All articles by: Ieuan Ivett

Summer Transfer Rumours – Cristiano Ronaldo

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Cristiano Ronaldo, winner of two FIFA Balon D’Or awards and arguably the World’s greatest player is linked with a transfer away from Real Madrid. Due to his high profile and calibre, there are rumours floating around every single transfer window about Ronaldo moving away from the European Champions, however this time there are some off-the-field complications that seem to be making a transfer away more plausible.

The legitimacy of the claims that Ronaldo wishes to move away from Madrid are questionable however it has a lot of people talking. Currently tangled up in apparent fraudulent cases of tax evasion, the Portuguese winger seems to be going through a tough time on the back end of a glorious season. A move back to Manchester United has been running through the rumour mills and has got an awful lot of fans wondering, would Ronaldo ever leave Spain? With all these possible factors, if’s and buts, here are some of the odds that SkyBet are offering on Cristiano Ronaldo’s future come September 3rd 2017:

To Stay at Real Madrid- 1/2

Unsurprisingly, the most likely outcome is for Ronaldo to remain at Real Madrid. The winger has created an unforgettable legacy and its undoubtedly one of the greatest ever players to grace the Bernabeu. This season, Ronaldo scored a staggering 56 goals in 61 total appearances which has made him a huge favourite to win the 2017 FIFA Balon d’Or at 1/33. Having joined back in 2009 for a world record fee, it’s hard to picture Cristiano anywhere other than Real Madrid. But with all the talk and rumours, who knows where he could be, come September 3rd.

Manchester United- 9/4

It’s no accident that Manchester United are the favourite side to snap Ronaldo up if he was to leave Madrid. Ronaldo made his name at Old Trafford, in a side led by Sir Alex Ferguson who Ronaldo often refers to as a father figure. Whilst every fan of the Premier League would love to watch Ronaldo on BBC’s Match of The Day once again, the logistics of a transfer this huge could make it time consuming and almost impossible. The 32-year-old will feel the decision he makes this summer will be where he will see out his career, will he make a dramatic return to the ‘Theatre of Dreams’?

PSG- 7/1

French club, Paris Saint Germain, have clearly shown interest in the winger; as they are one of the only clubs that can afford him. Old team-mate of Ronaldo, Pepe, has reportedly pleaded for the winger to join forces with him at PSG, a move that would definitely send shockwaves through the footballing universe. Though very unlikely, who knows what Ronaldo’s future holds.

SkyBet are also offering odds on Ronaldo to move to:

Any Chinese club- 20/1

Any MLS club- 20/1

Chelsea- 25/1

Bayern Munich- 33/1

Manchester City- 33/1

AC Milan- 40/1

Monaco- 40/1

Tottenham- 40/1

Sporting Lisbon- 50/1

Slovakia U21’s vs England U21’s – Match Preview

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UEFA U21 European Championships, Kielce Stadium, Poland 5pm

Slovakia U21’s vs England U21’s – Match Preview – England will play their second group stage match at the Under 21 European Championships against Slovakia on Monday. Aidy Boothroyd’s side didn’t have their dream start to Group A, drawing with Sweden in their first match, 0-0. The performance was worthy of a win, as the young lions illustrated great attacking prowess through striker, Tammy Abraham, and were strong in defence. But performances don’t get you points, goals do; something Boothroyd will need to hammer into these players heads before Monday night.

They face a Slovakia side who saw victory in their first outing, beating the hosts, Poland, 2-1. The Slovakian’s were a nightmare for Poland, causing a threat down both wings and harassing them all over the field. They will look to carry over their tireless, emphatic performance over to this match. Attacking midfielder, Pavol Safranko, didn’t take long to get his campaign underway after scoring for his side in the 78th minute, four minutes after he was substituted on. Can Safranko and company continue their winning ways?

Skybet Match Result – Slovakia to Win – 9/2

Nathan Redmond was one of England’s better performers against Sweden Photo Credit: skysports.com

England will be hoping for a turn in fortunes otherwise they could see themselves cast under the classic English spell of under-performing at major tournaments. They were lucky to not throw away the match having dominated most of it, but were lucky Sweden’s Wahlqvist missed his 81st minute penalty. Boothroyd will look to his attack to avenge their draw in the first match with Nathan Redmond one of the key men. Can England get their first win of the tournament?

Skybet Match Result – England to Win – 4/6

Team News

England have no fresh injuries or suspensions to alter Aidy Boothroyd’s team selection.

Just like the last match, Chelsea striker, Tammy Abraham, will be a key figure for the young lions in attack. His aerial ability that comes with his height, as well as his athletic ability on the ball could cause mayhem upon the Slovakian defence. Can Tammy get on the scoresheet?

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Tammy Abraham to score Anytime in 90 mins – 11/8

Slovakia also have no injury worries to change their starting line-up.

Striker, Adam Zrelec is Slovakia’s best hope of scoring. The 23-year-old plays his club football for FK Jablonec where he oddly wears the number 99. Can Zrelec upset the party?

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Adam Zrelec to score Anytime in 90 mins – 9/4

 

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Cameroon vs Chile – Match Preview

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Confederations Cup, Group B 
Otkrytiye Arena, Moscow 7pm

Cameroon vs Chile – Match Preview – Cameroon and Chile will begin their Confederations Cup campaigns this Sunday at 20:00 GMT. The South American outfit are making their tournament debut and will find life difficult in their opening Group B match against a youthful Cameroon side. Winning the African Cup of nations was Cameroon’s ticket into this tournament; a tournament they believe they can go all the way in. However, Alexis Sanchez and co will come out all guns blazing in what could prove to be a cracking match.

The African side enter the match in mixed form. In their two recent friendlies, they beat Morocco 1-0 but where then halted by a Colombian barrage of goals that ended in an embarrassing 4-0 loss. Manager, Hugo Broos, will be looking for his side to rejuvenate the form from their wonderful African Cup of nations campaign earlier this year. Cameroon will also be searching to avenge the aggravating loss to France back in 2003 in the Confederations Cup final. Can Cameroon cause a shock in Group B with a win?

Skybet Match Result – Cameroon to Win – 6/1

Chile are favourites to finish second in Group B, unsurprising taking in to consideration their personnel such as Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal. Chile have also had a shaky run of results in their recent friendlies. The most recent loss against Romania has left manager, Juan Pizzi, hoping his side can look to their key players for results this campaign. Can Chile calm the nerves with three points?

Skybet Match Result – Chile to Win – 8/15

The last time these two nations met was all the way back in 1998, when they met at the FIFA World Cup. The match ended 1-1, could we see another draw on the cards?

Skybet Match Result – Draw – 3/1

Vincent Aboubakar Photo Credit: skysports.com

Team News

Chile are without their first-choice goalkeeper, Claudio Bravo, due to a calf injury.

Chile will have to look to second choice goalkeeper, Johnny Herrera, to fill the Manchester City keeper’s boots. Herrera plays his club football in his home country of Chile, for Club Universidad de Chile, in the Primera Division. Can he begin his campaign with a clean sheet?

Skybet Clean Sheet – Chile to keep a Clean Sheet – 10/11

Cameroon are without left-back, Ambroise Oyongo, due to a knee injury.

The African champions will look to key attacker, Vincent Aboubakar, who is their best hope for a goal against the solid Chile defence. Can Aboubakar produce the goods?

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Vincent Aboubakar to score Anytime in 90 mins – 3/1