Manchester United to seek revenge against Brentford
Manchester United will look to bounce back from their defeat to Newcastle on Sunday and reassert themselves in the Champions League race when they host Brentford in the Premier League.
Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils suffered a 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park and they have dropped into fifth with Tottenham avoiding defeat at Everton.
The Bees have ambitions of European qualification themselves but were held to an enthralling 3-3 draw by Brighton at the AMEX Stadium in their most recent outing.
Midfielder Casemiro remains suspended for this game and the following clash with Everton, leaving Erik ten Hag with another decision to make in the centre of the park. With Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek also sidelined, the spots will go to two of Scott McTominay, Marcel Sabitzer and Fred.
Anthony Martial made his return from injury as a substitute in the defeat to Newcastle but probably has a few more yards to put in before he makes the starting XI.
United haven’t scored a goal in any of their last three Premier League games – that lack of goal threat obviously must be solved if they are to beat Brenford.
The 4-0 defeat to Brentford earlier in the season acted as a firm wake-up call to Ten Hag and his players and this is an excellent opportunity to both drag themselves back onto the horse and exact revenge for that embarrassing defeat.
Credit: 90min.com
High-flying Newcastle set to continue quest for Champions League football
Fresh from dispatching top-four foes Manchester United in front of a passionate home crowd, Newcastle United will continue their quest for Champions League football when they face West Ham United at the London Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Hammers also picked up a vital win last time out, defeating relegation rivals Southampton to move one point clear of the bottom three, but David Moyes‘s men still have plenty of work to do in order to avoid the drop.
West Ham have now avoided defeat in each of their last four outings across all competitions, picking up three wins and one draw along the way, and they head into Wednesday’s clash on a six-match unbeaten streak on home soil, with four clean sheets coming in that time.
After enduring a tricky five-game winless run across February and early March – recording two draws and three defeats in all competitions – Newcastle have rediscovered their early-season form in recent weeks.
Following 2-1 victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest, Newcastle secured a third successive Premier League win last time out, putting the club in a strong position to clinch a top-four finish.
Although West Ham have upped their game of late – avoiding defeat in each of their last five home league matches – high-flying Newcastle look set to notch a fourth consecutive victory as they continue their top-four charge on Wednesday.
Credit: sportsmole
Ahead of today’s Copa del Rey El Clasico
Xavi claims Real Madrid are favorites, while Ancelotti is giving nothing away
Barcelona and Real Madrid will do battle again at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night, this time in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.
Although Barcelona hold a 1-0 advantage in the tie, Xavi is still insisting that Los Blancos should be considered the favorites to reach the final.
“In a two-legged tie against Real Madrid, it’s always very difficult,” Xavi stated in his press conference on Tuesday.
“When was the last time they lost a two-legged tie?
“That’s why I still think they’re favorites despite the 1-0 scoreline.
“They’re currently Spanish and European champions.”
Xavi also discussed his team’s plan and shared some thoughts on how he thinks Real Madrid will approach the game.
“We’re going to go out to try to dominate the game, but we know that won’t be easy,” the Catalan stated.
“We have faced them a lot and we know them quite well.
“There can always be surprises, but what would surprise me is if they change their general approach.
“They know what they do and they do it well. I think we’ll see an aggressive Real Madrid.
“Remember, in the first leg they were the better team. They’re a very good team, but I think my team is well-prepared.”
Ancelotti gives nothing away:
Meanwhile, in Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti also previewed the match and spoke about the dynamic of this Clasico, with Real Madrid entering it one goal down.
“They have a goal advantage, but we can’t go crazy in search of the goal,” Ancelotti stated.
“You could score in the fifth minute, but then concede two. Or you could score in the 90th minute.
“Our approach will be to have a complete performance, not to score goals. If you have a complete performance, the goals will come.
“Barcelona have won the past three Clasicos. It’s our turn.
“I still think we played well in the last two Clasicos matches, despite the result.”
The Italian was also asked about his approach and whether he’ll change his line-up. While he ruled out a complete overhaul, the kind Xavi also dismissed, Ancelotti didn’t give much more away.
“We won’t change the system, no,” he stated.
“You can surprise the opponent by changing an entire system, but you can surprise yourself too and that might be more dangerous.
“It’s more about tweaking small details.
“We may make changes to the line-up, or we might not.
“Having energy will be important, but so will the experience of the veterans.”
Credit: marca.com
