A vitória do Ararat-Armenia, na última segunda-feira (27), pela Armenian Premier League, teve participação direta do lateral-direito Guilherme Alemão. A vitória da sua equipe, por 3 a 1, no clássico contra o Ararat Erevan, deixou o time na segunda posição do campeonato, com 46 pontos conquistados. Motivos de sobra para comemorar, e o brasileiro não esconde a felicidade e importância do resultado positivo.
– Estou muito feliz por ter ajudado a equipe conquistar os três pontos, com um gol e em um clássico. Era muito importante recomeçarmos o campeonato com uma vitória. Sendo um derby, nos deixa ainda mais motivado para o próximo jogo e na sequência do torneio – comemorou Alemão.
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Na temporada anterior, Alemão e Ararat-Armenia brigaram pelo título, assim como vem sendo na atual competição. Em 2021/22, a equipe do brasileiro terminou o campeonato com 74 pontos, apenas um abaixo do campeão Pyunik. A meta para 2022/23 é fazer diferente e terminar no topo, e o brasileiro não esconde isso.
– Estamos na luta. Sabemos que não será fácil até o fim do campeonato, mas o nosso grupo quer muito esse título. Na temporada passada tínhamos tudo nas mãos e, infelizmente, deixamos escapar. Esse ano queremos esse título e vamos fazer de tudo para conquista-lo. Devemos isso ao nosso torcedor e vamos fazer de tudo para terminarmos com o troféu – concluiu.
O próximo desafio de Guilherme Alemão com o Ararat-Armenia será no próximo domingo (5), às 9h (horário de Brasília), contra o Alashkert. O confronto será válido pela 22ª rodada do Campeonato Armênio.
Após alguns meses, o Corinthians voltou a abrir as portas do CT Joaquim Grava para a imprensa acompanhar o treino do clube desta quinta-feira (23). As únicas ausências foram os meias Renato Augusto, Fausto Vera e Paulinho.
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Os dois primeiros ficaram na parte interna do CT para um trabalho específico. Renato segue o cronograma de recuperação após sofrer um estiramento no ligamento colateral medial do joelho direito contra o Santo André, no Paulistão. O argentino foi preservado da atividade por controle de carga, mas estará presente no jogo-treino deste sexta.
Já Paulinho veio a campo e fez o aquecimento com o grupo, mas depois foi para a parte interna do CT.
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Depois do aquecimento, a comissão técnica dividiu o elenco em dois grupos para realizar exercícios de bola parada.
Por fim, os atletas foram para outro campo realizar atividades focadas na saída de bola e finalização. Nos exercícios, o técnico Fernando Lázaro esboçou um time titular sem Balbuena e Yuri Alberto, que estão com suas seleções na Data Fifa: Cássio; Fagner, Gil, Caetano e Fábio Santos; Roni, Maycon, Giuliano e Adson; Róger Guedes e Romero.
Após o treino, alguns jogadores seguiram no campo para fazer um complemento em cobranças de pênalti.
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O técnico Fernando Lázaro explicou que após dois dias de alta intensidade nos treinos, a atividade desta quinta teve uma intensidade menor visando o amistoso de sexta-feira (24), contra o RB Bragantino II, que disputa a Série A3 do Paulistão. A partida será no CT Joaquim Grava, sem a presença da imprensa.
Also reveals that Shakib Al Hasan’s workload management for the series will be left on the senior player
Mohammad Isam28-Feb-2023
Tamim Iqbal and Chandika Hathurusingha head to training•BCB
Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha belives that his full-strength Bangladesh side are slightly ahead of an England side that is missing some key batters due to the Test series in New Zealand. Even while praising England’s depth, calling them the “envy” of the rest of the world, he said that he backed his own side’s skill levels in home conditions.”We are playing full strength,” Hathurusingha told reporters on the eve of the ODI series. “I don’t think they have come with their full strength. Some of them are playing Test cricket. I back our skills and strength. Saying that, they have incredible strength in the last ten years or so.”England have one of the best pace attacks in the world. They have five fast bowlers and three spinners on this tour. The challenge will be to play their fast bowlers in this series. They have developed great depth in English cricket. They are the envy of every Test-playing nation. I am hoping that by the end of my tenure, we can leave something behind.”Related
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Currently in the first week of his second stint as Bangladesh coach, Hathurusingha has also observed that his players are taking up responsibilities.”They have improved in terms of understanding their roles,” he said. “Mainly I was impressed with how they take the ownership of how they want to prepare. I am very pleased about it. Even the youngsters, you don’t need to guide them too much. They know how to prepare and know their various roles.Hathurusingha also revealed that he will allow Shakib Al Hasan to decide whether he is mentally and physically fit for the first ODI, after he arrived from the USA just 48 hours before the first game.”There’s so much cricket being played. The opposition just arrived two days before, and you have to play,” he said. “That’s the nature of the scheduling. Shakib had a family emergency, so he is back from a long flight.”He said he is feeling good. He practice yesterday and today. I think you have to back him, because of his experience and who he is. He knows his body. I have to go by his judgement.”Hathurusingha said that he will be lurking in the background for the first two games of the series since he wants to see the processes in play. He also said that Bangladesh’s XI for the first ODI will be quite close to the side that beat India in the ODI series in December.”I am not going to talk much at all as I have been around for seven days,” he added. “They have been playing good cricket lately, so my job is to see what they are doing. Their process to be successful. If it is working well, I don’t need to say something. I will probably observe in the first two games, then take it from there.”
Also planned are discussions surrounding the Future Tours Programme, a new revenue distribution model and governance review
Osman Samiuddin and Tristan Lavalette17-Mar-2023
The PCB is expected to raise questions about India travelling to their country for the Asia Cup (and beyond)•Getty Images/ICC
Afghanistan, the continuing complexities of India-Pakistan and a new revenue distribution model will all be on the agenda at what is shaping up to be a portentous ICC board meeting this weekend in Dubai.The quarterly meeting, the first of this year, began on Thursday with the women’s cricket committee and the men’s committee on Friday. But all eyes will fall on the Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) meeting on Saturday, before the ICC Board and Finance & Commercial Affairs (F&CA) committee meet over Sunday and Monday.It is in and around the sidelines of those meetings that the most pressing topics will be discussed:Afghanistan’s membershipThe ICC’s working group on Afghanistan will present an update to the ICC board on the situation in Afghanistan since the Taliban took power in the country in August 2021. Imran Khwaja, the ICC’s deputy chair and head of the working group, has met with officials from the ACB and Taliban in Doha twice since November. They’ve been provided assurances that the government has not interfered in cricket affairs, but also acknowledge that any women’s cricket while the Taliban are in power is near impossible.Consequently, the working group will argue that the issue of women’s cricket is beyond the control of the ACB and so the board should not be punished. Full membership at the ICC requires the member to have a functioning women’s team but that status is unlikely to be under threat. There is, however, a growing resolve among members to act, or at least for a clear policy statement to be made.Even the ICC management is desperate to act, not least since some Afghan women cricketers reached out to them. There has been informal talk of funding a women’s team outside of Afghanistan and without implicit ACB approval. But the working group will make the board aware that such options could prove counterproductive, even dangerous, for those on the ground in the country. It is a tightrope, in not wanting to punish Afghanistan while also wanting some progress with the women’s game.Related
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A new revenue distribution modelThe F&CA will begin discussions on a new model to divvy up the ICC’s broadcast money (and commercial earnings) over the next rights cycle. It is not going to be a simple discussion – it wasn’t for the current cycle, where the rights were sold in 2014 for eight years as one bundle to one broadcaster, for approximately USD 2.1 billion.This time round, the ICC is selling rights separately in different regional markets, as well as unbundling them into different packages – one for TV only, one for digital only, one for both, over four and eight years – and men’s and women’s events treated separately. That has already brought a much greater value than the last cycle, even accounting for there being more events. Last August, Disney Star* secured the rights to broadcast ICC events in India for four years from 2024 to 2027. That deal is said to be worth just north of USD 3 billion. The ICC has also recently sold rights in the UK market to Sky Sports for eight years, in a deal worth around USD 260 million. On Friday, the ICC announced the US rights going to Willow, leaving the subcontinent rights (excluding India) to go.So, much more money, but also more challenges in distributing it. The F&CA is headed by the BCCI secretary Jay Shah and given that the India market now has a tangible separate value, it will only strengthen the longstanding BCCI belief that they should receive a lion’s share of it. Smaller members are also wanting enhanced shares, especially as they ended up with less than the expected amounts from the last cycle after ICC projections fell slightly short.The battles over the financial model last time round were epic, not least because of the tumult caused by the Big Three takeover and then eventual rollback. The BCCI, ultimately, wasn’t happy with its share. The global calendar is more fractured and complicated now, only adding to the difficulties in navigating this. The discussions will start this weekend but the expectation is to not expect a new model anytime soon.India-PakistanThe BCCI says India will not travel to Pakistan to play in the Asia Cup in September. The PCB says if they don’t, then Pakistan might not travel to India for the World Cup in October-November. This has been the status quo between the two members for a while now.”We have complex issues on hand but for me when I go to the ACC (Asian Cricket Council) and ICC meetings I have kept all options open for us and we have to take a clear position now,” said the PCB head Najam Sethi at a press conference earlier this week. That is in line with the PCB belief that the Asia Cup and ICC events are linked: if India refuse to play in Pakistan for the Asia Cup, what is the guarantee they visit for the ICC’s Champions Trophy in 2025?That is the question the PCB will be raising this weekend, though it will do so with the wriggle room that ultimately a decision on whether Pakistan travels to India for a World Cup will be made by the Pakistan government. There were reports in Pakistan earlier this week that the government had refused PCB permission to send a team to India. But state officials indicated to ESPNcricinfo that not only had no such decision had been made but that it was far too early for them to be making it.Holder: ‘Apart from the big three, every team is barely playing any Test cricket’•AFP/Getty Images
The Future-Tours ProgrammeA working group looking into current and future FTP bilateral planning arrangements will be ratified at the meeting.The group is led by Zimbabwe head Tavengwa Mukuhlani and includes the ECB’s Martin Darlow and New Zealand Cricket’s Martin Snedden and are expected to meet formally for the first time. The group is open for Full Members to address concerns heightened amid international cricket’s shrinking calendar as T20 leagues sprout worldwide.Given the concerns about the dearth of Test matches expressed expressed recently, the group is likely to hear those concerns sooner rather than later. “The way world cricket is going now, apart from the big three, every team is barely playing any Test cricket,” Jason Holder said after their recently concluded Test series in South Africa. He was echoing comments made by Angelo Mathews, playing a two-Test series in New Zealand, as well as the MCC.Governance ReviewDiscussions over ICC constitutional reforms have been ongoing for years in what has been a thorny subject.It seemed to gain momentum during meetings last year with informal discussions over several proposals, including a single tier of ICC membership and a push for more independents to sit on the governing body’s board.Currently Indra Nooyi, chair Greg Barclay and ICC CEO Geoff Allardice are the only independent directors on the 18-person board. But board directors have been unable to get on the same page and no such proposal was tabled last year. Discussions are set to resume in Dubai.
Glamorgan captain makes earliest triple-century in county history, but Middlesex dig in in reply
Andrew Miller06-Apr-2024Middlesex 138 for 1 (Stoneman 62*) trail Glamorgan 620 for 3 dec (Northeast 335*, Ingram 132*, Carlson 77, Root 67) by 482 runsGreed is good, as Sam Northeast proved on the second day of the English season at Lord’s. After ransacking Middlesex’s bowlers to the tune of 186 not out on day one, Glamorgan’s captain had insisted that was just the base-camp of his ambitions. For 412 balls across eight-and-three-quarter hours of formidable record-wrecking accumulation, he was utterly true to his word.By the time he marched off in mid-afternoon with 335 not out to his name, out of Glamorgan’s towering total of 620 for 3 declared, Northeast had gone higher than any batter at the equivalent stage of any previous county season, and further into Lord’s own ancient record-books than any man in more than 200 years of precedent.No player had ever scored a Championship triple-hundred at an earlier date than April 6 – the Somerset pairing of Justin Langer in 2007 and James Hildreth in 2009 are the only other players even to have achieved the feat in this cruellest of months. But it was the nudged single through midwicket 34 runs after that milestone that resonated longest and loudest with a knowledgeable Lord’s crowd, as Northeast toppled Graham Gooch’s iconic 333 against India as the highest first-class score at cricket’s most-famous ground.More than 2800 first-class fixtures have taken place at Lord’s since July 1814, when MCC – having twice moved home in their previous 27 years of existence – christened their ultimate venue with a local derby against St John’s Wood, in which neither team made as much as 200 across four innings.Even allowing for a conservative estimate of 25 wickets per first-class match since, that amounts to some 70,000 individual innings in the ground’s history (to date, the equivalent figure across 2537 Tests is 78578 completed innings). Only five of those had previously produced a triple-century, most recently Mark Wagh (sic, of Warwickshire not Australia), in 2001. None, though, have been higher than Northeast’s latest opus.It’s only his latest, of course, because this was not even the highest score of Northeast’s first-class career. That came at Grace Road two seasons ago, against Leicestershire, when he made the ninth-highest individual innings in all of first-class cricket, a mighty (and match-winning) 410 not out against Leicestershire.Sam Northeast takes the plaudits from Colin Ingram after making 335 not out, the highest first-class score at Lord’s•Andrew Miller/ESPNcricinfo Ltd
At the age of 34, and having – like the aforementioned Hildreth – come to be regarded as the best batter of his generation not to have earned an England call-up, this performance is unlikely to change anything on that front. And by the close, it might not count for a whole lot more than Glamorgan’s handy haul of four batting points. Craig Miles’ dismissal of Sam Robson for 43 in the 30th over of Middlesex’s reply turned out to be the only wicket that fell all day, as Mark Stoneman’s doughty half-century confirmed that the Kookaburra ball would prove to be every bit as truculent for the visitors.That scarcely detracted from the quality of Northeast’s performance, however. The day was only four overs old when a punched single into the covers secured him his first ambition, a second career double-hundred, but it was the moment of his 250, secured with a thumped drive over long-off off Ryan Higgins in the final half-hour of the morning, that truly ignited his mood.By then, Northeast had survived a second costly miss at backward point – on 239 this time, compared to 11 on the first morning – but there was no question of treating the moment as a cautionary tale. Each his six sixes poured forth thereafter, three off Higgins as he strayed too full in his arc, and three more off the toiling spinner Josh De Caires, including a monstrous mow across the line and over the extra-long Grandstand boundary, some 80 yards up the hill.De Caires – whose father Mike Atherton had been watching the rain fall at Old Trafford on day one before driving his own parents down to witness their grandson in action – eventually retreated with the bruised figures of 28-0-147-0, including a leg-side long-hop that allowed Northeast to roll his wrists through a pull through backward square and rush on through to that triple-hundred. By then, however, De Caires (and his grandparents) should have had something to cheer with Northeast on 291, only for Jack Davies behind the stumps to make a hash of a regulation stumping.That wasn’t the only lapse as Middlesex’s discipline deserted them amid the onslaught. As the understudy in a hefty fourth-wicket stand of 299, Colin Ingram’s own century was almost as overshadowed as Keith Piper’s at Edgbaston in June 1994, and clean though most of his boundaries were, his late volley of four sixes in 12 balls included a gruesome fumble over the ropes from Henry Brookes at deep third.None of it ultimately mattered, however. As, indeed, might also be said of the remaining two days of a bat-dominant game – though tell that to Stoneman and Max Holden, whose own quests for a statement innings are only just beginning.”It’s a privilege to play here and to break a record like that is just beyond my wildest dreams, to be honest,” Northeast said at the close. “It blew my mind. I got pretty nervous out there at the end, when I was nearing it.”I didn’t really think about it until I was on about 330. A member told me as I was walking out and I sort of forgot about it [the record] – then when I got near, I started thinking about it again.”It’s a special day. The game situation was what I was thinking about at that stage but then a personal milestone like that – I had to make sure I got it.”
Everton are nine games unbeaten in the Premier League. Nine. David Moyes lost his opener against Aston Villa after replacing the beleaguered Sean Dyche, but the progress has been otherwise breathtaking.
This Toffees team is a far cry from the previous version, refashioned only a few months ago with just Charly Alcaraz welcomed from the transfer gates in January.
If the 15th-placed club are to compete at a higher level over the coming years, it’s important that the market is well utilised. What Everton need is a superstar signing, comparatively speaking.
Well, The Friedkin Group certainly have a shock move lined up. You need only look over to Anfield Road to find this player’s signature.
Everton lining up move for Liverpool star
According to recent reports, via The Mirror, Everton are weighing up a move for Liverpool talent Ben Doak in what would be a shocking transfer. Doak has excelled on loan at Middlesbrough this season and Moyes is thoroughly impressed.
The Toffees are preparing to test the waters with a £25m offer, which falls into a similar ballpark as bids from Bournemouth and Crystal Palace back in January, both rebuffed by the Reds.
Dealings between the Merseyside rivals have been sparse in modern times. In fact, Abel Xavier is the last player to transfer directly between the two teams, joining Liverpool from Everton in 2002.
Everton could land their next Wayne Rooney
Let’s be honest, this would be as difficult a deal to orchestrate as any. However, saying that, Liverpool have been open to selling Doak in recent months and their ostensible interest in Jarrad Branthwaite suggests negotiations could be somewhat amenable.
Ben Doak in action for Middlesbrough
And Doak would be worth the effort. Only 19, the Scotland winger has dazzled through the maiden years of his career, so brisk and powerful and purposeful down the right flank.
On that note, with Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom’s loans at Goodison Park wrapping up this summer, the urgency for a fresh right flanker is doubly important.
Across 24 Championship appearances this term (21 starts), he’s scored three goals and assisted seven more, leading former Scotland manager Craig Levein to say: “This kid could be a world-class player.”
Few teenagers carry themselves with such swagger and potency, but Doak’s certainly one of them. Moyes knows a thing or two about developing exciting prospects – he handed Wayne Rooney his professional debut, after all.
Rooney: scorer of great goals, leader of men. He’s one of the greatest footballers to do it in the Premier League, behind only Alan Shearer and Harry Kane in the division’s all-time scoring charts (with 208 goals).
Any youngster compared to the retired Three Lions captain is worth their salt, and Doak has indeed been claimed to have a stylistic semblance to Rooney, with his agent, Jackie McNamara, actually labelling him “a Scottish Wayne Rooney.”
His electric pace, his strong-limbed bursts into the danger area, do carry a hint of the former Premier League star, with Doak’s metrics from the 2024/25 campaign highlighting his barrelling style.
Championship Stats 24/25 – Ben Doak
Stats
Per 90
Percentile
Goals scored
0.15
Top 69%
Assists
0.35
Top 9%
Shot-creating actions
4.15
Top 30%
Pass completion
79.1%
Top 21%
Progressive passes
2.83
Top 65%
Progressive carries
6.78
Top 1%
Successful take-ons
1.77
Top 24%
All stats via FBref
Everton need such a player, and Moyes has shown in the past that he has the tactical nous to bring the best out of such a youngster’s talent.
Now, it boils down to Liverpool and Everton’s ability to negotiate. It won’t be easy, but this could be quite the deal if pulled off.
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Everton are planning to strengthen in the transfer market this summer.
Manchester United are now set to make an approach for an “immense” defender, with Ruben Amorim believed to be a big fan, according to a report.
Man Utd pursuing defensive reinforcements
Amorim has made it clear that he will not compromise on his style of play, having implemented a three-at-the-back system ever since arriving from Sporting CP, which means the manager may need to recruit another centre-back in the summer transfer window.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie is one of the names on the shortlist, with Man United looking to hijack Real Madrid’s move for the defender, while they have also sent scouts to watch Fiorentina’s Pietro Comuzzo in action.
Comuzzo is being targeted as a potential replacement for Lisandro Martínez, who may not be back until 2026, which underlines the need for a new centre-back to be brought in prior to the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
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According to a report from Football Transfers, not only is Amorim concerned by Martinez’s injury woes, but the manager also has doubts over whether the Argentine is suitable for his three-at-the-back system.
As such, the 40-year-old wants to bring in a new centre-back this summer, and he has demanded the signing of Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio.
S.C. Braga's Rodrigo Zalazar in action with Sporting CP's GoncaloInacio
Amorim knows Inacio well from their time working together in Portugal, and he remains a huge admirer, with Man United expected to make an approach of some description over the next few weeks, although there are yet to be any formal talks.
The Portuguese defender is protected by a €60m (£52m) release clause in his contract, but there are indications he could be available for as little as €35m (£30m), which would make him a relatively low-cost addition to the squad.
"Immense" Inacio impressing in Portugal
Sporting are once again challenging for the Liga Portugal title this season, and the 23-year-old has been one of their most important players, making 22 appearances, during which time he has picked up three goals and three assists.
Not only is the Portugal international a threat going forward, but he is also strong defensively and solid in possession of the ball, as showcased by his performance on some key metrics over the past year.
Statistic
Average per 90
Blocks
2.22 (99th percentile)
Tackles
2.04 (84th percentile)
Passes attempted
88.70 (97th percentile)
With Amorim having doubts over whether Martinez is capable of playing in a three-at-the-back system, it would make sense for the manager to bring in a player he can trust, and the “immense” Sporting star is showing signs he could be a success at Old Trafford.
The only doubt over the signing of Inacio will be the fact he is yet to prove himself in a major European league, unlike some of the other players on Man United’s shortlist, such as Hincapie and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.
As Arne Slot’s current side continue to thrive, FSG have reportedly turned their focus towards the future and sent Liverpool scouts to watch the U17 Africa Cup of Nations, where one midfield star has caught their eye.
Liverpool need reinforcments despite incredible league campaign
As impressive as Liverpool’s midfield has been this season, it could be argued that the likes of Ryan Gravenberch have slowed down in recent weeks as the Reds’ congested fixtures schedule across the campaign catches up to him. And that should come as little shock for Slot, who has started the Dutchman in every single one of his side’s 32 Premier League games.
At this stage of the season, such little rotation often catches up to sides and Liverpool are no different. The champions-elect were relatively poor against West Ham United and were left relying on Virgil van Dijk’s late winner to take a key step towards title glory just a week after suffering shock defeat against Fulham.
Now as many as 13 points clear of Arsenal, Liverpool got away with slipping up against Fulham but it was a warning sign they very nearly ignored against West Ham. As good as they’ve been and as deserving as they have been on their way towards the title, Slot’s side are far from perfect and finding a backup for Gravenberch should be among their priorities this summer.
Just who that might be remains to be seen, however, with reports focused on the Reds’ attacking department and names such as Alexander Isak as the summer transfer window approaches.
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If that is to be their focus, then Slot’s solution for what could be a pending Gravenberch problem may eventually come through the arrival of a young player who’s been compared to Carlos Baleba.
Liverpool plotting Mohamed Sako move
According to The Boot Room, FSG have now sent Liverpool scouts on a fresh mission to watch Mohamed Sako at the U16 Africa Cup of Nations in Morroco. The Burkina Faso midfielder has so far impressed too and is among those on the radar of the Reds alongside Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle United at a tournament full of talent.
Compared to Brighton & Hove Albion star Baleba, it’s fair to say that Liverpool would be landing quite the player if Sako matches the growth of the Seagulls midfielder.
Premier League stats 24/25 (via FBref)
Carlos Baleba
Ryan Gravenberch
Starts
25
32
Progressive Passes
108
153
Ball Recoveries
159
171
Tackles Won
35
30
If Liverpool focus their finances on their frontline and left-back problem this summer, then welcoming Sako as one for the future rather than splashing out on a backup for Gravenberch could be the way forward.
There’s certainly a route into the first-team too. Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah have all played roles under both Jurgen Klopp and Slot and Sako could yet follow suit if those at Anfield make their move.
Today is the day that Celtic could be crowned champions of the Scottish Premiership if they manage to avoid a defeat to Dundee United at Tannadice Park.
The Hoops only need a point to claim the title for the fourth year running, beating their city rivals to the crown once again, in the early kick-off this afternoon.
Celtic manager BrendanRodgersbefore the match
Brendan Rodgers is looking to seal his second title in as many seasons since his return to Parkhead, and could be ruthless with his team selection by dropping Adam Idah to the bench.
Why Adam Idah could be dropped
The Ireland international was given the nod from the start to play as the number nine against St. Johnstone at Hampden Park, with Daizen Maeda and James Forrest on the wings.
Idah got on the end of a perfect cross from Reo Hatate to bundle the ball in from close range in the 5-0 win over the Saints in the SFA Cup semi-final.
However, the former Norwich City attacker has failed to provide a goal or an assist in his last seven appearances in the Premiership, which shows that he has not been good enough at league level in recent weeks.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
With this in mind, Rodgers could ruthlessly ditch the striker from the team, despite his goal against St. Johnstone, and that would open up space for Jota to come back into the side on the wing.
Why Celtic should unleash Jota
The Northern Irish head coach could move Maeda back into the number nine role and that would free up the Portuguese attacker to play on the left side of the front three.
Jota, who came off the bench to score the fifth goal against the Saints, re-joined the Scottish giants in the January transfer window when he signed from Rennes on a permanent deal.
Since his return to Parkhead, the 26-year-old wing wizard, who Michael Stewart claims “raises the bar” and is a “game-changer” for the club, has hit the ground running with a return of four goals, three ‘big chances’ created, and two assists in six starts in the league.
This shows that, unlike Idah, Jota has been in fine form in the Premiership of late, with his ability to score and create goals on a regular basis from a wide position.
24/25 Premiership
Jota (per 90)
Percentile rank vs wingers
Goals
0.67
Top 3.9%
Expected Goals
0.51
Top 3.9%
xG on target
0.72
Top 1%
Shots on target
1.51
Top 1%
Assists
0.34
Top 17.6%
Expected Assists
0.39
Top 7.8%
Chances created
2.01
Top 21.6%
Stats via FotMob
As you can see in the table above, the former Al-Ittihad forward stacks up incredibly well against his positional peers in the Scottish top-flight, due to his impressive return of goals and assists.
These statistics show that Jota is an attacker who can make a big impact on a regular basis at the top end of the pitch, which is why Rodgers should bring him into the starting XI for this clash with Dundee United today.
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He has the game-changing quality that Celtic could need to get the point that will seal the Premiership title, which would be the Portuguese star’s third in his Hoops career.
Arne Slot has done a sensational job in charge at Liverpool during his first campaign at the helm, producing a seamless transition after taking over from Jürgen Klopp last summer.
Their latest win over Tottenham Hotspur secured their second Premier League title with four games to spare, highlighting the impressive work conducted by the Dutchman.
The success endured has been made even more impressive given the fact that only one addition was made last summer in the form of Federico Chiesa, who’s only featured for 33 league minutes in 2024/25.
Federico Chiesa in action for Liverpool
However, if they are to build on their achievements in Slot’s second season, additions are needed to bolster the squad and inject further quality in key areas of the pitch.
With the title secured, undoubtedly attention will now shift onto the transfer window, with numerous names already thrown into the mix over a switch to Anfield.
An update on Liverpool’s hunt for new attackers
In recent days, it’s emerged that Liverpool are one of a number of Premier League clubs in the race for Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman during the summer window.
The Nigerian, who has scored 18 goals this campaign, also has admirers from Chelsea and Manchester United, with the Serie A side demanding a £50m fee for his signature.
Ademola Lookman for Atalanta
However, despite the interest in his services, the Reds have also made a move for Monaco’s 20-year-old forward Eliesse Ben Seghir, making an approach for him, according to French outlet L’Equipe.
The report also states that Slot’s side have been keeping a close eye on his progress in Ligue 1, with Manchester City also in the race to land the Moroccan international.
It also goes on to state that he’s frustrated at his current outfit, potentially being open to a move to England should the side give the attacker first-team assurances.
Why Liverpool’s target would be an upgrade on Luis Diaz
After joining in January 2022, many expectations were placed on winger Luis Diaz to succeed, especially after Sadio Mané departed Merseyside just a few months after his arrival.
Liverpool winger Luis Diaz
Whilst he’s managed to net 40 goals in his 145 appearances to date, frustrations have been growing around the Colombian in recent months, leading to rumours around his future at the club.
Barcelona have recently been credited with an interest in signing the 28-year-old, whose current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2027 – but could yet extend his stay on Merseyside.
Such a situation could lead to a move for Ben Seghir in the months ahead, offering Slot an upgrade on the former Porto ace, adding a new dimension to his already impressive front line.
The Moroccan, who’s been labelled a future “£100m” star by The Athletic’s Euro Expert, may have registered fewer goals and assists, but has managed more progressive carries and carries into the final third per 90 – highlighting the threat he poses in attacking areas.
How Ben Seghir compares to Diaz in 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)
Ben Seghir
Diaz
Games played
30
33
Goals & assists
9
17
Progressive passes
6.5
4.1
Progressive carries
4.5
4.1
Carries into final third
4.5
2.1
Take-ons attempted
4.9
4.4
Fouls won
2.9
1.2
Aerials won
37%
26%
Stats via FBref
Ben Seghir has also managed to achieve a higher tally of take-ons, whilst also winning more of the aerial duels he’s entered, offering Slot an excellent all-round option within the final third.
His talents don’t stop there, winning more fouls per 90, along with more progressive passes completed, demonstrating his relentless athleticism, which has seen countless defenders struggle to contain him.
At just 20, he has the current ability and potential to transform into an elite-level talent, having all the tools to back up the Euro Expert’s predictions around his future at the top level of the professional game.
Whilst it’s unclear what the situation is with Diaz heading into the summer, a move for the Monaco gem would allow the club to cash in should no contract be agreed – also landing a star who could improve tenfold and secure his place in the side for many years to come.
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