Premier League assist record.

Superlatives have been exhausted for De Bruyne. Manchester City will be concerned he will fancy a move abroad if their Champions League ban sticks.

Sadio Mane

Some players seem like a nuisance to play against. Sadio Mane certainly falls into that bracket, and not in a Diego Costa way. He’s electric and energetic from the first whistle to the last.

Mane’s movement off the ball, whether pressing or looking for a pass, is intelligent, and he’s out-thought many an opponent.

Once underrated, the former Southampton forward is finally recognised as one of the best in the world.

Sergio Aguero

Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have been great this season. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in wonderful form. Roberto Firmino is excellent. None can stop Sergio Aguero from leading the line here.

The Argentine has the best goals per game ratio in Premier League history, and despite a dearth of individual awards, he has been as consistent as anyone in the English football over the last decade.

Raheem Sterling

It’s been a rough few weeks for Raheem Sterling, and it was a toss up between the England winger and Mo Salah for the third forward spot.

Sterling is nowhere near if we were picking on form. This is a broader selection, though, and his performances over the last couple of seasons just about earn him the place.

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Jon Super / AP Photo*

February 26, 2020

Premier League

By Sam Cox

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Cheltenham Festival 2020: Ante Post Picks For EVERY Race

Like them or loath them, Cheltenham Festival preview nights are taking place up and down the country and if you were to take notes from just a handful, you would end up with a very long list!

I’ve personally yet to come across a preview night that touches on ALL 28 races at The Festival, so in time honoured tradition I’m going to take my annual brief spin through the entire four day shebang and hopefully identify a few winners along the way.

Day 1: Tuesday 10th March

1.30pm - Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Shishkin will be a popular choice in the opening race of The Festival, but my preference is for ABACADABRAS (5/1) who was a game winner of the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas and has performed solidly all season long.

2.10pm - Arkle Chase

The value each-way selection here is the Harry Whittington-trained ROUGE VIF (12/1). The six-year-old jumped superbly when taking the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick and can make his presence felt at this level.

The Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase winner- Global Citizen, ranks as the main danger.

2.50pm - Ultima Chase

DISCORAMA (20/1) finished second to Le Breuil in the National Hunt Chase here last year and can be in the shake up once again.

Given that his connections ruled out a Grand National tilt with him this season, all his training will have been geared towards a bold showing at Cheltenham.

3.30pm - Champion Hurdle

Last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner PENTLAND HILLS (5/1) can step up to the plate once again and take the ultimate hurdling prize for Nicky Henderson.

His blip at Haydock will soon be forgotten in this truer run race.

4.10pm - Mares’ Hurdle

My banker on day one is the Henry De Bromhead-trained HONEYSUCKLE (5/4).

Probably good enough for the Champion Hurdle, she can account for her gender comtempories in this.

4.50pm - Northern Trust Novices’ Chase

SPYGLASS HILL (12/1) can give Henry De Bromhead another winner on the afternoon with this up and coming seven-year-old. Rachael Blackmore is likely to partner him again.

5.30pm - National Hunt Chase

A time for the amateur riders to shine and Rebecca Curtis’ LISNAGAR OSCAR (40/1) can run much better than his odds suggest.

Forza Milan is another on my radar too.

Day 2: Wednesday 11th March

1.30pm - Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle

ENVOI ALLEN (5/4) can get favourite backers off to a Wednesday flyer when he leaves the others standing at the bottom of the Cheltenham hill. Thyme Hill is the best of the rest.

2.10pm - RSA Chase

MINELLA INDO (4/1) jumped with aplomb at Navan in January and the seven-year-old can give Henry De Bromhead another winner on day two of The Festival. Copperhead is the one to fear most.

2.50pm - Coral Cup

Former Champion Bumper winner RELEGATE (20/1) ran a lovely prep race when finishing fourth at Punchestown last time and could easily be the forgotten horse in this contest.

My Sister Sarah is another each-way alternative at a fancy price.

3.30pm - Champion Chase

DEFI DU SEUIL (9/4) is taken to continue his rich vein of form and tap Altior for toe in the closing stages of the Champion Chase.

4.10pm - Cross Country Chase

A very unoriginal pick but TIGER ROLL (Evs) stands head and shoulders above his rivals here and can record yet another Festival victory.

4.50pm - Boodles Juvenile Hurdle

The Joseph O’Brien-trained CERBERUS (14/1) can be rewarded for his consistency this season by taking this Cheltenham Prize. Alan King’s French recruit Blacko merits consideration too.

5.10pm - Champion Bumper

The Willie Mullins-trained POWER OF PAUSE (25/1) can make amends for getting turned over at short odds on debut at Thurles.

Israel Champ should also be on any shortlist you draw up.

Day 3: Thursday 12th March

1.30pm - Marsh Novices’ Chase

Veteran performer FAUGHEEN (6/1) can bring down the house by taking the “St Patrick’s Day” opener. The twelve-year-old is as good as ever and this is a realistic target for him.

2.10pm - Pertemps Final

The Matthew Smith-trained RONALD PUMP (14/1) has held his form all season and a hurly-burly contest like this should be well within his scope.

At a price, Copper Goes West is worth a speculative each-way punt.

2.50pm - Ryanair Chase

A PLUS TARD (9/4) has a great chance of giving Henry De Bromhead a third day winner with this Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding. Min is the obvious danger to the selection.

3.30pm - Stayers’ Hurdle

The banker of the week for many people will be PAISLEY PARK (8/11) and I have to agree with them. Forecast backers may want to consider Emitom who recently bounced back to form at Haydock.

4.10pm - Brown Advisory Chase

The Dan Skelton-trained SPIRITOFTHEGAMES(14/1) can game some compensation for just being touched off twice here this season. He clearly thrives at this racecourse and is a solid each-way bet.

4.50pm - Mares’ Novices Hurdle

JEREMYS FLAME (12/1) can bounce back here from her poor showing at Leopardstown where she was found to be lame. Prior to that run she was holding her form really well this season.

5.30pm - Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase

BONBON AU MIEL (20/1) hasn’t been seen on a racecourse since he fell in the RSA two years ago but he can provide Willie Mullins with a fairytale comeback.

Fitzhenry was just denied in the Paddy Power Chase and will be suited by this kind of race.

Day 4: Friday 13th March

1.30pm - Triumph Hurdle

I’ve had my eye on SOLO (5/2) for some time now after seeing him win at Auteuil and he showed his brilliance to the watching public by scooting home at Kempton on his UK debut.

2.10pm - County Hurdle

Greatwood winner HARAMBE (25/1) has the perfect profile for this race and can bounce back from being brought down last time. Birds Of Prey is an interesting outsider for Paul Nicholls.

2.50pm - Albert Bartlett Hurdle

The galloping grey RAMSES DE TEILLEE (12/1) can outstay his rivals here and continue his purple patch of form.

3.30pm - Cheltenham Gold Cup

If Delta Work is a 5/1 shot for the Gold Cup then there is no way MONALEE (20/1) should be the price he is based upon their Savills Chase encounter.

The nine-year-old has been a Cheltenham Festival runner-up twice before and placed fourth in the RSA last year. He can top off a potential first class week for trainer Henry De Bromhead.

4.10pm - Foxhunter Chase

MINELLA ROCCO (6/1) is enjoying a new lease of life in this sphere and after I saw him easily account for Hazel Hill at Wetherby, I thought he had the Foxhunters written all over him.

4.50pm - Grand Annual Chase

The JP McManus-owned GREAT FIELD (16/1) has showed nothing in recent times but I still believe he has another decent big prize in him.

Could a trip to the Cotswold reignite his inner flame? Paloma Blue has been knocking on the door all season and is another interesting each-way player.

5.10pm - Martin Pipe Hurdle

If you still have any funds left by race 28 then I suggest you have an each-way flutter on the Paul Nicholls-trained MCFABULOUS (14/1).

Winner of the Aintree bumper last April, the six-year-old has been brought to the boil nicely by the Ditcheat maestro. Joseph O’Brien’s consistent gelding Entoucas is one to bear in mind also.

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Seth Wenig / AP Photo*

February 25, 2020

Horse Racing

By Steve Mullington

https://twitter.com/mulldog">

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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.

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Tyson Fury's Incredible Journey Is An Important Reminder To Never Stop Working On Yourself

Tyson Fury’s resurrection has been spectacular to say the least. He has gone from the brink of ending his own life to fighting on the biggest stage of all in a bid to become a two-time heavyweight champion of the world.

Fury’s comeback story has been well-documented and he deserves great credit for his influence on millions across the globe.

It has been refreshing to see a sportsman speak so openly about mental health. And Fury is not just any sportsman – he is the lineal heavyweight champion of the world and one of the greatest British boxers of all-time.

Fury speaking out could encourage other high-profile athletes to follow suit and that can only be positive for the wider general public.

Standing at six foot, nine inches tall, Fury is a giant of a man. In many ways, he is an unlikely champion for mental health but Fury is a prime example of why we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

People struggle on a daily basis and those at the top of their professions are not immune to those struggles.

Fury is motivated by family and boxing – those are his two biggest passions. The father-of-five is devoted to his beloved Paris, having met in their teenage years before getting married in 2008.

His impact in the family home was clear to see in the ITV documentary, ‘Tyson Fury: The Gypsy King’ and he is sorely missed when away at training camp.

Being away from home can take its toll on Fury; spending so much time away from Paris and the children is hardly ideal.

However, it is strictly business for Fury when he is training for a fight and embarking in a camp away from Morecambe is the best way to ensure maximum effectiveness ahead of a bout.

On Saturday night, Fury will fight Deontay Wilder for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.

The Gypsy King is looking to settle the score after he was done by in the previous bout – most boxing fans believed that Fury has outclassed Wilder throughout but the judges came under scrutiny after scoring the fight as a draw.

It hasn’t been plain sailing for Fury – he has had to work incredibly hard to get back to the top of the heavyweight boxing ladder.

His upcoming rematch with Wilder is the biggest fight of the year and millions of people around the world will be tuning in to watch Saturday’s bout.

Fury has channelled his demons into gym and training and you have to admire him for his incredible tenacity and dedication to boxing.

His road back to the top of the sport has been tough but he deserves his chance to regain his status as the best heavyweight boxer in the business.

The Gypsy King has a chance to silence any critics this weekend – he has a platform to send out a real statement.

With the right support channels and an immense belief in your own ability, you can achieve anything you want and Fury’s journey back to the top must rank highly on any list of great sporting comebacks.

Fury’s story will hopefully inspire future generations to speak out about any mental health problems in the future. The Gypsy King is a credit to the sport of boxing, to his family but most of all to himself.

Fingers crossed we get to see Fury competing at the top of the sport for many years to come.

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Mark J. Terrill / AP Photo*

February 21, 2020

Boxing

By Alex McMahon

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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.

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Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury 2: Preview

The first fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury sent shockwaves across the boxing world. To this day, people still ask the question – how did Fury get up?

The clip of Fury’s resurrection is now famous all around the globe and his never say die attitude at Staples Center won many American fans over on that fateful night in December 2018.

Both men head into this fight with unbeaten records but it is hard to envision another draw this time around. The winner could move into the top 10 pound-for-pound fighters in world boxing.

The stage is set for another special night of heavyweight boxing and Las Vegas is the perfect place to host such an iconic bout. The time for talking is over; it is now time to go to war.

Wilder is priced at 17/20 to claim victory this weekend and plenty of American boxing fans will be getting behind the Bronze Bomber at the MGM Grand.

The 34-year-old has won 42 of his 43 professional fights, with 41 of those victories coming by way of knockout. There are only two men to last the distance against Wilder: Fury and Bermane Stiverne.

The Bronze Bomber wasted no time dispatching Stiverne in their rematch in 2017, securing a thunderous first round success.

Fury fans will be hoping that the Gypsy King can cope with Wilder’s early onslaught – the American is likely to make a fast start. Should the WBC champion emerge victorious, he will surpass Muhammad Ali’s record of 10 title defences.

Unfortunately for Wilder, his opponent is Tyson Fury. Fury is a man who doesn’t do anything by halves; it is all or nothing.

He isn’t afraid to fight on the road, you only need to go back and watch his victory over Wladimir Klitschko to realise that. Fury’s determination and self-belief to get back to boxing’s summit is quite remarkable.

Most boxing fans believed that Fury won the first bout; he certainly seemed in control of the centre of the ring for most of the fight.

However, Wilder is arguably the most dangerous man in heavyweight boxing history. His knockout ratio certainly suggests that anyway, and Fury will be wary of getting caught with another Bronze Bomber combination.

For Fury, this is more than a fight. This is about writing the wrong from the first fight – the Gypsy King took the result graciously enough but Fury will want to settle the score in Las Vegas this weekend.

Boxing betting odds of 17/10 for Fury to win on points could turn out to be very kind indeed for punters if he gets his tactics right.

Fury is arguably the most unique boxer in the history of the heavyweight division and he could cement his status as one of the all-time greats with victory on Saturday night.

On the face of it, Wilder vs Fury II has potential to be one of the best rematches in boxing history and the Gypsy King will be quietly confident of coming out on top.

As a fun bet, the 11/2 for both fighters to be knocked down is well worth a punt. Wilder put Fury on the canvas twice in the first fight and he is always capable of delivering a knockout blow while Fury will want to secure a knockdown of his own.

Everything points towards an absolute classic battle between two of the best in the business.

The heart says Fury but the head is wary of Wilder’s power. Boxing followers from around the world will be tuning in on Saturday night expecting to see fireworks.

The 5/4 for Wilder to win by KO, TKO or DQ is worth a look – the Bronze Bomber is unlikely to outbox Fury and he may need a stoppage to retain his WBC title.

February 21, 2020

Boxing

By Alex McMahon

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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.

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Eider Chase 2020 Preview & Betting Tips

This Saturday sees another fine renewal of the Eider Chase which is run over a marathon distance of 4m1½f.

The race, which at one point in time was renamed the “Northern National” is regarded by some trainers and owners as the ideal prep race for the actual Grand National itself at Aintree in just under two months time, although this year none of the runners hold that entry.

Due to the time of year the race takes place, the conditions more often than not tend to be testing, providing a unique stamina contest for the horses and jockeys alike.

Invariably over the years the trends tend to point to about half the field failing to complete the race and on many occasions there are single digit finishers. It isn’t always the prettiest of races to watch for those very reasons.

Eider Chase Winners: (Last 10 Years)

2019 – CROSSPARK (12/1)
2018 – BAYWING (8/1)
2017 – BAYWING (8/1)
2017 – MYSTEREE (10/1)
2016 – ROCKING BLUES (8/1)
2015 – MILBOROUGH (18/1)
2014 – WYCK HILL (9/1)
2013 – No Race
2012 – PORTRAIT KING (11/4 fav)
2011 – COMPANERO (16/1).

Runner-By-Runner Guide

Prime Venture (Evan Williams)

The nine-year-old finished fourth in the Welsh Grand National but worryingly he hasn’t troubled the judge now since 2017 and is becoming more of a Placepot banker, than a horse racing betting win proposition.

Having said all that stamina is most certainly his forte and even though he will be required to lug around top weight here, he has to come into the reckoning.

Over To Sam (Harry Fry)

Over To Sam comes into this race on the back of a tidy win at Plumpton last month where he beat Christmas In April.

The lightly-raced nine-year-old has gone up 3lbs for that victory but he looks like a horse that is on the up.

Theligny (Tim Vaughan)

The nine-year-old has an unorthodox style of jumping but things all clicked into place last time when he accounted for Jammy George at Ffos Las.

As with many of these, the trip is an unknown, but a win at 3 miles in heavy ground at Ffos Las is a good grounding for any horse that is going on to tackle a marathon trip.

Fortified Bay (Jennie Candlish)

Jennie Candlish-trained runners traditionally come to the fore every season in the month of February, and for that very reason I think this in-from eight-year-old has an outstanding chance.

The trip should be no issue and it looks like he’ll be in the thick of it.

Shanroe Santos (Lucy Wadham)

The experienced eleven-year-old is a former Southern National winner and has previously mixed it with the best handicap chasers around.

If his old sparkle returns then he is certainly in with a great each-way shout at a nice price.

Calipso Collonges (Olly Murphy)

Calipso Collonges was last seen chasing home Lord Du Mesnil in the Tommy Whittle Handicap which is probably one of the most recent significant form lines in the entire field.

Based on his last run alone, the gelding should not be underestimated in this line up.

Petite Power (Fergal O’Brien)

Stamina will certainly not be an issue for the veteran in this contest but he does appear to be in the handicappers grip now after a successful season thus far.

My heart likes him, but my head tells me that he will probably get caught out by younger legs in the run for home.

Christmas In April (Colin Tizzard)

Christmas In April is another runner that should make a real fist of it in the conditions but doesn’t look particularly well handicapped.

The eight-year-old is very closely matched with Over To Sam and the pair of them could easily make the podium.

Very First Time (Dan Skelton)

Very First Time finished fourth behind Hugo 'n Taz in December, but bounced right back next time with a four lengths success at Doncaster.

He has gone up 7lbs for that win which will probably be his undoing in the final embers of this feature race.

Ascot De Bruyere (James Ewart)

The ten-year-old is somewhat of a course specialist at Newcastle, but he was well beaten on his last two starts here and has it all to do in the rematch with Fortified Bay.

Glittering Love (Nicky Richards)

Nicky Richards has been the Eider King in recent years and he teams up here with the “champion jockey-elect”, Brian Hughes.

The Eider has been the eight-year-old’s target for some time so I expect him to be very finely tuned for Saturday’s showpiece.

Donna’s Delight (Sandy Thomson)

Won last time out in heavy ground Ayr in a race where many failed to complete due to the testing conditions.

The nine-year-old has now been raised 6lbs in the handicap which will make this follow up attempt all the more difficult.

Hugo ‘N Taz (David Pipe)

David Pipe saddled Comply Or Die to lift the 2008 Eider and he will have similar grand designs with Hugo ‘N Taz.

The nine-year-old collected Market Rasen's Lincolnshire National on Boxing Day and he appeared to revel in the soft conditions. An 8lb rise in the weights may not curtail his upward curve just yet.

Alminar (Nigel Hawke)

I’ve been interested in this gelding ever since I saw him run at Chepstow in January 2019 and I had him down as a future stayer right away.

His subsequent runs at both Ffos Las and Chepstow have all pointed towards a possible big staying chase somewhere along the line, and here we are, on the cusp of the North’s finest long distance test. He’s a major each-way player for my money.

Financial Outcome (Rebecca Curtis)

A two-time winner on the point-to-point scene, but despite being pretty consistent, he’s only managed to get his head in front once so far under Rules.

He has age and weight on his side here however and could quite easily run into a place.

Eider Chase: Who Wins?

It’s a fair old trek from Devon to Newcastle and back so Nigel Hawke must believe that he’s heading up north with a runner that has a great chance.

Alminar is my nap but I’m finding hard to leave out Fortified Bay from my deliberations, so the Candlish runner is going to be my next best.

888sport suggests: Alminar and Fortified Bay (e/w).

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Lynne Sladky / AP Photo*

February 21, 2020

Horse Racing

By Steve Mullington

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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 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.

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Can Formula One Bounce Back in 2020?

The first five races of the 2019 Formula One season ended in one-two finishes for Mercedes.

An historic run from the sport’s dominant force, and it set the foundations for an unassailable lead for the Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers’ Championship and the Silver Arrows in the Constructors.

Hamilton recorded a sixth title, and it wasn’t under pressure after the opening rounds. The Brit secured it with two races to go, but that doesn’t tell the full story.

Hamilton finished 87 points clear of his nearest challenger Valtteri Bottas and 135 ahead of the closest non-Mercedes driver Max Verstappen.

There were some great races in the 2019 season. The German and Brazilian Grands Prix were bonkers, weather wreaking havoc on both occasions.

The Italian and Austrian races provided wheel-to-wheel duels, Charles Leclerc and Hamilton battling at Monza and Max Verstappen tussling with Leclerc at the Red Bull Ring.

Despite that, it was a season devoid of teeth-gritted title rivalry. A campaign that had a healthy portion of fiery moments (particularly between the Ferrari drivers), but it was unfulfilling for the neutral.

Germany, Brazil, Italy and Austria hosted thrilling Sundays, and there were other fun-to-watch races. It just lacked a Championship chase with Bottas unable to keep pace with Hamilton, arguably the best F1 driver of all-time, after a good start.

Mercedes winning 10 of the first 12, eight of which saw Hamilton atop the podium, was a major factor. The tendency for races to slump into procession wasn’t all about the dominance of the cars, though.

Under current regulations, Formula One cars struggle when following each other closely. This is exaggerated at some tracks and was particularly frustrating at the Mexican Grand Prix.

There are metaphorical barriers to overtaking, to cars sticking on the rear wing of their adversary. This is something the sport needs to correct in the coming seasons.

Young Talents

An influx of young talent was one of the biggest positives about the 2019 season. The next generation of title contenders are set.

It goes well beyond the burgeoning Leclerc-Verstappen contest, spreading down the grid to Alex Albon at Red Bull, Lando Norris at McLaren and George Russell at Williams. All three impressed last season.

Renault have landed 23-year-old Esteban Ocon for 2020 after he was mystifyingly without a seat in 2019. Carlos Sainz, the driver of the year for many, is only 25.

Nicholas Latifi will be Russell’s teammate this year, and Pierre Gasly – despite a very difficult 2019 season both professionally and personally – heads into the campaign on a positive note after a second-place finish in Brazil.

Following the development these young talents was one of the highlights in 2019. It gives something to watch over in 2020 too.

They won’t all enjoy stellar seasons, but this fresh cohort of Formula One drivers are jostling for favour ahead of seats potentially opening up on the top teams and looking to lay down a marker before the sport undergoes severe alterations for 2021.

Norris and Sainz will continue their tight-fought duel at McLaren, and Ocon returns with a point to prove alongside the always entertaining Daniel Ricciardo.

Russell has been suggested as a Bottas replacement in the not too distant future – it will be great to see him with a teammate who can really challenge him in Latifi.

The grid is filled with likeable drivers. There are plenty looking to make a career, and several veterans determined to prove they are still quicker than these youngsters a decade or more younger than them.

Regulations Similar

Referred to as ‘evolution, not revolution’ on Formula One’s website, the regulation changes are subtle for 2020 before the overhaul in 2021.

The chequered flag returns in 2020 following controversy at Suzuka. A light panel replaced the flag for 2019 (though the flag was often waved too), but a glitch caused the race to finish a lap early in Japan.

The trusty flag returns for the new season. It’s not exactly a game-changer for fans.

There will be longer curfews for mechanics, less testing (but young drivers will be used more), no screens to hide the car testing and less electronic assistance at starts. Teams can keep less fuel outside the tank, too.

None of the aforementioned impact the Sunday racing that much, but an extra MGU-K will reduce penalties. Brake ducts now must be designed by the teams themselves rather than bought in.

When it comes to close combat, a restriction on metal at the end of the front wing should mean fewer punctures and hopefully empower drivers to go wheel-to-wheel.

The snazzily named ‘shark fins’ sound a lot more important than they are. It’s meant to help fans distinguish between drivers, but the impact on the performance will be minute.

Changes for 2020 are no more than fiddling round the edges. There’s nothing that’s going to throw up drastically different performances or mix up the grid.

More Of The Same?

Mercedes are the 2/5 betting favourites to make it seven Constructors’ Championships on the bounce.

Hamilton is 7/4 to match Michael Schumacher’s tally, comfortably ahead of his teammate Bottas and Red Bull’s Verstappen, who are both at 7/2.

A new season brings a whole set of uncertainties. Stark changes to the balance of power in Formula One are improbable, however – that’s much more likely in 2021.

For now, the riches of the big three teams, and largely similar regulations, favour the status quo.

Formula 1 — Photo credit: AP Photo / Joan Monfort

McLaren, who had a brilliant 2019, and Renault, who are eyeing a return to the top, both have a chance at sneaking into serious contention, but it might be a year too soon.

The 2019 campaign showed everyone how far the upper-midfield teams have to go before they can be consistently challenging for podium finishes.

Fans hoping to see more of Hamilton’s best Grand Prix wins or individual enthralling races have every reason to look forward to the 2020 Formula One season.

If it’s a major shake up you’re seeking, this probably isn’t the season that your wish will be granted.

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Joan Monfort / AP Photo*

February 20, 2020

Formula 1

By Sam Cox

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