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West Ham United host Premier League leaders Liverpool at the London Stadium on Monday night, and will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 3-0 defeat against newly-promoted Wolves last time out.

Manuel Pellegrini’s squad is currently seriously depleted due to injuries, leaving him little room for change when it comes to his team selection, but he will be hoping his side can show the same grit and character that earned them home wins against Manchester United and Arsenal earlier in the season.

In order to stand a chance of victory though, the Hammers must get their tactical approach to this game spot on.

On the chalkboard

Club captain and veteran midfielder Mark Noble is likely to start against the Reds, especially as Jack Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez are both unavailable due to injury. 

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

However, despite being a hero to many Irons fans, Jurgen Klopp may consider the long-serving 31-year-old to be a weak point in the opposition that his side can exploit.

If asked to anchor the midfield, only alongside teenager Declan Rice, Noble’s lack of pace and mobility could be ruthlessly exposed by Liverpool’s rapid forward players and quick turnovers from defence to attack. Pellegrini must make a tactical compromise in order to offset this risk.

A third man

The Hammers have played with two strikers in recent games, but for this encounter, Pellegrini ought to drop a striker and instead pack out the middle of the park. 

With a three-man midfield, Noble’s lack of mobility and speed would be less of an issue, and instead, the experienced midfielder would be free to orchestrate counter-attacks from deep, ensuring that the home side maintain a threat to Liverpool’s own defence.

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Son Heung-Min has returned to Tottenham Hotspur in sensational form after his miserable exit from the Asian Cup, with two goals in two games evoking discussion over his candidacy for the player of the year award.

What’s the word?

Newcastle United proved to be typically stubborn opponents on Saturday lunchtime. Tottenham’s attacking endeavours were made in vain throughout proceedings, but the introduction of Fernando Llorente proved to be a decisive turning point in the game.

Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to unleash the Spaniard created a new dynamic in the final third and the Spaniard’s presence ultimately paved the way for Son to fire home a ferocious winner.

Llorente provided Son with the opportunity to strike from distance after knocking down a long ball into the South Korea international’s path, proving that the art of old-fashioned centre-forward play still has a place in Premier League football.

It was a timely reminder of the distinctive quality he can offer in attack, and Son was eager to pay tribute to his provider on Sunday, per ESPN.

“Fernando’s doing very well and everyone is ready because we work hard and believe in every single player. It doesn’t matter who plays.”

Llorente’s career in north London looked dead and buried when the transfer window opened for business in January, but events which have unfolded in 2019 have resurrected his career.

However, at 33 years of age, the Spaniard is going to have to do something special to convince Pochettino and Levy to offer him a new deal at the end of the season.

Dortmund could be key to his future at Spurs

Tottenham are well in the hunt for the title but the dominance of Man City and Liverpool suggest their best chance of claiming silverware may lie in Europe.

Next up for Spurs is a massive clash against Borussia Dortmund and, with the first leg set to take place at Wembley in less than ten days’ time, Llorente will be firmly in contention for a starting berth.

In a fixture of this magnitude the 33-year-old could have a dream opportunity to catapult his popularity amongst the supporters and simultaneously convince the club’s hierarchy to keep him in the summer.

According to a recent report from talkSPORT, Tottenham’s back-up centre-forward wants to extent his current deal with the club, which expires this summer.

A talismanic performance at the spearhead of the attack against Dortmund could represent the moment in which he convinces Pochettino to consider offering him a new deal – an agreement which would represent the culmination of a complete turnaround in his career.

Llorente has made significant steps towards completing a u-turn from probable departure to contract extension in the past two fixtures, and now he must finish the job by using his experience to stun Dortmund this month.

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West Ham visit Selhurst Park on Saturday to face Crystal Palace and will be hoping for a repeat of their previous meeting – the Hammers ran out 3-2 winners on December – although their chances will be significantly boosted if Manuel Pellegrini makes a simple tactical tweak.

On the chalkboard

There is a feeling of positivity around the London Stadium this season, despite some questionable results – Pellegrini has taken the helm and was backed extensively in the transfer market as he looked to overhaul the mish-mash he inherited from David Moyes.

While a few of the summer signings have failed to make an impact – albeit largely due to injuries – Felipe Anderson has been exceptional in the Premier League and is a threat when given an opportunity to whip in a cross or take a shot on goal.

Playing on the left-flank, the Brazilian has been a standout performer but will surely struggle to produce the goods if he starts in his regular role. He may not like it, but the former Lazio man must be deployed on the right if he wants as much joy as usual.

Avoiding Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka has outshone Eagles talisman Wilfried Zaha this season and his battling performances in defence have surely put him on the radar of the big six.

As the noisy Selhurst Park faithful will tell you, wingers hate playing against the former winger; his pace makes him difficult to get away from and, on the rare occasion that he is beaten, a perfectly-time sliding tackle will often see him win the ball back.

Anderson would surely breathe a sigh of relief if he was tasked with attacking down Palace’s left, guarded by Patrick van Aanholt. The Dutchman is a threat going forward but can be caught out in defence – Pellegrini must switch his speedster over to the opposite wing if he wants to get the best from his star man, even if it means the 25-year-old won’t be able to cut inside, as he loves to do.

Who is West Ham’s worst ever signing? Check out the video below for a pretty strong candidate for the dubious honour…

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Newcastle United face a battle for their Premier League survival.

The Magpies are currently 16th, one point clear of 18th-placed Southampton and level with Cardiff City, but ahead on goal difference, with just 12 games of the season to go.

Newcastle’s run-in: Huddersfield Town (H), Burnley (H), West Ham (A), Everton (H), Bournemouth (A), Arsenal (A), Crystal Palace (H), Leicester City (A), Southampton (H), Brighton & Hove Albion (A), Liverpool (H), Fulham (A).

Newcastle are fortunate that they only play two top-six teams between now and the end of the season.

Games against Arsenal and Liverpool are not likely to glean any points for the Magpies, meaning Rafael Benitez’s side are better off focusing on taking points from the teams around them.

The visit of Huddersfield Town next weekend could well set the tone. The Terriers are rock-bottom and 14 points off Cardiff. In short, they need a miracle. Newcastle should take all three points. Even in their current predicament, it would be a shock if they didn’t.

The visit of Burnley, in 15th, is likely to be a cagey affair and could well be a draw, while West Ham will expect to win at the London Stadium when Newcastle visit.

There is scope for United taking a point off Everton, but trips to Bournemouth and the Gunners are unlikely to see any return.

Crystal Palace, though, could well be a scalp taken, and three points against Roy Hodgson’s men would be a major boost, with tough clashes against Leicester, Southampton, Brighton and the Reds thereafter.

A return of one point from a possible 12 there seems the likeliest outcome – a draw with the Saints, also scrapping, would not do either side a favour but is the most foreseeable result.

A trip to London to face Fulham on the final day could well be full of drama but the Cottagers are already eight points adrift and may well be relegated beforehand. Three points for the Magpies would seem a banker if Claudio Ranieri’s men are already contemplating life in the Championship.

Predicted points: 12 – Newcastle finish on 37 points

Much like Southampton – who Football FanCast predict to end the season with 36 points – Newcastle are set to fall short of the 40-point mark which is routinely said to guarantee survival.

However, there really appears to be only one spot to fill in the bottom three.

Huddersfield and Fulham are surely doomed, barring a miracle or a bizarre twist of fate, leaving the likes of Southampton, Newcastle and Cardiff, as well as perhaps Burnley, Brighton and Crystal Palace, all battling to avoid finishing 18th.

If FFC’s predictions are correct, Newcastle will finish above Southampton, and that may well be enough.

The two sides play each other on April 20th and that game could well determine which of the two drops through the trapdoor into the Championship, provided Cardiff do not implode and take the spot for themselves.

How times have changed for Ander Herrera.

The last time he faced Chelsea in a FA Cup fixture at Stamford Bridge, he was sent off. Fast-forward two years, he’s scored a big goal and led the charge for them outclassing Chelsea in their own yard after almost seven years.

If anything, Herrera’s change in fortunes is due to the change in mentality. In 2017, Jose Mourinho played his famous ultra-defensive system and restricted Herrera to do the dirty on Eden Hazard. A foul too many eventually led to disaster. However, Solskjaer allowed the Spaniard freedom to roam forward and play to his strengths.

This turned out a masterstroke, as Herrera not only fulfilled his defensive duties perfectly but also made a clever run to score the opener. What proceeded was a professional, tidy performance from Herrera, who even made up for the curbed Nemanja Matic, who had to play safe after being booked earlier on.

The Spaniard helped his side control midfield with a 76% passing accuracy but always sniffed out the danger to stop Chelsea’s attacks. He made three tackles, three clearances and recovered possession eight times (stats via Fotmob). United’s fearless approach was embodied through the clever Herrera.

The wily midfielder proved his leadership ability by urging his men forward and always making up for his team-mates errors. He was vocal, decisive and creative in giving a complete performance.

Paul Pogba might’ve earned the spotlight for moments of brilliance, yet it was Herrera’s complete performance which proved qualities of a future Manchester United captain.

Aston Villa are reported to be interested in Barnsley centre-back Liam Lindsay according to The Sun’s Alan Nixon in the Sun (via HITC) and the move could shore up the defence that will see them miss out on promotion this season.

They currently sit in 13th, eight points away from the play-off places, but it’s their goal difference that really tells the story of where they’re falling behind. They’ve conceded 53 goals so far this season and only 22nd placed Rotherham and bottom-of-the-table Ipswich have conceded more. That’s not good enough for a side looking to return to the Premier League.

Barnsley are second in League One and have conceded just 28 goals this season, the least in the league and it’s no secret Liam Lindsay has been key to keeping his side tight at the back. He’s made 31 appearances this campaign and 42 times last season despite The Tykes being relegated. He’s a well-established 23-year-old who now looks ready to make the step up.

Villa’s history and size as a club should be an attractive prospect for the Scotsman, who’ll know that he’s exactly what they need to force a promotion push. He wouldn’t have any trouble breaking into the first team and so this is a rare opportunity for a lad in the third division to join one the biggest clubs in the country.

Although clubs like Villa can get stuck in the Championship (look at Leeds), there’s a major chance they’ll return to the Premier League in the next five seasons and that could be how Lindsey reaches the top rather than having to deal with the pressure of a transfer to a top-flight side. It makes sense for him and it makes sense for Villa.

If they can snatch him from Barnsley in the summer, they could plug their defensive hole and be pushing for promotion next season. That’d make Lindsey one of the best signings in the club’s history.

You do you think Aston Villa needs to sign for begin their push for promotion?

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Loads of Liverpool fans have been reflecting on the weekend’s action, and they’re not too happy with the form of James Milner.

Liverpool returned to the summit of the Premier League on Sunday, drawing 0-0 at Old Trafford in a rather drab affair.

The Reds have now drawn four of their last five games in all competitions, and the front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have combined for just two goals across those four draws.

Who has the loudest fans in Europe? PSG certainly state their claim in the video below…

All three were ineffective again on Sunday, but the real problems are further back in the team, where the lack of creativity in midfield is a huge problem.

Milner filled in at right-back at Old Trafford, and the versatile ace had by far the most chances to create dangerous situations for the Reds, yet he couldn’t produce a single good cross. When he plays in midfield, his crosses and forward play are equally ineffective.

The 33 year-old has said in the past that he would like to move back to Leeds United after his time at Anfield ends, and fans are now discussing the prospect of axing him this summer.

Milner is a Jurgen Klopp favourite and for good reason, but the Twitter reactions down below suggest his time at the club is nearing its end…

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According to Tuttomercatoweb, Tottenham Hotspur have expressed an interest in signing AC Milan forward Patrick Cutrone in this summer’s transfer window.

What’s the word, then?

It is no secret that Tottenham are short in the final third of the field, with Fernando Llorente struggling to step up when Harry Kane was on the sidelines.

Spurs will surely look for a striker capable of challenging Kane for the starting spot next season and according to Tuttomercatoweb, Cutrone is being considered.

The 21-year-old came through the youth system at Milan and has made 79 appearances for the first team, scoring 27 times in the process.

This season, the Italian has a respectable scoring record of nine goals in 32 appearances, although just three of those strikes have come in Serie A.

The arrival of Krzysztof Piatek in January has seen Cutrone’s first-team action limited and according to Tuttomercatoweb, Milan will consider offers of around the £30m mark in this summer’s transfer window.

Is Cutrone what Tottenham need?

Spurs are in a difficult position when it comes to signing a striker.

Indeed, they need to bring someone to the club of sufficient quality, but that individual will need to accept that Kane is the number one forward.

As a result, it will be tough to sign a big name, but a talented youngster in the shape of Cutrone could be the way to go for the capital outfit.

The Italian is a goalscorer, plain and simple. He struck four times in five Europa League games earlier this season and netted an impressive 43 goals in 67 games for Milan Primavera before stepping into the first team.

It would be a bit of a punt from Tottenham, but £30m in the current market is a reasonable price for a player of Cutrone’s ilk.

And chairman Daniel Levy should pull the trigger to bring the 6ft ace to the English capital ahead of the 2019-2020 campaign.

Newcastle know they need to spend wisely in the summer if they want to improve their league standing next season.

Currently, the Magpies will be confident of avoiding relegation now that they’re six points away from the relegation zone.

But that shouldn’t stop the players performing to the very best of their abilities. Indeed, if anything they need to continue their fine form to ensure they stay away from playing Championship football next season.

Rafa Benitez is a fantastic manager that Newcastle fans everywhere are begging to stay at the club.

With the ability to spend in the summer, that is something he may do and a player who should be top of his list is Genk’s Leandro Trossard.

Trossard, (who is valued at £12.6 million on Transfermarkt) has enjoyed a superb individual season with Genk in the Belgian Pro League, exactly like he did last campaign as well.

He may go unnoticed because of the inferior league he currently plays in but that shouldn’t distract a team like Newcastle taking a risk on him.

With an outstanding return of 18 goals and eight assists so far this season, the winger has more than proven his worth, hence the interest from the likes of Arsenal – as per Football.London last month.

But although a move to Emirates Stadium might be more glamorous than a club like Newcastle, with the latter, he will be guaranteed game-time and gain the opportunity to become the latest star at St James’ Park, whereas with Arsenal it would be a lot harder to do that.

Having already taken a punt on Miguel Almiron who played in the MLS, a highly-rated star that is soon to break into Belgian’s national team hardly seems like a potential mistake.

Do you agree… Let us know!

Once Hector Bellerin got injured in January, Arsenal fans couldn’t help but prepare for the absolute worst.

Already in midst of defensive crisis, losing the primary right-back meant they had to rely on their reserves, something not many fans were confident to do considering the wider struggles of the team.

Stephen Lichsteiner had nightmares and Shkodran Mustafi’s was also wobbly, but the player who’s risen up the ranks is Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Originally a winger, Unai Emery moulded the youngster into a successful wing-back by working on improving his defensive skills.

As a potential wonderkid, Maitland-Niles’ reputation down the wings was already well-known and his adventurous style suits Emery’s high-voltage one perfectly.

A risk which has paid off, the 21-year-old development under Emery’s among Arsenal’s stories of the season. At a period where transitioning from a winger to a wing-back can have a catastrophic result, the Ilford-born academy graduate worked really hard to hold his own.

The make-shift right wing-back’s best came against Manchester United, who had danced their way into tormenting Arsenal in the FA Cup fixture earlier on. However, like the side, the youngster had learnt his lesson and did a great job in keeping Marcus Rashford and Anthony  Martial quiet.

Indeed, he made 4 interceptions, 2 tackles and 3 ball recoveries (stats via Fotmob), while also making some glaring runs forward.

However, he’d receive a great share of the spotlight a few nights later. Maitland-Niles shone through in Arsenal’s terrific turnaround against Rennes, playing a part in creating the first before scoring the second with a thumping header.

He’s perfected the transition into his new position and has added new-found vibrancy to Arsenal’s game with his compelling work.

Arsenal fans, are you impressed by Maitland-Niles development under Emery? Join the discussion by commenting below.