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Manchester United captain Harry Maguire could salvage his Old Trafford career after an impressive 2022 World Cup, according to transfer expert Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Maguire shines at World Cup

The 29-year-old went into the Qatar-hosted tournament in poor form and under pressure, with some questioning his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

Maguire enjoyed a hugely impressive World Cup, however, starting all five of the Three Lions’ matches and averaging three aerial duel wins per game.

The centre-back’s United career has been in doubt, having lost his place in the starting lineup, but it may be that all hope is not lost for him.

The Latest: Could stay at United

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones claimed that Maguire’s form in Qatar has boosted his chances of remaining in Erik ten Hag’s plans moving forward:

“I think we have to consider Harry Maguire’s form at the World Cup and his situation. He’ll be back on the bench when he returns to club football.

“At some stage soon, he will get a game at Man United, though. And from there, there’s a better chance of him salvaging his Man United career with some sort of form in his back pocket now, so I think there’s still a lot to play out before a transfer actually comes to fruition.”

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The Verdict: Big six months

This feels like the most important period in Maguire’s Premier League career coming up, with the Englishman knowing that he has to take his international form to club level, having been called ‘very valuable’ by Ten Hag.

He has been deservedly dropped after some patchy form, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez forging a strong pairing, and he will do well to win his place back.

Maguire’s current deal doesn’t expire until 2025, but once next summer arrives, a decision may need to be made and that could depend on how he has performed in the post-World Cup months.

Nowadays, many sports fans like to wager on sports matches and teams in order to enhance their experience and make the most out of watching a particular game. While some sports bettors take things more seriously than the others, the fact of the matter is that everyone has some sort of a betting strategy.

Developing such a strategy is of vital importance and it usually involves doing extensive research and finding the right bonus that will help you make the most out of your strategy. A good example is following a guide on how to redeem a Betway promo code, for instance. Such bonuses are usually part of large-scale promotions that can help out bettors in more ways than one.

Betting doesn’t solely revolve around luck but also around facts and statistics that are crucial for creating an ultimate betting strategy. With that in mind, here are a few tips on how to develop a successful sports betting strategy.

What are some key factors to consider when developing a sports betting strategy?

There are a few key factors to consider when developing a sports betting strategy. First, you need to have a clear understanding of the sport you’re betting on. This means knowing the teams, the players, and the statistics inside and out.

Second, you need to be disciplined in your approach. This means setting a budget and sticking to it, as well as being patient and waiting for the right opportunities to place your bets. Third, you need to be able to manage your emotions. This means not letting your emotions get in the way of your decisions and being able to walk away from a bet if it doesn’t feel right.

Are there any other methods or techniques that can help in the development of a successful sports betting strategy?

There isn’t a magic bullet that will help you win every bet and guess every outcome. The only viable technique that can truly help you out is research and data you’re able to gather. By analyzing statistical data, you’re more likely to predict outcomes than the other way round.

What are some common mistakes made by bettors when trying to develop a winning strategy?

There are a few common mistakes that bettors make when trying to develop a winning strategy. One of the most common is following your gut feeling. Predicting outcomes relies more on analysis than luck, as mentioned before.

Another mistake that bettors often make is not doing enough research. If you’re not familiar with the teams or players involved in a particular game, it’s going to be very difficult to make informed decisions about who to bet on. Yet another mistake that’s often made is betting on too many games. Never go overboard if you’re not absolutely certain about what you’re doing.

The best way to develop a successful sports betting strategy is to start small and then gradually move forward as you become more familiar with the system.

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Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt an injury blow before this afternoon’s Premier League clash with Leeds United…

What’s the latest?

As revealed by manager Antonio Conte during his pre-game press conference on Friday, Spurs will be without left wing-back Ryan Sessegnon after he picked up an issue during their midweek Carabao Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest.

“About Sessegnon, today he didn’t train with us. He has a little problem and is not available for tomorrow’s game,” he said (via football.london) before providing a further update on Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski, who were involved on Wednesday night.

“About Richy and Deki, they had a training session and I have one day to make the best decision [on whether to] to pick them in the starting XI.”

Gutting setback for Conte

There never seems to be a shortage of injuries at Hotspur Way and this latest setback will be a gutting one for Conte as it leaves him light on options heading into the final Premier League match before the World Cup break.

Heung-min Son and Cristian Romero, usually two of the first few names on the team sheet, will be absent and as already mentioned, the attacking duo of Richarlison and Kulusevski are only fresh off the back of their own problems.

Sessegnon’s absence means the Italian is going to have to shift versatile veteran Ivan Perisic back to a wide role, having featured alongside Harry Kane in the attack in recent outings.

Whilst the fitness of the 33-year-old Croatian cannot be understated, it’s unlikely that Conte would have wanted him to start three of their last four outings, in which two have been full 90-minute shifts, as per Transfermarkt.

His hands will be tied now, though, as Spurs’ £25m gem – who was once lauded as a “huge talent” by former Fulham teammate Stefan Johansen – will not be in the matchday squad whatsoever and that’ll mean yet another full shift from Perisic.

It’s also a must-win for the Lilywhites as they head into kick-off on the back of two defeats in a row, having also been defeated by last season’s runners-up Liverpool in the top-flight just a week ago.

AND in other news, Conte reveals team news hint ahead of Leeds…

With Leeds United’s scheduled Premier League meeting against Nottingham Forest last Monday being postponed, a number of Jesse Marsch’s first-team players were made available for selection for the Whites’ under-21’s Premier League 2 fixture against Southampton on Friday.The likes of Patrick Bamford, Luke Ayling and Junior Firpo were all included in Michael Skubala’s starting XI, while youngsters such as Darko Gyabi, Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Sonny Perkins were also handed the chance to impress a crowd of nearly 11,000 at Elland Road.Impress they did, with 20-year-old winger Summerville scoring one goal and registering three assists, Gray providing one assist and Perkins getting himself on the scoresheet with an exceptionally-placed shot to give the Whites a six-goal lead on the night, the match ultimately ending 6-2 in Leeds’ favour.

This is not the first time that the former West Ham United forward has impressed following his summer arrival. Indeed, the £1.08m-rated striker has found the net in every match he has played for the under-21s so far this season, scoring six goals in just five appearances for the youth side – returns which saw the 18-year-old named as the Premier League 2 Player of the Month for August.

This immediate impact has not gone unnoticed, with Skubala dubbing the forward “dangerous” following his goal against Southampton. Meanwhile, Marsch has also suggested that he is hugely excited to begin working with the teenager in his first-team squad.

The American said of Perkins in July (via Leeds Live): “He’s got quality. He’s an explosive striker. I think he has flexibility in the positions he can play. He’s an intelligent player. We’re really excited to add him to our club.

“He’s been at Thorp Arch training with our 21s and we’ve had really good feedback so far. I’m looking forward to getting back and getting to know him more and getting to work with him more on a daily basis.”

Indeed, it would appear a wise move for Marsch to begin including Perkins in his first-team squad sooner rather than later, as the 18-year-old very much seems to have the potential to become Leeds’ next diamond.

Newcastle United are reportedly eyeing a move for Barcelona forward Memphis Depay, with the Dutchman still facing an uncertain future at Camp Nou.

What’s the word?

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, the Magpies and Manchester United have both shown ‘concrete interest’ in signing the 28-year-old, amid the recent collapse of his move to Juventus.

The report suggests that such interest had led the Netherlands international to stick to his €9m (£7.6m) per year wage demands during negotiations with the Serie A giants, with the Old Lady unwilling to finance the deal having failed to offload Adrien Rabiot to the Red Devils.

Further reports from Spain have indicated that the 80-cap sensation has offers on the table from ‘several Premier League clubs’, and it wouldn’t appear too much of a stretch to suggest that Eddie Howe’s side could be among the potential suitors.

Imagine him and Isak

Depay has become one of the most notable victims of the financial turmoil which has engulfed the Catalan giants, with the La Liga club seemingly desperate to move him on in order to free up space on their already sizeable wage bill.

Despite only joining on a free transfer from Lyon last summer, the former PSV Eindhoven gem appears surplus to requirements following the arrival of Bayern Munich marksman Robert Lewandowski, with Xavi already having a wealth of attacking talent at his disposal.

That the £31.5m-rated man is the one who could give way is something of a shock, though, with the versatile forward having impressed in his time at the club thus far, despite struggling with injuries last term.

The £169k-per-week talent recorded a respectable haul of 12 goals in just 28 league games during the 2021/22 campaign – only 20 of which came from the start – while he netted in the recent friendly against Manchester City.

The “terrific” gem – as dubbed by Patrick Vieira – has proven to be a potent threat in the final third throughout his career, scoring 76 goals and providing 56 assists in 178 matches during his time in France.

While his underwhelming previous stint at Old Trafford is a rare black mark on an otherwise impressive CV, the playmaker had recorded 79 goal contributions in just 124 games during his spell in Netherlands prior to joining the Red Devils.

His prospective arrival at St James’ Park could bolster a forward line which has already been strengthened by the signing of Swedish sensation Alexander Isak, with the 22-year-old joining on a £59m deal from Real Sociedad earlier this week.

Having previously walked away from a deal for the 6 foot 4 menace, Howe and co had a late change of heart and opted to splash the cash on the impressive youngster, with fresh injury concerns regarding Callum Wilson no doubt a factor in that decision.

The former Borussia Dortmund man scored 44 goals in 132 appearances during his time in Spain, notably netting 17 top-flight goals in 34 appearances during the 2020/21 campaign.

Having his imposing presence in attack flanked by Depay is a hugely mouthwatering prospect, and it’s easy to image the torment that the pair could inflict on Premier League defences, such is their obvious attacking threat.

Leeds United have been dealt a setback in their bid to bring Cody Gakpo to Elland Road this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by French media outlet Foot Mercato, who claim that despite Victor Orta being heavily linked with a move for the PSV Eindhoven winger in recent weeks, it is Nottingham Forest who now appear to be leading the race for the 23-year-old’s signature, with Steve Cooper’s side believed to have submitted a bid for the Netherlands international.

The report goes on to reaffirm Leeds, Arsenal and Manchester United’s interest in a move for the forward this summer, with an earlier report by the same publication suggesting that PSV would only be willing to listen to offers above €30m (£25m) for the Dutchman.

Orta must move

Considering just how exciting a prospect Gakpo undoubtedly is, in addition to it being recently reported that Orta is targeting the signing of a further winger prior to September’s transfer deadline, Nottingham Forest’s move for the PSV starlet simply must lead the Whites’ director of football into launching his own bid for the 23-year-old.

Indeed, over his 27 Eredivisie appearances last season, the £27m-rated attacker was in breathtaking form, scoring 12 goals, providing 13 assists and creating 11 big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 3.0 shots, making 2.6 key passes and completing 2.9 dribbles per game.

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These metrics saw the £7.4k-per-week talent average a simply sensational SofaScore match rating of 7.51, not only ranking him as his club’s best performer in the league but also as the fourth-best player in the division as a whole.

In comparison, over Raphinha’s 35 Premier League fixtures for Leeds in 2021/22, the Brazilian winger scored 11 goals, registered three assists and created seven big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.5 shots, making 1.9 key passes and completing 1.8 dribbles per fixture.

These returns saw the 25-year-old average a SofaScore match rating of 6.97, ranking him as Jesse Marsch’s third-best performer in the top flight of English football last time out.

As such, while there is no question that the Premier League is a much more challenging division than the Eredivisie, considering the clear similarities between Gakpo and Raphinha’s respective returns in their domestic leagues last season, it is clear to see just how well the seven-cap international would help to replace the loss of Raphinha’s talent in the final third.

So, with Forest now looking to be in talks with PSV over a deal for the 23-year-old, Orta simply must launch his own move for the winger in the next few days, or else the Spaniard risks missing out on the signing of a player who could well prove to become the Whites’ next Raphinha-esque addition.

Celtic are believed to be pursuing a move for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Edouard Michut, with the youngster seemingly set for a departure from the Parc des Princes this summer.

What’s the word?

According to journalist Nicolo Schira, the Parkhead outfit are said to be “working” on a deal for the 19-year-old, with the asking price potentially set to be around €6m (£5m).

Writing on Twitter about the Old Firm giants’ interest in the teenager, the transfer insider stated: “Celtic are working to try to sign PSG’s young talent Edouard Michut. Paris want €5-6M (£4.3-£5m) and a % on the future sale.”

This follows a report from Fabrizio Romano earlier this week that claimed the Hoops were interested, while also revealing that the player’s current side are open to letting him leave this summer.

Marco Verratti 2.0

The young Frenchman may be an unknown quantity to most – having made just eight senior appearances for the Ligue 1 side thus far – although the belief is that he could well be set for big things in the coming years, having caught the eye in the Parisien outfit’s youth ranks.

Dubbed “highly technical” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the promising playmaker will add further creative flair to Ange Postecoglou’s midfield ranks, with the club in need of additional depth following the departures of Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton.

Although it may take time for Michut to settle to life in Scottish football, supporters can begin to get excited at just what a highly-rated talent they could have on their hands in the long-term, with the £2.7m-rated gem having even drawn comparisons to current PSG teammate, Marco Verratti.

That is some praise indeed considering the talent of the 29-year-old Italy international, with Verratti having previously been described as “one of the best midfielders in the world” by German legend Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The former Pescara man – who joined his current side in 2012 – has been performing at the elite level for a number of years now, having notably played a key role in the European Championship success for his country last summer.

A master in possession and the man to keep things ticking, the diminutive maestro compares favourably to those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, ranking highly in a string of attacking metrics, including in the top 1% for progressive carries and the top 2% for progressive passes and dribbles completed.

Managing to match the serial-winning gem will no doubt pose a real challenge for young Michut, although the belief is that he has the quality to do so, with Verratti himself having previously lavished his teenage colleague with praise, dubbing the France U19 international as “decisive” earlier this year.

It looks as if  Postecoglou could potentially have his own world-class midfielder in his ranks if the starlet is to sign this summer.

AND in other news: Ange could form “special” duo with Celtic bid for £2.1k-p/w target, imagine him & CCV

Everton could allow Jarrad Branthwaite to leave the club this summer, according to a report from The Daily Mail (print edition 05/06, p150), via Lancs Live. 

The lowdown: Top-flight taster

After spending time on loan at Blackburn Rovers during 2020/21, the young defender was kept on Merseyside last season after undergoing ankle surgery.

A frequent presence on the bench under Rafael Benitez, the 19-year-old centre-back played 90 minutes and scored a crucial goal in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea in December.

Following a flurry of injury and suspension issues towards the end of the campaign, the Carlisle-born starlet ended the season firmly in Frank Lampard’s plans.

The latest: Branthwaite exit looming

As per The Daily Mail (via Lancs Live), despite a strong end to 2021/22, Everton want to send Branthwaite out on loan again this summer.

The Toffees are believed to be keen for the England under-20 ace obtain more regular first-team action and could be willing to sanction a temporary exit for him in the near future.

Under contract at Goodison Park until 2025 (Transfermarkt), the youngster – who was hailed for a ‘terrific’ display for the Toffees’ under-23s by assistant manager John Ebbrell in pre-season – remains part of the long-term planning at the club.

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The verdict: Smart move

The Everton defence was far from rock-solid throughout 2021/22, conceding 66 times in just 38 Premier League matches (more than relegated Burnley). However, with the potential signing of James Tarkowski to add to Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate, it could be another watching brief for Branthwaite for the most part if he were to remain at Goodison Park.

Therefore, sending the towering 6 foot 5 colossus out on loan, either to a top-end Championship club or a potential top-flight suitor abroad, would make plenty of sense from a development perspective, whilst also avoiding the prospect of any permanent bids from reported suitors Manchester United.

Having only made 37 senior career outings to date, a season of exposure to top-quality strikers and the rigours of regular first-team football will be a valuable learning curve for Branthwaite which should see the youngster return to Everton as an improved defender, so a loan exit could be highly beneficial.

In other news: Frank McAvennie has reacted to this Everton off-field development

A big update has emerged on Rangers and their plans for Ibrox gem Joe Aribo heading into the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun, Giovanni van Bronckhorst may be willing to part ways with the midfielder for less than £10m in the coming months.

The report claims that he is attracting interest from south of the border as Crystal Palace, Brentford and Aston Villa are all interested in acquiring his services.

Ross Wilson wants to create an auction to drive the price up but The Sun claims that he may settle for a seven-figure sum.

Nightmare for Wilson

The Gers sporting director is heading for a nightmare at Ibrox following this update as selling the midfielder for less than £10m would be a disaster.

Aribo has been superb for the club throughout the campaign and allowing him to leave on a cut-price deal would leave the fans fuming, both in terms of the talent that they would lose from the team and the minimal fee.

When you consider that Nathan Patterson left Glasgow for a reported fee of £16m, £9m or less for the Nigerian international appears to be a huge bargain.

Patterson had only started two Premiership matches and the Toffees may have been signing him for the potential he has to fulfill, at the age of 20. Whereas, Aribo has scope to improve – at the age of 25 – and has been a crucial player for the Gers.

He has played a whopping 55 times in all competitions and chipped in with eight goals and ten assists from midfield for van Bronckhorst, and Steven Gerrard before him.

His former Charlton teammate Ezri Konsa once heaped praise on the Nigerian midfielder, saying: “Having Gerrard as his manager at Rangers, that has made him go up another level.

“Joe’s style is unique. When I was with him at Charlton he did remind me for a while of a left-footed Yaya Toure. But you don’t get a lot of midfielders like Joe, there aren’t many around.

“Like Toure, for a tall guy he’s got such great feet. But that languid style he’s got is actually fairly unique in the game.”

Gerrard also claimed that the gem can “play anywhere” and these comments further illustrate Aribo’s importance to Rangers as he is will be difficult to replace.

He is consistently available for selection, versatile in where he can play, and has shown his quality with his contributions in the final third.

Therefore, it would be a nightmare scenario for Wilson to sanction his sale for anything less than eight figures in the upcoming transfer window.

AND in other news, GvB already heading for huge summer disaster at Rangers, Ross Wilson will be livid…

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has delivered a double transfer claim involving Manchester United ahead of the summer transfer window. 

The lowdown: United interested in Laimer and Nkunku

United have been heavily linked with a move for RB Leipzig midfielder Konrard Laimer, according to a recent report from The Mirror, as the Old Trafford squad prepares to undergo a summer overhaul.

Elsewhere, according to German publication Bild, the Red Devils have also made contact with the Bundesliga outfit regarding highly-rated forward Christopher Nkunku, who is also wanted for a return to Paris Saint-Germain.

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After incoming manager Erik ten Hag sacrificed a post-season tour to the Caribbean with Ajax in order to start work in Manchester, one reputable journalist has suggested that the proosed double raid on Leipzig could be a sensible one.

The latest: O’Rourke talks up double swoop

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke has claimed that a move for 24-year-old pair Nkunku and Laimer could be on the cards for United, particularly given the links between their current club RB Leipzig and Old Trafford consultant Ralf Rangnick.

The journalist outlined the rationale behind the potential double swoop: “I think they would be two good signings. Obviously, they’ve got the links with Rangnick there because of RB Leipzig; he knows all about these players as well. So, they’re players that he knows and trusts.”

The verdict: Smart moves

Despite the continued on-field woes since the arrival of Rangnick as interim manager, the experienced operator is expected to play a part in the new era at Old Trafford in his forthcoming consultancy role.

Although Ten Hag hasn’t stepped foot inside the United dugout as of yet, it appears that the Dutchman’s fingerprints are already across those linked with a move to the club this summer.

The 52-year-old is widely expected to oversee a major sea change on player departures and incomings with the help of newly-appointed Austria coach Rangnick, particularly focusing on clearing out deadwood and signing youngster alternatives.

With 34 goals and 20 assists in 51 appearances across all competitions this term, Nkunku would be a sensational capture for the Dutchman’s new-look squad.

Meanwhile, Laimer – who holds a strong stylistic likeness to Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jude Bellingham (as per FBRef) – would serve as an adequate replacement for the exit-bound Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.

Valued at a combined £81.8m by Transfermarkt, the double swoop would be an expensive one for United, but one which could certainly kick-start a much-needed revival at Old Trafford.

In other news: Man Utd now eyeing move for ‘world class’ Premier League star. Read more here