Sports

The snowfall that hit Madrid in February 2018 initially appeared worse than it was, with the seas of white that engulfed fields, pitches and gardens in Spain s capital clearing quicker than one might have expected.

It was enough to cause Real Madrid to cancel their training for the day on February 5, allowing Cristiano Ronaldo an unexpected day off on his birthday – though certain sections of the media were particularly critical of the club for essentially shutting down with a crucial Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain little more than a week away.

As it happened, Madrid went on to claim a third successive European crown, so the issue of a day off almost certainly won t have been raised again. However, it was this snowfall that proved a major disruption t…

Best Odds: 4/9

Bookmaker:

Two European icons who will be looking to punch their Nations League final ticket on Thursday night, Spain will meet Italy at FC Twente’s De Grolsch Veste.

Spain

Starting with Spain, while La Roja might have opened their winter World Cup adventure with a rampant display as they clinched a 7-0 romp against Costa Rica on November 23rd, that result was nothing more than a minor boost for the former world champions. Crashing out at the Round of 16 stage as they suffered penalties heartbreak against Morocco, it is no secret that Luis de la Fuente has come under a huge amount of scrutiny over the past six months. Likewise, although Spain might have got their European Championships qualifying run underway with a routine 3-0 win against Norw…

Best Odds: 20/21

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Seeking a Bundesliga boost on Friday night, Wolfsburg will make the trip to the Veltins-Arena when they meet Schalke.

Schalke

Starting with the hosts, while Schalke might have cruised their way to a Bundesliga return this season, the Blues are enduring yet another top-flight nightmare. Although Thomas Reis side might have claimed back-to-back 0-0 stalemates against Borussia Monchengladbach and Koln, the former Bochum boss finds his side picked as a landslide relegation pick in 2023. Opening this weekend s fixtures sat rock-bottom of the Bundesliga table and already eight points adrift of finding a route out of the drop zone, Schalke are yet to claim a single victory since returning from the World Cup s winter break. With their extend…

Lionel Messi admitted he is concerned about the coronavirus situation as the superstar captain targets a long-awaited title with Argentina at the Copa America.

Messi s Argentina will open their Copa America campaign against rivals Chile in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Monday.

Brazil is hosting the Copa after CONMEBOL controversially removed Argentina and Colombia as co-hosts due to respective political and COVID-19 issues.

Despite being one of the country s worst hit by the coronavirus health crisis, Brazil was awarded hosting duties for this year s showpiece event, which was already pushed back a year because of COVID-19.

Defending champions Brazil won 3-0 on Sunday against a Venezuela side that had reported 12 positive coronavirus tests amongst their ranks…

Tottenham defender Ryan Sessegnon has been backed to bounce back from his latest hamstring surgery by a medical expert.

Sessegnon had an operation on his right hamstring on Monday after the 23-year-old suffered a muscle injury in action for Spurs’ Under-21s on February 17.

It was the second time Sessegnon has been operated on during the past 12 months, but significantly the previous surgery in July was on his left hamstring.

Ryan Sessegnon has undergone surgery to his right hamstring following an injury during an Under-21s match.

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial)

The ex-Fulham player has struggled with muscle injuries over recent seasons, although Sessegnon did state in an Instagram post that his left hamstring now feels “strong” and h…

With England’s lower leagues stealing center stage this weekend, we are looking forward to what looks set to be an eye-catching string of affairs. So, for those of you looking to place a Saturday acca, we have found a handful of helpful tips that are worth taking note of.

Saturday March 25th
BST 15:00 Portsmouth vs Port Vale

While Portsmouth might have endured a brief wobble earlier in the month, Saturday’s hosts have come roaring back in some style. Along with cruising their way to a 3-1 romp away at Accrington Stanley on March 14th, John Mousinho’s men were last seen putting in another impressive display. Eventually claiming a deserved 2-0 victory at home against Bristol Rovers, the south coast outfit should be smelling the chance to make another statement he…

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson has bracketed Steven Davis alongside George Best in the pantheon of Northern Ireland greats following the midfielder’s retirement on Thursday.

Davis is most closely associated with Rangers where in two spells at the Ibrox club he won four titles, as well as lifting both the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup on three occasions.

The 39-year-old played 140 times for Northern Ireland – the UK male international caps record – while former Manchester United and Northern Ireland winger Best is generally accepted to be one of the best players ever to have played the game.

Robinson, capped seven times for Northern Ireland where he played alongside Davis and who was assistant to Michael O’Neill at Euro 2016, said of his former tea…

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool must give “absolutely everything every game” and ignore the surrounding talk heading into the season’s climax, with the matches ahead “all finals”.

Having already won the League Cup in what is their final campaign before Klopp steps down as boss, the Reds’ bid to add the Premier League title sees them currently second in the table behind leaders Arsenal on goal difference and a point ahead of third-placed Manchester City with 10 rounds of games to go.

They are also through to the Europa League quarter-finals, playing Atalanta over two legs next month.

Liverpool host Brighton in the league on Sunday, just before City and Arsenal meet at the Etihad Stadium.

And when asked at his pre-match press conference what was key…

Forest Green boss David Horseman hailed his wealth of attacking options after Troy Deeney’s first Rovers goal earned them a 1-1 draw at AFC Wimbledon.

The former Watford star lobbed Dons goalkeeper Alex Bass with 15 minutes to go, cancelling out James Ball’s first-half strike.

Deeney’s arrival added to the goal threat for a side already boasting fellow summer addition Matty Taylor as well as Matty Stevens, who scored 23 goals when Rovers were promoted from Sky Bet League Two in the 2021-22 campaign.

Deeney may face competition from team-mate Ty Omotoye, who was in close attendance, to claim his goal, while Stevens spurned several opportunities at Plough Lane.

But Horseman feels it will not be long until his illustrious strikers are regularly finding…

The Premier League returns this weekend after the international break, with leaders Liverpool travelling to Manchester United in the pick of the fixtures.

Manchester City trail Liverpool by eight points and cannot afford another setback when they make the trip to Crystal Palace, while Chelsea host Newcastle United and Tottenham take on Watford.

The last of the 10 games takes place in Yorkshire on Monday as Sheffield United welcome third-place Arsenal, who have played more Premier League games at Bramall Lane without victory than they have any other ground in the competition.

Ahead of this weekend s action, test your top-flight knowledge with our Opta-powered big Friday Premier League quiz!

Answers are at the bottom of the page.

1. Newc…