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Predicted Leeds XI to face Norwich

Marcelo Biela’s Leeds United go in search of their second Premier League win of the season as they face Norwich at Carrow Road today.

The Whites are up against a Norwich side who sit bottom of the table and lost 7-0 to Chelsea in their last league match. Meanwhile, Leeds lost 2-0 to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup in their last game, exiting in the last 16 of the competition.

How many changes will Bielsa make to his side for today? Here is our predicted XI for the match…

We are predicting that he will make five alterations to the team from midweek, with Junior Firpo, Liam Cooper, Mateusz Klich, Raphinha and Joe Gelhardt all coming in.

Starting at centre-back, Cooper could return in place of Pascal Struijk. The Leeds captain has started every league match this season and his place on the bench against the Gunners yielded a much-needed rest for the Scotland international.

Bielsa has ruled Luke Ayling, Robin Koch and Patrick Bamford out of contention, whilst admitting that Firpo, Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips are set to be available for selection. He told The Athletic: “There is no precise return date for the injuries of Ayling, Bamford and Koch.

“(Junior) Firpo and Raphinha are likely to be available. (Jamie) Shackleton is likely to be available. (Kalvin Phillips) is fine to return.”

We published an article explaining why Firpo should start at left-back, with Stuart Dallas having struggled against Arsenal. The 30-year-old lost 70% of his duels in the match and had a 0% success rate from his attempted dribbles and crosses throughout the game.

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Out wide, Raphinha could replace summer signing Dan James. We have outlined why the 23-year-old flop should be axed from the team, and Bielsa could now start the Brazilian ahead of him against Norwich, with Jack Harrison switching over to the left. Raphinha has three goals in eight Premier League matches this season and could add to his tally today against a struggling Canaries side.

Finally, we are predicting that Klich and Gelhardt will play ahead of Tyler Roberts and Adam Forshaw in midfield. The latter duo failed to impress in midweek and were replaced by the former pair before the 60th minute, perhaps indicating that Bielsa is looking at them to start against Norwich. It could be a huge chance for young Gelhardt to prove his worth if he is handed a place in the starting XI.

AND in other news, Sold for £10m, now a Championship outcast: Leeds had a blinder with “special” 24 y/o…

Everton injury news on Delph

Everton have now revealed some significant injury news involving central midfield player Fabian Delph.

The Lowdown: Out of action

Delph has been out of action since December, when he featured in the Goodison Park faithful’s 3-1 loss away at Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

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His season has been plagued by injuries, much like the rest of his career, but it looks like he could now make a return to the team.

The Latest: Back in training

The Merseyside club have now posted a few photos of Delph in action at Finch Farm on their official Twitter page, with the caption ‘back in full training’.

The former Aston Villa and Manchester City ace will be hoping that he can now return before the Toffees play West Ham United away from home in the top flight on April 3rd.

The Verdict: Significant

While a lot of Evertonians have not always warmed up to Delph, his potential return to the squad remains significant.

The Blues are already missing Tom Davies through injury, while Dele Alli seems to have fallen out of favour under Frank Lampard and Andre Gomes has taken huge criticism for his work ethic, or lack thereof, in recent weeks.

Therefore, the former Derby County and Chelsea manager will need all the options he can get in the middle of the park, and if Delph can keep himself fit from now until the end of the campaign, he may well be a valuable squad member to have.

In other news, find out which 6 ft 4 colossus EFC are now eyeing here!

Mathurin facing lengthy Spurs absence

Speaking to Football Insider, a Tottenham Hotspur source has shared an unwanted update involving young winger Roshaun Mathurin after his ‘devastating’ injury blow.

The Lowdown: Mathurin tears ACL…

The Spurs teenager is one of many academy products turning heads at Hotspur Way, with the 17-year-old netting seven goals and registering two assists across 21 Under-18 Premier League starts last season (Transfermarkt).

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Mathurin’s performances even earned the player his first call-up to first team Tottenham training last season, with former manager Jose Mourinho seemingly taking full notice of his exploits.

However, the teenager suffered a major blow to his fitness, tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at the end of last month in a serious injury blow.

The Latest: Spurs source shares damning update…

Speaking to Football Insider, a Spurs source has now shared an update on Mathurin’s expected recovery time following surgery.

As explained, the Tottenham talent could now be out for at least nine months and possibly 12 after his ACL blow.

Mathurin is apparently regarded as highly-rated behind the scenes at Spurs and a player capable of breaking into the first team, but he will now begin an ‘extensive’ period of rehabilitation before he can play again.

The Verdict: Big shame…

ACL injuries are classed among the most serious in the modern game and Spurs will hope that one of their most highly-rated academy gems can recover as quickly and as smoothly as possible.

Mathurin’s world class display and hat-trick in a 6-1 victory over Chelsea under-18s last year highlights just how much potential there is in his locker. Hopefully he can put this significant setback behind him and make the leap into the first team in the future.

In other news: ‘Meetings with Tottenham’…Source close to ‘unstoppable’ player drops transfer reveal, find out more here.

Wolves transfer update on Guedes

Wolves now reportedly pose a ‘threat’ in the potential signing of Goncalo Guedes before the summer transfer window ends.

The Lowdown: Guedes eyed

There have been a number of reports throughout the window linking Guedes with a move to the Midlands club, and the rumours do not seem to be going away anytime soon.

However, if the Molineux faithful are serious about getting a deal done, then they have to act fast, with less than a week left until the window shuts.

The Latest: Guedes update

As per AS (via Sport Witness), Bruno Lage’s team pose a genuine ‘threat’ to the desire of Valencia manager Jose Bordalas to keep Guedes at the La Liga side.

There is a belief that they will try and sign the Portugal international if they end up selling Adama Traore to Tottenham Hotspur, but Valencia have continued to insist that Guedes will be sold for no less than €30m (£25.7m).

The Verdict: Sign

The Wanderers should be all over a deal to sign Guedes, especially if Traore ends up going to Spurs.

Described recently as a ‘really exciting’ player by The Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield, the winger is certainly capable of getting fans off of their seats, scoring seven goals and making a further seven assists in 34 games in total over all competitions across the 2020/21 season (Transfermarkt).

At 24 years of age, Guedes has not reached his peak yet either, and so paying £25.7m for him would be a smart bit of business should they be able to secure his signature.

In other news, find out what news ahead of Manchester United has WWFC supporters fuming here!

Hay issues Celtic warning ahead of Europa League clash

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Davie Hay has warned Celtic not to concede an early goal to Valencia or else they are in for a long night.

Brendan Rodgers takes his side to the Mestalla on Thursday night looking to overturn a disappointing 2-0 defeat from the first leg a week ago.

Getting the first goal would open the tie up for the visitors but Celtic have taken a few European hidings in recent seasons and Hay has warned to put safety first in the opening stages.

In the Evening Times he stated:

“I think it will be a difficult night, but what you will find out in the opening 15-20 minutes is whether or not Celtic can go and cause a little bit of unrest within Valencia.

“If they lose an early goal, it is an exceptionally long night. The only thing that might work in their favour is the fact that Valencia and their support will expect this game to be little other than a walk into the next round.

“Publicly, of course, the Spaniards won’t come out and say that but there will be a feeling that they pretty much sealed their progress with the first leg win last Thursday night. Their support will be turning up expecting to see them turn on the style.

Rodgers has no fresh injury worries to deal with tonight with his biggest decision being over whether Timo Weah gets a place in his starting XI.

The on-loan Paris Saint Germain forward has made a big impact as a substitute in recent matches including the late victories over St Johnstone and Kilmarnock.

Getting Weah in from the start would pose a fresh threat to the Valencia defence, with Celtic toiling last week to make in roads on the Spanish defence.

Allan Saint-Maximin let Jones down v Palace

Graeme Jones’ first match in charge of Newcastle United ended in disappointment as their winless start to the Premier League season continued against Crystal Palace with a 1-1 draw.

Christian Benteke fired the hosts in front on 56 minutes before Callum Wilson rescued a draw shortly afterwards with a sensational overhead kick into the top corner. The Magpies remain 19th in the Premier League table and are three points off safety, whilst they are only two points ahead of bottom side Norwich.

One player in particular who let Jones down with his display against the Eagles was Allan Saint-Maximin.

The French winger, who is usually the bright spark for the Magpies, was disappointing throughout the game before being taken off for Joelinton in the second half. Saint-Maximin is used to being the star of the show with his tricky, brilliant performances and has so often been a game-changer for the club, but he was unable to showcase his best qualities in the first match after Steve Bruce’s dismissal.

In the eight games prior to today, he had produced two goals and three assists. This shows that he has the ability to provide quality in the final third, which is why he let Jones down this afternoon with his dreadful showing against Palace.

As per SofaScore, Saint-Maximin lost five of his nine duels, including five of his seven ground duels. He also failed to make a single tackle as he was dribbled past once, with zero clearances or blocks, whilst making just one interception for his team. This shows that he was a lightweight in his defensive duties, allowing Palace to get past him too easily.

On the ball, he was not his usual self either. As per SofaScore, he had a dribble success rate of 0% and only completed five of his 12 attempted passes (42%). The 24-year-old also failed to complete a single cross or long ball and lost possession a whopping 19 times from 31 touches.

Along with his lack of defensive nous, Saint-Maximin was unable to effectively use his dribbling skills to create chances for himself and others. Normally so lively in the final third, he was far from his best today and ended up letting Jones down at Selhurst Park.

AND in other news, Ba 2.0: PIF could land goalscoring sensation with NUFC swoop for “incredible” beast…

Everton: Romano drops update on Patterson

Everton have already made their first signing of Ukrainian left-back, Vitaliy Mykolenko, on the opening day of the transfer window, and on the fourth day, it looks like they could be making their second on the opposite side of the defence line, as a new transfer update emerges.

What’s the word?

Transfer insider, Fabrizio Romano, has taken to his Twitter account this morning to give fans an update on the current situation on potential Toffees signing, Nathan Patterson.

He updated his 1.3 million Twitter followers on the progress:

“Nathan Patterson now prepared to undergo his medical tests as new Everton player. Personal terms fully agreed, just waiting for contract signing. Here we go confirmed. #EFC.”

Adding further information on the deal, Romano reports:

“Rangers will receive £12m plus bonuses for Patterson. Paperworks now – then official statement.”

Fans will be buzzing

The 20 year old right back has been making waves in the Scottish Premiership for Rangers, and impressed back in November when he scored his first goal and assisted Che Adams’ second for the Scotland national side against Moldova in a World Cup Qualifier that landed the nation a play-off place to compete for a spot at the Qatar World Cup at the end of this year.

Everton have been in extremely poor form, finding themselves 15th in the Premier League with three defeats and only one win in their last five games, registering five wins in total and picking up just 19 points over the season so far.

The defensive line has been the topic of conversation over the last few months for the Toffees as manager, Rafa Benitez was rumoured to have a fall out with Lucas Digne, resulting in a new left back signing and speculation of a move for the Frenchman, who hasn’t been seen in the side since the Merseyside Derby.

Seamus Coleman, who has completed retiring as his contract ends in under 18 months.

It seems the Patterson signing could confirm the intentions to phase out the 33-year-old who has been part of the Everton team this season that have conceded 32 goals and managed only three clean sheets so far.

We expect fans will be buzzing to see a fresh pair of legs added into the team that has a number of ageing players, especially in the right back position, where the need for a Coleman replacement has become rather desperate this term.

In other news: Speculation over Lucas Digne’s future mounting

Liverpool eyeing Jarrod Bowen transfer

Liverpool have had no issues when it comes to scoring goals in their latest Premier League season.

With 30 league games played, the Reds have found the back of the net 77 times, which is more than any other top-flight side have managed to score in this campaign.

One figure, in particular, that has contributed a lot towards Liverpool’s attacking power over recent months is winger Mohamed Salah.

Having appeared in 28 league games, the 29-year-old Egyptian has scored 20 goals and provided ten assists along the way, which is more league contributions than any other Reds player has been able to deliver.

Despite the 29-year-old’s deadliness in front of goal, it seems as though the Merseyside club could be looking to bring in another attacking talent that could potentially dethrone the iconic Liverpool star in the near future.

What’s the news?

According to journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, West Ham United winger Jarrod Bowen is one name on a list of players identified by the Reds for a potential summer transfer move.

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Since arriving at the east London club back in the 2020 January transfer window from Hull City, the Englishman has scored 22 goals and provided 21 assists in 93 appearances across all competitions, prior to their Europa League clash against Lyon.

‘Massive’ signing for Liverpool

With nine goals and eight assists to his name in 29 league appearances in this campaign, the 25-year-old has earned himself an overall performance rating of 7.23/10 from WhoScored, making him the highest-rated player in David Moyes’ squad. With that in mind, it’s hardly a surprise that he was dubbed a “massive” player for the club by Pablo Fornals.

To highlight how much of an attacking threat the £75m-valued former Hull star is, he has managed to rack up more shots on target this season (29) than the likes of Diogo Jota, Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling among many others.

While Salah may have more goal contributions than Bowen, the West Ham figure has proven himself to be a much more defensive-minded attacker by making 55 tackles and 45 interceptions more than the £90m-rated gem.

Having been labelled as an “unbelievable” player by Klopp in the past, as well as being a “special” talent by Sporting Index, Bowen would certainly be a solid addition to Liverpool’s already attack-heavy squad.

Taking into account how the Hammers star is a few years younger than Salah, he could well be a potential replacement for the Reds winger if his contract situation doesn’t sort itself out and he ends up leaving.

In other news: Liverpool now plot bid for £144m-rated “phenomenon”, he’s even better than Salah…

Liverpool handed Mane injury update

With Liverpool having lost Harvey Elliott to a serious ankle injury back in September, followed by Roberto Firmino picking up a hamstring injury earlier this month, it’s safe to say Jurgen Klopp has not had much luck when it comes to having all of his attacking options available to him this season.

With the latest international break underway, it seemed as though the Reds could have been struck with another injury issue to one of their key attacking players.

However, there has been a development that will surely be a big relief to everyone at the Merseyside club.

What’s the news?

After being forced off the pitch during Senegal’s recent World Cup qualifying clash with Togo after 28 minutes with a suspected injury, Senegal coach Aliou Cisse revealed that Mane’s injury is not a serious one and that he was taken off as a precaution, which should be great news for Klopp.

Given how the 29-year-old, who is currently valued at £76.5m according to Transfermarkt, has managed to score eight goals in 15 games across all competitions so far this season, this shows just how important he is to the team and why it will be a big relief that his injury, on this occasion, was not a serious one.

In addition to his goals, the winger has also managed to rack up an average of 3.4 shots at goal per game in the Premier League and an overall season rating of 7.24/10, making him Liverpool’s fourth-highest rated player according to WhoScored, highlighting how much of a vital figure he is for the club.

Moving forward, with Senegal set to play Congo on Sunday in their next World Cup qualifying match, everyone at Liverpool will undoubtedly be hoping that Mane will be able to get through this game unscathed and then return back to Merseyside ready to take on Arsenal when the Premier League returns later this month.

If Mane is fit to play against Mikel Arteta’s side, then he will surely give the Reds a better chance of securing a win against the north London club, who are on a good run of form at the moment, remaining unbeaten in their eight previous league games, having also conceded just one goal in their last three matches.

In other news: FSG could secure perfect Milner heir at Liverpool with “phenomenal” £58.5m-rated beast – opinion

Aston Villa: Gerrard’s Guilbert plan

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard will run the rule over loaned-out Frederic Guilbert in the summer, The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece says. 

The lowdown

Villa paid £4.5million to sign Guilbert, a right-back, from SM Caen back in 2019, and he made 25 Premier League appearances during their first season back in the top flight.

Last January, half a season on from the arrival of Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest, he sealed a loan move to RC Strasbourg.

That spell in Alsace was extended in the summer and will run to the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

Guilbert, who’s valued at £5.4million by Transfermarkt, has featured in the Ligue 1 outfit’s last 17 games, starting 14.

His £40,000-per-week Villa contract has 18 months left to run.

The latest

Preece was asked in a fan Q & A whether Gerrard would give Guilbert a chance to challenge Matty Cash ahead of the 2022/23 season.

“He’ll have a good look at him in the summer before a decision is made,” he replied. “He’s been doing well in France!”

The verdict

Guilbert could be worth a try. Since his switch to Strasbourg a year ago, he’s impressively laid on seven assists in 33 matches.

Compare that to Cash, who’s in the midst of something of a barren run in that department. His last Premier League assist came way back in December 2020.

Gerrard may want more production from full-back, which was a key part of his success at Rangers.

And that could open the door for the 27-year-old, who may still harbour hopes of resurrecting his Villa career.

In other news, Tyrone Mings reacts to this huge Villa boost.

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