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The reasons why Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is so popular in his native Egypt

Liverpool supporters have got used to the sight of Mohamed Salah scoring goals for the Reds, but what he is doing back home in Egypt is far more important.

The forward, who was never allowed to show his true quality during a spell at Chelsea, has taken the Premier League by storm this season, returning to the division to score 14 times going into this weekend.

He’s also scored 20 goals in all competitions for his new side, but back home he is famous for more than just that.

In an exclusive piece by the Daily Mail from Salah’s home town of Nagrig, just over 100km north of Cairo, the extent to which the 25-year-old gives back to his community was revealed.

Salah has paid for an all-weather football pitch at his former school and equipment for the community gym. He will regularly visit to present children with football awards, and even contributes towards couples from the area getting married.

In an interview with Liverpool’s official website earlier this week, Salah revealed that he’d travel for as much as nine hours, potentially using 10 different buses, to get to and from training when he was a youngster .

 

In October, the entire country came to a standstill when Salah fired in the injury-time penalty against Congo to send Egypt to their first World Cup since 1990 .

While the country celebrated him in the days that followed, it was revealed that Salah’s family had been robbed when he was playing in the match. But instead of pressing charges, the forward instead gave the thief money and tried to help him find work.

His popularity is such that he regularly wins online votes thanks to the number of Egyptians taking part.

At Liverpool this season he’s already won three of four Player of the Month awards, with the only other one given to Dejan Lovren as a gesture of goodwill after threats to his family.

He’s also been the Champions League player of the week twice, the Premier League player of the month for November and BBC African Player of the Year.

 After his first player of the month gong, Roma tweeted Liverpool to tell them to get used to him winning awards.

Having not played for either of Egypt’s big two – Al-Ahly or Zamalek, two clubs who dislike either other and each other’s players with a passion – Salah remains a uniting force for all of Egypt.

And clearly one the the people love.

ADO Den Haag vs PEC Zwolle : Match Preview& Prediction

Team News

ADO Den Haag
  • Ricardo Kishna is out for the remainder of this season and is joined on the sidelines by Wilfried Kanon and Melvyn Lorenzen for ADO Den Haag.
PEC Zwolle
  • Dico Koppers, Nicolas Freire and Philippe Sandler are the only absent players for PEC Zwolle on Friday night.

Match Facts

PEC Zwollehavewon their last 5 matches against ADO Den Haag in all competitions.

PEC Zwollehavescored at least 2 goals in their last 7 matches against ADO Den Haag in all competitions.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 8 of ADO Den Haag‘s last 10 home games (Eredivisie).

ADO Den Haag have conceded at least 2 goals in their last 5 matches (Eredivisie).

PEC Zwollehavewon their last 3 away matches (Eredivisie).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in PEC Zwolle‘s last 3 away games (Eredivisie).

PEC Zwollehavescored at least 2 goals in their last 3 away matches (Eredivisie).

Prediction

  • PEC Zwolle go into their final league game of 2017 unbeaten in five matches having collected 11 points from a possible 15.
  • As for ADO Den Haag, they are looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 3-0 humbling at PSV.
Prediction:

ADO Den Haag logo ADO Den Haag

1

2

PEC Zwolle PEC Zwolle logo

Norwich vs Brentford : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Norwich
  • After a fairly ineffectual performance against Leeds, Marley Watkins could be dropped from the starting XI. Wes Hoolahan is the most logical candidate to replace him.
  • Louis Thompson remains sidelined, as does former Everton striker Steven Naismith, whose return is eagerly anticipated.
Brentford
  • A switch to a 4-3-3 formation is on the cards for Dean Smith’s side, with Romaine Sawyers making way for the inclusion of Nico Yennaris and Kamohelo Mokotjo in the centre of midfield.
  • Lasse Vibe remains a doubt up top, so Neal Maupay will start again.
  • Henrik Dalsgaard is also out, as are full-back Rico Henry and attacking midfielder Alan Judge.

Match Facts

Norwichhave seen over 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches against Brentford in all competitions.

Prediction

  • Daniel Farke’s side have won just one of their last nine games in the league and are stumbling towards a lower mid-table finish this season. This game is certainly winnable, but Norwich will have to be more adventurous going forward than they were against Leeds.
  • After an upturn in form a couple of months ago, many expected Brentford to kick on, but Dean Smith’s Brentford side are languishing in mid-table. A response to last weekend’s sub-par draw against Barnsley is vital here.
  • This is a clash between two sides struggling for momentum, but it also offers an excellent opportunity to kickstart one side’s season.
Prediction:

Norwich logo Norwich

1

2

Brentford Brentford logo

Top Facts

Arsenal have won 13 of their last 14 home matches (Premier League).

Liverpool have won their last 4 away matches (Premier League).

Fiorentina have drawn their last 3 away matches (Serie A).

Gaziantepspor have lost their last 7 away matches (TFF 1. Lig).

Eupen have drawn their last 3 matches (Jupiler League).

PEC Zwolle have won their last 5 matches against ADO Den Haag in all competitions.

Atletico have won their last 4 matches (La Liga).

Siah Jamegan have lost 8 of their last 9 matches (Persian Gulf Pro League).

Naft Tehran have lost their last 5 away matches (Persian Gulf Pro League).

Alcorcon have drawn their last 3 home matches (Segunda División).

Sepidrood Rasht have lost their last 5 matches (Persian Gulf Pro League).

Liverpool have won their last 3 matches against Arsenal in all competitions.

Nacional have drawn their last 3 matches (Liga Vitalis).

PEC Zwolle have won their last 3 away matches (Eredivisie).

Lugo have won 6 of their last 7 home matches (Segunda División).

Academica have won 6 of their last 7 matches (Liga Vitalis).

Anderlecht have won their last 3 home matches against Eupen in all competitions.

Fleetwood have won 5 of their last 6 matches against Gillingham in all competitions.

Cagliari vs Fiorentina :Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Cagliari
  • Luca Cigarini is suspended. Simone Padoin will move into central midfield as a result, with Senna Miangue taking his spot on the left flank.
Fiorentina
  • Giovanni Simeone and Khouma Babacar continue to battle for one spot up front.
  • Federico Chiesa and Cyril Thereau will hold down spots on either side of the lone frontman.

Match Facts

Fiorentinahavedrawn their last 3 away matches (Serie A).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Cagliari‘s last 5 home games (Serie A).

Fiorentinahave kept a clean sheet in their last 3 matches (Serie A).

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Fiorentina‘s last 3 away games (Serie A).

Prediction

  • Cagliari are winless in four matches and now only three points above the bottom three.
  • Fiorentina, meanwhile, are unbeaten in five, though have only won two games in that sequence. The away side’s season has been average so far and would improve with three points here.
  • The teams in the top half of the table are dropping points and Fiorentina need to take advantage if they want to finish in a European place.
Prediction:

Cagliari logo Cagliari

1

2

Fiorentina Fiorentina logo

Chievo vs Bologna : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Chievo
  • Lucas Castro and Riccardo Meggiorini are sidelined until 2018.
  • Sergio Pellissier is favourite over Manuel Pucciarelli to start up front.
Bologna
  • Federico Di Francesco has returned to training but his comeback will not be rushed.
  • Rodrigo Palacio is also lacking fitness and might skip this match.

Match Facts

Chievohave seen under 2.5 goals in 9 of their last 10 home matches against Bologna in all competitions.

Chievohavefailed to score in their last 3 matches (Serie A).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Bologna‘s last 6 games (Serie A).

Chievoareundefeated in 12 of their last 13 home matches against Bologna in all competitions.

Prediction

  • Chievo missed the chance to draw level with Atalanta and AC Milan in seventh place last weekend after slipping to a shock 1-0 defeat to Crotone.
  • Bologna also lost but that was expected as they faced Juventus. Both sides will be happy with how the first half of the season has gone and will want to finish 2017 strongly, starting here.
Prediction:

Chievo logo Chievo

1

0

Bologna Bologna logo

Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Espanyol
  • Changing system last time out seemed to improve some aspects of Espanyol’s play, so few changes are expected here.
  • Victor Sanchez is suspended for the hosts, so Javi Lopez could return at right-back after injury.
  • Sergio Garcia and Leo Baptistao should continue in close support of Gerard Moreno.
Atletico Madrid
  • Sime Vrsaljko will continue at right-back for the away side after contributing two assists in his last two games.
  • Augusto Fernandez may start in the centre of midfield over Thomas Partey, with Saul pushed out wide.
  • Fernando Torres netted Atleti’s winner against Alaves last time out and could partner Antoine Griezmann up front.

Match Facts

Atleticoareundefeated in their last 20 away matches (La Liga).

Atleticohave kept a clean sheet in their last 5 away matches (La Liga).

Espanyolhave seen under 2.5 goals in 9 of their last 10 matches against Atletico in all competitions.

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 9 of Atletico‘s last 11 games (La Liga).

Atleticohave kept a clean sheet in 6 of their last 7 matches against Espanyol in all competitions.

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Espanyol‘s last 5 home games (La Liga).

Atleticoareundefeated in their last 7 matches against Espanyol in all competitions.

Atleticohavewon with a 1 goal margin in their last 3 matches (La Liga).

Prediction

  • Espanyol are winless in their last three games, with the Catalan club hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone with only a five-point cushion to spare them for now.
  • Gerard Moreno has scored over 50% of their league goals this campaign, with the Spanish striker absolutely vital to their attempts to clamber into the top half of the table.
  • Atleti have kept two consecutive clean sheets in the league, with Diego Simeone’s men continuing to scrape narrow results and maintain their unbeaten start to the league campaign.
Prediction:

Espanyol logoEspanyol

1

1

Atletico MadridAtletico Madrid logo

Real Betis vs Athletic Bilbao : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Real Betis
  • Fabian and Victor Camarasa should continue in midfield for the home side, with Andres Guardado still out with an injury.
  • Ryad Boudebouz is still struggling with a knock, which should see Joaquin and Cristian Tello deployed on the flanks yet again.
  • Javi Garcia should come back into midfield, with Jordi Amat set to drop to the bench as a result.
Athletic Bilbao
  • Kepa is set to miss out again with a foot injury, meaning that Iago Herrerin will continue in goal.
  • Mikel Balenziaga should be out until the new year, with Enric Saborit filling in at left-back.
  • Mikel San Jose and Mikel Rico should maintain their partnership in central midfield, with Oscar De Marcos and Inigo Lekue doubling up down the right.

Match Facts

Real Betis have seen under 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 home matches against Athletic Bilbao in all competitions.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Athletic Bilbao‘s last 6 away games (La Liga).

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Real Betis‘s last 3 games (La Liga).

Athletic Bilbaoareundefeated in their last 5 matches (La Liga).

Prediction

  • Real Betis managed to pull off a 2-0 win over Malaga last time out in La Liga, with Quique Setien’s men needing that boost of confidence desperately. Now, ending the year on a high at home would be huge for them.
  • Athletic are unbeaten in their last four games and have kept three clean sheets in that time. Los Leones have found some balance at last, but they are incredibly dull to watch.
Prediction:

Real Betis logoReal Betis

2

1

Athletic BilbaoAthletic Bilbao logo