European football
Man Utd vs. Man City: Match Preview, Team News, Lineups
Manchester United will face arch-rival Manchester City in a crucial Premier League encounter on Saturday (November 6) at 6.30 p.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time). This derby match is generating a lot of excitement, as both teams are determined to prove who the best in Manchester is.
United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjær is under pressure to deliver well in big matches, while Pep Guardiola's side will be looking to close the gap on league leader Chelsea. Let's take a look at the match preview of Man Utd vs. Man City.
Probable Team Lineups: Man Utd vs. Man City
Manchester United have a number of injury concerns, notably on the backline that must be addressed. Otherwise, City's superb offensive line will frighten their defense.
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Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane will miss the match due to injuries, while Paul Pogba is suspended. Aside from that, all Man United players are available for selection.
Probable Starting XI (Manchester United):
David de Gea (GK); Eric Bailly, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw; Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek, Bruno Fernandes; Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani, Cristiano Ronaldo
Like the other side of Manchester, Pep Guardiola's team has a problem in defense. The team's first-choice right-back Kyle Walker is doubtful due to injury. Therefore, they must rearrange their ideal formation.
On the other hand, Manchester City have enough talent in the team to replace him. The central defender Aymeric Laporte is suspended and will miss this match, while Ferran Torres is still recovering from an injury.
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Probable Starting XI (Manchester City):
Ederson Moraes (GK); Rúben Dias, John Stones, João Cancelo, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, İlkay Gündoğan; Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus
Head-to-Head: Manchester United vs. Manchester City
Both teams have faced each other 48 times in the Premier League, with Manchester United dominating the rivalry 24 to 15. United have scored 70 goals against the Citizens in the Premier League, while City have scored 61 goals against them. Man United have 18 clean sheets compared to Man City's ten clean sheets. Manchester City have won seven away (at Old Trafford) league matches (joint-most with Liverpool) against Manchester United.
Both clubs have played each other in a total of 185 matches across all competitions. Manchester United have the most victories with 77. Manchester City have won 55 games, with the remaining 53 games ending in a draw. Wayne Rooney (11 goals), Jose Hayes (10 goals), Francis Lee (10 goals), Sergio Aguero (9), and Bobby Charlton (9) are the top five goal scorers in Manchester derby.
Match Prediction: Man Utd vs. Man City
Manchester City will be favorites in this fixture despite not having won a Premier League match against Manchester United since April 2019. The Red Devils have a chance in this match if they play to their full potential.
Read: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo: Who made the strongest start with the new clubs?
Pep Guardiola has plenty of offensive options at his disposal. He can choose to go all-in against the home team. The best formation for Man City would be a 4-3-3 with Gabriel Jesus as the lone striker.
On the other hand, Manchester United will be satisfied with a draw. An open play could be expected if Man City scored early in the game. They can use a 4-4-2 system or adapt to a 3-4-1-2 formation to strengthen the defense and midfield. United's key objective would be to contain the City's attacks and fight for at least a single point until the final whistle.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Manchester United
Verdict
Based on the recent form and squad strength, Manchester City are the favourites in the Man Utd vs. Man City fixture. Manchester United haven't been consistent this season albeit winning some close moments thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's individual brilliance. Particularly, they have struggled against tougher opponents, indicating that this squad isn't strong enough to defeat big teams.
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On the other side, the reigning Premier League champion Manchester City are one of the favourites in this season. The Citizens will surely put up a good fight against the Red Devils. Overall, this Manchester derby promises to be a thrilling match.
UEFA Champions League 2021/2022: GroupWise Favorites to qualify for Round 16
The UEFA Champions League 2021/2022 group stage will end in the first week of December. This phase features eight groups and 32 teams. Each group's top two teams will progress to the Round of 16. The first round of the knockout stage will take place in the coming February. Which teams in the group stage have the highest chance of making it to Round 16 in this season's Champions League is discussed in this article. Let's take a look at the latest group phase scenario.
Favorites to advance to the UEFA Champions League 2021-2022 Round of 16
Each team has played three matches so far in the group stage. Let us analyze each group's situation.
Group A
Paris Saint-Germain have earned seven points in three games and they are currently in first place in Group A. They will almost certainly qualify for the Round of 16 if they win their next match on November 3 against RB Leipzig. Manchester City and Club Brugge are battling it out in Group A for second place. They will face off in their next match, with the winner likely finishing in the top two in the points standings.
Verdict: PSG and Manchester City
Read Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo: Who made the strongest start with the new clubs?
Group B
If group B leader Liverpool win at home against Atletico Madrid on November 3, they will qualify for the Round of 16 in this year’s Champions League. If Liverpool advance, the battle for second place will be between Atletico Madrid and Porto. Both teams have four points in the standings.
Verdict: Liverpool and Atletico Madrid
Group C
Dutch team Ajax currently lead Group C with 9 points and they are only one win away from securing a place in the Round of 16. Borussia Dortmund of Germany and Sporting CP of Portugal are both vying for second place. The fate of this group might very well be decided on the last day of group stage fixtures.
Verdict: Ajax and Borussia Dortmund
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Group D
Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova upset Real Madrid with a 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu. They presently have a 6-point in Group D's point standings. However, the fate of this group will be decided on the final day of the group stage round as Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Sheriff Tiraspol are all in the Round of 16 race.
Verdict: Real Madrid and inter Milan
Group E
Bayern Munich remained unbeaten in Group E at the end of matchday 3. If Bayern beat Benfica on Tuesday, they will advance to the Round of 16. Then FC Barcelona and Benfica will fight for a second-place finish in this group. It will most likely be determined who finish second in the points standings when both clubs play at the Camp Nou on November 23rd.
Verdict: Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona
Read Who can replace coach Ronald Koeman at FC Barcelona?
Group F
Manchester United are in first place with six points after three games. Their spot in the Round of 16 is far from certain. Man Utd must fight hard till the end against Villarreal and Atalanta in order to finish top two in the points standings. It will undoubtedly be a fascinating race between them.
Verdict: Manchester United and Villarreal
Group G
Red Bull Salzburg have shocked everyone by grasping the lead in Group G's point standings. They have 7 points after three games. If Salzburg defeat Wolfsburg on November 2, they will qualify for the Round of 16 in this year's Champions League. Therefore, Sevilla, Lille, and Wolfsburg will battle it out for a spot in the first knockout round till the end.
Verdict: Red Bull Salzburg and Sevilla
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Group H
The fight for a spot in the Round of 16 is heating up in Group H. Juventus are presently in first place with 9 points, followed by Chelsea (6 points), and Zenit Saint Petersburg (3 points). If Juventus defeat Zenit on November 2 at home, they will advance to the next round.
Verdict: Juventus and Chelsea
Bottom Line
When looking at the current situation of each group, it is evident that PSG, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Juventus are in better positions. If they win their next group stage matches, they will all qualify for the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2021/2022 season.
The final games in the group stage generally have a lot of twists and turns. There is a strong possibility of several exciting contests in this season's final few fixtures. However, the team with the best overall performance will advance to the first knockout round of Europe's most popular club-level competition.
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Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo: Who made the strongest start with the new clubs?
Following the news that Lionel Messi would be leaving Barcelona after 21 years, all of Europe's big teams contacted his representative to make inquiries about signing him. He ended up signing a three-year contract with PSG. On the other side, Cristiano Ronaldo wanted to leave Juventus for a new challenge after Messi's surprising move to Paris Saint-Germain. He was finally signed by Manchester United in the summer 2021 transfer deadline. Let's take a look at how Messi and Ronaldo have performed so far this season for their respective clubs.
Lionel Messi's Season up to this point for PSG
Lionel Messi picked no. 30 as his PSG jersey number, the same number he wore for FC Barcelona when he made his senior debut in 2004. Messi made his PSG debut on August 29 against Reims in Ligue 1 after an almost three-week wait. He was brought on as a substitute in the second half. Leo made his home debut against Olympic Lyon On September 19, and on September 15, he made his UEFA Champions League debut against Club Brugge.
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Messi had to wait a month for PSG to score his first goal. He scored his debut goal against Manchester City at Parc des Princes on September 28. Messi made his customary run into the opposition half, played a one-two with Kylian Mbappe, and then blasted a superb finish to the top left corner. Lionel Messi has appeared in eight matches and scored three goals as of October 31. Mauricio Pochettino is trying to adjust his formation to get the best out of Messi, who has yet to show his true potential with Paris Saint-Germain.
Cristiano Ronaldo's performance in Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo has been given the iconic number 7 shirt to wear in his second stint at Manchester United. Ronaldo played his first game of the season against Newcastle United on September 11. He scored a brace in his debut match. Cristiano scored a late winner in a vital UEFA Champions League group stage match against Villarreal on September 29. Manchester United won the contest by 2-1. He also came out as a rescue for the Red Devils in their most recent Champions League match against Atalanta. His 83rd-minute header secured a dramatic 3-2 win over Atalanta.
Read Who can replace coach Ronald Koeman at FC Barcelona?
Cristiano Ronaldo has now more focus on scoring goals, that’s why he has become a penalty box forward over the last three seasons. Overall, he has scored 7 goals in 10 appearances for Manchester United thus far. Ronaldo is manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's main striker, and so far he has done a good job as no.9.
Way Forward
The football world was shocked when Lionel Messi signed a contract with PSG in the last summer transfer window. However, his performance for Paris Saint-Germain hasn't been up to the mark so far. The diminutive Argentine has struggled to adjust to the new system, and experts think he will require more time to bond with his new teammates.
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On the other hand, the Portuguese superstar Ronaldo has enjoyed a good start with Manchester United. He has already had an impact on the team. The charismatic forward has aided Manchester United in securing a number of dramatic victories. In that perspective, Cristiano Ronaldo has gotten off to a better start with his new club than Lionel Messi.
Who can replace coach Ronald Koeman at FC Barcelona?
Ronald Koeman came under pressure after losing the El Classico earlier this week. There was a buzz in Spain that the coach will be replaced if he fails to produce against Rayo Vallecano. The rumor came true after failing to win a rather easy La Liga fixture on Wednesday (October 27). Following the defeat, the club stated in an official statement that first-team coach Ronald Koeman has been fired after 14 months in command. Let's take a look at the top candidates for Ronald Koeman's replacement at FC Barcelona.
Ronald Koeman's Potential Successors at FC Barcelona
Barcelona's newly elected president Joan Laporta extended Koeman's contract for another season earlier this summer despite his unimpressive style of play. However, he fell short in terms of decision-making. Under his leadership, Barcelona has only 15 points from ten La Liga games this season. His team also lost twice in the ongoing UEFA Champions League group stage.
The Barcelona board was increasingly frustrated with Koeman's poor managerial performance, and his termination was on the cards after the defeat against arch-rival Real Madrid. Here are a few prospective Koeman replacements.
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Jordi Cruyff
Jordi Cruyff, the son of former Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff, is one of the leading contenders for the position. He is quite knowledgeable about Blaugrana's style. Because his father was the main architect of Barcelona's famed tiki-taka style of play. Jordi understands exactly what Barcelona expect from him.
Jordi has previously held managerial positions with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Shenzen FC, and the Ecuadorian national team. Currently, he is serving as the sports advisor at Barcelona. It will not be a bad choice if the club names Jr. Cruyff as the next Barcelona first-team coach.
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Antonio Conte
Italian coach Antonio Conte is the most well-known name on the market. He resigned as manager after winning Serie A with Inter Milan last season.
Conte has a particular vision and approach to the game. He has the capability to bring out the best in his players and can help Barcelona to regain its glory. One major issue is, Conte's ideology may not be completely aligned with FC Barcelona's. Barcelona might be considering him as an alternative for Koeman if they are unable to convince their other main targets.
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PSG vs. RB Leipzig: Will Messi, Neymar Start for Paris Saint-Germain?
A vital UEFA Champions League Group A game between Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig will be held on Wednesday (October 20) at 1 a.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time). This game will be crucial for RB Leipzig in their quest for a Round 16 berth. They need to win the contest in order to remain in the tournament. On the other hand, PSG are presently in the first spot in the group standings. Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe of PSG will be the center of attention in this clash. Will they play together against Leipzig? Let's take a look at the PSG vs. RB Leipzig match preview.
Probable Team Lineups: PSG vs. RB Leipzig
Coach Mauricio Pochettino will be without star Brazilian striker Neymar due to a groin injury sustained during the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay last week. Pochettino will have to rely on German attacking midfielder Julian Draxler to form a formidable forward line with Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi in this encounter in the absence of Neymar. Because Argentine winger Angel di Maria is suspended for this match, and his compatriot Mauro Icardi is expected to miss the fixture owing to personal reasons.
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Paris Saint-Germain will also be without some important midfield and defensive players. PSG's summer acquisition Sergio Ramos will be unavailable at least for the next four weeks due to a calf injury. Aside from them, Paredes and Kurzawa will be absent from this match.
Probable Starting XI (PSG): Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK), Achraf Hakimi (RB), Marquinhos (CB), Nuno Mendes (LB), Ander Herrera (DM), Idrissa Gueye (DM), Marco Verratti (M), Julian Draxler (AM), Lionel Messi (FW), Kylian Mbappé (FW)
A notable number of Leipzig players are expected to miss this important clash due to injuries. Therefore, coach Jesse Marsch will need to come up with a good plan to halt PSG's attacking trio in this game.
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Leipzig's summer signing from Ajax Brian Brobbery will miss the match due to a thigh injury. dependable defender Marcel Halstenberg, offensive midfielder Dani Olmo, and Uruguayan left-back Marcelo Saracchi will also be out for this Champions League encounter because of injuries. As a result, manager Jesse Marsch is concerned about putting together a balanced starting XI for this match.
Probable Starting XI (RB Leipzig): Péter Gulácsi (GK), Willi Orbán (CB), Nordi Mukiele (CB), Joško Gvardiol (LB), Lukas Klostermann (RB), Amadou Haidara (M), Kevin Kampl (M), Angeliño (Left-Winger), Christopher Nkunku (AM), Emil Forsberg (AM), Yussuf Poulsen (FW).
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UEFA Champions League 2021-2022 Season: Group Stage Predictions
The UEFA Champions League 2021-2022 group stage began on September 14. Football fans were treated to some fantastic encounters in the first leg. Manchester City, PSG, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea are among the Champions League favorites this year. If Europe's established giant football clubs do flourish this season, fans may expect to see some spectacular matches in the knock-out stages. Which clubs are favorites in the race to make it to the round of 16 are discussed in this article.
Group Stage Predictions for Champions League 2021-2022
The top two teams from each of the eight groups will advance to the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2021-2022 season. Let's see who are the favorites in each group to advance to the first knockout round.
Group A
Four teams including, the English Premier League champion Manchester City, Ligue 1 runner-up Paris Saint-Germain, Belgium's first division champion Club Brugge and Germany’s RB Leipzig are drafted in group A. As per squad depths, Man City and PSG are the two favorites to advance to the Round of 16 from this group. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are probably playing the best brand of football right now, while PSG boast a star-studded squad.
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Group B
This is considered the group of death, with Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, and FC Porto all vying for a place in the top two. Liverpool and Atletico Madrid have better squads than the other two teams. As a result, they have a better shot to advance to the first knockout round.
Group C
Four-time European champion Ajax, Sporting CP, Borussia Dortmund, and Turkish club Besiktas are competing in group C. Borussia Dortmund are the favorite to finish top in the points table. Sporting CP and Ajax will battle it out for the second place.
Read PSG vs. Man City: Preview and Prediction
Group D
The most successful club in the history of the UEFA Champions League Real Madrid do not have the best squad for the 2021-2022 season. However, they have had a strong start of the season and will be a solid contender for their 14th championship triumph. Italian Serie A Champion Inter Milan should finish top two in this group given their current squad depth. While Sheriff Tiraspol and Shakhtar Donetsk will have to put in extraordinary efforts to finish in the top two.
Group E
Bayern Munich are the obvious favorites in this group. Bayern's main rival in this group is FC Barcelona. Barcelona's recent performances have been below par, and they have a slim chance of finishing first in the point standings. Portuguese side Benfica have a chance to finish second and they can advance to the Round of 16 by tipping Barcelona. Dynamo Kiev is the other team in this group, and their main goal is to finish top three to qualify for the Europa League.
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Group F
Manchester United should progress to the next round from this group since they will be up against Atalanta, Villareal, and Young Boys, all of whom are comparatively weaker opponents. Italy’s Atalanta and the defending Europa League champions Villareal will compete for second place in this group.
PSG vs. Man City: Preview and Prediction
Paris Saint-Germain's coach Mauricio Pochettino is concerned about Lionel Messi's recent knee injury. However, according to the latest reports, Lionel Messi is working hard and will most likely start against Manchester City in a Champions League match on Wednesday (September 29). On the other side, Manchester City have shown signs of regaining their best form after defeating Chelsea in this week's Premier League match. The game will take place at Parc des Princes in Paris and will start at 1 a.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time). The match preview and prediction of PSG vs. Man City are discussed in this article.
Probable Team Lineups: PSG vs. Man City
Ilkay Gundogan, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and John Stones are all doubtful for the PSG match. It's unclear if they will be able to recover in time for the big match. Apart from them, all of Man City's players are ready to start against PSG.
Probable Playing XI (Man City):
Ederson (GK), Kyle Walker (RB), Ruben Dias (CB), Aymeric Laporte (CB), Joao Cancelo (LB), Rodri (DM), Bernardo Silva (CM), Kevin De Bruyne (CM), Riyad Mahrez (RW), Jack Grealish (LW), Ferran Torres (FW)
Read: Metz vs. PSG Match Preview: Will Lionel Messi Start?
Paris Saint-Germain are dealing with a number of injuries. They will be without a number of important players for the matchup against Manchester City. Italian midfielder Marco Verratti and veteran Spanish defender Sergio Ramos are among them. Argentine attacking midfielder Angel Di Maria will be unavailable for selection due to a suspension. However, PSG have the depth in their squad to field a strong starting lineup against Man City.
Probable Playing XI (PSG):
Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK), Achraf Hakimi (RB), Marquinhos (CB), Presnel Kimpembe (CB), Abdou Diallo (LB), Idrissa Gueye (CM), Leandro Paredes (CM), Ander Herrera (CM), Lionel Messi (RW), Neymar (LW), Kylian Mbappe (FW)
Read: Messi era begins as PSG beats Reims; Mbappe scores 2
Head-to-Head: PSG vs. Man City
Both teams have faced each other five times, with Manchester City winning the head-to-head duel with three wins.
On the other side, PSG, have only won one game and one match ended in a draw. Manchester City have won all of their encounters against PSG in the Champions League, while PSG have won a Europa League match against Man City.
PSG have never beaten Man City at Parc des Princes. On the other hand, Man City won a match against PSG in Paris.
Read:Record-Breaker Lionel Messi Can Guide PSG to Champions League Crown
Arsenal vs. Tottenham 2021: Match Preview and Prediction
Arsenal will take on Tottenham in a premier league encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday (September 26). Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is yet to score in the Premier League this season. He was highly linked with Manchester City during the summer transfer window of 2021. It's unclear if this has had a significant influence on Kane's performance this season, but the Tottenham star hasn't been in his usual form. This match is crucial for both teams in their quest for a top-four finish in the Premier League 2021-2022 season. The match preview of Arsenal vs. Tottenham 2021 is discussed in this article.
Arsenal vs. Tottenham 2021: Probable Team Lineups
There has been no news of injuries in the Arsenal campaign. All of the squad members are available for selection. Granit Xhaka is back in the squad after a three-game suspension. As a result, Arteta is free to pick his best starting lineup for this crucial matchup.
Probable Playing XI (Arsenal):
Aaron Ramsdale (GK), Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB), Ben White (CB), Gabriel Magalhaes (CB), Kieran Tierney (LB), Thomas Partey (CM), Albert Sambi Lokonga (CM), Martin Odegaard (CM), Bukayo Saka (RW), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST), Emile Smith Rowe (LW)
Read: Lionel Messi is Leaving Barcelona Despite Wanting to Stay
Tottenham will be without Steven Bergwijn and Ryan Sessegnon in this encounter against Arsenal. While Brazil's Lucas Moura will be available for selection. The captain of Tottenham Hotspur, Harry Kane is poised to make his 250th Premier League appearance. So, this might be a historic encounter for Harry Kane.
Probable Playing XI (Tottenham):
Hugo Lloris (GK), Emerson Royal (RB), Cristian Romero (CB), Eric Dier (CB), Sergio Reguilon (LB), Tanguy Ndombele (CM), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (CM), Dele Alli (CM), Lucas Moura (RW), Harry Kane (ST), Son Heung-min (LW)
Read: Messi breaks down, says he wasn’t ready to leave Barcelona
Head-to-Head Contest: Arsenal vs. Tottenham
The stakes are high for two managers and neither of the team can afford to lose the match. The pressure on them will increase if things do not go their way. Two teams have met a total of 203 times, with Arsenal dominating the record with 83 wins. On the other hand, Tottenham have won 66 games and drawn 54 others.
Both sides have played each other 58 times in the Premier League. Arsenal lead the head-to-head battle with 21 victories. Tottenham have won 14 league games and drawn 23 others. Arsenal's David O'Leary has made the most appearances (35) while Tottenham's Harry Kane has scored the most goals (11) in the north London derby.
Read: Lionel Messi Contract: PSG Set to Sign Former Barcelona Forward
Prediction: Arsenal vs. Tottenham 2021
Arsenal are a slight favorite to win this Sunday's (September 26) league match against Tottenham. If Spurs perform to their best ability, they will have a good chance in this encounter. Mikel Arteta has a wide range of offensive alternatives available to him. He has the capability to go all-in against their most fierce rival. If such is not the case, he may opt to play it safe and try to win the game. Arsenal's best option with the present setup will be a 4-3-3 formation.
On the other hand, Tottenham will try to play it safe at first, but they are capable of winning this fixture. Nuno Espirito Santo's team should play 4-3-3 to strengthen their offensive flank. Tottenham's primary objective would be to avoid losing the game and, if possible, to win it. It should be an exciting match to watch, starting on Sunday at 9.30 p.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time).
Read Premier League 2021-2022: Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool win their respective matches
Match Prediction: Arsenal vs. Tottenham 2021
Arsenal 1 – 1 Tottenham
Verdict
There are no clear favorites in the Arsenal vs. Tottenham 2021 contest. Because neither club has been in terrific form in the Premier League this season. Arsenal are presently in 13th place in the table, with 6 points from five games. On the other hand, Tottenham have secured seventh place, with 9 points from six games.
Both sides have a youthful squad that includes some experienced players. Arsenal have won its last two Premier League games, while Tottenham have lost both of their previous two fixtures. In this perspective, Arsenal will be slightly ahead of Tottenham during the encounter. The Gunners will benefit from home advantage. On the other side, Spurs fans are hopeful that Harry Kane will regain his rhythm against the Gunners. This is shaping up to be a thrilling north London derby.
Read FC Barcelona: Four Potential Replacements for Ronald Koeman
Metz vs. PSG Match Preview: Will Lionel Messi Start?
Lionel Messi's life in Paris is going to be more complicated than expected after three outings and still without a goal. Messi looked perplexed when he was taken off in the 75th minute of a league match against Olympique Lyon on Sunday (September 19). Mauricio Pochettino clarified his stance in the post-match press conference. According to his remark, Messi has a slight injury and he did not want to risk him. PSG's next league encounter is on Wednesday (September 22) against Metz. Will Lionel Messi start this match for PSG? The match preview of Metz vs. PSG is discussed in this article.
Probable Team Lineups: Metz vs. PSG
A good number of Metz players are injured, and three of them will miss the rest of the season. So, they are concerned about picking the best starting XI for this matchup.
Probable Playing XI (Metz): Alexandre Oukidja (GK), Kiki Kouyate, Dylan Bronn, Matthieu Udol, Fabien Centonze, Habib Maiga, Pape Sarr, Pape Ndiaga Yade, Lamine Gueye, Farid Boulaya, Ibrahima Niane
Read FC Barcelona: Four Potential Replacements for Ronald Koeman
Aside from Lionel Messi's knee issue, Paris-Saint-Germain have a long list of injuries to worry about. A number of PSG's key players were ruled out of the match against Metz due to injuries. The Italian midfielder Marco Verratti, regular captain Marquinhos, Brazilian Rafinha, Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, Spanish left-back Juan Bernat all will miss this fixture. However, the absence of those players will not make PSG's team any weaker than their opponent. They have enough depth in their squad to deploy a solid starting lineup against Metz.
Probable Playing XI (PSG): Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK), Achraf Hakimi, Presnel Kimpembe, Thilo Kehrer, Nuno Mendes, Ander Herrera, Georginio Wijnaldum, Leandro Paredes, Ángel Di María, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar
Read Premier League 2021-2022: Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool win their respective matches
Head-to-Head: Metz vs. PSG
Both teams have met 34 times in total, with PSG leading the head-to-head battle with 23 victories. On the other hand, Metz have only won six games and five have resulted in a draw.
All of Metz's victories over PSG have come in league matches, while PSG have won a league cup match in addition to 22 league matches.
PSG have won 13 games at Saint-Symphorien, with the remaining 10 triumphs coming at Parc des Princes.
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Prediction: FC Metz vs. Paris-Saint Germain
Paris Saint-Germain are the clear favorite to win the league match against FC Metz on Wednesday (September 22). Metz will have a very slim chance in this match if PSG play to their full potential.
Mauricio Pochettino has a variety of attacking options at his disposal. He could go all-in against the home team. If not, he may choose to play it safe and try to finish the game as quickly as possible. If Messi plays, PSG's best option will be a 4-3-3 formation. However, if Messi is rested, PSG may opt for a 4-2-3-1 system with Neymar upfront.
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On the other hand, FC Metz can only hope to save this match. So, they may use a 5-3-2 formation to strengthen the defensive line. Metz's main goal would be to block PSG's attack and fight till the end for a glorious draw.
Prediction: Metz 1 – 4 PSG
Verdict
With or without Lionel Messi, Paris Saint-Germain are the favorite in the Metz vs. PSG match. Because Metz are currently in the bottom position in the points table with three points from six games, while PSG are in the first position with a perfect record after six matches. They have enough strength in the squad to overcome Metz even if their best players are rested. Metz will be sorely tested at home in order to avoid a humiliating defeat. Things might become even worse for the host team if Lionel Messi does indeed play for PSG in this match.
Read Champions League 2021-2022: Results of the first round of the group stage
FC Barcelona: Four Potential Replacements for Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman has been a disappointment since taking over as manager of FC Barcelona in August 2020. Koeman's tactical decisions and team analysis have been subpar. Barcelona won the Copa del Ray by defeating Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in the final in his first season as manager, but they were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 and finished third in La Liga 2020-2021 season. According to reports in Spain, Laporta is considering replacing Koeman with a manager who is familiar with Barcelona's style of play and can make better tactical decisions. Let's take a look at four possible Ronald Koeman replacements.
Four Probable Candidates to Replace Ronald Koeman at FC Barcelona
Barcelona's new president Joan Laporta opted to extend Koeman's contract for another season despite his unimpressive style of play. However, he has made little progress in terms of strategy, and Barcelona's recent results have been awful.
Moreover, Koeman has a terrible track record against big opponents. He only won one big game against Juventus in October 2020. Apart from that, he has lost two El Clasicos, yet to win against Atletico Madrid in La Liga, and failed to beat PSG in the 2021 Champions League round of 16. Bayern Munich beat Koeman's Barcelona 3-0 at Camp Nou in a group stage encounter of the 2021-2022 Champions League season.
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Barcelona's hierarchy has become frustrated with Koeman's poor performance as a manager. According to reports, they are on the hunt for a suitable suitor for Koeman.
4) Antonio Conte
Antonio Conte is probably the big name available on the market. He stepped down as manager of Inter Milan after winning the Serie A last season. Conte has a proven track record in both the Italian and Premier Leagues. He is quite clear about what he expects from his team.
Conte has a distinct vision and playing style. He has the ability to bring out the best in his players and take the Barcelona team forward. Conte's approach may not be fully compatible with FC Barcelona's philosophy, but he can provide consistency within the group. Barcelona may consider him as a successor for Koeman if they are unable to persuade their other top targets.
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3) Erik ten Hag
Appointing Erik ten Hag would be a great replacement given his recent performances with Ajax. Erik ten Hag’s team has been in excellent form in European competition in the previous three seasons and his style of play is well suited to Barcelona's system.
What's more fascinating is that Ajax has stayed tough and attack-minded despite losing some well-known players. They play more aggressively and terrorize the opposing defense. However, Erik ten Hag must be convinced that he would get the best out of the present Barcelona squad after taking over as manager.
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2) Xavi Hernandez
One of Barcelona's all-time great footballers Xavi Hernandez will surely take over as manager of FC Barcelona at some point in the future. However, is he ready to take up the post right now? Because he has yet to coach a European club and has been in charge of Qatar's Al Sadd since 2019.
Xavi is well-versed in Barcelona's culture and organizational structure. He might be an instant success at Camp Nou, or he could be a complete disaster. However, it will be a sensible decision to take a chance on club legend Xavi Hernandez.
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1) Roberto Martinez
Spanish manager Roberto Martinez coached three English teams before taking over as manager of Belgium's national team in 2016. He hasn't had much success as a manager, but he has done a good job both at the club level and with the national team.
Martinez is an experienced coach who has a clear vision. However, he needs to adapt his approach to Barcelona's style of play. Is he really the ideal coach for Barcelona at this time? Though recent speculations indicate that Roberto Martinez is the frontrunner to succeed Ronald Koeman at Barcelona.
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Verdict
Xavi Hernandez might be a perfect fit considering his Barcelona connections. He knows more about the club than any of the possible suitors. Though Xavi has no managerial experience in European club football, which might be a big block in his path to becoming Barcelona's manager. Roberto Martinez may also be a good fit for Barcelona. However, it's uncertain whether he will be willing to take over as manager given the club's current position. Antonio Conte and Eric ten Hag are two well-known European managers that can offer stability to the Barcelona team. Whoever gets the job will have a huge task ahead of them to make things better.
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