Category: Football

Roberto De Zerbi will leave Brighton following tomorrow’s final Premier League game of the season against Manchester United.

The Italian, who departs by mutual consent, has spent two seasons at the Amex Stadium after joining in September 2022 but has cut a frustrated figure in recent weeks with Brighton’s injury problems hampering his ability to guide the club to a second successive season in Europe.

Read our other sports news stories: 
Postecoglou adamant Tottenham have made progress in long-term project
Arteta and Arsenal praying for a miracle on Premier League final day
Klopp ready for emotional farewell

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom said: “Roberto has given us two excellent seasons of service in which he has led the club to new heights, not least our first ever European campaign which will live long in the memory of Albion fans.

“We have mutually agreed to end Roberto’s contract at a time that suits both parties allowing us the earliest opportunity to plan for next season, and Roberto plenty of time to consider his next move and his future.

“I am sure our fans will give Roberto and his staff a wonderful and fully deserved send off at the Amex before, during and after tomorrow’s match.

“In the meantime, I’d like to thank Roberto and his staff for all their hard work in the past two seasons. They all leave our club on good terms and with our very best wishes for the future.”

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Thank you for the memories, Roberto. 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/FQZ8YlwiKt

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) May 18, 2024

De Zerbi’s stock remains high and he has been linked with several jobs in Europe, most notably at Bayern Munich, who have yet to announce a successor to Thomas Tuchel, who will leave the Allianz Arena at the end of the season.

De Zerbi said: “I am very sad to be leaving Brighton, but I am very proud of what my players and staff have achieved with the support of everyone at the club and our amazing fans in the past two historical seasons.

“We have agreed to end my time at Brighton so that the club and I can continue to work in the way that suits each of us best, following our own ideas and visions, as well as our work and human values.

“I have really enjoyed an intense and challenging two years working in the Premier League, not least competing in four major competitions this season. Leaving now provides me with time to take a break before deciding on my future plans.”

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson described Jurgen Klopp as “eternal” ahead of his final match in charge against Wolves tomorrow.

Klopp bows out after over eight years in the Anfield hot-seat, over which time the club have landed eight major trophies.

Read our other sports news stories: 
Postecoglou adamant Tottenham have made progress in long-term project
Arteta and Arsenal praying for a miracle on Premier League final day
Klopp ready for emotional farewell

The German brought Alisson to the club and the Brazil international has repaid him by becoming an integral part of their success.

He told Liverpool’s official website: “It will be a lot [of emotion] for sure.

“I [can] tell by myself these moments are not so easy to deal with; to say goodbyes. But everybody will be on that mood [and] really emotional. I think you get emotional when you realise how good was the spirit [and] how good was the journey.

“The gaffer gave the opportunity not only for the players to be part of this successful team, but he gave [that] to the supporters as well. He made the supporters feel part of that. I think that’s why everybody will be so emotional.”

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Alisson Becker is expecting an emotional afternoon at Anfield, but insists the Reds are fully focused on giving Jürgen Klopp a ‘proper farewell’ 💬

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 18, 2024

Klopp’s shoes will be hard to fill with Feyenoord boss Arne Slot expected to be confirmed as his successor in the coming weeks.

And Alisson is convinced Klopp leaves a legacy at Anfield that will survive for many generations.

He added: “Everybody here at the building at AXA [Training Centre] will feel his departure and all of his staff.

“But what this man made here [and] what he creates here is a legacy. Legacies last longer than trophies… he’ll be eternal. He’ll be amongst the eternal managers and eternal figures and eternal people of this club.”

 

Could Arsenal still snatch a record fourth title from Manchester City on the final day of the season? The answer is Yes. We explain how below.

What is the scenario?

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal could see themselves being crowned Premier League champions at the expense of City on the final day if Pep Guardiola’s team get a draw in their match against West Ham.

Arsenal will face Everton at the Emirates on the final day and will need to secure a win.

There is even a scenario where the Gunners could be crowned champions on their head-to-head record against City!

How do they know this can happen? It’s exactly how they took the First Division title from Liverpool back in 1989.

The Current Situation Explained

Currently, Arteta’s side’s goal difference is +61, three better than City’s. However, the reigninig champions have scored more goals, 91 to the Gunners’ 89.

There are several ways both sides could finish the season with the same number of points, leaving the decision to the finer details.

Guardiola’s side needs to achieve one more point to make it level and three to take a two-point lead. 

Match Previews

The Citizen’s opponents on the final day have conceded 71 goals this season, the fourth-most in the league. 

They would need to score four goals to defeat David Moyes’s side, the same number of goals they have scored in the last six of their seven games.

Arsenal welcome Everton, a team who have conceded the fourth fewest goals in the top-flight, totalling 49. 

Only the top three teams have a better defensive record than Sean Dyche’s side.

Jurgen Klopp is confident he leaves Liverpool in a “very, very good place” as he prepares for his final game in charge.

The Reds welcome Wolves to Anfield for Klopp’s swansong with Feyenoord boss Arne Slot admitting yesterday he would be his successor with an announcement expected in the coming week.

Read our other sports news stories: 
Postecoglou adamant Tottenham have made progress in long-term project
Arteta and Arsenal praying for a miracle on Premier League final day
Poch calls for Chelsea fans to trust the process

Klopp – who leaves alongside many of his backroom staff – is heading for a sabbatical before he decides his next move, but he believes the club will continue to thrive in his absence.

Writing in his programme notes, he said: “The big positive for Liverpool is that no matter who is leaving, the club is still in a very, very good place. This season we aimed for the moon and ended up in the stars which is never too bad and the players and staff who are remaining are top, top class.

“Yes, they will have new leadership before too long but this is a club that is ready to take the journey in a new and exciting direction, not one that is ready for the journey to come to an end.

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Jürgen wants to stay in contact… so he now has his own Instagram account 🙌

Follow him: https://t.co/TDYCL7NzkP 📲 pic.twitter.com/7ItW5NxPCX

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 18, 2024

“This is what I have always known Liverpool to be – a club of journeys and adventures, some that end with trophies and some that don’t but whatever happens there are always stories and moments that are unforgettable.

“In my time here we have been blessed with quite a few and it is important that I stress that what we have done has always been underpinned by stable, intelligent and creative ownership. Again, I could not be more grateful for this but I am also excited because I know that this will continue going forward and that can only be good news for Liverpool FC.”

Emotions will run high

Sunday promises to be an emotional afternoon for everyone connected with Liverpool but Klopp knows his replacement will be afforded the same affection he was when he walked through the Anfield door in 2015.

He added: “”Finally, to the supporters I have only thanks and love. Everything that we have done has been because of you, with you and for you. I have referred many times to the banner on the Kop which says Unity Is Strength and I think this is a belief that we have all lived up to.

“The important thing now is that it continues so that my successor can have the same benefits of it as I’ve had. After Sunday I will be a supporter too, so hopefully I can play my part in that.

“I have never walked alone. You will never walk alone. LFC will never walk alone.

“Thank you Luv.”

 

When Manchester City stood against Tottenham Hotspurs on Tuesday, they were ready to win, they were prepared to play well, but they never expected which player would shine above the rest. Stefan Ortega’s incredible last-minute save took the match from entertaining to something truly special. Let’s look at what happened and what it means for Man City going forward.

Ortega’s Showstopping Save

This excellent play wasn’t set up in advance but arrived entirely by happenstance. Earlier in the match, the first-choice keeper, Ederson, had a nasty collision with Tottenham defender Cristian Romero. While he wasn’t concussed, Ederson struggled to see after the incident, and Guardiola made the tough choice to sub him off in the match’s second half. 

Ortega was brought in to fill that spot, and while his role was brief, boy, was it impressive!

Approaching the match’s end, Manchester City had a 1-0 lead but needed to keep a hold of it to maintain an easy win for the Premier League. That’s when, with just three minutes left, Tottenham forward and Captain Son Heung-min got possession and made a go for goal. But standing fast against a skilful feint, Ortega made the right call and blocked the shot.

This masterful show of goalkeeping was met with riotous applause and after the match Ortega was drowning in congratulations and praise. Guardiola, who had fallen to the floor as he thought they were about to lose the point lead, greeted the goalie after the final whistle with a kiss on the cheek and didn’t hold back in the post-match press, saying: “Ortega is a world-class goalkeeper. An exceptional, exceptional goalkeeper.”

What does this mean for Man City?

This save wasn’t just a stunning display of skill from Ortega but, in conjunction with Haaland’s two goals scored in the match and during the penalty, all but secured Man City’s fourth consecutive Premier League victory. The save knocked Arsenal back out of the running, and as the greatest obstacle to the win, it’s no wonder Guardiola had this to say:

“He saves us – otherwise, Arsenal are champions. That is the reality. The margins are so tight. The save from Son. It was incredible. One-on-one, Stefan is one of the best keepers I’ve seen in my life. It’s the German culture – stand up, don’t go down.”

There’s still time for the rankings to change, but Manchester City have undoubtedly found their “moment” of the season.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will square off in Riyadh this Saturday in a boxing match where all the belts are on the line. It’s also worth mentioning that a rematch between these two giants is expected later this year regardless of the Saturday night fight’s outcome.

It seems that not only the two fighters are well-prepared for the fight, but Paddy Power are ready too. Paddy welcomes its new customers with an amazing betting offer for the Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk fight where they will pay odds of 50/1 as free bets if Fury wins the match.

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Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usky fight records

Tyson Fury managed to beat Francis Ngannou in a split decision last year in October to keep his WBC heavyweight champion title intact.

Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk comfortably won on two occasions against Anthony Joshua back in September 2021 and August 2022. Then, he did well to retain his IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles after beating Daniel Dubois in August 2023.

Fury’s professional boxing stats

• Age: 35
• Height: 6ft 9in
• Total fights: 35
• Record: 34-1 (0 KOs)

Usyk’s professional boxing stats

• Age: 37
• Height: 6ft 3in
• Total fights: 21
• Record: 21-0 (14 KOs)

Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk Odds with Paddy Power

Tyson Fury is favourite to win the clash but only slightly, as he is priced at odds of 5/6 with Paddy Power, while Oleksandr Usyk sits at 11/10. Furthermore, Tyson Fury’s odds to win by KO are 10/1 while Usyk is priced at 13/1.

However, if you fancy Fury to win and you’re looking for a huge price boost then this Paddy Power Enhanced Odds of 50/1 on Fury to win should be the one that fits your needs.

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