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Tottenham Hotspur host bitter rivals Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. A win for the Gunners would move them to within just one point of Spurs, and would compound the home side’s recent miseries, having had their title hopes all but ended by Chelsea last time out.

However, this is still a north London derby, and despite their recent disappointments Mauricio Pochettino’s side will still be desperate to beat their rivals.

On the chalkboard

Arsenal have been in decent form recently, but Unai Emery’s side are far from flawless. Going forward they have lots of quality but defensively they are fallible. Pochettino must send his side out to exploit their weak points, whilst also taking measures to fend off their attack.

Who have been the biggest title race bottlers? Liverpool? Spurs? The Pl>ymaker FC squad discuss in the video below…

This match could easily come down to being a battle of the full-backs. Left-back Sead Kolasinac offers the Gunners lots of quality in the final third but lacks diligence and awareness defensively. Spurs can look to attack Arsenal on his flank in an effort to catch the 25-year-old out of position.

For both sides, taking advantage of the opposition full-backs could be the most effective route to goal.

Protecting their frailties

Pochettino must also recognise that his own side are weak defensively on the flanks. Kieran Trippier has been particularly error-prone recently and should probably be dropped for this match in favour of Serge Aurier.

Regardless of who starts for Spurs though, their midfield contingent must do more to protect and cover the wide defenders. The likes of Harry Winks, as long as he is fit, and Moussa Sissoko have the energy and mobility to fulfil this duty and so must be diligent, focused and deliver. 

أعلن عماد النحاس المدير الفني لنادي المقاولون العرب تشكيل فريقه أمام الأهلي في مباراتهما التي تقام اليوم ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويواجه المقاولون منافسه الأهلي الذي يدخل المباراة تحت قيادة مدرب الجديد الجنوب إفريقي بيتسو موسيماني على أرضية استاد القاهرة وذلك في إطار لقاءات الجولة 31 الدوري. تشكيل المقاولون العرب أمام الأهلي اليوم

حراسة المرمى: محمود أبو السعود

خط الدفاع: أمير عابد، فاروق نور الدين، محمد سمير وحسن الشامي.

خط الوسط: كريم مصطفى، محمد مجلى، ابراهيم صلاح، شكري نجيب ولويس هينستروزا.

خط الهجوم: سيف الجزيري.

طالع أيضًا.. تشكيل الأهلي أمام المقاولون العرب.. موسيماني يدفع بمهاجم وحيد

طالع أيضًا.. مباشر بالفيديو | مباراة الأهلي والمقاولون العرب في الدوري المصري

جدير بالذكر أن المقاولون العرب يخوض المباراة محتلًا المركز الرابع برصيد 52 نقطة، في حين أن الأهلي حسم لقب الدوري المصري وفي حوزته 79 نقطة.

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As a tremendously difficult Premier League campaign begins to draw to a close, Huddersfield Town look set for relegation to the Championship.

The Terriers are rooted to the bottom of the table, 15 points from safety, and can boast just three league wins all season. It has been a disastrous term at the John Smith’s Stadium and things must improve.

Manager Jan Siewert has indicated that the club will set about making those improvements this summer, hinting that a major squad overhaul is on the cards for the Yorkshire club.

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

What he said

Speaking in his recent press conference, as quoted by Sky Sports, the German coach said: “If you think of how many games we have won since March last year – it is four. This is important to know, and it says something, we have to look at everything.”

He continued: “It’s about having a long-term view of how we can change it – the thing is a work in progress, and we are in good contact [with owner Dean Hoyle]. We have a long-term idea and there will potentially be a lot of changes.”

Work to be done

Lots of changes are certainly needed and the Terriers must strengthen this summer in key areas. Top of the shopping list must be a striker who can be relied upon to be prolific in the Championship. Nothing that Laurent Depoitre or Steve Mounie have shown this season has suggested that they even have what it takes to thrive in the second tier, even if they remain in Yorkshire.

On top of that, Siewert will likely see the likes of Philip Billing and Aaron Mooy poached this summer. That would leave his side bereft of guile, creativity and attacking threat in the middle of the park – not the mention the loss of the former’s physicality and aerial prowess even if he has been questioned by some fans in recent weeks.

These are all attributes that must be replaced, or else the Terriers could find themselves sinking even further than they already have.

All of you Arsenal fans reading this will be holding their breath in the coming days to see how their players perform on international duty, mainly hoping to see them return to London Colney later this week without any major injuries.

But, supporters and manager Unai Emery will already be a bit worried after Aaron Ramsey missed Wales’ two matches last week and Sead Kolasinac, as well as Sokratis, missed their countries’ respective matches against Armenia and Liechtenstein due to nursing injuries.

Although he is expected to feature for Bosnia this week, Kolasinac has been struggling with a shoulder injury since the Gunners beat Rennes almost two weeks ago to qualify for the Europa League quarterfinals.

Emery, though, will be monitoring Kolasinac’s performance this week and will be hoping to see him fit and ready before Arsenal host Newcastle United at the Emirates this coming Monday. The 25-year-old has been superb for the Gunners this campaign and has been thriving under the management of Emery, who has used him as a left-wing-back for the majority of the season.

Having missed the start of the season due to an ankle injury, Kolasinac surprised many with his aggressive style of playing, both in defence and in attack. Despite being more dangerous on attack, the £18m-rated (as per Transfermarkt) has shown great improvement in his defensive game, which normally is a bit more difficult if playing as a wing-back.

But, he’s showed great resilience and determination to test himself against some of the best players in the league and he’s handled those type of players with good success.

Arsenal also seem to be a lot more threatening in attack when Kolasinac presses up the pitch and his linkup play with Alex Iwobi on the left flank has reaped a lot of success for the club due to the width the pair attacks with. If the Gunners are to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League then the manager will need Kolasinac to stay fit and injury free for the remainder of the season.

Arsenal fans, just how impressed have you been by Kolasinac? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

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Ralph Hasenhuttl has a huge task on his hands this season as he bids to steer Southampton clear of the relegation zone. There is a feeling of deja-vu around the club with a familiar pattern of domestic failure characterising the Saints’ season so far.

The current and previous campaigns have underlined the lack of strength in both the identity of the club and the calibre of players residing within the senior squad.

The arrival of Hasenhuttl, though, has helped to rebuild Southampton’s identity, but his squad still leaves plenty to be desired.

With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at the players who the south coast club should be actively looking to offload this summer in order to maximise their resources, using figures provided by Spotrac.

Players whose wage doesn’t reflect their contribution

Two of Southampton’s top earners, Charlie Austin and Fraser Forster, are draining £7.28m a year between them. Both players earn a healthy £3.64m, which equates to £70,000 per week, but their wages are not a fair representation of their importance to the club.

Austin’s lack of first-team opportunities under Hasenhuttl suggest the manager could be interested in offloading him this summer. And considering both the size of his current salary and his record with injuries, it would be a wise decision to sell the former QPR hitman if a fair offer is forthcoming.

Forster, meanwhile, is behind both Angus Gunn and Alex McCarthy in the pecking order and will surely be seeking a fresh challenge in order to resurrect his career.

Sofiane Boufal has shown some promise on loan at Celta Vigo, where he has scored two goals and provided three assists so far this season, but his previous struggle at Southampton suggests that Hasenhuttl could use his £3.38m yearly salary to much shrewder effect.

Finally, it appears abundantly clear that Cedric Soares, also earning £3.38m per year, is surplus to requirements after being sent on loan to Inter Milan in January, with Jan Valery thriving in the absence of the Portugal international.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

Trim the deadwood

Steven Davis currently pockets £3.12m per year, a huge sum of money considering the 33-year-old’s standing at the club. Fortunately for the Saints, they can be rid of the Northern Ireland international when his contract expires in June.

Jordy Clasie and Sam Gallagher, earning £2.6m and £2.08m respectively, are both burning money and should be offloaded if potential suitors are prepared to sign either player on a permanent basis.

Results of Southampton’s summer sale

Drum-roll please… a grand total of £21.84 million would be wiped from the yearly wage bill if the aforementioned talents all departed in the summer.

That’s a staggering sum of money for a club of Southampton’s relative financial power. That figure alone would be enough to pay the yearly salary of Danny Ings, the club’s top earner, more than five times over. The 2018 summer signing currently earns £75,000 per week, which works out at £3.9m per year.

The fact Hasenhuttl could free up the funds to pay another five players on Ings’ salary without having to chop a single first-team regular underlines the flaws which have been prevalent in Southampton’s transfer policy in recent years and it’s about time that changed in the summer, starting with a well needed clear-out.

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With Roberto Firmino absent from the squad following the injury he picked up against Manchester United on Sunday, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp chose to use Sadio Mane in an unfamiliar centre-forward role against Watford at Anfield on Wednesday, and it worked wonders.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the German boss was left with a decision to make after the Brazilian was ruled out of facing the Hornets, who had beaten Cardiff City 5-1 away less than a week previously.

He could have used Mo Salah, Divock Origi or Daniel Sturridge through the middle, but instead he opted for the pace and unpredictability of Mane, with the former aforementioned duo flanking him in a 4-3-3 formation.

It was a bold move that worked wonders as the former Southampton man netted the first two goals – including a magnificent back-heel finish – of the 5-0 thrashing, that kept the Reds ahead in the Premier League title race.

When asked if he was surprised by the Senegal international’s showing he told liverpoolfc.com: “Scoring-wise of course, performance-wise not. That’s what we expect, that he plays like this, that he offers these things.”

Could he be used there again?

Almost certainly.

Klopp’s comments obviously suggest that he was concerned that the 26-year-old wouldn’t be as much of a goal threat playing as a centre-forward instead of on the wing, but he completely dispelled that with his brace in the opening 20 minutes on Merseyside.

It means that the former Borussia Dortmund coach is now able to confidently use any of his front three in that position, and that flexibility will surely only help Liverpool as their bid to win their first-ever Premier League title enters the final 10 matches.

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Liverpool are flying high in the Premier League this season, but there’s no such thing as the perfect side. Indeed, if Jurgen Klopp is to take his Reds team to another level for 2019/20, some really tough decisions will need be made in the summer.

With that in mind, Football FanCast’s writers attempt to answer a very difficult question – which first-team regular do Liverpool need to find an upgrade for in the next transfer window? Read their verdicts below…

Harry Sherlock – Roberto Firmino

“Liverpool desperately need a brilliant central striker who can take the load off Roberto Firmino. Yes, the Brazilian has been superb over the past couple of seasons but he has just nine goals this term in the Premier League and it has shown that he is not all that comfortable playing as a centre-forward.

“Bringing in a marquee striker and allowing Firmino to drop into an attacking midfield role would solve two problems at a stroke; Liverpool would have a more functional front three that does not fall apart whenever one player gets injured and they would also have more thrust from midfield. Klopp should be looking to break the bank to bring in a striker this summer.”

Jack Saville – Jordan Henderson

“In truth, I’ve never warmed to the midfielder and I can’t help thinking that Liverpool lack a cutting edge with him in the side. As captain it won’t be an easy decision for Klopp, but the arrival of a forward-thinking alternative could add a new dimension to a predictable midfield trio.”

Harry Elnaugh – James Milner

“He’s been solid for Liverpool since signing on a free – that has to go down as one of the best signings they’ve made, by the way – but he’s 33 now and will soon start to lose his legs, which is largely what Klopp has him in the XI for. Finding a young player who puts himself about and isn’t afraid to put in a tackle, as well as one who can, now and then, play that killer ball the Reds have lacked at times, must be a priority. It would be difficult to replace the former Manchester City man like-for-like but Klopp and co have to try.”

Christy Malyan – Sadio Mane

“He’s no doubt a talented player and a useful asset to this Liverpool side, but there’s just too many inconsistencies in Mane’s game. One week he’ll bag a brace, the next he’ll miss four or five simple chances. Add in a recurring refusal to pass the ball for easy goals and there are plenty of wide forwards in the world who could do a superior job to Mane, provided Liverpool are ready to spend the big bucks to get one.” 

Will Jones – James Milner

“As brilliant as the veteran has been for the Reds, he cannot go on forever. He’s started to show signs of slowing down this season, and this summer the time will have finally come to find a long-term upgrade on the ex-England man. His versatility and application will be missed, but he’s no longer the man Klopp should be looking to to take his side forward.”

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According to a report in The Liverpool Echo, Everton have no intention of selling West Bromwich Albion loanee Mason Holgate this summer, which will surely leave Baggies boss Darren Moore seriously frustrated.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the 22-year-old joined the west Midlands outfit on a temporary basis until the end of the season during the January transfer window, and he has gone on to establish himself as a key player ever since.

The versatile defender has played the full 90 minutes in West Brom’s previous nine Championship fixtures, and he has picked up three assists from the right-back position.

However, any hopes of bringing him to The Hawthorns on a permanent deal at the end of the campaign have been quashed, with The Liverpool Echo reporting that Toffees manager Marco Silva is a big fan of the England U21 international.

Moore will be frustrated

He certainly will, with The Liverpool Echo saying that the club was keen to have Holgate in their side next term and beyond.

Given his lack of football at Goodison Park previously, the Baggies boss may have felt that he had a good opportunity to get the defender – especially if they do end up winning promotion to the Premier League – but that now appears to be off of the table once and for all.

It will certainly give the 22-year-old plenty of confidence that he can still have a big role to play under Silva in the future, and that should be enough to stop him from pushing for an exit elsewhere.

Friday’s draw wasn’t the ideal result for Rangers before a big Scottish Cup game, was it? However, the 1-1 against Hibernian saw another promising performance that Steven Gerrard will hope leads to a victory on Tuesday night.

The Scottish Cup quarter-final replay against Aberdeen could take the Gers one step closer to winning their first major trophy since their re-establishment in 2012. A win would round off their seven-year comeback and announce themselves back as a real contender to Celtic’s era of domination.

There’s been real excitement around the Ibrox since Gerrard’s arrival and the contract extension of star striker Alfredo Morelos has given them another boost as they get closer and closer to completing the ultimate comeback. The title is gone, but the chance of that first major trophy is still very much alive.

Yes, there’d be a semi-final and a final to come after the game on Tuesday, but the match is massive in maintaining the feel-good factor surrounding the club. They’re nine points clear of their opponents in the league with a goal difference 32 strikes higher. The gap between Celtic and Rangers and then the rest of the Scottish Premiership is growing, and a win on Tuesday would prove that’s the case in the cups too.

Celtic have won the last two Scottish Cups and last three Scottish League Cups, so to have Rangers back competing for these honours again would ramp up the club’s positivity even more. A good cup run would also come at a time when their rivals have just lost their all-conquering manager too.

The result on Friday was a continuation of good performances by Gerrard’s men, now they must turn those good performances into a cup run that can announce Rangers as well and truly back.

Rangers fans, how do you see Tuesday night’s game going? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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Liverpool host Tottenham this weekend in what promises to be a great watch.

There is plenty riding on the clash in terms of the race for both the Premier League title and the top-four, however, the stakes could have been much higher for the visitors – Spurs have recently dropped out of the title race thanks to some disappointing results and are now battling for the top four instead of competing with the Reds and Manchester City for the greatest prize of all.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side slumped to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Southampton last time out – an outcome that compounds an awful month in the domestic competition that has also seen them lose to Burnley and Chelsea.

It is vital that Spurs get back to winning ways as soon as possible – considering the steamrolling form of Manchester United and bitter rivals Arsenal – if they are to achieve the third place finish that their standards over the course of the season have justified.

A trip north to Anfield represents a monumental challenge for the Lilywhites, but Pochettino can mastermind a rare victory by doing these three things…

Return to 4-2-3-1

Pochettino has been flirting with all kinds of formations this season and particularly in recent weeks, as the Argentine hunts for a winning formula.

The former Southampton boss went with a 3-4-1-2 against Arsenal and Burnley – that yielded little to no success – and opted for a diamond 4-1-2-1-2 in the loss to his former club. Perhaps a return to the basics is for the best – that would mean Spurs line up in 4-2-3-1 against the Merseysiders.

Going narrow is surely a no-go as it would require support on the wings from the full-backs, who could be caught too high up the pitch if Liverpool win the ball back in their typical fashion and release Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane; playing with wide midfielders who offer that outlet will naturally reduce the burden on the full-backs.

Lucas Moura back out wide

The Brazilian was sensational in the early stages of the season and was lethal up front, however he wasn’t quite at it at St Mary’s Stadium last time out and should return to his comfort zone on the wing.

The former PSG man took on zero shots in his 72 minute showing against the Saints and was justly replaced by Heung-min Son, although he did complete the most dribbles on the pitch (4), except for Kyle Walker-Peters (5).

This ability to take his man on will be crucial down the wings, where the damage will likely be done by both sides – Mane is in sensational form, while Son and Moura can cause problems.

Stick Dele Alli on Fabinho

While Liverpool’s front-three rightfully steal the headlines most weeks, Fabinho’s consistent showings at the base of midfield have made him a shoe-in for Jurgen Klopp.

The all-action Brazilian showed he has an eye for a pass against Manchester United when he chipped the ball over the defence into Mane’s path and his secret playmaking skills could be a threat if Spurs are otherwise occupied.

Find out which stadiums fans have nominated for the worst atmosphere in football in the video below…

The former Monaco man connects all the dots in midfield and is fast-becoming one of their most important players – Pochettino must resurrect his game-plan for the 3-1 victory over Chelsea in November, in which he instructed Alli to shut down Jorginho and get the ball out wide as soon as possible, this weekend.

Fabinho is Liverpool’s Jorginho – albeit with more of a physical and defensive presence – and it’s crucial that Spurs don’t let him dominate their midfield in the way he has others’ in recent weeks.