Market: Hungary win
Odds: 4/11 @
Looking to gain some real momentum heading into this summer s European Championships, Hungary will welcome Cyprus to Budapest on Friday night.
Starting with the hosts, last seen when back in March landing themselves a thumping 4-1 win away at Andorra, Hungary have continued to shine heading into the summer. Opening up this year s delayed Championships with a mouthwatering showdown against defending champions Portugal on June 15th, Magyarok should be confident of extending on their recent momentum this weekend. Mustering seven points from their opening three World Cup qualifying contests, including an eye-catching 3-3 draw against Poland, Head Coach Marco Rossi finds his side enjoying an extended nine-match unbeaten run, a run tha…
Sinisa Mihajlovic was given a fond farewell by the good and great of Italian football as his funeral was held in Rome on Monday.
Former team-mates Roberto Mancini, Attilio Lombardo and Dejan Stankovic were among those who carried Mihajlovic s coffin out of the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels and of the Martyrs after the service, to the sound of applause from within the church.
Mihajlovic and Italy head coach Mancini were team-mates at Sampdoria and Lazio, with Mancini later also coaching Mihajlovic at Lazio before taking the then 35-year-old with him to Inter in 2004.
They had a close friendship, winning the Serie A title together with Sven-Goran Eriksson s Lazio in the 1999-2000 season, and doing so again at Inter in 2006, as player and coach.
Mihajlov…
Miguel Almiron holds no grudges towards Jack Grealish and would shake his hand despite the Manchester City man s disparaging jibe.
Grealish suggested team-mate Riyad Mahrez had played like Almiron after being substituted in City s victory over Aston Villa to secure the Premier League title on the final day of last season.
The England international has since acknowledged he regrets the comments in a clip that went viral on social media – referencing Almiron s previously underwhelming performances for Newcastle United.
Almiron s form has since upturned, with the Paraguay international scoring seven goals in eight games for Newcastle before the World Cup break, and he insists he has no issues with Grealish.
I didn t pay a lot of attention, I was on holida…
Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has admitted the prospect of teaming up with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City made him consider leaving the Serie A champions during the close season.
The Italy international was heavily linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium ahead of the 2016-17 campaign, but he eventually decided to stay with Juventus instead.
I did give it some thought. Guardiola s insistence destabilised me a little, Bonucci told reporters.
I did not speak to Pep directly, it was just an exchange of thoughts with my agent. It was tempting, but I decided to follow my heart in the end.
I opted to stay at a great team with big objectives. I want to end the project that we started in 2010 in the best way possible.
We are in talks with the c…
Ever Banega has been presented to the media after undergoing a medical at Sevilla.
The club reached an agreement with La Liga rivals Valencia over the transfer of the Argentina international on Sunday, with the 26-year-old having a medical with the club on Tuesday.
Banega had been at the Mestalla since 2008 but spent last term on loan at Newell s Old Boys in his homeland, featuring 20 times in all competitions and scoring once.
He also spent a season on loan at Atletico Madrid during his time with Valencia, but revealed he was looking forward to joining up with former boss Unai Emery at Sevilla.
I want to work every day to earn a place and repay the trust that this club has given me, he said.
Valencia is already past. I appreciate all that happe…
In what was a heavyweight showdown from St. James’ Park on Wednesday night, Newcastle extended on their EFL Cup win as they claimed a 1-0 victory against Manchester City at St. James’ Park.
With their sights firmly set on mounting another cup charge this time around, Eddie Howe’s side had to put in a resilient first-half performance here as they struggled to create anything in the final third.
However, enjoying what has been a fairytale rise under the ex-Bournemouth boss, the Magpies eventually punched their fourth-round ticket as attacking talisman Alexander Isak tapped home at the back post just eight minutes after returning from the half-time interval.
While the reigning Premier League champions might have made a string of chances on Wednesday night, Pe…
that French giants Marseille are stepping up their efforts to sign Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel.
OM have big ambitions ahead of the January transfer window and the Blues reject appears to be one of their primary targets.
Marseille officials are aware that Mikel would prefer a lucrative move to China, but they are not yet ready to give up just yet.
The experienced midfielder has been after missing the entire pre-season to represent Nigeria at the 2016 Summer Games, and he is well aware that he will probably be forced to leave in the January window.
Mikel will be out of contract at the end of the current campaign, meaning he should be available at a knock-down price.
The Nigerian footballer has enjoyed a great deal of success at Stamford Br…
Oliver Baumann has left Freiburg to sign a four-year contract with Bundesliga rivals Hoffenheim.
The goalkeeper joined Freiburg as a 10-year-old in 2000 and made his first-team debut in the 2009-10, however his 14-year association with the club has come to an end.
Baumann made 131 top-flight appearances for Freiburg after coming through the club s youth system.
However, the 23-year-old will now continue his career with Hoffenheim and is eagerly anticipating a fresh challenge.
After 14 years at SC Freiburg, I m really looking forward to a new environment, he told Hoffenheim s official website.
Hoffenheim has an offensive style in the league. I will try to be a safe backing, so this style of play can be further developed. I am looking forward to this challen…
Thierry Henry should be the man to replace Roberto Martinez as Belgium head coach, according to striker Romelu Lukaku.
Belgium are seeking a new boss after Martinez stood down following a galling group-stage exit from the World Cup, having spent six years and four months in the role.
Former Arsenal, Barcelona and France striker Henry joined him as assistant for two stints, either side of spells in charge of Monaco and Montreal Impact.
If Belgium are seeking a clean break from the Martinez era, then Henry would not be an option, but Red Devils record goalscorer Lukaku believes there should be continuity.
Inter frontman Lukaku also says his country s so-called golden generation deserve another chance to deliver on the big stage, although Eden Hazard has alr…
Antoine Griezmann reiterated his love of playing for Atletico Madrid after scoring his 20th Champions League goal for the club in the 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund.
Diego Simeone s side were hammered 4-0 by Dortmund on matchday three, but returned to form in style at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday.
Saul Niguez got them up and running in the 33rd minute and, after a series of quality saves by Roman Burki, Griezmann was on hand to wrap up the points late on.
And the France forward, who publicly rejected a move to Barcelona in the close-season to sign a new deal with Atleti, spoke of his adoration for the club he has played for since 2014.
It s nights like these that I love and why I am so pleased to play at this club, Griezmann told UEFA.com.
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