Category: International

All the latest news and information on international football, covering the World Cup qualification, European Championships and international friendly matches.

World Cup 2018 Group B – Betting Tips, Predictions & Preview

Vyom Chaudhary

It’s very rare to see two football heavyweights facing each other in the group stage of World Cup. However, football fans will get to see European rivals and neighbours Spain and Portugal take on each other in Group B in Russia. Besides these two, Morocco and Iran complete the picture in the group. Here’s our take on all four participants of Group B. Iran The Asian nation are the obvious underdogs in the group. Iran, currently ranked 36th in FIFA rankings, are making their fifth appearance at World Cup. In…

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World Cup 2018 Group A – Betting Tips, Predictions & Preview

Vyom Chaudhary
godin cavani

Group A in the FIFA World Cup 2018 consists of South American giants Uruguay, hosts Russia, African hopefuls Egypt and Asian minnows Saudi Arabia. Uruguay are the obvious favourites to top the group, but we expect an interesting battle between Russia and Egypt for the second qualifying spot. Here’s our little preview of four teams from Group A. Egypt Egypt are making their third appearance at the FIFA event and their first since the 1990 World Cup.  The Pharaohs, who are ranked 46th in FIFA rankings, have never managed to…

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Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup: Group Stage Draw

Miheso Kihara

The Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup group stage draw took place today, 1st December, at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow. In attendance to open the draw were FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Russia President Vladimir Putin. In his speech welcoming the participants, Mr. Putin whose country is facing a doping ban from the Olympics spoke about the spirit of “fair-play.” This was the first draw since 1998 which former FIFA president Sepp Blatter did not oversee having been ousted two years due to a corruption scandal. The World Cup…

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FIFA Confederations Cup Semi-Finals Betting Preview

Vyom Chaudhary

Arguably four strongest teams in the tournament have made their ways into the semi-finals, and it makes for an interesting viewing. Alexis Sanchez will face off against Cristiano Ronaldo as South American champions Chile take on European winners Portugal on Wednesday. Next day, CONCACAF representatives Mexico will take on world champions Germany. Germany, who have fielded a rather inexperienced squad, are favourites to win the tournament at 9/4 odds. Portugal are close behind the Germans at 23/10 odds. Love a good bet? You should check out these betting promotions. Real…

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Confederations Cup – Russia vs New Zealand betting odds

Vyom Chaudhary

The Confederations Cup will kick-off in Russia this Saturday as the hosts take on Oceania champions New Zealand at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg. The eight-nation FIFA tournament, which consists of the champions from six continents, World Cup winner Germany, and the hosts, is supposed to work as a dress-rehearsal for next year’s World Cup in Russia. Both teams from the opening game are underdogs in Group A, which also contains Portugal and Mexico; however, the hosts will be huge favourites to claim three points in the tournament opener.…

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Twitter trolls Joel Matip following Cameroon’s AFCON triumph

Vyom Chaudhary

Cameroon defeated Egypt 2-1 in the AFCON final today to lift the trophy for the fifth time. The Lions were dealt a big blow when a number of senior players retired from the national team just days before the tournament. However, over the course of the tournament, they defied all the odds and, today, came from behind to beat Egypt in the final. Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip was one of the Cameroon players who retired before the tournament. The 25-year-old wanted to focus on football with the Reds, but his…

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Four bizarre ways Dutch legend Marco Van Basten intends to revolutionize football

Sanket Kumar
fifa

The former AC Milan and Netherlands forward who won the Ballon d’Or thrice was appointed the technical director of FIFA in September 2016 to oversee innovations in the ‘beautiful game’. Here are the four most bizarre (read ludicrous) suggestions from the former World Player of the Year to make football more ‘honest, dynamic, interesting and attractive.’: ICE-HOCKEY STYLE SHOOTOUT Marco van Basten’s proposed PK change: “Maybe the player should start 25 meters from goal.” Hmm. https://t.co/9LAoW4wVKB — Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 18, 2017 Basten’s suggestion puts an end to…

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England’s latest appointment evokes mixed response from fans

Vyom Chaudhary

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has been named the captain of England national team for the World Cup qualifier against Slovenia on Tuesday. The 26-year-old was handed the responsibility after Wayne Rooney was dropped to the bench for the game. Rooney’s exclusion from the starting eleven drew a huge cheer from England fans, but the fanbase is not so sure about Henderson’s appointment as the captain of the national side. Obviously, the Liverpool fans are happy, but the others – not so much. The happy bunch: Jordan Henderson, England captain. Soz…

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Gareth Southgate is the new messiah for England fans

Vyom Chaudhary

England interim manager Gareth Southgate has done what his predecessors Roy Hodgson and Sam Allardyce failed to do. Southgate has dropped his skipper Wayne Rooney from his starting eleven for the World Cup qualifier against Slovenia. In a press conference before the game, Southgate confirmed: “It’s very straight forward. We’ve looked at the way Slovenia play, which we did midway last week. And we profiled the kind of midfield we wanted to play. “It is in no reflection to Rooney’s performance at the weekend, in fact we were happy with…

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Former PL winner linked with England job

Vyom Chaudhary

It is common knowledge that the FA are on the lookout for a permanent replacement of former manager Sam Allardyce. Following the sacking of Allardyce, the FA handed the duties of the senior squad to U21 coach Gareth Southgate on an interim basis. Southgate is expected to stay in charge of the senior squad until the next international break in November. Following the international break in November, the Three Lions won’t be in action until March and the FA aims to appoint a new manager before then. Several names have…

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Another poor display from Rooney results in another battering from fans

Vyom Chaudhary

Wayne Rooney is going through one of the worst phases of his footballing career. The 30-year-old is certainly not the same player as he once was, but he still boasts of a huge reputation at both club and national level. United manager Jose Mourinho, at the start of the season, included Rooney in his starting eleven but he was forced to drop him following his disastrous performance against Watford. The Red Devils have definitely looked a better team without Rooney in the mix. However, Rooney is still too big of…

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Twitter can’t believe former Everton coach is the new Belgium manager

Vyom Chaudhary

In a shocking move, former Everton manager Roberto Martinez was appointed as the manager of the Belgium national team. The Spanish manager, who was sacked by Everton last season, was recently linked with the Hull City, but his appointment at the helm of Belgium national team has shocked everyone. Martinez will succeed Marc Wilmots, who was sacked following this summer’s Euro 2016. Twitter was definitely shocked to hear the news: Who saw that coming? Roberto Martinez has been appointed the new head coach of Belgium.https://t.co/rbfYkjpnyO pic.twitter.com/xYz3QhCvW0 — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August…

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Premier League players heading for the 2016 Rio Olympics

Stuart Campbell

Ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympic Football tournament, which will begin on 4 August, the 16 competing countries have now announced their squads, which include a number of players based in the English Premier League. Whilst Arsenal could potentially be represented at the Olympics by two players, one player from each of Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham may feature in Rio. The only country whose squad contains more than one English Premier League player is Portugal’s, with their manager Rui Jorge naming Manchester United goalkeeper Joel Pereira and Liverpool…

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Twitter reacts to Sam Allardyce’s appointment as new England manager

Vincent Van Genechten

England has a new manager: Sam Allardyce. The 61-year-old leaves Sunderland and signed an initial two-year contract with a view to potentially extending that deal until 2020. The Black cats will receive a £3m compensation from the Football Association. It’s official. We are delighted to announce that Sam Allardyce is the new manager of the #ThreeLions! pic.twitter.com/7L3y9S62TP — England (@England) 22 juli 2016 The appointment of Allardyce didn’t go unnoticed on Twitter: Now that allardyce is England manager. Does that mean Kevin Nolan will finally get that well deserved 2nd cap? #lovers4lyfe…

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Twitter couldn’t believe one player being on UEFA’s list of Europe’s best players

Vincent Van Genechten

On Monday, the UEFA announced the 10-man shortlist for the Best Player in Europe Award. As expected, some of the biggest names in football made it, but further down the list fans found one big surprise. The award is voted for by journalists from across Europe, who list their five best players of the 2015-2016 season. Lionel Messi won the first UEFA award in 2011 and also collected the trophy last year. The other winners are Andres Iniesta (2012), Franck Ribery (2013) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2014). The ten nominees, in alphabetical order, are:…

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Sunderland lining up former Manchester United coach, Black Cats sell flop midfielder

Vincent Van Genechten

With Sam Allardyce widely expected to be offered the role as England manager, Sunderland are weighing up former Manchester United boss David Moyes as his replacement, according to a report by the Telegraph. Allardyce has not been given any guarantees from the FA at this stage, but the report claims that it is starting to look like Allardyce’s appointment is a “done deal.” Chairman Ellis Short has already identified David Moyes as Allardyce’s potential replacement. The former Everton and Manchester United boss has been out of work since he was sacked by…

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The remarkable stats behind Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph

Vincent Van Genechten

Despite France, Germany, and Spain being the biggest favourites to win Euro 2016, it was Portugal who came away with the win on Sunday, beating Les Bleus on home soil 1-0 in the final. When Cristiano Ronaldo went off injured after just 25 minutes, the Portuguese prospects of winning a first European Championship suffered a damaging blow. As such Ronaldo’s team-mates were required to assume a greater level of responsibility for trying to unlock the French defence without their talismanic captain. The Portuguese players did that collectively and came close to…

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UEFA announces Euro 2016 awardees and team of the tournament

Stuart Campbell

The title of UEFA’s Euro 2016 player of the tournament has been awarded to the French striker Antoine Greizmann, as reported by the Independent. Great Griezmann Griezmann also finished the tournament with the Golden Boot as he scored six goals, which was double that of any other player, to help France make the final. Despite not being able to score in the final, whilst missing a great opportunity to do so with a header as France lost 1-0 to Portugal, Griezmann’s earned the award of the tournament’s most outstanding player…

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Newcastle to demand staggering fee for Euro 2016 star

Vincent Van Genechten

Newcastle have told potentoal suitors will have to come up with a staggering £35 million offer if they are to lure Euro 2016 star Moussa Sissoko away from St James’ Park, according to a report by talkSPORT. The Toon midfielder has gone on holiday after France’s 1-0 loss to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final but will return to the Magpies later this month. Newcastle’s preference is to hold on to Sissoko, as Andros Townsend has already left after Crystal Palace activated the £13 million escape clause in his contract. Therefore,…

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Eder: Portugal’s unlikely Euro 2016 hero

Stuart Campbell

Almost as unlikely as Portugal winning Euro 2016, was their match winner in the final against France. When Cristiano Ronaldo went off injured after just 25 minutes, Portuguese prospects of winning a first European Championship suffered a damaging blow, since they lost their main goal scoring threat. As such Ronaldo’s team-mates were required to assume a greater level of responsibility for trying to unlock the French defence without their talismanic captain. Euro Ecstasy for Eder The Portuguese players did that collectively and came close to scoring on numerous occasions, before Eder…

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Multiple heroes emerge to help France to Euro 2016 final

Stuart Campbell

France were the big favourites to win Euro 2016 at the star of the tournament en they made it all the way to the final in the Stade de France, where they will face Portugal on Sunday. Meanwhile, multiple Frencg heroes have emerged. The great Griezmann The French striker deservedly did so when substituted in the last minute of his country’s 2-0 semi-final victory over Germany, as he produced a man of the match performance and scored both goals to send Les Bleus through to the final of Euro 2016.…

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Portugal vs France – Euro 2016 Final Preview

Stephen Donovan

A proud host nation will be expecting to salute an emotional and famous triumph on Sunday evening, as France contest the final of Euro 2016 against a Portugal team that is aiming to upset the odds and win a major tournament for the first time in their footballing history. There is no question that France are heavy favourites to collect their third European Championship crown, not only for the strength of their squad and sheer volume of quality attacking options, but due to the manner in which both sides have…

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Euro 2016 hosts close to emulating French stars of the year 2000

Stuart Campbell

When there is a great deal of expectancy for a team to achieve success, they can often wilt in the face of that. As hosts and one of the favourites to win Euro 2016, France have been under intense pressure since the start of the tournament to perform to the very best of their ability. Steadily improving throughout Euro 2016 Despite not doing so during the group phase, when they laboured to victories over Romania and Albania respectively, before playing out an uninspiring goalless draw with Switzerland, Les Bleus have…

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Galvanised Griezmann showing resolve to star at Euro 2016

Stuart Campbell

By virtue two excellent performances during the knock-out stages, Antoine Griezmann has established himself as one of the stars of Euro 2016. Nevertheless in order to do so, the Atletico Madrid forward has resolutely overcome a number of challenges. Greizmann’s indifferent group stage form Specifically less than a fortnight before Euro 2016, Griezmann missed a penalty in Atletico’s Champions League Final defeat to Real Madrid, before being dropped to the bench for France’s second game of the tournament against Albania, following a muted display in Les Bleus opening game against Romania. Despite…

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