Latest News
- Competition: Premier League
- Kickoff: 20:00 UK / 21:00 CEST
- Venue: Selhurst Park (London)
For the last decade, Crystal Palace were constantly a mid-table team in the English top-flight division, finishing between 10th and 15th place. This season, at least at the start, the Eagles are again at the middle of the table, with 12 points in 18 matches, already eight above the danger zone.
Tottenham are coming to this season after the worst one in the last 14 years. The Spurs finished 8th and missed Europe by one point. Over the Summer, the club made significant changes by adding new coach Ange Postecoglou, selling Harry Kane, and using that money to add a few excellent players. Although it is still early, Tottenham looks great and are deservedly at the top of the league with 23 points in nine rounds.
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham pick: Tottenham to win
Crystal Palace had a very good start to the season, winning three of the first five games (four in the league & one in the Carabao Cup). Still, in the next six games, the Eagles won just once and had massive problems offensively, scoring just twice during that period.
Tottenham won seven of ten games this season in all competition and, along with Arsenal, are the only undefeated team in the Premier League. Their only loss this season came in the Carabao Cup vs Fulham on the road, but after the penalty shootout in a match where they heavily rotated the squad.
Even though many of us expected Tottenham to suffer offensively without Kane, that has not been the case so far. The Spurs have been great offensively, scoring two or more goals in eight of ten matches this season.
In the previous years, Tottenham had very little problems with Crystal Palace, as they beaten them in four of the last five games. Considering the difference in h2h games and a massive difference in form, we expect the Spurs to walk away with all three points.
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur Head to Head (H2H) stats
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Tottenham Hotspur 1 : 0 Crystal Palace
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Crystal Palace 0 : 4 Tottenham Hotspur
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Tottenham Hotspur 3 : 0 Crystal Palace
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Crystal Palace 3 : 0 Tottenham Hotspur
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Tottenham Hotspur 4 : 1 Crystal Palace
Former Liverpool star, Mark Lawrenson has predicted the outcome of this weekend’s Premier League matches taking place across different grounds in England.
Manchester United will host Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday, while Chelsea will tackle Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Arsenal will clash with Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium and Liverpool will face Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Providing his predictions, Lawrenson told Paddy Power:
Crystal Palace 1-2 Tottenham
Chelsea 2-1 Brentford
Arsenal 3-0 Sheffield United
Bournemouth 2-0 Burnley
Wolves 1-1 Newcastle
West Ham 2-0 Everton
Aston Villa 2-0 Luton
Brighton 3-0 Fulham
Liverpool 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Manchester United 0-2 Manchester City.
[Leadership]
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he could start some key players against Real Madrid on Saturday who have been out injured in recent weeks, if they arrive 100 percent fit.
The Spanish champions have been without forwards Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, midfielders Pedri and Frenkie de Jong and defenders Jules Kounde and Sergi Roberto in the lead-up to the match.
However all those players took part in training on Friday except for the latter, with Xavi saying he was surprised by their recoveries and determination to play against Real Madrid.
“I was surprised to see them in training too,” Xavi told reporters on Friday.
“Players that we had almost ruled out and they want to be there, they all want to play.
“They all feel very good and you’ll have to wait until tomorrow for the squad list.”
Barcelona’s only out-and-out striker Lewandowski has not played since going off injured against Porto in the Champions League on October 4 with an ankle problem.
“Evidently I won’t tell you the line-up or give clues, (but he’s) feeling very good, he’s well,” said the coach.
“They all feel good and want to be there — it’s a very important game.”
De Jong last played in September before he suffered an ankle sprain, while a hamstring injury has ruled Pedri out since August.
Winger Raphinha has been out with a thigh problem since September, while Kounde suffered a knee sprain against Granada on October 10.
Xavi said he would have no hesitance to start any of the returning players if they are fully fit.
“If they are 100 percent, I’ll play them, there’s no problem,” added the coach.
Barcelona have been forced to lean heavily on youngsters from their La Masia youth academy, with Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal and Marc Guiu all scoring important goals.
Xavi had some advice for the younger players who may feature against league leaders Real Madrid.
“Having homegrown players is a boost, it’s fantastic to have players from La Masia, they know about the rivalry, they know the importance of the game, it’s always fundamental,” said Xavi.
“(In the Clasico) there are always more nerves, more tension, controlling those nerves, controlling your character, the tempo of the game, it’s hard, because the heart is hot, but (you need) a cold head, I think that’s the key to these games.
“There is more emotion and desire than normal, but control is key.”
The coach noted Jude Bellingham’s impressive impact since arriving at Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
The England international has netted eight goals and is the division’s leading scorer.
“Bellingham is very important for Madrid with their change of system, he has freedom, and attacks well from deep,” added Xavi.
[Vanguard]
Nigeria forward, Victor Boniface has been presented with his Golden Boot prize for finishing joint top scorer in the UEFA Europa League last season.
Boniface shared the award with Manchester United forward, Marcus Rashford.
The duo scored six goals in Europe’s second tier club competition last term.
The 22-year-old was presented with the award ahead of Bayer Leverkusen’s home clash against Qarabag at the BayArena on Thursday night.
Boniface’s impressive performance earned him a move from Belgian Pro League club, Union St Gilloise to Leverkusen in the summer.
The Nigerian striker has already registered two goals and an assist in three outings for Die Werkself this season.
Union Berlin have hit Chelsea loanee David Datro Fofana with a one-week ban after his angry reaction to being subbed off in the side’s recent UEFA Champions League 1-0 home defeat to Napoli.
Fofana, who once again failed to score a goal or provide an assist for Union Berlin, was withdrawn in the 70th minute during the encounter against Napoli.
As the 20-year-old made his way past manager Urs Fischer, he refused to shake the coach’s outstretched hand or even make eye contact.
There was also a brief coming-together between Fofana and Fischer.
However, the decision to reprimand Fofana was confirmed by Union Berlin spokesman, Christian Arbeit, with manager Fischer saying: “Football is a team sport, you have to fit in and sometimes put yourself second. We hope that he learns from this.”
Fofana will not be considered for selection against either Werder Bremen at the weekend or Tuesday’s German Cup tie against Stuttgart as a result of the suspension.
The youngster will also train separately from the first-team squad for the duration of his suspension, before rejoining team training on Wednesday 1 November.
Meanwhile, Fofana, who moved to Chelsea from Molde last January, had already issued an apology via his social media account.
He said, “Following my behaviour during my exit from the field, I wanted to apologise to the club, the coach, my team-mates and the supporters.
“This gesture was not intended and in no way does it represent my attitude, all this was generated as a result of frustration because I wanted to continue helping the team to obtain a positive result.”
In a remarkable feat, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has broken a record set by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry back in 2006. Salah scored a goal during Liverpool’s 5-1 victory against Toulouse in the Europa League at Anfield on Thursday night.
Coming on as a substitute with approximately 20 minutes remaining, the Egyptian international netted a sensational strike in the 93rd minute.
Diego Jota, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez, and Ryan Gravenberch also contributed with goals for Jurgen Klopp’s team.
Salah’s goal against Toulouse brings his total to 43 goals in major European competitions for Liverpool, the highest ever scored by any player for an English club.
Out of those 43 goals, 41 were scored in the Champions League, with the remaining two being scored in this season’s Europa League campaign.
Hence, Salah has surpassed Henry’s previous record of 42 goals during his time at Arsenal – 35 in the Champions League and seven in the UEFA Cup.
Senegal professional football star, Sadio Mane, has reportedly bought French fourth-division club Bourges Foot 18.
Naija News learnt that Mane had been contributing some funds to the club to aid with their recruitment but would now be fully involved having also received the approval of the mayor of the city, Yann Galut.
The 31-year-old currently playing for Saudi Arabia Pro Club, Al Nassr, has reportedly completed the deal.
Mane confirmed the purchase on Wednesday after sending a video clip online saying, “We’ve been working with the city for the past three years. We’re here to nurture and organise the club. The challenge is immense, but if the people of Bourges remain involved, I’m confident we can achieve our goals. I believe I’ll be visiting Bourges very soon.”
According to Mirror, the club is located 250 kilometres from Paris in central France, but it has never played higher than the French second tier (as Bourges 18).
The club currently sit second bottom in Group B of the Championnat National. They were only formed two years ago following a merger between two clubs in the region.
The league is made up of a mix of amateur teams and professional clubs who field their reserves, the likes of Toulouse and Angers.
The last batch of the Champions League matchday three fixtures recorded 7 wins and just one draw in eight interesting encounters.
After FC Barcelona and Feyenoord won big in the early kickoff, today, October 25, other usual suspects didn’t disappoint tonight.
At St James’ Park, Borussia Dortmund proved to be too good for Newcastle United as they returned to Germany with a deserving 1-0 victory courtesy of a strike from Felix Nmecha.
At Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, the hosts ensured that the visiting Crvena Zvezda didn’t leave Germany in happiness as Leipzig thrashed them 3-1 courtesy of strikes from David Raum, Xavi Simons, and Dani Olmo.
Manchester City who visited Wankdorf Stadium felt more than being at home as they thrashed their hosts, Young Boys courtesy of strikes from Manuel Akanji, Erling Haaland from the spot-kick, and then Haaland from open play.
The biggest game of the night which took place at the Parc des Princes between PSG and AC Milan ended 3-0 in favour of the hosts courtesy of strikes from Kylian Mbappé, Randal Kolo Muani, and Lee Kang-in.
Below are all the results of the Champions League match day three games played on Wednesday, October 25:
Barcelona vs. Shakhtar Donetsk
2-1
Feyenoord vs. Lazio
3-1
Paris Saint-Germain vs. AC Milan
3-0
Newcastle United vs. Borussia Dortmund
0-1
Young Boys vs. Manchester City
1-3
Antwerp vs. Porto
1-4
RB Leipzig vs. Crvena Zvezda
3-1
Celtic vs. Atletico Madrid
2-2
[NaijaNews]
Galatasaray and Bayern Munich will face off in what will be a top-table leader decider on matchday three of Group A of the UEFA Champions League.
Galatasaray stunned Manchester United in the second round of the Champions League the last time out in a 2-3 win at Old Trafford. They host Bayern Munich with high prospects of extending their points in the standings, as they failed to win their first match against Copenhagen FC. Bayern Munchen might be facing a team that will give them a run for their money in the quest to make it three wins in three games.
Galatasaray are flying high this season; they have a 23-game unbeaten run with eight wins in nine matches in the Turkish Super Leagues, sitting second just below Fenerbahce. Bayern’s rival Leverkusen’s resoluteness is what keeps them from being the league leaders despite their impressive start to the season.
Form
Galatasaray: WWWWWW
Bayern Munich: WWWDW
Team news
Galatasaray are a bunch of healthy team at the moment, with no senior team player sidelined with it. In their last match against Manchester United in this competition, they lost Lucas Torriera to injury in the second half, but the Uruguayan is back in the squad.
Bayern’s squad is still facing shortages as they prepare for a challenging trip to Istanbul. None of Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Neuer, Dayot Upamecano, Gabriel Marusic, Raphael Guerreiro, or Tarek Buchmann are expected to be available due to various injuries.
The injury situation for Bayern got even worse in their recent victory over Mainz, as midfielder Leon Goretzka was suspected to have a broken finger. Although Serge Gnabry is nearing a return from a fractured forearm, there is uncertainty about his availability as of now.
Predictions
Galatasaray can take ample advantage of Bayern Munich’s depleted squad and pose a great challenge. It will be interesting to see.
Galatasaray 2 vs Bayern Munich 2
[Vanguard]
Anthony Joshua has said he is open to fighting Deontay Wilder on the same night of Tyson Fury’s undisputed boxing heavyweight battle against Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia next year.
Nigerian-Briton Joshua will first have his next bout in London, at either the O2 or Wembley Arena, in December, he revealed.
World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Fury’s next fight is against mixed martial arts star and former UFC world heavyweight champion, Cameroonian Francis Ngannou on Saturday.
A deal for Fury to face Ukrainian Usyk — which will see the winner become the undisputed world heavyweight champion — in Saudi Arabia has already been sealed.
Usyk currently holds the World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organisation heavyweight titles after beating former holder Joshua twice.
Speaking to Sky Sports in Austin, Texas ahead of last night’s United States Grand Prix, 34-year-old Joshua said: “If they get this undisputed fight on [Usyk vs Fury], which has been looming for a while, word on the street is that it’s supposed to be the undisputed fighters and then the undercard is supposed to be a big, lively one with me and Wilder.
“But, in the meantime, we’re going to be active this year. I’ve set my goals three times this year, and I’m still potentially going to get a fight in [before the end of the year].
“End this year on a high, God willing, and then move onto the next year and go out there and kick some more behind.”
Following those two defeats to Usyk, Joshua returned to winning ways by knocking out Finnish Robert Helenius in London in August, clearing the path for a future meeting with former WBC champion Wilder.
When asked by Sky Sports as to whether he has plans to face Fury in the future, Joshua said: “I’ll be honest, for me personally I’m here for the fans, and I know what they want, and my job is to deliver.
“I will 100 per cent do my end of the bargain, it’s up to the other team [Tyson Fury’s] to play ball.
“One step at a time. December I want to get out, April [vs Wilder] I need to be victorious, and then we can talk about the big fight in the future.”
[NaijaTimes]
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Club football resumed last week, just after the second international break of the season, where continents prepare ahead of their continental campaigns.
It was also another round of matches before the third round of the European competitions, and Nigerian players plying their trade abroad once again featured for their respective clubs.
Let’s take a look at them
Saturday
Frank Onyeka registered a full appearance for English side Brentford in a 3–0 home victory versus Burnley.
Ola Aina came in for Sergi Aurier when Nottingham Forest threw away a two-goal advantage to settle for a draw at home against Luton Town. He was substituted in the 86th minute of the encounter.
Sadiq Umar was an 86th-minute substitute for Real Sodeidad, as the Spanish side clinched all three points via a lone goal versus Mallorca. He came on for Mikel Oyerzabal.
In Germany, Victor Boniface shone again for Bayern Leverkusen as he registered an assist for Xabi Alonso’s side in a 1–2 away win against Wolfsburg.
In France, Terre Moffi shone for Nice in a lone-goal home win against Marseille. He was, however, subbed off in the 72nd minute for Evans Gueesand.
In the English Championships, Jamilu Collins featured in Cardiff’s away loss to Blackburn Rovers.
Joe Aribo was an unused substitute for Southampton in their 1–2 away defeat to Hull City.
Kelechi Ihenacho came off the bench in the 84th minute for Jamie Vardy and scored Leichester’s third goal in their 1–3 away victory against Swansea City. Wilfred Ndidi was instrumental in this win too, as he featured from start to finish.
Semi Ajayi came on for Kyle Bartley in the 78th minute when West Bromwich hosted Plymouth Argyl and settled for a goalless draw.
In Scotland, Cyril Dessers was on target for new club Rangers when they hosted Hibernian in a 4–0 win.
In Belgium, Rapheal Onyedika played the entire minutes of Club Brugge’s 1-0 away defeat versus Koltrijk.
Ademola Lookman was on target for Atalanta in their 2–0 home win versus Genoa FC.
Simon Moses featured throughout Nantes’ 2–0 home victory against Montpellier. On the other side, Akor Adams started well but was hooked off in the 58th minute for Kelvin Yeboah.
Kenneth Omerou led his Turkish side Kasim Pasa in the defence when they carted away all three points away from home at Sivasspor via a lone goal.
Fisayo Dele-Ashiru played the entire 90 minutes for Hatayspor in their 4–0 away loss to league leaders Fenerbahce.
Chidozie Awaziem featured for his Portuguese side Boviasta in their 1–3 away win at Oliveriensie.
In Belgium, Gift Orban started for Gent FC but was eventually hooked off in the 62nd minute by Tarik Tissoudali in the 2–0 away defeat to Cercle Brugge.
[Vanguard]
On the occasion of his 60th posthumous birthday, former Super Eagles forward Rashidi Yekini has been honored by Google.
Google paid tribute to the late legendary striker with a special doodle.
Yekini passed away in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, on May 4, 2012, at the young age of 48.
The doodle started with a biographical snippet about the iconic striker: “Today’s Doodle celebrates iconic Nigerian footballer Rashidi Yekini, an accomplished forward known as the ‘Goalsfather’ for his ability to sneak shots past the keeper. On this day in 1963, he was born in Kaduna, Nigeria.
“Yekini faced difficulties at the beginning of his life, including homelessness and poverty. He worked as a welder and mechanic to earn money, but his true aspiration was to pursue football. Soon, he started playing in front of scouts, and in 1981, he joined his first football club, UNTL FC, in Kaduna.
“The talented striker subsequently played for the Shooting Stars, scoring an impressive 45 goals in 53 games. His remarkable scoring abilities earned him the title of African Footballer of the Year in 1983, making him the first Nigerian player to receive this prestigious honor. The following year, he helped lead the Shooting Stars to the finals of the African Champions Cup.
“In addition to Nigeria, he also played for football clubs in Spain, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Tunisia, Switzerland, and Greece. While playing for a Portuguese team called Vitória Setúbal, he won the Bola de Prata (Silver Ball) as the league’s top-scoring player in the 1993-94 season.
“Happy birthday, Rashidi Yekini!”
Yekini is considered one of Nigeria’s finest strikers.
The former player of Vitoria Setubal in Portugal played a crucial role in Nigeria’s qualification for their first World Cup in 1994.
He was the top scorer at the Senegal 1992 and Tunisia 1994 nations cups.
Yekini was also the first Nigerian to score a goal at the World Cup.
Napoli Sporting Director, Mauro Meluso has revealed the club will hold new contract talks with Victor Osimhen in the next few weeks.
Osimhen looks a long way off agreeing a new contract with the Serie A champions after he was furious at the TikTok videos posted by the club.
Napoli were also unhappy after the Nigerian returned from international duty with an injury last week.
Meluso, however, stated that the Partenopei are planning a new round of talks with the 24-year-old’s representatives in the next couple of weeks.
“There will be a meeting between the President and Osimhen’s entourage over the next few weeks. It is part of the game and a little time is needed to think about it,” Meluso was quoted by Calciomercato.com.
The Nigeria international has less than two years on his contract with Napoli.
[nigerianeye]
Lionel Messi played the entire game on artificial turf in Inter Miami’s season finale early Sunday morning as Charlotte FC qualified for the MLS playoff with a 1-0 victory.
Messi, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, was the clear drawing card, and thousands in attendance were adorned in “Messi 10” jerseys.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner as the world’s top player went the distance in the meaningless game for Miami, which had already been eliminated from playoff contention. He finished with three shots and had two scoring chances. Messi’s apparent goal in the 49th minute was negated by an offside call, and his shot in the 62nd minute bounded off the crossbar.
[Leadership]