SOCCER FOOTBALL 24H

1) The Grealish Factor From Paul Allen in 1980 through to Aaron Ramsey and  Nicolas Anelka  in more recent years the FA Cup Final gods have always looked down favourably on talented youngsters. They're also not averse to a throwing in a soap opera script when the mood takes them. Nineteen-year-old Jack's great, great grandfather Billy Garraty helped  win the cup for Villa  back in 1905 which coincidentally was when the winger's hairstyle was last in vogue. With history as a team-mate and a touch of divine intervention all the cosmic signs point to a Grealish wondershow. 2) The Sherwood Shuffle Admit it, you thought getting comprehensively slaughtered by  Southampton  then losing last weekend to relegated  Burnley  bode badly for Villa ahead of their biggest game since Shay Given was in nappies. Understandable I guess but you have in fact been rope-a-doped by Tim the tactician, a victim of the Sherwood Shuffle. Using every ounce of his inco...

Athletic Bilbao will face a daunting task in their latest Copa del Rey final quest, as they travel to an intimidating Nou Camp to contest La Liga champions Barcelona, who are vying for an incredible treble triumph this season, but a conjuring of Basque brilliance could see a Spanish upset. Having wrapped up the Spanish league title ahead of rivals Real Madrid and last season’s victors Atletico Madrid, the Blaugrana will host Bilbao on home soil hoping to secure another piece of the potential treble puzzle, with a Champions League final clash with Juventus soon approaching. Known as Los Leones, the San Mames outfit will need to show lion-like courage in order to topple Barca at their home gorund, as they aim to overturn an unfortunate Copa run which has seen them been unable to lift the trophy since 1984 (9/1 with Coral to win in 90 minutes). Although, surprisingly, only their final opponents Barcelona have won this coveted competition more, with Bilbao earning 23 Copa coups to their f...

Embattled FIFA president Sepp Blatter refused a request from the head of European football to step aside, as he faced mounting pressure from sponsors and politicians following the corruption scandal engulfing the sport's governing body. UEFA chief Michel Platini said he told Blatter to step down as "there have been too many scandals". "I asked him to resign: enough is enough, Sepp. He listened to me but he told me it is too late," Platini told a press conference. "I'm saying this with sadness and tears in my eyes, but there have been too many scandals. FIFA doesn't deserve to be treated this way." Speaking publicly for the first time since the crisis began early on Wednesday morning, Blatter resisted calls to resign. "The events of yesterday have cast a long shadow over football and this Congress," he said in his opening speech to FIFA's annual Congress in Zurich. Blatter faces vote on leadership today; Australia to vote fo...

Premier League relegation battlers Sunderland have rallied to an impressive run of form in recent weeks, at a crucial stage of the season, and Dick Advocaat’s men now need just a single point from their two remaining games against Arsenal and Chelsea to secure top-flight status. The Black Cats may seem to be in a strong position over fellow drop-fighters Hull City and Newcastle United, but recent history suggests they will struggle to come away from the Emirates with a much-needed result, having failed to win at the Gunners since 1984. Advocaat’s Wearside outfit have also managed to net only 13 goals in the 16 meetings since that last away triumph, but their determined Dutch boss is hopeful his side can cause an upset (10/1 with Coral to triumph). “I think every player enjoys playing at Chelsea and Arsenal. We have nothing to lose because everyone expects us to lose – but we don’t. I know that we will give both of them a really difficult time and try a...

Back Arsenal, Juventus and Rangers all to triumph in 90 minutes at 11/2 in their upcoming clashes and reap the rewards of these brilliantly boosted odds on three terrific home sides. Arsene Wenger’s Gunners will face a visit form relegation strugglers Sunderland, while Serie A champions Juventus are aiming to keep their treble bid on course with a Coppa Italia victory over Lazio and Rangers face Hibernian in the first leg of their Scottish Championship play-off encounter. Here are even more reasons why should back this tantalising treble. Arsenal v Sunderland The London outfit, odds-on 1/3 favourites, have already secured their place in next season’s Champions League competition, having rallied to third place in the Premier League table. Wenger’s Gunners also have an FA Cup final to look forward to and will be confident of dispatching a struggling Black Cats side, who are fighting to secure their top-flight status. Clinical Chile international Alexis Sanchez has enjoy...

West Bromwich Albion have a great recent home record against new Premier League champions Chelsea, having beaten them in two of their last three (losing none) meetings at The Hawthorns. Tony Pulis’ Baggies, therefore, are tempting 3/1 chances with Coral for victory, which would also be the Blues’ first defeat in the top flight since New Year’s Day. West Brom, who are unbeaten in their last four, are 12/5 to get a draw, meanwhile. But Chelsea are unstoppable of late, and they are a whopping 11 points above second-placed Manchester City with two games to go. They are also on course to reach 90 points this season (they are currently on 84), and are even-money favourites to triumph here. Jose Mourinho knows all about Pulis and his record of never being relegated whilst in charge of a Premier League side, and had these words to say ahead of the clash: “If I own an English club, I sign Tony Pulis. It’s as simple as that – he’s a guarantee to achieve what the clu...

Monday May 18, KO 20:00 Live on Sky Sports 1 West Brom The Baggies play their final home game of the season with their primary objective achieved. That, of course, is survival and all credit must go to Tony Pulis for turning things around since taking over on January 2. The former Stoke manager has won nine of 20 games in all competitions (six in the Premier League) to lead his team to mid-table safety. Long term casualty Ben Foster is the only major player who can't figure. Chelsea Jose Mourinho's side wrapped up the league title with 1-0 home defeat of Crystal Palace in their penultimate fixture, but in truth it was won weeks before with a series of outlandish results needed if they were to throw it away. The Blues marked their first game since being crowned champions with a draw against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, a game in which they had taken the lead. Diego Costa may make an appearance but first teamers Oscar and Ramires are out. Match Odds Was t...

Lazio, 11/8 for victory with Coral, are racing to cement a Champions League place for next season and, after a recent blip in form to surrender second spot back to capital rivals Roma, must clinch all three points against Sampdoria. Currently ensconced in coveted third place, the electric Eagles, who have won five of their past six battles with the Blucerchiati, must stay ahead of Rafa Benitez’s Napoli boys. Samp, 2/1 to triumph on home turf, are also chasing continental football for next campaign, but currently sit sixth after their own recent Serie A slump. The Romans have won five of their previous six battles with the Blucerchiati, with the other ending on even terms, so will be expecting to emerge as victors again. Having already sunk Samp 3-0 this season, Stefan Pioli’s impressive side are a superb 17/5 chance to score three or more again, or 15/4 to win to nil at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Fantastically talented Brazilian attacking force Felipe A...

Santos vs Cruzeiro  Sunday 20:00 Our first game on Sunday is a tasty affair as back-to-back champs Cruzeiro make their first away trip of the season to play Santos. Both teams are coming off the back of disappointing results in their opening fixture; Santos a 1-1 draw to newly promoted Avai and Cruzeiro starting off their season with a home loss to Corinthians. It is long past time, over a decade, that Santos put together a credible title challenge , the club that has given the world Pele, Robinho (currently back at the club on loan from AC Milan) and Neymar has languished in mid-table for far too long. Unfortunately, it would be a surprise if this year was that year. The side that finished ninth last season has hardly been supplemented with quality , a 33 year old Elano on a free being an example of their transfer activity. The famed Santos youth production has some talented youngsters coming through but there is no new Neymar on the horizon or even a Kenedy at Flum...

Borussia Monchengladbach to win at Verder Bremen This writer doesn't know the German for "after the Lord Mayor's Show", but expects Borussia Monchengladbach to display a tacit understanding of the phenomenon a week on from the win over Bayer Leverkusen which put them on the fast track to next season's Champions League group phase. The Foals have been the story of the Bundesliga campaign - one which is their most successful in 31 years - yet their sole win in six away to a top-eight rival came against a distracted Bayern Munich in March. Only Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich have defeated resurgent Werder Bremen at the Weserstadion since the start of November, and they haven't conceded in three home matches. Lay Torino to beat Chievo @ 1.82 This has been another laudable season for Torino, who are on course to earn a top-half finish despite losing Ciro Immobile and Alessio Cerci - who scored 60% of their goals in 2013/14 - last summer, having also r...

Freiburg vs  Bayern Munich Saturday May 16, 14:30 Bayern Munich went down swinging in the Champions League semis, but ultimately they had no answer to the sustained excellence of Barcelona. Bayern coach Pep Guardiola was hopeful that the tactical adjustments he has made throughout the season would allow the German champions to overcome even the world's best teams, but that hope proved forlorn. Barca's all-star armoury may well have blown Bayern away even if the Bavarians had been at full-strength, but we'll never know, as Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and David Alaba remained tethered to the treatment table (not literally, unless things have taken a weird turn since club doctor Hans Muller-Wolfahrt departed). With the German Cup campaign derailed by Borussia Dortmund, and the Bundesliga title wrapped up, only personal pride remains for Bayern and Guardiola. That pride shouldn't be underestimated, and while Bayern have lost their last two Bundesliga match...

Lokeren vs Mechelen Saturday 19:00 The group stage 2 is complete and this weekend sees the commencement of the final stages of the Europa League playoffs in Belgium. Lokeren are at home first as they take on Mechelen at the Daknamstadion. These two were practically inseparable during the regular season with Mechelen finishing just a point behind Lokeren. However both teams were significantly more successful on their home turf so Lokeren will be looking to take the initiative in the opening leg on Saturday. Manager Peter Maes will be confident that his East Flanders team can make a strong start to the contest after his team demolished Oostende 6-1 in their last home game. In all Lokeren have bagged nineteen goals in the playoffs so far and are looking way more prolific now than they have all year. Hans Vanaken and Nill De Pauw should start up front but keep an eye on Cyriel Dessers who has sprung into action recently scoring four in the playoffs. Swiss Mijat Marić is a...

Inter v Juventus Saturday, 17:00 Way to go, Serie A: once more, the famous and fabled Derby D'Italia is played at a throwaway time on a Saturday afternoon. I know there's not a great deal at stake, but it still feels wrong, especially as Juve's returning heroes from Madrid deserve a better stage. Anyway, our job is to try and find a winning bet, rather than worry about Italian politics, and that has to revolve around the state of Juventus. Two big Cup finals to come, a weary squad, and maybe there for the taking? The market would certainly suggest that, with Inter priced at 2.32 for the win and Juve 3.45 . You don't get many chances to back the Champions at that price, and given that Inter are a little overrated, it's mighty tempting. Don't think for a minute that Juventus will go to San Siro and roll over: that's not in their make up, and Max Allegri will send out a team that he believes can win the game. That said, Juve have lost to Par...

Bet 1 : Sunderland (HOME) @ 2.75 (7/4) It's been a great couple of weeks for Sunderland as seven points from a possible nine has lifted them out of the relegation zone and above local rivals, Newcastle. After pulling off a miraculous escape last season, it would appear that The Black Cats are going to avoid the drop once again, although their work is far from done. Dick Advocaat will be desperate to take all three points against Leicester and I quite fancy the Dutch master to do so. Sunderland have earned vital wins over Newcastle and Southampton at home of late and confidence among the squad couldn't be higher. Obviously Leicester will be formidable opponents given their astounding run of six wins from seven outings, but it's worth remembering that four of those came in front of their own fans. It also has noted that with their final match coming at The King Power against the already relegated QPR, getting a result isn't as important for Nigel Pearso...

Both matches take place on Thursday at 20:05 Dnipro v Napoli (ITV4) Dnipro have won each of their last four home games in this competition without conceding Not bad when you consider the Ukrainians' advantage should be significantly eroded by playing in Kiev. When league games in which their adversaries are at home are added to the total, they have kept eight clean sheets in their last nine. The Azzurri may have been banging them in on the road of late, but they failed to score the last time that they travelled to eastern Europe, when held by Dinamo Moscow, and shutting them out will guarantee Dnipro progression. Recommended Bet: Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.80 Napoli have never won an away semi-final leg in European competition, losing 2-0 to Anderlecht in the Cup Winners' Cup in 1977 and drawing 2-2 with Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup in 1989 History both ancient and modern is against Rafael Benitez's side ahead of their trip to the Uk...

Rafael Bentiez’s Napoli will travel to Ukraine in search of a victory over a stubborn Dnipro side in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final match-up, having been held to a shock 1-1 draw at the Stadio San Paolo last time out. The tie is finely poised ahead of a potentially enthralling clash on Ukrainian soil, with former Liverpool manager Benitez gunning for a third trophy success in this European competition, having previously secured wins with Valencia and Chelsea in 2004 and 2013 respectively. Serie A’s fourth-placed side are 7/4 with Coral to clinch European glory this season, and are well capable of cruising past their next opponents with such a clinical strikeforce. The Little Donkey’s stalwart skipper Marek Hamsik hailed the impact that the former Premier League manager has had in Naples, pointing out his attention to detail as a key factor in the club’s successful run this current campaign. “He makes himself heard and communicates well...