Free football predictions & tips worldwide, Betensured is the best source of well researched football statistics, analysis and predictions, sure 2 odds, sure 3 odds, football prediction site.
Soccer analyst Henry Bushnell with Yahoo! Sports sees England going deep at the World Cup and tells Dan and Randip he hasn’t seen enough from them quite yet but feels they are among the most likely six teams to win the tournament because of their defined system and definitive talent. He favours France over Argentina and breaks down his favourites heading forward. PS. It’s Brazil.
The post Why Brazil is still favoured to win the World Cup appeared first on Sportsnet.ca.
Go on Gaz, tell us what you really think.
Gary Neville did not hold back during ITV’s coverage of Brazil’s Group E closeing fixture against Serbia in Moscow.
The former Man United full-back heavily criticised Aleksandar Kolarov for his role in Brazil’s opening goal.
Unfiltered
Paulinho opened the scoring after he latched onto a wonderful chipped throughball from Barcelona team-mate Philippe Coutinho.
The former Spurs midfielder started his run from deep and Neville lambasted Kolarov for not covering the run.
He even went as far as to suggest that such an error was as unforgivable as any a full-back could make.
Paulinho breaks from deep
Coutinho spots him and plays a perfect pass
Paulinho has plenty of space in the channel between the centre-backs and Kolarov
The Barca midfielder flicks it past the onrushing keeper
1-0 Brazil!
Replays showed that Kolarov would have had to have anticipated Paulinho’s run before the Brazilian even set off if he were to get back in time.
Perhaps Neville was suggesting he should have shifted across when both centre-backs were occupied by Gabriel Jesus’ movement.
Not best pleasedReuters
Neville then went on to give a damning assessment of the Serbia captain’s defensive credentials as a whole.
“He will score and assist you four goals but make you concede 14,” he said.
“He’s a winger, not a defender.
“You cannot trust him.”
Ouch.
Kolarov: *positions himself poorly for brazil's goal*
Gary Neville: you can't trust him, costs you 10 goals a season, a winger really, bald fraud, the reason trump won, killed my wife, deserves to burn in hell
— sweet lozenge 
(@LozzaAnd) June 27, 2018
Was Neville a bit harsh on Kolarov?
A hint of old Manchester derbies seeping through perhaps?
TONY XIA is ready to SELL Aston Villa.
The cash-strapped club’s Chinese owner has already turned down one bid – and is talks with other interested parties.
Villa owner Tony Xia is in talks to sell the Midlands clubBradley Ormesher - The Times
Xia is desperate for a cash injection after Villa failed to win promotion with an expensively assembled squad – leaving them with a black hole of around £40-50million to fill.
According to the Birmingham Mail, Xia rejected a 51 per-cent offer from a European bidder on Tuesday.
A financial package that would have met Xia’s requirements of up to £40million of investment was put forward – but he said no.
Now talks with two other serious bidders are planned with Xia keen not to make Villa’s financial situation any worse.
Villa are up for sale amid a financial crisis that was triggered by overspending in their failed quest for promotionPA:Empics Sport
Villa playmaker Jack Grealish will have to be sold and the club want £40mPA:Press Association
He had been seeking a part-investment in the club – but that was a non-starter as few parties were prepared simply to bail Xia out.
Xia had been reluctant to sell the club in its entirety after buying it for £70m from American billionaire Randy Lerner two years ago.
But it will take £6m a month to keep Villa’s head above water.
And Xia is also desperate to avoid a situation where the club is forced to go into administration.
It now looks as though Xia believes his best option is to cut his losses and sell up.
But any new buyer would have to pump £100m into Villa this season just to make them competitive.
Boss Steve Bruce has been presented with a budget by Xia.
But he cannot move on any deals until he gets the green light over finances from the owner who is clearly trying to solve Villa’s behind the scenes problems.
Keith Wyness was axed by Villa from his role as chief executivePA:Press Association
Villa have been left behind in the Championship’s transfer stakes this summer with big spending Stoke and Nottingham Forest already signing a string of players.
It was Villa’s failure to beat Fulham in the play-off final at Wembley that left them in dire straits.
Xia invested heavily in a team he thought would be promoted – but they are now left with reduced parachute payments and players on sky high salaries.
He is under pressure to lower the club’s salaries and raise around £50m in player sales over two transfer windows.
Villa want to bring in former Leicester defender Robert Huth
SARANSK, Russia — Iran’s goalkeeper is sure his team can now compete with the best after stifling Cristiano Ronaldo. After Alireza Beiranvand saved a penalty from Ronaldo in a 1-1 draw with Portugal, the Iranians nearly scored a winner deep into stoppage time. An Iran victory would have put the team at the top of […]
The post Iran hopes for respect after stopping Ronaldo at World Cup appeared first on Inquirer Sports.
EVERTON are ready to use Mo Besic and Ramiro Funes Mori as bait in an attempt to sign Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson.
The Toffees have joined Southampton in the chase for the highly-rated centre-half.
Everton are ready to use two of their players as bait to try and tempt Boro into selling Ben GibsonPA:Empics Sport
Boro chairman Steve Gibson will not allow his 25-year-old nephew to leave on the cheap.
However, the Northern Echo claim Everton could use the duo in some “hard-bargaining and negotiating” to land the defender.
Besic had a hugely-impressive loan spell at The Riverside last season and Boro boss Tony Pulis would love to have him back.
The Bosnian is believed to be keen on returning to Teesside if new Everton manager Marco Silva deems him surplus to requirements.
Mo Besic spent the second half of last season on loan at The RiversideGetty Images - Getty
Boro boss Tony Pulis is also keen on signing Ramiro Funes Mori from EvertonGetty Images - Getty
However, the Goodison Park outfit value him at £12million and would only be willing to do business for a permanent deal.
Pulis is also keen on Funes Mori with several reports claiming he has tabled a £5m bid for the 27-year-old.
The Argentinian is also a target for Mexican club Monterray but Boro would be able to offer a better financial package.
Gibson is valued at around £20m and it remains to be seen whether a player-plus-cash deal would be acceptable to the North East outfit.
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Egypt arrived in Russia with Mohamed Salah and some high expectations. The team, playing at the World Cup for the first time since 1990, was sure it had the ability to grind out results, even with Salah still recovering from a shoulder injury. But after two matches, the Egyptians were eliminated. […]
The post After only 2 matches, Egypt eliminated from World Cup appeared first on Inquirer Sports.
SOCHI, Russia — The Brazilian Football Confederation is questioning FIFA about the procedures used for video review during Brazil’s match against Switzerland at the World Cup.
The confederation says it is asking FIFA to clarify if the system was used during two key second-half decisions that went against the five-time world champion in the 1-1 opening draw on Sunday.
The first was a push on defender Miranda that aided Switzerland’s equalizer, and the second was a no-call that Brazil felt should have produced a penalty on a play involving forward Gabriel Jesus.
The confederation says on Monday "these two actions constitute … clear errors by the referee, which thus should form part of the reviewable decisions that are analyzed through VAR."
The confederation says it wants to know whether the plays were reviewed in any way, saying "transparency is of essence."
It also requests "video and audio recordings" that might have been used by the match officials during those plays.
JOE COLE has started out on his coaching journey after being appointed assistant manager of Tampa Bay Rowdies.
The former England starlet has been promoted to the role as he starts to consider his future beyond his playing days.
Joe Coe has been appointed assistant manager of Tampa Bay RowdiesJamie McPhilimey - The Sun
Cole, 36, was one of the most gifted footballers of his generation and still has much to offer the game as a coach.
The ex-Chelsea midfielder, who scored one of his best goals at the 2006 World Cup against Sweden, follows former team-mates Steven Gerrard and his big pal Frank Lampard into the coaching scene.
Gerrard was confirmed as new Rangers boss while Lamps has taken over at Championship club Derby.
Cole said: “I’m very excited to start this chapter of my career with the Rowdies.
Cole, left, signed with the USA side in May 2016AFP
Joe Cole will continue to play despite his new coaching roleAFP
“I have a lot of experience to pass on to the players and I want to play a role in elevating this club to new heights.
“My primary role is still to play on the field, but I’m very excited to step into coaching as well.”
Rowdies head coach Neill Collins said: “Joe has an incredible store of knowledge about the game to share with our young players and with our coaching staff.
“One of the main provisos of me taking the head coaching job a few weeks ago was that I wanted to open an avenue for Joe to share that knowledge as an assistant coach.”
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE All the latest action, news, goals and gossip from the World Cup
Picking the right formation can have a huge impact in FIFA 18.
However, one is meant to be so effective that EA has stopped gamers from using it in FIFA Ultimate Team.
The 3-5-1-1 formation.
FIFA 19 Standard and Champions Editions are available to pre-order from GAME and AmazonThe super-aggressive line-up involves flooding the midfield to exploit space down the flanks – providing you have enough pace on the wings.
So, why the ban?
The theory is that EA does not want any ‘game breaking’ formations.
FIFA 18 fans can still try the formation in offline matches – but EA won’t allow you to do it in Ultimate Team
The above would essentially give you six midfielders, which would completely dominate the middle of the park.
One fan voiced his concerns about the formation on the FIFA sub-Reddit: “It feels like people would just abuse pace down the wings and to have 2 strikers in the middle, I feel it’d be way too good for crossing.”
FIFA 19 Standard and Champions Editions are available to pre-order from GAME and AmazonAnother gamer, who spotted the 4-2-4 formation is also omitted from Ultimate Team, said: “This is completely true. They said that’s the reason 424 wasn’t in FUT, so you can assume the other formations not in the game follow the same rules.”
But there is some hope.
There’s a formation that many believe is the most effective to score goals – 4-3-3.
Yep, that’s the same setup as Barcelona’s legendary – and now no-more – ‘MSN’ trio… and look how well it’s working out for them.
Now, this is a really aggressive setup, so you’ll need your three strongest strikers up front.
FIFA 18 had a graphics overhaul this year but has not been without its fair share of criticism
Put your best scorer in the middle – and the two pacier players on the wings.
You’ll need a strong CAM, someone like Paul Pogba or Luka Modric, behind them – to deliver pinpoint passes and penetrating through balls.
Oh, and don’t forget about driven shots.
To pull one off, get into the 18-yard box, hold down Circle or B to power up your shot.
Just as your player is about to hit the ball, press Circle or B again to get some power behind it.
THESE ARE THE CHEAPEST PLACES TO BUY FIFA 19 – PICK IT UP HERE:
FIFA 19 at GAME – from £54.99 – pre-order now FIFA 19 at Amazon – from £54.99 – pre-order now
TORONTO – What a crazy game.
Toronto FC came from behind on two occasions to earn a 4-4 draw against D.C. United on Wednesday night before 23,011 spectators in one of the wildest games ever played at BMO Field.
Down 3-0 after an absolutely dreadful opening half, TFC fought back to score three consecutive goals in the second half, with the equalizer coming from Nick Hagglund in the 86th minute. D.C. retook the lead just four minutes later, only for Hagglund to bail out the Reds a second time by scoring another equalizer in injury time.
Moral victories are fine, but TFC could use the genuine kind right about now, as they fell to 4-7-3 on the season and dropped one spot in the standings, into second-last place in the Eastern Conference.
As great as this comeback was it doesn’t disguise the fact that the Reds couldn’t beat the last-place team in the East, and the second-worst side in MLS. Furthermore, Toronto squandered a golden opportunity to close the gap to two points on Orlando City, who hold down the sixth and final playoff spot in the East. Toronto did make up ground on Orlando, who lost to Montreal on Wednesday night, but all things considered, this felt like a loss, rather than a draw.
Toronto coach Greg Vanney offered a different view.
“A wild game, but given the way it started, we can’t be too picky about [only] taking a point from this one,” Vanney told reporters after the game.
Returning left fullback Justin Morrow saw both sides of it, acknowledging that D.C. is a team Toronto should beat, but also feeling the Reds showed a lot of character in coming back after such a disastrous start.
“You have to take both the negatives and the positives in this one. They’re both learning points, because we can’t go down like that in the first half,” Morrow said.
Captain Michael Bradley laid the truth bare, though, admitting, “These are games that we should win.”
He later added: “We need to win games, right? We all know that. … We take this [result] for what it is, and we have to recharge mentally and physically, and come back ready to look at ourselves in a real honest way, and make sure that as we move [forward] in the second half of the season that we rediscover a little bit of life and energy and enthusiasm.”
Defender Eriq Zavaleta was in TFC’s starting 11 on Wednesday night, making his first appearance since May 18 after being sidelined with a quad issue. Bothered by a problem calf, Morrow entered the game as second-half substitute for his first MLS appearance since the first day of the season. Notable absences for the Reds were defenders Drew Moor and Chris Mavinga, midfielder Marky Delgado and forward Jozy Altidore.
Toronto started strong out of the gate, with Victor Vazquez and Nico Hasler carving out early scoring chances. But as the game wore on, the hosts looked slow and laboured, and were routinely burned by D.C.’s quick counterattack.
D.C. opened the scoring against the run of play, putting together a pretty, multi-pass sequence that ended with Yamil Asad beating goalkeeper Alex Bono from close range in the middle of the box off a feed from Luciano Acosta.
The visitors doubled their advantage minutes later when Zoltán Stieber was allowed to gallop down the left flank before floating a perfect cross into the box where Paul Arriola connected on a gorgeous, diving header that sailed past Bono. D.C. added a third just before halftime, with Darren Mattocks slotting his shot past Bono after Zavaleta was caught in possession inside his penalty area.
Vanney bemoaned his team’s inability to play out from the back and stretch D.C. on the attack in the first half. He also felt his team was too slow to clear balls, played too many back passes and made some poor choices.
TFC was loudly booed off the pitch as they made their way down the player tunnel for the break. It was more than justified – fans at BMO Field witnessed one of the worst 45-minute periods from the Reds in recent memory.
“It was tough,” Morrow said of the boos.
Maybe the players got the message from the fans. TFC looked like a completely different team after the restart, playing with pace and urgency, forcing the issue in the final third of the pitch, and putting D.C. under sustained pressure.
It also helped matters that Vanney changed the team’s shape, and asked Gregory van der Wiel and Auro Jr. to start building the attack, rather than relying on Hagglund and Zavaleta to make the first pass out from the back. The introduction of Morrow also bolstered the team’s fortunes going forward.
“It was an aggressive, relentless second half,” Vanney said.
Toronto pulled a goal back when Vazquez released Ryan Telfer down the left, and the youngster centred a pass for fellow Canadian Jonathan Osorio, who hammered a powerful shot home from the middle of the box. It was Osorio’s team-leading fifth goal of the campaign.
Vazquez made it a one-goal game shortly after, scoring on a rebound when he hit a sweet one-timer off a Sebastian Giovinco attempt that came off the post.
The Reds completed the comeback late in regulation when Hagglund connected on a header off a cross supplied by Morrow.
Asad scored into an empty net in the 90th minute after a defensive breakdown, giving D.C. a 4-3 lead and stunning the BMO Field crowd into silence. But the game took yet another turn when Hagglund tied things up for Toronto in injury time off a setup from Osorio.
“Five minutes left in the game, and Greg says abandon centre back and head forward. I just got in the box and waited for some great balls,” Hagglund said of his pair of late goals.
NOTES: D.C. leads the all-time series against Toronto, with 13 wins and six draws in 29 meetings… TFC returns to action on June 24 against New York City at Yankee Stadium.
RAHEEM STERLING goes into the World Cup with his Manchester City future unclear after he failed to agree a new long-term contract with the club.
Sterling, 23, was one of City’s best performers last season and the club had opened talks over extending his stay at the Etihad Stadium.
Raheem Sterling has failed to reach an agreement over a new long-term deal with Manchester CityPA:Empics Sport
But according to Sky Sports, Sterling has been unhappy with the terms offered by the Premier League champions and the deal remains unsigned.
The England star had hoped to finalise an agreement with City before he flew off to Russia to help lead the country’s World Cup challenge.
But it has been claimed that despite his advisers meeting up with City officials twice since the end of the season, the two sides are a long way from finding common ground.
Sterling’s emergence as one of the best players in Pep Guardiola’s side last season had led the champions to want to seal a new deal to ensure he was not targeted by other big clubs.
Raheem Sterling has become an integral player at Manchester City bit is yet to agree a new deal with the clubEPA
But so far it appears that the offer they have come up with is not satisfactory to the player’s camp, who are understood to be looking for a package recognising his status in the squad.
At present Sterling is about to enter the last two years on the deal he agreed when he joined City from Liverpool, worth around £175,000-a-week.
That is half the figure Kevin De Bruyne is getting as a result of signing a new six-year £350,000-a-week contract at the Etihad earlier this year.
Sky suggest the Sterling camp believe his contribution to the success of the side, and his status in Guardiola’s plans, mean he should be getting paid on a scale which is similar to that of the other top earners within the club.
There is no suggestion the player is agitating for a move away from City, three years after he moved there in a £44million move from Liverpool.
And City are understood to be relaxed about the impasse, believing there is plenty of opportunity to revisit talks when the World Cup is over.
Since Guardiola arrived at the Etihad Stadium, he has worked closely with Sterling to improve aspects of his game and continue his development as a player.
And the hard work in training paid off last season when, playing in a free attacking role, he finished the season as the fifth highest scorer in the Premier League.
His 18 league goals saw him end the campaign just three behind City’s leading scorer Sergio Aguero – with 23 in all competitions.
FIFA 19 has finally been unveiled to the world – and it’s looking spectacular.
The big news to come out of E3 was the introduction of the Champions League, after PES and UEFA parted ways earlier in the year.
DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP Click here to sign up for this summer’s brilliant fantasy football gameBut there are also a host of new gameplay features and tweaks set to arrive to this year’s game.
Here are the most important.
Neymar was a big part of the FIFA 19 trailer
Sweet spot
If you tap Circle or B just as your foot hits the ball, you massively increase the chance of striking it into the top corner.
It’s all about timing, so get it wrong and you’ll be punished with a scuffed shot.
TacticsGame plans have been introduced this year – which are set up before a match.
Here, you can set what tactics your team has depending on certain situations – such as if they’re 1-0 up or losing a match.
Once you have made the plans, simply assign to a D-pad press and you’re good to go.
Unlike last year, when it was hard to see if a tactical option had been executed, there’s now a clear toggle for on-the-fly instructions.
We’ve seen this before
You’re also now able to adjust your team’s width and depth, as well as instruct your full backs what kind of runs to make in attack or your centre back to cover certain areas of the pitch.
There’s greater control over your team’s defensive style, too – with new settings: “pressure after possession loss,” “constant pressure,” “drop back,” “balanced,” and “pressure on heavy touch.”
Sounds great!
Revised mini-map
A simple but welcome change.
One team will now have triangle icons, the other will have circles – so it’s easier to see who’s who.
Graphics look to have been tweaked and improved
Champions League
EA has got everything from the Champions League logo including the commentary team, Derek Rae and Lee Dixon.
It’ll also have its own mode and the ability to create custom tournaments. Amazing.
Europa LeagueThis was slightly overshadowed by the Champions League announcement, but yes the Europa League will also be in FIFA 19.
Expect the full broadcast package, too.
General gameplay
Passing has been re-worked to feel more natural, while a active touch system allows better first touches from different parts of the body.
It also opens up the possibility of a feint attack – where, as the ball approaches, you can shift your weight one way, before going the other.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be on the cover of FIFA 19
Stepovers, too, are reportedly easier to pull off and look more convincing – making it harder for your opponent to defend against.
Finally, 50/50 battles over a loose ball will now take into account more variables than last year – such as reaction time.
NOW CHECK OUT THE FIFA 19 TRAILER BELOW.
DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP Sign up to this summer’s brilliant game below
LEROY SANE has broken his silence after bizarrely being left out of Germany’s World Cup squad squad… with a joke at Manchester City pal Kyle Walker’s expense.
The flying winger, 22, was sensationally left out of Joachim Low’s 23-man group for this summer’s tournament in Russia.
Leroy Sane broke his silence after his Germany axe with a joke for Kyle WalkerGetty
But it would seem he’s willing to see the funny side after poking fun at Walker.
Sane revealed the England full-back is “lucky” he doesn’t have to face him this summer as part of Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions set-up.
Walker had earlier posted an image of his trademark water spray on Instagram, defending his Man City pal Sane following his shock exclusion.
The England man captioned the snap: “When you find out @leroysane19 isn’t going to the World Cup.”
Leroy Sane poked fun of Kyle Walker after missing out on the World CupPA:Press Association
Kyle Walker posted this image as a reaction to Leroy Sane missing outGetty
Despite the sentiment, Sane still poked fun at Walker in his hilarious reply.
The German winger quipped: “Well u’re lucky that u don’t have to play against me bro @kylewalker2.”
ABSOLUTELY IN-SANE World Cup 2018: Man City star Leroy Sane dropped by Germany ahead of tournament in RussiaSane had been in scintillating form in 2017-18 – winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award – but missed out on Die Mannschaft‘s squad.
Reports in Germany have claimed Sane failed to make the squad due to his poor international form – with no goals and just one assist in his last 16 games.
