MANCHESTER UNITED v WEST BROM... PREVIEW/PREDICTION.

STATS: Nine of Man United’s last 11 home games have featured fewer than three goals.
West Brom have outrun their opponents in Premier League high 93% of their matches this season (27/29), including the last 19 in a row.

ANALYSIS: West Brom showed they have no intention of heading to the beach early after their 3-1 victory over Arsenal before the international break and they can give Manchester United plenty to think about at Old Trafford.

The hosts are without suspended superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the Baggies are likely to be a major threat from set pieces, keep in mind that most of their goals are from dead balls.

PREDICTION : DRAW.


DATE: 1/4/2017.

KICKOFF: 3:00PM.

VENUE: OLD TRAFFORD.

CHELSEA v CRYSTAL PALACE... PREVIEW/PREDICTION.

STATS: Both teams have scored in just one of Crystal Palace’s last ten league matches

ANALYSIS: Christian Benteke has scored in four different Premier League matches against Chelsea; against no other side has he scored on more occasions.

Chelsea have won their last ten league games at Stamford Bridge and while Crystal Palace may be harder to break down now, Chelsea will surely get the three points that draws them even closer to the title.

PREDICTION: CHELSEA WIN.


DATE: 1/4/2017.

KICKOFF: 3:00PM.

VENUE: STAMFORD BRIDGE.

MOURINHO REVEALS HE REGRETTED TREATING SCHWEINSTEIGER 'BADLY'.

Jose Mourinho has admitted he regrets the way he treated Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Former Germay international Schweinsteiger, who joined Chicago Fire this week, was exiled at Manchester United by Mourinho.

Schweinsteiger was made to train alone and with United's youth team players after Mourinho decided he the 32-year-old was not part of his plans.

But after Schweinsteiger left United for a new challenge in Major League Soccer in the US, Mourinho revealed his regret at the way he handled the mercurial midfielder.

“He is in the category of players I feel sorry for something that I did to him,” said Mourinho.
“I don't want to speak about him as a player, I don't want to speak about him as a player I would or would not buy.

“I want to speak about him as a professional, as a human being. It was the last thing I told him before he left – I was not right with you once, I have to be right with you now.

“So when he was asking me to let him leave, I had to say yes, you can leave because I did it once, I cannot do it twice.

“So I feel sorry for the first period with him, he knows that, I am happy that he knows, because I told him.

I will miss a good guy, a good professional, a very good influence in training.

“So I could not stop him to go, even though I know we have so many matches and probably would need him for a few matches or a few periods.

“But I had to let him go and now publicly wish him and his wife a very happy life in Chicago.”

Schweinsteiger, bought by former United boss
Louis van Gaal, made just four appearances for United this season before securing his move to Chicago.

Asked if he regretted his treatment of the player, Mourinho said: “I do, yeah. I would let him be in the squad. I knew in that moment we have too many players.

“If you remember, we had many players in this doubtful situation, we still had Morgan Schndeiderlin, Memphis Depay Andreas Pereira, Tyler Blackett and James Wilson, a huge squad in the beginning.

“But after knowing him as a professional and as a person, the way he was behaving and the way he was respecting my decisions as a manager, yes I regret, and no problem for me admitting it and he knows that because I told him.

“I always say the second season is a season when the manager knows everything about the players.

“What I knew about him was a season full of injuries, a season where he almost didn't play, a season where he was having treatment outside of the club, and I thought that was not right, the mentality was not right.

“He was the kind of player who I would not like to have in the club. In the second season I know everything that is going on.

“Now I am inside for 10 months and 10 months is a long time. The second season is where, from a managerial point of view, an easier season that the first."

WATFORD v SUNDERLAND... PREVIEW/PREDICTION.

STATS: Watford have won just three of their last 16 Premier League games.
Jermain Defoe has scored against 35 different Premier League teams but has not scored in four appearances against Watford.

ANALYSIS: Watford's decent start to the season are their only saving grace, because given their dismal performances in the second half of the season, they should be among teams fighting relegation.

Only Middlesbrough and Hull have failed to score at Vicarage Road this term and Jermain Defoe, boosted by his World Cup qualifying goal for England, could once again flourish for Sunderland.

PREDICTION: OVER 1.5.


DATE: 1/4/2017.

KICKOFF: 3:00PM.

VENUE: VICARAGE ROAD.

ANTONIO CONTE INSISTS THAT EDEN HAZARD IS 'HAPPY' AT CHELSEA DESPITE MADRID LINKS.

Eden Hazard is happy at Chelsea despite Real Madrid's efforts to unsettle him, claims Antonio Conte.

The Belgian winger has been in sensational form this campaign, inspiring the Blues to the top of the Premier League with some excellent displays.

And the Italian insists he is happy at Stamford Bridge despite the La Liga Giants attempting to unsettle the Belgian with speculations.

"Now it's important for my players to be focused on the present, not look too far forward.

It's dangerous," Conte said in his pre-match press conference.

"Eden is a Chelsea player. He is happy with us and we are happy with him. I don't see any problem.

"This [rumours linking the player with a move] is part of the game, to create difficulty in the mind of the player."

Conte also denied having a conversation with Hazard about the rumours and revealed his talisman is ready to return against Crystal Palace following an injury.

"No. I don't think it's important. I like to talk with him about this season, about this game," Conte added.

"I'm confident [he'll be fit], not just to play but to play very good."

LEICESTER CITY v STOKE CITY.... PREVIEW/PREDICTION.

STAT: Leicester Manager, Craig Shakespeare could become the fifth manager to win his first four Premier League matches, after Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti.
However, the Champions have kept only two clean sheets in their last 14 home matches.

ANALYSIS: Leicester have been on a superb run since sacking Claudio Ranieri, although with safety all but secure the Foxes may start to think about their forthcoming Champions League quarter-final with Atletico Madrid later in April. Though would still love to maintain their decent run at the moment.

Stoke limited Manchester City to one shot on target in their last away match and could repeat their Etihad stalemate at the King Power.

PREDICTION: DRAW look a good bet here, but, I fancy a LEICESTER CITY WIN.

DATE: 1/4/2017.

KICKOFF: 3:00PM.

VENUE: KING POWER STADIUM.

BURNLEY v TOTTENHAM... PREVIEW/PREDICTIONS

STAT: Tottenham have won just four league away games this term.
They have also lost only one of five previous Premier League matches against Burnley (W3 D1 L1).

ANALYSIS: Tottenham’s poor record at Burnley stretches back over a century and Spurs’ only win in their last eight trips to Turf Moor came in the League Cup.

The Clarets have been superb at home, losing just twice in 13 games since the opening day, and one of those was a hugely unlucky last-minute loss to Arsenal.

It is simply not going to be very rossy for high flying Spurs at Turf Moor.

It's going to be a very cagey encounter.

PREDICTION: A DRAW look the most likely result here but, BURNLEY could nick it.


DATE: 1/4/2017.

KICKOFF: 300PM.

VENUE: TURF MOOR.

HULL CITY v WEST HAM...PREVIEW/PREDICTION.

STATS: West Ham have won six of their last eight matches against Hull.
West Ham have conceded the most goals in the first 15 minutes of matches this season (8); while Hull have conceded the most in the last 15 minutes (20).

ANALYSIS: Hull have a not-too-good record against the Hammers, having won just once in their last four meetings, but the Tigers will consider this as a must win game as relegation fight intensifies.

Hull have won five and drawn one of their last six at home - a run which includes victories over Manchester United and Liverpool - and lost only one of their last 12 home games.

PREDICTION: HULL WIN.


DATE: 1/4/2017.

KICKOFF: 3:00PM.

VENUE: KCOM STADIUM.

LIVERPOOL v EVERTON... PREVIEW/PREDICTION.

STATS: Everton have won none of the last 13 Merseyside derbies.
Jurgen Klopp could become the first Manager to win his first three Premier League Merseyside derbies.

ANALYSIS: Everton have a dismal recent record against their arch rivals but the Toffees have been banging in the goals and can at least net at Anfield.

Everton have failed to score in just one of their last seven on their travels and with Belgian hitman, Romelu Lukaku in great  form for club and country, the visitors can trade blows with free-scoring Liverpool in a game that is not likely to lack goals.

PREDICTION: A quiet first half is expected here, but both teams will most likely score as the game unfolds.

DATE: 1/4/2017.

KICKOFF: 12:30PM.

VENUE: ANFIELD.

OZIL ADMITS HE COULD RETURN TO THE BUNDESLIGA BECAUSE OF HIS MUM.

Arsenal’s Germany superstar has hit out at the critics who claim he goes missing in the big games or when the going gets tough.

Ozil said: “People know what I have achieved. That I am a World Cup winner, played for Real Madrid, set up 20 goals last season [in all competitions].

“When the team's on a bad run, somebody needs to be singled out, sadly most of the time it's me.”

Ozil’s comments follow those of his agent, Dr Erkut Sogut, who claimed last month claimed that the midfielder had been made a “scapegoat” for Arsenal’s failures to compete in the title race and the Champions League.

With just a year left on his contract and no new deal in sight, Ozil’s future remains uncertain.

MirrorFootball reveals that Arsenal have offered him fresh terms worth around £280,000-a-week but have yet to reach agreement.

Ozil, meanwhile has suggested he could yet be up for a return to the Bundesliga.

The 28-year-old, who made his name with Schalke and Werder Bremen before moving to Real Madrid in 2010, said: “I don't want to exclude that.

Many family members - my mother especially - would welcome it if I were closer to home.

“I still have a year on my contract and I love running for this club. At the moment, everything is still open.”

''EDEN HAZARD WILL JOIN REAL MADRID IN THE SUMMER IF HE WANTS''... CALDERON.

Eden Hazard will move to Real Madrid this summer if the Belgian wants to go, according to a former president of the Spanish giants.

Ramon Calderon lined up the then world record £80m transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United in 2009.

And now head coach Zinedine Zidane wants the Chelsea playmaker as the club’s latest Galactico – even if they have to break the transfer world record again.

Chelsea are however, braced for an offer from Real for their star player given his spectacular form this season, and Calderon said:

“Chelsea aren’t a selling club, so it wouldn’t be easy, but as always it would depend on the wishes of the player. If he wants to leave, he will leave - that’s always the point.

“Chelsea will ask for a lot of money, I think that’s what the situation will be at the end of the season.

“Chelsea knows quite well how much has been paid in the market over the last few years, with Ronaldo, Bale and Pogba - £100million is now the bar.

“That bar has been set by those transfers, so I think that’s how much a club like Chelsea would be asking for and the economy at Real Madrid is healthy - I don’t think that would be a problem for them.

“But it’s all about the player. The player must say, ‘I want to leave and go to Real Madrid’, and that will be the moment they start negotiating.”

Hazard would have to fit into a Real Madrid team already containing Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

Calderon said: “Fantastic players like him can fit in any club, they will always find a place, I don’t see any problem with that.”

EDEN HAZARD HINTS AT REAL MADRID MOVE IN THE SUMMER.

Chelsea are bracing themselves for a summer-long battle with Spanish giants, Real Madrid over Eden Hazard.

The 26-year old Belgian is seen as Cristiano Ronaldo's heir at the Bernabeu, with the Portuguese Superstar nearing the end of his stellar career.

Real are also convinced that Hazard will love to work with head coach Zinedine Zidane after five years at Stamford Bridge.

Hazard who has been in sensational form this season, alongside, N'golo Kante, and Diego Costa and even hinted he could leave Chelsea at the end of the season.

“If I ever leave, it’ll be after winning a championship. You need to go out on a high so that people remember you for the right reasons''; Hazard said earlier in the month.

However, Chelsea have been lining up a lucrative new contracts for both Hazard and international team-mate Thibaut Courtois, their goalkeeper to ward off any approach from Real Madrid four their Superstars.

Hazard who is currently recovering from a calf injury has scored 11 goals this season; and he is back to the sensational form that earned him Player of the Year honours from his fellow pros and the football writers two years ago.

Hazard, a £32million capture from French club Lille five years ago, is on course to clinch his second title in three seasons.

It would join the Europa League crown he helped win in 2013 and the League Cup two years later.

EPL GAMES THAT STILL GET SIR FERGUSON WORKED UP.

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he still gets worked up watching Manchester United – but only when they play arch rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.

Ferguson was in charge at United for 26-and-a-half years until he stepped down in 2013 having won 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups two Champions League crowns and four League Cups.

Although Ferguson, 75, said he does not get over-excited watching United since he has retired, he did admit to getting worked up whenever his former side take on Liverpool and City - their biggest games of the season.

“The only time I get a bit anxious is when we play Liverpool and Manchester City, because those are the biggest games,” said Ferguson.

“The thing about English football is its tribalism. You've got the London clubs, the Midland clubs and Yorkshire clubs, and that creates a really good competitive edge to matches.

“But nothing compares with the Liverpool game, and of course Manchester City, now they've risen to a very prominent position in the game, these games have become very important too.

“Strangely enough, I don't get over-excited about it. I enjoy watching them, because they're a great club to watch.

There's always something exciting about that club. “There's always something going to happen, no matter whether they lose or win, there's always something really exciting about it.”

Ferguson, now a United director and ambassador, claimed he had no regrets over his decision to retire.

“Being at the club for 26-and-a-half years, I just didn't want to wipe it out of my life,” said Ferguson, speaking to SiriusXM in the US.

“So when they made me a director and an ambassador, I thought that was the perfect position to be in, watching the team, enjoying it and travelling with them at times.

“I've definitely kept busy. When I decided to retire I was going to make sure I wasn't going to sit and watch television, I was going to get out and take another part of my life, and I've enjoyed it.”

BEAUTY OF THE WEEK - KAYLEAH LONG.

Shane Long's wife Kayleah is our beauty for this week.

During a World Cup qualifier between Ireland and Wales on Friday, Seamus Coleman suffered a horrific leg break.

As the Everton defender lay on the ground in serious pains, his teammate Shane Long helped in the only way he knew how - by applying a technique that aids pregnancy.

The Liverpool Echo Reports that in the aftermath of the injury, Long rushed to support his friend by putting the calming method into practice as Coleman received oxygen whilst on the pitch.

“I was just trying to settle and relax him,” the Southampton striker would later reveal.

And Long may have used some techniques learned during his wife’s pregnancy in order to do so.

Wife Kayleah told the Sunday Independent: “I had a hypnotherapy birth and they taught Shane to help me to breathe through it.

“He told me: ‘It all came back to me. I was just talking to Seamus, teaching him how to breathe through it.’ He remembered it all.

“I asked if Seamus was listening to him and he said, ‘Yes, to be fair, he was. He was really breathing well.”

Kayleah added that Coleman sent Long a text message after the game to thank him for his support during the immediate aftermath of the injury.

Coleman underwent successful surgery in Dublin on Saturday, and will now begin the long road back to fitness. He is not expected to start playing until 2018.

However, all thanks to Shane Long for his on-field support, and especially to Kayleah for her role as well.

Thumbs up to you Kayleah, you are our beauty for this week.

N'GOLO KANTE HAS NAMED THREE CHELSEA TEAM MATES WHO SHOULD WIN THE PFA AWARD AHEAD OF HIM.

N'Golo Kante has named three footballers who he believes to be more deserving of the PFA Players' Player of the Year Award than him.

The Chelsea midfielder has been so impressive  in Antonio Conte's team this season, which have seemingly run away with the league.

The Frenchman has received widespread praise for adding stability to the Blues midfield with his energy and drive.

He is a hot favourite to pick up the Player of the Year Award, following his move from Leicester City in their surprise title-winning season.

In an interview with Canal+, a very humble Kante said: "There are quite a few players in the Premier League who deserve (PFA) this award.

"There is [Eden] Hazard, Diego Costa and David Luiz in my team."

Similarly to Kante, Hazard has brilliantly returned to form season. Terrorising opposition defences with his trickery and skills, and has unsurprisingly attracted the attention of Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.

Costa has also been in fantastic goal scoring form for Chelsea, having scored 17 times in the Premier League this season.

While Luiz has silenced many who thought he could struggle under Antonio Conte with his excellent displays.

ROMELU LUKAKU HAS ALREADY DECIDED WHERE HIS FUTURE LIES.

Romelu Lukaku says “the decision has already been made” over his future.

The Belgian striker, the Premier League’s top scorer this season, looked set to sign a new contract with Everton last month.

The player’s agent, Mino Raiola, had claimed a deal to extend his stay at Goodison Park was “99.9 per cent agreed”.

However, Lukaku has since told Everton that he will not be signing a new 5-year deal as he claims his aim is to play Champions League football, do great things with clubs that match his lofty ambitions.

When asked on Friday about the situation, Lukaku who has scored 21 Premier League goals this season responded:
"The decision has already been made so I can't talk about that.”

But one week after criticising Everton’s ambition to challenge for top players, Lukaku has been forced to defend his own ambition, having publicly stated his desire to play in the Champions League.

"There is nothing wrong with ambition. You have to embrace it and where you are as a footballer," he said.

"I've made a long way until now but the road is still long and I know I have to improve and get better.

I want to help Everton as much as I can, as well as the national team. I think a lot of stuff can be achieved.

"Sometimes people will mistake things that I say but it's just ambition that I have; I want to win titles and trophies and I don't think people should take that as arrogance -- people should embrace it.

"This is what footballers need to achieve if they want to become the best, and I think young kids need to learn that too."

MAN. UTD'S ANTHONY MARTIAL REVEALS WHY HE WILL NOT LEAVE THE CLUB.

Anthony Martial has hailed Manchester United's supporters and says they are the main reason he wants to stay at the club for years to come.

The Frenchman who made a big money move from Monaco in 2015, enjoyed a stellar debut campaign England scoring a decent 17 goals.

The 21-year old has however, struggled to replicate that form this time around. He has only scored seven times this season, having struggled for game time under new United manager Jose Mourinho.

However, despite his struggles Martial has no desire to leave Old Trafford - and claims the fans are a big reason behind that.

"For me, what’s really special here is the supporters," Martial told Inside United.

"They’ve been really outstanding with me. I think that’s what goes a long way to making me feel at home and at ease, and makes me really keen to stay here at the club.

“In France, even if you’re one of the best players around, they might begin to boo and jeer you if you go a couple of games without scoring.

But here it’s just the opposite, they’ll try to cheer you on so you might be able to score, and so then you grow in confidence.

“I think it’s just a different mentality. That’s why I like the fans here so much.”

MESUT OZIL IS ''VERY HAPPY'' AT ARSENAL.

Mesut Ozil has insisted he feels "very happy" at Arsenal in the face of mounting speculation about his future.

Like teammate Alexis Sanchez, Ozil's contract at the Emirates is due to expire at the end of next season.

After months of negotiations Arsenal have shelved talks with both men until the summer so that the team can fully concentrate on the run-in.

“The fact is I’ve still got a contract in London," Ozil told the German media.

"To speculate now would be wrong. At the end of the season we will see, there will be talks. I’m very happy at Arsenal and in London."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is out of contract at the end of this season but Ozil refused be drawn on what the Frenchman's future holds.

He said: “I don’t know what he will decide. That’s something we will have to wait for.”

''Arsenal have won just three of their last nine games in all competitions, with two of those victories coming against non-league sides in the FA Cup.

And Ozil reckons the team's poor form is down to a number of factors.

He said: “We are having a difficult phase. Somehow something is not working with the team.
We are letting in a lot of goals. Maybe it’s down to self-belief.

When I look at the quality of Arsenal though I’m convinced we will get on a run again soon.”

LUIS SUAREZ AGREED TO JOIN ARSENAL, REVEALS ARSENE WENGER.

Arsene Wenger has revealed Luis Suarez “agreed” to join Arsenal - and why they bid £40,000,001.

Wenger has recalled one of the most famous transfer sagas in football history when Arsenal tried to sign Suarez from Liverpool in the summer of 2013.

Liverpool owner John Henry publicly mocked Arsenal for making the extraordinary offer with an extra £1 to activate a clause with his infamous tweet “What are they smoking over there at the Emirates?”

During an interview with beIN sports, Wenger said: “He was very close (to signing for Arsenal). We had an agreement with the player.

We had been wrongly advised that he had a clause, with a minimal clause, but we had an agreement with the player. You can ask him.

“I'm convinced he wanted to join us and then they sold him.

''They kept him one more year, improved his contract and promised to sell him the year later to a club abroad."

Wenger also praised Suarez’s behaviour in recent times after cleaning up his act following several high profile storms, including his biting shame.

When asked on Suarez's past  behaviour, Wenger added: “It's not normal.

You cannot accept that. He had some behaviours that were shocking but I think as well you don't see them anymore since two, three years.

“He got rid of all the things that were a handicap for him and today you don't see that anymore.

He's still on borderline with what the strikers do well, you know, go down in the penalty box but you want that from an intelligent striker.

“Overall I think he got rid of all the rest and rightly so and he deserved to be punished before and now you don't even expect it anymore from him."​

FULL TIME FROM BARNET... NIGERIA v SENEGAL.

NIGERIA 1 SENEGAL 1.

K. Iheanacho 83.

M. Sow 54.

NAKED ENGLAND FAN DANCES DURING GERMANY/ENGLAND FRIENDLY. A GREAT GAME, BUT A BLOCBUSTER MOVIE... by Iyke Ojiobi.

A match that really had nothing much at stake but national pride.

A game that was much hyped; of course, remarkably as it was Garry Southgate's first official game as an England permanent coach.

An international friendly between Germany and England.

Season 1 of a game which eventually became a movie kicked off when England fans jeered the German national anthem and then belted out a chorus of 'Have you ever seen the Germans win a war?'

Then came the Season 2, which followed a dour first half of the game which has only that powerful Adam Lallana's run and strike that hit the post as the only thing to cheer about.

Apparently disillusioned with the outcome of the first 45 minutes, an England fan, who travelled over 500 kilometres to Westfalenstadion decided to entertain fans at Signal Iduna Park by stripping naked and dancing to the admiration and of course bemusement of  spectators.

The fan didn't take his top off and wave it over his head, nor did he prance around in his underpants. NO!

He was totally NAKED while some supporters happily took photo shots of him as he danced.

Season three of the movie couldn't be sweeter as the chief character, Lukas Podolski, blessed with arguably the best left foot on the planet struck an unstoppable missile of a shot at the 69th minute, his 49th in 130th game for the German national team to send the stadium into ''flames''.

The man himself; Lukas Podolski who was playing his last game for his country admitted that his Germany farewell was "like a great movie".

He was greeted with the Gladiator music as he left the field and afterwards admitted it couldn't have gone much better.

"This is like a great movie," Podolski told ARD . "We win 1-0 and I score the goal.

"I know I have a left foot that was probably gifted to me by God, or someone up there, and I can always rely on it. I am proud of these last 13 years."

It was a great show of solidarity in the 83rd minute, as both Germany and England supporters at Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park put their rivarlry behind and stood in unison to applaud one of the greatest German players (Podolski) as he officially signed off being replaced by Sebastian Rudy.

As he strolled off the pitch the PA played the theme from blockbuster film Gladiator before the entire bench gave him emotional high-fives.

After the final whistle, then came Season 4 of the blocbuster, as Podolski was hoisted in the stands by supporters as he dangled a German flag before partaking in two laps of the pitch.

The striker won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with his national team and is the third highest goalscorer in the country's history.

The former Arsenal striker who currently plays for Turkish giants Galatasaray but will move to Japanese club Vissel Kobe at the end of the European season, made his debut in 2004 after choosing Germany over Poland.

He went on to become the nation's youngest player at Euro 2004, before playing at World Cups in 2006, 2010 and 2014 and Euros in 2004, 2008 and 2012.

German Boss, Low paid his own tributes to the star: “He is a unique specimen, no one can really replace him.

“A game against England is the right opportunity to say farewell to such a big player for Germany.

He has always been a class player. One of the greatest that Germany has ever had.”

And what a movie that was.

CHELSEA OFFER MONACO £32m FOR STAR MIDFIELDER TIEMOUE BAKAYOKO.

Chelsea have reportedly made an offer worth £32million for Monaco star Tiemoue Bakayoko.

The 22-year-old midfielder’s signature is a top priority for the champions-elect as they make plans to kick on again next season.

Bakayoko has already rejected a contract extension with the Champions League quarter-finalists, while Chelsea have yet to reinvest any of the £52m they recouped from Brazilian midfielder Oscar’s move to China in January.

The title-bound Blues want to steal a march on Manchester United, who are also interested, and Bakayoko’s camp are well aware that Chelsea have a lucrative salary package on offer.

Boss Antonio Conte wants to increase his depth in midfield as he targets a Champions League challenge next season, as well as the retention of the domestic title.

Bakayoko’s signature would enable the Italian to field a formidable partnership in the middle of the park, with the 22-year-old alongside N’Golo Kante.

A three-man midfield could even see Nemanja Matic in a holding role behind Bakayoko and Kante.

Bakayoko, who helped to put Manchester City out of the Champions League last week, has been called up to the current France squad to replace Manchester United’s injured world-record signing Paul Pogba.

MESUT OZIL TO REPLACE VAN PERSIE AT FENERBAHÇE NEXT SEASON.

Turkish giants Fenerbahce are ready to launch an ambitious bid to sign Mesut Ozil.

Attacking midfielder Ozil looks set to leave Arsenal this summer after failing to agree a new contract — despite being offered £280,000-a-week to stay.

Fenerbahce want to make a stellar signing and Ozil was born to Turkish parents, so they believe they may stand a chance.

He has also been dating former Miss Turkey Amine Gulse.

Robin van Persie, ironically a former star forward for the Gunners, is set to leave the Istanbul club this summer, which will free up a large chunk of their budget and enable them to go after a big name.

Arsenal landed Ozil from Real Madrid four years ago in a club-record £42million deal, and would look to at least recoup their money with the future of the German international at the Club looking uncertain.

They would be fearful of allowing the player to go into the final year of his contract next season.

Star forward Alexis Sanchez could also leave the Londoners this summer, with Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus both keen to sign him.

Ozil's wage demands and potential value  might have put off other potential suitors for him, with no obvious destination if the Gunners do opt to sell him this summer.

The 28-year-old has struggled for form and fitness recently, and misses Wednesday’s friendly with England in Dortmund because of a hamstring problem.

ARSENAL'S PETR CECH TO BE SIDELINED FOR WEEKS THROUGH CALF INJURY.

Petr Cech will miss a large chunk of Arsenal ’s push for a top-four place.

Keeper Cech suffered a calf injury in the defeat at West Brom on Saturday and a scan has revealed he will be out for four weeks – a major blow for under-fire Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

The 34-year-old will miss crunch league games beginning with Champions League qualification scrap rivals Manchester City at home, the matches against West Ham, Crystal Palace and possibly Middlesbrough.

He could return for the FA Cup semi-final with City at Wembley on April 23.

In Cech's absence, back-up David Ospina who has been in poor form lately, will be in between the sticks for the Gunners.

ARSENE WENGER DENY RUMOURS LINKING HIM TO PSG.

Arsene Wenger has formally denied that he has already been offered a contract by Ligue 1 champions Paris St Germain with the Arsenal boss still yet to announce whether he will be in charge at the Emirates Stadium next season.

The 67-year-old has kept the footballing world guessing if he will sign a new contract with the Gunners but declared after Saturday's 3-1 defeat at West Brom that he has made up his mind.

That loss at the Hawthorns was Arsenal's fourth in their last five Premier League games and they now sit sixth in the table.

Wenger has increasingly split the Arsenal fan-base with two protests organised before recent matches and two planes flown over the West Brom game carrying conflicting messages - one of support and one against any new deal being signed.

The Frenchman has previously said if he is to end his two-decade association with Arsenal he intends to manage elsewhere, with PSG the logical move given their wealth and the stuttering form under current coach Unai Emery.

But Wenger insists he has not already been approached by the Parisians, who were in Arsenal's Champions League group this season.

Once again using a now-popular phrase from United States president Donald Trump, Wenger told BeIN Sports: "It is a false rumour, that is what you call 'fake news'. I formally deny it, it is not true."

MESSI BEATS RONALDO TO ANOTHER MIND BLOWING RECORD.

It has been all Ronaldo since the past twelve months; and rightly so.

The Portuguese Superstar won the Champions League with Real Madrid, and the European Championship with Portugal. He was also crowned the World's best footballer in the same year, among other accolades.

However, after Messi starred in Barca's 4-2 win against Valencia at Camp Nou over the weekend, where he scored a brace, the Argentinian
notched up another ludicrous record - getting one over his Real Madrid rival in the process.

It is obvious that both Ronaldo and Messi are phenomenally gifted.

We know they see-saw between one another as to who is the best in the world/in history almost on a weekly basis.

But now we know that Lionel Messi isn't human.

It was his 100th (yes, 100th!) brace for the Catalunya Club, which means he is now the ONLY La Liga player to reach 40 goals in each of the last eight seasons in all competitions.

Since the start of the 2009/10 season, Messi has scored a frankly ridiculous 410 goals for Barcelona, compared to Ronaldo's 390 for Real Madrid.

Ridiculous! Isn't it?

Now the debate continues....

ROMA'S RADJA NAINGGOLAN REVEALS WHY HE WILL NOT JOIN CHELSEA.

Chelsea's hopes of landing Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan have suffered a blow after the 28-year-old insisted he is happy at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Belgian has netted 12 goals this season to help guide Roma into second in Serie A and cement his standing as one of Europe's most in-demand players.

Nainggolan is currently on international duty, but told gazzetta.it that he is not seeking a move to the Premier League.

"In Rome I'm fine," he said. "My family is happy and even the weather is often good.

"Sometimes you make choices for the money, others for the quality of life, which matters a lot to me.

"Also, if I went to England, I would have to start from scratch, but I repeat: I am very well in Rome.

"China? Currently no, but you can never say never. We need to see right now."

The Blues were strongly linked with a move for the midfielder last summer, with reports suggesting they were knocked back twice.

However, with N'golo Kante and Nemanja Matic forging a very good partnership at  Chelsea's midfield, it will be difficult for the Premier League Champions elect to return for Nainggolan again in the summer.

MONACO STARLET, MBAPPE NOT INTERESTED IN EPL LINKS.

Kylian Mbappe has played down speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League, as Manchester United and Arsenal continue to monitor the French youngster.

The 18-year-old is one of the most highly-rated young forwards in world football due to the stunning campaign he is currently enjoying in Ligue 1 with Monaco.

He's scored 17 goals this season, with 11 of those coming in his last nine appearances.

Despite his rich vein of form, Mbappe, who has been likened to Thierry Henry, doesn't think he's doing anything special.

"I would not say that what I do is extraordinary," Mbappe said. "I would just say that I am able to do what I know best.

I would not say it's extraordinary.
"Extraordinary is a player who can score 60 goals.

There are not a lot. Otherwise I think we would overuse the term.

I would not say it's amazing but I'm on a good run."

Of speculation linking him with a move to England, Mbappe responded: "Sorry, but I do not look at what the English press say.

I remain very calm about the attention I get.

"I get up in the morning and I go to practice like everyone else.

I try to work to improve myself every day and I try to do on the pitch what I do during the training sessions."

SCHWEINSTEIGER SENDS A FAREWELL MESSAGE TO UNITED AS MLS MOVE NEARS COMPLETION.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is leaving Manchester United to join MLS side Chicago Fire.

The former Germany captain's immediate switch is subject to a medical and a visa, but Chicago are keen to finalise a swift transfer, United have confirmed.

The 32-year-old moved from Bayern Munich in 2015 and featured 35 times, winning the FA Cup under Louis Van Gaal last season.

Schweinsteiger became a fan favourite this season after displaying real class despite being discarded to the periphery of the squad under Jose Mourinho, leading to an emotional farewell.


"I am sad to leave so many friends at Manchester United," Schweinsteiger told Manchester
United's official website.

"But I am grateful to the club for allowing me the chance to take up the challenge at Chicago Fire.

"I have enjoyed working with the manager, the players and staff here and wish them all the best in the future.

"But I have to reserve special thanks to the United fans – whose support has been a very special part of my time in Manchester.

"I was delighted to be part of the squad that won the FA Cup for them last season and will always remember their energy and their passion.

"Now is the right time for me to start a new chapter in Chicago and I am looking forward to it."

The veteran midfielder never reached the heights that made him a serial winner in Germany as he struggled for game time at Old Trafford.

SIR FERGUSON WILL COACH MANCHESTER UNITED IN JUNE.

Sir Alex Ferguson will be back in the Manchester United dug-out this summer.
The Legendary Scot will return to the Old Trafford technical area on June 4 to manage a United XI for veteran midfielder Michael Carrick's testimonial.

The former United boss won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups in his glittering 26-and-a-half year reign.

But Ferguson, who will manage a side made up of former United stars from their 2008 Premier League and Champions League-winning team, said he had no regrets at stepping down in 2013.

“I think the best bit will be seeing the players, to be honest," said Ferguson. "No [I don't miss managing]. I miss the big games, of course, but I made my decision and I’m enjoying it.

“I don’t have to worry about you lads or the agents or the press conferences.”
Ferguson did, however, reveal his regret at leaving Ji-sung Park out of United's squad for the 2008 Champions League win over Chelsea in Moscow.

He said he was also dogged by a similar sense of regret at leaving Dimitar Berbatov out of the squad three years later, as United were humbled 3-1 by a Messi inspired Barcelona at Wembley.

“To win the European Cup is fantastic," said Ferguson. "It was a really great bunch of players with a great attitude about them and a good, strong squad.

“My problem in the 2008 final, maybe I even regret it to this day, was I left Ji-sung Park out completely in the final.

“He’d played such a great role and that’s the problem when you get to these finals.
"At Wembley I did it to Dimitar Berbatov and he took it badly. He didn’t deserve it. No player deserves to be left out of the final.

“That’s why we try hard at these European seminars with the coaches to try to get 11 subs in the final.

"You’ve got four or five sitting in the stand who made fantastic contributions in getting there."

Ferguson, speaking to MUTV, added: "You start the tournament in September and go through to May and changes can happen.

“Maybe you sign a player in January, for instance, who can end up playing in the final.
“It’s a difficult part, always, picking a team for the final in Moscow, and I had to make that horrible decision."

EPL WEEK 29 RESULTS.

West Brom 3 Arsenal 1.

Bournemouth 2 Swansea 0.

Crystal Palace 1 Watford 0.

Stoke City 1 Chelsea 2.

Everton 4 Hull City 0.

Sunderland 0 Burnley 0.

West Ham 2 Leicester City 3.

Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3.

Tottenham Hotspur 2 Southampton 1.

Manchester City 1 Liverpool 1.

WEST HAM v LEICESTER... PREVIEW/PREDICTION.

STAT: Leicester have won four of their last five meetings with West Ham. Again, Craig Shakespeare can become the first Leicester manager to win his opening three Premier League matches if he defeats West Ham on Saturday.

ANALYSIS: Two Premier League wins under Craig Shakespeare have helped ease Leicester away from the drop zone and they could continue their revival with a positive result at the London Stadium. The Foxes must be buzzing after reaching the Champions League quarter-finals, while West Ham are without a win in four league outings and kept only one clean sheet in 2017.

PREDICTION: OVER 2.5.

DATE: 18/3/2017.

KICKOFF: 4:00pm.

WEST BROM v ARSENAL... PREVIEW/PREDICTION.

STAT: West Brom won this fixture 2-1 last season. Arsenal have scored in all 21 of their Premier League meetings with West Brom; their best 100% record of this kind.

ANALYSIS: West Brom have made the Hawthorns a difficult place to visit despite a recent 2-0 defeat to lowly Crystal Palace. Prior to that reverse the Baggies had recorded seven victories from their previous eight home games and with Arsenal low on confidence, West Brom could capitalise at a big price.

PREDICTION: OVER 2.5.

DATE: 18/03/2017.

KICKOFF: 1:30 pm.

VENUE: HAWTHORNS.

EUROPA LEAGUE QUARTER FINAL DRAW.

Anderlecht v Manchester United.

Celta Vigo v Genk.

Ajax v Schalke.

Lyon v Besiktas.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER FINAL DRAWS.

Atletico Madrid vs Leicester City.

Borussia Dortmund vs Monaco.

Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid.

Juventus vs Barcelona.

First legs 11 & 12 April.
Second legs 18 & 19 April.

EUROPA LEAGUE FULL TIME RESULTS

Besiktas 4 Olympiakos 1. (5-2 agg.).

FK Krasnodar 0 Celta Vigo 2. (4-1 agg.).

KRC Genk 1 KAA Gent 1. (6-3 agg.).

Ajax FC 2 Copenhagen 0. (3-2 agg.).

Borussia Mönchengladbach 2 FC Schalke 04  2. (3-3 agg.) Schalke qualify on away goal rule.

Manchester United 1 FC Rostov 0. (2-1 agg. ).

Roma 2 Lyon 1. (4-5 agg).

RSC Anderlecht 1 Apoel Nicosia 0. (2-0 agg.)