In pursuit of a fourth-consecutive victory in all competitions to put their previously worrying form to bed once and for all, Aston Villa may be forced to square off against Nottingham Forest will out one of Unai Emery’s star men.

Aston Villa injury news

The Villans have bounced back in style after going as many as eight games without victory in all competitions, since defeating Brentford, Southampton and then RB Leipzig in the Champions League in midweek. Almost making up for their previous run, Villa’s toughest test awaits this weekend when they face a Nottingham Forest side they can leapfrog into fifth and beyond with all three points.

Jhon Duran was once again the man of the moment in midweek, as he has so often been so far this season. Coming from the bench, again as he so often finds himself doing, the forward’s goal put Villa in the lead before Ross Barkley was left to score an eventual winner following Leipzig’s fightback.

Related Aston Villa must rue losing £22m flop who's now outscoring Duran & Watkins

This former Aston Villa flop has suddenly become a goal machine.

Posts 3 ByKelan Sarson Dec 12, 2024

As another tough task awaits this weekend, however, Duran may not be forced to save the day from the bench. As relayed by the Daily Mail, Ollie Watkins is facing a race to be fit to face Nottingham Forest after limping off at half-time against Leipzig – opening the door for Duran to make an impact from the off.

In usual circumstances, losing a player of Watkins’ calibre would be a major blow. In this instance, however, it’s simply a case of swapping one excellent goalscorer for another for Emery this weekend, should his starting forward miss out through injury. Having started just once in the Premier League all season, Duran will be chomping at the bit to take his potential opportunity against Forest.

Watkins injury could pave the way for Duran

Duran is arguably one of the most unfortunate strikers in European football. Not many can say that they’ve taken their opportunities as often as the young forward and still not been rewarded with a starting place. In just 406 minutes of Premier League football – the equivalent of almost five games – Duran has scored five goals in what is a perfect record.

Emery has remained firm with his decision to start Watkins, however, who has scored seven goals himself. But the question over whether accommodating both goalscorers is possible will continue to be thrown in the direction of the Spaniard.

Full of praise for £130,000-a-week Watkins, Emery told reporters as relayed by TNT Sports last season: “He’s amazing. Because he’s a really hard worker and his commitment to work every day is amazing.

“When he is scoring goals, it’s the main objective he can have. Where he is assisting as well, he’s contributing to help the team. But even when he’s not doing both, he’s working for the team.

Alas, the chance could now fall the way of Duran once and for all against Nottingham Forest to stake a greater claim than ever that he should be the forward to lead the line for Aston Villa and Emery.

MatériaMais Notícias

Há dois dias, Gabigol foidenunciado pelo TJD do Rio de Janeiro por comemorar seu gol em frente à torcida do Vasco, na vitória do Flamengo por 1 a 0 no duelo de ida da semifinal do Campeonato Carioca, quarta última. ERodrigo Dunshee, vice-presidente jurídico e geral do clube, se manifestou nas redes sociais acerca do assunto e teceu um comentário ácido, em seguida.

RelacionadasFlamengoPablo deve retornar às atividades do Flamengo somente no mês de maioFlamengo19/03/2022FlamengoPotes da Libertadores estão definidos; Confira possíveis adversários do FlamengoFlamengo19/03/2022Futebol NacionalApós três anos, Flamengo e Vasco voltam a ter duelo decisivo pelo Campeonato Carioca, no MaracanãFutebol Nacional18/03/2022

Ao responder ao repórter Renan Moura, da “Rádio Globo”, o VP do Fla esclareceu o seguinte a respeito do enquadramento aoartigo 258, que prevê punição de dois a seis jogos para o atacante do Flamengo, caso punido.

– A Procuradoria não é o TJD. Ela pode acusar do que quiser, mesmo de coisas absurdas, cada um com sua consciência. Condenar é outra coisa. Isso vai depender dos auditores, são eles que julgam.

A Procuradoria não é o TJD. Ele pode acusar do q quiser, mesmo de coisas absurdas, cada um com sua consciência. Condenar é outra coisa. Vai depender dos auditores. Eles que julgam.

— Rodrigo Dunshee de Abranches (@roddunshee) March 19, 2022

Na aba de comentários, ao ser questionado por um torcedor sobre “qual o problema desse TJD com o Flamengo?”, Dunshee tuitou o seguinte:

-Semana de clássico coisas estranhas surgem. Mas não é o TJD. É a Procuradoria.

> Veja a tabela do Cariocão

Flamengo volta a campo no próximo domingo, contra o Vasco, às 16h, no Maracanã, pelo segundo jogo das semifinais do Campeonato Carioca – e pode perder por até um gol de diferença que avança à decisão.

It’s a fool’s notion to claim that a football team, however well they are playing, are bankers for a title before reaching the midpoint of a campaign.

However, Liverpool fans should rightly celebrate the way in which Arne Slot has taken to life in Jurgen Klopp’s old chair. While things are going well for the Reds at the moment, a lot can change in the business months of the season.

But Liverpool should still stand proud as one of the most exciting and impressive clubs of the 2024/25 campaign so far, top of the Premier League and Champions League tables and firing on all cylinders, with the defence imperious, the midfield industrious and the attack deliciously potent.

Most of the attack, anyway…

Liverpool's frontline in 2024/25

Obviously, Liverpool’s attacking success leans heavily into one third of the frontline, with Mohamed Salah currently riding the crest of one of the biggest waves of his career – and there have been many, many waves.

Mohamed Salah

22 (20)

16

12

Cody Gakpo

22 (11)

8

2

Luis Diaz

21 (14)

9

2

Darwin Nunez

19 (11)

3

2

Diogo Jota

10 (9)

4

2

Federico Chiesa

3 (1)

0

1

With Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz both principally playing at left wing this term, rotating, it’s rather concerning that Liverpool’s central striking position is the area most notably lacking in goals.

To his defence, Diogo Jota has been injured for the past few months and bagged four goals from just nine starts beforehand, but Darwin Nunez has now played plenty of football under Slot’s wing and is yet to prove himself as a high-class focal frontman, even if he has some neat attributes.

Why Darwin Nunez could still succeed at Liverpool

It’s beginning to feel like Nunez will never be the kind of assured goalscoring presence that Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is, but that’s okay.

He’s still got a wealth of qualities that make for a high-class footballer, it’s just whether Liverpool can continue to operate with him as their central talisman, especially if Salah leaves at the end of the season, meaning that the need for goals from other areas will be heightened.

This season, for example, Nunez might have only posted three goals and two assists across 19 outings, but he’s also succeeding with a Liverpool-career-high 55% of his dribbles in the Premier League, as per Sofascore, while also winning more duels on average than across either of his first two seasons.

For all his issues, Nunez still manages to provide some underlying data that speaks of his capacity for a brighter future, ranking among the top 4% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shots taken, the top 4% for touches in the attacking penalty area, the top 17% for progressive carries and the top 6% for tackles, as per FBref.

But is this enough? As per The Athletic’s James Pearce, it’s possible that Slot prioritises the signing of a new striker in the coming windows, for Nunez, talented as they come, can’t seem to harness and focus his own quality.

To be honest, it might be that the Uruguayan needs to be sold, with suitors sure to circle from various circles of the footballing world. Reading between the lines, it feels like Slot wouldn’t be wholly against the idea, were the right offer to arrive.

Why Slot should sell Darwin Nunez

Nunez is certainly a divisive member of the Liverpool squad. Many fans adore the 25-year-old for his work rate, personality and multi-dimensionality in attack, but others are frustrated by an unending search for consistency in front of goal.

Unfortunately, unless Nunez showcases a whole new level of potency and consistency at the front of the Liverpool line-up, it’s going to be hard for him to stake a claim for a fourth successive term at the club as the designated number one at number nine.

Some might claim that Nunez requires a certain system to flourish, operating as the spearhead of a frenetic, high-intensity line that allows him to capitalise and rise chaotic phases, but Klopp and now Slot have both tried to bring the best out of the Uruguayan, who has failed to hit the desired heights on both accounts.

Last season, Liverpool-focused writer Sam McGuire called the South American a bit of a “problem” within the Merseyside squad, and for all his ability, if he can’t finish his dinner, then it is indeed an issue going forward.

Especially when considering that Gakpo and Diaz both earn less than him, with the former on £120k-per-week and Diaz taking home just £55k-per-week, as per reports. Nunez, meanwhile, rakes in a reported £140k-per-week.

Both wingers have enjoyed a rich vein of form this season and they are jockeying with each other for a starting berth on the left flank, though that is to the detriment of neither, which makes an interesting comment on the regard that Liverpool fans have for the respective stars.

Nunez, conversely, feels like he’s only occupying the striker’s position because Jota has been sidelined with an injury.

Slot featured the Portugal international prominently throughout the opening months of the campaign and you’d wager that he will do so again once he has returned to full fitness.

Jota has returned to training as he strives to hit full match fitness in the coming weeks. Nunez will be eyeing the forthcoming Premier League fixture at home to Fulham, who are missing key defenders through injury, with an air of suppressed desperation.

He knows that an upswing is needed quickly if he is to finally reach the heights that Klopp envisaged when bringing him to Merseyside for a record fee.

Slot's own Firmino: Liverpool ready to sign "magical" £54m Nunez upgrade

Liverpool are growing frustrated with the misfiring Darwin Nunez.

ByAngus Sinclair Dec 12, 2024

Liverpool have enjoyed some brilliant players across the years, but when thinking of the finest to ply their trade on green grass, fans can often be drawn, for better or worse, to those at the front of the ship.

We get it. Goals are great. Goals, by their very definition, are the most crucial part of the game. The goal of football is to score more than the other team.

But what about those in the middle? Liverpool have had some fine midfielders throughout the age – what about the best of modern times?

Liverpool's finest modern midfielders

When you think of the finest Liverpool midfielders of the past couple of decades, who first springs to mind? Charlie Adam? Just kidding. It would have to be, of course, Steven Gerrard.

Perhaps Liverpool’s most iconic-ever player, Gerrard played 710 matches for the Reds and notched 341 goal contributions, with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry even calling him “one of the greatest midfielders of all time.”

He’s not the only one. Though he’s a bit like marmite, Jordan Henderson succeeded Gerrard as captain and went on to lift the Premier League and Champions League for the Merseysiders, remarkably tough fibre and embodying the weathering of adversity.

Who else? Xabi Alonso is one of the finest midfielders of his generation and played in an instrumental Champions League triumph that immortalised Gerrard as one of Liverpool’s greats.

Now managing Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso has led a storied career that has nudged him into management – and he’s heading to the top there too.

Liverpool will always cherish the time spent with the Spaniard in the ranks, but his £30m sale in 2009 seemed to be part of a grand watershed moment that sent Anfield into a tail-spin.

His vision and on-the-ball thinking, so to speak, established him as one of football’s finest maestros – his sale was sad, yes, but Liverpool felt that a successor would emerge at some stage, and that successor was deemed to be Pedro Chirivella.

Pedro Chrivella was supposed to be the next Alonso

Presently, it could be said that 19-year-old talent Stefan Bajcetic is the perfect option to replace Alonso in the Liverpool midfield, albeit rather belatedly.

Across the 2022/23 season, Bajcetic featured 19 times for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side, proving to be a bright spark in an otherwise colourless season. Liverpool had fallen by the wayside, Henderson and his midfield brethren sapped and dried up.

Like his countryman, Bajcetic is a mobile midfielder with a whole host of technical qualities that bespeak his place among the finest players in Europe, but before him, Chirivella was indeed touted as the star to replace Alonso on Merseyside.

Once billed as Liverpool’s next Alonso amid interest from Real Madrid, while he made headway at youth level for Liverpool, Chirivella failed to break into Klopp’s first-team and left on a free transfer in 2020, seven years after leaving his homeland to cut his teeth at Kirkby.

Now 27, he claims that he turned down a long-term contract offer from the Reds, instead signing for Nantes as a 22-year-old in 2020 in order to establish himself and fine-tune his ball-playing qualities.

It’s worked, to be fair. Now Nantes’ captain, Chirivella is crucial to the fluency of Antoine Kombouaré’s system, ranking among the top 22% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

But, alas, not at Liverpool. Though there were high hopes for this one, with fans even hailing one “incredible” performance in the FA Cup while he still held hopes of securing a place in Liverpool’s senior set-up, he left for free.

The Valencia-born ace managed to complete 11 appearances for Liverpool, notching one assist, but unfortunately, as the Merseysiders rose to the very top under Klopp, so too did Chirivella’s hopes dwindle.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

Things have been okay on Liverpool’s end, and Chirivella should be proud of his career in France too. Maybe Bajcetic can succeed, where his compatriot has failed.

Better than Cherki: Liverpool looking to sign "incredible" £50m Salah heir

Liverpool are making plans for the future and could table a bid for £50m Salah successor.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 21, 2024

Fabian Schar has emphasised the importance of ending Newcastle's long trophy drought with a win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Newcastle haven't won domestic trophy in 70 years
• Schar admits bringing success to city is his 'greatest wish'
• Wembley clash is Magpies' second final in three years

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Schar believes that 'outsiders can hardly comprehend' just how much ending Newcastle's 70-year run without a domestic trophy would mean to supporters, with the Swiss defender admitting that his 'greatest wish' would be to bring success to the club's fans.

Advertisement

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Newcastle's last major trophy was the UEFA Fairs Cup in 1969, however you would have to go back to 1955 to find their last domestic title, which was the FA Cup. Eddie Howe's side will also be hoping to make amends after losing in the Carabao Cup final in 2023 to Manchester United, although they are set to be without key players such as Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall this time around.

• WHAT SCHAR SAID

  “An outsider can hardly comprehend what a victory would mean for this city,” Schar told Swiss outlet . “My greatest wish of all would be to win a trophy with Newcastle. If we could do that, we could probably live for free in the City for the rest of our lives (laughs). Nothing would be better than to present our supporters with such a triumph."

  “We’ve actually managed to put the topic aside a bit so far and focus on the league,” he added. “We manage our energy well. Starting this week, the anticipation naturally grows daily—you can tell a celebration is approaching.

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR SCHAR AND NEWCASTLE?

  Schar is expected to start at the heart of Newcastle's defence at Wembley on Sunday, although he will be without his centre-back partner Sven Botman, who misses out through injury. Victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final would see the Magpies qualify for the Europa League, easing the pressure on their Premier League campaign, in which they currently sit amongst a flurry of teams in sixth place.

Prepared to get ruthless, Manchester United are now reportedly likely to show one player the door in a free deal to make room for two fresh faces in Ruben Amorim’s squad in the summer.

Man Utd transfer news

Unsurprisingly, the rumours have been coming thick and fast since Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford. There’s plenty of work to be done to undo the damage done by the last year or so of Erik ten Hag’s reign and the recruitment that coincided with the Dutchman’s time at the club. From central defence all the way to the new manager’s offensive line, there’s an argument that the Red Devils need to welcome fresh faces.

Offer ready: Amorim has personally requested Man Utd sign defender – report

He could become the first signing of the Amorim regime at Old Trafford.

ByBen Browning Dec 1, 2024

With that said, names such as Viktor Gyokeres and Morten Hjulmand have already been mentioned regarding a move to Manchester United when 2025 arrives, with both potentially following Amorim from Sporting Club to the Premier League giants. Gyokeres is someone who instantly stands out these days, of course, given his place as one of Europe’s most clinical goalscorers.

As INEOS prepare for further incomings, however, they look set to open the exit door for one particular player. According to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, Christian Eriksen is now likely to leave Manchester United as a free agent when his current contract comes to an end in the summer and Amorim targets two midfield reinforcements.

The beginning of a new era, the Red Devils have no choice but to get ruthless when 2025 arrives, which should see an ageing Eriksen swapped out for a more ambitious option.

Eriksen exit could only be the start at Man Utd

The fact that a 32-year-old Eriksen on £150,000-a-week still has the quality to earn a starting place in the current Manchester United midfield is more of a comment on just how disappointing the Red Devils’ recruitment has been in the last two years rather than a credit to the Dane, himself.

Eriksen’s not the only one who has played a greater role than expected at times, either. It’s worth noting that 36-year-old Jonny Evans has gone from a player likely to act as more of a background and dressing room figure to an important part of Manchester United’s squad. Like Eriksen, the central defender should be swapped out for a younger option when the summer arrives.

On the midfield front, signing a familiar face for Amorim wouldn’t be a bad idea. Of course, INEOS will want to repeat the mistake they made with Ten Hag by reuniting the former Ajax manager with one player too many, but those like Hjulmand represent the calibre of midfielder that could step in alongside Manuel Ugarte to finally take a struggling Casemiro’s starting place.

Starting with Eriksen, INEOS must get ruthless when 2025 arrives.

It would be fair to say that this season has not entirely gone according to plan for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s side have endured suspensions, poor form and a mountain of injuries that have seen them fall six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

However, while the Spaniard has had to deal with a multitude of problems, there have been some positives, such as Bukayo Saka taking another step forward and the emergence of squad players like Ethan Nwaneri.

In fact, there is another player who’s caught people’s attention this year, a player who could one day be the club’s new Granit Xhaka.

Granit Xhaka's Arsenal career

Xhaka joined Arsenal from Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach in the summer of 2016 for around £30m, and it would probably be accurate to say that for his first three or four years, he wasn’t a particularly beloved player, in part for his tendency to make mistakes and the lack of impact he’d have on games.

This came to a head in October 2019 when he swore at the Emirates crowd and threw the captain’s armband and shirt to the ground after being booed when being substituted.

At that point, it looked like his time in North London was over.

However, Arteta was appointed manager just a couple of months later and convinced the Swiss international to stay and fight, which is what he did.

Over the next few years, the tenacious midfielder became more and more integral to how the team played, providing assists, scoring goals and helping to control games, and it was in the club’s surprise title challenge in 22/23 that he reached the zenith of his powers.

However, more surprising than his incredible uptick in form was the fans’ response, as by the end of that campaign, he had his own song, which was regularly sung by fans home and away.

After this fairytale redemption, the new fan favourite decided to call time on his Arsenal career and joined Bayer Leverkusen for around £21m last summer.

Now, it would appear as if Arteta signed Mikel Merino this summer in a bid to replace Xhaka in the left-eight position, and while that may work out for the next few years, there is an incredibly exciting academy graduate who could be his long-term replacement.

Arsenal's next Xhaka

So, the academy graduate we are talking about is none other than Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The 18-year-old prospect has made a few cameo appearances this season and looked brilliant while doing so, but he really stepped up on Wednesday night as he made his first Champions League start for the club against AS Monaco and looked sensational doing so.

In fact, the Islington-born gem was so good that football.london’s chief Arsenal writer, Kaya Kaynak, awarded him an 8/10 match rating at full-time, writing that he looked incredibly ‘accomplished’ on the ball and ‘showed composure beyond his years’ throughout the encounter.

Now, there may be some of you scratching your heads and wondering how a young left-back could be the club’s long-term heir to Xhaka, but hear us out.

The first thing to consider is that, like the Swiss international, the youngster, whom podcaster Will Balsam dubbed a “different beast”, seems to have an absolute wand of a left foot, which we saw on full display when he played a defence-splitting pass into Gabriel Jesus to set up the team’s first goal on Wednesday.

The second thing to remember is that, like the Leverkusen star, the Hale Ender’s primary position is actually in central midfield, and the fact he can play on the left of a back four – like Xhaka could – is just a bonus.

For example, across his appearances at the junior levels and in the first team, 26 have come in defensive midfield, and ten have come in central midfield, making it clear where his primary positions are.

Appearances

26

10

9

Goals

2

1

0

Assists

3

6

1

Goal Involvements per Match

0.19

0.70

0.11

Ultimately, while it could be a few years down the line, should Arteta move Lewis-Skelly into the left eight, then there is every chance he could be the Gunner’s new Xhaka.

January move: Arsenal target unreal £58m "machine" who'd supercharge Saka

The sensational forward would help Arsenal hunt down Liverpool.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 13, 2024

Pakistan’s collapse, he suggested, came about because conditions were difficult for batters new to the crease

Umar Farooq23-Mar-2022

Pakistan have a long history of collapses in Test cricket, and they added a new chapter on Wednesday, when they lost their last five wickets for just four runs – a new record – to hand Australia a 123-run first-innings lead. Azhar Ali has conceded that the lower-order implosion has “dented Pakistan’s chances” in the Lahore Test, but has not lost hope that they can come back into the game.Related

Cummins: 'Every individual has shown their game stands up to Asian conditions'

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc inspire Pakistan collapse of 7 for 20

The price Pakistan paid for Faheem Ashraf's exclusion

Cummins and Starc finally blow the house down

Pakistan's worst collapse, and a new Asian high for Australia's quicks

Pakistan began the day at 90 for 1, and the overnight pair of Azhar and Abdullah Shafique batted through the first session and stretched their second-wicket stand to 150 to put Pakistan in a solid position at 170 for 1 in response to Australia’s 391. Along the way, Azhar also brought up a major milestone, becoming only the fifth Pakistan batter to score 7000 Test runs.There were no major partnerships thereafter, however, as Pakistan crumbled around Babar Azam’s 67 to be bowled out for 268, with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins running amok in furious spells of pace and reverse-swing.”The collapse we had after tea has dented our chances a little bit in the game but Test cricket is like that – it goes up and down,” Azhar said in his press conference at the end of the day’s play. “That’s the beauty of Test cricket and hopefully we can turn things around tomorrow.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd

He was generous in his praise for Starc and Cummins. “We have to give credit to them. We always knew how good they are, especially Starc when it comes to reverse-swing. Cummins, he’s an all-round very good bowler – he is the top bowler in the world right now, and he exploited the conditions really well.”It was hard work for the fast bowlers but there was always a kind of low bounce and reverse-swing was going on since yesterday. They kept on bowling on the right areas and kept asking questions, even to the set batsmen as well, and late in the day there was some good results for them. It was lovely to see good, fast, reverse-swing bowling, and unfortunately we were on the receiving end.”Asked for a possible reason behind Pakistan’s collapse after tea, Azhar suggested the pitch was not an easy one for new batters to settle down on. Knowing this, he said Pakistan’s batters had been conscious of needing to bat long when set, but that didn’t quite happen, with neither he, Shafique nor Babar going on to convert their half-centuries into a hundred.”When you play on these pitches you have to bat long, because runs don’t come very quickly. Our intent was to maximise the partnerships because it becomes a little difficult for the new batsman, because runs don’t come quickly, you don’t become set, and reverse-swing starts very early. So I think against a quality bowling side like Australia who have Cummins and Starc, they can cause problems in these conditions especially for new batsmen.”Our 80s, we wanted to convert them into 150s and 170s because it was difficult for the new batsmen. Once our partnership [Azhar-Shafique] was broken, it wasn’t easy for the new batsmen who came in. Unfortunately the collapse happened very early, and yes, we are in some trouble. But we will try to change [our situation] and in a similar way we have the opportunity to take quick wickets and change things around.”Pat Cummins held a stunning return catch to remove Azhar Ali•AFP

Pakistan’s scoring rate – 2.29 over their innings – became a talking point too. Other than Babar, who scored his runs at a strike rate of 51.14, no batter even struck in the 40s. Azhar said these scoring rates were an outcome of the slowness of the pitch.”The conditions basically dictate how you play cricket, Azhar said. “If you compare across all three Test matches, both teams have been batting similarly. Even when we used to play in the UAE, one question was always asked, why we score so slowly. When you get slow pitches it’s not easy to score quickly. It’s easier when the ball is new, but when the ball gets old and there are straight fields [more fielders in front of the wicket], and when there are low-bounce pitches, it’s not easy to score quick runs.”Pakistan went into this match with five specialist bowlers, leaving out their allrounder Faheem Ashraf and playing only six specialist batters including the keeper Mohammad Rizwan. Asked if that had left them with a long tail that contributed to their collapse, Azhar backed the decision, saying it was a positive move made with taking 20 wickets at the forefront.”You have to take a chance sometimes,” Azhar said. “I think it was a positive move from the management, they wanted five bowlers because you win Test matches only by taking 20 wickets. Our top six were the ones scoring maximum runs and we wanted to take [extra] responsibility as a batting unit. Unfortunately this collapse happened, but it doesn’t mean the team selection was wrong. Naseem Shah proved that decision to play him as a fifth bowler paid off; he took four wickets and bowled very well. So sometimes, while taking a positive decision, you have to sacrifice something else, and we stand behind the decision as a team and and optimistic that it will pay off.”

Cole Palmer has been left out of Chelsea's matchday squad to take on Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Blues travel to GunnersPalmer unexpectedly absentChelsea lost 5-0 at Emirates last yearFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Palmer was expected to be involved for the Blues' trip across London to the Emirates Stadium this weekend, but his name was not on the team-sheet when the lineups were announced 75 minutes before their 13:30 GMT kick-off. Instead, head coach Enzo Maresca is expected to use Enzo Fernandez in an advanced midfield role, with Reece James and Moises Caicedo in deeper positions.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

This is the second-season running that Palmer has missed out on Chelsea's trip to Arsenal, having sat out last year's visit due to a cold. The Blues, then managed by current USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino, were thrashed 5-0 on that occasion.

WHAT ENZO MARESCA SAID

Explaining Palmer's absence, Blues boss Maresca said: "He's not in the toilet, for sure! He had, or as we know, last week some problems [with illness]. And unfortunately yesterday he had a very small problem. We think, after the international break, he will be back with us.

"He had an injury yesterday during the session. It was a very light session. That's why we think it is nothing important. But we wait and the feeling is he will be back after the next international break."

Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?

Palmer is currently on a run of 10 games without a goal and uncharacteristically missed a penalty in last week's win against Leicester City. However, he will have to wait a few more weeks to end that drought.

Big picture

Miracles do happen in sport. In cricket too. Pakistan took home the 1992 World Cup after only one win in their first five matches, and closer home, Kolkata Knight Riders won nine games in a row on their way to a second IPL title in 2014.Why talk about that now? Well, Mumbai Indians must win eight of their remaining nine league matches to have a fair chance of making the playoffs, after losing five in a row to begin with.One of Mumbai’s problems is that their senior core of Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard and Jasprit Bumrah have not contributed a lot. But count the positives, and you will note Bumrah’s yorker-laden spell against Punjab Kings, which could be a sign of things to come, Suryakumar Yadav has continued to deliver runs, and youngsters Tilak Varma and Dewald Brevis have shone on the big stage.

Live in the USA

Watch the match on ESPN+ in English and in Hindi.

Mumbai have begun their race against time already, but must start running faster, and fast.On the other hand, Lucknow Super Giants have such luxury in their ranks that they could afford to not bowl any of Krunal Pandya, Marcus Stoinis and Deepak Hooda against Rajasthan Royals. Such is the richness of their batting order that they could send Stoinis in at No. 8, allowing themselves to have two left-handers at the crease against spin, while keeping their batting order flexible in strategic battle against Royals. It didn’t work out on that occasion, but three wins in five games isn’t too shabby.In a reality that may pinch their opponents, it is Mumbai’s ex-enforcer Quinton de Kock who has been leading the way for Super Giants with the bat, especially in quick knocks of 61 and 80 set the tone for his side’s successful run chases against Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. There have been many other significant contributions. With the bat from Hooda, KL Rahul and the impressive Ayush Badoni, and with the ball from Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, K Gowtham and Pandya. They would back themselves to put the narrow loss against Royals behind quickly.

In the news

This tournament has been a lot about the new and young faces, three of whom feature in this contest: Badoni, Tilak and Brevis. Who knows if one of them will spur their team on to a win – Mumbai, especially, would hope that happens.5:05

Should Stoinis have come in earlier against Rajasthan Royals?

Likely XIs

Super Giants are unlikely to tweak with their side despite coming off a loss, since that XI provides batting depth as well as multiple allrounders. But Stoinis’ batting position could be rejigged.Lucknow Super Giants: 1 KL Rahul (capt), 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Marcus Stoinis, 4 Deepak Hooda, 5 Ayush Badoni, 6 Jason Holder, 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 K Gowtham, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Avesh Khan, 11 Ravi BishnoiShould Mumbai bring Tim David back? Should they give Fabian Allen a chance? Should they stick with Basil Thampi and M Ashwin? Something. Anything.Mumbai Indians: 1 Ishan Kishan (wk), 2 Rohit Sharma (capt), 3 Dewald Brevis, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Tilak Varma, 6 Kieron Pollard, 7 Tymal Mills/Tim David, 8 Jaydev Unadkat, 9 Mayank Markande/M Ashwin, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Basil Thampi/Fabian Allen

Strategy punt

• Bishnoi has been Super Giants’ trump card this season, bowling quicker and with more googlies than legspin. Across all T20s, the highest strike rate that any of Rohit, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar and Pollard have against him is Kishan’s 118. Bishnoi has also dismissed Rohit and Kishan once each, and Suryakumar twice, with the in-form batter striking at just 89 against the legspinner.And although Bishnoi is yet to get Pollard, the explosive batter goes even quieter against him with a strike rate of 79. Thus, with Rohit, Kishan and Suryakumar forming Mumbai’s top three, Super Giants can employ Bishnoi in the powerplay, aside from using him against Pollard at the death.
• None of Thampi, Ashwin and Jaydev Unadkat has ever dismissed de Kock in a T20. Moreover, his strike rate against them reads 173, 153 and 145, respectively. Bumrah, too, has never got the Super Giants opener, although he has bowled only six deliveries to him, being Mumbai team-mates for the longest time. And against Pollard, de Kock has fallen only once while going at a strike rate of 122. With that record and with his recent form, de Kock might just end all hopes of Mumbai’s revival if he gets going in the powerplay.

Stats that matter

• Since 2018, Rahul has the most runs in the IPL – 2680 at an average of 53.6.
• Just like this year, Mumbai had also lost five matches to start the 2014 IPL. But they won seven out of the next nine and made the playoffs, where they lost the Eliminator to Super Kings. However, IPL was an eight-team tournament at the time.
• Dushmantha Chameera has dismissed Rohit six times in T20Is, the most times the India and Mumbai captain has fallen to an individual.
• The No. 3 position hasn’t yielded Super Giants the results yet. In five innings this season, that spot has given them only 21 runs at a strike rate of 62, both by far the lowest among all sides.