Carlo Ancelotti has said Kylian Mbappe will be "squeezed in" at Real Madrid while addressing positional concerns surrounding their new galactico.

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Mbappe unveiled as new Real Madrid playerThere are concerns over his role in a star-studded squadAncelotti confident he will fit in alongside Vini Jr & CoGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Mbappe was officially introduced as a Real Madrid player in front of an 80-000 strong crowd last week, having joined the club on a free transfer following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain. However, concerns have been raised over the Frenchman's role at Santiago Bernabeu amid strong competition for places in the final third.

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Ancelotti faces the crucial task of integrating Mbappe into an already formidable attack featuring Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham. Up to now, the 25-year-old has operated mainly as a left winger, but Vinicius has made that position his own in the Real lineup, meaning Ancelotti may have to conjure up a new tactical system in 2024-25.

WHAT ANCELOTTI SAID

Speaking at the Giffoni Film Festival, Ancelotti said when quizzed on where Real's new galactico will play: "It is my responsibility to find a place for Mbappe. We’ll find a place for him, we’ll squeeze him in.”

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Reports in Spain suggest that Ancelotti is contemplating shifting Mbappe to a more central role to maximize his effectiveness and balance the team's attacking dynamics. Vinicius would continue to feature on the left with Rodrygo once again operating on the opposite flank. Meanwhile, Bellingham has been tipped to drop deeper into midfield and could even be asked to slot into the vacant shoes of German legend Toni Kroos – who retired after Euro 2024.

ينتظر فريق الكرة بنادي الزمالك خوض عدة مباريات قوية خلال بطولتي الدوري المصري وكأس الكونفدرالية وذلك خلال شهر نوفمبر الجاري.

ويفتتح الزمالك مشواره بالموسم الجديد في الدوري المصري بخوض مباراة قوية أمام البنك الأهلي مساء اليوم الجمعة.

ويسعى لاعبو الزمالك لتحقيق انطلاقة قوية في الدوري المصري خلال الموسم الجديد والاستعداد مبكرًا للمنافسة على لقب المسابقة بعد تحقيقه للمركز الثالث في الموسم الماضي.

طالع | بطولات يوضح مدى أحقية الزمالك في التظلم على عقوبات اتحاد الكرة بشأن مباراة بيراميدز

وتلقت القلعة البيضاء خسارة صعبة أمام الأهلي في نهائي بطولة كأس السوبر المصري، بالمواجهة التي انتهت بضربات الجزاء الترجيحية.

كما يفتتح الزمالك مشواره في مرحلة المجموعات ببطولة كأس الكونفدرالية بعد التأهل من دور الـ32، بعدما فاز على الشرطة الكيني 3-1 في مجموع المباراتين بدور الـ32.

ويتواجد الزمالك في المجموعة الرابعة من كأس الكونفدرالية بجوار أندية المصري وبلاك بولز (موزمبيق)، وإنيمبا (نيجيريا)،  مواعيد مباريات الزمالك في شهر نوفمبر 2024

الزمالك والبنك الأهلي، الجولة الأولى من الدوري المصري، يوم الجمعة 1 نوفمبر، الثامنة مساءً بتوقيت مصر التاسعة مساءً بتوقيت السعودية.

الزمالك وسموحة، الجولة الثانية من الدوري المصري، يوم الجمعة 8 نوفمبر، الخامسة مساءً بتوقيت مصر السادسة مساءً بتوقيت السعودية.

الزمالك والمصري، الجولة الثالثة من الدوري المصري، يوم الجمعة 23 نوفمبر، الثامنة مساءً بتوقيت مصر التاسعة مساءً بتوقيت السعودية.

الزمالك وبلاك بولز، الجولة الأولى من مرحلة المجموعات في الكونفدرالية، يوم الخميس 28 نوفمبر، لم يحدد توقيت انطلاق اللقاء.

Would it be fair to claim that West Ham United would not have enjoyed the riches of the past few years under David Moyes' tutelage had Declan Rice not emerged from the academy?

Sure, Moyes would have been re-appointed back in December 2019. And yes, progress would have been made transfer-wise, stabilising an outfit equipped for success but failing to make it all work, like trying to place various puzzle pieces into the right positions to form a completed picture.

But Rice closed the door on his Irons journey with successive Player of the Season awards in his locker. Oh yes, and the Player of the Season award in the Europa Conference League, having played a talismanic part in securing silverware for his London outfit.

His departure stung, not least because he decided to join cross-city rivals in Arsenal, but it's hard to bewail too loudly, Rice catalysed a midfield and lifted it to glory.

Why West Ham hit the jackpot with Declan Rice

Even the most sanguine West Ham supporters would have resigned themselves to Rice's sale following the completion of the 2022/23 campaign.

No doubt the Hammers bosses canvassed offers of extension at the London Stadium but Rice felt his skill set worthy of a place at the forefront of the European game and thus Arsenal succeeded with a £105m move, making him (briefly) the most expensive footballer in British history.

Such an astronomical recoup makes it hard to argue West Ham didn't succeed with Rice, but his exploits as a United player would have cemented him in the club's hall of modern greats had he left for a pittance, with Jack Wilshere gushing back in 2021 that "physically he's a freak, and technically he can do anything that he wants."

He amassed 245 appearances for West Ham after graduating from the academy and became synonymous with the side's resurgence under Moyes, fuelling the team from the nucleus of the pitch and dazzling with his high-energy, all-embracing midfield approach.

He's the creme-de-la-creme, but West Ham thought they had an even bigger talent on their hands in the early days of Rice's career.

They thought so, but Reece Oxford proved to fall by the wayside on English shores.

Why Reece Oxford failed at West Ham

Oxford was one of the hottest prospects around after making his Premier League debut as a 16-year-old in the 2015/16 Premier League opener against Arsenal, with West Ham securing a stunning victory at the Emirates Stadium.

West Ham Starting XI for Reece Oxford's Debut

Arsenal 0-2 West Ham (08/09/2015)

GK – Adrian

RB – James Tomkins

CB – Winston Reid

CB – Angelo Ogbonna

LB – Aaron Cresswell

DM – Reece Oxford

CM – Mark Noble

CM – Cheikou Kouyate

AM – Dimitri Payet

CF – Mauro Zarate

CF – Diafra Sakho

Sourced via Transfermarkt

Speaking of his performance after the match, Irons gaffer Slaven Bilic was bewildered by his young talent, remarking: “The boy has got everything. Everything. Let’s be fair. Ozil, Cazorla, and Ramsey are world-class players. It’s not easy to minimize their game. He’s definitely going to make it if he progresses and keeps his feet on the ground.”

Oxford made six further Premier League appearances that year but has featured only once in the English top-flight since, completing a series of indifferent loan spells with Reading and Borussia Monchengladbach before attracting Augsburg's attention, embarking on a temporary move in 2018/19 before completing a permanent transfer with the German Bundesliga side for around £3m.

The former England U20 international has now amassed 80 appearances for the Fuggerstädter, which evens out at 13.3 features per campaign.

Reece Oxford's market value in 2024

Sadly, injuries and setbacks relating to long Covid have hindered a once-promising career, and while Oxford has enjoyed comparative success in Germany, notably starting 30 Bundesliga matches in 2021/22 as his outfit swerved the clamp of the drop zone, he's played just three times since the start of last season.

As such, the 25-year-old is currently valued at just £2m – according to Football Transfers' player valuation model, actually marking him with a price tag below Ben Johnson, who is valued at £4m.

Johnson plays his part in West Ham's system but he's probably one of Moyes' more expendable cogs, with the 24-year-old full-back starting just four Premier League games all season.

While Oxford's market price never shot up exponentially, he was expected to go to big things, having once actually been considered a bigger talent than Rice.

Indeed, according to a pensive Bilic, the chatter surrounding Oxford after his debut propelled him into a position not just as West Ham's brightest prospect but as one of the Premier League's most exciting prodigies in recent years. He had it all, the world at his feet.

“What helped him was that he was a bit under the radar,” Bilic said. “A couple of years before, when I’d come to West Ham, I couldn’t move around the place without hearing that Reece Oxford was going to be the next big thing.

“Reece made his debut at 16 and we beat Arsenal 2-0, you can imagine the hype. He had an entourage, he got injuries, maybe lost a bit of confidence and focus.

“Dec’s was a different story. He was able to come in without the same expectations. I remember being in Germany on pre-season and walking round the hotel and seeing him with his mum and dad. They’d come over to see him, I had a chat and they didn’t seem the type to want a lot of fuss. Things like that don’t do any harm to a young player.”

It's clear that in those early days, there was such a weight of expectation surrounding Oxford that Rice enjoyed the smoother road, plying his trade astutely and working his way toward the fore.

While West Ham's £3m sale looks to have been a decent deal in hindsight, it all could have been so different, with unthinkable success surely on the cards had Oxford linked with prodigious partner Rice in east London.

At least the club enjoyed the riches of one of these players, but for Oxford, the giddy heights envisaged way back when have petered out.

MatériaMais Notícias

Na tarde desta sexta-feira, no CT Joaquim Grava, o Corinthians realizou o segundo treino preparatório para o primeiro compromisso fora de casa no Brasileirão-2021. No domingo, às 16h, o Timão visita o América-MG, na Arena Independência, em Belo Horizonte, pela segunda rodada da competição.

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TABELA
> Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão-2021 clicando aqui

> Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!

GALERIA
>Relembre o desempenho do Corinthians no Brasileirão por pontos corridos

Assim como na última quinta, os atletas que atuaram por mais de 45 minutos na derrota por 2 a 0 diante do Atlético-GO, na última quarta, realizaram um trabalho regenerativo. As exceções foram o goleiro Cássio e os meio-campistas Camacho e Mateus Vital, que trabalharam com o restante do grupo.

No Campo 3 (Roberto Rivellino), os jogadores participaram do aquecimento. Em seguida, o técnico Sylvinho separou o elenco: os meias e atacantes permaneceram no Campo 3 para um trabalho de movimentação, passes, cruzamentos e finalizações comandado pelo auxiliar técnico Doriva.

Enquanto isso, zagueiros e laterais foram ao Campo 4 (Cláudio Christóvam de Pinho), onde o treinador corintiano preparou uma atividade específica para a linha de quatro defensiva, esquema que ele já declarou preferir utilizar. Por fim, Sylvinho promoveu um treino técnico em campo reduzido com os jogadores.

O Corinthians encerra a preparação para o duelo com o América-MG na manhã deste sábado, quando o treinador vai definir a equipe com todos os atletas em campo. Após o treino, a equipe viaja para Belo Horizonte, palco da partida.

It's getting closer and closer, and no matter the silverware on the line for Liverpool, a sense of poignancy is unavoidable given Jurgen Klopp is approaching the culmination of his tenure.

It's something that seems impossible, like autumn arriving after winter, but it's the cold hard truth that Liverpool supporters all around are internally wrangling with. Klopp is leaving.

In fairness, many fans have probably accepted this inevitability. Chatter surrounding a new manager is at the forefront of online discourse: Xabi Alonso is the frontrunner, and his appointment would galvanise the fanbase and then some.

More concerning, however, is the immediate contract situation on the player front, with key trio Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and skipper Virgil van Dijk all out of contract at the end of the 2024/25 campaign – that's 14 months away.

Salah was pursued by Al-Ittihad last summer, the Saudi Pro League side ravenous to insert the Egyptian goal machine as their figurehead, and while he's 32 years old in June, a return of 21 goals and 13 assists from 25 starting appearances in all competitions this season hardly speaks of infirmity.

One would not be chided for noting that Salah ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored and touches in the attacking penalty area, the top 1% for assists and the top 20% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref, and inferring that this is a player probably worth keeping hold of at the predawn of a new era.

But, hey, there are many variables in place, who knows? Still, with Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes now settled and operating within FSG's footballing system, things will hopefully start to fall into place on Merseyside.

Retaining top talent at the club will be the first port of call (after the small matter of Klopp's successor is sorted out, of course), and while Salah is the salient attacking superpower within Anfield's walls, he's not actually considered among the most lucrative stars on the books anymore.

Fast rising after a stuttering start, Ibrahima Konate is now in that mix.

Why Liverpool signed Ibrahima Konate

Liverpool forked out £36m after meeting Konate's release clause with RB Leipzig back in 2021, having sold Dejan Lovren to Zenit Saint-Petersburg the year before and feeling the force of that sale after an incredible catalogue of injuries derailed the defending champions' campaign.

A sinew-framed, hulking unit of a defender, the 6 foot 4 Frenchman has long been regarded as a high-class prospect, with talent scout Jacek Kulig even marvelling at the "athletic phenomenon" in 2022, early into his English adventure.

Joe Gomez and Joel Matip were already tried-and-tested partners next to Van Dijk but added depth was needed, and Konate was identified due to his blend of technical quality and core defensive strength.

However, while that innate ability has been clear from the off, the first few years of Konate's Reds career were punctuated by injuries, with the France international starting 11 Premier League matches in 2021/22 and 17 last season.

With Matip suffering a season-ending anterior cruciate rupture in December – the veteran is also out of contract at the end of the campaign – and the dynamic Gomez featuring at full-back more regularly nowadays, Konate needed to step up, and that he has.

Ibrahima Konate's market valuation in 2024

Konate, aged 24, now appears to be Van Dijk's senior central defensive partner and while he's only started 14 league games so far, he's played with relative consistency after infrequent starting berths throughout the first half of the campaign.

As per Sofascore, the France international has completed 88% of his passes in the Premier League this season, averaging 4.4 ball recoveries per game and succeeding with 65% of his contested duels, with such showings leading one hawk-eyed analyst to laud him as an "absolute beast."

To further emphasise this: as per FBref, Konate now ranks among the top 10% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 16% for shot-creating actions, the top 14% for progressive passes, the top 20% for successful take-ons, the top 11% for tackles and the top 6% for aerial duels won per 90.

If fitness prevails over the coming months and years, there is little in the way of Konate establishing himself as one of Europe's eminent defenders, if he is not already so.

1.

Dominik Szoboszlai

£86m

2.

Alexis Mac Allister

£86m

3.

Darwin Nunez

£86m

4.

Cody Gakpo

£86m

5.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

£69m

6.

Ibrahima Konate

£69m

7.

Curtis Jones

£69m

8.

Luis Diaz

£69m

And this is reflected through his market price; while there are several Redmen marked with a higher price tag at present, Konate is indeed rising fast toward the forefront of the squad, with his £69m value an impressive 92% increase in value in less than three years of service under Klopp's management.

His newfound market price places him above Salah, who is perhaps somewhat harshly deemed worth £34m, and while it's clear from last summer's events that this is not the case, the table above remains an illustration of the gains Konate is making.

While many teams appear to prioritise attacking Liverpool's right side of defence, avoiding Van Dijk and taking chances against the ostensibly lesser partner, Konate is starting to prove himself every bit as commanding in his duties.

Sri Lanka captain says that the white-ball players who toured Pakistan recently convinced the team to travel for the Tests

Umar Farooq in Rawalpindi10-Dec-2019Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne, who has a strong side at his disposal in Pakistan, feels it is a “great pleasure to play a part” in the revival of Test cricket in the country.When Sri Lanka toured Pakistan for a white-ball series recently, as many as ten of their premier players had opted out, but the experienced Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal are in the ranks now, and the only major player missing is Suranga Lakmal, who is unwell.For Karunaratne, it will be a first time playing in Pakistan in any format. “It my first experience here, but I am really excited,” Karunaratne said at a press conference after the team had been welcomed in the capital city of Islamabad with around 4000 security personnel looking after their safety. “It’s after ten years that we are playing a Test match in Pakistan and it’s a great pleasure for me to be part of it.”Initially, most of the senior players were reluctant to travel to Pakistan over the security situation, but after the one-day and T20 series, those players recommended us to travel here after which we decided to travel. We are delighted to be here and the arrangements are satisfactory.”While Pakistan have lost all their five Tests in the past year, three in South Africa and two in Australia, Sri Lanka have had it better, drawing a Test in New Zealand in December last year, beating South Africa 2-0 in South Africa earlier this year, and most recently drawing a Test series 1-1 at home against New Zealand.”We played really good cricket against Pakistan in Dubai [in the UAE, in 2017] and that confidence helps me to motivate myself in this series,” Karunaratne said. “Most of the guys are travelling for the first time to Pakistan and playing in Rawalpindi, it’s not easy. It’s a good pacy wicket. We have a few plans for each player, and we try to stick to the basics and do the right things at the right time, and get maximum out of the conditions as well.”Sri Lanka might be away from home, but they have Pakistan’s former coach Mickey Arthur in their dressing room. “It’s a positive thing for us. It’s a big advantage for us,” Karunaratne said. “Mickey was very close to the Pakistan team for the last three years, he knows each and everyone closely, even the batters and bowlers, and how the team is going to get prepared. But whatever we get we have to do the things right.”This is the same side we are playing after Mahela [Jayawardene] and Sanga [Kumar Sangakkara], it’s been four years now. We are an experienced side, Angelo, Chandimal, myself, [Lahiru] Thirimanne… lots of senior players are here, we want to play good cricket here, competitive cricket. Pakistan is a good side, they have done well in their own conditions, so we will try to play good competitive cricket.”

Southampton will aim to pick up a much-needed win playing in front of the St. Mary's masses tonight, Russell Martin's men losing their last two clashes on their own patch to the dismay of the disgruntled home supporters watching on.

Martin will hope his Saints troops are buoyed on by the nature of their dramatic win against Birmingham City last time out to pick up another result, Joe Aribo's 96th minute tap-in handing the stuttering automatic promotion hopefuls the three points in an action-packed 4-3 contest.

The 38-year-old boss will be wrestling with what side to pick for the task of overcoming Ryan Lowe's Preston North End now, with one usually reliable star potentially being sacrificed for fresh blood to instead get a chance to impress.

Flynn Downes' performance vs Birmingham in numbers

Usually one of the first names on Martin's teamsheet, West Ham United loanee Flynn Downes could find his once secure spot in his manager's first-team plans up in the air against Preston after a below-par showing last match.

Downes' performance was timid when compared to the likes of Will Smallbone dazzling in the centre of the park for Southampton, with the homegrown Saints man picking up two assists to play a key role in the exciting 4-3 win.

In contrast, the ex-Swansea City midfielder was quiet.

Downes did come away from the barnstorming victory with four key passes notched up and a 96% passing accuracy next to his name, but that didn't translate into the 25-year-old picking up an assist or goal for his troubles.

The Hammers loanee also dodged winning his fair share of duels in the 4-3 win, passively winning just one of the four duels he launched himself into.

Once labelled as being a "monstrous" talent by his Saints manager who managed him further when the pair were both at Swansea, Downes could now well drop out of Martin's lineup for him to test out a different central midfielder from the get-go against Preston.

The player that could replace Flynn Downes

The most logical switch-up would see Aribo come into the first-team fold after bagging the vital winner against the Blues, the ex-Rangers man rewarded with a start subsequently.

Southampton's £70k-per-week man has been knocking on the door for more first-team opportunities recently, impressing away from just being the hero at St Andrew's.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

The Nigerian midfielder would only need 45 minutes against Hull City in mid-February to bag another goal for the Saints, winning seven duels in that 2-1 defeat too in what proved to be an impactful off-the-bench appearance for the 27-year-old.

Aribo played the role of heroic substitute perfectly again in the 4-3 victory over Tony Mowbray's hosts last time out, managing to upstage Downes with a solitary duel won alongside firing in the crucial winner at the death.

Aribo's numbers vs Birmingham
Minutes played	20
Goals scored	1
Touches	25
Accurate passes	20/22 (91%)
Duels won	1/1
Possession lost	2x
Stats by Sofascore

It could well be argued that axing Downes completely could be viewed as an overreaction, but Martin would be silly not to unleash Aribo from the start after offering up yet another energetic run-out for his promotion-chasing side from so little time on the pitch.

With Smallbone and Stuart Armstrong offering more than Downes did last time out – the Scotsman livelier when committing himself into duels with three won – the regular first-teamer could be given a rare day off for Aribo to shine.

Australia are set to be unchanged as they hunt a 2-0 victory while Pakistan will rejig their team

The Preview by Andrew McGlashan28-Nov-20190:34

Australia bowlers enjoy bowling with the pink ball – Paine

Big PictureDay-night Test matches have been the centre of much discussion in recent days with India hosting their first contest with the pink ball. The second game of this series brings us back to the original home of the day-night Tests as the Adelaide Oval hosts its fourth match under lights. Whether India are playing under lights here next year is currently the topic of much debate.Back in the present and the question is whether the different conditions will help or hinder Pakistan’s chances of levelling the series. Given the struggle of the bowlers in Brisbane, if there is the prospect of their seamers getting more assistance it may narrow the gap, although anything their quicks can do Australia’s big three will be very confident of replicating.After flattering to deceive in the opening session at the Gabba, Pakistan were then so far behind the game after two days that even an improved showing could not prevent an innings defeat. However, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan – plus Asad Shafiq in the first innings – gave a template of how success can be achieved.It was difficult to pick holes in Australia’s performance although Tim Paine said the performance of the pace attack was slightly below the high expectations they set themselves. The top order did an outstanding job, but it will be interesting to see how they respond if challenged with more movement than was on offer in Brisbane.For Australia this is the first of back-to-back day-night Tests with the opening game against New Zealand also under lights in Perth next month. While the format is still trying to find its feet around the world it is clear it is seen as a key part of the future of the game in Australia. After the underwhelming crowd numbers in Brisbane, how many come through turnstiles will be closely watched.Form guideAustralia WLWLD (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Pakistan LLLLLIn the spotlightThe shock. The gasps. The silence. Steven Smith was out for 4. It would become the lowest score in Australia’s mammoth 580. He made himself run back to the hotel the evening of his dismissal to Yasir Shah who reminded him that it was the seventh time he had removed him. Was that a good idea? It will hardly go down as one of the more vicious bowler v batsman baiting stories in the game, but Smith won’t want to go two matches in a row without contributing even if it’s the least his team owes him. Shah will need to be on top of his game.It has largely been accepted – except, perhaps, by Pakistan’s inner circle – that leaving Mohammad Abbas out of the Gabba Test was a mistake. His experience, control and skill – even if marginally diminished – would have surely been an asset. It seems inevitable he will now be recalled, with the pressure of stopping an in-form Australia top order. With the new pink ball likely to offer some assistance and then the element of twilight period, Abbas appears to be the perfect type of bowler.Team newsAustralia have named an unchanged team which means no place for James Pattinson who was ruled out of the first Test following his code of conduct suspension.Australia 1 David Warner, 2 Joe Burns, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Matthew Wade, 7 Tim Paine (capt & wk), 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh HazlewoodAs reported by ESPNcricinfo, Pakistan will make at least two changes. Imam-ul-Haq will return in place of Haris Sohail, meaning captain Azhar Ali drops to No. 3, and Abbas is set to replace Imran Khan. The other decision to make is whether to play Naseem Shah in back-to-back Tests or bring in the uncapped 19-year-old Muhammad Musa. “We’ll announce the side tomorrow…because the way the questions are going, I’m going to end up announcing it now,” Azhar joked at his press conference. “We’ll go with the two openers and I’ll come back to No. 3.”Pakistan (probable) 1 Shan Masood, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Azhar Ali (capt), 4 Babar Azam, 5 Asad Shafiq, 6 Iftikhar Ahmed, 7 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 8 Yasir Shah, 9 Shaheen Afridi, 10 Mohammad Abbas, 11 Naseem Shah/Muhammad MusaPitch and conditionsUsually an excellent pitch for Test cricket, the Adelaide Oval surface has produced some exciting cricket when the added dimension of the pink ball and lights are added. The long summer nights mean it doesn’t get fully dark until late, but the twilight period can remain tricky. The less promising news is that there is the chance of showers throughout the match.Stats and Trivia The top four wicket-takers in the brief history of day-night Test cricket will be on show: Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Yasir Shah and Nathan Lyon The top three leading run-scorers of day-night Tests – Azhar Ali, Steven Smith and Asad Shafiq – will also be playing Pakistan have not played a Test in Adelaide since 1990 when Imran Khan and Wasim Akram hit second-innings hundreds in a sixth-wicket stand of 191 Steven Smith needs 23 runs to reach 7000 in Test cricketQuotes”I think that wicket looks a bit drier than perhaps it was the last pink ball Test we played here against England, but as we know the pink ball always offers enough. Our fast bowlers certainly enjoy bowling with it, particularly under lights. And the games tend to go quite quickly.”
“If you can get ahead of the game early, it makes a huge difference. It’s not a huge adjustment but it’s like if you practice a bit more before playing a pink-ball Test, more practice days or a practice match would be ideal. It’s the same for both teams, and we’ll apply our gameplans and whoever does that better will end up winning.”

Southampton will aim to pick up a much-needed win playing in front of the St. Mary's masses tonight, Russell Martin's men losing their last two clashes on their own patch to the dismay of the disgruntled home supporters watching on.

Martin will hope his Saints troops are buoyed on by the nature of their dramatic win against Birmingham City last time out to pick up another result, Joe Aribo's 96th minute tap-in handing the stuttering automatic promotion hopefuls the three points in an action-packed 4-3 contest.

The 38-year-old boss will be wrestling with what side to pick for the task of overcoming Ryan Lowe's Preston North End now, with one usually reliable star potentially being sacrificed for fresh blood to instead get a chance to impress.

Flynn Downes' performance vs Birmingham in numbers

Usually one of the first names on Martin's teamsheet, West Ham United loanee Flynn Downes could find his once secure spot in his manager's first-team plans up in the air against Preston after a below-par showing last match.

Downes' performance was timid when compared to the likes of Will Smallbone dazzling in the centre of the park for Southampton, with the homegrown Saints man picking up two assists to play a key role in the exciting 4-3 win.

In contrast, the ex-Swansea City midfielder was quiet.

Downes did come away from the barnstorming victory with four key passes notched up and a 96% passing accuracy next to his name, but that didn't translate into the 25-year-old picking up an assist or goal for his troubles.

The Hammers loanee also dodged winning his fair share of duels in the 4-3 win, passively winning just one of the four duels he launched himself into.

Once labelled as being a "monstrous" talent by his Saints manager who managed him further when the pair were both at Swansea, Downes could now well drop out of Martin's lineup for him to test out a different central midfielder from the get-go against Preston.

The player that could replace Flynn Downes

The most logical switch-up would see Aribo come into the first-team fold after bagging the vital winner against the Blues, the ex-Rangers man rewarded with a start subsequently.

Southampton's £70k-per-week man has been knocking on the door for more first-team opportunities recently, impressing away from just being the hero at St Andrew's.

Chalkboard

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The Nigerian midfielder would only need 45 minutes against Hull City in mid-February to bag another goal for the Saints, winning seven duels in that 2-1 defeat too in what proved to be an impactful off-the-bench appearance for the 27-year-old.

Aribo played the role of heroic substitute perfectly again in the 4-3 victory over Tony Mowbray's hosts last time out, managing to upstage Downes with a solitary duel won alongside firing in the crucial winner at the death.

Minutes played

20

Goals scored

1

Touches

25

Accurate passes

20/22 (91%)

Duels won

1/1

Possession lost

2x

It could well be argued that axing Downes completely could be viewed as an overreaction, but Martin would be silly not to unleash Aribo from the start after offering up yet another energetic run-out for his promotion-chasing side from so little time on the pitch.

With Smallbone and Stuart Armstrong offering more than Downes did last time out – the Scotsman livelier when committing himself into duels with three won – the regular first-teamer could be given a rare day off for Aribo to shine.

Rangers legend Ally McCoist has been left fuming at some “crazy” news ahead of the huge Scottish Premiership clash with Celtic this weekend.

Rangers and Celtic set for title decider at Ibrox

The Gers picked up another important win last weekend, battling their way to a 3-1 victory at home to Hibernian, keeping them in a great position in what is a fascainting title race. Celtic won at Livingston the following day, but their one-point lead at the top of the table is only by virtue of having played one game more.

On Sunday afternoon, a potentially defining afternoon in the Premiership season awaits, as Rangers host their bitter title rivals at Ibrox. It is arguably one of the most important meetings between the pair in years, with a win either way undoubtedly making the victor strong favourites to go all the way.

There will be some big nerves going into the game, but Philippe Clement's side may feel that they are due a win, having lost both league meetings so far this season. The Hoops won 1-0 at Ibrox back in September as well as beating the Gers 2-1 at Parkhead in December, in a game that Clement's men may feel hard done by after a strong performance.

Injuries could be key leading up to the game, and while Rangers will be without the likes of Danilo and Kieran Dowell – Abdallah Sima may not be fit enough to start, too – Callum McGregor could miss out for Celtic, which would be a blow for the visitors.

Ally McCoist fumes at "crazy" news

Speaking on talkSPORT [viaThe Daily Record], McCoist couldn't hide his frustration at a hate crime act that has been officially enforced from Monday this week ahead of Rangers' clash with Celtic:

"We've got a hate bill by the way, a hate bill has been passed in the country. And I can guarantee you, next Sunday at Ibrox, I, along with 48,000 will be committing a breach of that hate bill in the particular Rangers vs Celtic game we are all going to. It is madness.

"That's exactly what the police think (impossible to enforce). The police spokesperson has come out and more and less said that. He obviously can't because he'll get himself in trouble. He has implied it, everybody with two brain cells in their head knows it's madness, crazy. There is nobody in our country who thinks that is a good idea, who I have spoken to."

The Daily Record's article explains that the bill "was rubber-stamped on Monday and aims to combat abuse which stirs up hatred surrounding age, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity and disability".

McAvennie warns Celtic to “be aware” of rumours he’s hearing from Rangers

What a piece of business this could be at Ibrox.

ByHenry Jackson Apr 1, 2024

The hope is that trouble of any kind is avoided, with a thrilling game potentially dictating the fate of the entire season.