by admin_em8z1e00 | May 4, 2024 | Soccer News
This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (ET)
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Saturday EPL Cheat Sheet
FORWARDS
Morgan Gibbs-White (NFO at SHU, $8,500): It’s hard to fade Gibbs-White in this spot, as he’ll be one of the more popular players in cash games. He’s surprisingly cheap given he was $8,700 at Tottenham a month ago. Then again, he’s lost sets to Danilo and Callum Hudson-Odoi ($7,700) in recent matches and maybe the price is warranted. Still, Sheffield United are the worst team in the league and Gibbs-White thrives in a matchup where Forest could have more of the ball.
Hudson-Odoi as your second forward isn’t the worst idea, either, while Anthony Elanga ($6,600) and Chris Wood ($6,300) are cheaper. If Taiwo Awoniyi is on the bench, it could mean 90 minutes are no longer guaranteed for Wood, so that’s something to keep in mind in tournaments.
Anthony Gordon ($9,500) let a lot of people down last week and he’s still expensive in a more difficult spot against Burnley. While Newcastle are the second-biggest favorite, I’m not sold on Gordon being a lock, especially with Lewis Hall ($3,500) stealing left-sided corners.
The Brentford-Fulham match is a bit of a guessing game, as neither team has anything to play for. Bryan Mbeumo ($8,900) was a massive disappointment at Everton, but he’s always in play for big numbers due to a split of sets and goals contributions. Ivan Toney ($8,400) may only have a few matches left with Brentford and he figures to have one more massive match in him. If Willian ($6,900) starts, he still feels a tad too expensive if 90 minutes aren’t there, especially since the Forest guys are in a similar range.
Rodrigo Muniz ($8,200) is a great differential forward as an underdog, while Alexander Isak ($9,900) could be most popular of the true goalscorers since there will be enough salary.
MIDFIELDERS
Lewis Hall (NEW at BRN, $3,500): It’s unclear why Hall is cheaper on this slate compared to last week’s $3,700 at home against Sheffield United. With 90 minutes a possibility in addition to a split of sets, he’s a pretty easy click in all formats. There’s always the chance he does nothing as a left-back listed as a midfielder, but you’re not losing much in cash games, while no one in this midfield range can compete with his set pieces.
Josh Cullen (BRN vs. NEW, $5,500): You probably don’t need the money with Hall, but I needed a Burnley player to write about. Burnley are at home in a big spot for their Premier League lives and I think they play this match fairly even. So if I can get one of their set-piece takers for less than $6,000, it only makes sense.
A lot of people will look to Andreas Pereira ($7,900) given a nice run of form. I’ve faded him too many times this season because of minutes concerns, but that hasn’t mattered in a lot of games. He seems safer than Mathias Jensen ($6,700) even as an underdog.
Jacob Murphy ($7,400) is a minutes concern, while Bruno Guimaraes ($7,100) surely can’t score in back-to-back matches, right? Gustavo Hamer ($6,400) is a tad expensive, but if you have the money, it’s not the worst move. I think Sheffield United will go after goals in this match and Hamer has been a RotoWire favorite throughout the season. As for Forest, Danilo ($4,700) is another cheap option if he continues to take a split of sets.
DEFENDERS
Valentino Livramento (NEW at BRN, $5,500): It’s not difficult to get to Sergio Reguilon ($7,000), so I think he could be more popular than some expect. However, I’m not going to adjust my lineup to make room for him. He has good performances in him, but recent ones have come against Luton Town and Sheffield United, while Brentford have been playing with a back four recently and figure to do so again. If they return to three center-backs, I may change my stance. You can play him, but Livramento makes more sense to me for much cheaper.
If you prefer the Jack Burkart route, it’s not hard to play both Forest full-backs against Sheffield United. Ola Aina ($4,400) is too cheap for the matchup, while Gonzalo Montiel ($3,900) could be set for 90 minutes if Neco Williams doesn’t make the bench.
While I like playing center-backs, there isn’t much of a reason to go down further at defender because you shouldn’t be pressed for cash.
GOALKEEPER
Arijanet Muric (BRN vs. NEW, $4,300): I know I just said you don’t need to save money, but Muric would be my favorite keeper on the slate even if he was $6,000. He may make mistakes on the pitch, but he’s a shot stopper and has allowed more than one goal just once in his seven starts, and I don’t think Newcastle are set for five goals again this weekend. Matz Sels ($5,500) has the best odds for a clean sheet, but at barely above 30 percent, he’s not worth it, though I assume many will go there in this matchup.
The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it’s possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Adam Zdroik plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: zdroik, DraftKings: rotozdroik, Yahoo: StreakMaster.
Source: https://www.rotowire.com/soccer/article/draftkings-dfs-soccer-epl-picks-for-saturday-may-4-82206
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by admin_em8z1e00 | May 4, 2024 | Soccer News
Talent Chimutambgi
Youth Interactive Writer
Young soccer aspirants for a local football academy, FC Porto Dragon Force have revealed that the team will travel to Portugal.
This was revealed when Youth Interactive visited the training session on Thursday where young boys and girls are taking part.
The trip which is scheduled for July will bring exposure to young boys and girls.
FC Porto Dragon Force is targeting children between the ages of three to 20 years.
In an interview with the coaches, Bridget Chandamali said the country is making significant strides in giving the girl child an opportunity to sail in the soccer space.
“Soccer was a highly male-dominated game, and the barriers were being broken to encompass women.”
“In Zimbabwe, there is now a significant rise in the number of girls playing soccer. We now have a premier league for women’s soccer, a development which highlights the girl child recognition in the area of sport, particularly soccer,” said Chandamali.
Chandamali, a female coach started playing for Gunners and went to the COSAFA Cup that was held in Angola, and got injured before she started pursuing her coaching career.
“I played for the under-20 national team before she got injured in 2010 during the games that were held in Nigeria. Since that period after I got injured, my passion for soccer receded, it wasn’t that much,” she said.
“I started to pursue my coaching career in 2017 even though I have been playing soccer here and there. Now I’m here at this academy coaching girls’ soccer,” said Chandamali.
FC Porto Dragon Force head coach Alving Ndunduma said the development was critical for young children as it would give them exposure.
Ndunduma who is a nephew to the late yesteryear soccer veteran, Stanley Ndunduma, they were committed to upscale the standards of soccer in the country.
“I’m the head coach of the under-18 squad team. We have been playing since last year in 2023. The squads comprise under 15, 13,9, and 11.
We opened a developmental school here in Zimbabwe with the thrust of talent identification.
“We are working with FC Porto Dragon Force with some coaches from Portugal here teaching us about the methodology of FC Porto, the training methods, and the value of the brand.”
“We will have a tour to Portugal probably in July where all FC Porto networks including Canada, Brazil, and Portugal. We are trying to give our youngsters exposure, and it’s a very big project for us,” said Ndunduma. Ndunduma has a track record in soccer and has played soccer at the national level.
“I started playing for young Black Rhinos FC where my uncle Stanley Ndunduma invited me when I was very young, and I’m a product of junior development myself. I’m quite familiar with how it feels and you should rise from the grassroots level to the top.
“I also played for the national under 23, so for me, it’s an honour to impart the knowledge that I gathered over the years to the youngsters,” he said.
Ndunduma said, that currently, they have pupils from across Harare and are planning to recruit all over the country.
“We have kids from all over, including those from Borrowdale, Helensvale, and Hatcliffe as well as Budiriro, Chitungwiza, Mbare, and Mufakose. Our kids keep on coming, but we usually have our trials in January. We are also working with schools,” he said. “We partnered with High Achievers School, so we have several kids from the school and the academy. We will try to recruit as we go and we are looking forward to covering the country’s 10 provinces to try to give our children an opportunity and scouting for the best talents to develop our soccer,” said Ndunduma.
Source: https://www.herald.co.zw/f-c-porto-dragon-force-soccer-aspirants-eyes-portugal-trip/
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by admin_em8z1e00 | May 4, 2024 | Soccer News
(Reuters) -Nottingham Forest’s referee analyst Mark Clattenburg resigned on Friday and manager Nuno Espirito Santo and defender Neco Williams were charged with misconduct following their reaction after a 2-0 defeat at Everton last month.
Former Premier League referee Clattenburg and Forest received widespread criticism for their comments after being denied three penalties at Goodison Park.
Forest issued a statement on social media, accusing the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Stuart Attwell of being a Luton Town fan.
Clattenburg, who described the refereeing decisions as a “joke”, was formally warned as to his future conduct.
“I performed my services under the consultancy agreement in good faith, to the best of my abilities and in the hope of using my extensive experience as a match official to help NFFC understand how decisions in relation to key match incidents are made amid the workings of VAR,” Clattenburg said in a statement on the club website.
The Premier League said it was extremely disappointed to read the Forest statement and launched an investigation.
“It is now clear that the existence and performance of these consultancy services has caused unintended friction between NFFC and other participants, to the extent that it has become more of a hindrance than help to NFFC,” Clattenburg said.
“It has also led to the unmerited targeting of me, personally, by certain participants and pundits.”
Nuno and Williams have until May 9 to respond to the charges.
“It’s alleged that the club, manager and player’s comments constitute improper conduct in that they imply bias and/or question the integrity of the match officials and/or bring the game into disrepute,” the FA said in a statement.
Having been docked four points for financial breaches, Forest are 17th in the standings with 26 points.
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru and Trevor Stynes, editing by Ed Osmond)
Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2024/05/03/soccer-clattenburg-resigns-as-forest-referee-analyst
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by admin_em8z1e00 | May 4, 2024 | Soccer News
(Reuters) – Barcelona will be favourites when they visit Girona on Saturday but the hosts are ready to seize a historic opportunity to beat them in front of their own fans, Girona manager Michel said on Friday.
Girona, third in LaLiga with 71 points, are two behind fellow Catalan side Barcelona, whom they beat 4-2 away in December.
“For our fans, tomorrow is a historic match,” Michel told reporters. “In this match the motivation is top for everyone. Another challenge is to beat Barca for the first time at Montilivi.
“Barca are favourites in this match… but we are playing at home in front of our fans. We will give 200 per cent because it’s the only way to win.”
Girona, 13 points ahead of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao, are looking to ensure a top-four finish and qualify for the Champions League this weekend.
“We want to win tomorrow to reach the Champions League. It’s about making fans, making Girona grow and achieving worldwide recognition for our club and our project,” Michel said.
“We always have more objectives like overtaking Real Madrid as the top-scoring team. We only have two goals between us.”
Leaders Real are 11 points ahead of Barcelona with five matches remaining.
“What I want is to be protagonists in a league where Madrid have lost only one game,” Michel said.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)
Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2024/05/03/soccer-girona-want-039historic039-home-win-over-barcelona
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by admin_em8z1e00 | May 3, 2024 | Soccer News
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Diego Maradona’s children filed a request with the Argentine Courts on Thursday to move the former football great’s body “to a much safer place” and for fans “to pay tribute” in a mausoleum.
Maradona’s remains lie in a private cemetery on the outskirts of Buenos Aires where he was carried in November 2020 in a massive funeral procession. Only family members are allowed to enter the cemetery.
The mausoleum, called “Memorial del Diez,” is located behind the Casa Rosada, the seat of the executive branch of the Argentine government, and will be open to the public, Veronica Ojeda, mother of Maradona’s youngest son, told local media.
“All the heirs request by common agreement to authorise the transfer to his next destination of eternal rest (…) in a much safer place than the current one,” said the note presented to the court signed by Dalma and Gianinna Maradona, and Ojeda on behalf of Diego Maradona Jr.
“And so that all the Argentine people and the citizens of the world can pay homage to our father who was the greatest Argentine idol.”
The relocation will take place around Oct. 30, the birth date of the 1986 World Cup winner with Argentina, one of the family’s lawyers told reporters.
Maradona died at age 60 in November 2020 from a heart attack. Fans of Napoli and of the Argentine national team worshipped him as the “god of football.”
(Reporting by Ramiro Scandolo in Buenos Aires; Writing by Janina Nuno Rios; Editing by Javier Leira and Matthew Lewis)
Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2024/05/03/soccer-maradona039s-children-call-for-moving-body-to-mausoleum-for-safety-and-tribute
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