Jurgen Klopp’s reliance on home advantage could cost Liverpool the Champions League May 30, 2019 If Anfield has become synonymous with magical European nights, then Jurgen Klopp is similarly linked to falling at the final hurdle. The stark fact is that, for all the entertaining football Liverpool have produced, they remain trophyless in his almost four-year tenure. The German has lost six successive finals – three at Liverpool, three at [...]
Trevor Steven: Tottenham have more to gain from Champions League win but Liverpool’s need is greater May 30, 2019 I couldn’t be any more excited about the prospect of a Champions League final between two English teams who possess all of the ingredients for wonderful, dynamic, modern football. Liverpool have stepped up another level again this season, as their astronomical Premier League points tally of 97 shows, steamrolling almost everyone in their path. They [...]
Champions League final prize money 2018-19: What Liverpool and Tottenham can earn and how winnings have trebled in a decade May 30, 2019 When Barcelona conquered Europe for the first time in Pep Guardiola’s reign, beating Manchester United 2-0 in the 2009 Champions League final in Rome, it banked the club prize money of €31m. A decade on and the winners of this year’s competition – either Tottenham or Liverpool, who meet on Saturday night in Madrid – [...]
Tottenham v Liverpool: Why Champions League final could prove the tipping point for delicately balanced Spurs May 30, 2019 After the late thrill of Barcelona, the precision of Borussia Dortmund, the rollercoaster of Manchester City and, finally, the unforgettable comeback of Ajax, winning Saturday's Champions League final would cap a brilliant European campaign and provide the biggest moment in Tottenham’s history. Just as for Liverpool, success in Madrid would be the perfect conclusion to [...]
Ollie Phillips: Why well-drilled Saracens will be too strong for Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership final May 30, 2019 The Premiership final is here and it’s no surprise to see Saracens and Exeter Chiefs facing off at Twickenham on Saturday. They’re simply head and shoulders above the rest at the moment. It will be the third final meeting between the two and one of them has been involved in each of the last five [...]
Chelsea 4-1 Arsenal: Eden Hazard seals Europa League trophy before bidding Blues farewell May 29, 2019 They don’t want him to go, but if this is goodbye it’s a sweet one from Eden Hazard. He took his time, but when the chances came to shape the Europa League final it was Chelsea’s star who shone the brightest to light up a strangely subdued and distant – in more ways than one [...]
Chris Tremlett: Solid India represent the biggest threat to home favourites England at the World Cup May 29, 2019 The World Cup begins tomorrow and as I’ve been writing for the last few months England are my favourites. The hosts have all bases covered, are peaking at the right time and know the conditions the best. However, it will be far from plain sailing for Eoin Morgan’s side, with most of the other nine [...]
Hong Kong Horse Racing Tips: Smart Rocket can show his speed for Moore and Moreira May 28, 2019 FORMER champion jockey Joao Moreira has been living in the shadows of Zac Purton recently. However, it didn’t stop the Brazilian providing another masterclass of jockeyship at Sha Tin last Sunday when booting home four winners, including two by the narrowest of margins. The ‘Magic Man’ is now on a roll with 69 winners, including [...]
Trevor Steven: Strike pair can give Arsenal edge over Chelsea in Baku May 28, 2019 There is very little in the way of form to go on when teams have a 17-day gap from their last fixture to their next, as is the case for Chelsea and Arsenal in Wednesday’s Europa League final. Instead, a match like this is usually decided by fine margins and small advantages. I have a slight [...]
Cricket World Cup in London: How the ICC is hoping to create a buzz around the capital this summer May 28, 2019 The summer is here, the sun is out and London is ready for the Cricket World Cup. With two venues and 10 games to look forward to, the capital is at the epicentre of the tournament and will be abuzz with action between Thursday’s opening match involving England and South Africa at The Oval and [...]