All the very latest football news and gossip across Europe!

The European Championships are over.
Clubs across Europe are preparing for the start of the new season, which begins in just a couple of weeks! Some clubs are away on pre-season tours, others are preparing a little closer to home but every club is looking to strengthen their squads.

Here is a round up of all the latest football news/gossip across Europe today, which includes the likes of: The FA, Leicester City, Manchester City, Paul Pogba, Saido Berahino, Georginio Wijnaldum, Manchester United, Juventus, Crystal Palace, Diego Costa, Arda Turan, Alvaro Negredo, West Ham, Chelsea, Newcastle, Loic Remy and Robin Van Persie to name but a few!


Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri says reigning PFA Players' Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez wants to remain with the Premier League champions - skysports.com

Manchester City will move for Leicester City and Algeria forward Riyad Mahrez, 25, if they fail to sign Schalke's 20 year-old Germany winger Leroy Sane - French Football News‎

It is no secret that Manchester United are interested in Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba and have Manchester United have had an £85m bid for the midfielder rejected by Turin club. An Italian newspaper have taken things one step further and say that he will be joining United, for a fee of €125m euros (£104.9m) - Corriere dello Sport (Italian newspaper)

In France they are saying a deal has been agreed for Paul Pogba to return to Manchester United from Juventus. Apparently negotiations will now be formalised over the final price and it is thought it could be €120m euros. It is suggested it could be completed in a ‘matter of days’ - L’Equipe (French daily newspaper)

Juventus want Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic and Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko to replace Paul Pogba should he leave the club this summer. The Blues are not willing to part with the Serbia international Matic for anything less than €30m (£25.2m), while Newcastle want €41.7m (£35m) for France international Sissoko - Gazzetta dello Sport (Italian newspaper)

New Bayern Munich head coach Carlo Ancelotti says he will not allow striker Robert Lewandowski to leave for Real Madrid - Sportbild (German sports daily newspaper)

Talks are ongoing between Stoke and Liverpool with a £13 million fee agreed to take Joe Allen to the Britannia Stadium - skysports.com

Olivier Giroud is unlikely to leave Arsenal this summer, according to his agent Michael Manuello. Uncertainty has surrounded the 29-year-old's future, with reports suggesting he could be on his way to Napoli with Gonzalo Higuain potentially heading to the Emirates Stadium - Evening Standard

Atletico Madrid are the only club to have 'bid' for Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuain, according to Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, although Italian champions Juventus Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are all 'keen' on the striker - skysports.com

20 year-old defender Rob Holding's transfer from Bolton Wanderers to Arsenal will be completed in the next few days - skysports.com

Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League this summer, after spending a year in Turkey with Fenerbache.
It is reported that Stoke and Middlesbrough are in pole position for the 32-year-old's signature, after West Ham turned down the opportunity to bring him back to London - The Mirror

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has said that West Brom have rejected more than one offer for 22-year-old striker Saido Berahino, which reports suggest could have reached £20m. Crystal Palace and Watford are also interested in Berahino - skysports.com

Chelsea have emerged as favourites to sign Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata - The Sun

Alvaro Negredo will join up with Aitor Karanka’s Middlesbrough squad in Spain today. The Valencia striker has agreed a one-year loan deal with an option for Boro to make the deal permanent next summer. The former Man City frontman will have his medical with the Middlesbrough doctors out in Marbella - skysports.com

However Middlesbrough's pursuit of Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic has broken down, and the defender will travel back to Germany. Boro had agreed a fee of around £8m with Dortmund for the Serbia international and he was shown around the club's facilities nearly two weeks ago - skysports.com

Scans have revealed that Michael Dawson has sustained significant damage to the medial collateral ligament in his knee. The Hull City defender is expected to be out of action for three months - bbc.co.uk

Atletico Madrid may turn their attention to Liverpool's Belgium striker Divock Origi, 21, if they fail to sign Spain international Diego Costa, from Chelsea - Bleacher Report

Newcastle may be interested in signing Liverpool's Brazil midfielder Lucas Leiva, 29, as part of a deal taking Georginio Wijnaldum to Anfield, with the Magpies valuing Wijnaldum at £27m - Daily Telegraph

In Holland it is being reported that Everton and Tottenham will both bid for Newcastle's 25-year-old Georginio Wijnaldum, sparking a bidding war - De Telegraaf (Dutch newspaper)

Tottenham have ended their interest in Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum. Spurs were keen on the Dutch international but manager Mauricio Pochettino has decided he is too expensive, with the Magpies unwilling to budge on their £25m valuation - skysports.com

Chelsea and Everton will go head-to-head to sign Napoli and Senegal international defender Kalidou Koulibaly. Chelsea are understood to have had a £20m bid rejected by Napoli, but the London club are set to revise their offer.
Everton meanwhile, backed by new owner Farad Moshiri, are willing to spend £37m on Koulibaly as new boss Ronald Koeman aims to steer the club back into Europe - The Sun

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of 30-year-old Estonia centre-back Ragnar Klavan from FC Augsburg. Klavan, who has appeared 112 times for his country, is believed to have cost the club €5m (£4.2m), with reports suggesting he has signed a three-year deal - bbc.co.uk and skysports.com

Burnley and England international goalkeeper Tom Heaton has chosen to extend his stay at Turf Moor. Heaton, 30, joined Burnley from Bristol City in 2013, and was part of England's Euro 2016 squad has signed a new four-year deal - skysports.com and bbc.co.uk

Swansea are reportedly keen to sign Tottenham's Nacer Chadli. Spurs value the Belgian at around £15m, which would be a club-record fee for Swansea - Daily Mirror

Turkish side Besiktas will target Chelsea's France striker Loic Remy, 29, if they fail to agree a deal with Fiorentina for Germany international Mario Gomez - Evening Standard

Germany striker Mario Gomez says he will be leaving Besiktas because of the "political situation" in Turkey - skysports.com

Europa League champions Sevilla have completed the signing of Palermo midfielder Franco Vazquez. The 27-year-old has signed a five-year deal - skysports.com

Barcelona are willing to sell £20m-rated Turkey midfielder Arda Turan, 29, with Chelsea and Arsenal are both said to be interested in the Turkey international - Talksport

Barcelona pair Munir El Haddadi and Sergi Samper have signed contract extensions, the La Liga champions have confirmed. Both Munir and Samper have penned a three-year renewals that will see them remain at the Camp Nou until June 2019.
Munir has a €60m (£50.1m) release clause in his new contract, while Samper has had a €50m (£42m) clause inserted in his deal - skysports.com

Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Swansea and West Brom are interested in West Ham's £15m-rated Senegal striker Diafra Sakho. However Diafra Sakho will not be sold until West Ham find replacements, according to co-chairman David Sullivan - Daily Mirror and bbc.co.uk

Manchester City and Manchester United both want 17-year-old West Ham defender Reece Oxford, who is valued at £15m by his club - skysports.com

Manchester United are eyeing a £25m move for the Monaco and Brazil international full-back Fabinho - Daily Mail

Manchester City are close to signing 24 year-old Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, for £4m from Real Sociedad - Guardian

Newcastle have agreed a fee with Blackburn Rovers for defender Grant Hanley. The Scotland international will travel to Tyneside for a medical today after a fee of £5.5m was agreed between the sides - skysports.com

Aston Villa 'keeper Brad Guzan could be set to leave the club on a free transfer, ahead of a switch to Middlesbrough. The Teeside club announced the signing of Spanish World Cup-winning goalkeeper Victor Valdes earlier this month - Telegraph.

Transfer news coming from Portugal, concerning two Benfica players, who could be coming to a Premier League club. Reports that Talisca, a 22-year-old Brazilian attacking midfielder, and Eduardo Salvio, 26, an Argentina international winger, could both be moving in a joint deal worth £50m (£41.9m). Where are they going? The paper doesn't say, but does add that club president Luis Felipe Vieira is negotiating a deal in London - A Bola (Portuguese newspaper)

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is willing to let defender Tyler Blackett, 22, and strikers Will Keane, 23, and James Wilson, 20, leave Old Trafford - Daily Telegraph

Fulham are hopeful of agreeing a loan deal for England Under-21 international James Wilson - The Sun

Liverpool goalkeeper Adam Bogdan has joined Wigan Athletic on a season-long loan - skysports.com

West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill has signed a one-year contract extension to keep him at the club until 2018 - skysports.com

Real Madrid youngster Borja Mayoral will leave the club’s training camp in Montreal to finalise his loan move to Wolfsburg. The striker, 19, will head to Germany today to sign his season-long deal with Wolfsburg - Marca (Spanish newspaper)

Aston Villa say that Stiliyan Petrov will not be offered a playing contract, but will be offered a role at the club - skysports.com

Arsenal have signed 16-year-old Norway defender Erik Tobias Sandberg from Lillestrom SK - The Sun

Stoke City are keen on striker Jose Angulo, 21. He plays for Independiente del Valle in his native Ecuador - Guardian

Sheffield United have turned down a £1m bid from Birmingham City for their young striker Che Adams - skysports.com

Bury have completed the signing of 30 year-old defender Leon Barnett on a two-year deal after his release by Wigan Athletic - bbc.co.uk

Rotherham United have secured the signature of 22-year-old Brighton's Jake Forster-Caskey. The central midfielder has 12 England under-21 caps, and signs on a season-long loan - skysports.com and bbc.co.uk

Luton Town striker Jack Marriott has pledged his long-term future to the club by signing a new three-year contract - skysports.com

Port Vale have signed midfielder Sebastien Amoros on a one-year deal, with an option of a further year. The 21-year-old joins from Monaco, where he came up through academy - skysports.com

Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough is hoping to offer Irish teenager Ryan Delaney a permanent deal with the club. Defender Delaney, 19, currently with Wexford Youths, has impressed the Brewers boss while on trial - skysports.com

Chelsea youngster Alex Kiwomya has joined Crewe on loan until 9th January 2017 - skysports.com

Crawley Town have signed midfielder Billy Clifford on a one-year deal following a successful trial, the Sky Bet League Two club have announced - skysports.com

Hearts have signed striker Tony Watt on a season-long loan from Charlton - skysports.com


# New rules to stop "intolerable behaviour" by players and managers have been introduced in English football.
In a statement, the Premier League, English Football League and Football Association said poor conduct has reached "unacceptable levels."
Starting this season, red cards will be issued to players who confront match officials and use offensive language.
Behaviour within the technical areas will also be more rigorously enforced.

All the Latest Transfer Gossip across Europe!

With the recent conclusion of the domestic football season across the major European leagues, it is fair to say that football is now without a shadow of a doubt an all-year round sport, with the 2013 European Under-21 Championships currently being staged by FIFA in Israel until the 18th June. The eight team tournament includes some of Europe's most promising talent on show, with the likes of England, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands all represented.

Then on the 15th June for two weeks the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, will be held in Brazil, as a prelude to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, involving some of the world's biggest hitters in world football. Eight international teams from all over the world will contest the tournament including the hosts, Spain (FIFA world ranked number 1 side), Italy (8th), Russia (11th), Mexico (17th) and Uruguay (19th).

Then with the domestic season in England beginning on the 3rd August and the English Premier League swinging into action just two weeks later, clubs need to incorporate pre-season fixtures into pre-season training with little or no break in proceedings!

During this period it becomes the 'silly season' as Clubs delve into the transfer market in an attempt to strengthen their squads for the forthcoming season. Why is it silly? Well quite simply transfer rumours are created everyday by everyone and anyone with an interest in football, for lots of different reasons. Most of the rumours are unsubstantiated, but some clearly do have legs on them!

The media in the shape of newspapers and the internet play a substantial part, along with agents and fans who themselves can be responsible for a leaked story whether it be true or otherwise...... 'My best friend's mate knows a bloke who works in a garden centre and saw Mr X in there shopping for pot plants, so he must be joining Nottingham Forest!!!'

Here is a round up of all of today’s latest transfer gossip across Europe:

Is your club involved?

AS Monaco, Chelsea, Manchester United, Penarol, Arsenal, Everton, Crystal Palace, Vitoria Guimaraes, Napoli, Manchester City, Valencia, Real Madrid, PSG, Celtic, Liverpool, Tottenham, FC Twente, Sporting Lisbon, Derby, Dundee United, Norwich, Celta Vigo, Hull, Burnley, Hertha Berlin, Kaiserslautern, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Schalke, Stoke, Reading, Aston Villa, Nordsjaelland, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Cardiff, Fulham, Peterborough, Nottingham Forest, Millwall, River Plate, QPR, Fiorentina, Sunderland and Barnsley..........are all caught up in the latest transfer news/rumours across Europe, as we speak.

AS Monaco - who have already spent over £100m on new players this summer - are ready to make a move for Chelsea captain John Terry. Monaco believe a figure of around £7m will be enough to tempt the Blues to part with the 32-year-old - The Sun

New Manchester United manager David Moyes plans to make Uruguayan right-back Guillermo Varela (right) his first signing at Old Trafford. The 20-year-old is available for £1.2m from Uruguayan side Penarol - Daily Express, skysports.com and sportsmole.co.uk

Arsenal have moved ahead of Chelsea and Manchester United in the battle to sign Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini - The Times

Premier League new-boys Crystal Palace are close to clinching a £2.6m move for Vitoria Guimaraes striker Amido Balde, 22, after the player snubbed Scottish Premier League champions Celtic - Daily Record

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis claims he expects to hold talks with Chelsea about a possible deal for Edinson Cavani. The likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain have all been credited with an interest in the 26-year-old, who has a release clause in his contract of £53m - skysports.com and espnfc.com

Barcelona are set to choose between Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen and Valencia's Jeremy Mathieu (right) as they look to sign a central defender this summer. The choice will come down to the pair's asking respective asking prices - El Mundo Deportivo (Spain)

Norwich have made an enquiry for Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey but the Reds may want up to £8m for the England Under-21 international - Daily Mail

Liverpool have all but sealed a deal for Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas in a deal believed to be worth £7m - Faro de Vigo (Spain)

Tottenham and Liverpool both chasing Nacer Chadli. The FC Twente winger, 23, is valued at around £8.5m - Talksport

Liverpool have made a £3m bid for Sporting Lisbon defender Tiago Ilori (right), who is currently on international duty with Portugal at the Toulon tournament in France. Valencia and Arsenal are also reportedly interested in the 20 year-old - Liverpool Echo and footballgossip.org.uk

Hull are battling with Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest to land Burnley midfielder Chris McCann - Daily Mirror

New Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin have completed the signing of Kaiserslautern midfielder Alexander Baumjohann - Bundesliga.com

Juventus are continuing talks with Real Madrid about Gonzalo Higuain - La Gazzetta dello Sport (Italy)

Local rivals Borussia Dortmund and Schalke are fighting it out to sign Barcelona youngster Cristian Tello- BILD (Germany)

The agent of Dundee United striker Johnny Russell (right) says Celtic could still scupper Derby's move for the striker. The Championship side have had a £700,000 bid accepted for the 23-year-old but he has not yet signed a contract - Derby Telegraph

Mark Hughes wants Celtic's Gary Hooper to be his first signing at Stoke -The Sun

The Stoke boss Mark Hughes is also looking to bring in 23 year-old QPR striker David "Junior" Hoilett - transfermarketweb.com

Norwich manager Chris Hughton is ready to make a £2.5m bid for Reading winger Jimmy Kebe - Daily Star

Aston Villa have had a £3m offer for Nordsjaelland defender Jores Okore rejected - Daily Mail

Reading have confirmed the signing of 32 year-old defender Wayne Bridge, who has agreed a one-year contract at the Madejski Stadium after turning down the chance to join QPR - Daily Mirror and espnfc.com

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are keeping tabs on River Plate striker Tomas Andrade - El Mundo Deportivo

Cardiff are considering a £2m move for former Everton defender Joseph Yobo - Daily Mail

Fulham have had a £2.5m bid for Peterborough striker Dwight Gayle turned down - Daily Telegraph

Nottingham Forest have announced that 31 year-old striker Darius Henderson has made a permanent move to the City Ground from Millwall - sportsmole.co.uk

The agent of Manchester City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon (right) says he is uncertain of the Romanian's future. The 26-year old is yet to make a Premier League appearance since joining from Politehnica Timisoara in 2011, and he has been strongly linked with a move to Fiorentina - skysports.com and sportsmole.co.uk

Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is ready to move on after the 24-year-old Belgian signalled he would not sign a new deal with the club.
Mignolet has been linked with a move to Liverpool and Arsenal - Sunderland Echo

Barnsley defender Jimmy McNulty has signed a new deal to stay at the club. McNulty has agreed a one-year extension to keep him at Oakwell - skypports.com

Stoke out for revenge against West Ham - FA Cup Betting News with Betfred

versus

West Ham United have turned things around in recent weeks, and they will be looking to replicate their recent Premier League form when they meet Stoke City in an intriguing FA Cup quarter-final tie this Sunday, but the hosts could be out for revenge.

The Hammers steamrollered Stoke 3-0 at Upton Park last weekend, in a Premier League fixture thanks to goals from Demba Ba, Manuel da Costa and Thomas Hitzlsperger and anyone making football predictions may fancy The Hammers to do the business once more.

But it could be a lot different in the FA Cup as the Brittania Stadium is a notoriously difficult place to win at, and West Ham have been fragile on the road this term, with just two league wins all season.

The football odds compilers make Stoke 11/10 to win the cup tie, and it's worth noting The Potters have yet to lose in front of their home fans since the turn of the year. In 2011 they have won three and drawn one of four Premier League games at the Brittania Stadium, but their away form not unlike that of West Ham's has been pretty dire, and that could go some way to explaining the recent rout at Upton Park.

Tony Pulis has already confirmed that Thomas Sorensen will play in goal and he could make a number of other changes for the FA Cup clash, which could make 13/5 for a West Ham victory look somewhat more tempting.

Up until a few weeks ago, it was West Ham's cup successes that had helped to save Avram Grant from the 'revolving door.' However the London side are facing a huge relegation battle, and there is always the fear the FA Cup can be more of a distraction than a blessing.

West Ham's defence has looked suspect on several occasions this season. That coupled with the loud Staffordshire home support, a big powerful Stoke attack and those legendary Rory Delap long throws will test West Ham's resilience to the core.

Stoke star Glenn Whelan reckons the crowd could be the preverbial 12th man for City, and help give them an edge to exact some measure of revenge on the Hammers for the league result.

He told BBC Radio Stoke: "We're on our home patch, that's where we're solid and hopefully that's what we'll be on Sunday.
If we can get right at them in the first five or ten minutes, I'm sure the crowd will be right behind us."

The resurgence at West Ham means they are now a vastly superior team to the one they were only a few months ago when they recorded a 1-1 draw at the Brittania Stadium thanks to a goal from, who else, their captain and talisman Scott Parker.

This is the second successive weekend that these clubs are meeting, and the fourth time they will have locked horns this season. Stoke are yet to win!

But a wounded Stoke are going to be a dangerous animal, and one the travelling Hammers need to ensure they don't take lightly.

My Tip of the Week:

Stoke look like they are going to be too strong for West Ham, but it should be a tight game unlike the Upton Park clash. With this in mind, odds of 2/1 for under 1.5 goals in the game looks a good bet.
I also fancy Stoke's fit again Matthew Etherington to get on the scoresheet against his former club. He is 10/1 to be first goalscorer and 11/4 to score at anytime with Betfred.

Sunday 27th March: Stoke City v West Ham, kick-off 2pm, live on ITV1.

By Drew Swainston
(Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)

Will Stoke Play the Role of Villains? - Betting News with Betfred

versus

Aston Villa fans will be hoping the classic 'new manager' syndrome kicks in when they face Stoke City in the Premier League on Monday night.

Despite the season being only a few games old, it has been a rollercoaster ride for Villa fans. Firstly Martin O'Neill unexpectedly resigned just five days before the opening day of the season.
Then caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald went from hero after victory on the opening day, to villain following a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of newly promoted Newcastle United, all in the space of a week!

Now former Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier has been 'unofficially' handed the reins at the club.

Although Houllier has been announced through the media as the new Villa boss, and unveiled as the new man at the helm of the Birmingham based club via a press conference this afternoon - it has become apparent that his tenure does not in fact start this Monday night.

As Houllier 'negotiates' his exit from the role as the French Football Federation's (FFF) technical director, he will not be in the dugout for Monday's trip to Stoke in the Premier League, with caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald running the team in his absence.

Villa are currently sitting in the Premier League top four and their powers of recovery were evident in their win over Everton last time out. To get a win against the Blues after being trounced by Newcastle, and then going out of Europe in calamitous style to Rapid Vienna only days earlier, showed the fighting spirit among the team.

Struggling Stoke who have not won a point all season are 13/8 in the Premier League betting to stop the rot on Monday night.

If Villa can show a similar resolve against The Potters, who are always tough to beat at the Britannia Stadium, then the 15/8 on offer for Villa to take all three points could well be seen as a good football bet by many punters.

Many football fans will be wondering what effect Houllier will have on the players at Villa Park. It has been a long while since he was a Premier League manager and his success at Liverpool came a decade ago.

It will be interesting to see how the players perform for the new man and how they feel about him replacing MacDonald, who is clearly highly thought of by the players, and has spent many years at the club.

Houllier said that he was disappointed MacDonald, who took over the reins following O'Neill's shock departure in August, had turned down the chance to work as his assistant. "I am working on naming an assistant manager," the Frenchman continued.
"Joint management doesn't work, but in some capacity as assistant manager he (MacDonald) would have been helpful. He could also have maybe learnt the trade and, who knows, taken over from me. But I understand his decision, he's a nice bloke so I won't hurt him - I told him I'd like him to stay at the club."

Once Houllier is 'officially' installed as Villa's new first-team manager, MacDonald will return to his job as reserve team boss.
Houllier could take charge of the team at Villa Park for the visit of Bolton in the league on the 18th September, or possibly for the midweek Carling Cup clash against Blackburn, or failing that the league trip to Molineux on the 26th September.

Meanwhile Kevin Macdonald will reside in the dugout on Monday night, and will continue to do so until further notice, OR when the contractual issues between Villa and the FFF are finally resolved.

My Tip for Monday night:

This is going to be a very close game and Stoke are notoriously tough at home, so Betfred's 9/4 for the match to end in a draw seems a logical outcome.

Monday 13th September: Stoke City v Aston Villa, kick-off 8pm - Live on Sky Sports

By Drew Swainston
(Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)

It's Crunch Time In The Premier League - Betting News with Betfred

VERSUS

and

VERSUS

The last weekend of the season looms and the Premier League title is on the line, so at least we all have one exciting last hurrah before contemplating another summer waiting for the domestic football to return - at least there's the 2010 Football World Cup to tide us over.

Obviously all eyes are going to be focused on Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford this Sunday as title rivals Chelsea and Manchester United face Wigan and Stoke respectively.

If Chelsea can beat the Latics then the title is theirs, and the football odds make them massive 1/10 favourites to win the match. Wigan, on the other hand are 25/1 shots to spring a surprise.

A shock slip-up by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge means a United victory over Stoke would see the trophy remain at Old Trafford, but Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard feels Chelsea are going into this vital game with great momentum.

"There is still another game to go but we are in a good position. If you are going to win titles you are going to have these moments," he said.

The England midfielder has been instrumental yet again for Chelsea this season so there would be no surprises if he got on the scoresheet to help win the Premier League title for Chelsea - he can be backed to score first at 3/1 with Betfred.

It is important to note that in the case of a surprise Chelsea defeat, nothing but a United win will suffice, as a draw at Old Trafford will still hand the title to Carlo Ancelotti's side on goal difference.

However, as this game should be a walk in the park for Chelsea the real betting value lies elsewhere this weekend, specifically at Old Traford where Manchester United could buckle under the strain of a long season.


My Tip Of The Weekend:
Although Sir Alex Ferguson's sides are renowned for achieving the impossible, the current crop have looked fragile at times this season, particularly in defence. I think the pressure could get to United, and they are playing a tough no-nonsense Stoke outfit, so Betfred's 13/2 for a draw at Old Trafford looks the value bet of the day.

Chelsea v Wigan - Sunday 9th May, kick-off 4pm, live on Sky Sports 1.
Man Utd v Stoke - Sunday 9th May, kick-off 4pm, live on Sky Sports 3.

By Drew Swainston
(Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)

It's The Carlos and Emmanuel Show - Betting News with Betfred

Stoke City fans hoping their side can cause an upset and beat Manchester City in the FA Cup should be wary of a blossoming double act that will be looking to strike them down.

The two sides meet at Eastlands on Saturday to see who will make it into the last eight of the FA Cup and Stoke's defence are going to come up against two strikers who are bang in form and both loving life under new boss Roberto Mancini.

Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez both scored in their side's 2-0 win over Bolton in midweek, a result which ensured City continue to put pressure on the Premier League top four. They currently lie fifth, level on points with Liverpool and with two games in hand.

Stoke, 12th in the Premier League must take some comfort from the fact they knocked Premier League title chasers Arsenal out of the FA Cup at The Britannia Stadium in the previous round, but worryingly have only managed to win twice on the road this season, at Tottenham in October in the League and at Leyton Orient in the Carling Cup back in August.

Any punters fancying the Potters to pull off what would be a 'cup shock' can back a Stoke win at odds of 7/1 with Betfred.

However, the FA Cup odds suggest 'The Blues' could go all the way to Wembley and Adebayor fancies their chances.

The Togo skipper has told the club's official website, "he is happy when he sees his strike partner score and the two are working hard together to fire City to success this season."

"If he can score 30 goals and I only score a few, I'll be more than happy. Because if Carlos and his goals help us to win things, I'll be very happy for us all," said Adebayor.

"We still have a chance to be at Wembley in the FA Cup and are in the running for fourth place in the Premier League. We will keep going and enjoy ourselves. We want to keep that dream."

The current form of City's striking duo could mean the Stoke defence are in for a torid 90 minutes and odds of 5/1 for their side to win 2-0 could be seen as a good bet by some fans.


The Tip Of The Weekend:
Carlos Tevez to be first goalscorer and Manchester City to win 3-0 @ 28/1 with Betfred - Saturday 13th February, kick-off 5.15pm, live on ITV1

By Drew Swainston
(Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)