Football

There must have been something in the air over New Year’s weekend in 2011/12, with the four teams occupying the Champions League qualification spots all failing to emerge victorious in the Premier League. Yet whereas third-placed Tottenham Hotspur at least managed a draw against Swansea City, each of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City were […]

In the lead up to Gameweek 19 there was a sudden mad rush to recruit any attacking option wearing the red and black of Manchester United, this following their attacking renaissance under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Before a ball was kicked at Old Trafford, however, there was bad news for the 250,000 odd Fantasy Premier League […]

Bournemouth travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United smarting from a Boxing Day 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur. A tough test faces Eddie Howe’s side, as they will play a Red Devils team reenergised under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Under the Norwegian interim boss the Mancunians have scored eight goals in two victories. […]

It’s not only Christmas weight that needs to be shed at this time of the year. Come the Christmas period, Fantasy Premier League managers often use their last opportunity to redeem their first wildcard and revamp teams bloated with point-fearing players. Consider recruiting one of the following players if you are undergoing a last-minute clean-out […]

Buoyed by two wins in his first two matches, interim Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can feel confident of being backed financially to achieve in the Premier League or in Europe this season. He likely will not be allowed to spend to the same degree as Jose Mourinho‘s first transfer window (£185m and Zlatan […]

Welcome to the BetBright STATZONE, where we give you the stats and you make the decisions! The Premier League action is coming at us thick-and-fast at the moment as we head into week 20. Another big set of fixtures over Saturday and Sunday – we get going on Saturday (29th) with five 3pm games that […]

Southampton, 1998/99 When Santa Claus was making his way down the world’s chimneys on Christmas Day 1998, there was little festive cheer to be found in Southampton. Dave Jones’ men were mired in a relegation battle having won just three of their first 18 matches and conceded 35 goals – the worst defensive record in […]

KING POWER STADIUM, LEICESTER — Football’s greatest asset is not the quality of the players. It is not the personality of the managers either, though both are great. Its capacity to bring people together is wonderful too, although it sounds a little too much like a line said smugly by a Fifa executive who 10 […]

CHAMPION HILL, LONDON — Ten months away from home. That’s how long Dulwich Hamlet spent exiled from Champion Hill. When property developers Meadow Residential locked them out of their ground in March, it seemed like an existential threat to a club which had been one of non-league football’s greatest success stories in the years previous. Thousands of fans […]

WEMBLEY STADIUM, LONDON — That’s 11 goals in two matches either side of Christmas. That’s 45 points from 19 games, Tottenham‘s best start to a season since the Glory Glory year of 1961. That’s a point more than Manchester City. They will never win the league, though. To suggest so is to invite death by […]

A Mohamed Salah penalty put Liverpool 2-0 up against Newcastle on Boxing Day. With Manchester City losing to Leicester it looked like a crucial goal as the Reds tried to build their lead at the top of the Premier League table. While Liverpool fans were delighted, it’s fair to say their counterparts in the away […]

Marco Silva insists that all of his Everton players must take responsibility for their recent poor form and will not single out Jordan Pickford. Pickford, 24, established himself as one of the most sought-after young goalkeepers in the world after starring for England in the World Cup, but in recent weeks has been culpable of […]

Dele Alli has been back to something like his best in recent weeks, scoring three goals in a period in which Tottenham have won six of their past seven games. An injury picked up in Spurs’ win over Everton on Sunday, however, means he is a doubt for a busy festive period which includes matches […]

“We’re going to kill the players,” said an exasperated Pep Guardiola in January 2018. “I know here in England the show must go on, but that’s not normal, guys.” Manchester City’s coach was bemused by the sheer intensity of the Premier League’s Christmas schedule. And he was not the first to voice such an opinion. […]

After the indulgence of Christmas, there is a feast of sporting action on Boxing Day: and the horse racing at Kempton looks set to be a cracker. As well as the famous King George VI Chase, there are five other races getting underway at 12.50pm. Live coverage begins on ITV at 1pm. i racing editor […]