Category: Football

Welcome to the BetBright STATZONE, where we give you the stats and you make the decisions! The top-flight Premier League action is coming at us thick and fast at the moment as we head into ‘Week 16’ in the English top-flight this weekend. Another full set of fixtures to get stuck into that starts with Bournemouth hosting Liverpool in the Saturday lunchtime clash –…

It was a fairy tale nobody believed would ever be written. And Barnsley was a town where nobody believed it would be set. Yet, as the clock ticked down on 26 April 1997, the distant dream was about to be realised. All Barnsley needed were three more points to guarantee their place in the Premiership. Leading 1-0 against lowly Bradford City with only minutes…

Sadio Mane has been a Fantasy Premier League favourite since he banged in two goals in the opening gameweek of the season, setting the tone for a fruitful campaign. This form has seen 32.3 per cent of FPL players recruit the Senegalese attacker, who has now racked up 80 points, the ninth most in the league and the fourth most by a midfielder. But now…

Kieran Trippier has once again been a standout player for Tottenham this season, playing a key part in four clean sheets and chipping in with four assists and a goal too. His impressive form has seen him earn 59 Fantasy Premier League points. In Gameweeks 13 and 14, however, the full-back was sidelined with a groin injury, but the defender could now be set…

It can be difficult to measure the predominant feeling of a football club's fan base, but Arsenal's appointment of Unai Emery seemed to be considered underwhelming by large swathes of the Gunners' support. The former Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain boss may have won eight trophies in his previous five seasons in management, but he is not seen as a particularly exciting coach and his…

If you’re going to be remembered for one thing in your football career, you want it to be a good one. Brazilian prodigy Kerlon might not have hit the heights expected of him, but mention his name and someone will point to his seal dribble. Pajtim Kasami struggled to make an impact in the Premier League, but he’ll forever be remembered for the stunning…

When Neil Warnock was sacked by Crystal Palace shortly after Christmas in 2014, he must have believed his time as a Premier League manager was over for good. That was the Yorkshireman’s third stint in the first division of English football, and his inability to keep the Eagles out of the relegation zone confirmed many people’s suspicions that he was simply not cut out…

Welcome to the BetBright STATZONE, where we give you the stats and you make the decisions! It’s ‘Week 15’ in the Premier League this midweek as we get going with the busy festive set of fixtures. All 20 sides are in action across Tuesday (4th) and Wednesday (5th) December. Brighton and Crystal Palace is one of the eye-catching games on Tuesday – but with…

There is arguably no bigger lie in football than “that’s the last thing we want to see”. Whether it takes the form of a petty scrap on the pitch or an individual error, the next best thing to seeing your own team succeed is seeing others fail. As failures go, the comedy own goal ranks about as highly as they come. It’s a chance…

Richard McFadden and his best friend, Willie Jonas, stood in the cold, lice-infested trench, waiting for the command. When it came, they looked at each other. It would be for the last time. “Goodbye, Mac,” said Willie. “Best of luck, love to my wife and best regards to the lads at Orient.” And then he was gone. Jonas was killed almost instantly, one of…

The only thing predictable about La Liga this season is its unpredictability. Last weekend, Real Madrid suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Eibar. Two weeks before that, Barcelona were beaten at home by Real Betis. Just six points separate the top seven teams in the table and with 13 games played, it’s Sevilla who sit at the top of the pile. Pablo Machin’s side…

Rock-bottom Ipswich Town head to The City Ground on Saturday to take on a Nottingham Forest side brimming with confidence after an incredible display saw them draw 5-5 against Aston Villa on Wednesday night. Reds fans will understandably be expecting a win on Saturday against a beleaguered Ipswich side – especially given how strongly The Reds have been performing so far this season and…

It's another massive weekend of Premier League football ahead and Greg Lea of thesetpieces.com gives a few major things to look out for. Game of the weekend Super Sunday lives up to its name this weekend, with three Premier League derbies taking place back-to-back. The action begins with Chelsea vs Fulham and ends with Liverpool vs Everton, but it is the middle offering –…

The atmosphere doesn’t feel right for a cup final. There’s no raucous din in the stands, no ticker tape or fireworks to greet the players, and barely anybody in the ground. Instead, row upon row of empty blue seats glare at the two teams as they line up minutes before kick-off. This is supposed to be the prestigious conclusion to the world’s third oldest…

In the latest installment of his look back at Nottingham Forest's two Champions League triumphs, Rory Jiwani details that famous Trevor Francis goal against Malmo in 1979. In May 1977, Brian Clough and Peter Taylor led Nottingham Forest to promotion from the Second Division. One year later, they claimed the club's first ever league title after winning the League Cup. One year after that, Forest…