SOCCER FOOTBALL 24H

Lampard learning the hard way at Pride Park Derby  2.52  v Preston  3.15 ; The Draw  3.35 If  Frank Lampard  didn't already know how tough a division the Championship is, he does now. I would imagine someone had already told him anyway. The talk of the summer was how the 'Lampard effect' was luring players to sign on the dotted line at Pride Park, yet the early home 5-1 battering at the hands of Leeds United and a defeat to Millwall served up  more questions than answers  about Lampard's management capabilities. The pressure on Lampard was one of  high expectations  and, perhaps, a far from serene start was a blessing - dreams of world domination were tempered. The 2-0 win over Ipswich in the week will have  rebuilt the faith , while victory over Preston on Saturday would see Derby marching into a play-off berth with those early failings written off as blips. Preston haven't won since the opening day of the season and ...

Seventh Heaven for Seattle Portland Timbers v Seattle Sounders Monday, 02:30 The Seattle Sounders are probably the only team in MLS who are currently in better form than DC United, and their  club record sixth successive win  was completed in considerable style against the LA Galaxy last week. The Sounders now head to their big rivals Portland, who have  lost three in a row  and must be looking nervously over their shoulders, given that the Timbers are currently in the final play off place, and the Sounders are right behind them, and would jump into sixth with a victory here. I like to follow form, and so  I'm happy to support Seattle to get a win  at what will be a heated Providence Park. Their recent run has been built around the form of Nico Lodeiro and Cristian Roldan, with new signing Raul Ruidiaz also playing a useful hand. That has galvanised some of Seattle's more low level players, with the likes of Harry Shipp outstanding in recent w...

San Paolo spectacle Napoli v Milan Saturday, 19:30 Live on Eleven Sports 2 and Betfair Live Video After last week's postponement, Milan start their 2018-19 campaign with a tough trip to Naples to face their old player and  Coach Carlo Ancelotti . Napoli have early season momentum after their dramatic win at Lazio, and victory here would set them up perfectly for another run at the title. Napoli still look short of numbers for a realistic season-long tilt, but that won't affect their early form, and with Dries Mertens left out last week, Ancelotti has already shown that he will try and use his squad sensibly. Arkadiusz Milik and Lorenzo Insigne came up trumps for him last week, and Ancelotti seems happy to allow his players to maintain a Maurizio Sarri style: high intensity, high energy, it worked last week. Milan have gradually started to sort out the off-field issues which have plagued them in recent years, and have recruited well this summer too.  Gonzalo Higuain...

Expect some derby fireworks Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen Saturday 25 August, 17:30 Live on Betfair Live Video Both Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen ended the last campaign with heavy hearts. Gladbach missed out on European qualification entirely after a season of  inconsistency  and underachievement, while Leverkusen suffered a  late collapse  and missed a Champions League spot on goal difference. A Rhineland derby is the perfect way to make an early statement. Gladbach boosted their attack over the summer by grabbing the excellent  Alassane Plea from Nice, and he banged in a hat-trick on his competitive Foals debut, an 11-1 win over Hastedt in the DFB Pokal. With Lars Stindl and Raffael also in the squad, Gladbach have some exciting attacking options. Bayer have retained their best attacking players this summer, with Julian Brandt and  Leon Bailey  both signing new contracts. Kevin Volland will hope to give Germ...