In a FA Cup showdown, Liverpool is up against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Both sides are immensely struggling this season, with Wolves clearly in the relegation zone while Liverpool is oddly in sixth place in the Premier League. 

For a side used to competing for the EPL title, Liverpool is experiencing their worst form since Jurgen Klopp’s first season in charge. The Reds hope to make a successful run in the Emirates FA Cup to assure them of silverware this season. Meanwhile, the Wolves are just trying to hang in this season, and a good cup run might help them attract quality players in case they turn their season around. 

Liverpool’s Latest News

Liverpool enjoyed an excellent start to the return of the Premier League, but their last outing was simply nothing to be proud of. In an abysmal performance by the Merseyside Red against Brentford, Liverpool lost three goals to one. What is simply an insult to injury in this game is that Liverpool was without their best player Ivan Toney. 

Van Dijk’s Injury

Besides their fiery attack, the current squad is infamous for their defensive prowess. The man behind the squad’s strong defense is no other than Virgil Van Dijk. The Dutch International has been impressive for Liverpool since he signed from Southampton in 2018. Almost flawless, the defender has played a key part in Jurgen Klopp’s success in Liverpool so far.

In the game against Brentford, the Dutch defender was substituted at halftime for what seemed to be an injury scare. After the game, manager Jurgen Klopp acknowledged that he didn’t think the situation was “serious” and that Van Dijk wanted to stay. But it appears the Reds will be without their star center-back for much longer. His hamstring is reportedly in worse shape than what initial evaluations on Monday suggested. 

Последние трансферные слухи

• Jurgen Klopp is known for his immense recognition of talent, and he has done that yet away with the signing of one of Europe’s most wanted young talents, Cody Gakpo. Liverpool secured the transfer of the Dutch International from PSV Eindhoven to make him their first signing of the January transfer window. Because they spent a fortune on Darwin Nunez in the summer, Liverpool initially had no intention of adding a forward in January. However, the club accelerated their interest and signed the 23-year-old to what appears to be a long-term contract as a result of injuries to Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz as well as competitive interest. 
• Teun Koopmeiners, a midfielder for Atalanta, has apparently caught Liverpool’s eye recently. The 24-year-old Netherlands international, who led his country at the age of 21, played in the World Cup and is a stalwart at the club level after moving from AZ Alkmaar 18 months ago. Koopmeiners, a left-footed player who can play in many areas, may be the ideal long-term alternative for Fabinho, given Liverpool’s need for a midfield upgrade. 

Wolverhampton’s Latest News

The Wolves are still looking for some sort of form this season. They have consistency issues, and in their last three games, there has been a loss, a win, and a draw. In their previous outing, they faced a struggling Aston Villa side and could rescue only one point. Wolves took the early lead via Podence, but Aston Villa fired back in the second half to bring the game to level terms.

Wolves’ Change In Head Coach 

Days before the World Cup, Wolves had a managerial change as Bruno Lage was replaced by former Real Madrid’s head coach Julen Lopetegui. Lopetegui has previously managed Sevilla, Real Madrid, and Spain, and one of his impressive feats was winning the Europa League with Sevilla in the 2019-20 season. He has had good results since taking the helm, but the Wolves still languish at the bottom of the Premier League table. 

Последние трансферные слухи

• The Wolves striker issue might finally be put to rest with the signing of Brazilian striker Matheus Cunha. Cunha, 23, will join the club on January 1 on a temporary loan from Athletico Madrid before committing to a four-year contract at the end of the current campaign for a potential sum of up to 40 million euros (£35 million). He is the first acquisition made by the newly appointed Julen Lopetegui at Wolves, who took over last month. The Atletico Madrid attacker played 370 minutes this season but only saw action in two starts in La Liga.
• Atalanta goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, who was most recently on loan at Tottenham before Antonio Conte decided against signing the Italian international to a permanent contract, is attracting interest from Wolves. With Jose Sa expected to return to Bergamo this month following yet another unsuccessful loan stint this season, this time at ACF Fiorentina, Julen Lopetegui is ready to add some competition in goalkeeping. Gollini is being considered a possibility.

Детали матча

• Date: Saturday, January 7, 2023
• Время: 15:00 по восточному времени
• Venue: Anfield, Liverpool, England

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Прогноз на Матч и Советы

Liverpool is the obvious favorite in this game. Losing their last outing has little or no effect on the outcome of this game, as Jurgen Klopp rarely crashes out of a tournament in the early stages. Wolves might look potent, especially after adding a new striker to the squad, but Liverpool is the better team and is tipped to win this game. The odds for Liverpool to win will bring a meager return for our bettors; that’s why we’ve made a better in-depth analysis of this game.

• The best pick for this game is for both teams to score. Wolves will not go down without a fight, and Liverpool’s recent form on defense is not the best, also considering they will be without Virgil Van Dijk makes them more vulnerable. The odds for both teams to score stand at 2.00 (decimal) and +100 (American).

Follow Half A Goal for more Emirates FA Cup Games’ Preview And Predictions.

The Premier League has returned fully after the World Cup break, and it has been nothing short of exciting. This, however, is a matchup outside the league as the Red Devils face the Merseyside Blues for a chance to move on to the next round in the FA Cup. Since the league return, Manchester United has been on an impressive run of form; meanwhile, the Frank Lampard-led Everton side has simply crumbled. These two teams will battle things out in the Emirates FA Cup’s round of 32, and the winner will simply advance to the round of 16. 

Manchester United’s Latest News

Manchester United continued where they stopped upon the resumption of domestic activity. Despite being without some of their best players, they have done well to win their last five games. Erik Ten Hag has implemented his ideas. Their previous outing saw United claim a 3-0 win over Bournemouth. 

The Cristiano Ronaldo Saga

Cristiano Ronaldo’s second stint at Old Trafford did not go as expected. Manchester United finished below the top four in his first season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the head coach then, was sacked and replaced by former Ajax coach Erik Ten Hag. Upon the appointment of Erik Ten Hag, Ronaldo saw less playing time and was reduced to a bench player.

After throwing tantrums in response to how he was treated and granting an interview that irked Manchester United’s ownership, Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract was terminated prematurely, leaving a space for another Striker in the United’s squad. Regardless, Manchester United, since the league returned, has not lacked in the goal-scoring department. 

Последние трансферные слухи

• Olivier Giroud of AC Milan is on Manchester United’s forward wish list for January. United is looking for a striker who can lead the line since Ronaldo’s departure. Giroud’s contract status at the San Siro is a prime opportunity for United to entice him to Old Trafford. However, Giroud appears to be more than willing to remain at AC Milan, though, should the Rossoneri extend new terms to him. For the Serie A champions this season, Giroud has scored nine goals, including four in the Champions League, a competition he will likely be hesitant to leave behind in the last years of his career. 
• According to reports, the Red Devils are putting together a sizable offer for Kolo Muani, a forward for Eintracht Frankfurt. The French Nationale Kolo Muani is now a player that elite teams should consider, particularly in light of his outstanding World Cup cameo for France in the latter stages of the competition. The Frenchman is seen as a viable option up front for United, especially due to his versatility. 

Everton’s Latest News

Everton is simply struggling, and it’s a surprise they are not yet in the relegation zone. The Merseyside Blues are finding it difficult to win a game as they have only claimed one point in their last five games showing how poor they have been. Frank Lampard’s job security might just be in question here, as it could go any way, given that the team is struggling immensely. Everton’s last outing was against Brighton and Hove Albion, and they lost by four goals to one. 

Frank Lampard Facing The Axe 

Due to the crushing loss to Brighton, Everton has now won only one of their past 10 Premier League games. The Toffees now face the possibility of falling into the relegation zone by the end of play on Wednesday.

Since before the World Cup break, Lampard has been under pressure, but it now appears that the former Derby and Chelsea manager is about to lose it. We predict that the Goodison Park board will fire Lampard if he doesn’t see a positive result against Manchester United. 

Последние трансферные слухи

• Nicolas Jackson of Villarreal is now the target of several Premier League teams. He is in demand in England. In 14 La Liga appearances, the Senegal striker has two goals and two assists. Frank Lampard urges Everton to submit a trade offer to Villarreal for Jackson.
• Erik ten Hag, the head coach of Manchester United, has reiterated his reluctance to approve Anthony Elanga’s transfer at this point in the transfer window. Elanga is a target for Everton. Since Antony joined Manchester United in the summer and Alejandro Garnacho made his debut, the winger has battled to earn minutes. Ten Hag’s search for a striker and Jadon Sancho’s return to match fitness are both known to be significant factors for a loan transfer to Merseyside. 

Finally, you have a great opportunity to start wagering on the English Premier League. Earn points on all winning bets with a guaranteed share on the LynxBet website!

Детали матча

• Date: Friday, January 6, 2023
• Время: 15:00 по восточному времени
• Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester, England

Прогноз на Матч и Советы

Manchester United is the obvious favorite in this game. They are on a good run of form compared to Everton, who has had an abysmal performance in their last ten games. United is the pick here to win and progress to the next round, but the odds for this pick will barely benefit our bettors; that’s why we have carefully analyzed this game to give you the best pick.

Although Manchester United has been solid at the back in recent games, the odds at stake are bigger for Everton, who desperately need a positive result. Everton’s effort might not earn them a win, but they should do enough to score a goal. 

• The best pick in this game is for both teams to score, which stands at 2.00 odds (decimal) and +100 (American). 
• Also, for player props, Marcus Rashford is having a good run of form and has scored in all of United’s games since the Premier League resumed. Marcus Rashford to score is our player’s prop for this game. The odds are 3.50 (decimal) and +250 (American). 

Follow Half A Goal for more Emirates FA Cup Games’ Preview And Predictions.

Ligue 1 has all the bragging rights this season. For a league dismissed mainly by a majority for the lack of good competition for the top teams, players from there have proven otherwise after recently dropping a masterclass performance on the biggest of stages, the World Cup.

Eventual World Cup winner Lionel Messi and runner-up Kylian Mbappe both play for the top Ligue 1 team, Paris Saint Germain, and they were undoubtedly the best players in the tournament. However, the French league returns after a six-week break due to the first-ever winter World Cup in 2022. As the league prepares to return to action on the 28th of December, here are the latest news, previews, and predictions for upcoming matches.

Follow Half A Goal for more Ligue 1 news, match previews, and predictions.

What are the Latest News In Ligue 1?

Here we will look at the recent happenings in the league and players that have significant achievements during the break in the infamous World Cup. 

PSG Forward Wins The World Cup

Lionel Andres Messi was a man on a mission in the 2022 World Cup. The Argentine laid it all on the pitch in what he said to be the last World Cup he would participate in. Messi finally took home the prize he had been seeking, and he is now fully qualified to lay claim to the title of G.O.A.T. He has won every football championship, so it is fair to declare him the greatest player ever.

The awkward aspect is that Lionel Messi had to play against Kylian Mbappe, a PSG player, to complete the task. As the Argentine raised the trophy, Mbappe sobbed in grief. While Mbappe scored the most goals, Messi was the tournament’s top player. As PSG strives to win the Champions League this season, this won’t impact their relationship at the club level.

Angers Sacks Manager Gerald Baticle

In nearly exactly one month since he was placed on administrative leave and Abdel Bouhazama took over as manager in the interim, Angers has fired Gérald Baticle. Le SCO had a solid start to the previous campaign, which included a convincing 3-0 victory against Lyon.

Still, their play has deteriorated recently, with the team languishing at the bottom of Ligue 1. The lengthy Lyon assistant’s contract was set to expire after the 2024–2025 campaign. The team had suffered seven straight losses going into the international break, with their only win in the entire season coming against Nice in the middle of September.

Sofiane Boufal And Azzedine Ounahi To Leave Angers? 

It’s not shocking to see Angers yet in the spotlight again. The Moroccan pair of Sofiane Boufal and Azzedine Ounahi was one of the strong performers for Morocco in the just concluded World Cup. Their days at the bottom-placed team in Ligue 1 are supposedly over; thus, they have unavoidably drawn interest from all across Europe.

Both Atlas Lions want to go, according to L’Équipe. The former Southampton player had previously had bids from the Middle East to quit his formative club, where he would return in 2020. Boufal has since deleted any references to Le SCO from his social media. His teammate could move on this summer, but Lille’s offer was rejected. Leicester has already expressed interest, but the club would like to sell Ounahi and keep him on loan through the end of the current campaign. 

Neymar And Kylian Mbappe Will Play For PSG Against Strasbourg

For Paris Saint-Ligue Germain’s 1 season opener against Strasbourg on Wednesday night, both Neymar and Kylian Mbappé are anticipated to play. While the tournament-winning captain Lionel Messi’s return date is yet unknown, the Frenchman and the Brazilian quickly returned from their World Cup campaigns. A final decision will be made following Tuesday’s practice regarding whether the forwards will start or play off the bench against the Alsatians. Last Wednesday, Mbappé skipped any permitted vacation time and went back to the practice field three days after the World Cup final, while Neymar returned the following day.

Two Key Departures From Nantes Ahead Of Restart

Antoine Kombouaré, the manager of Nantes, announced that Fábio and Dennis Appiah would depart the organization during the forthcoming transfer window before the team’s trip to Troyes this week. Since neither full-back was present for the team’s most recent practice, he acknowledged that he had let them out by opening the door. Both, according to Kombouaré, planned to relocate this winter. Fábio is expected to move to Grêmio upon his return to Brazil. Appiah, however, is anticipated to sign with Saint-Étienne, a team currently fighting for survival in Ligue 2 following their relegation last year and accompanying points deduction.

And lots of upcoming football events are already waiting for you, so you can start wagering on the English Premier League. Earn points on all winning bets with a guaranteed share on the LynxBet website!

Matchday 16 Preview And Predictions

With all the exciting actions set to be back in Ligue 1, here we will make a preview and prediction for the opening game of the matchday.

Ajaccio Vs Angers

To open Ligue 1 matchday 16, two struggling teams, Ajaccio and Angers, go toe to toe. 

Match Preview

Ajaccio needs help as a team and must learn how to make the best of a bad situation. The fact that they are injury-free will be very welcome news for head coach Olivier Panataloni. Only two teams in the league, including Ajaccio, have scored fewer goals than in the games they have played. They only scored 14 goals in 15 games, the same as Auxerre. Despite their struggles to win games and their position in the relegation zone, Ajaccio is defending well.

Meanwhile, Angers’ season has yet to be particularly successful. They only have a few victories and are the only team in league with fewer than ten points, eight. They have the poorest defense in the league and are attempting to organize their attack at the very least to offset how they are routinely giving up goals.

Match Predictions

The two squads are barely distinguishable. If the championships ended today, both would be demoted. Ajaccio will want to maximize the opportunity of playing in front of their supporters for the first game back, while Angers are on a seven-game losing streak. Ajaccio is the favorite to win.

Ligue 1 returns for matchday 16 and will see few actions as teams aim to reconvene and get back their chemistry after the World Cup break. Some teams will be missing players due to injuries sustained during the tournament or lack of physical fitness due to the break. However, the opening game between Angers and Ajaccio promises a lot of action as they both have something to prove in this game.