St George Illawarra Dragons hammer New Zealand Warriors 36-0 in Wellington

<div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">St George Illawarra has overcome the early loss of playmaker Benji Marshall to thrash an abject Warriors 36-0 in Wellington.Hooker Mitch Rein stepped up with a brilliant game in the absence of the veteran half-back, who limped off in the 16th minute. Moments earlier, Dragons centre Will Matthews also departed with a dislocated shoulder.</span></div> <div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The loss of personnel did not affect the visitors, who outclassed the Warriors in all departments, scoring six unanswered tries.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Four of them came in the third quarter, opening up the home defence effortlessly with some slick tries to defy the freezing, wet conditions.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The only thing colder was the Warriors attack.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Clearly missing injured playmaker Shaun Johnson, they lacked fluidity throughout in a fumbling performance which further dents the play-off hopes that looked so solid before embarking on their current four-game losing streak.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The Warriors will be two points outside the top-eight with four rounds remaining but their form and a bleeding points differential suggests there will be no post-season.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Adding to their woes was the exit of winger Manu Vatuvei, clutching a shoulder in the closing stages.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The Dragons ended a seven-game losing streak last week against the Knights and Saturday's result should keep them ensconced in seventh.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Wing Justin Hunt crossed early through a Marshall cut-out pass which looked suspiciously forward before Rein stretched over for their second.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Livewire hooker Rein came alive after the break, firstly delivering a deft cross-kick which was claimed spectacularly by Jake Marketo.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">A Rein break from 60m out put Euan Aitken clear before he sent fellow-centre Peter Mata'utia over in the try of the game.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Gareth Widdop stepped around struggling opposite Chad Townsend for an easy try, adding to the Englishman's 16-point haul.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Tyson Frizzell scythed over before the Dragons' final points came from two Widdop penalties as hail pelted down.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The win is the 11th in succession for the Dragons over the Warriors, improving their overall record to 19 wins from 23 in one of the NRL's more lop-sided relationships.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">It was another forgettable Warriors visit to Wellington, where they have lost seven of eight games.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />  </span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1z3KQ-ndg7RGqqlSCF5HDXUQofZXWOiP-FzIIgsVyA__JoFqjJ8CRwKlgVHHQk4m8IkDrdAxSZ6NxBwgUZ_pp0_ANr1rbLqUsrtOW1CoSsjlLlBypUah_bWaHuLwlqfo2-u9CYvYnEw/s1600/126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1z3KQ-ndg7RGqqlSCF5HDXUQofZXWOiP-FzIIgsVyA__JoFqjJ8CRwKlgVHHQk4m8IkDrdAxSZ6NxBwgUZ_pp0_ANr1rbLqUsrtOW1CoSsjlLlBypUah_bWaHuLwlqfo2-u9CYvYnEw/s400/126.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span>

St George Illawarra Dragons hammer New Zealand Warriors 36-0 in Wellington

St George Illawarra has overcome the early loss of playmaker Benji Marshall to thrash an abject Warriors 36-0 in Wellington.Hooker Mitch Re...

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Manly Sea Eagles beat South Sydney Rabbitohs to keep faint NRL finals hopes alive

<div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Manly's charge to the NRL finals has continued courtesy of a 28-8 defeat of South Sydney, with Peta Hiku scoring three tries.The Sea Eagles dominated much of the round 22 fixture at Brookvale Oval on Friday night to turn a 14-2 half-time lead into a five-tries-to-one win.</span></div> <div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Hiku scored tries in the 16th, 35th and 61st minutes and Jake Trbojevic crossed for a double as Manly secured its sixth win in its past eight games.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Manly will sit in ninth spot at the end of the round, two points out of the eight. Souths will remain in the top four after the round despite the loss.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">In a forgettable night for the Rabbitohs, a 78th-minute try to Alex Johnston was the only time the visitors crossed the stripe before the crowd of 15,083.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">On the back of 59 per cent of possession, the home side dominated the first half. Souths half-back Adam Reynolds opened the scoring with a penalty goal in the fifth minute.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Jake Trbojevic crossed first for Manly in the eighth minute, when he charged onto a Feleti Mateo pass and crashed over. Hiku added his first eight minutes later w</span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">en a trademark Brett Stewart long ball found him unmarked for a 10-2 scoreline.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Manly continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges in and around the ruck, with Souths committing a number of handling errors in their own half to stifle any momentum they might have gained.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Some stubborn defence from Souths kept the Sea Eagles at bay until Hiku scored his second from a lovely Jamie Lyon pass late in the first half. Two missed conversions from Lyon meant a half-time lead of 14-2 for Manly.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Things continued in a similar fashion after the break with Manly enjoying the better of the yardage up front and out wide. Hiku's third try put Manly out to 22-2 with 18 minutes to go, before Trbojevic's second in the 74th minute sealed the win.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Former Sea Eagle Glenn Stewart was put on report for an early second-half high shot on Manly's Steve Matai.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Kyle Turner was a late withdrawal for Souths after his concussion last weekend.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jamie Lyon became the third Manly player to score 500 points at Brookvale after Graham Eadie and Matthew Ridge.</span></span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3M90CmbvF0wOBAlghN-o7GzrJmd-wu2MCSQ6mnMJdz14bu5pZIDuRIVySP-wz_vpLheojquK-JnekirZtncm_75i1J-t13JQqzKd7zUpXnn1fVsHvZrzde6Nz3CVq1WF7I8lBSmM8Q/s1600/125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3M90CmbvF0wOBAlghN-o7GzrJmd-wu2MCSQ6mnMJdz14bu5pZIDuRIVySP-wz_vpLheojquK-JnekirZtncm_75i1J-t13JQqzKd7zUpXnn1fVsHvZrzde6Nz3CVq1WF7I8lBSmM8Q/s400/125.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></span>

Manly Sea Eagles beat South Sydney Rabbitohs to keep faint NRL finals hopes alive

Manly's charge to the NRL finals has continued courtesy of a 28-8 defeat of South Sydney, with Peta Hiku scoring three tries.The Sea Ea...

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Ten-man PSG beat Lille on opening day

<div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1" itemprop="description" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">     Paris St-Germain started their defence of the Ligue 1 title with victory at Lille despite being forced to play with 10 men for more than an hour.</span></div> <div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1" itemprop="description" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Midfielder Adrien Rabiot was sent off in the 27th minute for a second yellow card but Lucas Moura secured the win. </span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The Brazilian rounded keeper Vincent Enyeama in the 57th minute to slot home after a slick passing move. </span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">New signing Angel Di Maria, who is not match fit, was at the game after his £44.3m move from Manchester United. </span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">PSG were also without forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has a knee injury. </span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Laurent Blanc's side are chasing a fourth successive French league title.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span>                                            <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdw2EzMB8W-hERbn39qykA7kujVuOsY8PbPRsJq1e97cPqHEibOcG8Q6ltF5vcEp6F5L-M2uVVQo-7Dphg5u7pLLgbVqBzRDQ14mqYhJf52AW2mHNVgMfED9GxVRMkGpoaOu782jIpw/s1600/psg8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdw2EzMB8W-hERbn39qykA7kujVuOsY8PbPRsJq1e97cPqHEibOcG8Q6ltF5vcEp6F5L-M2uVVQo-7Dphg5u7pLLgbVqBzRDQ14mqYhJf52AW2mHNVgMfED9GxVRMkGpoaOu782jIpw/s400/psg8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>

Ten-man PSG beat Lille on opening day

     Paris St-Germain started their defence of the Ligue 1 title with victory at Lille despite being forced to play with 10 men for more th...

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United handed Club Brugge test

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Manchester United will need to beat last season's Belgian League runners-up Club Brugge if they are to reach the group stage of the Champions League.</span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Louis van Gaal's side, who finished fourth in the Premier League last season, will face Michel Preud'homme's side in the play-off round with the matches to be played on 18th/19th and 25th/26th August.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Club Brugge finished top of the regular Belgian Pro League last term before being edged out by Gent in the Championship playoffs.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In the third qualifying round of the Champions League they beat Panathinaikos 4-2 on aggregate, easing past the Greek side 3-0 in the second encounter after losing the first leg 2-1.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dion Cools, Victor Vazquez and Obbi Oulare all scored for the Belgian side in the second leg.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Meanwhile, Celtic will face Malmo in the play-off round after edging to a 1-0 aggregate win against Qarabag.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Celtic beat the side from Azerbaijan 1-0 in Glasgow before holding on for a goalless draw in the second leg in Baku, while Malmo edged to a 3-2 aggregate victory against Salzburg in their third qualifying round encounter.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Swedish side had lost the first leg 2-0 but hit back to win the tie on home soil thanks to goals by Nikola Djurdic, Markus Rosenberg and Vladimir Rodic.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Valencia will play Monaco in an encounter between two former finalists. Monaco were beaten by Porto in the 2004 final while Valencia lost out to Real Madrid in 2000 and Bayern Munich 12 months later.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sporting Lisbon have been paired with CSKA Moscow while Lazio face Bayer Leverkusen.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Manchester United are <span style="border: 0px; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">20/1</span></span> to win the Champions League outright this season and <span style="border: 0px; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">15/8</span></span> to finish in the top two of the Premier League.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Champions League play-off round:</span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Lazio vs Bayer Leverkusen <br style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Manchester United vs Club Brugge<br style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Sporting Lisbon vs CSKA Moscow<br style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Rapid Vienna vs Shakhtar Donetsk <br style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Valencia vs Monaco<br style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />FC Astana vs APOEL FC<br style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Skenderbeu vs Dinamo Zagreb<br style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Celtic vs Malmo<br style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Basel vs Maccabi Tel Aviv<br style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />BATE Borisov vs Partizan Belgrade</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9xkhtw53RHReOgiUYLCwSP57-uWc2aQiuS7arWXcSzZC1KR-yy36bX-Wkc2aDGk-eIMYGVz80v7FnEbpTcS2EU-MZbcuxLgkt3E1MhkTE9py7lYeidgIoZnhMGbBEV5y4tIYvq9BeA/s1600/28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9xkhtw53RHReOgiUYLCwSP57-uWc2aQiuS7arWXcSzZC1KR-yy36bX-Wkc2aDGk-eIMYGVz80v7FnEbpTcS2EU-MZbcuxLgkt3E1MhkTE9py7lYeidgIoZnhMGbBEV5y4tIYvq9BeA/s400/28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

United handed Club Brugge test

Manchester United will need to beat last season's Belgian League runners-up Club Brugge if they are to reach the group stage of the Cha...

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Everton launch double bid for Inter star Shaqiri and Argentina defender Miro

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">EVERTON have launched a double bid to sign Swiss star Xherdan Shaqiri and Argentina defender Ramiro Funes Miro.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Manager Roberto Martinez is seeking to recruit Shaqiri on loan, with a view to a permanent deal, with the Inter Milan star having rejected Stoke City earlier this summer.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Shaqiri, 23, can leave Inter despite only joining them in January and would solve Martinez’s search for a No10.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Stoke pulled out of a £12m deal for Shaqiri a month ago after he dragged his heels over their interest and failed respond to a deadline imposed by the club.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He is the sort of signing who would excite Everton fans, who have seen Tom Cleverley and Gerard Deulofeu as the only new recruits before the Premier League opener with Watford.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It comes as River Plate centre-back Miro emerged as the defender Everton want to strengthen their defence.</span></div> <div class="mc_content" id="NewsContent" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Left-footed Miro, 24, scored a goal in River Plate’s Copa Libertadores Final win over Tigres this week and negotiations to seal a deal will now continue. He is 6ft 1in and has one cap for the Argentina national team.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Martinez has wanted another centre-back since releasing Sylvain Distin and Antolin Alcaraz at the end of last season and interest is independent of Chelsea’s pursuit of John Stones.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Stones is expected to face Watford following an ankle injury, but Chelsea will return next week with a bid of £30m in an attempt to see if that entices Everton to the negotiating table.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jose Mourinho’s champions have had bids of £20m and £26m already rejected.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzczdOON-B6i985AsTcd_7VEdq8T90m5KVkSDpIj8nbiXV3XakAOU6WtqOsLtKSCn-ZvhBQ1KfqVkAWNAQWwJeReMhIwY3Gemt1zOlN5fW8Vy3jbzGS1NZhkRZLFL4awfo5cBViSEWg/s1600/inter2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzczdOON-B6i985AsTcd_7VEdq8T90m5KVkSDpIj8nbiXV3XakAOU6WtqOsLtKSCn-ZvhBQ1KfqVkAWNAQWwJeReMhIwY3Gemt1zOlN5fW8Vy3jbzGS1NZhkRZLFL4awfo5cBViSEWg/s400/inter2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div> </div>

Everton launch double bid for Inter star Shaqiri and Argentina defender Miro

EVERTON have launched a double bid to sign Swiss star Xherdan Shaqiri and Argentina defender Ramiro Funes Miro. Manager Roberto Martinez ...

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Arsenal confident convincing Benzema to leave Real Madrid

<div class="mc_content" id="NewsContent" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <div align="left" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Arsenal remain in the hunt for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Daily Star says the Gunners are confident of striking a deal for the £35m-rated Frenchman.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">With Gareth Bale being handed a new attacking role next season, Benzema could find opportunities limited under new boss Rafa Benitez.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And the Spanish giants have now let it be known they are now ready to talk about selling Benzema.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Wenger's claim he in not chasing Benzema's signature is believed to be out of respect to Real.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zFHSKpfLW2PeAUaoFWcJwk7iE1ClCOmZ9ddUJWI_1Bo5XhmCWTnLRefLWmbx4l2A7H2b0kLzF9xcIPs-eug6l_xLy16mgHPVy7DQjTEb0rqQacygc94fmJO0ZUvIDsxksMAfxxmCvQ/s1600/real25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zFHSKpfLW2PeAUaoFWcJwk7iE1ClCOmZ9ddUJWI_1Bo5XhmCWTnLRefLWmbx4l2A7H2b0kLzF9xcIPs-eug6l_xLy16mgHPVy7DQjTEb0rqQacygc94fmJO0ZUvIDsxksMAfxxmCvQ/s400/real25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div> </div>

Arsenal confident convincing Benzema to leave Real Madrid

Arsenal remain in the hunt for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema. The Daily Star says the Gunners are confident of striking a deal for t...

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Gnabry joins West Brom on loan

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">West Bromwich Albion have confirmed the signing of Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry on loan for the 2015-2016 season.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <div class="mc_content" id="NewsContent" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">West Bromwich Albion have confirmed the signing of Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry on loan for the 2015-2016 season.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The 20-year old made his debut for the Gunners back in 2012 and is highly rated by Arsene Wenger but a string of niggling injuries has stalled his career at the Emirates.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />West Brom boss Tony Pulis is said to be happy with the addition of the German youth international after missing out on QPR's Matt Phillips.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />"We're delighted to add Serge to our options," he told the club's official website. "He is a top player and he will bring us quality in certain areas of the pitch."</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />"I’m very delighted by the move," Gnabry added. "I see the opportunity that I can play, it's a good club and I've heard good things.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />"I'm very happy that I've signed here. I've got good impressions and I feel it’s a good environment for me to play and also develop as a player.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjlp2d013V8HPE6oL3Kgt7ujxRvBhj-xZ3m4siRDTvBiZGkJCJbFISQnkUYRSNEZLyiRbJR6aLU1pGZhFWaD1YHDXUEinpTjCltIKOVNqD4CDoQNdxVOzJXwyj1WMJjuAeP2ZbjD9nQ/s1600/westbrom4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjlp2d013V8HPE6oL3Kgt7ujxRvBhj-xZ3m4siRDTvBiZGkJCJbFISQnkUYRSNEZLyiRbJR6aLU1pGZhFWaD1YHDXUEinpTjCltIKOVNqD4CDoQNdxVOzJXwyj1WMJjuAeP2ZbjD9nQ/s400/westbrom4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div> </div> </div>

Gnabry joins West Brom on loan

West Bromwich Albion have confirmed the signing of Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry on loan for the 2015-2016 season. West Bromwich Albion h...

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David De Gea not the same as last season - Van Gaal

<div class="mc_content" id="NewsContent" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <div align="left" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal says keeper David De Gea is not "capable" of playing in Saturday's season opener against Tottenham.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">De Gea, 24, reportedly wants to move to Real Madrid with speculation over his future persisting all summer.<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />"We've observed him in training and matches and he's not the David De Gea of last year," said Van Gaal.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Lindegaard and Johnstone travelled on the club's summer US tour, but neither played for United last season. Lindegaard did not feature once in the previous campaign, while Johnstone has yet to make his United debut.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">United also have Victor Valdes, but the 33-year-old Spaniard has been made available for transfer after Van Gaal claimed he "refused to play" in the reserves.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"De Gea tries and does his utmost best, but it's a difficult situation," added Van Gaal.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"Now we have to play our first match and I want players who can focus only on the match and he is not capable to do that.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"He shall not play."</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">De Gea has made 175 appearances since joining United from Real's city rivals Atletico Madrid in 2011.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Angel Di Maria has written an open letter to United supporters, following his £44.3m move to Paris St-Germain.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The 27-year-old Argentina midfielder conceded his one season at Old Trafford "did not go well".</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"I can guarantee you it was not for trying," he said in his letter.United are believed to be holding out for a deal that includes Real defender Sergio Ramos coming to Old Trafford.New signing Sergio Romero, 28, Anders Lindegaard, 31, or Sam Johnstone, 22, could replace De Gea.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"I did my best but football is not like maths: often a lot of things out of our control affect the way we feel and the way things turn out.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Van Gaal, who will reportedly sign Barcelona's Pedro  as a replacement, said Di Maria's exit would be a "big loss".</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">But the United boss suggested Di Maria may have struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"I want more attackers with speed and creativity," he said. "Di Maria is one of those players so we have to look for that kind of player, but they have to have the talent to cope with the English rhythm and that's difficult to find.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">But the United boss suggested Di Maria may have struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"I want more attackers with speed and creativity," he said. "Di Maria is one of those players so we have to look for that kind of player, but they have to have the talent to cope with the English rhythm and that's difficult to find.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"That's why players are not having success in this competition - because of the rhythm of the game and the English culture is a different culture to the Latin culture.""That's why players are not having success in this competition - because of the rhythm of the game and the English culture is a different culture to the Latin culture.""I am sorry it did not work out as I would have wished in this amazing, huge club."</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdqDkEvwfvPd0ytYQSzI4YmPi3Dt-EKfmONmrrFJsJtrqdQxBasLXVJPQIrdoX6WsQ938WHMGF-oav-X-I_gTnND59b32HiGfB_9s9VXCKn_fcN_FJ7nZ7SIht0kEHLgW96CmWvWZVQ/s1600/mu39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdqDkEvwfvPd0ytYQSzI4YmPi3Dt-EKfmONmrrFJsJtrqdQxBasLXVJPQIrdoX6WsQ938WHMGF-oav-X-I_gTnND59b32HiGfB_9s9VXCKn_fcN_FJ7nZ7SIht0kEHLgW96CmWvWZVQ/s400/mu39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div> </div>

David De Gea not the same as last season - Van Gaal

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal says keeper David De Gea is not "capable" of playing in Saturday's season opener again...

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Super Cup focus in UEFA•direct 149

<div id="yui_3_1_1_1_143902156311852" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The pride felt by Georgia in staging next week's UEFA Super Cup between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC is portrayed in the latest UEFA•direct, which is out now.</span></span></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A preview from a Georgian viewpoint of this month's UEFA Super Cup – to be staged in the country's capital Tbilisi – takes pride of place in the latest edition of UEFA•direct.</span></div> <div class="innerText clearfix" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 10px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 6px;"> <div class="clearLeft newsBody" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 646.008483886719px;"> <div class="newsText" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">On 11 August, the crossroads of Europe and Asia will greet the winners of last season's UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League respectively, FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC, for an eagerly awaited all-Spanish affair. Tata Burduli of the Georgian Football Federation (GFF) gives us an insight into the anticipation felt by the hosts.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"The organisation of an event such as the UEFA Super Cup would have been unthinkable a few years ago," she writes, "but now, with the date almost on us, we are ready and looking forward to hosting the curtain-raiser to the new season."</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The GFF has been a member of UEFA since 1992, and is a proud footballing nation that is making promising progress. "Since becoming independent," Tata Burduli says, "Georgian football has been learning to stand on its own two feet and, like the country as a whole, focusing on development and working tirelessly to help Georgia to prosper and gain international renown.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"Tbilisi is looking forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world to mark a very important day in the history of Georgian football which will symbolise success and victory, and show that we are worthy of our place in the European football family."</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This summer marks a significant moment in European football history. Sixty years ago, on 21 June 1955, the nascent UEFA assumed the organisation of the first European club competition, which became the European Champion Clubs' Cup. UEFA•direct explains the pathway to that date, and the key role played by the eminent French newspaper, L'Equipe, in paving the way for the start of what has become an iconic competition.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"Football shares and cares" is the theme of UEFA President Michel Platini's editorial column highlighting the social responsibility role of UEFA and European football, which came vibrantly into focus at the recent UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League finals.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"The atmosphere in the stadiums in Berlin and Warsaw was electric," Mr Platini says. "I am so happy that we were able to share that experience at the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League finals with the hundreds of disadvantaged and vulnerable children who were able to be there thanks to an initiative of the UEFA Foundation for Children.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"The foundation has only been operating for a few weeks but it is already making a difference, and we truly hope that it can have a real impact on the lives of young people around the globe."</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Maxi-pitches are of vast benefit to both local football and the community, and UEFA donates maxi-pitches to each host city of a UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League final. UEFA•direct visits Munich, and returns to the maxi-pitch UEFA handed over for the 2012 UEFA Champions League showpiece, examining the legacy that the donation leaves behind for grassroots football in particular.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"The goal of the maxi-pitches is to develop football at grassroots level and to enable more boys and girls to experience the passion and fun of football," UEFA•direct explains. "It also highlights UEFA's continued commitment to the foundations of the game, while also conveying the message that elite football can only thrive with a healthy base beneath it and that the game should be open to all players of all ages and abilities."</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Both of the 2014/15 finals of UEFA's major club competitions were memorable affairs, and UEFA•direct looks back at the spectacular events in the UEFA Champions League final between Barcelona and Juventus in Berlin, as well as Warsaw's five-goal UEFA Europa League thriller featuring Sevilla and FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A dramatic UEFA Women's Champions League final in Berlin, won by 1. FFC Frankfurt against Paris St-Germain in added time, also comes under the spotlight on what was another successful evening for the women's game at the highest level.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">France's triumph in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final round is also given full coverage, along with a wealth of news from UEFA's member countries. UEFA•direct appears in<span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">English</span></span>, <span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">French</span></span> and <span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">German</span></span>, and is essential reading for anyone interested in UEFA's activities and competitions, and the sterling work undertaken by its 54 national associations.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6WQhj7YXTQ5LpkVgPxsUQVpeUQNJxt16BoY_v9CSDWmHnorf96b6AiZosfO8jG_qQrFXeGqkhu9ycVQA6mUpBNiqUprkNGVLjQDoz1_2P-N-cj72_WpDt2mcHFWx-tJxs9ASX5i9dA/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6WQhj7YXTQ5LpkVgPxsUQVpeUQNJxt16BoY_v9CSDWmHnorf96b6AiZosfO8jG_qQrFXeGqkhu9ycVQA6mUpBNiqUprkNGVLjQDoz1_2P-N-cj72_WpDt2mcHFWx-tJxs9ASX5i9dA/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div> </div> </div> </div>

Super Cup focus in UEFA•direct 149

The pride felt by Georgia in staging next week's UEFA Super Cup between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC is portrayed in the latest UEFA•dir...

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Man Utd v Tottenham: Back United to cash in on Spurs' summer failings

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Man Utd v Tottenham</span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Saturday 8 August, 12:45<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Live on BT Sport 1</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Manchester United</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Although there are sure to still be one or two more additions to the squad, it has already been an extremely encouraging transfer window for Manchester United. <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Morgan Schneiderlin</span> arrives to shore up the midfield, <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bastian Schweinsteiger</span> brings class and experience and <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Memphis Depay</span> offers a cutting edge going forwards. At the time of writing <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Pedro's transfer from Barcelona</span> appears to be imminent and the Spaniard's arrival would bring yet another dimension to Louis van Gaal's offensive options.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Results in pre-season have also, generally, been fairly encouraging. A tour of the United States produced wins against Club America (1-0), San Jose Earthquakes (1-0) and Barcelona (3-1), before a slightly disconcerting defeat to PSG (2-0).</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Probably the only genuine downside to United's summer so far has been the ongoing and as yet unresolved saga surrounding <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">David de Gea's</span> future. A move to Real Madrid has been mooted throughout the course of the last few months and Van Gaal has admitted the Spaniard is not mentally ready to play, meaning it will probably be <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sergio Romero</span> between the sticks this Saturday. United can ill afford to lose their best player from last season, but all concerned will want the matter resolved one way or another before long.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">United look sufficiently equipped to challenge for the Premier League title offensively, but I'm yet to be convinced that they're defensively strong enough to do so.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Tottenham</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Spurs have been worryingly quiet in the transfer market so far this summer with only <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Toby Alderweireld</span>, Kevin Wimmer and Kieran Trippier, all defenders, joining the club. One could argue that with <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Harry Kane's</span> goals they may not need to strengthen too much offensively, but with Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor as the only other recognised strikers in the squad (and the latter not in the manager's plans) that's a lot of pressure to place on the shoulders of the young Englishman. And with Kane now reportedly the subject of a significant offer from Manchester United, they really could be left scrambling around in the final few weeks of the transfer window.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pre-season has been a bit of a mixed bag for <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mauricio Pochettino's</span> men. Post-season wins against Malaysia and Sydney FC were overshadowed by subsequent defeats to an MLS All Star team and <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Real Madrid</span>, before a second-string XI beat AC Milan. One also has to question the merits of playing back-to-back games, albeit with different starting XIs, against Madrid then Milan as recently as Tuesday-Wednesday of this week.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Although Spurs finished a position higher in the Premier League last season compared to the previous campaign, they amassed fewer points and, aside from the emergence of that man Kane, showed limited signs of improvement.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">While most others have strengthened in the transfer market this summer, Spurs are yet do so on any significant level and unless they pull off two or three big deals in the next few weeks I believe this could be a tough season for The Lilywhites.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Match Odds</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">At <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="1" oldtitle="4/6" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">1.67</span></span> the home side look to be a <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">fair price</span>, although backing them at such odds is not a bet that I'd get particularly excited about. There is also an argument to say that Spurs are too big a price at odds of <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="5/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">6.20</span></span> and perhaps United's plethora of new faces will take some time to gel as a unit; it's not a belief that I subscribe to, but I do see that it has some credibility.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">If you really feel that you want to have a play on this market then I'd advise a small stakes <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">bet on the draw</span> at odds of <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="3" oldtitle="3/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">4.10</span></span> - three of the last five meetings between these two clubs have finished level.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Over/Under 2.5 Goals</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Now this is a market where I do feel that there could be some value. United kept <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">only two clean sheets</span> in their final ten home games of last season, and with a defence that is potentially weaker - if De Gea doesn't play - and at best no better, they could be vulnerable at the back.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">If Tottenham are feeling the effects of the two midweek friendlies in Munich and all the travelling that entailed, United may run riot. But if Kane is on his game - the goal against the MLS Allstars suggested he might be - then he should get enough opportunities against this questionable United defence. Either way, <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="4" oldtitle="10/11" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">1.90</span></span> on there being at least three in the game looks a good bet.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">To Score</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Wayne Rooney</span> is expected to lead the line for Manchester United this season, or at least until a new central striker is brought to the club, and we should back the club captain to cash in this weekend. Against Spurs Rooney has a solid record of <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">10 goals in his last 14 games</span>, including one in this fixture from last season, while he is also likely to be on penalty duty. Take some of the <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="5" oldtitle="5/4" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">2.30</span></span> on the Englishman to score anytime in the game.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">3pts Back Over 2.5 Goals @</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"> </span></span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="6" oldtitle="10/11" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.90</span></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzG6xeb9tHT3K2Zk7jCJf7cDzM4KaWzzNgkkoUw5opd4UtZhvKCY-mU8ONs7Bw2Lq_CaUZS0XqbeCG_0yMbeN6KxHn-Q2DyusrEfVUv68PJII5rvgoZUNe0r0eKEdaPiOQNAJMHxuKsw/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzG6xeb9tHT3K2Zk7jCJf7cDzM4KaWzzNgkkoUw5opd4UtZhvKCY-mU8ONs7Bw2Lq_CaUZS0XqbeCG_0yMbeN6KxHn-Q2DyusrEfVUv68PJII5rvgoZUNe0r0eKEdaPiOQNAJMHxuKsw/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div>

Man Utd v Tottenham: Back United to cash in on Spurs' summer failings

Man Utd v Tottenham Saturday 8 August, 12:45 Live on BT Sport 1 Manchester United Although there are sure to still be one or two more a...

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The Big Saturday Multiple: Villa to pop Bournemouth's Premier League cherry

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bet 1</span>: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Everton (HOME) @ 1.72 (8/11)</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I have covered this game in more detail <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">here</span> but I can't leave it out as a home win from this multiple.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Toffees will be aiming to bounce back from a poor campaign last time around and while they haven't really bolstered their squad too much just yet, they don't have the distraction of the<span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Europa League</span> to deal with any more.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Playing on a Thursday and Sunday just isn't sustainable with a small squad and I expect much<span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">better things</span> from the blue half of Merseyside now.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They welcome <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Watford</span> to Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon and the Hornets are sure to be buzzing following their promotion from the Championship.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This is a big step up in class though and they rely heavily on <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Troy Deeney</span>. He was involved in a third of their goals last season, so if the highly rated Everton centre halves keep him quiet, it should be a relatively straightforward home victory.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bet 2</span>: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Aston Villa (AWAY) @ 4.0 (3/1)</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This selection may come as a bit of a surprise but I really think that Aston Villa are <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">overpriced</span>to pick up a win on the south coast.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Tim Sherwood</span> may have lost both Fabian Delph and Christian Benteke over the summer, as well as Ron Vlaar, but I like the squad he's building at Villa Park and I have a feeling that they will surprise a few people this year.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They made an excellent start to last season with a win at Stoke and, in the campaign before that, they beat Arsenal at the Emirates on the <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">opening day</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bournemouth</span> are the current fairy tale story as they finally make their debuts in the Premier League. I'm not sure it will be a 'happy ever after' for The Cherries though and Eddie Howe's side didn't pull up any trees in pre-season.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dean Court</span> will be rocking come kick off at 15:00, but it could be a much quieter atmosphere at 16:45.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bet 3</span>: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Norwich v Crystal Palace (Over 2.5 goals) @ 2.2 (6/5)</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">To the third and final promoted club now as Norwich host Crystal Palace at Carrow Road, and I expect the goals to flow.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Alan Pardew has been very busy over the summer months as he's added plenty of <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">attacking talent</span> to his Crystal Palace team. Patrick Bamford and Connor Wickham have been recruited to the forward line, while Yohan Cabaye and Bakary Sakho are new to the midfield.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I expect an attacking approach from <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Palace</span> this season and if they are vulnerable anywhere, it's at the back.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Norwich made it through the lottery of the play-offs without too much trouble and of the three promoted teams, I expect them to do the best. They have the most Premier League experience of the three and in <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Alex Neil</span> they have a hugely talented young manager.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Their matches last term averaged 2.96 goals each time as <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">27 of their 46 went over 2.5</span> and, in all the excitement of the opening day, I expect that they will go toe to toe with their opponents, hopefully creating plenty of chances that are converted into goals.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bet 4</span>: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Leicester v Sunderland (Under 2.5 goals) @ 1.65 (13/20)</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">great escape</span> came courtesy of both Leicester and Sunderland last season as they each looked destined to go down for a long while. They are back for more now though and they begin their campaigns against each other.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Nigel Pearson has long since left the King Power Stadium and it will be interesting to see what approach new boss, <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Claudio Ranieri</span> adopts. The Foxes have had an excellent pre-season with plenty of wins, but this is the real test and I have a feeling that the 'Tinkerman' will proceed with a note of caution.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He won't want to start with a loss - especially at home - and I'm <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">not sure</span> he will take too many risks to win it if the game is level during the second half.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Opponents, Sunderland, aren't known for their goals either - they were the second joint lowest scorers last year - and I'm not overly sold on <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jeremain Lens</span> who is the only striker that the manager has recruited so far.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Recommended Multiple</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Everton @ 1.72 (8/11)</span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Aston Villa @ 4.0 (3/1)</span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Over 2.5 Goals in Norwich v Crystal Palace @ 2.2 (6/5)</span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Under 2.5 Goals in Leicester v Sunderland @ 1.65 (13/20)</span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwb2n0WU2STgMrDMXbyP-qV-QtY_psloWtKRLg2GXbBX9IwI6kvgl2J-dNkEszBy2Ua2HJGPZrrSM3zWYCzA9Mm7PlRwZMJ7w6MVc7AesMnZYojxxel_CBKG6JdnTH5zPnXesb90UaQw/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwb2n0WU2STgMrDMXbyP-qV-QtY_psloWtKRLg2GXbBX9IwI6kvgl2J-dNkEszBy2Ua2HJGPZrrSM3zWYCzA9Mm7PlRwZMJ7w6MVc7AesMnZYojxxel_CBKG6JdnTH5zPnXesb90UaQw/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div>

The Big Saturday Multiple: Villa to pop Bournemouth's Premier League cherry

Bet 1 :  Everton (HOME) @ 1.72 (8/11) I have covered this game in more detail  here  but I can't leave it out as a home win from this...

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