Wolves XI vs Palace: Preview, predicted lineup, team and injury news

Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League later this evening when they host Crystal Palace at Molineux.

Nuno Santo’s side were on the cusp of three successive 1-0 victories before Jacob Murphy’s late free-kick cancelled out a Raul Jimenez strike, though it’s been a positive reaction to their 4-0 drubbing by West Ham United.

The Midlands outfit should have a clean bill of health barring long-term absentee Jonny Castro, so the Portuguese has plenty of selection headaches to overcome.

So, here’s the lineup we are predicting here tonight…

Nuno could make three changes with Steve Bruce’s Magpies in town.

Summer arrival Marcal is in line to return to the starting XI for the first time since picking up an injury early in the Man City defeat. After two substitute appearances, he should be fit to go from the off, though it means Max Kilman is axed at his expense with Romain Saiss dropping into the back three once more.

He partners skipper Conor Coady and the colossal Willy Boly in front of Rui Patricio between the sticks.

There could also be a return for industrious playmaker Joao Moutinho, who was surprisingly dropped on Sunday despite a starring role in the win over Leeds United.

He’ll partner Leander Dendoncker due to the added defensive stability he offers, meaning there’s no place for £45m-rated Ruben Neves in a midfield two.

We’ve suggested why Adama Traore should be unleashed against the Eagles’ inexperienced full-back Tyrick Mitchell here, it would be a surprise to not see the newly-capped Spaniard start given his influence.

The tricky £36m-rated winger is preferred to Daniel Podence with Pedro Neto taking up a place on the left flank.

Raul Jimenez, of course, leads the line upfront.

It means the likes of Fabio Silva, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Ki-Jana Hoever are all named on the bench.

AND in other news, Wolves badly missed out on £38m “explosive dynamo” likened to MESSI this summer… 

Wake up Wilson: Glasgow Rangers must reward Kai Kennedy with a new deal

Glasgow Rangers will be well aware they can’t afford to repeat the mistake they made with Billy Gilmour by letting Kai Kennedy leave his boyhood club.

Kennedy’s current contract will run out in 2021 and it’s been suggested that his time at the club could be coming to an end in the not too distant future.

However, reports in recent times have revealed that Rangers seem to have reneged on their stance as they have reopened discussions with the player’s representatives, with further talks to be held in the coming weeks and months.

What’s the story?

According to Glasgow Live, the Rangers academy product could commit his future to the club after his agent held talks with the Gers.

It’s claimed that negotiations are still ongoing after initial talks stalled earlier this year following a public spat with Steven Gerrard over his playing time. However, it remains to be seen if the two sides will be able to reach an agreement.

The 18-year-old has attracted attention from European giants AS Roma, Bayern Munich and Manchester City in recent months after breaking through into the first team as a second half substitute in the 2-0 win over Stranraer in the Scottish Cup last season. So, Gers chief Ross Wilson must act now before it’s too late, as it’s unlikely he will be short of suitors in the months ahead.

Wake up Wilson!

Without trying to rub salt in the wound, it’s safe to say that the Light Blues have been in this position before, as Pedro Caixinha tried in vain to convince Gilmour to stay at the club back in 2017. They aren’t the first club and they certainly won’t be the last to lose one of their top prospects, but losing another would paint an all-too familiar pattern.

Once hailed as a “fabulous little player” by Gerrard after some “outstanding” performances, Kennedy has made five appearances for John Robertson’s side so far this season, registering his first assist against Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup, which is surely a sign of things to come. At one stage it looked like the left winger was destined for the exit after an apparent disagreement with the Ibrox boss over his lack of game time.

Contrary to some reports, it seems that their relationship isn’t beyond repair, although the talented teenager is currently plying his trade on loan at Inverness Caledonian Thistle after being told he could find a new club in the summer. But Gerrard may have to swallow his pride as the club cannot afford to let another talented youngster slip through their grasp.

Now it’s up to Wilson to try and convince Kennedy to sign a new and improved contract, having so far failed to agree a new deal with the winger. Admittedly, Gerrard has a number of wide options to choose from, as Ryan Kent, Ianis Hagi, Brandon Barker, Jordan Jones and even Joe Aribo have all started in recent weeks before the international break.

However, Jones has hardly done himself any favours whatsoever after falling afoul of the coronavirus protocols. Indeed, the Northern Ireland international has been heavily linked with an exit in the winter transfer window. If he is sold as is expected, this would create space in the squad for another winger, which may allow Kennedy to stake his claim for a place in the starting line-up instead.

He just needs to be given the time to shine at a senior level, as he has already show flashes of his overall brilliance with two assists in seven games for the Gers’ reserves. Now Wilson must reward him with a new deal, or the club could live to regret their decision to let him go for little more than a development fee next summer in the years to come.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers could’ve signed Ryan Kent’s perfect replacement in Daniel Johnson…

Everton: Fans hail Gylfi Sigurdsson as he scores twice for Iceland

Loads of Everton fans have praised Gylfi Sigurdsson as he scored two goals for Iceland versus Romania in their Euro 2020 play-off semi-final.

As shared in a video clip by Giorgi Javioni on Twitter, his first goal was a well-taken strike with his left foot from outside of the box into the bottom corner.

His second goal, as shared by F-2-4, was another fine left-footed finish, this time finessing the ball into the opposite corner of the net.

It is perhaps refreshing for some members of the Goodison Park faithful to see Sigurdsson playing so well for his country, given that the 31-year old only managed to score a mere three times and make just three assists in 38 games over all competitions last season, according to Transfermarkt.

With the new arrivals of James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, Sigurdsson has been limited to reportedly available for transfer in the summer transfer window.

Everton fan reaction to Sigurdsson goals

These Everton supporters hailed Sigurdsson’s goals, with one fan labelling one of them as ‘classy’:

Evertonians, can Sigurdsson turn it around at Everton? Comment below with your views!

Aston Villa’s Mbwana Samatta has been one expensive Suso flop

Aston Villa signed no fewer than 12 players for over £150m throughout last season and one of those names has already been linked with an exit from the club this week…

What’s the word?

According to Turkish outlet Fotospor, Villa striker Mbwana Samatta is of interest to Super Lig outfit Besiktas just eight months after he signed for the Midlands club.

It’s claimed that Dean Smith is no longer counting on him following the arrival of his old favourite Ollie Watkins from Brentford and the Black Eagles want him to replace the recently departed Burak Yilmaz.

League rivals Fenerbahce are also keen on the 27-year-old but they would only make a loan approach.

Suso catastrophe

Once again, this is seemingly another huge miss from former director of football Jesus Garcia Pitarch. It’s no wonder the club have let him go and since replaced him with the more competent Johan Lange.

Villa pulled the trigger on him during the January transfer window, splashing out an £8.5m transfer fee as well as wages thought to be around £21k-per-week.

In 14 appearances, the Premier League’s first-ever Tanzanian-born player managed to score just one goal and averaged a mediocre 1.2 shots, 0.6 dribbles and three aerials won per game, via WhoScored.

It’s almost as if the warning signs were already there having signed Wesley Moraes from the Belgian league earlier in the summer. He performed slightly better, scoring five times, but hardly hit the ground running prior to picking up a serious injury – so why go back to the league that barely worked?

Suso, therefore, has blown around £9.2m in total – and counting – on Samatta. He’s under contract at Villa Park until the summer of 2024, so they should snap Besiktas’ hands off with any solid approach this summer.

Those in the west Midlands should be glad that the Spaniard is no longer in charge of transfers. This saga is a damning reminder of what could’ve been this window.

AND in other news, this move for “incredible” PL man would be shades of Stewart Downing…

Manchester United: Fans delighted as Andreas Pereira is reportedly leaving the Red Devils

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has ‘tried in vain’ to persuade Andreas Pereira to stay at Old Trafford this summer, according to reports. 

According to Esporte Interativo, as cited by @ManUnitedZone_, Pereira is ready to leave the Red Devils after finding himself on the fringes of the first team.

The Man United manager made it clear that he wanted the academy graduate to stay and fight for his place in the starting lineup, despite hardly featuring at all in recent weeks.

Recent reports revealed that Old Trafford is set for a huge summer clear out as at least nine players are considered surplus to requirements.

The 24-year-old struggled during Jose Mourinho’s time in charge at Old Trafford and his chances haven’t improved under Solskjaer, as he has only played 62 minutes of football following the Premier League restart.

The Brazilian, who has won one cap for his country, seems to be below the standards that the Red Devils will need to challenge for trophies next season. From 25 games in the Premier League last term, the midfielder only managed to find the back of the net once.

Many United fans on social media were delighted by this “amazing” transfer update, with one fan dismissing Pereira as “deadwood”.

Scroll through some of the scathing reactions so far…

United fans, do you think Ed Woodward should sell Pereira in the summer? Let us know your views by commenting below!

Portsmouth: Leicester City defender emerges as summer target

Portsmouth have registered interest in Leicester City defender Josh Knight, according to Portsmouth News.

Kenny Jackett is seemingly desperate to bolster his squad options ahead of next season after suffering a second successive promotion failure, losing to Oxford United in the League One play-off semi final.

That disappointment has now left Jackett with a huge task this summer and interest in players is beginning to be reported.

Portsmouth News were the first to report interest in Leicester’s Knight and that has now been followed up by a further claim.

Knight, who has recently returned to Leicester after spending time at Peterborough for the last one-and-a-half years, is expected to be shipped out on loan by the Premier League club.

The 22-year-old first joined the Posh on loan in January 2019 and since went on to make 24 appearances last term in League One.

His potential arrival could follow a move for Sean Raggett with a latest report claiming a deal for the former Norwich City defender is imminent.

Jackett has to get things right this summer and the Pompey boss will know that given the pressure he will be feeling after missing out on promotion.

Knight is an obvious talent and he could certainly add quality to the squad. Indeed despite primarily being a right-back he still chipped in with three goals and four assists in League One last season.

On paper, this looks like it would be a solid addition for the south coast outfit.

Do you think Knight will be a good signing for Portsmouth? Let us know in the comments section below…

Andrea Radrizzani sends another message after Leeds’ promotion

After completing his takeover of Leeds United back in 2017, Andrea Radrizzani has helped inspire a major turnaround in fortunes at Elland Road.The club looked completely lost under Massimo Cellino, with seven managers in three years, and three bans to boot too.

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So when Radrizzani came in, you would have been forgiven for not being overly excited by the arrival of another businessman.

But instead, the Italian has orchestrated Leeds’ triumphant return to the Premier League, and in the early hours of Saturday morning, sent another message on Twitter to share his thoughts.

Whilst Marcelo Bielsa and the players will inevitably take a lot of the credit, the likes of Radrizzani and Victor Orta have helped massively in restoring Leeds’ identity, and removing some of the bad stench that Cellino had built up.

It hasn’t been an easy journey at all, with bumps and bruises along the way, but it’s fair to say that Radrizzani’s work at the club has been fully vindicated following their confirmation as a Premier League side once more.

Leeds fans laud Andrea Radrizzani on three-year anniversary

Monday marked the three-year anniversary of Leeds United being purchased by current chairman Andrea Radrizzani and plenty of supporters have taken to social media to celebrate.

It’s also been an opportunity for some to rave about the Italian businessman considering the turn in fortunes the club has seen under his stewardship.

Radrizzani paid £45m for the club and is said to have invested a whopping £100m or more since.

The Whites have effectively finished in the top three in the Championship in back-to-back seasons and are set for a return to the big time after a 16-year absence.

Radrizzani’s money and contact book has been a major factor in this given he convinced Marcelo Bielsa to manage in the second tier of English football and funded the signings of Patrick Bamford, Kiko Casilla and Helder Costa.

Would Leeds be where they are today without his input? Arguably, no. He was the man to put a stop to Massimo Cellino’s tumultuous tenure – one that saw managers like Steve Evans and Dave Hockaday at the helm.

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It’s clear to see that many in west Yorkshire are rather grateful for his involvement in the club with him being lauded as the ‘best owner’ the club has ever had as well as being ‘outstanding’.

Here’s how fans have celebrated this week…

AND in other news, Phil Hay sheds light into Leeds’ summer transfer plans

Arsenal: Club should sell Mohamed Elneny as he threatens to derail deal with Besiktas

Arsenal should do everything that they can to sell Mohamed Elneny as he has threatened to derail a potential transfer deal with Turkish outfit Besiktas, as per Askam.

According to Hurriyet (via Askam), the defensive midfield player, who issued a warning to the administration on the grounds that he could not get a  €1.3 million debt, has tied the hand of Besiktas, who were experiencing economic difficulties.

Elneny, who said that he would not play the remaining eight games of the season if he did not get his debts on top of this, drew an ultimatum to Besiktas, as per Askam. The 27-year-old, who said he could leave the team, may not be in the team in the remaining matches if he does not receive his money. However, the football player continues to negotiate on salary.

Indeed, Elneny has made 28 appearances in all competitions so far in Turkey, making two assists, as per Transfermarkt.

However, he is due to return to north London after his loan spell is finished, where it will be up to Mikel Arteta and the board as to what they would like to do with him.

The Egyptian international has never really nailed down a place in the Gunners’ starting eleven. He has made 89 appearances in all competitions over five campaigns, but has never featured in more than 14 Premier League games in one term (via Transfermarkt).

He is also technically not Arteta’s man, and arguably has the likes of Lucas Torreira, Granit Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi to try and overtake in his position.

The Spanish coach should look to sell Elneny to raise some possibly needed extra funds for the transfer kitty in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Gooners, would you sell Elneny? Comment below!

Spurs fans swoon over Malachi Fagan-Walcott

Tottenham Hotspur fans may have not seen much of him, but they have been fawning over young defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott after he posted some footage to social media.

Spurs boss Jose Mourinho handed the 18-year-old his senior debut back in March as the north Londoners were knocked out of the Champions League by RB Leipzig with Fagan-Walcott getting a brief one-minute cameo late on.

Aside from that appearance, he has played 19 times this term for the U23 side across competitions such as the Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy.

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Back in November, the centre-back agreed on terms over his first professional deal, so that’s certainly a sign that the club rates him highly and given Mourinho’s trust in fellow graduate Japhet Tanganga this season as well as reports suggesting there will be a lack of a transfer budget this summer, might Fagan-Walcott garner more opportunity?

Plenty of supporters seem to hope so going by their reaction to the clip above. There are also doubts over the future of Jan Vertonghen (as per Gazzetta dello Sport via Daily Mail), who is out of contract this summer – if he were to depart, then there’s certainly going to be defensive void to fill.

Here’s how the Spurs faithful have been reacting to Fagan-Walcott’s post…

AND in other news, Spurs fans react to transfer report on Ligue 1 marksman…

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