Andre Villas-Boas has spoken of the challenge faced by managers due to the increased use of data analysis, recalling it led to “massive, massive arguments” over the potential signing of Joao Moutinho when he was Tottenham head coach.

The Portuguese wanted to sign compatriot Moutinho from Porto in the summer of 2012, but the midfielder was only sixth on the list compiled using data and statistical analysis by then sporting director Franco Baldini.

Spurs pushed ahead with other targets, including Mousa Dembele, and only returned for Moutinho at the end of the summer transfer window, missing out on his signature by a minute.

With more and more clubs using data and artificial intelligence to identify targets, Villas-Boas knows the conundrum that managers will now…

Manchester United supporters will not forget the damaging impact some Red Devils players have had this campaign, while Jesse Lingard did not have a god-given right to an Old Trafford send-off.

That is according to United great Gary Neville, who referenced legendary captains of the club, Steve Bruce and Bryan Robson, not being given special treatment in their final games for the club.

Lingard was not in the squad for the final home game of the season against Brentford last Monday, his last chance to feature at Old Trafford with his contract set to expire at the end of the campaign.

Louie Scott, Lingard s brother, subsequently took to Instagram to take aim at United, venting his anger how the England international could spend 20 years at the club without being off…

Bayern Munich forward Serge Gnabry is relishing a reunion with mentor Mikel Arteta and has backed former club Arsenal to be one of European football’s leading sides for the foreseeable future.

Gnabry played alongside current Gunners boss Arteta under Arsene Wenger after joining the north London club in 2012 at the age of 16.

The Germany international, who is preparing to return to Emirates Stadium for Tuesday evening’s Champions League quarter-final first leg, has fond memories of being tutored by the Spanish tactician.

Arsenal are on a good run, but…

We sat down for an interview with ahead of our clash against his former club

— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN)

“He’s now fully absorbed in his role as coach and thinks very …

Barcelona head coach Xavi will continue in his role next season after an unexpected reversal of his decision to leave at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, according to widespread reports.

The former Barcelona midfielder announced in January that he would walk away from the job at the end of the current season, even though his contract was due to run until the end of the following term.

Xavi acknowledged the Barcelona role had taken its toll but reportedly changed his plans after a meeting with Blaugrana president Joan Laporta on Wednesday.

The 44-year-old was initially appointed as Barca coach in 2021 before leading the LaLiga giants to the top-flight title in the 2022-23 campaign.

Xavi s initial announcement of his intentions to depart Barcelona came afte…

According to multiple sources, Arsenal have rejected offers from Fulham and Crystal Palace for Emile Smith Rowe. At the moment, both clubs are believed to be considering the possibility of going back with improved offers, and Smith-Rowe himself is keen on leaving the Emirates in search of regular game-time. Meanwhile, reports elsewhere suggest an offer of £25 million could be enough to persuade them to part ways with the 23-year-old attacking midfielder.

In Mikel Arteta s 4-2-3-1 setup, Smith Rowe would play either centrally as a No.10, or on the left attacking flank. These two positions are usually taken by Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli, with Bukayo Saka on the right and Leandro Trossard also proving to be a valuable asset in the line of three supporting the striker.…

With EURO 24 officially drawing to a close last weekend, the return of Europe’s elite is just around the corner.

While clubs from across the continent might be in the midst of their pre-season preparations, we have plenty of action to tide us over throughout Sunday.

With stacked schedule from the likes of Brazil’s Serie A, we have taken a look at some of the most appealing betting markets that are available.

12:35 Shanghai Port vs Qingdao Hainiu

Making real history last season as they got their hands on just a second Super League crown, Shanghai Port have only continued on another record-breaking flurry since opening up the 2024 campaign. Extending on their FA Cup adventure earlier in the week as they secured a 2-1 victory away at Zhejiang Professi…

LaLiga president Javier Tebas claims with the correct legal framework he can eradicate racism in Spanish football within six months.

The problem has been an issue for some time but hit the headlines on Sunday when Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior spoke out after being abused at Valencia, saying Spain was a racist country because of “continuous episodes across several cities”, and his club filed a hate crime complaint with the Spanish State Attorney General’s Office.

That prompted a tetchy response to Vinicius on social media from Tebas, for which he subsequently apologised, but after complaining the league’s hands were tied by the country’s law which means LaLiga can currently only identify and report incidents and punishment is rarely handed out, the outspok…

Jurgen Klopp says Anfield was a special place after Liverpool got back to winning ways at home against Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Reds cruised into a 4-0 lead against Spurs by the 59th minute as Mohamed Salah and Harvey Elliott played starring roles, with Andrew Robertson and Cody Gakpo also getting on the scoresheet.

They were set up for a slightly nervous finish by Spurs, with substitute Richarlison coming on to score and assist late on to half the deficit to 4-2 by the final whistle.

Victory kept Liverpool’s very slim title hopes alive after a recent dip in form that saw them take just one win from five before this, and Klopp was pleased with the Reds’ reaction in his penultimate game at Anfield.

We are outstanding until we ar…

Market: Argentina win

Odds: 2/5 @

Turning their attention back to World Cup qualifying action in the early hours of Friday, Argentina will welcome Chile to Buenos Aires.

Starting with the hosts, crowned world champions out in Qatar in the winter of 2022, Argentina have only continued on what has become a record-breaking romp. In the midst of an astonishing purple patch, the South American giants have only further cemented their spot as the greatest international squad on the planet. Likewise, getting their hands on a 16th Copa America title back on July 15th as they edged past Colombia thanks to a famous penalties victory, Lionel Scaloni’s men are riding a stunning wave of momentum. Last seen in World Cup qualifying action claiming a 1-0 win against historic r…

Best odds: 73/100

Bookmaker:

Brazil will be aiming to build on their convincing victory over Bolivia as they face Peru in a World Cup qualifying match in Lima on Tuesday.

While the visitors are coming off a dominant win, the hosts will be seeking to secure a surprise result after drawing with Paraguay in their opening game of the campaign.

Peru s goalless draw against Paraguay in their opening World Cup qualifying match was hard-fought, especially after Luis Advincula s red card reduced them to 10 men just before halftime. Nevertheless, they managed to secure a valuable point in that game.

Peru have won only one of their last five internationals, but they have been defensively solid recently, keeping three clean sheets in their last four matches.…