Middlesbrough v Arsenal Live Updates

Middlesbrough take on Arsenal in a must win match for both sides at the Riverside.

The Teams

Well during the week Arsene Wenger said he wanted to re-invent himself and boy has he done that! He has made six changes and will play three men at the back for the first time since 1997! Petr Cech, Laurent Koscielny, Rob Holding, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud all come in for Arsenal. Hector Bellerin is the surprise admission in this team.

For Middlesbrough, who are the lowest goal scorers in the top four divisions in England, they have made some changes as well with Negredo coming in for Gestede!

Here are the teams in full:

@Arsenal

@Boro

First Half

The teams are out we should be in for a good match from two out of form teams.

2: Alexis Sanchez is fouled by Adam Clayton. 0-0.

3: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fouls Fabio and as a result is booked. 0-0.

4: CHANCE! Leadbitter shoots wide from long range. 0-0.

6: Grant Leadbitter is booked for a two-footed challenge on Mesut Ozil. 0-0.

10: Both teams losing their footing in the early exchanges, the home team look dangerous. 0-0.

13: Fabio currently struggling with injury. 0-0.

17: SUBSTITUTION! Fabio is forced off with injury and is replaced by George Friend. 0-0.

20: Both teams happy to contain possession. 0-0.

23: Marten De Roon’s goal has been ruled offside. 0-0.

28: Aaron Ramsey has his shot blocked. 0-0.

29: CHANCE! Alexis Sanchez’s shot is aimed straight at the goalkeeper. 0-0.

32: Granit Xhaka fouls Alvaro Negredo. 0-0.

36: Middlesbrough increasing the pressure on Arsenal. 0-0.

39: Marten De Roon fouls Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

41: GOAL! Alexis Sanchez does not disappoint from free-kicks! He swerves the set piece into the top corner! Arsenal lead! 0-1.

43: Middlesbrough’s free-kick hits the wall. 0-1.

45: There will be two added minutes at the end of the first half.

HT: Middlesbrough 0-1 Arsenal

Half Time Thoughts

Arsenal maybe don’t deserve it but they do lead through an Alexis Sanchez stunner. A brilliant free-kick swerving into the top corner. Arsenal may need step up gears in the second half to overcome this resilient home side. As it stands Arsenal will take three points back to north London. 0-1 at half-time.

Second Half

50: GOAL! Alvaro Negredo levels things up for Middlesbrough! 1-1.

55: GREAT CHANCE! Ayala has his shot saved by Petr Cech. 1-1.

62: GREAT CHANCE! Mesut Ozil has his chance saved by Brad Guzan. 1-1.

68: SUBSTITUTION! Traore comes on for Gaston Ramirez. 1-1.

70: GOAL! Mesut Ozil taps in a chested assist from Aaron Ramsey! Arsenal re-take the lead! 1-2.

72: Nacho Monreal is fouls Traore! 1-2.

78: Middlesbrough look threatening on the counter attack. 1-2. 

79: SUBSTITUTION! Gestede is on for De Roon. 1-2.

80: CHANCE! Oliver Giroud aims his shot over the bar on the counter attack! 1-2.

86: Alexis Sanchez is penalised for handball. 1-2.

89: DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION! The goal scorers, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are being replaced by Hector Bellerin and Francis Coquelin. 1-2.

90: There will be four minutes of stoppage time. 1-2.

92: CHANCE! Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s shot is blocked by Brad Guzan. 1-2.

93: CHANCE! Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hits the side-netting. 1-2.

94: CHANCE! Olivier Giroud lobs his shot just wide. 1-2.

FT: Middlesbrough 1-2 Arsenal

 

 

 

 

 

Why Arsene Wenger Is Turning Arsenal Into A Mid-Table Side

Ahead of the Middlesbrough match tonight, Arsenal’s woes are continuing as they lye in 7th position in the table.

Arsene Wenger is turning Arsenal into a mid-table side. (NewsWeek)

 

Arsene Wenger is turning this Arsenal team into an average side. A team which has world class players such as Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Özil and Granit Xhaka are becoming average all because of Arsene Wenger. His average tactics which he has stuck to for the past seven years has now become predictable and boring. Sure, it works for four months of the season however by the time December comes along the players can no longer fit into his system and become physically tired. The same medical staff are kept at the club to help ensure that most of our players are physically able to play, just. I mean it’s no secret that players such as Abou Diaby, Jack Wilshere and now Santi Cazorla have been unable to compete for Arsenal in past seasons.

Also Wenger doesn’t install the motivation or mentality that makes you want to fight for every ball or want to win trophies. For example Wenger is uninspiring, he barely gets up of his seat when things are turning bad and looks like a guy who has had enough. Now how are you supposed to draw motivation from that? I look at Antonio Conte who has managed for Juventus, Italy and Now a Chelsea team, who are unsurprisingly 21 points ahead of us this season. He is a manager who feels every emotion no matter whether they are losing or winning, he is with the team 100%. The guy also adapts to other teams tactically which is why Chelsea are on top of the league. Now this is the type of manager that you draw motivation from?

Antonio Conte is a passionate manager who draws motivation (Daily Express)

I mean let’s go back to the tactics for a minute, Arsenal are playing West Brom at the Hawthorns, a team which are known for their set-pieces and have a big team on average. So obviously they are going to play long balls forward and try and earn a set-piece at every opportunity. What happens? Arsenal concede two of their goals from set plays in a 3-1 boring and uninspiring defeat. Nothing was done by the manager to change things around, it looked like they were a team that had nothing to play for not even their own manager!

The Fans
Let’s get onto the fans for a minute who are more and more outraged as the weeks go by. They are frustrated that Wenger is deteriorating the side, ruining the side’s mentality and will to compete. Seeing their side in 7th position, being destroyed 10-2 on aggregate by Bayern Munich in the Champions League and 17 points behind Tottenham. If you have seen the interviews on Arsenal Fan TV, which seems to be making more of a mockery of the club however fascinatingly interesting, then you will know most fans have become increasingly frustrated and of course their are the deluded few who think Wenger should stay.

Transfers And Conclusion

It doesn’t matter who Arsenal bring in anymore, Wenger will just turn them into an irrelevant player who thinks they can fit into his uninspiring formation of 4-2-3-1 and playing players all over the place. If Arsenal want to relive their ambitious glory days then Arsene Wenger needs to go. The physio staff needs to go. And the Board needs to go. The board of Stan Kroenke and Ivan Gazidis need to go, they have no footballing knowledge and think that Wenger leaving will change nothing. I heard the other day that Kroenke has even spoke to Wenger in 2017, which is absolutely disgraceful. I will be shocked if the American stuck up billionaire has even entered England yet, as he is probably sipping his Wine on a nice America’s summers day.

In conclusion, unless Arsene Wenger leaves the club, Arsenal are turning into a mid-table side that will be lucky to stay in the top half of the table.

Join me later for updates from the Middlesbrough v Arsenal match at the Riverside.

Bayern Munich v Real Madrid – As It Happened

It’s champions league quarterfinal night tonight! Two titans of European football go head to head at the Allianz Arena in the first leg. Let’s see what happens tonight.

Teams

The key team news tonight is that Bayern Munich will be without Robert Lewandowski and Mats Hummels for their match with Real Madrid tonight. Lewandowski has a shoulder injury that he suffered against Borussia Dortmund, while Hummels damaged his ankle ligaments during the match. Real Madrid are at full strength with Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale leading the line. Here are the teams in full:

First Half

2: Arturo Vidal heads straight at Keylor Navas. 0-0.

4: Bayern Munich dominating the early stages winning three corners already. 0-0.

6: Thiago fouls Cristiano Ronaldo just inside the Bayern half. 0-0.

8: Toni Kroos fouls Arjen Robben on the right hand side in a dangerous position. 0-0.

10: Bayern and Arjen Robben looking dangerous, trying to take advantage of a vulnerable Madrid defence. 0-0.

12: Arjen Robben caught offside. 0-0.

14: Boateng fouls Benzema just outside the D area.  Ronaldo waits. 0-0.

16: CHANCE! Cristiano Ronaldo, as usual, hits his free-kick over the crossbar! 0-0.

17: GREAT CHANCE! Toni Kroos whips in a stunning cross, which Karim Benzema heads onto the crossbar! Best chance of the match. 0-0.

19: Karim Benzema fouls Javi Martinez. 0-0.

22: CHANCE! David Alaba shoots over the crossbar from long range. 0-0.

25: GOAL! What a goal! Arturo Vidal scores a thumping header past Keylor Navas from a corner! A deserved lead! 1-0.

28: Frank Ribery is fouled by Luka Modric. 1-0.

31: Casemiro falls in a heap but will carry on. 1-0.

36: Bayern Munich retaining possession and slowing the pace if the game. 1-0.

37: Gareth Bale gets caught offside. 0-0.

39: Thomas Muller earns Bayern Munich a corner which results in a Real Madrid free-kick. 1-0.

40: GREAT CHANCE! Great play by Arjen Robben who crosses to Arturo Vidal, who is free in the box but cannot find the target with his header. 1-0.

42: GREAT CHANCE! Sergio Ramos lays in Cristiano Ronaldo, who’s swerving shot is saved by Manuel Neuer. 1-0.

44: Toni Kroos receives a yellow card on a reckless challenge on Thomas Muller. 1-0.

45: PENALTY! Frank Ribery’s shot hits Carvajal on the arm which results in a penalty. 1-0.

46: MISS! Arturo Vidal misses the penalty as he skies it over the bar! How costly could that be! 1-0.

46: GREAT CHANCE! Gareth Bale’s shot is aimed straight at Manuel Neuer. 1-0.

HT: Bayern Munich 1-0 Real Madrid

Half Time Thoughts

After a slow start this match has bursted into life! Bayern have dominated the first half and gained most of the possession. Vidal’s stunning put the Bavarian’s ahead, however he soon turned into the villain after his shocking penalty miss. All to play for in the second half!

Second Half

47: GOAL! Real Madrid score a goal out of nothing! A swerving ball from Casemiro finds Cristiano Ronaldo who places it in the bottom left hand corner. Lightening start! 1-1.

50: Thomas Muller is found offside. 1-1.

52: David Alaba earns Bayern Munich a corner. 1-1.

55: GREAT CHANCE! What a ball in from Modric who finds Gareth Bale who produces a stunning save from Manuel Neuer. Real turning on the style! 1-1.

57: Javi Martinez is booked for a foul on Cristiano Ronaldo. 1-1.

58: SUBSTITUTION! Gareth Bale is being replaced by Marco Asensio. 1-1.

60: RED CARD! Bayern Munich are down to 10 men! Javi Martinez once again fouls Cristiano Ronaldo and gets booked again! Big blow for the hosts! 1-1.

63: SUBSTITUTION! Xabi Alonso is being replaced by Juan Bernat. 1-1.

65: Frank Ribery handballs! Free-Kick for Madrid! 1-1.

66: SUBSTITUTION! Frank Ribery is being replaced by the dangerous Douglas Costa. 1-1.

70: Both sides looking for the second goal. Benzema heads over the crossbar for Madrid. 1-1.

72: GREAT SAVE! Another great save by Manuel Neuer as he prevents Karim Benzema from scoring! 1-1.

74: CHANCE! Cristiano Ronaldo hits a thunderous shot at Manuel Neuer who saves with one hand! 1-1.

76: GOAL! Another away goal for Real Madrid! Asensio whips in a ball from the centre of midfield and Cristiano Ronaldo stabs in his 100th European club goal! 1-2.

79: Real Madrid are now putting on a masterclass! 1-2.

80: CHANCE! Marcelo whips the ball past the post. 1-2.

81: SUBSTITUTION! Kingsley Coman replaces Thomas Muller. 1-2.

82: Karim Benzema is caught offside. 1-2.

83: SUBSTITUTION! That was Benzema’s last touch as he is replaced by James Rodriguez! 1-2.

87: Real Madrid are now taunting a tired Bayern team. 1-2.

89: Arturo Vidal is booked for a foul on James Rodriguez. 1-2.

90: There will be three minutes of stoppage team. 1-2.

91: SUBSTITUTION! Mateo Kovacic comes on for Luka Modric. 1-2.

91: Sergio Ramos is caught offside. 1-2.

FT: Bayern Munich 1-2 Real Madrid

Final Thoughts

Advantage Real Madrid. Two away goals from Cristiano Ronaldo has secured a comfortable 2-1 victory for Real Madrid over Bayern Munich. The sending off killed the game and ensured the advantage for Real going into the second leg at the Bernabeu next week.

Other Results

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Leicester

Juventus 0-3 Barcelona

Borussia Dortmund 2-3 Monaco

 

 

 

 

Slask Woes Mount As Roman Could Miss The Next Four Games

Joan Roman (Przeglad Sportowe)

Slask Wrocław have been hit with some bad news ahead of their match with Gornik Łeczna at the weekend as Joan Roman has been ruled out of action for the next three weeks.

The Portuguese midfielder has been influential in Slask’s recent good run on form and has been used heavily by manager Jan Urban. However on Friday Roman was injured during Wrocław’s 1-0 defeat away to Cracovia. After further assessment by the club,they announced that due to the extent of the ankle injury suffered, he will now miss the next two to three weeks due to rehabilitation.

This means that Joan Roman will miss the remaining two games of the regular season and possibly the first two to three matches of the top/bottom eight matches. This is a tough break for Slask as Roman alongside Robert Pich were Slask’s main threats, and to lose such a key player at a pivotal moment could prove costly for Slask in the battles ahead. In other news Ryota Morioka will be suspended for the next match as he picked up his fourth booking of the season against Cracovia.

Slask Wrocław’s last two matches are at home to Gornik Łeczna and away to Zagłebie Lubin. They will need to win both matches if they want to be in the championship group as they sit 11th and are six points behind the top eight with 32 points.

Crystal Palace v Arsenal Live Updates

It’s another crunch match in the Barclays Premier League as Crystal Palace entertain Arsenal. Let’s find who will come up on top in this London derby!

The Teams

Crystal Palace are desperately fighting relegation and are unbeaten from the side that lost 3-1 against Southampton. They will rely on main man Christian Benteke to lead the line, with Wilfred Zaha and Andros Townsend running down the flanks and causing the wing backs for Arsenal trouble.

Arsenal are also unchanged tonight, with Emiliano Martinez starting in goal. Francis Coquelin returns to the squad after his absence against West Ham.

Here are the teams in full:

First Half

The sides are out onto the pitch on a atmospheric Selhurst Park! Let’s see what happens….

1: Arsenal maintain possession, however Andros Townsend provides an eraly cross. 0-0.

2: CHANCE! Yohan Cabaye is free in the penalty area, but slices his shot wide. 0-0.

5: Arsenal yet to get into their rhythm, however it remains goalless. 0-0.

6: GREAT CHANCE! Another chance for Palace as Milojevic gets a shot in from 25 yards and his shot swerves wide. 0-0.

8: GREAT CHANCE! Elneny has his shot saved brilliantly saved by Hennessey. a great start from both teams! 0-0.

13: Andros Townsend causing Arsenal lots of trouble, Arsenal conceding the ball way too easily. 0-0.

16: GOAL! Crystal Palace take a well deserved lead. The ball falls to Zaha on the right hand side of the penalty, he slips but plays the ball to Townsend who lifts the ball over Martinez. 1-0.

19: CHANCE! Alexis Sanchez shot straight at Hennessey. Better from Arsenal. 1-0.

23: GREAT CHANCE! Alexis Sanchez once again weaves through the Palace defence and Shoots wide of the post. 1-0.

30: Arsenal beginning to look dangerous but still have defensive frailties. 1-0.

32: CHANCE! Mesut Ozil picks out Alexis Sanchez in the box who has his shot blocked. 1-0.

36: Mesut Ozil nearly picks out Nacho Monreal. Better from the away side. 1-0.

38: Free-kick Palace, which is comfortably collected by Emiliano Martinez. 1-0.

40: GREAT CHANCE! Christian Benteke weaves past the Arsenal defence and has his shot saved by Emiliano Martinez. 1-0.

43: GREAT CHANCE! Danny Welbeck narrowly drills the ball wide from a tight angle. 1-0.

45: There will be one minute added on at the end of the first half.

46: A wonderful ball in the box from Granit Xhaka is headed in the top corner by Gabriel, However Hennessey denies him! 1-0.

HT: Crystal Palace 1-0 Arsenal

Half Time Thoughts

Arsenal are playing a good match however there defence is very vulnerable and that showed through Crystal Palace’s goal. Only six attempts from arsenal, which shows their lack of ambition. A good first half from Palace a big three points could be up for grabs in their battle to avoid the drop. A big second half needed for Arsenal, otherwise it’s a fourth away defeat in a row.

Second Half

46: Theo Walcott earns Arsenal a free-kick, however Mesut Ozil delivers a disappointing ball in the box. 1-0.

49: GREAT CHANCE! Andros Townsend picks out Christian Benteke who has his shot blocked. 1-0.

50: CHANCE! Mohamed Elneny shoots wide. 1-0.

53: CHANCE! Jason Puncheon has his header saved by Emiliano Martinez. 1-0.

57: Hector Bellerin scuffs his shot wide. 1-0.

58: DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION! Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud will replace Mohamed Elneny and Danny Welbeck for Arsenal. 1-0.

62: GOAL! Wilfred Zaha lays the ball to Yohan Cabaye who scores a screamer into the top corner. 2-0.

68: GOAL! Milojevic converts from the penalty spot. 3-0.

70: SUBSTITUTION! Theo Walcott comes off and is replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. 3-0.

72: CHANCE! Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain feeds the ball to Bellerin, who lobs the goalkeeper but just goes wide. 3-0.

73: SUBSTITUTION! Yohan Cabaye come off and is replaced by James McArthur. 3-0.

80: Arsenal trying to create to try and cure the damage but this is an embarrassing performance. 3-0.

82: SUBSTITUTION! Luka Milojevic comes off and is replaced by former Gooner, Mathieu Flamini. 3-0.

85: CHANCE! Christian Benteke has his shot cleared off the line by Nacho Monreal. 3-0.

87: SUBSTITUTION! Wilfred Zaha comes off and is replaced by Damien Delaney. 3-0.

90: There will be four minutes added on. 3-0.

FT: Crystal Palace 3-0 Arsenal.

Final Thoughts

Another embarrassing display that leave Arsenal sixth and seven points off the top four. Well done to Crystal Palace who outclassed Arsenal and they move six points above the relegation zone. WENGER OUT!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arsenal v West Ham Live Updates

It is Arsenal v West Ham tonight, let’s see if the gunners can produce three points. Here we are going to provide updates from the match. Both managers are under pressure, let’s see who will come out victorious…..

The Teams

Arsenal have made three changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Manchester City. David Ospina, Laurent Koscielny and Francis Coquelin are all out of the squad for tonight’s match. Emiliano Martinez, Mohamed Elneny and Gabriel enter the squad. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alex Iwobi return to the squad.

West Ham have also made three changes to the team that lost their fourth match in a row against Hull City. Cresswell, Feghouli and Snodgrass are all dropped and they are replaced by Noble, Masuaku and Antonio.

Here are the teams in full:

First Half

Here come the teams, Arsenal look comfortable as they walk out but uncertainty brings this match for both teams let’s find out what happens:

3: Arsenal have the first shot after both teams hold early possession, Alexis Sanchez shoots wide. 0-0.

5: Alexis Sanchez fouls Mark Noble, free kick outside the box on the right hand side. It comes to nothing. 0-0.

7: GREAT CHANCE! Hector Bellerin fouls Antonio outside the box in the middle. Lanzini shoots over the bar. 0-0.

10: Arsenal starting to turn on the style. Granit Xhaka, Nacho Monreal and Alexis Sanchez connecting really well in midfield. 0-0.

12: GREAT CHANCE! Another brilliant chance for West Ham. Mark Noble breaks through the centre of the Arsenal defence and just shoots wide! Good chance! 0-0.

14: GOOD CHANCE! Hector Bellerin races past the Hammers defence on the right hand side and picks out Theo Walcott who shoots straight at Randolph! 0-0.

22: Both teams gaining possession, but still no breakthrough. 0-0.

30: Both teams playing well, West Ham starting to gain momentum. 0-0.

32: GOOD CHANCE! Danny Welbeck plays the ball into Theo Walcott who is in space in the penalty box, however shoots over the crossbar! 0-0.

36: Granit Xhaka and Alexis Sanchez combine to earn Arsenal a corner. Which comes to nothing. 0-0.

39: Nacho Monreal sends in dangerous ball, which nearly results in an own goal. Eventually West Ham gain free-kick, 0-0.

41: GREAT CHANCE! Danny Welbeck heads the ball into goalkeeper’s hands after great free-kick. Alexis Sanchez starting to come to life! 0-0.

44: Arsenal starting to come to life now! Theo Walcott gets clear of the unorganised West Ham defence, but is unable to chip the ball over Randolph. 0-0.

45: There will be two minutes of added time.

HT: Arsenal 0-0 West Ham

Half Time Thoughts

It is a very even game at the moment, Arsenal are showing some passion with Alexis Sanchez running the show. West Ham unable to create anything at the moment but look dangerous on the counter attack. A very nervy second half awaits for a despondent Arsene Wenger and their concerned fans. 0-0 at the half time whistle.

Second Half

46: SUBSTITUTION: West Ham bring Robert Snodgrass on for Antonio.

48: Alexis Sanchez lays Mesut Ozil for a chance but he is unable to lob Randolph. Much better from the home side! 0-0.

52: Fonte fouls Mesut Ozil for a free-kick. However it comes to nothing. 0-0.

58: GOAL! It’s the breakthrough Arsenal deserve! Mesut Ozil finds the back of the net! 1-0.

62: Arsenal starting the dominate, however West Ham keeping their composure. 1-0.

68: GOAL! Alexis Sanchez backheels the ball to Mesut Özil, who finds a free Theo Walcott in the box who slots the ball home for 2-0.

70: GREAT CHANCE! Alexis Sanchez juggles the ball on who shoulders who finds Hector Bellerin in the box. He can’t convert. 2-0.

73: SUBSTITUTION! Olivier Giroud comes on for Arsenal and replaces Danny Welbeck. 2-0.

74: GREAT CHANCE! Good chance for the hammers as Lanzini forces a save out of Martinez. 2-0. 

80: SUBSTITUTION: Fernandes comes on for West Ham as he replaces Mark Noble. 2-0.

81: SUBSTITUTION: Double substitution for Arsenal, Theo Walcott and Mohamed Elneny come off and they are replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey. 2-0.

83: GOAL! WOW! Oxlade-Chamberlains picks out Olivier Giroud who bends it into the bottom corner from the left hand side inside the penalty box. Game, set and match! 3-0.

89: GOOD CHANCE! Fernandes forces a save out of Martinez! 3-0. 

90: There will be three minutes of added time.

FT: Arsenal 3-0 West Ham.

Full Time Thoughts

It was a comfortable second half performance from Arsenal who needs those three points. Goals from Mesut Özil, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud secured the win and it means they move up to fifth place, four points behind the top four. Hopefully this will settle the fans who have been restless the past few months. As for West Ham, that is five defeats in a row and relegation looms for he Londoners.

See you again next time!

 

 

 

 

Latest Sports Stories

Here are some of the stories we should be looking out for today in Sport…

Can Bayern extend their Lead?

Can Bayern go eight points clear? (Sports Illustrated)

Bayern Munich could go eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga today with a win over Hamburg. Munich scraped a draw last weekend against Hertha Berlin thanks to a late goal from goal threat Robert Lewandowski. Can he come to their rescue again against relegation threatened Hamburg. Should Hamburg get a miraculous victory they could move outside the relegation zone.

However Leipzig will hope to keep the pressure up on the Bavarians and close the gap as they host 7th place Koln. Leipzig picked up an important three points away to Borussia Monchengladbach. Should they lose today and Bayern win the title could be over. A must win game for Leipzig is needed.

Six Nations Returns

The rugby SIx Nations is back this weekend as Scotland host Wales and France travel to Ireland. Who will keep up the pressure on England, who are currently two points clear on Ireland. Let’s find out!

Raonic v Del Potro

Milos Raonic (Toronto Sun)

Milos Raonic and Juan Martin Del Potro will do battle in the semi-finals in Delray Beach. Raonic picked up an all important victory over Kyle Edmund last night, while Del Potro edged out defending champion Querrey. Can Del Potro tame the Canadian robot that is Raonic? We will find out!

Prediction: Del Potro in three sets, Wales win and Bayern 3-1 victory.

Ekstraklasa Review: Legia Warsaw prove that Europe is too much as Jagiellonia thrive

 

Ruch prove too much for a weary Legia  (Andrzej Grygiel)

 

 

Legia Warsaw proved that the Europa League will be a distraction to their Ekstraklasa campaign as they were taken apart by bottom placed Ruch Chorzow 3-1 in a poor display.

The away side took the lead through a wonderful free-kick from Patryk Lipski after 14 minutes to go 1-0 ahead. Later in the half Legia had their chances with Guilherme having a shot saved Libor Hrdlicka. These saves from the 31 year old goalkeeper would prove pivotal as after 42 minutes Maciej Urbanczyk scored a worldie to make it 2-0. The second half saw the side in blue start it as they ended the third after taking a 3-0 lead through Jaroslaw Niezgoda. The away side however were reduced down to 10 men after Adam Pazio was sent off for a punch on Artur Jedrzejczyk. Legia provided a late consolation goal through Miroslav Radovic with six minutes to spare. It was not enough as third placed Legia fell to a 3-1 defeat.

This was a humiliating defeat for Legia which proved they do not have the squad to compete in Europe and compete for the title at the same time. In midweek they held Ajax to a 0-0 draw, and will hope for better success in Holland on Thursday. However this proved they do not have the squad to compete in both competitions as they lacked creativity to create those important chances. They missed the chance to go two points behind Lechia Gdansk.

For Ruch Chorzow it was a much needed win who have struggled with transfer and points deductions. They scored two world class goals that are good enough to win goal of the season in any league. The win for Lipski and Co lifts them off the bottom of the league, four points off safety.

Jagiellonia Firing

Jagiellonia Bialystok were firing on all cylinders on Friday evening as they blasted five past a poor Gornik Leczna. Two goals from star man Konstantin Vassiljev were the pick of the goals in a 5-0 win. Some beautiful passing allowed them to outsmart and pummel their opposition. For Gornik Leczna, despite a game in-hand I fear for them, they look poor defensively and should get relegated at the end of the season. It’s now about accumulating the most points heading into the championship and relegation play-offs for both teams.

Controversy on the Controversialist

Termalica grab controversial draw. (Adam Warzawa)

This site is called the Controversialist after all! There was controversy in Nieciecza after Bruk-Bet Termalica held Lechia Gdansk to a 1-1 draw. In a match full of momentum swings, Slawomir Peszko had thought he gave Gdansk the winner in the 73rd minute. However in stoppage time the referee gave Termalica a controversial penalty after Mario Maloca ‘handled’ the ball. In my opinion it was no way a penalty in a million years! It was given and Valdislavs Gutkovits converted to give the hosts a late point. Lechia Gdansk’s lead has been narrowed down to the one point.

This Weekend’s Other Talking Points

• Poznan keep up the pressure, as Piast feel the heat!- Lech Poznan continued up their title chase with another 3-0 win, this time over Piast Gliwice. Radoslaw Majewski scored two of the goals to ensure Lech Poznan go level on points with Legia Warsaw.
• Zaglebie edge Arka Gydnia- A 54th minute penalty from Filip Starzynski gave the three points to Lubin over Gdynia. They move into fifth.
• Pogon and Cracovia left Frustrated- Pogon Szczecin and Cracovia were left frustrated after a 1-1 draw left both teams’ ambitions into nowhere. Main men Krzysztof Piatek and Adam Fraczczak were the goal scorers
• Korona Kielce Impressive- Korona looked like the real deal on Saturday after a 4-2 win over Wisla Plock. Two goals from Jakub Kielb secured the win to boost the home team’s championship group.
• Slask Wroclaw end six match to do Krakow double!- Finally my team Slask Wroclaw ended six matches without a win with a 1-0 win over Wisla Krakow. A 79th minute winner from Joan Angel Roman put Slask Wroclaw back into contention of a championship group place.

Finally….Here is the league table

Finally here is the league table after 22 games…. See you all next week!

(LOTTO Ekstraklasa EN)

 

 

 

Arsenal v Hull City Preview: A Season Defining Game.

This is a big game, for the fans, the players and the manager. So which Arsenal will turn up against an inspired Hull City today? Let’s preview….

Arsenal are coming off the back of a 3-1 humiliating defeat to Chelsea in a shambolic performance against the league leaders. A controversial goal from Marcos Alonso, which led to a concussed Hector Bellerin, plus goals from Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas were enough to grab the three points for the leaders, who are now 12 points above Arsenal. We are now in third and in danger of not being in the champions league next season, as we are producing spineless, gutless and humiliating performances week after week. It all starts with the manager who is not motivating the players and producing the wrong team selection week after week. We had pace but the wrong kind of pace, why was Danny Welbeck not in the team? What does Mesut Ozil have to do to not start a game? Where was Lucas Perez? Also ridiculously awful performances from Petr Cech and Francis Coquelin completed the embarrassing defeat. Remember Arsene Wenger gets paid 8.9 million a year to manage this team who produce the same diabolical results season after season. Anyway I have to try and preview this match after back to back defeats…

What Can We Expect From Hull City Today?

Since Marco Silva has arrived at Hull City they have picked up victories over Manchester United in the EFL Cup and Liverpool in the Premier League. After a poor start to the season under Mike Phelan, they have picked up form and currently sit in 18th with 20 points, one point of the relegation zone. They are expected to play a 4-2-3-1, formation similar to Arsenal with Alfred N’Diaye and Abel Hernandez expected to play a critical role. Marco Silva has a good record against Arsenal as he has already beaten them with Olympiakos at the Emirates Stadium, 3-2 in 2015 in the champions league. Hull should be playing with some serious threat today which should concern Arsenal fans and should be dangerous.

Prediction

Arsenal 2-0 Hull City.

Djokovic v Janowicz

This is our preview of Novak Djokovic v Jerzy Janowicz.

Novak Djokovic 

Novak Djokovic begins the defence of his title in the evening session when he takes on Poland’s finest Jerzy Janowicz. Since his first Roland Garros triumph and completing the career grand slam, Novak Djokovic has looked vulnerable to say the least. Big Losses to Sam Querrey and Juan Martin Del Potro at Wimbledon and the Olympics respectively have knocked his confidence. Novak said that personal issues and a wrist injury were the reasons to his downfall in those tournaments, now the world number one looks fresh and will hope to build on what was a phenomenal start to the season, as he looks for his thirteenth major title. He goes into the US Open as strong favourite for the title with the likes of Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal set to challenge. Djokovic has a tough draw, and will look to avoid wasting unnecessary energy. 

His first round opponent is no stranger to the big occasion, Jerzy Janowicz is a former top twenty player and a former Wimbledon semi finalist. But now no longer the Polish number one he has been struggling with injuries and missed most of the season. He has only played six matches this year with most of them on clay, although he did show promising signs during his three set loss to Gilles Muller at the Olympics. The now world number 228, will hope to find his form against Djokovic under the bright lights of New York City. 

Prediction: Novak Djokovic has never lost to a player outside the world’s top 200 and I don’t expect that to change, Janowicz may push Djokovic but that’s it. I think Djokovic will win in three tight sets.