Match Preview : Celtic vs Manchester City

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Having been hit for seven in Barcelona, Celtic will hope for a much stronger showing in front of their home support when Manchester City visit Parkhead but they will need to attack the visitors, which will be dangerous.

City got off to a fine start to their Champions League campaign and have maintained a 100% record under Pep Guardiola to now, playing some excellent football along the way.

The away side simply has far too much firepower for a weak Celtic defence, though the hosts do have the potential to cause some problems of their own at the other end. Naija and Bet

Team News

Celtic

Top scorer Leigh Griffiths is back available following injury but faces competition for a starting berth from Moussa Dembele, who scored twice in a 6-1 win at the weekend.

Match Preview : Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid

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Real Madrid aren’t in great shape ahead of their big clash against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. They have drawn their last two matches and their front free aren’t fully up to speed. To make matters worse they will be without Casemiro for this fixture and have no similar alternative in their squad. Marcelo’s absence is also a big blow.

Borussia Dortmund, by contrast, are in fantastic shape. They have won their last four matches and scored 20 goals in the process. Everything is starting to click for Thomas Tuchel’s side and they should be confident of beating Madrid, even though Zinedine Zidane’s side have only lost one of their last 15 in Europe. Naija and Bet

The Bundesliga side have won each of their last three matches at home to Madrid and another victory could be on the cards in midweek.

Team News 

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Match Preview : Hull City vs Arsenal

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will recall Petr Cech for Saturday’s Premier League fixture at Hull and could also have Theo Walcott available again.

Cech was rested from Tuesday’s 1-1 Champions League draw at Paris Saint-Germain. In his absence, David Ospina impressed, but Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper will return for the trip to the KCOM Stadium.

The hosts boast their best ever start to England’s top flight campaign after four games, including back-to-back wins against Leicester and Swansea in their opening two matches.

A minute’s silence will be held before kick-off to pay tribute to ex-player Daniel Wilkinson, 26, who died in hospital on Monday after collapsing during a match while playing for non-league Shaw Lane. Naijabet

The club said: “We ask supporters to join us in remembering Daniel on Saturday during a period of silence, which will start and end on referee Roger East’s whistle.”

Team news

Walcott faces a late fitness test, as does Olivier Giroud who is carrying a knock.

Saturday’s fixture will come too early for Aaron Ramsey, who has a hamstring injury, and Gabriel Paulista, who is short of match fitness.

Hull’s new signing Dieumerci Mbokani is expected to be included in caretaker boss Mike Phelan’s squad for the home game, following his deadline-day arrival on loan with a view to a permanent deal from Dynamo Kiev.

Club-record signing Ryan Mason and Will Keane may be given starting roles after making their debuts off the bench in last week’s 1-1 draw at Burnley.

Fellow new recruits Markus Henriksen, James Weir and David Marshall hope to feature – Phelan has no new injury concerns.

Match stats

Since beating Arsenal in their opening Premier League meeting with them in September 2008, Hull City have lost six of the last seven meetings between the two sides.

Arsenal have lost just one of their previous six visits to Hull, with that defeat coming over 100 years ago in 1915.

Alexis Sanchez has scored four times and assisted two goals in four previous games against Hull in all competitions.

Hull City’s last three Premier League matches have seen a goal scored in the 90th minute or later – the last two of which changed the outcome of the game.

Santi Cazorla has scored two goals and assisted a further two in his four Premier League appearances so far this season.

Naijabet Odds

Arsenal are Naijabet’s odds-on favourites at 1.54 despite both sides being on the same points and Hull being the home side.

The Tigers are given a 5.79 chance and are 4.05 for the draw, with the online bookmaker still considering them even-money chances for relegation.

Match Preview : Chelsea v Liverpool

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Antonio Conte’s unbeaten start to his Chelsea tenure will face its biggest test when Liverpool visit Stamford Bridge, live on Friday Night.

Last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Swansea is the only blip for a much-improved Chelsea, who have taken 10 points from four games and are back in their familiar spot in the top four after last season’s mid-table slump.

John Terry is out injured so David Luiz is ready to fill in and make a second club debut after his Deadline Day move from Paris Saint-Germain.

The Friday Night Football game  will also see two of the most vibrant Premier League managers meet, with Jurgen Klopp full of praise for his opposite number ahead of the game.

“He is a great manager, something like the ‘Pep Guardiola of Juventus’ if you want,” Klopp said. “He looks quite emotional, even when they don’t score. Naijabet odd

“They were champions two years ago and then had a difficult year and they changed their manager,” he added.

“Last season was not a Chelsea season and now they are back on track, so we need to be ready for a real challenge.”

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea are missing Terry with an ankle injury, with the skipper joining fellow centre-back Kurt Zouma on the sidelines. Zouma is a long-term absentee with a knee ligament problem. Squad player Marco van Ginkel is the only other injury concern for the Blues.

Liverpool also have concerns over the fitness of a central defender, although Dejan Lovren is expected to be ready to play after bruising his eye in the win over Leicester. Emre Can is struggling to recover from an ankle injury in time, while Joe Gomez remains out but is inching closer to a return to training.

MATCH STATS

This will be the 53rd meeting between these two sides in all competitions this century, more than any other two teams in English professional football.

Chelsea have lost just once in their last eight Premier League games against Liverpool, though that was in this fixture last season (W3 D4).

Chelsea have lost just once on a Friday in the Premier League, losing 4-2 to Charlton Athletic in December 2003 (W2 D3).

Liverpool have won four of their last five Premier League games contested on a Friday, losing the other to Arsenal in April 2004.

If Chelsea win, it will be the 27th home win in this fixture in the Premier League (currently 13 each) – no Premier League fixture has had more (Liverpool v Newcastle also 27).

Jurgen Klopp recorded his first Premier League win versus Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in October 2015.

Diego Costa has scored five goals in his last five Premier League appearances, including four in four under Conte this season.

The Reds have scored more Premier League goals in 2016 than any other side (50), with 24 of these coming away from home – a joint league-high alongside Tottenham.

Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet in their last 14 home league games, though this was in their last fixture against Burnley (3-0).

The Blues have won their last two home league games – they’ve not won three in a row at Stamford Bridge since May 2015, when they sealed the Premier League title against Crystal Palace.

Klopp’s side have conceded in each of their last eight Premier League away games – they last went nine without a clean sheet in May 2005.

Conte has not lost any of his last 30 home league matches as a manager (W28 D2 L0) – his last home defeat in league competition came on January 6th 2013 for Juventus against Sampdoria. He has won his last 21 league games at home as a manager.

Chelsea have only allowed their opponents seven shots on target in their four Premier League games (a league-low) but they have conceded four goals from these.

NAIJABET ODD

Chelsea are on 2.17  with niajabet while Liverpool are on 3.13, the draw is priced at 3.47

Europa League : Feyenoord v Man United preview

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Manchester United have left a host of first-team personnel at home for their trip to the Netherlands to take on Feyenoord in the Europa League.

After losing 2-1 at home to Manchester City on Saturday, United will be looking to get back to winning ways on their Europa League group stage bow.

It will be strange for United followers to see their side enter the competition at this stage with the 20-time English champions more accustomed to the Champions League for so many years.

 Nonetheless, Jose Mourinho has insisted his side are in the competition to win it, and is adamant he will be fielding a strong side in Rotterdam on Thursday night. Naijabet

Changes are afoot, however, with Wayne Rooney not taking part having been left at home. Marcus Rashford is in line to start.

Opponents Feyenoord have plenty of familiar foes in their ranks, with former Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt certainly recognisable to United fans, while coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst is also a figure fans will easily identify.

The former Arsenal defender is aware of the task at hand and has singled out Rashford as “one of the biggest threats in England”.

Team news

Rooney is not the only player to be left back in Manchester, with Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw also not named in the squad to travel to the Netherlands.

The trio trained on the eve of the match but have been rested for the Group A clash, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Phil Jones stayed put through injury.

The latter was substituted at half-time of Saturday’s derby defeat to City along with Jesse Lingard, who has also not travelled to Holland.

Van Bronckhorst confirmed he has a fully fit squad and no players will be rested ahead of a crucial weekend clash with PSV.

Opta stats

United have won both of their previous meetings with Feyenoord, in the 1997-98 Champions League group stages (2-1 home and 3-1away).

Feyenoord have won only one of their last seven meetings with English opposition (D1 L5), 1-0 at Newcastle in the 2002-03 Champions League.

This is only Feyenoord’s second season in the competition since it becamethe Europa League – they were eliminated by Roma in the last 32 in 2014-15.

The last time United played in the first round of the UEFA Cup/Europa League was in 1995-96 – they were knocked out on away goals by Rotor Volgograd.

Feyenoord have won four and lost four of their last eight home games in European competition (excluding qualifiers).

Manchester United have lost six of their last seven away European games, drawing the other (excluding qualifiers). Indeed, they’ve lost their last three European away games – they’ve never lost four in a row.

NAIJABET ODD

Favourites Feyenoord are 4.08 with niajabet to make a winning start to their Europa League campaign, with Manchester United  1.84 outsiders while the draw is priced at 3.45

 

Manchester City v Borussia Monchengladbach preview

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Sergio Aguero is fit to face Borussia Monchengladbach in Manchester City’s rearranged Champions League group-stage opener at the Etihad on Wednesday.

Tuesday’s tie was postponed after the Etihad pitch was left unplayable by a spell of incessant rain, as well as a spectacular thunder and lightning storm, in Manchester and nearby areas.

Aguero missed the derby win over Manchester United through suspension, but Pep Guardiola has confirmed the City forward can play against the Bundesliga side.

Guardiola, who revealed Ilkay Gundogan and Vincent Kompany are closing in on a first-team return, said: “Aguero can play – he was banned, not injured. Naijabet

“Gundogan every day and every week is much, much better. Vincent is in the same situation – he’s training hard. All of the players who didn’t face United did hard training and he trained really good.

“They are almost there to help us play the next six games in the next 18 days.”

City reached the Champions League semi-final for the first time last season, but were knocked out by eventual champions, Real Madrid.

Guardiola, who admitted his side have a tough opener to the new campaign, added: “Borussia are a brave team, a brave coach – one of the best teams in Europe. If we let them play, they have a lot of quality. The draw was difficult for us – of course because of Barcelona but also Monchengladbach.

“They are so, so intelligent. The players in the middle – they are so, so offensive. They receive five players behind our midfield. They counter-attack like a master. Like a German team. They do it well.”

Team news

Fabian Delph and Fernando both missed training on Monday through injury.

Kompany continues to train and is close to returning after a thigh injury while new midfielder Gundogan is also nearing a debut after knee trouble. Midfielder Yaya Toure is not registered for the competition.

Opta stats

Monchengladbach have won only one of their six games against English clubs in all competitions – a 3-2 win over Arsenal in the UEFA Cup in September 1996.

Wednesday’s clash will be Man City’s sixth consecutive Champions League participation.

This is Borussia Monchengladbach’s second consecutive Champions League group stage participation, after failing to qualify for any of the previous 23 campaigns.

Aguero has failed to score in his last five Champions League games, his longest drought in the competition since his run of five games without a goal between November 2011 and October 2012.

Naijabet odds

Manchester City are 1.39 with Naija Bet to kick-off the Champions League group stages with a victory, while Borussia Monchengladbach are 7.99 to cause an upset and 5.41 to hold their hosts to a draw.

UCL Match Preview : Tottenham vs Monaco

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Moussa Dembele is available to face Monaco in Tottenham’s opening Champions League group game on Wednesday.

Spurs received a boost on Tuesday when they confirmed a new five-year contract for midfielder Eric Dier.

Dembele’s availability is further good news for Mauricio Pochettino, although the Tottenham manager will be without Danny Rose, who is still recovering from a knock suffered on England duty.

These two teams met each other for the first time in last season’s Europa League group stage, with Spurs winning 4-1 at White Hart Lane.

Wednesday’s game will see a change of venue, though, as Tottenham host Monaco at Wembley due to the continuing development of their new stadium in north London.

Team news

Spurs welcome back Dembele, who has missed the first four games of the campaign due to a domestic ban carried over from last season.

He received the suspension for violent conduct after clashing with Chelsea striker Diego Costa during the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Pochettino may look to ease the Belgium international back into action from the bench, while Moussa Sissoko is in contention to feature and Rose is out.

Opta stats

Tottenham have won one of their last five Champions League games (1-0 v AC Milan in February 2011), drawing two and losing two.

Tottenham are the first team since Arsenal to play their Champions League home games at Wembley. The Gunners did it in the 1998/99 and 1999/00 group stages, winning only two of their six games (D1 L3).

This is Monaco’s seventh Champions League campaign. Only Lyon (14), Marseille and Paris SG (9) have more among French clubs.

Monaco have reached the knockout stages in five of their previous six Champions League campaigns, including the final in 2004 (0-3 v Porto).

Eight of Monaco’s last nine Champions League goals have been scored in the second half.

Monaco have also conceded only one goal in their last eight group games in the Champions League, against Benfica in November 2014.

Erik Lamela scored four goals in two games against Monaco in last season’s Europa League, including a first-half hat-trick at White Hart Lane.

NAIJABET ODD

Group E favourites Tottenham are 1.8 with niajabet to make a winning start to their Champions League campaign, with Monaco 4.84 outsiders while the draw is priced at 3.76

Match Preview : Hull City v Manchester United

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Hull City and Manchester United put their 100 per cent records on the line when the meet in Saturday’s late Premier League clash.

United have got off to a flying start under the charismatic Portuguese, storming to victories against Bournemouth and Southampton from their first two top-flight fixtures.

Many expected United to improve this season following the arrival of Mourinho and a number of high-profile summer signings – chiefly Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba – and, even at this early stage of the season, that appears to be the case.

If United’s start under Mourinho has been impressive, Hull’s adaptation to life in the top-flight has been nothing short of remarkable.

The newly-promoted Tigers have won their opening two Premier League fixtures despite having only 13 first team players available, including a 2-1 victory against champions Leicester.  Naijabet.com

Understandably, Hull interim manager Mike Phelan – who was Manchester United’s assistant manager between September 2008 and May 2013 – isn’t aiming to change his side too much against his former club.

Team news

Harry Maguire returned to action for Hull in the midweek EFL Cup win over Exeter, and Phelan will have to decide whether to start him this weekend.

He made seven changes in midweek and the likes of Abel Hernandez, Adama Diomande, Robert Snodgrass, Tom Huddlesstone and Andy Robertson will all return, but Greg Luer is sidelined for several weeks with a knee injury.

However, the Tigers remain without the likes of Michael Dawson, Moses Odubajo, Alex Bruce and Allan McGregor for the foreseeable future.

Mourinho looks set to have a full squad to choose from for Saturday’s trip to Humberside.

Midfielder Jesse Lingard has missed the last two games, but confirmed via Twitter on Tuesday that he was back in training after his injury.

Defender Chris Smalling made his first appearance of the season by coming off the bench in the 2-0 win over Southampton last Friday and will be hoping for a return to the starting line-up.

Opta stats

Hull City have lost 10 and won none of their last 11 contests with Manchester United in all competitions. The Tigers’ last victory over United came back in November 1974 (2-0).

Man Utd have won three of their four previous Premier League visits to the KC Stadium (D1) but have had a player sent off in the last two.

Wayne Rooney has scored seven goals in his last five Premier League games against Hull City. Overall, Rooney has been involved in 10 goals in six league appearances against the Tigers (seven goals, three assists).

Hull City have won their opening two Premier League games of 2016-17 – the only newly-promoted side to have won each of their first three games in a Premier League season are Bolton Wanderers in 2001-02.

Ibrahimovic has scored three goals in his first two Premier League appearances. The record for goals scored in a player’s first three Premier League appearances is five – Pavel Pogrebnyak – while eight players have scored four goals in their first three PL games.

Only eight players have scored in each of their first three Premier League appearances: Michael Ricketts, Brian Deane, Adrian Mutu, Dalian Atkinson, Mick Quinn, Diego Costa, Pavel Pogrebnyak & Michu.

Forty-nine of Jose Mourinho’s 58 league defeats as a manager have come away from home (84%).

Mike Phelan was Manchester United assistant manager between September 2008 and May 2013 – during this time, United won three Premier League titles.

Ahmed Elmohamady has appeared in every one of Hull City’s 78 Premier League matches since the start of 2013-14.

NaijaBet Odds

As at this post Hull City has 7.96 odd to win the match on NaijaBet while Manchester United  has 1.40 odd to win the match also, while the odd to draw the match is 4.39

Real Madrid v Celta Vigo preview

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Isco will be sidelined for Real Madrid’s opening La Liga fixture at the Bernabeu when they host Celta Vigo on Saturday evening.

The 24-year-old midfielder has picked up a knock on his ankle and will not feature in the game live on Sky Sports 3, while manager Zinedine Zidane reiterated the importance of all members of his squad.

Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo – who won the UEFA’s Best Player in Europe award for the 2015/16 season on Thursday – also remain unavailable, while rumours continue to swirl about the future of James Rodriguez and Raphael Varane.

“He’s got some discomfort in his ankle. Last week he took a knock on his ankle and he’s still not recovered. He left the training session and he won’t be with us tomorrow,” he told a pre-match press conference.

“Anything can happen until the 31st. Nobody is coming in, that’s certain, but it’s possible some may leave. This is the squad I’ve got and I’m happy with the players I have.

“There are injured players and some who still haven’t come back yet. There’s good depth, the season will be tough and we’re going to need all of our players.

“I have 23 or 24 players and they’re all going to get a game. Cristiano and Karim aren’t playing and there are other players who have done well. When everyone is back, I’ll make the decisions about who will play, that’s not going to change. Naija and Bet

“I want to be clear, every player is important and it’s no surprise that they’re all here. If they’re playing for Real Madrid, it’s because they’re very good footballers.”

Gareth Bale made a goalscoring return to the squad in their opening La Liga fixture of the season – netting twice as Los Blancos beat Real Sociedad 3-0 last weekend – and Zidane is looking forward to being back on home turf.

“It’s exciting, it’s the first home game and we want to play as well as we can,” the former France international added.

“We started very well in La Liga at a difficult ground. Now we’re up against a very good opponent, we know all about their quality and we’re ready to play tomorrow. The fans will come to the ground and it’s great for us to see a full stadium.

“We’ve got another tough opponent who play some good football, but our plan is the same as ever. It’s our first game at home in front of our fans and we’ve got to come out the blocks well to try and get the three points.”

Celta Vigo lost their opening La Liga fixture to new boys Leganes at the Balaidos Stadium, with Marcelo Diaz, Claudio Beauvue and goalkeeper Ruben Blanco Veiga injured for the trip to the Bernabeu.

NaijaBet Odds