Manchester United will be aiming to strengthen their hold on fourth place with victory over AFC Bournemouth this afternoon, with Erik ten Hag's men currently just a point ahead of bitter rivals Liverpool, albeit while having played a game less than the Merseyside outfit.
With Jurgen Klopp and co dispatching Leicester City on Monday evening, United can ill-afford a slip up at the Vitality Stadium later today, having got back to winning ways with a comfortable victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.
The Red Devils go into today's meeting on the south coast having secured a routine, 3-0 win when the two sides last met at Old Trafford in early January, although the club's away form will be of concern to Ten Hag, having lost eight of their 18 Premier League games on the road this season.
A further worry for the former Ajax boss will be the doubts surrounding Marcus Rashford's involvement against the Cherries this time around due to illness, albeit with Scott McTominay in contention to make his return from his recent injury lay-off.
With that in mind, here's how Football FanCast predicts that the top-four hopefuls will line up against Gary O'Neil's men…
What will Man United's starting lineup be vs Bournemouth?
Ten Hag could well make three changes from the side that ran out 2-0 winners last time out, with the only potential defensive alteration set to see Diogo Dalot replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back, with David De Gea, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw making up the rest of the backline.
As for the midfield ranks, the Dutchman could make the bold decision to drop Christian Eriksen to the bench, with the £150k-per-week gem having looked rather 'lethargic' against the Old Gold, according to Manchester Evening News journalist, Samuel Luckhurst.
Man United's Christian Eriksen
With January arrival Marcel Sabitzer having been ruled out for the season with injury – and with McTominay's involvement still somewhat uncertain – Brazilian maestro, Fred could come in alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, with the 30-year-old having 'brought much-needed energy' to the side as a substitute last week, as per Luckhurst.
Amid the concern surrounding leading scorer, Rashford, Ten Hag could well contemplate handing a start to teenage sensation, Alejandro Garnacho alongside Antony and Anthony Martial, with the 5 foot 11 wizard having netted at the death to seal the win against Julen Lopetegui's side.
Hailed as a real "threat" by former youth boss, Neil Wood, the 18-year-old is arguably deserving of a start ahead of fellow winger, Jadon Sancho, with the latter man failing to register a goal or assist in each of his last four league outings.
Predicted Man United XI – 4-3-3 – De Gea: Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw; Fred, Casemiro, Fernandes; Antony, Martial, Garnacho
Ishant Sharma has accepted that his performances in the shorter formats haven’t been good enough, but thinks Test cricket is his strength
ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jul-20163:18
‘Not playing all formats gave me time to think’ – Ishant
Ishant Sharma, India’s most-experienced fast bowler in the squad of 17 for the four-Test series in the West Indies, has accepted that his performances in the shorter formats haven’t been good enough, but thinks Test cricket is his strength.”You have to be honest with yourself, that’s the most important thing. If you are being honest with yourself it’s easy to accept things. I know that I didn’t do well in the shorter formats of the game, so I accepted it. But I am doing well in Test cricket so I know what my strength is,” he told after India’s two-day practice fixture against WICB President’s XI in Basseterre.Ishant, who last played a Twenty20 international three years ago, said little down time between formats had made it all the more challenging for him to adapt. “If you are playing all formats of the game, it’s very difficult to think what’s going wrong for you and what’s going right for you,” he said. “It’s very difficult as you have [a] very short time to understand all these things. I know I didn’t do well in T20s. I think everybody has their strengths. I always believe in that, and there is no harm to accept that thing.”Ishant, who was Man of the Series during India’s tour of the West Indies in 2011 – 22 wickets in three Tests – also stressed on the need for communication with the other pacers to benefit the team.”I am sharing my experiences and hoping that what worked for me also works for them,” he said. “But then they have to also identify their areas of strength because everybody has their own strengths. Bhuvi’s [Bhuvneshwar Kumar] strength is swing but he can’t extract the bounce like I can do. Similarly, I can’t get the ball to swing like him.”Ishant agreed with the general perception of Caribbean surfaces being slower than usual, but said that was no excuse to stop trying, and the key was to be relentless in attack.”You have to work hard enough even if conditions are not favourable,” he said. “It is easy to give up and say there’s nothing in the wicket so spinners will do the job and we [fast bowlers] will only try to hit the areas. But you should back yourself and go flat out. I like to go flat out whether it is my second or third spell. If I am playing I give my 100%. That makes me a different bowler.”The conditions are very challenging. It’s pretty hot out there, so you need to look after yourself properly. And obviously the time difference, it’s totally a different time zone and you need to be mindful of that as well, especially when you are playing four Test matches.”
A century from Sean Ervine, well supported by Ryan McLaren who made 61, enabled Hampshire to reach 281 for 6 on the opening day against Somerset
ECB Reporters Network23-Aug-2016 ScorecardSean Ervine pulls as he revives Hampshire•Getty Images
A century from Sean Ervine, well supported by Ryan McLaren who made 61, enabled Hampshire to reach 281 for 6 on the opening day of their Specsavers County Championship match with Somerset at Taunton.Ervine walked out to the middle when his side lost their first wicket in the fourth over of the morning. By the time he departed for 103 more than 80 overs later he had seen Hampshire to within sight of posting a competitive total.McLaren helped add 112 for the fifth wicket. Jack Leach was the pick of the home attack with 3 for 77 off 30 overs while fellow left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe ended with 2 for 81 off 25.Hampshire opted to bat first on a wicket with green tinges, a decision they might have doubted when Somerset opening bowler Lewis Gregory made an early breakthrough. Jimmy Adams played inside a good length ball with the score on 16.Somerset introduced spin well before noon, with their leading wicket taker Leach and van der Merwe coming into the attack. The latter was rewarded with his fifth ball when he bowled Will Smith for 16 with a delivery that clipped leg stump.James Vince, returning from England duty, did not resume the Hampshire captaincy – Will Smith continuing that role – and was bowled without scoring by Leach with a ball that pitched on leg, but took middle stump.Van der Merwe claimed a second wicket just before lunch when he accounted for Adam Wheater, lbw playing back to a full ball, for 21, which made the total 92 for 4.If the morning belonged to the home side then Hampshire spent the second session playing themselves back into the game.Ervine, unbeaten on 39 at the break went to his half-century when he turned Gregory off his legs to square leg, his runs coming off 98 balls with five fours.McLaren kept Ervine company and together the pair resisted the considerable pressure from the Somerset attack. McLaren went to his half-century with a boundary through the covers off Jim Allenby, having faced 139 balls.The stand ended when McLaren was well caught by Tom Abell off the full face of the bat at short-leg off Leach, with the total on 210.Ervine continued to move closer to his century, which he reached when he clipped Gregory behind square leg for two, his runs coming off 200 balls with 10 fours.The new ball was only five overs old when Leach was brought back on and with his fourth delivery had Ervine leg before to end a fine innings.Hampshire wicketkeeper Lewis McManus and Gareth Berg then remained together to see their side through to the close, by which time McManus was unbeaten on 41 and Berg was on 12.
حقق مانشستر يونايتد فوزًا هامًا على نظيره وست هام بثلاثية نظيفة، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن الجولة 23 من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
المباراة جمعت بين الفريقين ضمن الجولة 23 على ملعب أولد ترافورد، بقيادة تحكيمية للحكم الإنجليزي أندي مادلي.
تقدم راسموس هويلاند في الدقيقة 23 من الشوط الأول لمانشستر يونايتد بتسديدة قوية بالقدم اليمنى، وتمكن الشياطين من حسم الشوط الأول لصالحهم، رغم محاولات الهامرز.
طالع أيضًا.. دي ماريا ينصح جارناتشو: لا تقلد رونالدو.. افعل مثل ميسي
في الشوط الثاني، تمكن أليخاندرو جارناتشو من تسجيل الهدف الثاني بتسديدة ارتطمت بدفاع وست هام وتحولت لمرمى الحارس فابيانيسكي الذي دخل بديلًا مكان أريولا بين شوطي المباراة.
ظل وست هام يبحث عن تقليص الفارق، ولكن كان إريك تين هاج وأولاده حكموا سيطرتهم على المباراة متسلحين بدعم الجماهير في ملعب أولد ترافورد.
في الدقيقة 84 قتل جارناتشو المباراة بالهدف الثالث، الذي أمن النقاط الثلاث لـ مانشستر يونايتد، ليواصل انتصاراته بعد الفوز على ولفرهامبتون مساء الخميس الماضي.
بهذه النتيجة يصبح رصيد مانشستر يونايتد 38 نقطة في المركز السادس، بينما وست هام يتوقف رصيده عند 36 نقطة في المركز السابع. أهداف مباراة مانشستر يونايتد ووست هام في الدوري الإنجليزي
An update has emerged on Burnley and their plans to bolster their attack heading into the upcoming summer transfer window…
What's the latest on Mama Balde to Burnley?
According to French outlet L'Equipe, the Clarets are interested in a deal to sign Troyes centre-forward Mama Balde ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
The report claims that Vincent Kompany has already held talks with the player regarding a potential move to Turf Moor, although it remains to be seen how much the Ligue 1 side are set to demand for his services.
It is stated that the 27-year-old marksman, whose contract expires in the summer of 2025, is one of the club's biggest priorities as they aim to improve their squad following promotion to the Premier League.
How has Mama Balde performed this season?
The Troyes star, who has been hailed as their "key man" by journalist Josh Bunting, has enjoyed an excellent campaign in front of goal in the French top flight and could form an exciting partnership with current Burnley star Manuel Benson.
Burnley winger Manuel Benson.
Balde's side have been relegated to Ligue 2 but the club's poor form has not stopped him from plundering an impressive 12 goals – more than any Clarets striker managed in 22/23 – and three assists in 33 matches.
The £13k-per-week ace also works hard for his team and that could be vital in a potential battle against relegation. He ranks in the top 16% of players in his position in the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions for tackles, interceptions, and blocks per 90 and this means that he is well above average at cutting out opposition attacks from a forward position.
Benson, meanwhile, contributed with 11 goals and three assists in 33 Championship appearances as a winger. The ace has the quality to make a huge impact at the top end of the pitch and could thrive alongside an impressive number nine like Balde.
In the second tier in 22/23, the Burnley magician created 0.25 xAG per 90 – ranking in the top 16% of players in his position in the Men's Next Eight Competitions over the last 365 days – and this suggests that the gem has the potential to be a creative force who could provide the Troyes finisher with the opportunities he needs in front of goal.
Benson also ranks in the top 1% of players in his position for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.66) and this shows that the dynamo is an effective scorer who could link up with Balde to form a terrifying duo for opposition defences next term, as both players have the potential to be lethal goalscorers in the top-flight if they can adapt to Premier League football.
Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal has had surgery after being struck on the hand during a domestic match last week
ESPNcricinfo staff19-Sep-2016
Dinesh Chandimal was injured during a domestic game•Associated Press
Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal has had surgery after being struck on the hand while playing a domestic match last week.Chandimal suffered “multiple dislocations around the right thumb area” after he was hit during a Mercantile tournament match. The recovery period for the injury is three weeks and the Sri Lanka team management said that Chandimal is expected to be fit for the team’s tour of Zimbabwe in October and November. Although the schedule for the tour has not yet been announced, the first Test is likely to begin on October 29.Chandimal’s, Sri Lanka’s vice-captain, was also the side’s designated wicketkeeper during the recent home Test series against Australia. He struck a crucial 132 in the first innings of the Colombo Test to lead Sri Lanka from 26 for 5 to an eventual 163-run win that helped them sweep the series 3-0.Chandimal has also been prolific this year, making 1451 runs from 36 matches across formats including four centuries. He also scored five successive ODI fifties between June and August this year, but missed out on becoming the first Sri Lanka batsman to score six consecutive fifties when he was dismissed for 48 in the second ODI against Australia.He also stood in as captain during a part of the ODI and T20I series against Australia, after Angelo Mathews suffered a calf injury.
تمكن فريق الشباب من تحقيق الفوز على نظيره ضمك بهدف دون رد، خلال المباراة التي جمعت بينهما اليوم ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري السعودي.
والتقى الشباب مع ضمك، على أرضية ملعب الأخير بخميس مشيط، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الـ20 من عمر الدوري السعودي.
وسجل الكرواتي إيفان راكيتيتش هدف فوز الشباب في الدقيقة 82 من عمر المباراة، من تصويبة صاروخية من خارج منطقة الجزاء سكنت الشباك.
طالع أيضاً.. موعد والقنوات الناقلة لمباراة الأهلي والأخدود اليوم في الدوري السعودي.. والمعلقين
بهذه النتيجة، يحتل فريق ضمك المركز السادس في ترتيب جدول الدوري السعودي برصيد 30 نقطة، بينما يتواجد الشباب في المركز العاشر، ولديه 24 نقطة. هدف فوز الشباب على ضمك في الدوري السعودي
Liverpool are looking for new additions this summer who can improve upon their performances seen this season and now a new update has emerged on one of the club's top targets.
What's the latest on Liverpool's interest in Kouadio Kone?
According to Football Transfers, Liverpool are in talks to sign Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Kouadio "Manu" Kone this summer.
As per the report, discussions have been held with Kone and his representatives in the club's pursuit to identify players who can be part of Jurgen Klopp's midfield rebuild at Anfield.
It is claimed that the Bundesliga club are commanding a transfer fee of up to €40m (£34m) to part ways with their talented player and will need to compete with Newcastle United for his signature.
Would Kone be a good signing for Liverpool?
The German coach has made no secret of his desire and intentions to improve the squad this summer after an incredibly disappointing campaign both in the Premier League and Champions League this season, which has ultimately led to the club falling into the Europa League next season.
One of the key areas of concern is the midfield with not only a number of players either out of contract or reaching the latter stages of their careers at this point but the output in the centre of the pitch has lacked energy and dominance over the last 12 months.
As a result, the signing of Kone is a great place to start for the Merseysiders with the Bundesliga sensation potentially the perfect alternative to former transfer target Moises Caicedo for a fraction of the Brighton star's £90m asking price.
The 22-year-old Frenchman – hailed as "monstrous" and a "warrior" by Jacek Kulig – is an extremely talented midfielder with Caicedo coincidentally named as one of his most comparable positional peers – as per FBref – and it's not hard to see why.
kouadio-kone-premier-league-newcastle-transfers
When comparing the midfield pair's outputs this season they share many similarities in key attributes including pass completion rate (86.2% v 88.5%), tackles and interceptions completed (106 v 106), take-on success (48.3% v 51.9%), ball recoveries (221 v 248) and goal-creating actions per 90 (0.17 v 0.14).
Not only that, the former Toulouse talent ranks ninth for tackles and tenth for progressive passes, passes into the final third and shots on target in the entire Bundesliga this season, which is a testament to his strong box-to-box abilities allowing him to be a huge presence in both attacking play and defensive transition.
These comparable traits will be of huge interest to the Liverpool hierarchy after interest in the Seagulls midfielder, as the potential to bring in a young midfielder who possesses a very similar profile without the need to spend heavily will certainly capture the attention of the well-renowned tight-spending club owners this summer.
With that being said, it would be a no-brainer to snap up the services of Kone if Liverpool remain keen to bring in a player who can offer the qualities needed to improve ball retention and the performances in midfield next season.
Indeed, at such a young age he can be moulded to become a superstar under Klopp's guidance like many before him.
أبدى لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة، جواو فيليكس، سعادته بالفوز الذي حققوه أمام خيتافي وتقديم أداء رائع، مشيرًا إلى أنه يطمح للاستمرار في الفوز، حتى يقترب البارسا من صدارة الليجا الإسبانية.
وفاز برشلونة أمام ضيفه خيتافي بنتيجة 4/0، على ملعب لويس كومبانيس، ضمن الجولة 26 من الدوري الإسباني.
ويحتل برشلونة المركز الثالث في سلم الترتيب العام للدوري الإسباني برصيد 57 نقطة، فيما يأتي فريق خيتافي بالمركز العاشر برصيد 34 نقطة.
اقرأ ايضاً.. رافينها: قدمت أداءً مميزًا أمام خيتافي.. ولست قلقًا من منافسة يامال
وقال جواو فيليكس في تصريحات صحفية عقب المباراة: “نحن سعداء. مر وقت طويل منذ أن فزنا بهذه الطريقة. كانت مباراة هادئة، سجلنا في وقت مبكر وسيطرنا على الكرة”.
وتابع فيليكس: “نحن في برشلونة والجميع لديه الجودة للعب، المنافسة جيدة جداً لأنه يتعين على الجميع استخراج أقصى ما لديهم”.
وأكمل نجم برشلونة: “إنها أول مباراة أبدأها بعد الإصابة وأنا في تحسن، الأهم هو المحاولة وستسير الأمور بشكل جيد في النهاية”.
وأردف قائلاً: “نحن نضع ضغطاً على الفرق المتصدرة، الأمر ليس نفسه لأنهم سيلعبون بدون ضغط إذا لم نفز”.