Atletico Madrid duo Yannick Carrasco & Nico Gaitan sign for CSL side Dalian Yifang

Chinese Super League Transfer News

Dalian Yifang

The CSL has announced some big-name arrivals this transfer window as Dalian Yifang has signed former Atletico Madrid wingers Yannick Carrasco & Nico Gaitan on permanent deals.

Carrasco and Gaitan need to make the best out of their moves. Gaitan, a left-footed player favors playing on the left wing.  Carrasco, a right-footed player also prefers playing on the Left Wing but can play down the Right.

Player: Yannick Carrasco

Age: 24 years

Position: Left Wing

To: Dalian Yifang

From: Atletico Madrid

Transfer Fee: €30 Million

Nationality: Belgium

Carrasco 24, signed for an estimated fee in the region of €30 Million which is an absolute bargain but the move comes as somewhat of a surprise.

He is considered as Europe's hottest prospects possessing pace, creativity and a fierce eye for goal and hopes to get regular football in his new side to help him earn a place in the Belgian national side for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

He first gained recognition with French side AS Monaco, spending 3 seasons and making over 100 appearances with 20 goals.

This gained him a move to Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, and in his 2 and a half seasons, he made 124 first team appearances, finding the net 23 times.

His most prolific season in an Atletico Shirt came last year, making 53 appearances in all competitions and scoring 16 goals. 

Carrasco was rumored to move to huge Premier League clubs such as Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal, and Liverpool. But, with no move culminating, he decided to choose the CSL, one main reason being "game-time", with a lack of first-team chances this season.

Dalian Yifung may not be Carrasco's final club before he hangs up his boots. His performances week-in, week-out will earn him a huge move to a European club in the near future, but now needs to focus on proving his worth in his new side.

Player: Nicolas Gaitan

Age: 30 years

Position: Left Wing

To: Dalian Yifang

From: Atletico Madrid

Transfer Fee: €18 Million

Nationality: Argentina

Nicolas Gaitan has also completed his long-awaited move from Atletico to sign for Dalian Yisung for a fee in the region of €18 Million.

Gaitan began his European career with Portuguese side SL Benfica, making 253 appearances in all competitions, scoring 41 times.

His performances earned him a deserving move to Spaniards Atletico Madrid but failed to establish himself as a regular first-team player, making just 49 appearances in one-and-a-half-seasons.

This season, a disappointing 13 appearances, also restricted him from making the bench with an imminent departure on the cards. 

At CSL side Dalian Yifang, he may find the opportunities he missed on this season and could still impress and fight for a place in the Argentinian national side for the upcoming World Cup.

Arsenal Vs Manchester City: EPL Preview

Gameweek 28

Arsenal Vs Manchester City

In less than a week's time since their monumental 3-0 Carabao Cup Win, Manchester City are set to lock horns once again with Arsenal, with 3 points up for grabs in their EPL fixture.

Man City, the winners of the Carabao Cup come in as the team in-form, with an inevitable Premier League crown also on the horizon.

However, the main problem is City's current away form in the league. They are winless in their last 3 Away games (2D 1L).

Arsenal, on the other hand, put in a terrible performance especially in the second half of their Carabao Cup defeat against their opponents and have been beaten in both games against City this season. They will want to write off that wrong by claiming victory in the league.

Team News

Arsenal:

Nacho Monreal (inflamed disc) who came-off on Sunday will be absent; along with Alexandre Lacazette (knee) and long-term absentee Santiago Cazorla.

Manchester City:

Manager Pep Guardiola would have loved to have given a rest to his first-team players who played 90 minutes on Sunday. Plus, a crucial weekend game against Champions Chelsea awaits this Sunday at the Etihad Stadium, but injury woes are his biggest concern.

Fernandinho (hamstring strain) is set to be missed for the first time in the PL this season.

Raheem Sterling (thigh) who missed the Final may not feature at all mid-week as Guardiola may not risk playing him with Sunday's game in mind.

Fabian Delph (suspended) and Benjamin Mendy (knee0, a long-term absentee are also out.

Predicted Line-ups

Manchester City:

• The manager may not risk playing captain Vincent Kompany who put in a stellar performance in Sunday's victory. He may partner John Stones and Aymeric Laporte in central defense.
• Oleksandr Zinchenko could start at Left full-back.
• A surprise name to start in central midfield could be Yaya Toure for the injured Fernandinho.
• Phil Foden, the 17-year old could also be given essential game time in this game.
• Gabriel Jesus could be set for his first PL start in 6 PL games after coming back from injury.

Arsenal:

• The manager should opt to begin Ainsley Maitland-Niles at left back instead of Sead Kolaniac to add that extra pace and shooting ability down the left wing.
• Henrikh Mkhitaryan is expected to start after he was cup-tied for the Carabao Cup final.
• Granit Xhaka who put in a disastrous performance on Sunday should be omitted from the Starting XI, and Mohamed Elneny should start to provide extra defense in midfield.

Prediction

Arsenal (3-0) Manchester City

Arsenal wants to avenge Sunday's loss, and with home field advantage they are likely to do so and run out comfortable winners. If Granit Xhaka doesn't begin, Arsenal has a greater chance of keeping a clean sheet and running out easy victors. 

Another test awaits for their fabulous trio of Aubameyan, Mkhitaryan, and Ozil, who would want to prove a point.

Pep Guardiola needs to focus more on this weekend's important game against Chelsea instead of tonight's result. He will be pleased if his team comes to a point, but getting a win is highly unlikely.

Carabao Cup Final 2018

-

Manchester City eased past Arsenal with a 3-0 victory at Wembley to claim the Carabao Cup as manager Pep Guardiola won his first major honor in English football.

Arsenal themselves would have known that conceding the first goal of the game will make it very difficult to find a way back, but if they did the exact opposite, conceding three. 

Sergio Aguero began the inevitable celebration, scoring City's first goal of the night, with a beautiful chip over Arsenal keeper Davide Ospina and City didn't look back.

Just before the hour mark, Vincent Kompany who put in a true captain's performance on the night scored a deserving second lifting Wembley in orbit.

The goal came after Kevin De Bruyne played in a clever pass to the edge of the box via a corner and the shot fired in was neatly tucked in by the City captain.

Seven minutes later, Arsenal was stunned as David Silva scored City's third down the left to seal the game and the Carabao Cup 2018.

Arsenal made this game one-sided and by far, the easiest final for any side to win in a long time. They were absolutely disgraceful especially defensively. Players were literally walking back for the restart after conceding the 3rd goal, a terrible motivation for a cup final.

Maybe, they can learn from their mistakes and make well when the two lock horns once again this coming Thursday.

Manchester United edge past Chelsea in a thrilling 2-1 contest!

Man United got back to winning ways after narrowly edging past defending Champions Chelsea 2-1, with substitute Jesse Lingard scoring the winner.

The Champions stunned the home side as a counter-attack from a Man United corner saw Eden Hazard skip past defenders and play a perfect ball through to Willian who fired in a scorching shot past David De Gea's near post.

The lead lasted just seven minutes as Alexis Sanchez and Anthony Martial played a neat one-two, setting-up Romelu Lukaku for a close-range finish; his first goal against his former club and first against any of the top-6 this season.

With the game inevitably set to finish with honors even, Romelu Lukaku's cross down the right wing set-up the substitute Jesse Lingard who scored a clever header to win the game.

The win takes United back to second with 59 points.

Chelsea has fallen a further six points behind United and has now dropped into 5th place with Tottenham moving above them, 2 points ahead. 

Carabao Cup Final Preview 2017/18: Arsenal Vs Manchester City

Arsenal Vs Manchester City

Date: 25/2/2018

Venue: Wembley

Time: 4:30 pm (BST)

         10:00 pm (IST)

The first major English cup competition for the 2017/18 season is set to take center stage at Wembley this Sunday, as Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Manchester City go head-to-head.

Arsenal suffered back-to-back defeats; first in the league against rivals Tottenham and recently at home against Ostersund in the Europa League. 

Man City, the potential PL winners have also blown up the chance of a quadruple after getting knocked out by Wigan. 

The pair once again locks horns in 4 days time in their PL fixture. 

Team News:

Arsenal:

With most of their first-team players rested midweek, Arsenal is expected to have Mesut Ozil back to start the final. 

However, Aaron Ramsey will have to pass a late fitness test but at the most will make the bench. 

Alexandre Lacazette and Santi Cazorla are long-term absentees, with new signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan cup-tied after featuring for former club Man United in the competition this season. 

Petr Cech will be expected to begin in goal for the first time in the Carabao Cup this season ahead of regular keeper Davide Ospina. 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is Arsenal's go-to man to get a goal in the game. His recent game at Wembley was a defeat against Tottenham. 

Manchester City:

The PL leaders have been dealt a major blow with Raheem Sterling a major doubt to feature.

Manager Pep Guardiola will assess whether or not he would make it in the 18-man squad.

Another major absentee is at left-fullback, where the first choice Benjamin Mendy is a long-term casualty and Fabian Delph is suspended after picking up a red card in their FA Cup game. 

Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to fill in at left fullback or the manager could make a big surprise by playing Aymeric Laporte in that role. 

Gabriel Jesus will be expected to feature in the squad for the first time in 4 months and maybe the difference maker if he comes on as a substitute and plays alongside Sergio Aguero in a 3-4-1-2.

Key Strategies to Victory:

Arsenal:

Defense needs to be Arsenal's best form of attack. Their playing XI needs to put in their best performance of the season and not concede the first goal in the game. 

Majority of Arsenal's attacking players who they could have recalled for this fixture have either been sold or are injured. Conceding the first goal of the game would hand momentum in the hands of City.

Their best bet is exploiting City's left side. The absence of a recognized left-footed fullback is where Arsenal can find spaces and crosses into the box and find the first goal of the game.

**Not conceding the game's first goal, but scoring the game's first goal is the essential point that Arsenal needs to follow.**

Manchester City:

Gutted with the possible absentee of an-injured Raheem Sterling, City still comes into this game as favorites to win it. They have to keep the ball moving around, especially in central midfield and give their wingers freedom to make runs and attack Arsenal's defense.

Gabriel Jesus who could be likely to be introduced in City's 18-man squad could be the biggest wildcard that Pep Guardiola has on Sunday. He could make a direct switch by bringing on Jesus to play alongside Aguero in a 3-4-1-2 formation.

If City does concede the first goal, they would be the favorites to try and find a way to get back in it. But, if they are looking to score first, that crucial first goal needs to come in the first hour itself.

**Avoid pushing the game into extra-time, do not concede any late goals like in the FA Cup and above all, do not grant Arsenal maximum possession in the game.**

Predicted Line-ups

Prediction 

Arsenal FC (1-2) Manchester City

(a.e.t)

The team who gets the first goal on the night would be the ones who go on to win it at the end. Both teams are evenly matched on paper with respect to everyone who is fit.

If Arsenal does concede the first goal, it will be very difficult for them to find a way back. But if Arsenal is the team who are longing for that trophy, they need to put in their best defensive performance of the season.

Manchester United V Chelsea: Big Match Preview - GW 28

Gameweek 28

25th February 2018

Old Trafford, Manchester

BST: 14:05

IST: 19:35

Manchester United are set to renew their heated rivalry with PL Champions Chelsea as they lock horns this coming Sunday. 

United currently sit 2nd in the table, 16 points behind leaders Man City after their recent slip-up at Newcastle, their second away defeat in a row in the league.

Chelsea avoided a third straight league defeat with a 3-0 win against West Brom last week, which was just their second win of 2018. They currently sit 4th in the table and failure to beat their weekend's opponents could bring them outside the top four.

Another significant factor is the renewal of the PL's most heated managerial rivalry this season; Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho against his adversary Antonio Conte.

Head-to-Head

• Chelsea's 18 wins also include 6 victories at Old Trafford.
• United have won 9 games at home, including the 2-0 victory last season.
• United have also picked up just one victory in their last 14 matches in all competitions.
• For the fourth time in the PL, Chelsea is aiming to do the double over Man United.

Team News

Manchester United

Paul Pogba is a doubt to start once again due to his recent league form. He hasn't begun any of the club's last 3 games in all competitions after he was substituted against Newcastle United.

Eric Bailly has made a comeback to the first team as a substitute in the FA Cup last Saturday. He is expected to replace Phil Jones (knock) alongside Chris Smalling.

Marcus Rashford played a decent cameo in United's midweek UCL draw at Sevilla and could challenge for a place in the starting XI.

Ander Herrera (Hamstring) is out after lasting just 16 minutes mid-week.

Chelsea 

The champions are expected to be without Tiemoue Bakayoko (knock) and Ross Barkley (hamstring) with David Luiz a confirmed absentee.

Rest of their squad are fit to play after their mid-week UCLtie against Barcelona.

Players to watch

The home side will hope for their record signing Paul Pogba to deliver his best performance of the season.                                                                                                                                                                                              After a disappointing performance in his last 3 PL games, this would be the perfect time for him to prove his critiques wrong.

New front-man Alexis Sanchez has scored just one league goal in his first three appearances for Man United this season.                                                                                                                                              Starting down the left wing, he has to face a tough challenge against Cezar Azpilicueta and possibly Victor Moses.

Romelu Lukaku hasn't yet scored a league goal against the PL "Big Six" this season with a disappointing four shots on target.

Antonio Conte is expected to start Eden Hazard in the No.9 role, as he did successfully in their mid-week UCL game against Barcelona. 

Hazard has scored 3 goals in his last 2 PL games; with 11 in total in the league. Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud could be recalled from the bench if needed.

Chelsea's front three of Willian, Pedro & Hazard possess dangerous pace on the counter-attack.                                                                                                                  Eric Bailly's presence for United in defense will be crucial to try and match the opposition's pace.

Predicted Line-ups

Prediction:

Manchester United (1-0) Chelsea

This will be a very tough game to call as both teams are desperate to pick up a victory and maintain the hold on a top-four spot. A 1-0 scoreline beckons as either team has the ability to snatch the victory.

United have suffered defeat in their last two away games but have the edge because of their home advantage.

Chelsea is hoping to avoid a second successive away defeat in the PL and their 3rd defeat in their last 4 games. 

But, everyone anticipates another classic tale between these two PL giants and especially the two managers.

Last time at Old Trafford

Last meeting this season

[Tottenham Vs Juventus] [Man City Vs Basel] - UCL Second Leg Previews, Team News, Predictions & 1st Leg Reviews

Second Legs

After nearly two months, the UEFA Champions League is back and back with a bang!

We were in for a treat last night, with 2 of the 8 matches of the Round of 16 completing their first leg. Three teams managed to find the net with a total of 8 goals scored.

Among the four teams, two of the Premier League giants Manchester City & Tottenham had a brilliant night with precious away results going into the 2nd Leg.

Fixture 1

It was a historical night for PL side Tottenham Hotspur who made it to the UCL Round of 16 after nearly 8 seasons, coming from two goals down to earn themselves a 2-2 draw against Italian giants and last season's finalists Juventus.

For the beginning 10 minutes, Tottenham lacked stability and composure, finding themselves two goals behind as Gonzalo Higuain put Juve ahead in the 2nd minute and a 9th-minute penalty.

A stunned Tottenham side slowly started re-collecting themselves and began to attack the Juventus goal. They got the breakthrough in the 35th minute as Harry Kane cleverly rounded Gianluigi Buffon to score into an empty net.

***Harry Kane becomes the first player to score 9 goals in his first 9 games in the UCL, ahead of Lionel Messi (2) and Cristiano Ronaldo (0).***

Juventus spurned the opportunity to go 3-1 up in first-half stoppage time as Higuain saw his penalty strike the post which eventually proved to be a crucial miss.

With Spurs defensively stable and Hugo Lloris keeping the Juventus attack at bay, Christian Eriksen scored a clever low free-kick in the 71st minute, to hand Tottenham a vital 2-away goal advantage heading into the 2nd leg.

Tottenham welcome Juventus on the 7th of March at Wembley, needing a 0-0 or a 1-1 draw to progress into the quarter-final stages.

Fixture 2

PL leaders and favorites to win the UCL this season, Manchester City stormed past Swiss side FC Basel, scoring away goals to all but confirm their progress to the Round of 16. City was the first English side to pick up a win against Basel.

Ilkay Gundogan ran the show for City, scoring the opener, cleverly heading in his first goal of the night from a corner.

Bernardo Silva doubled City's lead with a superb looping volley over the Basel keeper before Sergio Aguero scored a superb long-range effort, registering his 14th goal of the calendar year and City's 3rd on the night.

Gundogan capped off a fine home win with an even finer long-range effort to cruise City into the 2nd leg of the Round of 16.

With Basel needing 4 goals to come level, their chances of qualification are all but over ahead of their 2nd leg encounter on the 8th of March at the Etihad Stadium.