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Meanwhile, in form Bristol City host Wolves while Chelsea welcome Manchester United in the pick of the ties

It is the oldest cup competition in club football around the world and this coming weekend the fifth round of the FA Cup is set to get underway. On Saturday afternoon (16 February) Derby head to an out of sorts Brighton, while the following day Bristol City will be confident of causing a giant killing against Wolves. On Monday evening, Manchester United head to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea.

Before you go any further, head on over to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite betting site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with the FA Cup entering its final rounds, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available to you.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/fa-cup-round-5-preview-derby-could-cause-upset-at-brighton/

After failing to make an impact against Paris Saint-Germain in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League first-leg round of 16 clash at Old Trafford, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has urged Alexis Sanchez to rediscover his form at the club.

Sanchez replaced the injured Jesse Lingard just before half-time on Tuesday night but the Chilean was underwhelming as PSG defeated Manchester United 2-0 thanks to goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe.

“I can’t do anything about Alexis Sanchez,” Solskjaer was quoted on the Daily Mail.

“When he plays he needs to find himself because we know there’s a quality player there.”

“Today we weren’t at their level. This is a level up from what we’ve played against, the games we’ve had. We had a great run.”

Solskjaer also admitted PSG’s 2-0 victory provided a ‘reality check’ for United, who had not lost since Jose Mourinho’s last match in charge at Liverpool on December 16.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/solskjaer-urges-sanchez/

Completesports.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU appraises the performance of Flying Eagles’ players in their 2019 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final defeat to Mali at the Seyni Kountche Stadium on Wednesday, February 13…

OLAWALE OREMADE 6/10
Conceded for the first time in the competition. Should have done better, but for Mali’s goal scored by Amadou Traore in the 78th minute.
MIKE ZARUMA 5/10
Struggled to get going in the game. Looked suspect defensively and didn’t offer much up front.

JAMES OZORNWAFOR 6/10
Had a decent outing despite missing Nigeria’s first kick in the penalty shoot-out.

IGOR OGBU 5/10
Failed to track his man leading to Mali’s goal. Never really hit the standard set in previous games of the competition.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/flying-eagles-rating-mali/

Nigerian stars Dickson Nwakeame and Chidozie Awaziem have joined the football world in paying tribute to Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala whose body was found in the plane wreckage in the English Channel, reports Completesports.com.

Sala was in a plane flying from Nantes, France to Cardiff on January 21, when it crashed into the sea along with pilot David Ibbotson inside.

On Wednesday, emerged an unidentified body – now known to be Sala – was brought off the ship, Geo Ocean III, on a stretcher and transferred to a private ambulance before being taken to Dorset Police and the local coroner.

“Played against him. He was a beast and good finisher. So gentle but God knows best. I’m sure he’s in a better place,” Nwakaeme wrote on his Instagram Page.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/nwakeame-awaziem-others-in-tribute-to-sala/

Jesse Lingard has backed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to become Manchester United boss on a full-time basis and believes his side will mount a serious title challenge next season after ‘going back to basics’.

United are unbeaten since Solskjaer was given the reins until the end of the season following Jose Mourinho’s sacking, with the Norwegian guiding his side to an impressive nine wins from 10 games.

“Solskjaer and Mike Phelan have brought back the old school Manchester United. They know the league and the club inside out so to pass that on and get us playing how we are has been perfect, Lingard Told Sportsmail.

“Solskjaer is doing very well. Nobody can fault him. He has taken a lot on but he already knew what he was doing when he came in. He got the players backing him straight away.”

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/lingard-backs-solskjaer/

Centre-back, Leon Balogun made his second start in this season’s FA Cup when Brighton & Hove Albion beat West Bromwich Albion 3-1 at the Hawthorns on Wednesday night to set up a Fifth Round clash with Derby County, Conpletesports.com reports.

It was also his second appearance in 2019 as the Seagulls needed extra time to go through at the expense of the Baggies in the fourth round replay.

Balogun almost scored on 34 minutes but his header struck the bar after which Florin Andone and substitute, Glenn Murray who scored twice secured qualification.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian defender has so far played ten matches this term, eight Premier League games alongside two FA Cup outings, scoring once and receiving two cautions.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/baloguns-fa-cup-fifth-round/

Lucas Vazquez believes Real Madrid deserved more from their El Classio draw with Barcelona in the first leg semi final of the Copa del Rey.

Vazquez opened the scoring for Real Madrid in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw away to bitter rivals and La Liga champions Barcelona at Camp Nou.

Madrid took the lead in the sixth minute when Vazquez flicked the ball beyond Marc-Andre ter Stegen, though Malcom equalised in the second half to earn a draw for Barca.

“It’s a bittersweet feeling the team deserved more,” Vazquez told reporters.

“I’m thrilled to have got the goal and helped the team but we lacked that little bit to go on and win it.

“I’ll take away our efforts for 90 minutes because everyone ran hard and worked with real intensity, both up front and at the back, and that’s the secret to this group. We have to keep it up.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/vazquez-real-deserved-more/

Flying Eagles head coach Paul Aigbogun says the team has moved on from Tuesday’s disappointing 0- 0 draw with the Amajita of South Africa in their Group A clash at the 2019 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations and now focused on the next clash against hosts Niger, reports Completesports.com.

Aigbogun’s men were denied an early chance to secure a place in the last four and book a ticket to the FIFA U -20 World Cup in Poland by their spirited South African opponents who shut them out for the entire duration of the game.

The Flying Eagles had 66% of the ball possession and 13 shots on target, but they found the defence as well as goalkeeper and skipper Kubeka unbeatable.

It was a story of wave after wave of Nigerian attacks against South Africa’s resolute defence.

In the dying minutes, a pile-driver by midfielder Jamil Mohammed from the edge of the box was saved by Kubeka.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/aigbogun-nigeria-niger/

James Rodriguez’s father Wilson has fuelled rumours linking the Colombia international with a move to Juventus.

It was reported by Marca this week that Cristiano Ronaldo phoned James in an attempt to convince his former Real Madrid team-mate to join him at the Serie A champions in the off-season.

James is in the second year of a loan spell at Bayern Munich and has only started six Bundesliga matches under Niko Kovac this term, leading to suggestions the club are unlikely to exercise their option to purchase him outright.

The 27-year-old has “many offers” on the table ahead of next season, according to his father, who believes a switch to Italy would be a good choice.

“I see him as very quiet, monosyllabic, not so happy,” he told Sport Bild. “A top player has to play.

“He has many offers. [James and Cristiano] are very good friends. As I see Italian football at the moment, [Juve] would be a good decision.”

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/james-rodriguezs-ronaldo-juventus/

Completesports.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU rates the performance of Flying Eagles players in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with the Amajita of South Africa in their second Group A clash of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations at the Stade General S. K., Niamey.

OLAWALE OREMADE 6/10
The lanky goalkeeper had little or nothing to do for the entire duration of the game as the South Africans rarely made forays at the Flying Eagles’ goall.

MIKE ZARUMA 5/10
Got himself in good positions a couple of times but unfortunately failed to deliver good crosses into the box.

JAMES OZORNWAFOR 6/10
The towering centre-back impressed at the heart of the defence as he kept the South African forwards at bay all through.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/flying-eagles-rating-vs-south-africa/

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that playing against Everton at Goodison Park is always difficult for his side but he adds that they will be going all out in search of another win.

The Premier League champions will face Everton on Wednesday and will be without Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala due to fitness issues.

Manchester City returned to winning ways last Sunday defeating Arsenal 3-1 to move three points within leaders Liverpool who drew 1-1 away at West Ham on Monday

A win for Guardiola’s side will see the champions reclaim top spot in the Premier League on goal difference.

“Goodison Park is always a tough game for us. Depending on the results, the approach is the same,” Guardiola said in his pre-match conference on Tuesday.

“Go there, try and make a good performance and win the game and of course we have the chance because Liverpool don’t play to go top.”

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/guardiola-predicts-tough-clash-everton/

Nigeria forward Kayode Olanrewaju is impressed with Shakhtar Donestk ‘ s performance in Monday’s pre-season friendly 6-1 win against Botev, Completesports.com reports.
Kayode bagged a brace in the encounter and has scored three goals in three pre-season games for the Miners. The former Austria Wien striker is also determined to keep working hard in training to keep himself in good shape for the task ahead.

– I’m very happy that we’ve achieved such an excellent result. We played well and fought to the very end, although the opponents also tried to display their strong qualities ” Kayode, a former Nigeria junior international told Shakhtar Donestk ‘ s official website.
“They are not weak opponents, we’ve just worked harder today, we acted as one team and therefore we won. “Form wise, we’re ready for the Europa League games.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/kayode-olanrewaju-shakhtar/

Meanwhile, league leaders Borussia Dortmund host Hoffenheim, while champions Bayern Munich welcome Schalke

The race to the Bundesliga title is heating up after both of the favourite candidates dropped points in the previous round. This coming Friday night (8 February) Bayer Leverkusen will hope to move closer to the top four with victory away at Mainz, while the following day both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich play at home, against Hoffenheim and Schalke 04 respectively.

Before you go any further, head on over to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite betting site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with the Bundesliga campaign already over halfway through, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/bundesliga-round-21-preview-bayer-leverkusen-look-to-jump-to-fifth/

Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis has heaped plaudits on Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel ahead of the English Championship club’s Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round replay against Newport County on Tuesday, reports Completesports.com.

Mikel has made two appearances for Middlesbrough since linking up with the club on a short term contract during the January transfer window, one in the FA Cup and another in the Championship.

The former Chelsea midfielder was particularly outstanding in last Saturday’s 3-2 win against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns, and Pulis can’t hide his admiration for the Nigeria captain.

Pulis has nothing but praise for Mikel who won three FA Cup titles during an illustrious career at Chelsea.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/pulis-mikel-boro-newport/

South Africa U-20 head coach, Thabo Senong, says his team will be up for the fight against the Flying Eagles of Nigeria in Tuesday’s Group A clash at the U-20 AFCON in Niger, Completesports.com reports.

The Amajita held the hosts Niger to a 1-1 draw in the competition’s opening game on Saturday.

Midfielder Siphesihle Mkhize headed home an equalizer in the 71st minute to cancel out Abdoul Amoustapha’s 64th minute goal.

Senong charges will look to record their first win of the competition when they face the Flying Eagles at Seyni Kouche Stadium on Tuesday. The Paul Aigbogun’s team defeated Burundi 2-0 in the group’s other matchday-one fixture.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/u-20-afcon-south-africa-senong/

Chelsea striker Gonzalo Higuain is delighted to be reunited with Maurizio Sarri after their Napoli days, describing the coach as one ‘who gets the best out of me’.

Higuain feels relaxed in the Premier League, and he scored his first goal for Chelsea in their 5-0 thrashing of Huddersfield Town on Saturday, and the former Napoli, Juventus and Milan striker admits he is loving life in England.

“I can see there is a change from the Italian League because here the defenders go into you harder, especially when you receive the ball to feet,” Higuain told the Evening Standard.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/higuain-relishes-sarri-reunion/

Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero has admitted that the ball came off his arm to score his third goal as Arsenal lost 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Argentine was the man of the match for the hosts as they ripped the Gunners apart and opened the scoring within the first minute and added a second before the half-time break.

He completed his hat-trick in the 61st minute with the help of his hand.

Speaking in a post-match interview with Sky Sports, Aguero smirked when asked about the goal and whether his hand got a touch on the ball.

“I am very happy,” Aguero said on his three goals against Arsenal in a post-match interview with Sky Sports.

“It is more important to win. I honestly think it was in the chest but now I see in the TV it was a handball.”

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/aguero-city-arsenal/

Arsenal legend Tony Adams has faulted Unai Emery’s decision to start Nigeria forward Alex Iwobi in Sunday’s clash against Manchester City, reports Completesports.com.

Emery deployed a 3-4-3 formation against reigning champions, Manchester City with Iwobi playing on the right side of a three-man attack which had Pierre Emerick Aubamenyang and Alexandre Lacazette.

“I would have played Aaron Ramsey in midfield because he would have offered some solidity to the team in midfield not Iwobi,” Adams said prior to the game.

“Against Manchester United, Arsenal were too open and were duly punished in a swift counter-attack in which Iwobi came on and I don’t think he will be good in this formation particularly against City.”

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/adams-faults-iwobi-starting/

Lobi Stars forward David Tyavkase insists the club will go all out for a win in Saturday’s CAF Champions League match day three encounter against Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, reports Completesports.com.

The Makurdi club started their group stage campaign with a hard fought 2-1 home win against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa but went down to a 1-0 away loss to Ivory Coast’s Asec Mimosas on match day two.

A win against the tough North Africans will boost their chances of making it to the knockout round.

“During my stint with Enyimba, I never played against Wydad but I played against Raja Club Athletic of Morocco; and generally, we know what most teams from North Africa can do,” the 34-year-old Tyavkase said in an interview with CAFOnline.com.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/david-tyavkase-lobi-stars/
“It is true that Wydad has so far shown good form in this competition but it’s up to us to stop them on Saturday in Enugu.”

Alex Iwobi came on as a substitute for the eight time this season in the Premier League for Arsenal who secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Cardiff at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, reports Completesports.com.

It was the first game the Bluebirds played since the disappearance of striker Emiliano Sala.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 66th-minute spot kick after Bruno Ecuele Manga clumsily brought down Sead Kolasinac gave the Gunners the lead.
With seven minutes left to play, Alexandre Lacazette doubled Arsenal’s lead with a fine low strike into the bottom corner, although substitute Nathaniel Mendez-Laing pulled one back for Cardiff in added time when he curled a shot past Bernd Leno.

The Nigerian forward, Iwobi came on for Mohamed Elneny at half time in his 21st appearance of the season.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/iwobi-plays-sub-role-balogun-missing/

Flying Eagles coach, Paul Aigbogun has stated that players who did not make the team’s U-20 AFCON final cut remain an integral part of the squad.

“Yes, they are still very much part of us. We’ve been together for long, worked hard enough and understand each other well.
“It’s just that we cannot take everybody along to the finals in Niger,” Aigbogun, a former Enyimba, Warri Wolves and Gabros International FC gaffer said.

Aigbogun said the team will fly out to Niamey with the objective of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup finals, as well as winning the U-20 AFCON trophy for the eighth time.

The Flying Eagles are billed to arrive in Niamey, the venue of their 2019 U-20 AFCON group matches, Thursday morning, January 31.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/u-20-afcon-aigbogun/

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has revealed that he often gets criticised by his son, Thiago despite his massive achievements in football.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is widely regarded as one of the finest footballers to have ever played the sport.
But the Barcelona captain, La Liga’s record goalscorer, confirmed in an interview that Thiago is not always impressed.

“[He] understands football more because he’s the biggest [of Messi’s children] and he talks about everything to do with football,” Messi told World Soccer.

“I have already had some criticism from him! Barcelona, La Liga, the Champions League… he follows it all. He likes it, he asks questions and he gives me pointers when things don’t go so well.”

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/messi-thiago-football/

Victor Moses is thrilled to have made a winning debut with Fenerbahce in Monday’s 3-2 win over Yeni Malatyaspor in a Turkish Super Lig clash at the Ulker Stadium, reports Completesports.com.

The 28-year-old Chelsea loanee came on for Yassine Benzia in the 66th minute to help his side record their first win in their last five games.

“Very important win,” Moses said in his post-match interview.
“We are very happy. From the first moment of the match, you saw how willing and determined we were. I am very happy to be a player at this club.

“It was a great feeling coming on. The atmosphere was great and incredible. I can’t believe it. I have heard a lot about Fenerbahce fans, but it was really amazing to see them with my own eyes.”

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/moses-debut-fenerbahce-fans/

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not expecting any Manchester United player to leave the club before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

Matteo Darmian,Antonio Valencia and Andreas Pereira are among those linked with a move but Manchester United caretaker manager Solskjaer does not expect any departures.

“At the moment I can see everyone staying at the club because no deals have been done with anyone, I think,” Solskjaer said in his pre-match conference.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not expecting any Manchester United player to leave the club before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

“But then again there are still a few more days, but I’m not too involved in the negotiations.”

“So whatever happens, happens, but it’ll be good to get the window closed so we can just focus on matters, the squad and improving the ones who stay here.”

He also admitted for the first time that he is planning ahead at the club despite been on a short term until the end of the season.

“What Manchester United are going to look like next season, with or without me, it doesn’t matter.”

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/solskjaer-rules-out-player-exit/

Chelsea secured comfortable progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Gonzalo Higuain’s debut.

Maurizio Sarri named the striker, who signed on loan from Juventus in midweek, in his starting XI but the new arrival had minimal impact as the holders saw off their Championship opponents at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The Argentina international passed up the opportunity to make it a goalscoring bow, refusing Willian’s offer of taking the 26th-minute penalty that the Brazilian subsequently tucked away for his 50th Chelsea goal.

In the build-up to the game, Callum Hudson-Odoi had reportedly handed in a transfer request amid interest from Bayern Munich but Sarri’s selection was vindicated as the winger netted a fine second shortly after the hour.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/higuain-willian-hudson-odoi/

Three-time champions Nigeria will know their group opponents of the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations finals on April 12 when CAF stages the draw, reports Completesports.com.

The draw ceremony which will take place in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, will see the 24 qualified teams drawn into six groups of four teams each, with the two top –placed teams in each group, alongside the best four third-placed teams, progressing to the Round of 16.

The Emergency Committee of the Confederation African Football also confirmed after a meeting that the Total Africa Cup of Nations – EGYPT 2019, will be hold from Friday, June 21st to Friday, July 19th, 2019.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/super-eagles-to-know-afcon-2019-foes-april-12/

Middlesbrough’s manager Tony Pulis is delighted to complete the signing of John Obi Mikel on a six months loan deal.

The Nigeria captain opted to join The Teessiders despite attracting interest from German side Wolfsburg and AS Roma in Italy having been a free agent since the end of the Chinese Super League season in November.
“I’m pleased to get him in. He is a man with a lot of experience and quality,” Boro boss Pulis told Middlesbrough’s official website.

“He has a winning mentality and he wants to be here be a part of what we are looking to achieve.”

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/boro-pulis-mikel/

Meanwhile, Real Madrid head to Espanyol and Alaves host struggling Rayo Vallecano

Sevilla are looking to get back on track in La Liga and must take all three points when they host Levante in the 21st round of action this coming Saturday afternoon (26 January). The following day, Real Madrid will hope to continue their recent domestic recovery when they head to Espanyol, while Alaves should take all three points against Rayo Vallecano on Monday evening.

Before you go any further, head on over to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite betting site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with the La Liga campaign now past the halfway point, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available to you.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/la-liga-round-21-preview-sevilla-look-to-climb-table-with-levante/

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he is “not surprised” Arsenal want to sign star defender Eric Bailly, who has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford

Bailly became a mainstay in the middle of former manager Jose Mourinho’s defence following his £30 million move in 2016, but has found himself behind Phil Jones and Victor Lindelof in the pecking order under the new coach.

Arsenal are in the market for a defender following the longterm injury to young defender Rob Holding, and Bailly is familiar to boss Unai Emery, who worked alongside the 24-year-old at Villarreal.

Solskjaer was asked about the Gunners’ reported interest in the press conference before their FA Cup clash on Friday night, saying the speculation was predictable.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/solskjaer-im-not-surprise-arsenal-want-bailly/

Meanwhile, champions Manchester City head to Newcastle and league leaders Liverpool host Leicester

With the FA Cup taking centre stage this coming weekend, the next round of matches in the FA Premier League will not kick off until next Tuesday evening (29 January). On that night, Arsenal will welcome Cardiff City to the Emirates Stadium looking to break into the top four, while defending champions Manchester City visit St. James’ Park to take on Newcastle. The following day, league leaders Liverpool welcome Leicester City to Anfield.

Before you go any further, head on over to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite betting site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with the Premier League campaign now over halfway through, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available to you.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/premier-league-round-24-preview-arsenal-look-to-make-top-four/

Chelsea have announced that striker Higuain has signed on loan from Juventus until the end of the season.

The Argentinian, who will wear the number nine shirt at Stamford Bridge, told the club’s website: ‘When the opportunity to join Chelsea presented itself I had to take it.

‘It’s a team I’ve always liked that has a lot of history, a wonderful stadium and they play in the Premier League, a league I’ve always wanted to play in.

‘I now hope I can give back that trust Chelsea have shown me out on the pitch. I can’t wait to start and I hope to adapt as soon as possible.’

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/higuain-joins-chelsea/

Cristiano Ronaldo has accepted a 23-month prison sentence and an €18.8million fine for tax fraud.

The Juventus star attended a court in Madrid on Tuesday to ratify an agreement already reached with Spanish prosecutors.

The 33-year-old was accused of committing four crimes against the Spanish treasury between 2011 and 2014 while he was playing for Real Madrid.

Ronaldo is alleged to have concealed income earned through image rights by using offshore companies.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/ronaldo-fined-tax-evasion/