Liverpool name youngest-ever team for EFL Cup tie against Aston Villa

While it might be this summer s U21s European Championships that have stolen most of the midweek headlines, we are treated to a host of Thursday fixtures from across the footballing globe.

On that note, for those of you looking to stick on a Thursday flutter, we have found a pair of helpful tips which can offer a great return for your midweek flutter.

12:35 Tianjin Jinmen Tiger vs Qingdao Hainiu

Marking their return from the international break with a thumping display as they punched their FA Cup Round of 16 ticket, Shandong have continued to shine on either side of June’s fortnight break. Eventually breezing their way to a stellar 6-1 romp away at Dongguan Guanlian last week, Thursday’s hosts are riding what has been a remarkable wave of momentum

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Walid Regragui is targeting a history-making victory over Spain as he insisted his Morocco team have put any negativity behind them.

Morocco have been one of the surprise packages of the World Cup in Qatar, with the Atlas Lions shocking Belgium on their way to winning Group F, which also included 2018 runners-up Croatia.

Regragui has done an impressive job since taking over in August, with an own goal against Canada in the group stage the only time his side have conceded during his tenure.

Morocco last reached the knockout stage of a World Cup in 1986, when they lost to West Germany.

They will have to beat a European heavyweight in the form of Spain to make the last eight for the first time in their history.

The countries met in the group stage of…

Didier Deschamps insisted he and his future are not the most important thing as he vowed to make France even happier after Sunday s World Cup final against Argentina.

The reigning world champions produced another ruthless performance to down Morocco 2-0 after goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani in Wednesday s semi-final clash at Al Bayt Stadium.

Argentina await as France bid to become just the third side to retain their global crown, with the Lusail Stadium showpiece signalling a likely end for Albiceleste captain Lionel Messi and potentially also for Bleus coach Deschamps.

Zinedine Zidane has long been suggested as the successor to Deschamps, whose contract expires after the tournament, but the focus remains for now on success in Qatar.

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With Arsenal making the trip across London on Monday night when they meet Crystal Palace, we certainly have a stacked schedule on our hands.

With the likes of AC Milan also opening the new Serie A campaign, we have found a pair of intriguing tips that are worth keeping an eye out for.

19:45 Bologna vs AC Milan

While AC Milan might have gained a string of plaudits last season as they reached the Champions League semi-finals, Monday’s guests failed to find much domestic stability on either side of the World Cup’s winter break. However, eventually clinching what was a crucial top-four ticket, the Rossoneri will be hoping to open the 2023/24 campaign with an early statement here.

Signing off their pre-season preparations earlier in the month as they la…

Sergio Aguero needed Lionel Messi to tell him why he was being continually overlooked for Ballon d Or honours.

Despite scoring a record 260 goals for Manchester City, Argentine striker Aguero has never come close to winning the trophy that Messi has carried off six times.

Being repeatedly overlooked began to trouble Aguero, but when Messi spelled out what he was lacking, it all made sense.

Now at Barcelona, Aguero looks back on his City career and appreciates why his feats fell short of making him a major contender for a prize Messi has won more than anyone else.

Many times I thought about what was missing, Aguero told Spanish newspaper El Pais. And one day I asked Leo. He told me that to have a chance to win the Ballon d Or I had to win the Champions…

Harry Kane would be a perfect fit for Bayern Munich and is approaching his last chance to join a true European giant, according to Dietmar Hamann.

Tottenham s latest European exit has turned the focus towards head coach Antonio Conte and striker Kane, both of whom face uncertain futures.

Unlike Conte, Kane has a contract with Spurs that runs beyond the end of this season, and that could complicate his prospects of a move away from London.

Manchester United are reported to have Kane on their shopping list, while Bayern are known to be long-time admirers of the England captain.

Hamann, who played in the Premier League for Newcastle United, Liverpool and Manchester City, sees why Bayern, another of his former clubs, would be keen if there was a chance of tak…

Mohamed Salah is relishing the prospect of facing Real Madrid after they were confirmed as Liverpool s opponents in the Champions League final.

After Liverpool s dramatic second-leg win over Villarreal carried the Reds through to the May 28 trophy match in Paris, Madrid s taste for the epic was exhibited on Wednesday, scoring two goals in injury time and a third in extra time to eliminate Manchester City.

The 29-year-old Salah reacted on Twitter after Madrid s win, affirming that he and Liverpool have a score to settle .

He has now gone further to suggest everyone at Liverpool wanted to face Los Blancos more than their fierce Premier League rivals at the Stade de France.

If you ask everybody [at Liverpool], everyone wanted that game, Salah told Sky Spor…

Diego Costa was hailed by Diego Simeone as a fighter who still has a future in football as the striker s Atletico Madrid career came to an end on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old former Spain international has been a fringe member of the Atletico side this season, making just seven LaLiga appearances and scoring twice.

He was due to reach the end of his contract at the end of the campaign but that has been effectively ripped up, allowing Costa to find a new club.

Costa asked to leave Atletico, citing personal reasons, and has been linked with a return to the Premier League, having previously played in England with Chelsea.

Speaking at a news conference, Simeone appeared to indicate the often fiery forward would be leaving Spain.

The club have been abl…

Manchester City are reportedly keeping a close eye on Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic as a potential replacement for Ilkay Gundogan.

Kovacic, 28, has been a regular starter since arriving from Real Madrid in a £40million transfer back in 2019, but significant upheaval has seen him fighting for his spot in Chelsea s best XI.

With nine substitute appearances among his 23 Premier League outings this season, Kovacic s future at Stamford Bridge is up in the air as he prepares to enter the final year of his current contract.

While City are said to be serious about their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham, it may not stop them making a move for Kovacic, who they purportedly believe could slide in seamlessly in Gundogan s place.

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Chelsea are closing in on Mauricio Pochettino as they attempt to land a long-term replacement for Graham Potter.

The PA news agency understands the Blues are in talks with the 51-year-old former Tottenham and Paris St Germain boss over the vacancy created by Potter’s untimely exit last month, but that an agreement is yet to be formalised.

Frank Lampard has been in interim charge since, but the team have won just one of the eight games they have played under him in his second spell at the helm, a run which culminated in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have three Premier League fixtures remaining – against Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle – and want their new boss in place once the campaign is over.

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