Tag: the Premier League

Spurs-Fulham off due to Covid-19 cases in Cottagers’ camp

Posted on by Charles Commins

The Cottagers returned a number of positive test results on Tuesday and after more came in on Wednesday the Premier League decided to call the match off less than three hours before the scheduled 6pm kick-off.

It becomes the third top-flight game to be wiped out by the virus, following Newcastle’s match with Aston Villa earlier this month and Monday’s game between Everton and Manchester City.

A Tottenham statement said: “The Premier League informed us of the decision this [Wednesday] afternoon, with Fulham having requested the postponement on the grounds of the number of Covid-19 positive cases among their players and staff.

“Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur sends their best wishes to Fulham for a safe and speedy recovery to all those who are affected.”

No new date for the game has been announced.

Premier League Preview: Wolves v Aston Villa

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Nuno Santo’s side have been inconsistent in recent weeks with just one win from their last four games in the Premier League.

A win at Arsenal two weeks ago was followed with defeat at Liverpool last time out but the Portuguese boss is only expected to make limited changes to his starting XI.

With Raul Jimenez the only long-term absentee for Santo he could name an unchanged side from the defeat at Anfield.

But if Wolves’ form is a cause for concern for Santo, Dean Smith has even deeper worries with just one win from five for the Villa.

Smith is expected to be a bit more liberal with his changes than Santo with eight players sidelined for the visitors.

Ross Barkley and Keinan Davis are back in training but Smith will not risk them this weekend with a busy run of games coming up.

Matty Cash should shake off a minor knock in time to play and Bertrand Traore and Anwar El Ghazi should also return to freshen up the attack.

Kick Off is 12.30pm tomorrow at Molineux

Premier League Preview: Wolves v Aston Villa

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Nuno Santo’s side have been inconsistent in recent weeks with just one win from their last four games in the Premier League.

A win at Arsenal two weeks ago was followed with defeat at Liverpool last time out but the Portuguese boss is only expected to make limited changes to his starting XI.

With Raul Jimenez the only long-term absentee for Santo he could name an unchanged side from the defeat at Anfield.

But if Wolves’ form is a cause for concern for Santo, Dean Smith has even deeper worries with just one win from five for the Villa.

Smith is expected to be a bit more liberal with his changes than Santo with eight players sidelined for the visitors.

Ross Barkley and Keinan Davis are back in training but Smith will not risk them this weekend with a busy run of games coming up.

Matty Cash should shake off a minor knock in time to play and Bertrand Traore and Anwar El Ghazi should also return to freshen up the attack.

Kick Off is 12.30pm tomorrow at Molineux

Premier League Preview: Wolves v Southampton

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have win five of their last six in the Premier League and the Austrian could name an unchanged team at Molineux.

James Ward-Prowse and Theo Walcott have both shaken off minor knocks, and will play, but Ryan Bertrand could replace Jan Bedranek at left back.

Wolves endured a mixed run of results before the international break, with Nuno Santo’s side winning just once since mid-October.

The Portuguese boss will wait on some late fitness news before naming his starting line up, with Conor Coady and Rayan Ait-Nouri both doubtful.

But Joao Moutinho, Roman Saiss and Adama Traore are all set to return as Santo looks to get back to winning ways.

And it’ll be an 8pm kick off on Monday night at Molineux.

Chelsea star Timo Werner on fire with Germany in UEFA Nations League action

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

After initially struggling to find that net in the Premier League, the 24-year old joined up with Joachim Low’s side with five goals in his last seven game.

He has picked that form up with the national side after bagging a brace in their 3-1 Nations League win over Ukraine.

Elsewhere on the international circuit, midfielder Mateo Kovacic has returned to London after testing positive for Covid-19 with Croatia.

The former Real Madrid man will now enter into self-isolation until he has returned the mandatory two negative PCR tests.

And that’s your latest from Stamford Bridge, check back in tomorrow for more with the Sport Social.

Listen to “Should Giroud leave Chelsea, Liverpool injury crisis, Everton in focus and Hollywood takeovers”.

Premier League Preview: Manchester United v Arsenal

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Clashes between these two sides are etched into the history of the Premier League.

But with both teams slipping in recent years the fixture may have lost some of its title race importance but none of its edge.

United responded to their 6-1 defeat to Tottenham with some impressive form and head into this one on the back of a four-game unbeaten run.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side beat RB Salzburg 5-0 in midweek and the Norwegian is only expected to make limited changes.

Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford should come back in with Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial dropping out.

Arsenal have lost their last two in the league going into this one and Mikel Arteta is expected to ring the changes.

A thigh injury picked up against Dundalk in midweek looks set to rule out David Luiz with Shokdran Mustafi set to fill in.

Whilst Nicolas Pepe also looks set to start for the Spaniard after he netted a spectacular goal against the Irish club in midweek, with Eddie Nketiah and Willian also pushing for a return.

Kick off is set for 4.30pm tomorrow at Old Trafford.

Premier League Preview: Burnley v Tottenham

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

The Clarets are yet to win in the Premier League this season and Sean Dyche is battling against a constant injury crisis.

Key trio Ben Mee, Jack Cork and Phil Bardsley all remain sidelined through injury but Matt Lowton and Erik Pieters could make the squad.

Spurs have been one of the Premier League’s most exciting sides in recent weeks but Mourinho will be unhappy with their defensive record.

His side surrendered a three-goal lead against West Ham last weekend and the Portuguese boss is set to make changes.

Eric Dier will come into the side if he passes a late fitness test and Gareth Bale looks certain to make his first Spurs start since 2013.

And it’s set for a late night in Lancashire with an 8pm kick off at Turf Moor.

Leicester City confirm Cengiz Under loan deal from AS Roma

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

The 23-year old joined Roma in £13m deal from Istanbul Basasksehir back in 2017, before going on to make 70 appearances in the Italian top-flight.

Under stated he is confident he can make an impact in the Premier League, adding that Turkish teammate Caglar Soyuncu played a key role in convincing him to join the Foxes.

Boss Brendan Rodgers is also delighted have Under on board, tipping him to add a new dimension to Leicester’s exciting options for the season ahead.

Premier League champions Liverpool end 2019-20 campaign at Newcastle United

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Steve Bruce’s first season at the club has not been plain sailing, with question marks his ability to move the club forward in a post-Rafael Benitez world.

However, whilst many issues still remain, Bruce’s side have comfortably stayed in the Premier League after some turbulent earlier in the season.

But despite the positivity, it will take something special to beat this Liverpool side, who can end the season on 99 points with a win on Tyneside.

The Reds ended their 30-year wait for a league title last month, and finally got to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time night after a thrilling 5-3 win at home to Chelsea.

Newly crowned FWA Player of the Year Jordan Henderson was the man who lifted the trophy in midweek – but his season is already over, due to a knee injury.

Centre back Joel Matip is also unavailable for Jurgen Klopp, with the defender nursing a foot problem.

Newcastle’s injury list has been a concern all season, and that remains the case this weekend with Fabian Schar, Sean Longstaff, Ciaran Clark, Isaac Hayden and Jamaal Lascelles missing.

Emil Krafth is rated as doubtful as he recovers from an ankle problem, but centre back Florian Lejeune is set to return, after recovering from a thigh strain.

Newcastle United v Liverpool at St James’ Park is a 4pm kick off on Sunday, 26 July.