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Staying in the Premier League is fundamental for every side taking part in the division, with the financial implications of dropping down to the Championship potentially disastrous for clubs.

The Championship is a hugely competitive league, filled with superb teams but the Premier League is the undisputed holy grail and the battle for survival in 2021/22 is already starting to intensify.

Newly promoted sides often head up the market when it comes to predicting which sides will be relegated each season but in recent times, sides such as Leeds United, Wolves and Aston Villa defied the early season predictions to comfortably avoid the drop.

It has been a tough campaign for the likes of Burnley, Watford, Newcastle United and Norwich City, who have only managed to win 11 games between them this term – with the Clarets standing out with just one Premier League win so far.

Sean Dyche is a manager known for conjuring up the goods when it matters but he hasn’t been able to inspire Burnley to previous heights this term.

The departure of star striker Chris Wood to fellow strugglers Newcastle United in the January Transfer Window is an obvious moot point and the fact that Burnley have played as many as 5 fewer league games this season due to COVID 19 cannot go unnoticed.

However, at the halfway point in the campaign, their points haul of just 12 is concerning and they need to start putting points on the board very quickly.

The Clarets currently have a 4 point gap to Premier League safety above them and at 1.50, the bet365 clearly feel they are a serious relegation contender this season.

Elsewhere, Norwich City have seen results and performances perk up significantly since the arrival of Dean Smith before Christmas, however they are still immersed in relegation trouble.

The Canaries have 16 points from 22 games played, with back to back wins over Everton and Watford in their last two games certainly improving the mood at Carrow Road.

It is a big ask for them to stay up however, with their financial and pulling power incomparable to some of the teams around them and they are the favourites to go down at 1.20.

Watford’s pen champs for changing manager hasn’t notoriously worked out so much in recent seasons but that hasn’t deterred them from employing their third manager this term already.

Their poor early season form saw them decide to sack Xisco Munoz and replace him with former league winner Claudio Ranieri – who also got the boot after Christmas, to be replaced by Roy Hodgson.

It does feel too little, too late for the Hornets however – who are also heavily backed to drop back down into the Championship at 1.33.

Having the financial clout to get out of trouble is often as important as any managerial appointments and Newcastle United’s reported unlimited transfer budget could be a decisive factor.

Eddie Howe’s side have only won 2 games this season but with the likes of Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier coming in, they have been able to strengthen their squad significantly.

At 2.50, it would be somewhat of a shock to see Newcastle drop back into the Championship but with plenty of football to be played, anything can happen in the Premier League.

Image from: unsplash.com

Hampshire held their nerve to secure a gripping six-wicket victory and book their spot in the Friends Provident t20 final on their home ground.

The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan at The Rose Bowl14-Aug-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAbdul Razzaq gave early impetus to Hampshire’s chase•Getty ImagesHampshire held their nerve to secure a gripping six-wicket victory and book their spot in the Friends Provident t20 final on their home ground. Michael Carberry, sprinting between the wickets, and Neil McKenzie closed out the run chase with four balls to spare after the innings had stuttered following an opening stand of 67 between Abdul Razzaq and Jimmy Adams.After Essex stumbled with the bat against Danny Briggs, the impressive 18-year-old left-arm spinner, they gave themselves a chance with a determined effort in the middle of the innings and fancied their chances when Hampshire needed 42 from four overs. However, Dwayne Bravo had a day to forget after being flown in purely for finals day.After an opening spell that cost 21 runs he returned to use his death-bowling expertise but was dispatched for a four and six by Sean Ervine to swing the momentum back Hampshire’s way.In a fluctuating contest Bravo then struck back with a perfect yorker to remove Ervine but no sooner had Essex been given a lifeline then Chris Wright went for 12 in the 18th over before Bravo’s last went for a decisive 12 with a boundary apiece for Carberry and McKenzie.Carberry then sealed the victory with a thumping straight drive as heavy lashed the ground.But despite Bravo’s poor match, Essex captain James Foster defending the short-term signing. “Unfortunately, you aren’t going to perform at your best every day,” hesaid. “I still think it was the right move, but obviously it didn’t work out forhim.”We had Scott Styris [earlier in the season], so Bravo was a like-for-likereplacement. He is a class, class act. We are in finals day and he is aproven performer at international level for the West Indies, Mumbai and Trinidad.”Razzaq and Adams, comfortably the tournament’s top-scorer, guided the early stages of the chase in confident style. After Bravo’s struggles Danish Kaneria was thumped for a straight six by his former Pakistan team-mate Razzaq and the chase threatened to become one-sided.However, Essex are a gusty team and didn’t give up. Razzaq was caught off a top edge as he tried to heave over the leg side then Kaneria had James Vince stumped, although James Foster didn’t have his best day having earlier missed a chance to dismiss Adams for 22. Ravi Bopara eventually removed Adams and the asking rate was climbing, but Hampshire held their nerve to show why Kevin Pietersen wasn’t required.”Our policy was whoever got us through to the semi-finals plays the final,” Dominic Cork said. “There would have been a selection dilemma if Michael Lumb was fit, butthat was the only one really.”The club, which includes myself, felt it was right that the young guys arethe guys that lead us out there. I can not praise these younger guys enough – they are a breath of fresh air.”Briggs was Hampshire’s star in the field and enhanced his reputation as one of the brightest spinning talents in England with 3 for 29 as Essex lost ground after Mark Pettini, who top-scored with 55, and Alastair Cook added 79 for the first wicket. Briggs struck a key blow when he had Bopara, moved down to No. 3 with Cook’s inclusion, caught behind off a bottom edge then had Ryan ten Doeschate caught at long-on before ending Pettini’s excellent 55 as the former captain heaved across the line.It took Briggs to 30 scalps, one behind the tournament’s top wicket-taker Alfonso Thomas, and Essex’s problems were compounded when Bravo was run out at the bowler’s end by a direct hit from Chris Wood at long-off.Cook had earlier been able to cast aside some of his stresses from Test cricket and batting with increasing freedom during his 22-ball innings. There were a couple of wild mows early in the innings, but when the bowlers dropped short he twice latched on with sixes over the leg side. He fell to delivery which should also have been dispatched when he managed to find short fine-leg with a clip off his hip. How much value it will have provided as Test preparation will only be known next week.

Leeds United are set for a huge boost in the coming weeks with reports claiming that Raphinha is set to sign a new contract at Elland Road.

What’s the story?

Reports back in the January transfer window suggested that fellow Premier League side West Ham were keen on signing the Brazil international, but Football Insider have now claimed that there is confidence behind the scenes at Thorp Arch of the winger actually staying put for the foreseeable future.

The report added: “Leeds United are confident of securing Raphinha to a ‘huge’ new contract that will make him the club’s best-paid player. A Leeds source has told Football Insider that a deal could be signed within weeks.

“Raphinha’s current deal is due to expire in June 2024 and United are keen to hand him a pay rise to reward him for his performances over the last two seasons.

“They are increasingly confident of now doing so following a breakthrough in negotiations with the player’s camp. A new contract for Raphinha would be “huge”, the source explained, and see him catapult above club-record signing Rodrigo to become the best paid player at Elland Road.”

Fans will be buzzing

Speaking recently, former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell admitted that he couldn’t see Raphinha staying at Elland Road in the long-term.

He said: “His stock is rising all of the time. Let’s not forget, there was already some interest in him last summer. Whether you like it or not, Leeds are not where they were 20 years ago. They are not what they once were.

“If one of the big boys comes in for him, Leeds will sell. They will sell. I think it is just a matter of time. I cannot see him being a Leeds player at the beginning of next season. If he continues to perform like this he will be gone.”

However, if the Yorkshire club are intent on making progress and eventually closing the gap to the Premier League’s ‘big six’, pushing for a potential European spot too, keeping the likes of Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips will be crucial to achieving that objective.

It has now become imperative for Radrizzani to put his money where his mouth is and show his star players and the fans as a whole that he wants this club to take that all-important next step.

One big statement to the club’s fans would be getting Raphinha to sign on the dotted line, and it’s exactly why this latest update is sure to have fans buzzing.

Meanwhile, Beren Cross has delivered this Kalvin Phillips update…

Nobody is looking forward to the Australian summer as much as Callum Ferguson, who missed most of the past year after a knee reconstruction

Brydon Coverdale01-Oct-2010Nobody is looking forward to the Australian summer as much as Callum Ferguson. While his South Australian team-mates were toiling away last season, Ferguson was at home on the couch, nursing his reconstructed right knee, learning the guitar and planning a trip to Augusta to watch the US Masters. There was little else he could do.This time last year, Ferguson looked like becoming Australia’s next breakthrough player. He’d established himself in the ODI team and could have used the summer to press his Test claims, but those dreams ended when he twisted his knee while fielding in the Champions Trophy final in South Africa.Finally, he is back in action. Ferguson made his comeback last month in the Champions League Twenty20, where he showed he had not lost any of his ability by posting two half-centuries and finishing fifth on the tournament run tally. Most importantly, he finished the trip with no lingering soreness.”I’m really pleased with the way the knee has pulled up,” Ferguson told ESPNcricinfo. “I’m loving every bit of it, back playing with the boys and being in the dressing room again. I was going in to my first real competition back and you’re always a little bit nervous. But I’ve been thrilled with the way the knee has held up. It has been put through its paces pretty strongly over the last three weeks.”Now he begins the next phase of his return. Ferguson is the newly-appointed vice-captain of South Australia and he will need to play a key role if the Redbacks are to lift their Sheffield Shield and one-day output after they finished on the bottom of the table in both competitions last summer.The previous year, Ferguson had made solid progress on the first-class scene, when he scored 644 Sheffield Shield runs at 42.93 including two centuries and a career-best 132. His challenge now is to turn more of his hundreds – he has scored only four in 47 first-class games – into larger, match-changing scores.”I felt like I was really making some great strides in the longer format just before I hurt my knee,” Ferguson said. “I’d like to continue in that vein and help contribute to as many wins as possible in the four-day format. That means once you get a start, getting on with it and making sure you go on and get a big score. That’s something I want to continue to keep getting better at.”Although winning a baggy green is the long-term goal for Ferguson, his more immediate hopes of representing Australia lie in the shorter formats. In his 25 ODIs he has averaged 46.07 and although he is not expecting an immediate recall for Australia’s one-dayers in India or at home against Sri Lanka, a place at the World Cup next February is beckoning.”To play in a World Cup would be a huge highlight and something I’d never forget,” he said. “That would definitely be an aim but at the same time you’ve got to contribute to wins for your state side. My main aim is to help the Redbacks get as many wins on the board as we possibly can.”South Australia’s season kicks off with their first taste of the new split-innings one-day format against New South Wales at Adelaide Oval next Saturday. Their Sheffield Shield campaign begins two days later under the new captain Michael Klinger, who has taken the reins from Graham Manou.

Ian Bell believes the upcoming Ashes series has arrived at the perfect time to prove himself down under

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Nov-2010Ian Bell does not have many happy memories from his last trip to Australia, but an increased maturity in his batting since last winter’s tour of South Africa has led him to believe the upcoming Ashes series has arrived at the perfect time to prove himself down under.”In the past I haven’t performed as well as I should have against Australia, but I think I am an improved cricketer over the last 18 months or two years,” he said. “Being out in South Africa last winter was a massive boost for me and it has continued on from there.”Bell averaged 33.10 in 10 innings on England’s last Ashes trip, when Australia won 5-0, a slight improvement upon his career average of 25.68 in Tests against Australia, but believes his game has moved forward. “That’s in the past – over the last two or three years I have matured as a player,” he said. “This is coming at the right time for me.””That Test series was a massive learning curve,” he added. “It was disappointing, but a lot of the guys who were on it learnt a lot about how the best players in the world play and we were desperate to come back and improve after that series.”Improvement was evident on England’s tour of South Africa in 2009-10, Bell’s 313 runs at 44.71 in the Tests playing an important role in a drawn series. In four Tests against Bangladesh, home and away, Bell averaged 101.50 with two hundreds, but was then sidelined after breaking a bone in his foot while fielding in an ODI.Bell, who missed the Test series against Pakistan after breaking his foot in the one-day series against Bangladesh, proved his fitness towards the end of the season for Warwickshire and England and is now focused on the three warm-up matches beginning with Western Australia on Friday.”Hopefully I can do as much as I can in these warm-up games to keep pushing my case,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed the first few days out here and feel like I have been hitting the ball well and hopefully I will continue with that in the warm-up games. I am going to keep working hard in the next three weeks, get myself in good form and as ready and fit as possible.”

According to a report from FCInterNews, Liverpool are interested in signing Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos. 

The lowdown: Liverpool snub

Previously, Jurgen Klopp attempted to bring the attack-minded Spaniard to Anfield but Ceballos rejected the move in favour of a link-up with now Villarreal boss and compatriot Unai Emery.

The 25-year-old spent the 2019/2020 and 2020/21 campaigns on loan at Arsenal, making 77 appearances for the north London club.

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Ceballos has since returned to Spain but has found life difficult under Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu.

Out of contract in 2023 (Transfermarkt), this upcoming summer transfer market could be a pivotal one, as the La Liga giants are running out of time to cash in for a fee.

The latest: Reds are interested

As per the report from FCInterNews, Liverpool are once again keen on the Spanish international, but it’s Inter Milan who are leading the way.

Valencia and Sevilla are also mentioned as suitors whilst the Reds are said to be ‘monitoring the situation’ of the man described as ‘very clever’ by Arsenal legend Robin van Persie following a dramatic late winner against Sheffield United in an FA Cup quarter-final.

It’s claimed that the interest from all parties is at an early stage and no potential fee has been mentioned for the 11-cap Spain ace.

The verdict: Shrewd move

Predominantly a central midfielder, Ceballos offers supreme versatility with the ability to play in a variety of defensive and attacking positions and would therefore be a welcome addition to Klopp’s squad.

Already boasting an impressive trophy cabinet containing a UEFA Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and a European Under-21 Championship, the former Real Betis man has the required elite level experience to fit seamlessly into the Anfield ranks.

Underpinning a decline since returning to Spain, having once been valued at £40.5million, the now £13.5million valued star has made just 12 outings across all competitions this season and a summer departure seems inevitable.

If that does indeed come to fruition, Liverpool and new sporting director Julian Ward should be attentive to the possibility of landing a bargain deal.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy has said his team is prepared to face the challenges posed by Sri Lanka ahead of the first Test starting at Galle on Monday

Sa'adi Thawfeeq14-Nov-2010West Indies captain Darren Sammy has said his team is prepared to face the challenges posed by Sri Lanka ahead of the first Test at Galle starting on Monday.”Sri Lanka is a place where lots of runs have been scored. If you look at the last few series played here, the batsmen have scored the runs. It looks like a very good wicket. In Sri Lanka the ball also spins so we have to take that into account and plan accordingly,” said Sammy who will be making his debut as West Indies Test captain.He was disappointed that West Indies were denied much-needed practice out of the three-day game which was washed out by bad weather after the first day, but added, “We put in some good work coming from Barbados and even the opportunities we have got here to practice our guys have worked hard. We are ready to go out there and face the challenges Sri Lankans pose.”Sammy felt the presence of Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the only two members of his team to have played Tests in Sri Lanka, gave his side important experience. “They have played here before and we are sharing information and getting as much information as possible to compete well in this series.”We want to play according to our strength. The management and coaching staff will meet and we’ll select the best team to pose a challenge to Sri Lanka,” Sammy said. “I am not predicting anything, our guys are confident and they know the task ahead.”It’s not easy to beat Sri Lanka here. Not only West Indies but most teams find it. We are confident that if we put in hard work we can be consistent in our performance. Like you saw Sri Lanka just won in Australia and they’ve never won in Australia. It’s a motivation for our guys to come up with some consistent performances.”Sammy said that it was a massive honour for him to captain West Indies. “West Indies cricket carries a great history and a legacy. To lead any West Indies team is exciting. I know the players and they have prepared mentally and physically to take up the challenge. We are quite excited and looking forward for tomorrow.”

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has been reacting to the club’s reported interest in Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi.

The Lowdown: Leeds links

The Whites have been linked with a move for the Belgium international in recent days.

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Batshuayi, who is currently out on loan at Besiktas, looks likely to end his six-year stay at Stamford Bridge this summer, with Leeds one of five Premier League sides thought to be keen on his services.

The 28-year-old also has interest from clubs in Germany, Italy and Spain, while Besiktas are open to making his loan spell in Turkey permanent.

The Latest: Kenny’s comments

Talking to Football Insider, Kenny labelled Batshuayi as a ‘very good player’, describing a possible move to Leeds this summer as ‘brilliant’.

“He’s a very good player.

“He’s a striker who has been in and out of teams, you need to be playing regularly if you are a striker.

“You need game time and I think he would be a brilliant signing for Leeds.

“They need to strengthen in that area, that’s for sure. Batshuayi knows the league.

“He’s scored everywhere he’s been, that includes the Premier League and if Chelsea are willing to let him go then I’m sure he would want to sign for Leeds.

“You can’t rely on Bamford’s fitness and there isn’t anyone else there who is Premier League quality.”

The Verdict: A risk?

Batshuayi has impressed this season, scoring 14 goals in 28 Super Lig games, however, he has struggled in the Premier League in recent years.

He has never scored ten or more goals in a single Premier League campaign, netting three times in 34 appearances for both Chelsea and Crystal Palace before moving to Besiktas last summer.

Therefore, although Leeds could do with a new striker over the coming months due to Patrick Bamford’s injury woes, a move for Batshuayi could be a risk in what will be Jesse Marsch’s first full season in charge.

In other news: Approach made: 49ers and Radz now in exit talks with club for ‘awful’ Leeds defender. 

Wellington joined Northern Districts at the top of the points table in the HRV Cup after they beat Central Districts by 8 wickets in at the Saxton Oval in Nelson

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Dec-2010Wellington joined Northern Districts at the top of the points table in the HRV Cup after they beat Central Districts by eight wickets at the Saxton Oval in Nelson.Central Districts chose to bat and looked well-placed for a big total after Peter Ingram (46) and George Worker (31) put on 77 for the first wicket in the first 10 overs. However, once offspinner Jeetan Patel struck to dismiss Worker and Ingram, within the space of 12 balls, the Central Districts batting fell away. Luke Woodcock picked up the crucial wickets of Ian Blackwell, Michael Yardy and Mathew Sinclair in quick succession. This was followed by two run-outs and Central Districts crumbled from a healthy 93 for 2 to a below-par 128 for 8, losing six wickets for 35 runs.A required-rate of just above six runs per over was never going to test the Wellington batting line-up. Though they lost Michael Pollard in the second over, Stewart Rhodes, with an unbeaten 75 off 60 balls, anchored the Wellington chase. They reached the target in 19.2 overs for the loss of only two wickets.

Tottenham Hotspur winger Steven Bergwijn could seek a move elsewhere because Antonio Conte is not playing him enough in a World Cup year, claims Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge.

The Lowdown: Latest links

The 24-year-old was at the centre of heavy transfer speculation during the January window after it was reported that Ajax were keen on signing the Netherlands international.

According to the Daily Mail, the Dutch giants submitted a £15m bid for the attacker, which Spurs quickly rejected. It was reported that they were holding out for a sum closer to the £27m they paid themselves two years prior. After further negotiations, a deal between the two clubs failed to materialise.

However, Italian media outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport have now reported that AC Milan are working on a deal ahead of a proposed move in the summer.

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The Latest: Bridge’s claim

Sky Sports man Bridge believes that Bergwijn would be interested in a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium due to his lack of playing time under the Spurs boss.

Speaking with GiveMeSport, he claimed: “I know AC Milan like him. He might look at it and think ‘I do enjoy it here, but I’m not playing enough. We’ve got the World Cup coming up in November, so I need to impress Louis van Gaal. I need to be banging some goals in’.

“There is Memphis Depay and Arnaut Danjuma is banging them in, so he needs to start scoring and playing.”

The Verdict: Should leave

Under Lilywhites boss Conte, Bergwijn has struggled to establish himself as a mainstay in the XI.

He has started just one Premier League game under the Italian, having been utilised as a last-minute substitute on 15 other occasions.

Therefore, if the 24-year-old hopes to showcase his “unique” talents to van Gaal ahead of World Cup selection, then a move away from Tottenham would be in Bergwijn’s best interests.

In other news: Tottenham Hotspur: Noel Whelan makes Joe Rodon exit claim