Prediction: Spain win

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Now that we have the full line-up of 24 countries that will take part in next year s UEFA Euro 2021 tournament, it s time to turn our attention back to the UEFA Nations League. This competition, which is still in its infancy, proved last night why it can serve as such a valuable tool for teams that are looking for an alternate route into a major international tournament. Today, we re going to take a look at what should be an exciting UNL clash between two nations that won their Euro 2021 qualifying group Spain and Germany.

Spain

Going from three consecutive triumphs at Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 to not winning any silverware for almost a decade must be tough. Still, there are nations in f…

Pedro Neto was Wolves hero in second-half stoppage time as the Portugal international sealed a 2-1 comeback win over Chelsea at Molineux on Tuesday.

Frank Lampard s men went into the match the possibility of going top temporarily, but Wolves showed admirable character to come from behind to secure a fine victory against the odds.

Kurt Zouma went closest to breaking the deadlock late in the first half as he hit the frame of the goal, before Olivier Giroud did convert his seventh goal in as many games with 49 minutes on the clock.

Wolves were unperturbed, however, as Daniel Podence – a nuisance to Chelsea throughout – got himself a deserved goal in the 66th minute to restore parity.

Chelsea had seemingly ensured a share of the spoils when Wolves had…

Gareth Southgate declared England must improve on their poor record against Italy after the two nations were drawn together in a tough Euro 2024 qualification group.

The teams faced each other in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium last year, with Italy emerging victorious on penalties to win their first European Championship trophy since 1968 and deny England their first major title in 55 years.

The sides also met twice in the recent Nations League campaign, playing out a goalless draw at Molineux in June before Giacomo Raspadori gave Italy a 1-0 triumph in the return fixture at San Siro in September.

The Three Lions have not beaten Italy in six attempts since a 2-1 victory in 2012, and Southgate says that run needs to end.

England s record against I…

Seamus Coleman called on Everton to use their long-awaited Merseyside derby win to propel themselves in the challenge for Europe after Carlo Ancelotti s team claimed a 2-0 victory at Anfield.

Premier League champions Liverpool suffered their first home defeat to their city rivals since September 1999 as Richarlison s early strike and Gylfi Sigurdsson s late penalty secured all three points for the Toffees.

It also ended a decade-long wait for a win over their neighbours in any competition home or away for Everton, while they have won eight of their 12 away league games this season (D2 L2) – only in 2008-09 have they won more on the road in a Premier League campaign (nine).

Liverpool on the other hand have lost their last four home games in the league, and thei…

Real Betis and Besiktas have both made contact with Aston Villa to ask about a potential transfer of Philippe Coutinho, according to Fabrizio Romano. Villa are believed to be open to selling the Brazilian attacking midfielder, as long as it is on their terms. As things stand at the moment, it seems it s up to the player himself to make a decision on his future.

Coutinho was arguably the biggest star at Liverpool at the time of his departure to Barcelona in January 2018. The Merseysiders resisted his intentions and Barcelona s offers for several months, but in the end, they accepted a bid that could ve risen to €160 million, which would ve made him the third most expensive player in the history at the time.

Coutinho obviously got his wish, but things didn t work out to…

Nicolas Jackson appeared to question Chelsea s decision to part company with Mauricio Pochettino as Cole Palmer paid thanks to the Argentine.

On Tuesday, Chelsea announced Pochettino had left the club by mutual consent after just one season in charge, which ended in a sixth-place Premier League finish.

Several pundits expressed shock at the decision, after an upturn saw Chelsea recover from a poor start to the season to clinch European qualification.

Only four teams – Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Newcastle United – had a better expected goals (xG) figure than Chelsea (75.3) in the Premier League in 2023-24, while only three – City, Liverpool and Arsenal – had more shots on target than the Blues (215).

From March 11 onwards, Chelsea s r…

With all eyes falling on Buenos Aires in the early hours of Friday, Argentina opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a gritty 1-0 victory at home against Ecuador.

Making their first competitive appearance since being crowned world champions for the first time since 1986 last winter, it was unsurprisingly La Albiceleste’s record-breaking icon who dragged them over the finish line.

Producing a trademark moment of magic just 12 minutes before the final whistle as Lionel Messi whipped his free-kick into the top corner, Lionel Scaloni’s side would have simply been relieved to open their qualifying adventure with a rugged victory on home soil.

Eventually breaking down what was a gritty Ecuador side here and extending on their remarkable purple patch, La T…

The cash-strapped French city of Strasbourg announced on Thursday they have withdrawn their bid to host matches in the 2016 European football championship.

City officials estimated that the financial burden of renovating the Meinau stadium was too heavy and would cost 160 million euros of which 130 million would be paid for by the city.

Strasbourg major Roland Ries said the decision was taken as a result of the unusual situation of Strasbourg, the only one of the bidding cities to have their club, Racing Strasbourg, playing in the third division.

France were unveiled as Euro 2016 hosts in May by UEFA president Michel Platini, beating off strong opposition from Turkey and Italy.

Eleven bidders remain to host games Paris (Stade de France), Paris (Parc des …

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The Netherlands continue their final preparations for the upcoming Euros with a friendly game against Canada on Thursday evening at the De Kuip in Rotterdam.

Oranje will be seeking a morale-boosting win against the 2022 World Cup participants, especially after ending the March international break in a disappointing fashion.

Netherlands

Ronald Koeman is set to lead the Netherlands into another tournament, aiming to end their 36-year drought for a major trophy. The Dutch squad had enjoyed a four-match winning streak around the turn of the year, netting 12 goals against Greece, the Republic of Ireland, Gibraltar, and Scotland without conceding any.

However, a 2-1 defeat to Germany disrupted their momentum, indicating the…

Aston Villa owner Nassef Sawiris says he is considering legal action against the Premier League over its Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Sawiris, Egypt s richest man, claims the rules, which place a limit on the amount clubs are able to lose across a three-year period, do not make sense .

At the Premier League s annual general meeting last Thursday, Villa had a proposal to raise the maximum permitted losses from £105million to £135million rejected.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Sawiris claimed he was seeking advice over the prospect of taking legal action against them.

He said: Some of the rules have actually resulted in cementing the status quo more than creating upward mobility and fluidity in the sport.

The rules do…