Karl-Heinz Riedle was a Champions League winner with Borussia Dortmund before spending two years at Liverpool so the former striker is better placed than most to compare the two clubs and assess Liverpool’s progress under fellow German Jurgen Klopp.
Barnsley v Leeds: Monk to mastermind another win
Kick Off: 1730, 21/01/2017 Stadium: Oakwell TV: Sky Sports 1 Barnsley put together a decent run of results during December and the New Year period but must now regroup again after a disappointing couple of weeks when high-flying Leeds travel to Oakwell. Garry Monk’s visitors are on a roll after … Read more
January transfer window: The stats that matter (part I)
As we approach the business end of the January transfer window, the same questions that arise every year are being murmured among fans and pundits alike. Who will spend the most money? Should a team be trying to spend their way out of trouble – or towards glory – or … Read more
Manchester United v Liverpool: Momentum with Red Devils
Kick Off: 1600, 15/01/2017 Stadium: Old Trafford TV: Sky Sports 1 Jose Mourinho took plenty of stick for parking the bus at Anfield earlier this season but Manchester United fans will be expecting a more positive performance when Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Sunday. The Red Devils are certainly … Read more
West Ham v Crystal Palace: Eagles to pile pressure on Bilic
Kick Off: 1500, 14/01/2017 Stadium: London Stadium Crystal Palace recently brought in Sam Allardyce in a bid to beat the drop and opposite number Slaven Bilic is currently among the favourites to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post following three straight defeats. Lifeless displays against Manchester … Read more
Watford v Middlesbrough: Defences to be on top
Kick Off: 1500, 14/01/2017 Stadium: Vicarage Road Watford and Middlesbrough are both floating just above the dreaded drop zone but have the chance to move up the table by picking up three precious Premier League points on the back of comfortable FA Cup victories. The head-to-head record certainly favours the Hornets, … Read more
Mark Rankine discusses Preston’s FA Cup giantkilling chances plus Doncaster, Wolves and Manchester United
Mark Rankine was a stalwart at Preston North End, making over 250 appearances between 1996 and 2003.
He started out at Manchester United and despite not breaking into the first team at Old Trafford, he featured for Doncaster, Wolves, Sheffield United and Tranmere during an 18-year playing career in which he made over 700 league and cup appearances.
With Preston going well in the top half of the Championship and preparing for an FA Cup third-round clash with Arsenal, we caught up with the 47-year-old – who now works as a football agent – to get his thoughts on his former club and other current issues.
Manchester City v Burnley: City to pile misery on travel sick Clarets
Kick Off: 1500, 02/01/2017 Stadium: Etihad Stadium Manchester City have lost just one of their nine games at the Etihad Stadium and are currently on a two-match winning run at home. Both teams have scored in 78% of City’s home games this season, the joint highest percentage with Watford. Burnley … Read more
Middlesbrough v Leicester: Foxes to spring New Year surprise
Kick Off: 1230, 02/01/2017 Stadium: Riverside Stadium TV: Sky Sports 1 Middlesbrough are on a six-match lose-win run at the Riverside and are heading for a defeat if they are to keep the sequence going. No other club have scored fewer goals at home than Boro, who have not beaten … Read more
New Year’s Eve BTTS acca: Five to follow
We’re hoping teams get into the festive spirit with entertaining games on New Year’s Eve and with that in mind we have picked out five matches in the both teams to score market from the Premier League and Football League. These games will pay a shade over 12/1 if all … Read more
Both teams to score: Cherries ripe to surprise Blues
We’ve selected five Boxing Day clashes in the both teams to score market which we think will come up with the goods. Our recommendations pay out nearly 17/1. Chelsea v Bournemouth @ 91/100 Considering Chelsea have kept nine clean sheets in their last 11 games, we’re taking a chance on … Read more
How consistent do you have to be to win the Golden Boot (or Golden Glove)?
At the end of 2016 we will have reached the halfway point in the Premier League season and plenty has already been written about how much can be predicted about the final table at this point. Less attention, though, has been paid to the individual player awards: the Golden Boot … Read more
Exclusive interview: Lee Hodges talks Scunthorpe and West Ham
Lee Hodges signed his first professional contract with West Ham in 1995 before going on to make more than 100 league appearances for Scunthorpe. With the Hammers struggling at the wrong end of the Premier League and the Iron sitting top of League One, we talked to the 38-year-old about two of his former clubs.
How much does the Christmas league table matter?
Being top or bottom of the Premier League on Christmas Day is often viewed as an omen for how the rest of the season will turn out, but just how good has the Christmas league table been as a predictor? We’ve looked at every previous Premier League season to see … Read more