Opinion

Championship action returns this week as the midweek fixtures are spread across Tuesday and Wednesday night, and the latter provides us with two matches in particular where former managers return to their old haunts…

Premier League Everton’s recent poor form in the English top-flight has led to talk of the Toffees potential involvement in the fight for survival. A 1-0 defeat at Watford on Saturday means that the Merseysiders have lost six of their last eight league games in the English top-flight, winning just twice in the process.

Manchester City headed into their home game with Chelsea on Sunday expecting a tough afternoon. However, it turned out to be far more comfortable than anybody expected as the Citizens hammered the Blues 6-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Injured Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar celebrated his birthday on February 5th. The Brazilian football star turned 27-years old and held a massive party to celebrate despite being sidelined with another metatarsal injury.

Look back to the 3-1 defeat at Liverpool in the Premier League and it appeared there was very little Manchester United fans were going to have to cheer about this season.

So many column inches have been written about Tottenham this season and either their failure or perhaps lack of desire in terms of signing new players. However, it was a sub-plot that almost went away after a string of impressive results.

On Monday night, Premier League leaders Liverpool drew 1-1 with West Ham to extend their lead at the top of the table to three points over reigning champions Manchester City. Despite the point, there seems to be a feeling of deflation about the Reds.

The mid-week Premier League results did not make good reading for Chelsea fans.  Having lost 2-0 at Arsenal in their previous league games, the Blues were expected to produce a much better performance in the away trip to Bournemouth.

If you had been at Anfield on Wednesday night for Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against Leicester City, you may have thought the Reds were about to be relegated. To the contrary, Liverpool moved five points ahead of Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title.

Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Newcastle on Wednesday night.

This afternoon’s World Cup quarter-final clash between Uruguay and France is a hard one to judge. On paper, France arguably have a better team player for player.

It has been the opinion of many a football analyst and enthusiast that when it comes to talent, Lionel Messi is arguably better than Cristiano Ronaldo, but when it comes to hard work, very few players can match the attitude and mental fortitude of the Portuguese.

It is really enjoyable watching this highly offensive Liverpool side; however, not many football experts see them succeeding in the Premier League if they keep playing with this template. It was Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson who made this statement, “Attack wins you games, but defence wins you titles”, and over the years, this statement has proven very true.

Vitesse Arnhem would have undoubtedly been aiming to finish in the top seven at the start of the season, in order to be in with a chance of return to European competition next season.

On Friday 4th November 2016, Gordon Strachan will return to Elland Road for a dinner, which will mark the 25th anniversary of the 1991/92 title winning team. The current Scotland manager was captain of the Leeds team which finished above Manchester United to win the league 25 years ago, and they were great times for the Yorkshire club.

Since finishing second in Serie A in the 2011/12 season, AC Milan have almost disappeared from the lips and fingertips of those reporting on the Serie A title race.

This summer sees the United States host the Copa America Centenario. The tournament was founded a hundred years ago in 1916. This year the competition is breaking from it's traditional four year frequency to celebrate. Four more teams than normal have been invited to join the festivities, making it sixteen countries taking part.

Premier League Everton’s league campaign has been full of ups and downs this season. The Toffees are currently mid-table and look highly unlikely to finish in the top-six.

Barcelona’s transfer signing of Sassuolo’s Kevin-Prince Boateng is proof that there is little value for money in the winter window.

Chelsea are on the verge of signing Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain from Juventus on loan until the end of the season, with the deal extending another season if he achieves pre-set objectives.