#international clubs club friendly games predictions

[bookgeekgrrl]

My media this week (13-19 Nov 2022)

📚 STUFF I READ 📚

😍 👂‍Ocean's Echo (Everina Maxwell, author; Raphael Corkhill, narrator) - same universe as Winter's Orbit but completely unrelated so you absolutely can read this standalone. where WO was a sci-fi romance, this is more a romantic sci-fi. Lots of space military and politicking and being used as pawns in everyone else's games. I absolutely adore Tennal, who shows up to everything with an "I think I will cause problems on purpose!" mindset and Surit, whose steadfast moral compass makes him a great soldier right up until orders conflict with that bone-deep conviction. I also really dug the expanded world building; genuinely hope there'll be more books where we get more of it.

😍 Itsy Bitsy Yoga (wearing_tearing) - reread, 59K - Stucky no powers AU with single dad Steve and toddler yoga teacher Bucky - soft & fluffy as a fleece blanket straight out the dryer

😍 Daniel Cabot Puts Down Roots (The Cabots #3) (Cat Sebastian) - every book in this series is solid gold and this is no exception - great execution of the 'didn't realize we were already dating' trope. also Cat had this to say about it in her last newsletter and I think it's so dead on accurate: Earlier this year I read a slew of Kirk-McCoy fanfic in which those two fools didn't realize they were dating. I was enthralled. Delighted. Mesmerized. I took to social media to complain about the lack of this trope in commercial fiction and, predictably, within 48 hours was drafting this book. And thus was born Daniel Cabot Puts Down Roots, in which two people love one another very much and then later on realize they've been in a relationship all along. I think (and I'm spitballing here) that there may be something inherently queer about this trope, maybe because in order for it to work, the characters pretty much have to be in some kind of queerplatonic relationship to begin with. Also, there may be something queer or queer-friendly about how even discussing this kind of relationship involves getting into the weeds about what constitutes a relationship in the first place, which kind of goes against the grain of a heteronormative prix fixe one size fits all relationships? 

💖💖 +107K of shorter fic so shout out to these I really loved 💖💖

love you like rlb (orphan_account) - MCU: Stucky, 3.4K - reread of this fave - forever grateful the original creator chose to orphan it and leave it available rather than remove it entirely

Ninety-Nine Problems (lordeofstucky) - MCU: no powers omegaverse, 27K - reread; semi-traditional omegaverse with some absolutely premier dirty talk from steve

Stevie Doesn't Know (aaliona) - Stranger Things: Steddie, 34K - a fun little rock star/barista AU

📺 STUFF I WATCHED 📺

The Big Brunch - s1, e1-3 - this has the same peaceful vibes as the original flavor GBBO and I love it

Death In Paradise - Christmas Special 2021; s11, e1

Leverage: Redemption - s2, e1-3 - delighted to have my beloved thief family back again

Abbott Elementary - s2, e8

🎧 PODCASTS 🎧

Ologies with Alie Ward - Bryology (MOSS) Encore with Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer

Switched on Pop - Willow Smith rocks harder

Decoder Ring Plus - The Truth About #TheDress

Vibe Check - All Skinfolk Ain’t Kinfolk - this podcast is THE BEST WAY to start your Wednesday!

It's Been a Minute - 'Abbott Elementary' gets teachers

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Trailing of the Sheep

Shedunnit Book Club - Clerical Crimes

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - African Heritage House

99% Invisible #405 - Freedom House Ambulance Service: American Sirens

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Larry Spring Museum of Common Sense Physics

One Year Plus - 1942: When Internment Came to Alaska

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - The Tanks of Flamenco Beach

Twenty Thousand Hertz+ - Synth War II: Digital Doom

Song Exploder - Omah Lay "Never Forget"

Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster - Ep 151: Rob Brydon

Into It - 'Wakanda' Over It or: How I Learned to Come to Terms with 'Black Panther' Ambivalence

Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster - Ep 21: Dara O Briain

🎶 MUSIC 🎶

my "Invisible Miracle Sledgehammer" playlist - basically just all of Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins & Mike and the Mechanics discography 😆

CREDITS: Joe Strummer

Meet Me @ the Altar

The Donnas

Swinging Sixties Hits

Bruno Mars Radio • Upbeat

[hermywolf]

¡Hola!

Can I ask for your opinion?

According to you as Argentinian, with a stadium like this (has a Running track that separates the pitch to the audience seat by a farrr margin), do you think the ticket prices to watch La Scaloneta vs Indonesia (aka: mi pais) worth it?? (Not to mention the squad will be without Dybala,El Toro,Licha)

Even the VIP tix (the Purple ones) can't shake hands with players because of the distance from the audience seat to the Players Entrance (vestibule) and Bench is quite far.. I feel bad if Argentina scores, they have to run that far if they want to celebrate the goal with my people 😭😭

(tmi: if I go, I only can afford to buy ticket Category 2 (the Blue ones, only have view behind the net) or Category 3 (the Orange, the above/highest tribune ones)

About the squad prediction, imo Scalo most probably will go all out against Australia (June 15th), and probably Messi will play full time for that match. Against Indonesia I predict it will be like the game with Curacao, with Scalo let other (different starters) players to play and I don't think Messi will play full time in my country (half of me don't want Messi to end up tired but it's understandable the public's demand for him to play full time will be high).

Also, a warning. My country with its people can be sooo deadly embarassing. I hope Argentina's visit to my country will be nothing but a pleasant trip for the squad (and us as the host too).

hola!!

okay so first off im sorry but i have no idea about the prices and stuff. thats entirely up to you. i think the prices are worth it bc its a once in a lifetime experience especially with a team thats almost exactly the world cup winners team and so soon after the wc, with such quality players and chemistry, but then again nobody should ever trust an argentinian when it comes to how much money should be spent on futbol bc we're the people who sold cars and houses and saved money for years to attend important matches so we're a little too insane about the subject to be trusted to be reasonable when it comes to this so um. maybe don't listen to me. its up to you.

messi really doesn't like playing part time in games, even when its about leaving five minutes before the end to get a standing ovation he always likes to play the full game if he can instead. plus its not like he's got a bunch of club games surrounding the international dates during the transfer window either as far as i know. so unless he's hurt or really tired i think its unlikely that he'll play part time, i think he'll probably play full time both games. but yeah i agree i think especially if a lot of players come for the friendlies scaloni'll do like the curacao game and switch players a lot so as many as possible get to play which would also be nice to see!

im sure the scaloneta will have a fantastic time in indonesia, personally im really looking forward to the friendlies, i can't wait to see them play together again. sorry, this wasn't really helpful, but i hope you'll have a great time too and manage to get good spots if you decide to!!

[jrpneblog]

Tough task ahead

With nine games to go it looks a tough task for North End to reach the top six even though we have a game in hand. Norwich sit five points above us in sixth place going into this international break and with West Brom ten points ahead of us it seems realistic to say that only sixth spot is open. Hull and Coventry sit two points and one point above us, respectively and with Middlesbrough two points behind us and played a game more it looks like Hull, Coventry, Norwich and ourselves in the fight for the play off place. Having said all of that if we had beaten Stoke the Saturday before last we might well be having a different conversation so it shows how quick things can change in the Championship. We will look a bit more at North Ends Easter programme next week but with Rotherham, Birmingham, Watford and Huddersfield as our next four games it seems pretty clear that the next three weeks or so will give us an idea of where we are ahead of what could be a massive game at Home to Norwich on April 13th. Much debate goes on as to whether we are punching above our weight but I actually dont think we are. The table never lies and we are where we are on merit in spite of the bigger budgets that other clubs have squandered.

Last Saturday we made the longest journey of the season to play Plymouth Argyle with the 600 mile round trip being made worthwhile as Liam Millar`s goal secured all three points. It was great to see over 1,000 North End fans inside Home Park and the travelling faithful gave North End fabulous support from the first whistle to the last. In all honest it was a game North End should have won much much more comfortably than they did. It was a drizzly damp day but North End always had that little bit extra whether it be quality on the ball or the tenacity in the middle of the park typified by my man of the match, Ryan Ledson. Plymouth should have been down to ten after an horrendous tackle by Miller but once again a referee in the Championship got a major decision wrong. It appear it is something we expect and are getting used to but I have to that the general standard of refereeing in the second tier this season is as bad as I have ever seen it.

With it being the International break this weekend my thoughts turn to England and a couple of high profile friendlies over the break against Brazil and Belgium both at Wembley. I think it is fair to say that both our visitors are going through a transition period and England should be mindful of this whatever the results are. The pressure is certainly building towards the 2024 Euros and Gareth Southgate will be expected to reach the final, probably against France if we miss each other on the way. If we are being honest we should have won the Euros in 2021 but we gave an aging Italian side far too much respect in the final. I do think it is a measure of how far we have come that we no expect to be in there at the death and I think history will look kindly on the current England manager once he has passed the baton on.

And finally this week:- what a great FA Cup quarter final the game was on Sunday between Manchester United and Liverpool. The FA Cup is, without doubt, the greatest cup competition in the world but the greedy FA have once again sold out meaning that from the 2025/26 season the Cup will only be shown on TNT. The FA Cup looks like going the way that test match cricket went as the TV rights were sold off to the highest bidder. The are some sporting events that are for the people and should be free to air no matter what. The Football Association Cup stands very high up in that list of sporting events.

.

MATCH PREDICTION -

BRAZIL (H) Friendly International - Home win

BELGIUM (H) Friendly International - Score Draw

.

JR`s HIGH FIVES

Harry Kane to score at any time against Brazil 7/5

A £5 Stake returns £12.00 on bet365

SEASONS STATS

Returns £96.00 Stake £160.00

Percentage profit+/-loss - 40.00%

Predictions 33 won 9 lost 24

[soccerdailyuk]

Rooney makes Arsenal Premier League title prediction after MLS all-star game

Rooney makes Arsenal Premier League title prediction after MLS all-star game Wayne Rooney, the renowned Manchester United icon, has showered accolades on Arsenal after their impressive 5-0 triumph against his MLS All-Star team. The Gunners secured a commanding victory in the opening friendly of their pre-season tour in America, with goals from Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz in Washington, D.C. Rooney acknowledged that the North London club exhibited formidable strength on the pitch and went on to praise the caliber of their summer signings, namely Havertz, Declan Rice, and Jurrien Timber. "The result is what it is, Arsenal showed their quality", the former England international said. "I thought the All-Star lads looked a bit nervous and hesitant, especially in the first half. "I really like the players Arsenal have signed. They've signed players with experience which is important. "Players with size as well. I think they'll do better than last season. They have a really good coach in Mikel Arteta." In the previous season, Arsenal secured a second-place finish in the Premier League, falling just five points short of the title, which was claimed by Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's team eventually achieved a remarkable treble. While Manchester City is likely to be considered favorites once more in the upcoming season, Wayne Rooney has made a prediction that Arsenal will continue to compete at the top and challenge for the league title again. "I think the signings they’ve made have been really good signings for them to try and kick on and challenge Manchester City", he replied when asked about Arteta's side in the build-up to the match. "They will be the favourites again to win the Premier League. "I think Liverpool will be better next season, Chelsea will be better. Hopefully Manchester United will be better as well! "But I think Arsenal have made some really good signings and they will compete again." Rooney makes Arsenal Premier League title prediction after MLS all-star game Read the full article

[sizemo]

Varane retires from national team

Less than two months after the end of the World Cup in Qatar, the French team, which had reached the finals twice in a row, seems to have reached the "peak period" of renewal and farewell to veterans. Since the two old goalkeepers Lloris and Mandanda decided to bid farewell to international competitions in early January, central defender Varane, who has not yet turned 30, also announced his decision to retire from the national team this Thursday, ending 10 years of national football team career.

Before the official official announcement came, "cabportal" predicted that due to multiple injuries in recent years, Varane, who needs to "take care of both ends", felt physically and mentally exhausted. Although he has not yet officially entered his thirties, the French central defender, who has already made brilliant achievements in the national team, finally decided to "exit early". Next, he hopes to spend more energy on club football, that is, to focus on playing for Manchester United in the Premier League. At the same time, Varane will also have more time to spend with his family.

In the official farewell statement, the French central defender wrote: "It is one of the greatest honors in my life to represent our great motherland in the past 10 years. Whenever I wear this special blue jersey, I will I am extremely proud. I have the responsibility to go all out, play with my heart, and win every game. I have thought about it for several months, and now is the best time for me to decide to retire from the national team." Varane also said that he was due to the 1998 The world champion French team pursued their dreams since they were young, and finally had "one of the best experiences in their lives" in 2018. The final match day on July 15, 2018 was one of the greatest and most memorable moments in their lives. In addition, Varane also thanked the national team coach Didier Deschamps and related staff for their support over the years, and expressed his gratitude to the enthusiastic French fans.

In August 2012, Varane, who was still young at the time, was called up to the French national team for the first time, but then he failed to appear in the friendly match against Uruguay. The real debut took place in March 2013, when the French team defeated Georgia 3-1 in the World Cup qualifiers, and Varane started the game. After that, this well-rounded central defender played a total of 93 games for the Gallic Roosters and scored 5 goals, including the 2014, 2018, 2022 World Cup and the 2020 European Cup. He was the absolute main force and missed the 2016 European Cup only due to injuries .

In the World Cup in Brazil, Varane was once listed as one of the three candidates for the best young player in the World Cup, but lost to teammate Pogba in the end. In Russia, Varane helped France win the Hercules Cup as the core of the defender, and scored a goal to break the deadlock against Uruguay in the quarter-finals. In the Qatar World Cup that ended not long ago, although the Gallic Rooster hated the final, Varane, as the leader of the back line, still played a very important role in the promotion process.

[ri-ahhh]

for the win

After dealing with a lifetime of insecurities, Winnie Walker finally gets the courage to pursue her dreams, with a few bumps along the way. But that confidence may not carry over when it comes to a certain hazel-eyed football player who’s had her attention for much too long.

A/N: this was a random inspo that hit me out of nowhere a while ago and I was gonna make it an epic oneshot, but I think I’ll just break it into parts instead. So, hence, this is part one. Hopefully you like it enough for it to be even worth posting more.

warnings: none yet, other than this is def gonna be as cheesy as you think it is

***

Winnie Walker has always considered herself an enigma. Not in that annoying, ‘I’m so cute and quirky’ type of way, but rather in the way that made her someone who never quite fit into one defined space. The kind perfected by years of self doubt, an emotionally distant mother, and the random ebb and flow of confidences and insecurities that always helps her remember that she is, in fact, perfectly un-extraordinary: her face is too round, but she’s always been called pretty; her personality is dry enough that she finds it challenging making female friends, but she fits in well with the boys; and she has a penchant for being the last one to talk about anything she might be feeling until she puts a pen to paper and speaks through the mouths of others.

Sports and writing were her main passions, but it still took until her senior year of high school to decide that she wanted to be a sports journalist. Not just a journalist, though -- more than anything, she dreamed of stepping out into the light as a broadcaster. Shy by nature but an athlete at heart, it once again put her in that enigmatic grey space where she wasn’t sure what the hell she was thinking.

But it’s what her heart was calling for her to do. For the first time in her life, Winnie Walker felt sure about something despite everyone’s doubts -- including her own. She grew up an athlete, and some of her fondest memories as a child were caught between either being in her dad’s man cave with all of his friends, cheering on their team of choice for whatever sport was on, discussing heatedly what plays should or shouldn’t have taken place. Or, on the volleyball court. 

The full ride offer from USC that was presented but never came to fruition because of a devastating knee injury in one of her last club tournaments haunted Winnie in the months leading up to her high school graduation. 

Her mother, Dahlia, was not-so-secretly thrilled. A stage mother through and through, she had always supported her daughter as she made headway in her sport as a star player, but it was an open point of contention that Winnie planned to follow her passion for it all the way to college. She wanted her middle daughter to attend the local university, get a nice marketing degree, and settle into a high rise in downtown Dallas, where she could point at during brunch with her friends and brag about the pretty penny her kid made with her perfectly nice degree she attained in her perfectly nice hometown. 

That’s not Winnie, though, and everyone except Dahlia knew it. No one was all too surprised that she still wanted to escape to California (again, except her mother), even if they were slightly shocked about her decision for a major. The reactions from her friends and sisters and dad had her even more excited as she scanned the email of her academic acceptance into USC. It finally gave her the courage to spill the beans to her mother as well.

Dahlia Walker very much scoffed in the face of her quiet, introverted, hopeful daughter sitting across the kitchen island while she scrubbed at the dishes from dinner.

“Winona, sweetie, you refused to even speak at your sister’s wedding as the maid of honor, and you want to be on TV? With all those... men?”

Winnie cringed a little bit and rolled her eyes at the slightly far-off look on her mother’s face as she no doubt started imagining the sweaty athletes the reporters would stand next to post-game.

“You don’t think I could do it?” she asked flatly, flicking a chip of her nail polish off her finger so it flew across the otherwise spotless granite — her mom hated when she did that. 

Dahlia’s hands picked up their pace again in the suds, slowed down by whatever middle-aged fantasy was going on in her mind. She shook her head, the highlights in her perfectly styled blonde bob shifting under the recessed lights.

“The girls who do that are just so bouncy. Friendly. They curl their hair.”

Winnie bit her lip. She didn’t know if she should laugh or cry. Her body felt deflated. “I knew I could count on you to be supportive.”

“Oh honey, I’m just trying to be realistic with you,” her mother said dismissively. Like she didn’t realize the pang her words caused to spread in Winnie’s chest; it should have been be all-too familiar by then, but the sting was never weakened with age or predictability. “And California? Are you really ready to be so far from home? You hardly ever even leave your room.”

It had taken everything in Winnie to hold back the open scoff she longed to throw at her mother; instead, she just stood up and left the kitchen, along with any childish hope that Dahlia might ever make an effort to really know her middle daughter.

Because anyone that knew Winona Elle Walker could predict just how much she would thrive in California. In the persistent sunshine that never quite reached the peak of being too hot for very long, unlike the nearly six months of 90 and 100-plus degree days of summer she knew so well in Texas. Within close proximity to a beach that didn’t have swamp-colored water washing ashore.

In a place well over a thousand miles away from Dahlia.

And that’s exactly how Winnie found herself in LA: thriving. She made friends easily, enjoyed life on the USC campus while she studied the exact major she had set out for the first day she sat down in her first class -- Navigating News in the Digital Age class -- and it was a relatively cheap flight home if she ever missed it too much. Winnie started feeling less like an enigma, and more like someone whose quirks were becoming more of a benefit to her success than she could have ever imagined.

Now, as a woman in her senior year, nearly 22 and set to graduate in only a few months time, she’s finally up for the most coveted position in her major: being the prime time student reporter at the biggest sporting events of the school’s entire athletic program — the Trojan football games. Reporting at football games was a job always reserved for seniors, and she had been driving her roommate — and best friend in California — Naomi crazy all summer prepping for the spot’s audition.

“Winnie, babe, you know the plays backwards and forwards. You’ve understood more about the rules of football since you were a kid than I’ll ever know as a grown woman. You have all the key players’ and coaches’ names and numbers memorized. You couldn’t be any more prepared,” she smiles, good-natured irritation clear in her eyes and behind the blinding smile that shone from her mocha-colored skin.

It softens some when Winnie stood from the couch, and Naomi reaches over and slaps her retreating ass just hard enough to make Winnie yelp and giggle. “Not to mention those squats are paying off big time, bitch. You’re gonna kill it.”

Winnie rolls her eyes and continues to make her way to the kitchen to refill her wine glass. “The camera won’t see my ass, but thanks.”

Naomi winks. “No. But Grayson Dolan might.”

Grayson Dolan — the walk-on that had stunned everyone when he was thrown into a game his freshman year after two of the starting tight ends had become injured on two consecutive plays. Now a senior himself, he’s led the team ever since in receiving yards, receptions, and TD’s, and is a clear prospect for the NFL in the coming months.

He also happens to be the player Winnie had drunkenly admitted she had a crush on during a girls night last year, and her friends have yet to let her live it down. She had felt ridiculous saying she had a crush as a 21 year-old, but that’s really all it was; he was hot, an extremely talented player, and she barely knew him beyond that one time he had spilled a drink on her at a frat party, and the rather interesting reputation that followed him around campus. There was nothing more to it.

Even if her attraction to him hasn’t died down in the passing time.

Winnie only blushes and pours herself a little extra, blaming the Maison No. 9 when Naomi throws her head back with a cackle and calls out the matching pink in her cheeks.

The morning of her audition, a mere two weeks into her fall semester, Winnie has butterflies fluttering madly in the pit of her belly. Her truer nature of being somewhat shy and timid in these situations has never left, always flaring up in moments of self-doubt and unpredictability. Undoubtedly, however, this audition deserves all the nerves; it’s a clear stepping stone into network broadcasting, and would almost guarantee her a spot as an intern at FOX Sports next semester.

She stares at herself in the mirror for a moment, silently urging herself to get her shit together, and takes a deep breath before eyeing Naomi’s curling iron plugged in by the sink adjacent to her own.

Winnie hasn’t curled her hair once in the nearly four years she’d been in LA. Not for nights out, or auditions, or even a date. A brief moment of madness overtakes her as she stands there staring at the metal device, her hand starting to reach out as words that should be long forgotten ring loud and clear in her head. For a second, the pale beige paint of her apartment bathroom turns the light blue and grey color scheme of her childhood one. Her mom had ‘surprised’ her with the the renovation one year when she decided to redecorate the house while Winnie was at volleyball camp, insisting she had chosen Winnie’s favorite colors, when in reality it simply matched the rest of the monotone suburban house that Winnie secretly couldn’t stand. It was boring, and typical, and...stuck, despite its relative newness.

With that, the fog clears as quickly as it had come, and she sets her jaw determinedly. She hasn’t let Dahlia psych her out for this long; she isn’t about to let now be the first time since she’s been out here on her own.

And maybe Naomi was right. Maybe she’d catch a certain tight end’s eye with a tight end of her own, after all.

The nausea suddenly returns as she shakes her head and reaches for her straightener instead, flicking it on before sectioning off her hair.

“No wonder you’re so fucking single, Win.”

[presskmewleroux]

uswnt olympic roster prediction 2.0

decided to update my olympic roster prediction after going back and watching the She Believes Cup games again

my original prediction had 6 Defenders, 6 Midfielders and 4 Forwards because that was the roster for the previous Olympics rosters (both from Jill and Pia) so I assumed that would be the formula again, but I think Vlatko should make it 6 Defenders, 5 Midfielders and 5 Forwards.

so my original roster was:

GK (2) : Alyssa Naeher, Ashlyn Harris (Jane Campbell).

DF (6): Kelley O’Hara, Abby Dahlkemper, Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn, Ali Krieger, Emily Sonnett (Tierna Davidson)

MF (6): Lindsey Horan, Sam Mewis, Rose Lavelle, Julie Ertz, Catarina Macario, Kristie Mewis (Andi Sullivan)

FW (4): Christen Press, Tobin Heath, Alex Morgan, Lynn Williams (Megan Rapinoe)

with those in parenthesis as the alternate.

based on the roster for the SBC and the performances, there are a couple of changes i would make and I’ll explain as I go, but this is my new prediction assuming everyone is healthy and not injured.

GK (2): Alyssa Naeher, Jane Campbell (Ashlyn Harris)

honestly, whoever gets the #2 keepers spot won’t be seeing a lot of time (if any) during the Olympics, unless its a group stage game against a “safe” opponent. Because of that, i’m not sure if it will be Ash or Jane in that #2 spot. When asked if Sloane’s birth was the reason he left Ash and Ali off the roster for the SBC, he said his decision had nothing to do with it. He said it was “technical, tactical and performance based,” so at this point I don’t know how good their chances are at making the Olympic roster, so at this point I would put Jane as the #2 GK.

DF (6): Kelley O’Hara, Abby Dahlkemper, Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn, Emily Sonnett, Tierna Davidson (Ali Krieger)

I think the starting backline of KO, Abby, Becky and Crystal are shoe-ins, but Tierna really made a strong case for herself during the Argentina game. I would still put Krieger over Sonnett if we need an OB, but like I explained, I don’t know if Vlatko has her in his plans based on his comments and reason for keeping her and Ash off the SBC roster. As for Casey (i’ll never get used to NOT calling her Short) she was great in the Argentina game, but she has been out of the US picture for so long, i wonder if there’s even a chance of her making the Olympic roster. Keep in mind she replaced Alana Cook after PSG wouldn’t release her. I also don’t think there’s enough time or enough international games between now and the Olympics for her to prove she can be great against top quality international teams, but we’ll see when the April friendlies get announced if she gets called up and how well she plays (assuming she does). Compared with Midge, though, I would take Casey because of her experience, but still I don’t see her making the full roster, but she may have a chance at being an alternate. 

MF (5): Lindsey Horan, Sam Mewis, Rose Lavelle, Julie Ertz, Kristie Mewis (Catarina Macario)

I think Kristie has made a strong case for making this roster, more so than Macario. It’s one thing to be great at the club level but another thing to be great at the international level. This is  why Casey and Lynn haven’t made huge tournament rosters for the US. They’re both great at their clubs, but their performances for the US have been inconsistent. I don’t know how set on Cat Vlatko is, but her lack of experience for the national team would have me leave her off the full roster but bring her as an alternate. It is similar with Jill taking Mal in 2016, so if Cat makes the full roster I wouldn’t really be surprised. 

FW (5): Christen Press, Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath, Megan Rapinoe, Lynn Williams (Carli Lloyd)

Carli shouldn’t even make the roster as an alternate, but if she doesn’t make the full roster then I think there’s a chance of her being the alternate. Sophia Smith could also be the alternate, but I don’t see her making the full roster. I wasn’t sold on Pinoe until the SBC because I wasn’t sure if her long hiatus would hurt her performance, but she has shown that she deserves a spot on the roster. 

I think if Vlatko does 6 Defenders, 6 Midfielders and 4 Forwards, then Macario is on and Lynn or Kristie are off. Vlatko seems set on Lynn and Kristie has been so consistently good with the time she’s been given, so I really do think she has a strong case to make the roster. All of the midfielders can consistently score, so it’s not like they need more than 4 forwards. But like I said, I think Vlatko is sold on Lynn, so if he wants her on the roster, the best thing would be for T Midfielders and 5 Forwards.

I also don’t think Cat’s time has come yet, but I may think differently once those April Friendlies happen. After those games I’ll probably make another updated (and final) roster prediction just for my own entertainment to see how right (or wrong) I am. So to make it more aesthetically pleasing, this is my Olympic roster prediction:

GK (2): Alyssa Naeher, Jane Campbell (Ashlyn Harris)

DF (6): Kelley O’Hara, Abby Dahlkemper, Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn, Emily Sonnett, Tierna Davidson (Ali Krieger)

MF (5): Lindsey Horan, Sam Mewis, Rose Lavelle, Julie Ertz, Kristie Mewis (Catarina Macario)

FW (5): Christen Press, Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath, Megan Rapinoe, Lynn Williams (Carli Lloyd)

[sticky-wicket-urn]

County Championship Round Up

Toby Reynolds, 27/04/2021

Three weeks into the championship and we have had double hundreds, hat-tricks and games delayed by snow. The only thing we have failed to see is a Surrey win.

A Thousand Runs by the End of May?

This has arguably been the most batting friendly start to a season in a while. In the first three weeks, there have been four double hundreds, thirteen 400+ scores by all counties and Haseeb Hameed now holds the record for the most balls faced in a County Championship match. I am not sure many people would have guessed this would be the start to the season.

Furthermore, six of the top seven run scorers are from “Division Two” sides, yet again showing why maybe this system of the County Championship could be the way forward. Personally I really like this system with three conferences as it allows any team a chance to win the whole competition and also doesn’t belittle the smaller sides and force any player with international ambitions to move to a “Division 1” county.

Now, back to the top runs scorers: David Beddingham, a twenty-seven year old, South African born, middle order batsman, who plays for Durham, has taken the top spot from former England opener Adam Lyth. Beddingham scored a magnificent 257 against Derbyshire in a tight draw. He moved to Durham as an overseas player last year and struck a career-best 180 not out against Nottinghamshire. These large scores have helped to keep his first class average above 50 and impress at county level.

There have also been three other double hundreds. Surrey and England young gun, Ollie Pope, scored 245 on a fairly flat track against Leicestershire in a game which petered out for a draw. The other two were scored by two players who have been dropped by England in the past. James Vince (13 tests) and Tom Westly (5 tests) both batted brilliantly for their double tons. Vince helped Hampshire to a great win, also against Leicestershire, by an innings and 105 runs. Both Tom Alsop and Liam Dawson scored hundreds in the match. Westly’s runs came against Worcestershire, where both sides passed 470 in their first innings, leading to a draw with almost a thousand runs in the match.

However, I think my favourite moment to come out of the first three weeks of the tournament has got to be Haseeb Hameed coming back into form. He scored one fifty in the first two matches but dominated in the final match with opening partner, Ben Slater. Hameed not only top scored in Nottinghamshire’s first innings with 111, but then batted out over a day with his partner for 114* to draw the match after Notts were made to follow on. Although Hameed has started the championship well since his short stint with England, this bodes well for the rest of the tournament if he can keep up this amazing start.

Green Seamers in Early April

It has not just been the batsmen who have been dominating though. Three potential English seamers are topping the wicket takers list, as well as two spinners. 

Ollie Robinson, a right-arm medium fast bowler for Sussex is currently the leading wicket taker with 20, after taking 9-78 in the second innings vs Glamorgan to help Sussex win by eight wickets. Robinson has been in and around the England set up over the past couple years, staring in England Lion’s victory in Australia. Robinson lead the attack with Craig Overton (who is joint second on the leading wicket takers with 17. Neither are especially quick but their accuracy combined with skill make it extremely hard for batsmen. 

Another major talking point for the second round of the County Championship was Mohammed Abbas’ hat-trick against Middlesex. Abbas took the wickets of Holden and Gubbins at the end of the second over, before getting Eskinazi in the first ball of fourth over to complete the hat-trick. He then continued to rip through the order and finished with 6-11 from elven overs, before Hampshire pilled on more runs. Abbas then came back in the final innings to take another three, along with opening partner Kyle Abbot.

Other leading wicket takers are Simon Harmer and Matt Parkinson. The two spinners have 17 and 15 wickets respectively. Harmer has dominated the County Championship for Essex since arriving ahead of the 2017 season as a Kolpak player but impressed so much he has retained his spot an an international. Parkinson, on the other hand, has struggled to get consistent games, and therefore wickets, with the red ball. However, he has really been given an opportunity this year, taking what could be the ball of the century in Round 2 and then a seven-fer in the second innings against Kent in Round 3 to mop up the tail and take victory for Lancashire by an innings and five runs. 

Ryan Higgins is the only other top wicket taker we have failed to mention. The Gloucester seamer, who is hotly tipped to be a possible replacement for the injured Ben Stokes, has taken 17 wickets and scored a fifty, helping his team to two wins and draw with three three-fers and two four-fers. His batting is arguably not quite strong enough to be a like-for-like replacement for Stokes but if Buttler and Pope shift up the order, then he may be able to bat at seven or eight with Chris Woakes. 

Standings

Warwickshire are currently topping Group 1, unbeaten on 53 points. They drew with Derbyshire in the first week but have since beaten Essex and Nottinghamshire comfortably. Worcestershire are second but without a win. They have drawn their three matches to the same sides Warwickshire have faced. The rest of the group is in tight competition: all sides are within one win of each other.

Group 2 is more spread out. Top of the table Hampshire are forty points ahead of Leicestershire, who prop up the conference. What was considered the hardest group has definitely lived up to its reputation with 2019 County Championship winners, Surrey, without a win and struggling to find consistent runs. 

Group 3 is similarly spaced with the two Roses clubs, Lancashire and Yorkshire sitting at the top of the table unbeaten, while Glamorgan and Kent have failed to get a win.

It is hard to predict what will happen over the next few months of the season, but my prediction is that the six sides making it to Division 1 will be:

Essex

Warwickshire

Hampshire

Gloucestershire

Lancashire

Yorkshire

[jrpneblog]

Painting the Big Picture

In football it is very easy to get carried away with three good results or three poor results for that matter. No better example of this is the ups and downs of North Ends start to this 23-24 campaign. Six wins and two draws from the opening eight games really set the Hares running at Deepdale as North End topped the division leading into the September international break. However just five weeks later and North End find themselves ten points behind league leaders Leicester City after taking just one point from the last four league games. Some say we were lucky in the early part of the season hanging on for narrow wins but I do not purport to that narrative. I actually think North End managed those early games very well in the latter stages and we were good value for the twenty points we amassed from those first eight league games. The horror show was the West Brom game at home and with what happened at Leicester and Ipswich in the following seven days, the stuffing was knocked out of North End`s early season giddiness. We were good for an hour at Leicester and probably gave our worse defensive play for some time at Portman Road last Saturday.

In spite of the past three results I think we should look at the big picture with a little more confidence than I am feeling around Deepdale at the moment. No doubt in my mind that the squad is stronger this season than it was last season and in Holmes and Millar we have have brought in two players who are very comfortable at this level and can beat an opponent from a level start. That is something we have not we had at Deepdale for a while in the Championship. I still feel the manager is on a learning curve in the Championship and if there is one observation I would make regarding Ryan Lowe is that he sometimes makes the players fit the system and not the other way round. Anyway, the facts of the matter are that we are third in the Championship table albeit that the clubs below have almost caught us up. We have two big home games to come after the re-start against Millwall and Southampton and we will have a look at those two fixtures in a little more detail next week. People often talk about setting realistic targets but from what I have seen so far, Leicester excepted, there is no reason at all why North End should not set their ambition on a play off spot this season which would be a real boost after fifteen years without challenging for the top flight.

Looking back to the game at Portman Road last week and a shocker of a defensive display from North End. We looked well in the game at 1-1 and when we scored after half time to make it 2-3 we once again looked like we could take something from the encounter. However we conceded some horror goals over the ninety minutes including the second Ipswich goal in which a player was allowed to run 80 yards unchallenged before slotting the ball home past Woodman. You would get a bollocking on the Park on a Sunday morning for letting that happen never mind in a game that pitched second against third in the Championship. The defensive lessons must be learned after this defeat and one or two players may well find themselves warming the bench next Saturday instead of starting the game.

And finally this week:- we turn to Euro 2024 and the destiny of England. This weekend it is our turn to miss a qualifying fixture so we welcome Australia to Wembley on Friday evening for a Friendly. The big game is on Tuesday evening when Italy come to London with an English win enough to see us qualify for the finals in Germany next Summer. With Malta at home and North Macedonia away following on from Italy I doubt England will have any issues at all making the finals but it would be nice to finish at the top of the group and a win against the Azzurri at Wembley on Tuesday evening would go a very long way towards achieving that target.

.

MATCH PREDICTION -

ENGLAND v AUSTRALIA (Friendly) H - Home Win

ENGLAND v ITALY (Euro 2024 Qual) H - Draw

.

JR`s HIGH FIVES

MK DONS to beat BARROW 11/10

A £5 Stake returns £10.50 on bet365

SEASONS STATS

Returns £52.00 Stake £50.00

Percentage profit+/-loss + 4.00%

Predictions 10 won 5 lost 5

[soccerdailyuk]

Rooney makes Arsenal Premier League title prediction after MLS all-star game

Rooney makes Arsenal Premier League title prediction after MLS all-star game Wayne Rooney, the renowned Manchester United icon, has showered accolades on Arsenal after their impressive 5-0 triumph against his MLS All-Star team. The Gunners secured a commanding victory in the opening friendly of their pre-season tour in America, with goals from Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz in Washington, D.C. Rooney acknowledged that the North London club exhibited formidable strength on the pitch and went on to praise the caliber of their summer signings, namely Havertz, Declan Rice, and Jurrien Timber. "The result is what it is, Arsenal showed their quality", the former England international said. "I thought the All-Star lads looked a bit nervous and hesitant, especially in the first half. "I really like the players Arsenal have signed. They've signed players with experience which is important. "Players with size as well. I think they'll do better than last season. They have a really good coach in Mikel Arteta." In the previous season, Arsenal secured a second-place finish in the Premier League, falling just five points short of the title, which was claimed by Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's team eventually achieved a remarkable treble. While Manchester City is likely to be considered favorites once more in the upcoming season, Wayne Rooney has made a prediction that Arsenal will continue to compete at the top and challenge for the league title again. "I think the signings they’ve made have been really good signings for them to try and kick on and challenge Manchester City", he replied when asked about Arteta's side in the build-up to the match. "They will be the favourites again to win the Premier League. "I think Liverpool will be better next season, Chelsea will be better. Hopefully Manchester United will be better as well! "But I think Arsenal have made some really good signings and they will compete again." Rooney makes Arsenal Premier League title prediction after MLS all-star game Read the full article

[walkonwalkonwithhopeinyourheart]

Pre-Match thread, Everton vs Liverpool, 21/06/2020, KO: 19:00 via /r/LiverpoolFC

Pre-Match thread, Everton vs Liverpool, 21/06/2020, KO: 19:00

Pre-match thread - Everton vs Liverpool.

Before we start can we get this out the way:

Ha

HAHAHAHA

Ok ill stop

Premier league

Venue: Goodison

Referee: Not confirmed yet.

Where to watch: https://m.livesoccertv.com/match/3669580/everton-vs-liverpool/

Team news:

For Liverpool, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah are expected to be fit to play despite missing their side's friendly victory over Blackburn Rovers. The same pair also sat out an internal training match the weekend before but Liverpool have said there are no injury concerns surrounding the two players.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also uncertain for the match, after picking up an injury midweek in the reds 6-0 victory over blackburn.

The news is not so good for Everton. Fabian Delph has had to miss training along with Andre Gomes while Theo Walcott has had a minor surgery which puts him out of contention for a month. Yerry Mina is also out after tearing his thigh muscle at the start of June.

Ultimately you would expect most players to be at a decent fitness level, however it will shine through which teams are up for the challenge. Lets see who has been taking this lockdown seriously and who have let it go.

Form guide +/- (Premier league)

Liverpool (1st): 66/21 WWWLW

​

Poor everton

​

Everton (12th): 37/46 WWLDL

Possible line-up from The Gaffer

Alisson

TAA - VVD (nsfw gif). - Matip - Jamez Milner

Gini (NSFL gif) - Fabinho - Henderson

Origi - Firmino - Mane

Match facts:

Strange as it now seems given their dominance of the season, but Liverpool were wobbling in the weeks before lockdown. Four out of six matches had ended in defeat, a sequence that cost Jürgen Klopp’s team their undefeated record in the Premier League, their hopes of reaching a third successive Champions League final and of adding the FA Cup to this season’s trophy haul.

Liverpool did set an English top-flight record of 22 consecutive home wins in their last league outing with victory over Bournemouth. Controversy surrounded the decision to play the second leg of the Champions League tie against Atlético Madrid in front of more than 52,000 fans at Anfield with the coronavirus infection rate growing rapidly. An official investigation is under way. Alisson was sidelined by a hip injury at the time and his replacement, Adrián, was at fault as Atlético inflicted a first defeat on Klopp in his 11 European knockout ties as the Liverpool manager.

Unsurprisingly upbeat now the unprecedented threat to a richly deserved title victory has eased. The return to contact training has also helped players who Klopp claimed were “like five- and six-year-old boys” while keeping fit at home during lockdown. On the day of football’s suspension the manager called his squad together for a quick meeting to stress the importance of remaining positive, and even enjoying the rare extended break, despite the reward for their outstanding season being placed on hold. A Zoom group including around 60 players and staff helped in that regard. Alisson is now fit, so too Jordan Henderson, who had a hamstring injury shortly before lockdown. Players who were starting to show the effects of an uninterrupted campaign for club and country – Roberto Firmino for one – should benefit from the shutdown. “We are so recharged, I can tell you,” the manager says.

What needs to be done to have a successful end to the season? Win two of the remaining nine matches to be crowned champions of England for the first time in 30 years. On the surface it really is that simple, although that target would be at odds with the mentality and ambition Klopp has ingrained in his squad. Should results go their way Liverpool could win their coveted 19th league championship in the first game back against Everton but, even then, the manager would demand more. Manchester City’s record of 100 points will be his unspoken target. Liverpool, who have dropped points in only two of 29 league matches this season, have taken a staggering 109 points from the previous 38 games. They could win 109 points from the 114 available this season. While that is a big ask of any champion side there is no question Liverpool, their title celebrations stuck on pause for so long, will be supremely motivated to remind everyone of their authority.

Have players and staff behaved during lockdown? Behaved and trained diligently throughout, which is little surprise given the standards demanded by dressing-room leaders including Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum. The same cannot be said of the owner, Fenway Sports Group, whose decision to furlough around 200 non-playing staff in April prompted fierce criticism and a swift U-turn following talks with the Spirit of Shankly supporters’ union and local politicians.

Any unsung/community heroes? Henderson will not only be remembered this season for lifting the Premier League trophy. The Liverpool captain was the driving force behind the Players Together initiative that has raised millions for frontline NHS workers and made a mockery of government attempts to single out footballers for criticism over wage cuts at the start of the crisis. Liverpool players, and the chief executive, Peter Moore, have also donated thousands to Fans Supporting Foodbanks.

Key player in the run-in? Mohamed Salah. The forward was hitting his best form of the season just before lockdown and is only three goals behind Jamie Vardy in the race for the Golden Boot. That could provide a little extra incentive to keep unlocking defences long after the title is won.

End-of-season prediction Something tells me this really could be Liverpool’s year. Neck-on-the-line time – champions.

https://the18.com/soccer-entertainment/premier-league-drinking-game-rules-2018-2019 lets bring this back

Submitted June 14, 2020 at 11:37AM by PM-Me-Salah-Pics via reddit https://ift.tt/2B3cx22

[the-writerly-night-owl]

How a Hospital is like High School

Open Heart/ Ramsey x MC 

Summary: Ethan Ramsey gets a chance to learn a lot more about Clarissa without needing to ask. Too bad it means answering her questions in return. 

Authors note: For the Choices March Challenge day 26: High School. 

Tag list: @queen-among-writers @flyawayboo @fluffy-cat-whisper @countrymusicandncis-blog @am-i-invisible777 @melodyofgraves @symonde @paisleylovergirl @elainew13 @itsbrindleybinch @brightpinkpeppercorn @universallypizzataco @princess-geek @darley1101 @mariamulroney

They were all at the bar again after work. It was slowly becoming their local hang out place after work as all of the interns and a few of the doctors went. At least it wasn’t hard to spot Doctor Ramsey nursing some drink or another in his spot. His blue eyes going from his drink, to his phone, and then to a girl at the bar with her friends. He was close enough to hear them and not be a stalker.

Right now, he was watching her flirt and get the number of a patron. Something about that just made him a tad bit jealous. Then scoffed at those thoughts before finishing off his amber bock before going to the counter for another. It was his third for the night and then he’d have to go home.

“Alright, alright, alright,” said Bryce from his spot. They were all talking about random different topics here and there. Nothing too out of the ordinary he supposed. “Weird questions aside here’s something you’ve never thought of in a while. What were you like in high school?”

Ethan glanced around at the group already making guesses in his mind. Clarissa did puzzle him just a little. What would a younger Doctor Sinclaire be like?

“Well that’s a loaded question,” said Jackie as looked around the group.  

Finally, Sienna spoke up “I was popular I guess? I mean I had a lot of friends and was involved with extra curriculars. I was a cheerleader.” She flushed heavily admitting that but the others just nodded. Huh, he would have never guessed that.

“I bet you can already tell that I wasn’t exactly popular,” said Landry. “I mean I wasn’t popular although I went to all our school’s baseball games.”

Then it went around the table as Ethan couldn’t help but wonder how they even got to this conversation. Bryce was good at woodshop, Jackie was a bit of a loner, and Elijah was frequently seen in the library. Some of it was interesting and the others predictable. Until they finally got to Clarissa.

From his spot he watched her carefully as she just shrugged.

“I was friendly and I was on the school newspaper,” said Clarissa with a shrug. “I went to school with my cousins, so we did things together.”

From there everyone finished their drinks, paid for their bar food before starting to head out. There went talking to her tonight, thought Ethan, as he finished his own drink. Then again how often did he talk to her at a bar? Sighing he went and grabbed for his own wallet not even bothering to see if she left with them.

“Are you okay Doctor Ramsey?” asked a voice from behind him.

He spun around to see Clarissa standing there. Her wallet open as she put away her credit card away, everyone else probably outside waiting for her.

“Just peachy,” he said eyes going to do the door. “Shouldn’t you catch up with your friends?”

“No, I told them that I wanted to ask you something work related before I left. They just went ahead without me for now. Hear anything of interest?”

Ethan opened his mouth ready to fire something right back at her. At least she did notice him and didn’t try to drag him into their conversation or invite himself to join. “Nothing I couldn’t figure out on my own.”

“I don’t think that you’re that great at reading people Doctor Ramsey,” she said sitting down next to him. “I mean could you guess that I played baseball in high school?”

Really? That was a tad interesting and could explain why she was at that game but didn’t say anything. She frowned before leaning in closer to him. He could see her pink lips press together as he couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to kiss her.

“I was a little chubby.” She continued as he watched her relax talking to him, it really was different since they’ve met. “Now enough about me what were you like?”

“Excuse me?”

“In high school, what were you like? It’s the only question that I’ll ask you tonight I swear.”

He watched her wondering what she was playing at was this an attempt to get to know him? Her thought process on this entire thing but her poker face was just too good. His eyes never leaving hers before thinking about it. Finally deciding on something that was close to the truth. Who wants to hear about his life in high school anyway?

“I was in science club.” Her green eyes narrowing telling him or elaborate more or more questions really would follow. “I was lazy in some ways but still got all A’s. Does that sound okay to you?”

She just rolled her own eyes as she shook her head. “I guess I’ll take it, if I must.” There was that teasing in her voice again and a promise that they’d talk again.

Doctor Ramsey just turned his head studying her. “You know high school never truly ends. Look at Edenbrook, a hospital is cliquey, when you become aware of it soon enough, you watch what you say. The doctors are the stars of the school. People like Doctor Emery are at the top and the interns are at the bottom.”

Her face still blank as he sighed. “That changes though since people rotate all the time. You’re a doctor which means you’re good for now. There’s only room to grow.”

“Thanks, I think,” she said a small laugh on her face. “I have to go it was nice talking to you Doctor Ramsey.”

Ethan just gave her a tiny smile as she grinned back and headed to the door. His gaze on her and the way her copper colored hair bounced with each step. That slight sway to her hips and the clicking of her boots. There was something about her that he couldn’t resist. Now he just had to figure out what.

[meekbet-blog]

13 July 2018 Away Team Win Football Predictions Tips Odds Kenya

13 July 2018 Away Team Win Football Predictions Tips Odds Kenya

13 July 2018 Away Team Win Football Predictions Tips Odds Kenya Best Odds Football Predictions in Kenya 13 July 2018 Away win tips Meekbet Football Prediction for Today

Best football tips and betting predictions in Kenya meekbet.com

Away Win

Athlone Town vs Cabinteely DATE/TIME:13/07/18,21:30 LEAGUE:Club Friendly Games SPORTPESA GAMEID :1426 ODD:1.32 TIP: Cabinteely (Away Win)  RESU…

[icompletesports]

All about Nigeria-Football Players

Football is one of the most popular sports in Nigeria, and with millions of football fans across the country, watching outstanding gifted footballers should be easy. Nigeria has produced some of Europe's most notable and gifted Nigeria-football players. Predictably, this has resulted in great wealth for those football stars.

Nigeria, with a population of approximately 186 million people, is a country with numerous sporting interests, the most well-known of which is football. It has continuously produced some of the best football players in Africa. The country has produced a host of other excellent football players.

Without a doubt, Nigeria is Africa's brightest footballing beacon. The football team is known as the Super Eagles. Nigeria's football team has won the African Cup of Nations and has competed in continental and international events in the past.

Football is by far Nigeria's most popular sport, and efforts were made to create a public group that would address the country's advantages on the international stage when the country was still under British colonial administration. According to Nigeria-football news, the Nigerian football team's most important authority game was a 2-0 victory over Sierra Leone in Freetown in October 1949, while friendlies against rookie and semi-capable clubs were also played on a trip to England.

History of Nigeria-football Players

Nigeria played its first legal game in October 1949, while it was still a British colony, after buzzing in unofficial games throughout the 1930s. The Super Eagles played warm-up games in England against amateur teams such as Bromley, Dulwich District, Diocesan Auckland, and South Liverpool. The match between Nigeria and Marine A.F.C. at Rossett Park drew 6,000 people, a record for the small stadium.

Dive deeper into the Nigeria Super Eagles by visiting our website.

nigeria-football

[tkmedia]

FIFA 22: 20 of the best teams to manage in Career Mode

FIFA 22 is here, and Career Mode remains one of the most popular features of the series.Whether it is returning a fallen giant to their former glory, building a small club into a big one, or taking on a fashionable team that everyone loves, there is always a challenge out there.And with FIFA 22 dropping, you can run into a brand new career and feel the innovation of HyperMotion technology with whichever team you choose. HyperMotion implements 11 vs 11 motion capture and adds a new animations - as many as 4,000 of them - to make the game feel more realistic than it ever has.Which team should you choose, though? Here’s a look through 20 of the best teams to manage in FIFA 22 Career Mode…Related Articles

Icon / VideoCreated with Sketch.FIFA 22 Review: Gameplay, FUT, Career Mode, Pro Clubs & MoreIt feels as though EA Sports have really put the work in to improve the most important aspect, gameplay, after a few years of decline - and they've managed it.Sep 29, 2021

Barcelona predicted lineup vs Benfica - Champions League A Barcelona predicted lineup ahead of their Champions League meeting with Benfica. Matt O'Connor-Simpson|Sep 28, 2021

Twitter reacts as Barcelona are humiliated by Benfica in the Champions League The best from social media as Benfica beat Barcelona 2-1 in the Champions League.Matt O'Connor-Simpson|Sep 29, 2021

Champions League results: Matchday 2Results for Champions League matchday 2 - including Juventus vs Chelsea, Man Utd vs Villarreal & Porto vs Liverpool.Jamie Spencer|Sep 29, 2021

Athletic Bilbao only use local players / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty ImagesBeing in charge of Athletic Club comes with the caveat of only signing players from the Basque region - otherwise known as its cantera policy.It is the ultimate home-grown challenge.

Gianluigi Buffon is back with Parma / Nicolò Campo/Getty ImagesParma are the epitome of cool because of the cult teams they had during the 1990s. They've had several financial meltdowns over the years and are yet to properly recover from the most recent six years ago.They have been back to Serie A after starting out in Serie D in 2015, but relegation last season means starting 2021/22 in Serie B.

Malmo are Sweden's representatives in the Champions League / David Lidstrom/Getty ImagesSweden has produced countless outstanding footballers over the decades and their national team is a staple of the knockout rounds at international tournaments. Yet their club sides have fallen behind.Malmo have flown the flag in the Champions League a few times in recent years, including this season, and remain the only Swedish club to have played in the final - but that was nearly 45 years ago.

Famalicao are Portuguese minnows / Quality Sport Images/Getty ImagesWith a stadium holding barely more than 5,000, Famalicao are Portugal's minnows and are arguably punching above their weight just being in the Primeira Liga alongside the likes of Porto, Benfica and Sporting CP.Success in Portugal is a notoriously closed club. Only five teams have ever been crowned champions, with two of those just one-hit wonders. Adding a sixth, especially a tiny club like Famalicao, would be historic.

Restore Independiente's glroy days / Marcelo Endelli/Getty ImagesHaving won it seven times, Independiente are the most successful club in the history of the Copa Libertadores. But the last of those titles was back in 1984 and the modern hype is for Boca Juniors and River Plate instead.Why not build a team capable of restoring the glory days? You could even try and persuade Sergio Aguero back - he left for Europe when he was 18 and has said in real life he would like to return.

1860 Munich have disappeared into the shadows / Christof Koepsel/Getty ImagesFounded in 1860, obvious when you think about it, 1860 Munich are one of Europe's most historic football clubs. They've been German champions, won domestic and European trophies, but things haven't been good.1860, now completely overshadowed by city rivals Bayern, haven't been in the Bundesliga since 2004 and were briefly in Germany's fourth tier recently. They're now back in tier three, but can you take then back to the top?

Paris FC split from Paris Saint-Germain in 1972 / DAMIEN MEYER/Getty ImagesUnlike other European capitals like London or Madrid, which have numerous top flight football clubs, Paris has just one: Paris Saint-Germain.But Paris FC exist as a result of a split from PSG in 1972 and have been a longstanding fixture of France's lower leagues. Currently in Ligue 2, they have previously threatened promotion to Ligue 1 and French football needs a top flight Paris derby.

Malaga have fallen on hard times since their 2013 peak / SOPA Images/Getty ImagesRemember when Malaga were in the Champions League quarter-finals and on the verge of reaching the semis? It was only as recently as 2013 but decline since those brief glory years have left them in Spain's second tier.The entire first-team squad was released in 2020 to stave off insolvency. There's rarely a blank canvas like it in football.

Hibernian were Scotland's third best club in 2020/21 / Callum Landells/Getty ImagesThe challenge is simple: break the Old Firm dominance of Scottish football. The reality is probably quite a bit harder but worth a good go.It was 1985 the last time a club other than Rangers or Celtic was crowned champions in Scotland. That was Aberdeen led by a young Alex Ferguson.Hibernian were comfortably third in the Scottish Premiership last season so are probably your best bet.

Sutton United are the newest club in FIFA 22 / Christopher Lee/Getty ImagesSutton are the newest addition to the EFL, so taking them further up the English leader ladder would be an ultimate rags to riches tale.This is the first season they have been included in a FIFA game.

Forest Green are a completely unique club / Pete Norton/Getty ImagesForest Green are a unique side that deserve plenty of attention. They became the world's first vegan club in 2015, before they had even reached the EFL, and have kitted out their stadium with eco-friendly innovations.The New Lawn sadly isn't available in FIFA 22, but the club's jazzy home and away kits are not ones to miss.

Make Rochdale interesting / Nathan Stirk/Getty ImagesMake an extremely unremarkable club...remarkable.Rochdale once spent 26 consecutive seasons in the EFL's bottom division without getting promoted or relegated. They've recently had a spell in League One but are back in League Two for the 2021/22 season.Yet this is still the club that had had big names like Rickie Lambert, Grant Holt and Adam Le Fondre pass through in the past.

Blackburn have been out of the Premier League for too long / Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesBlackburn remain one of only seven clubs that have held the Premier League trophy aloft since the new competition was formed in 1992.Yet Rovers haven't been in the top flight for 10 consecutive seasons following their relegation in 2012 and it's about time they returned.Plus there's Chilean sensation Ben Brereton Diaz to manage.

Generations of Nottingham Forest fans haven't seen their club successful / James Williamson - AMA/Getty ImagesTwo-time European Cup winners Nottingham Forest haven't played top flight football for over 20 years since their 1999 relegation from the Premier League. What's more, a good number of those years have seen them finish in the bottom half of the Championship.Restoring the glory days is first and foremost getting back in to the Premier League. Then it climbing the table, challenging domestically and, perhaps ultimately, reigning Europe once more.

Benfica have been cursed for 60 years / PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/Getty ImagesBreak the curse of Bela Guttmann.Achieving domestic success with the Portuguese giants shouldn't be an issue, but the club hasn't experienced European success since 1962 after supposedly refusing legendary coach Guttmann a pay rise.He is alleged to have 'cursed' the club, vowing that they wouldn't be European champions again for 100 years. Given that they have lost five European Cup finals since then, the 'curse' has stuck.

Ajax are a hugely popular club / BSR Agency/Getty ImagesAjax remain one of the most popular clubs in Europe. Historically, they are also tremendously successful but their last Champions League title was back in 1995, although they came close to the final in 2019.Build your own Ajax golden generation and make Amsterdam the heart of Europe once more.

AC Milan need someone to deliver success / Marco Luzzani/Getty ImagesFor being the second most successful club in Champions League history and the third most successful club in Serie A history, AC Milan are currently nowhere near the status they want to be.A sleeping giant for the past decade, the Rossoneri are underdogs in Europe when they were once feared and it doesn't sit right.

Tottenham have been starved of success / Marc Atkins/Getty ImagesA major trophy of any description has eluded Spurs since 2008. They have played in finals in that time but the drought goes on.In 2021, having missed the trophy boat under previous manager Mauricio Pochettino, there is also a rebuilding project to complete, which will make any future successes all the more sweet.

Arsenal are in the midst of an exciting rebuilding project / Clive Rose/Getty ImagesArsenal fans demand success and it will take a skilled manager to deliver it, successfully rebuilding a squad capable of the ultimate goals.It didn't happen right away, but the Gunners rather unsurprisingly fell apart after Arsene Wenger left the club. The rebuild has started and taking over the Emirates Stadium means inheriting some potential, but the process is going to be long and ongoing to yield real success.Arsenal haven't won the Premier League since 2004, haven't seriously challenge since 2008, and have never won the Champions League. Read the full article

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Qatar World Cup: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Kazakhstan-Bosniaks to secure a comfortable win

These two teams have yet to win a game in the Qatar Football World Cup 2022 qualifiers. Who will break the bad form? Our prediction: the Bosnians will come closer to success!

Fans from all over the world are called to book Football world Cup tickets from our online platforms WorldWideTicketsandHospitality.com. Football World Cup fans can book Bosnia Football World Cup Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

                        Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina have never qualified for the mainland competition in their history but managed to participate in the World Forum in 2014. But they didn't make it out of the group. And now Bosnians have also failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2022. They got only 2 points in three matches. Yes, they met world champions France twice, but the Bosnians managed to get one point here as well. Is that enough to qualify for second place in Group D and the relegation playoffs?

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has never been selected for a major international tournament in its history. That will not change this year. After the draw it was clear that Kazakhstan would play the main role in group D. They lost 0-2 and 0-1 to France and Finland, correspondingly, but managed to take points from Ukraine 1-1 and 2-2. That's why the Kazakhs are last in Group D.

History of meetings between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kazakhstan the teams from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kazakhstan have never faced each other. The forthcoming match will be their debut. For more details about Football World Cup Tickets.

Expert betting tips

The teams from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kazakhstan are currently in second place in Group D, while the Bosnians still have a chance to fight for second place. The hosts will certainly have more motivation in such a situation. Yes, Talgat Baysufinoff's guard always shows character and doesn't give up without a fight, but here it will be quite difficult for them. You can bet on a win for Bosnia and Herzegovina with a handicap of (-1.5), which corresponds to odds of 1.90.

Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kazakhstan did not perform particularly well in the first half of their qualification for the Football World Cup 2022. They have played a very cautious and risk-free game. The Bosnians have scored only seven goals in three games, while the Kazakhs have scored nine goals in four games. The best bet is a Total of under 2.5 goals with odds of almost 2.04.

Dzeko experienced a mixed last season at Roma and moved to Inter in the summer. The 35-year-old has already scored in friendlies for his new club before scoring in the first round of Serie A. In this case, it's worth keeping an eye on Dzeko's goal, which is rated at 1.80.

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