Messi enjoying ´last battles´ as Argentina reach Copa America final

Lawrence Shankland scored his 50th goal for Hearts as the rampant Edinburgh side tightened their grip on third spot in the cinch Premiership with a 1-0 win away to St Johnstone.

The Jambos captain struck for the 22nd time this season early in the second half to settle a tightly-contested affair at McDiarmid Park and secure a sixth consecutive victory in all competitions.

Hearts have now won 12 of their last 15 league matches since the start of November and remain 12 points clear of nearest challengers Kilmarnock.

Saints boss Craig Levein – a two-time former Jambos manager – made one alteration to the side that won 1-0 at Ross County on Saturday as Oludare Olufunwa replaced David Keltjens.

There were three changes to the Hearts team that started the 3-…

Kevin De Bruyne served up a reminder of his match-winning brilliance as Manchester City usurped Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, so Nottingham Forest will be on high alert.

City go to Forest on Saturday, looking to stay at the summit, and their Belgian playmaker is set to be a key figure once more, and potentially a big points winner when it comes to fantasy leagues.

In an unlikely top-seven battle, Brighton and Hove Albion will look to in-form left-back Pervis Estupinan to contribute at both ends of the pitch against Fulham, while Wolves and Brentford will be hoping for big contributions from Ruben Neves and Ivan Toney as they tackle Bournemouth and Crystal Palace respectively.

Stats Perform, using Opta data, has chosen these four players for your selec…

As the likes of PSG look to get their Champions League knockout stage adventure underway on Wednesday night, we have a host of eye-catching affairs from across the continent.

With fixtures from the likes of Serie A and the Scottish Premiership, we have found a couple of Wednesday betting markets that are worth taking note of.

19:45 Rangers vs Ross County

While Rangers might still find themselves tipped as an outside contender in this season’s Premiership title chase, the Scottish giants are certainly enjoying life under Philippe Clement. Riding what has been an extended wave of momentum and continuing to receive a string of plaudits, Wednesday’s hosts could potentially climb to the top of the table in midweek.

Extending on their Scottish Cup advent…

Ilkay Gundogan s future remains open despite reports suggesting the Manchester City midfielder is keen to join Barcelona upon the expiration of his contract, according to his agent.

City captain Gundogan is entering the final three months of a four-year deal he signed back in 2019, and the Germany international is yet to agree to fresh terms.

Gundogan has appeared in 24 of City s 27 Premier League games this campaign, yet reports have claimed he has his heart set on a move to Camp Nou at the end of the season.

Despite suggestions Barcelona are willing to offer Gundogan a two-year deal, the player s agent and uncle Ilhan Gundogan says nothing has been decided.

There s definitely no agreement yet with any club, he told The Guardian. The focus of Ilkay in r…

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker:

Looking to make it back-to-back Premier League victories on Saturday evening, Manchester United will travel to Selhurst Park when they meet Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace

Starting with the hosts, while Crystal Palace might have extended on their EFL Cup adventure earlier in the week thanks to a 2-1 victory away at Championship outfit QPR, the Eagles have struggled to find any kind of stability since opening up the new campaign. Despite mounting a last-gasp comeback at home against Premier League returners Crystal Palace last weekend as they snatched a 2-2 stalemate in south London, Oliver Glasner’s men have failed to win any of their first four top-flight appearances. Opening the 2024/25 campaign with a 2-1 loss away at Brentford on …

Verdict: PSG win

Best odds:

Bookmaker: 

Le Classique, episode 107, will take place at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday night in front of 67, 000 passionate fans. A highly anticipated showdown between Kylian Mbappe and OM s defence will be the icing on the cake, under a predicted volcanic atmosphere in the stands.

Marseille

Stability is not the right word to describe the hosts current season. The team from the South of France has had a rollercoaster ride where instability at every level prevailed. From changing two coaches during the season to a unilateral contract ending of players, OM is the victim of disastrous leadership this season.

Despite these setbacks, Marseille managed to find stability under coach Jean-Louis Gasset. The experienced Fre…

Manchester United executive co-chairman Joel Glazer insisted the level of debt at Old Trafford has not impacted the Premier League giants in the transfer market.

The Glazer family have been scrutinised since taking over United in 2005, with the Red Devils saddled in huge debt ever since, though the criticism came to a head following the club s decision to sign up for the doomed European Super League in April.

United fans have continued to call for further transfer funding amid the club s trophy drought – dating back to 2017, while they have not won the Premier League since 2013, and investment to renovate Old Trafford.

After finishing second to neighbours Manchester City in 2020-21, United have been linked with Borussia Dortmund pair Jadon Sancho and Erling Haa…

Market: Both teams to score

Odds: 2/3 @

Knowing that three points will be enough to officially extend on their Premiership status, Ross County will welcome Aberdeen to Victoria Park on Sunday afternoon.

Starting with the hosts, while Ross County might have suffered last-gasp heartbreak away at St. Johnstone earlier in the week as they had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate, the Staggies are still sat in the driving seat to keep hold of their Premiership status. Opening their season finale holding a two-point buffer from slipping into the relegation play-off spots, interim boss Don Cowie will be desperate for his squad to drag themselves over the finishing line. Although the Dingwall-based outfit might have been last seen at Victoria Park suffering a woeful 5-1 drummi…

Luis Diaz says he is happy at Liverpool as speculation continues to surround his future at the club.

While there have been no official approaches to Liverpool for the Colombian, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are both reportedly interested in his signature in the upcoming transfer window.

It was also reported earlier this month that Liverpool had apparently lowered their asking price for Diaz amidst the interest.

Speaking after Colombia s 5-1 friendly win over the United States, Diaz addressed his future, saying: I am very happy there in Liverpool, it is a great team and club, he told Gol Caracol.

Lucho

— Liverpool FC (@LFC)

I always wanted to play there, so I am very happy and calm.

I m not thinking about anything else, I…

Gareth Southgate acknowledged it is hard work for England so far at Euro 2024, but attempted to focus on the positives despite another underwhelming draw for his side, this time against Slovenia.

The goalless clash in Cologne on Tuesday was enough for the Three Lions to secure top spot in Group C ahead of Denmark, who also drew 0-0 with Serbia.

Southgate s side therefore avoided a last-16 tie against Germany, but struggled once more to find an attacking spark.

The front three of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden managed just two shots on target between them, while also registering just nine touches in Slovenia s penalty box.

England came under heavy criticism following their 1-1 draw with Denmark last week and there were boos from sections of their s…