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Turan To Inter At 15/1 Is Too Good to Miss

Arda Turan’s dream move to Barcelona has been dire. Having had to sit out six months from first team action because of their transfer ban, Turan’s role as squad player has bordered on irrelevance. In his two seasons with the Catalan giants, Turan has started a mere 23 La Liga games and made a solitary start in the Champions League.

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Youngsters have displaced him, and his role in the side has been minimal. Neither able to step into the Neymar and Lionel Messi shaped holes in the team or play as a transitional passer in the middle three, Turan has been lost. When Luis Enrique opted for a 3-4-3, Turan’s role was further diminished and his place on the bench became all the more certain.

Despite rumours circulating around Europe and his cemented position on the fringes at the Camp Nou, Turan’s most likely team come the end of the window is supposedly Barcelona at 1/2. The markets (which can be found here: https://www.888sport.com/football/football-betting.htm#/filter/football/specials/transfers) expect Turan to remain with the Catalan club, but that might yet be because no clubs have expressed firm interest.

Second favourites to sign the 30-year-old Turk are Arsenal. Residing at 7/4 currently, the Gunners could be tempted to move for an experienced head with Alexis Sanchez rumoured to be following in the footsteps of Samir Nasri and Emmanuel Adebayor by joining Manchester City.

Turan is a signing that would hardly fit the profile of Arsenal’s typical acquisitions and would still struggle for a place in the starting line-up. In a 3-4-3 he would be no more than a backup to Mesut Ozil, while in a 4-2-3-1 he would face fierce competition to slot into the forward line. It’s a deal – especially given the expected wages – that makes little sense for player or club. The price is okay, but not one that would have me rushing to back it.

The pick of this market for me is Inter. Along with their city rivals, Inter are embarking on a summer of spending to make a charge at Juventus’ Serie A dominance. The club is desperate to reaffirm itself as a destination for Europe’s biggest names and signing a player – albeit an outcast – from Barcelona is a means of doing just that. Turan’s style of play would be well suited to Italian football too. At 15/1 this has to be a bet for consideration, even though Inter could be shackled by financial fair play this summer.

Joining the 2010 Champions League winners at 15/1 are Monaco. The French champions will have an attacking midfield requirement with Bernardo Silva already departed and Thomas Lemar likely to follow him out the door, but Turan’s lack of minutes over the last 18 months and age make links to the French club bizarre. Their recent success has been built on buying young and making profit, this is a deal that I just cannot see happening.

Liverpool at 20/1 is similarly improbable. Their attacking resources are deep and varied, and Turan would again be left to watch from the dugout. The only feasible chance of this happening is a longshot swap deal with Philippe Coutinho.

One other option to consider, mind, is a move to China at 8/1. Given the stage of his career and the riches on offer in the far east, Turan could be tempted to leave the guaranteed medals of the Camp Nou for stardom in Beijing or Shanghai.

June 27, 2017

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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PSG And Manchester United To Battle For Bale

Cristiano Ronaldo’s tax-related headlines and supposed desire to leave Spain have made rumours of a Gareth Bale transfer seem rather petty. It is symbolic of Bale’s time in the Spanish capital really, with the Welshman even in the shadow of the former Manchester United man when it comes to deciding their respective futures.

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Bale has suffered another injury-dominated season, with his place in Zinedine Zidane’s line-up doubtful even when fully fit. The belated uprising of Isco and tactical preferences of the French manager have seen Bale cast into a role of galactico outcast.

That is a role fulfilled by some of the sport’s all-time greats. Currently it is James Rodriguez who stakes first claim to it, but Bale could quickly follow into the slot of bench warming square peg. Zidane has shown a willingness to ignore price tags and personality in creating the most efficient – if at times uninteresting – team. That approach keeps Bale away from any preferential treatment, even if he once wore the tag of the world’s most expensive player.

He could, of course, become the most expensive player again should he move this summer. His injuries have clouded his reputation somewhat, but the Welshman has also been the key man in multiple final victories. In fact, his humiliation of Marc Bartra alone is worth £200 million.

The two favourites to make a swoop for Bale this summer are Paris Saint Germain and Manchester United. Both clubs sit at 6/1 currently, reflecting the uncertainty in the market. More will become clear into July and once Real Madrid’s transfer plans are obvious. Jose Mourinho’s side are desperate to make a splash this summer and match the inevitable investment from Manchester City – who are way out at 20/1 to sign Bale.

Where Bale would fit at United is not all that clear, with Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford already jostling for position, while another striker arriving is highly likely. Should they once again go for the show-stopping signing, however, that will be sorted once they’ve enjoyed the publicity of building their very own all-star team.

PSG need to prove to Marco Verratti they can compete with the four European elite sides after the Champions League embarrassment this season and certainly have room for Bale in their own forward line. Whether Bale would be willing to play in the supposedly inferior Ligue 1 is a rather substantial elephant in the betting market, mind.

Chelsea are at longer odds of 8/1 with 888 Sport at the moment. Antonio Conte’s side have greater concerns than adding a forward of Bale’s expense, but the Blues could be lured into a bidding war once the Premier League financial chest-beating kicks off.

For those with a romantic – and highly unrealistic – side, Bale is at 33/1 to return to Tottenham this summer. Given Daniel Levy’s bitterly tight pursestrings and the burden of their stadium move, that transfer has roughly a 0% chance this year.

June 18, 2017

Football

By Sam Cox

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Terry At 10/1 To Join Stoke

John Terry will be an unpopular figure wherever he goes. Regardless of the countless medals and long career at the top of the game, a man shrouded in controversy will be a divisive figure whomever he signs for this summer. His self-indulgent farewell from Stamford Bridge was criticised tirelessly, but the spotlight will only follow him brighter in his next – and probably final – step in his career.

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The latest news that broke late this week was that Terry had been involved in talks with Harry Redknapp. Redknapp and Terry are a match made in heaven, and the revelation has seen the former England captain’s odds to move to the second city drop to 11/20. Value in that offer has gone, particularly as the chances of Terry dropping down to the Championship even at this stage in his career must be low.

Escaping the cauldron of hatred aimed at him in Britain is the second favourite option on the 888 Sport markets. A move to any Portuguese club is at 3/5. Personally, I find it unlikely that Terry would move to Portugal. Should he leave his home comforts and uproot his family, the former Chelsea skipper would most likely make a move that would see him become one of the world’s highest paid players. /p>

And we all know what that means: MLS or China.

Any MLS club to sign Terry is at 5/1, while a Chinese Super League club is at 8/1. New regulations on foreign signings are incoming, and there has been a general trend for the mega money deals to be on attack-minded players. Terry’s ugly history hardly aids his marketability in America or the Far East, too.

Joint-third favourites are Aston Villa and Bournemouth at 4/1. Villa again would mean Terry dropping into the Championship, and Bournemouth – whose defence is already leaky – do not have the system to accommodate an immobile veteran. Eddie Howe’s transfer business has, however, been notoriously flaky since their promotion and he could be tempted by Terry’s experience.

At longer odds of 5/1 and 10/1 respectively are West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City. These two are my picks currently, with Tony Pulis and Mark Hughes both setting their teams up defensively in a way that would allow Terry to still play on a regular basis. The pair have always favoured older players and would likely welcome the opportunity to bring in a veteran with a career as decorated as Terry’s.

June 15, 2017

Football

By Sam Cox

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Verratti At 6/4 To Join Barca Despite Messi Meeting

Marco Verratti is one of football’s best midfielders. Combining tenacity with superb technique, the Italian has flourished at the domestically dominant Paris Saint Germain. Their European frustrations piqued this year, however.

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After destroying Barcelona at home, their second leg humiliation only furthered the critical voices and perhaps will have turned the heads of their stars like Verratti.

There is no doubt that Verratti could cope with a change of scenery. He has the skillset and intrinsic talent that would make him a standout player in almost any team in the world, with perhaps Bayern Munich and Real Madrid the only exceptions. When it comes to any potential move this summer, Bayern are not even in contention and Madrid are unsurprisingly way out at 17/1.

The rumour mill has Barcelona has the only real destination for Verratti. Just the week, in fact, it was reported in Spain that Verratti met with Lionel Messi for dinner in Ibiza. His desire to move to the Catalan giants is clear, as is Barcelona’s determination to sign him, but Paris naturally are extremely reluctant to allow a club icon to leave. Letting the Italian depart would be a public admittance that they are not on the same level.

Should Verratti leave the French capital this summer, the market suggests it will be the Catalonia. His odds to remain with Adrien Rabiot and Blaise Matuidi are 33/100, while a move south to join Andres Iniesta and Messi is at 6/4. A tempting price, perhaps, but it’s tough to envisage Paris letting a player so synonymous with the club leave.

Next up are Chelsea at 14/1 and Juventus at 15/1. With the Blues apparently set on signing Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco, it’s a surprise that the Turin club are so far out. Their midfield is strong, but with Claudio Marchisio ageing, Sami Khedira prone to injury and Paul Pogba having left the club last summer, there must be a chance they move for Verratti as their marquee man this offseason.

A move elsewhere is almost impossible. The financial burden of a deal would be too much for the majority of clubs and the two that spring to mind to spend such cash – the two Manchester clubs – have no space for the Italian.

It’s probably Barcelona or Paris for Verratti in 2017/18, but a few pennies on a move to Juventus would not be the worst bet of the summer.

June 15, 2017

Football

By Sam Cox

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Premier League: Burnley 7/5 to suffer relegation

With just two months until the 2017/18 Premier League campaign gets underway, 888Sport have been pricing up odds on which teams will be relegated down to the Championship next season. As of June 9^th, Huddersfield are red hot favourites at 3/5 to suffer relegation at the first time of asking but there is some value if you look around. I took a glance at some of the clubs in jeopardy and give my own thoughts on who may drop into the second tier of English football...

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HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

As previously mentioned, Huddersfield are market leaders to suffer relegation next season and it is difficult to back David Wagner’s men to avoid the drop right now. The Terriers are in serious need of Premier League experience and their lack of goals in the playoffs will be of relative concern to supporters.

Town are widely expected to finish rooted to the bottom of the table but 3/5 may be a little short for punters. After all, the Terriers could ‘do a Blackpool’ and come racing out of the blocks in the first half of the season. Picking up as many points as possible before Christmas will be key to their chances but staying up might be a step too far...

Odds: 3/5

WATFORD

Will Marco Silva stick it out at Vicarage Road? Only time will tell. Watford are now on their ninth manager in five years and the Hornets may struggle to inspire confidence if the fans fail to build a working relationship with their new boss. Walter Mazzarri was out of touch with Watford supporters but Silva is a much better fit on paper.

During his brief stint at Hull City, Silva built up a reputation for his incredible home form and Vicarage Road regulars will be expecting big things from the Portuguese. Unfortunately, this Watford squad is relatively weak and Silva may need to invest heavily to rebuild before the new campaign. Another torrid season could be on the cards...

Odds: 8/5

NEWCASTLE UNITED

An interesting choice. Yes, the Magpies have the pedigree to suggest that they will avoid relegation quite comfortably but this Newcastle squad is fairly weak. Owner Mike Ashley must give Rafa Benitez a substantial sum of money if the Magpies are to build a squad that is capable of staying in the Premier League.

It would be a shame to see Newcastle go straight back down after bouncing back to the top flight at the first time of asking but preparation and activity in the transfer window are both so important. If Ashley is unwilling to part with his cash, then maybe the Magpies deserve to drop out of England’s elite division once again...

Odds: 15/4

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

With Brighton, team spirit is crucial. Early on in the campaign, Chris Hughton’s men will be riding high on confidence and adrenaline and their results at the AMEX Stadium will almost certainly determine whether they manage to stay in the Premier League or go down after just one year in the top flight.

Like their relegation rivals, Brighton will have to spend big this summer. For newly promoted sides, signing somebody with Premier League experience is key and the Seagulls will be keen to acquire a big name. Hughton’s own personal knowledge of England’s top flight could help later on in the campaign but Brighton must make a fast start...

Odds: 6/5

BURNLEY

For me, Burnley are in big trouble. If long term manager Sean Dyche does indeed leave Turf Moor for Crystal Palace this summer, the Clarets could be on the back foot before a ball has even been kicked. With Dyche gone, the Burnley hierarchy must reconsider their transfer policy this summer – decent sums of money must be spent.

Who will even replace Dyche if he does depart? It is still very much up in the air but Burnley cannot afford to do what Sunderland did last season. The Black Cats left it far too late to appoint David Moyes and they never really recovered. Huddersfield might finish bottom but the Clarets won’t be too far ahead if they fail to prepare astutely...

Odds: 7/5

June 10, 2017

Football

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.

Alex McMahon

Real Madrid: 4/1 for a third Champions League win in a row

Real Madrid were crowned European champions for a record 12^th time on Saturday night as Zinedine Zidane’s side ran riot against Juventus. After a slow start, Los Blancos were in total control of the contest and it wasn’t a huge surprise to see the Spanish giants bag a few goals in the process.

Attention has already turned to next season’s competition and Real will fancy their chances of more Champions League glory in 2018. At 4/1, they represent decent value but Europe’s elite sides will be gunning for the crown. I took a (far too early) look at a few of the leading contenders ahead of the new campaign.

REAL MADRID

With Cristiano Ronaldo in the form of his life, you wouldn’t bet against Real defending their crown once again next season. On paper, Madrid boast one of the strongest squads in the world and Zidane knows that two or three additions in the transfer window will help to keep players on their toes.

Strengthening is crucial and Real will almost certainly do that. Buying for the sake of buying can be counter-productive but Los Blancos have an excellent scouting network and Madrid should return stronger ahead of the new campaign. Without a shadow of a doubt, Real are the team to beat...

Odds: 4/1

MANCHESTER CITY

Expect Pep Guardiola’s side to fly the flag for England. Neither Chelsea nor Liverpool have the strength in depth to compete with Europe’s top sides whilst Manchester United and Tottenham may choose to prioritise the Premier League. Pep doesn’t have that luxury; City need to challenge on multiple fronts.

Defensively, the Blues are a shambles and Guardiola must focus on tightening things up at the back if City are to compete with the best teams in the business. In attack, they can go toe to toe with anyone and Guardiola will be quietly confident of leading City to a maiden Champions League trophy in the near future...

Odds: 11/1

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

When Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg of the last-16, everybody thought it was their year. However, one of the biggest chokes in European history followed in the second leg as the La Liga side advanced to the next round, leaving Unai Emery to ponder what went wrong.

The French outfit are solid but regaining the Ligue 1 crown may be Emery’s main objective ahead of next season. Paris have a passionate and supportive fan base but they do expect success and pipping Monaco and co to the domestic title will be the first port of call. A run to the Champions League quarter-finals would be a bonus...

Odds: 17/1

ATLETICO MADRID

Antoine Griezmann has announced that he will stay and that should give Atletico a much needed boost after a disappointing campaign. The Spanish giants struggled to get involved in the title race this year but did manage to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the third time in four seasons.

Diego Simeone’s men could do with freshening up their squad before the summer transfer window slams shut and Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette would give Atletico a new option in attack. As the move away from the Vicente Calderon draws closer, Atletico may consider a marquee arrival to inspire and boost morale on the terraces...

Odds: 17/1

BAYERN MUNICH

Carlo Ancelotti hasn’t enjoyed the best of starts to life at the Allianz Arena but Bayern are still by far and away the strongest side in Germany and the Bundesliga outfit are always in with a chance of European glory. In terms of strength in depth, Munich are up there with the stoutest teams on the planet and they will certainly be in the mix.

In Robert Lewandowski, they have a proven goal scorer for the big occasion and Bayern will rely on his goals in attack. But it isn’t all about one man. Ancelotti is blessed with a talented squad and every player on the pitch is capable of chipping in with a goal or two. Watch this space, Bayern will fancy their chances next season...

Odds: 5/1

June 10, 2017

Football

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.

Alex McMahon

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Europa League Final: United Favourites To Complete Trophy Collection

Manchester United and Ajax are no strangers to European glory and one of them will add to their trophy collection when they meet in a mouth-watering Europa League final in Stockholm on May 24.

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Both sides edged through thrilling semi-final second legs, with Jose Mourinho's men overcoming unfancied Celta Vigo as the Dutch giants dug deep to sneak past Lyon.

Now they have one more hurdle to clear to get their hands on more European silverware and it is United who are fancied to win the competition for the first time after being priced up as the 4/9 favourites to lift the trophy.

The Red Devils are 10/11 to win in 90 minutes while Ajax are 37/20 in the outright betting and 16/5 to triumph without the need for extra time, with odds of 23/10 for at least an extra 30 minutes to be needed to separate these teams.

With a place in the Champions League available to the winners, there is more than just a European trophy at stake and Mourinho has targeted all his efforts on winning the competition rather than securing a top-four place in the Premier League.

Getting to the Europa League final is a slog for any team and Mourinho felt his injury-hit squad could not realistically compete on both fronts.

In terms of their route to the final, United finished second in their Europa League group to Fenerbahce after winning in Ukraine against Zorya in the final match but St Etienne in the round of 32 was relatively straightforward.

Rostov, one of the sides that dropped out of the Champions League, were also comfortably overcome, although it took extra-time to overcome Anderlecht at the quarter-final juncture. The semi-finals were not much easier as Celta pushed until the last and could have denied United in the last few seconds of their semi-final.

Ajax had finished top – above Celta – in Group G. Having edged past Legia Warsaw and FC Copenhagen - two sides that had been in the Champions League group stage - Peter Bosz's men beat Schalke 4-3 on aggregate after extra-time to reach the semi-finals.

Ajax sent ripples around European football by thrashing Lyon 4-1 on home turf but had to battle to keep the French side to a 3-1 win in the second leg.

They have not travelled well and United’s status as favourites is partly based on doubts whether the young Dutch side can cope with the occasion at a neutral venue where their fans will be outnumbered.

In their favour is the fact that a serious knee injury has denied Swedish top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic the chance to win the Europa League on home soil.

It has left a large void for United that Marcus Rashford has done well to fill, playing an integral role in both matches against Celta Vigo having fired United through the quarter-final against Anderlecht with a fine, extra-time strike.

Still only 19, the forward's finishing is as impressive as his movement and composure and Rashford is the favourite to score the first goal at 21/5 while he is 7/4 to score at any time and 27/10 to be on target in a United win.

Rashford is one of several key players for United and Ajax are another team built on collective effort. What the Dutch side lack in experience they make up for in talent and youthful exuberance. Kasper Dolberg, Ajax's own 19-year-old front man, has flourished this season and is 7/1 for the first goal while Bertrand Traore, Hakim Ziyech and Amin Younes are other attackers to have impressed.

Davy Klaasen is Ajax's captain while Justin Kluivert - son of Patrick - and Matthijs de Ligt are talented teenagers.

Neither side has achieved their ambitions in the league this season. United won the League Cup but their hopes of a top-four finish would have been vastly increased had they shown a cutting edge during a 25-match unbeaten league run punctuated by draws.

Ajax went into the final weekend with hope of succeeding PSV Eindhoven as champions but leaders Feyenoord held their nerve at home to Heracles, meaning the Amsterdam side finished a point behind them despite a 3-1 win against Willem II.

As well as Ibrahimovic, United will be missing several more star names. The list includes David de Gea but that is for selection reasons, with Mourinho having confirmed Sergio Romero will start in goal barring injury.

The Argentina goalkeeper has played 11 of the 14 Europa League matches this season and will get the nod to start the final.

“No dilemma, no dilemma,” Mourinho said when asked about the selection poser. “They are two fantastic goalkeepers. I never saw in all my career two goalkeepers to be so friendly because it is a position where you always have a little bit of rivalry, especially if you are both the same kind of level.

“We are speaking about the Argentina national goalkeeper and the Spain national goalkeeper. They are friends and they support each other all the time. I never saw a bad face, I always saw them supporting each other.

“I think it is fair that Sergio is going to play the final and David accepts. He accepts that especially because he has already played Europa League matches and if we win the trophy, David wins the trophy because he played two matches against Feyenoord and against Fenerbahce.

“But if everything goes normal and we have no problems, Sergio plays the final.”

Regardless of who is in goal, United are 32/25 to keep a clean sheet and are 21/10 for victory in 90 minutes without conceding.

Marcos Rojo, Ashley Young, Luke Shaw and Tim Fosu-Mensah are on United’s injury list while Eric Bailly is suspended following his moment of madness in the second leg of the semi-final.

So impressive since arriving from Villarreal last summer, the 23-year-old was shown a straight red card for raising his hands during a heated end to the 1-1 draw.

Injuries and suspensions have added to Mourinho’s frustration at a fixture schedule which he has described as “crazy”.

Balancing the desire to win with resting players has been difficult and Mourinho joked it would have been worse was it not for Ander Herrera's sending off in the FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Chelsea.

“The accumulation of the games, I never had that,” Mourinho said. “You know that in all of my career I was never (knocked) out of European competitions in the group phases and in the last 16 I was out only once. So I reached the semi-finals 10 times, I go always until the end of the competitions.

“In the League Cup I normally go far. In the domestic competitions cups, I won in Spain, in Italy, in Portugal so I normally have a lot of matches. But like this I never have, I never have.

“This situation of you play a final and the game that you should play that day is going to be postponed until the last week, for the last week! This is crazy.

“And I repeat the same - thank you Michael Oliver because we were out in the FA Cup because if we go to the FA Cup semi-finals it would be a total disaster. I don't know when we would be playing that game.

“I never, ever have had a situation like this and on top of that the accumulation of big injuries, not small, not the injuries that you say 'okay, hamstring, two weeks'.

“No. It's surgery, boom, boom. It's surgery - one knee, another knee. Another foot. Just big surgeries.

“So fewer players and fewer players and fewer players. It's very difficult, really very difficult. But we are there and we go to the final.”

Mourinho may feel things have been stacking up against United but adopting such a siege mentality is nothing new and the Red Devils are still not short of quality, especially in midfield where the likes of Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini should be able to dominate.

The summer break is now on the horizon but Mourinho will demand one last effort from his players as United seek to win the only major trophy to have eluded them in their success-laden history.

After edging past Celta Vigo, Mourinho said: “In the end, when the game was difficult, when they were better than us and we were in trouble and not playing well, it was that mentality, that desire, that togetherness that made the boys fight until the end.

“The final means an opportunity to win a trophy, to be back in the Champions League and to end the season in the perfect way because it is the last match of the season.”

If they do have to dig deep, United are 9/1 to clinch victory in extra-time and 13/1 to come out on top in a penalty shootout but their fans will hope for a less stressful evening. United are 28/25 to score first and win the match while they are also 13/5 to win by at least two goals.

May 17, 2017

Football

By 888sport

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Real vs Juve: Who's Favourite to Win the Champions League?

Real Survive Early Atletico Onslaught (Just)

After a slow start, Real found themselves two goals down after just 20 minutes and neutrals believed that Diego Simeone’s men could follow Barcelona’s example and come back from the dead. Unfortunately for Atletico, Real just about managed to weather the storm and an Isco goal just before the half-time interval ended any chance of a famous comeback.

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Los Blancos cannot afford to take their foot off the gas in the final; Juventus have the talent to punish Zinedine Zidane’s side. As of May 11^th, Real are slight favourites to lift the trophy in Cardiff – with 888sport going 17/20 on the 11-time champions to emerge victorious.

No Pogba, No Problem for Juventus

When Paul Pogba re-joined Manchester United for a world record fee of £89 million last summer, many believed that Juventus would struggle to inspire confidence against the best teams in Europe. However, Massimiliano Allegri has reshaped his side and the Italian giants are now arguably better than they were twelve months ago.

The Pogba money helped to finance a mammoth bid for Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain and the Argentina striker has been phenomenal since moving to Turin. The Juventus forward has bagged 32 goals in 50 appearances this campaign and he will be quietly confident of getting his name on the scoresheet at the Millennium Stadium.

Zidane Blessed With Stupidly Strong Squad

Do Real Madrid have the strongest squad in Europe? Potentially. With the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Isco in attacking areas, Real are capable of overpowering their opponents and Juventus will need to be at their brilliant best to keep tabs on all of Madrid’s superstars upfront.

Zidane knows that both Gareth Bale and Pepe, two of their most important players, are set to return in the near future and the Frenchman will have a selection headache on whether to mix things up or stick with the same side that defeated Atletico. Disrupting the balance of the squad too much could be detrimental to their aspirations...

Allegri Knows... Defence Wins Championships

The key to success in sport? A solid defensive unit. In Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini, Juventus have one of the strongest and most reliable backlines in European football. Prior to Kylian Mbappe’s strike on Tuesday night, Juve hadn’t conceded a goal in 689 minutes of Champions League football; an incredible statistic.

The Italian side, on the verge of securing a sixth successive Serie A title, aren’t defensive in their approach but Allegri does have them well drilled. With three centre backs, Juve have plenty of support if Dani Alves and Alex Sandro decide to venture forward. Allegri has a successful formula going on at Juventus Stadium and they will take some stopping.

Potential To Be One Of THE Great Finals

On paper, this has all the makings of a fantastic contest and goals could be on the cards. Had Atletico advanced, we might have been in for a real war of attrition and a stalemate but Real should go all out for the win and, in theory, we may be treated to an open game. An exciting final would certainly go down well with neutral supporters...

Both sides are capable of going for the jugular and it could be a memorable affair, especially if we get an early goal. With a plethora of attacking talent on show, an entertaining contest looks likely and extra time is a definite option. So mark the date down on your calendar now; this is a game you won’t want to miss.

May 11, 2017

Football

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.

Alex McMahon

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Champions League Tour Guide: A Tale of Five Cities

This travel guide looks at five underdog teams (and their stadia) that were drawn from pots 3 and 4 in this season’s UEFA Champions League draw. First up, a short jaunt to north-eastern Slovenia...

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NK Maribor

2017/18 represents a ninth straight season in which NK Maribor are in European competition. It is also the Slovenian club’s third Champions League appearance in four seasons. Maribor have already disposed of Zrinjski Mostar, Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar, and Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the qualifying rounds. Curiously, the Vijoličasti have faced off against English opposition on four occasions in the last seven seasons.

Stadium

With one main stand opposite three interconnected ones, it is sufficiently compact to generate a good atmosphere, and fittingly, Maribor is a relatively small city itself, making the stadium accessible from anywhere in the area. Being next to a river, locals consider it to be an iconic landmark, and it is also the national team’s home stadium.

Travel

Getting to Maribor can be a challenge, but it can be simplified by a well-laid travel plan, with Maribor being accessible from Ljubljana, Graz, and Zagreb. For those that simply want to go there and back without too many stopovers, flying to the Austrian town of Graz is the best option. After arrival, visitors can board a train journey to Maribor, which takes just under two hours.

Attractions

Maribor, the 2012 European capital of culture, is famous for wine production and a number of other landmarks steeped in history. The second-oldest synagogue in Europe is a prominent attraction, as is the Old Vine House (Hiša Stare trte), and the brilliantly-named Judgement Tower (Sodni stolp). The greatest concentration of shops, bars, and restaurants can be found on the waterfront.

APOEL Nicosia

APOEL became notable in Europe back in 2011, after reaching the group stages of the Champions League for the first time in its history. Remarkably, the Cypriot minnows finished top of an extremely tough group, which contained Lyon, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Zenit St Petersburg. APOEL also performed strongly in last season’s Europa League, with the Cypriots again topping the group and getting as far as the round of sixteen.

Stadium

GSP Stadium is shared by APOEL and their rivals Omonia Nicosia. Harking back to the Olympic days of yore, it is open-air and has a capacity of nearly 23,000. A friendly, but passionate atmosphere can be expected on match nights.

Travel

Nicosia airport has lain derelict since 1974, making Larnaca International the destination of choice for Tottenham fans on 26 September. Unless a nine-hour walk is high on the agenda, transportation should be arranged in advance, with the stadium about thirty minutes’ drive away from Larnaca International

Attractions

Nicosia boasts some beautiful architecture and sights to see. The wholesome Mediterranean cuisine available to tourists is an attraction in itself, and there are plenty of eateries to explore. On the way back, visitors can partake in some scuba diving in the coastal town of Larnaca.

Qarabag

This quaint village in Azerbaijan has now hosted European club football for five successive seasons but only this year did Qarabag become the first club from Azerbaijan to qualify for the Champions League group stage. In a group containing Roma, Athletico Madrid, and Chelsea, nobody expects much of Qarabag but the stadium’s distance from the rest of Europe has often drained visiting teams to devastating effect, with FC Copenhagen being the victim of Qarabag’s latest breakthrough.

Stadium

As Karabakh-Agdam is a ruined ghost town, which is never fully ‘safe’ to visit, the country’s leading team plays at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium in Baku. An impressive sight, its 31,200-strong capacity makes for a raucous atmosphere on match day, and it once even hosted an Elton John concert.

Travel

For Chelsea’s hardcore contingent, the journey from London to Baku can be surprisingly smooth. Azerbaijan Airways runs a direct service, with flights lasting five to six hours, but an array of multi-stop flights are also available. Getting to the stadium from the airport is relatively easy, and fans can take a shuttle bus (H1, which takes around thirty minutes) or the metro red line.

Attractions

Once in Baku, those who enjoy their museums will be in paradise – as will those who enjoy bathing in crude oil. Such is the oil the country has to spare, oil baths are now a tourist attraction.

Anderlecht

RSC Anderlecht is a regular feature in Europe but the club has not had it all its own way. KAA Gent and Club Brugge have upset the odds in recent seasons but Anderlecht will once more fly the flag for Belgium in Europe’s premier club competition. Undoubtedly, Anderlecht’s finest moment against English opposition came in the 1976 Cup Winners Cup final, with the Paars-wit defeating West Ham United 4-2.

Stadium

Situated in the Belgian capital of Brussels, the Constant Vanden Stock underwent a renovation in 2013, which boosted its capacity to 28,000, with nearly a quarter of that accounting for a ‘safe standing’ section – although this is reduced for European games. However, along with the national team, RSC Anderlecht will move into a new stadium within the next four years. Anderlecht fans have a good reputation at home and abroad.

Travel

Brussels Central can be reached by a Eurostar train from London via Lille and, from there, a visitor can take a metro train ride to the stadium. Zaventem and Charleroi airports are the destinations for travelling fans travelling by plane. Although Zaventem is by far the closest to the hub of the Belgian capital, Charleroi is more frequently served by budget airlines. The drive to Brussels from Charleroi airport may take between 40 and 60 minutes depending on traffic conditions, but shuttles from the airport to the city are frequent. Planning ahead is, however, still crucial.

Attractions

As the Belgian capital, Brussels has the standard array of cafes, bars, museums, and monuments. With Belgians amongst those that most highly respect ‘European’ drinking culture, alcohol can be consumed in a wider range of areas than in the UK. Belgium’s culinary delights are damned to be overshadowed by the cuisine of neighbouring France but the ready availability of street food contributes to the match-day atmosphere. For those who plan to frequent restaurants, and have no relevant dietary restrictions, Belgium’s signature dish of twice-fried chips (frites) and mussels (moules) with spiced aioli is a must-have.

Olympiakos

Already known as the strongest Greek team by far, Olympiakos take their place in the Champions League every year, without fail. Only a second-place finish in 2003/04 prevented what would now be a 21st consecutive year, in which the league title occupied the Karaiskakis Stadium trophy room.

Stadium

After undergoing a rebuild for the 2004 Olympics, the stadium’s capacity increased to just over 33,000. Remarkably, for a stadium in a country synonymous with the Olympic Games, Olympiakos’ ground does not keep the fans at bay by means of a running track. Its English ‘twin’ would most readily be identified as Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. The fans are in fact in surprisingly close proximity to the players, and thus generate a raucous atmosphere on match days.

Travel

Aegean Air is the airline of choice for those that want the simplest flights from the UK to Athens International. The stadium in the nearby port town of Piraeus is a 30-minute drive from the airport and the road also has a toll. An airport express bus (the ‘X95’) is available 24 hours a day but the journey to the stadium will take close to ninety minutes.

Attractions

Athens needs no introduction. One of the great cornerstones of modern civilisation, the attractions would take up an entire travel guide by itself, and those with money to burn can enjoy a couple of days in the capital before venturing towards the home of the immovable Greek champions. In Piraeus, there are some stunning views from the harbour, and two major museums – architectural and maritime – also located nearby. The club shop and museum are also well worth a visit.

November 1, 2017

Football

By 888sport

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Emile Heskey exclusive: Coutinho will have his head turned again

In the summer of 2016, Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey retired from top class football after over two decades of rampaging forward play, that took in seven clubs and 62 appearances for his country. Here, the widely respected striker discusses the varying fortunes of three of his former employers starting with Liverpool’s faltering title aspirations and a Brazilian schemer who is only set to make matters worse.

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Liverpool are drifting

When the Reds paid out a then club record £11m for Leicester’s Emile Heskey back in 2000 the move was a bittersweet one for a player born and raised in the Midlands city. With this in mind the 39 year old is worth listening to on the topic of Philippe Coutinho’s proposed big-money move to La Liga knowing as he does the personal dilemma between emotion and ambition.

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“When the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid – and even Liverpool themselves – are linked to players then players seriously think about it. So I’m not surprised that Coutinho is considering it. He is close to some who play there and a number of Brazilians have represented the club over the years so that’s where he’s thinking of plying his trade next. There is always that chance that he might go in January because if they come back with another offer his head will be turned again.”

Until then Jurgen Klopp’s men have bigger concerns namely at the other end of the pitch having already conceded 12 goals from their opening eight games. What does Heskey put this costly and persistent weakness down to?

“It goes without saying that defensively they’re not as sound as they could be. I don’t know if it’s personnel or if it’s not fully understanding the shape of their defending. When you look at the old Arsenal sides they would devote whole training sessions to their defensive shape. Everyone says it is personnel but only time will tell when they get someone else in and if it stays the same.”

If the Merseysiders are vulnerable at the back they are at least compensated by a front three who almost guarantee goals. Salah, Mane and Firmino have torn into bamboozled opponents this term with such relish they have brought to mind another frightening trio from recent years at Anfield. How do they compare?

“Wow, that is tough. It’s a difficult question because obviously they are so different. If you look at Sturridge, Sterling and Suarez in their prime that was a forward line that was feared by everybody in the league. Everybody wanted to be like that front three. Suarez has gone on to do some phenomenal stuff for Barcelona and I have to say they’re the better ones out of the two. But it’s close.”

Speaking of Daniel Sturridge the prolific frontman has found himself cast to the margins since Klopp’s arrival two years ago with some questioning his ability to fit into the German’s exacting style of play. Does the England international need to look elsewhere to get his career back on track?

“He needs more games and any player would say the same. That’s when you get the best out of yourself and enjoy your football. He needs that right now but Liverpool are obviously not giving it to him so it’s a difficult time for him. With the system footballers are very adaptable so I don’t see why it should be a problem for Sturridge.”

What is unquestionably a problem at present however is Liverpool’s inconsistency that has seen them slip down to eighth in the Premier League. Is the title now beyond them?

“It’s a difficult one because they’re really falling adrift of the leaders and they’re now nine points behind Manchester City. The top four is a must but whether they can do it is another thing.”

This weekend will certainly have a serious bearing on that with Liverpool facing an intimidating trip to the capital to face Spurs. Or at least it would have been intimidating last season.

“Tottenham haven’t really been blowing people away at Wembley have they so it’s a case of Liverpool going there very confident and getting something out of it.”

Foxes need to believe again

Moving away from Anfield the conversation switches to Heskey’s first love and hometown club of Leicester City. Having shocked the footballing world to its core with their 5000-1 title success in 2016 the Foxes have endured a bumpy return back to reality since and currently reside in the bottom three. Does a relegation fight beckon?

“It has been a tough start for them but it was never going to be easy. You’re in the Premier League at the end of the day so all games are going to be tough. They need to start taking opportunities when they come and when you’re got players like Slimani, Mahrez, and Vardy then Leicester will create chances. After that it’s about believing in themselves and taking them. It was a tough start last season too but they kicked on and I think they’ll do the same again.”

A significant factor in Craig Shakespeare’s side struggling to replicate their incredible impact from two years ago has been the declining fortunes of their talisman Jamie Vardy. Heskey believes this is not down to the striker himself but rather a heightened awareness of his strengths by opponents.

“They’ve cottoned on to how to defend against Vardy but he’s still got a lot to offer. His game isn’t just about running in from behind and he can still get it into his feet, turn and run at teams and just cause all sorts of problems. Which is great.”

If Vardy is somewhat excused the diminishing returns from Riyad Mahrez gets shorter shrift from the big man, especially after the Algerian’s disruptive desire to move on this summer.

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“It’s time that he got the best out of himself because at the end of the day it’s about him isn’t it. Whether he wants a move or not he’s still got to produce and go out there and perform. He’s done that reasonably well but there’s a lot of onus put on his shoulders because of the performances he has put in in previous years.”

From his debut as a raw teenager in the mid-nineties to the start of this century Heskey played a prominent role in a vintage Leicester side that twice won the League Cup under Martin O’Neill. Perhaps it is understandable then that when the amiable striker looks back on that period he finds it hard to pick out one player from a terrific bunch.

“It’s difficult to say who was the best but I’d probably say Muzzy Izzet had the most impact. Coming from Chelsea’s reserves when nobody knew who he was and then becoming one of the best players in our history is phenomenal. I’d say Muzzy for that achievement but we all gave something special.”

Villa are afraid to express themselves

Steve Bruce was evidently a fan of Emile Heskey’s attributes having signed the forward on two different occasions, for Birmingham City then Wigan. Now in situ at Villa Park the veteran coach faces the unenviable task of hauling a sleeping giant back into the top flight and having played for the Villans himself with distinction for three years Heskey is in the perfect position to assess his chances. Firstly, is the admiration reciprocated?

“I think Steve Bruce is great. He’s a wonderful man who knows what he wants. He understands the physicality of the Championship but one thing I would say is that Villa need a bit of time. When I’ve watched them play they don’t look too confident. When you look at when I was playing for them we had Ashley Young, James Milner, Gabby Agbonlahor and John Carew; Gareth Barry and Stiliyan Petrov: these are all confident players who went out and expressed themselves. Now they’re not and it’s going to take a bit of time for the manager to install that.”

Bruce’s efforts are aided considerably by the presence in the dressing room of an England legend in the form of John Terry. Having represented their country together on numerous occasions what does Heskey think the 36 year old can contribute to the promotion battle ahead.

“His experience can help not only the lads who are there now but the young lads who are looking to get into the squad in the future. They will see what it takes to get to that next level. He’s done it and worn all of the jerseys so it’s great. He’s not the same John Terry who won the Champions League but he’s still got a lot to offer and when you get older you might not be as quick and sharp but you’re mentally wiser and know where to be at the right times.”

A defeat away to Wolves last weekend knocked Aston Villa temporarily out of the play-off places and with a trigger-happy owner in charge the pressure is beginning to mount. Does Heskey believe its boom or bust for the Clarets in 2017/18?

“I don’t think so but if they don’t reach the playoffs they’ll probably be looking at that, yeah.”

Cersei as Mourinho..? Check out our "Game of Thrones in the Football world" Infographic

October 18, 2017

Football

By 888sport

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