Sports news

​Burnley make the journey to Goodison Park this Friday to face an in-form Everton team as the Premier League season draws to a close.

The Clarets lost by the slenderest of margins last time out, Sergio Aguero’s scrappy effort bouncing a mere 29mm over the line to gift Manchester City the win. Despite the defeat, Sean Dyche’s side have ensured their place in the top flight for next year, a strong run of results over the past month securing their survival.

The hosts were held to a stalemate away to Crystal Palace on Saturday, though they have won four of their previous six matches in the league. They sit in ninth place in the table, Europa League qualification still on the cards if they can hunt down Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Here’s the team Dyche could field against the Toffees for Friday’s ​meeting.

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​Goalkeeper & Defenders

Tom Heaton (GK) – The England international was bombarded against ​City, facing a total of 25 shots. He made one outstanding stop from Bernardo Silva with the scores still level, parrying a venomous drive from point-blank range.

Matt Lowton (RB) – At 29 years of age, Lowton is now a well-established ​Premier League

player, with over a century of appearances in the division. A consummate professional and industrious worker, Dyche can always rely on his right back.

James Tarkowski (CB) – After a place in Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad slipped agonisingly through his fingers, Tarkowski’s confidence could have taken a major knock. However, he has avoided a downturn in form, continuing to shine at the back for the ​Clarets.

Ben Mee (CB) – A wondrous block on the line prevented Gabriel Jesus from killing Burnley off on Sunday, Mee intelligently reading the play before setting himself in the perfect position to deny the Brazilian.

Charlie Taylor (LB) – After coming through the ranks with ​Leeds in the lower divisions, Taylor made a switch to Turf Moor in 2017 and hasn’t looked back since. Though not the flashiest of players, he can more than hold his own in the Premier League.

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Midfielders 

Jeff Hendrick (RM) – The Irishman is a tireless worker and an underrated passer of the ball, making him a fine fit in Dyche’s lineup. He is another who is proving his abilities in the top flight.

Jack Cork (CM) – Into his third spell in claret and blue following two loan spells, Cork has found a place where he is adored by fans for his slick distribution and defensive solidity following stints at Southampton and Swansea.

Ashley Westwood (CM) – It has been a splendid 2019 for Westwood, the midfielder having found a rich vein of form. He has been a key force in driving Burnley up the table and expelling any lingering concerns about relegation.

Dwight McNeil (LM) – Still a fresh-faced teenager, McNeil was fearless against the league leaders, as he has been since being handed an opportunity in the team by Dyche. His purposeful dribbling, pinpoint crossing and the ability to glide past defenders mark him out as a threat to Everton’s defence.

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Forwards 

Ashley Barnes (ST) – ​Liverpool supporters were desperate for Barnes to sink the Citizens, but it was not to be. With eight goals this calendar year he poses a very real threat to Marco Silva’s backline.

Chris Wood (ST) – The Kiwi is a bruising, vigorous striker, capable of keeping even the greatest defences busy with his physicality and aerial prowess.

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​Everton host Burnley at Goodison Park on Friday night as they aim to continue their strong finish to the Premier League season.

Marco Silva’s side played out a goalless draw away to Crystal Palace last time out, though they did humiliate Manchester United 4-0 the week prior. They have won four of their last six matches in the top flight, losing just once in that run.

The visitors were narrowly edged out 1-0 by Manchester City last weekend having claimed an impressive 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge six days before, their survival now guaranteed.

Here’s the lineup Silva could choose for Friday’s ​meeting.

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Goalkeeper & Defenders

Jordan Pickford (GK) – England’s number one has struggled for form since returning from Russia, though he now looks to be getting back to his best. That is demonstrated by the fact that he has kept seven clean sheets in his last nine ​Premier League appearances. 

Seamus Coleman (RB) – The Irishman possesses lightning speed and is always a willing runner, constantly providing an option for teammates. One of the most underrated defenders in the division, Silva will be mightily pleased to have Coleman at his disposal.

Michael Keane (CB) – Inclusion in the latest England squad was just reward for Keane’s fine showings this term. Whereas before he was shaky and indecisive, now the 26-year-old appears fully assured of his own abilities.

Kurt Zouma (CB) – The ​Chelsea loanee is a fierce force at the back for the ​Toffees, dominating opposition attackers and valiantly protecting his goal. Chris Wood may be a combative striker up front for ​Burnley, but he will struggle to overpower Zouma.

Lucas Digne (LB) – Everton have splashed the cash rather lavishly in recent transfer windows, yet arguably their finest bit of business was bringing Digne to Goodison Park for around £18m last summer. He has bagged some marvellous goals this campaign, including a sumptuous double in the reverse of this fixture at Turf Moor.

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Midfielders 

Idrissa Gueye (CM) – Links to Paris Saint-Germain emerged over the winter, but Gueye stayed put. Silva and the club’s supporters will be thankful for that, the Senegal international having developed into a superb all-round midfielder.

Morgan Schneiderlin (CM) – The Frenchman has never quite been the same since leaving ​Southampton for ​United, becoming something of a scapegoat at Old Trafford. Though he is now performing soundly, he is yet to rediscover the form he showed in red and white stripes.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (CAM) – This man is lethal from long-range. With remarkable technique and awe-inspiring power, keepers are powerless to stop Sigurdsson piledrivers. He got on the scoresheet against the Clarets in December, though that was actually from the spot.

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Forwards 

Richarlison (RW) – Eyebrows were raised when Everton chose to pay ​Watford £50m including add-ons for Richarlison. Well, he’s starting to justify that gargantuan fee, his dynamic displays ​allegedly catching the eye of treble-chasing ​Barcelona.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (ST) – At just 22 years of age, there is still plenty of time for the youngster to become a top level marksman. With eight goals in all competitions this campaign, he’s not exactly setting the world alight, though it is a reasonable base to progress from.

Bernard (LW) – Deft, jinking dribbles from Bernard have left many a Premier League defender back-peddling. The nimble winger is so slippery, offering an excellent attacking outlet for his side.

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Pedro grabbed a priceless away goal against Eintracht Frankfurt following an early set back as Chelsea drew their Europa League semi final first leg in front of a hostile German crowd on Thursday.

Frankfurt took the lead in the 26th minute after Luka Jovic expertly headed home his 26th strike of the season from Filip Kostic’s cross following a swift counter-attack.

The Blues equalised right on the stroke of half-time after the Bundesliga side failed to clear their lines from a corner, which allowed Ruben Loftus-Cheek to lay off Pedro whose powerful strike into the bottom corner resulted in a crucial away goal.

That strike turned the clash on its head as Maurizio Sarri’s side were the much better team in the second half, with David Luiz coming closest to finding a winner through a thunderous free kick which cannoned off the crossbar.

Chelsea had several opportunities to kill the tie against a tiring Frankfurt side, most notably through Luiz and Loftus-Cheek, but ultimately had to settle for a draw.

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CHELSEA

Key Talking Point

The Blues knew that this would be their most difficult test of the competition, as they were facing a top four ​Bundesliga side who had already beaten the likes of Shakhtar, Inter and Benfica on route to the last four.

A wall of noise greeted the two sides which made for an incredible atmosphere at the Commerzbank Arena. But it was Sarri’s team selection which raised eyebrows, with talisman Eden Hazard only a substitute after starting just two Europa League matches all season.

It took a while for Chelsea to adapt to the noise. Their lack of end product following Jovic’s opening goal was turning into a major problem, and they needed to quieten the crowd quickly.

Fortunately, they soon found their feet, and Pedro’s equaliser not only gave the visitors a huge away goal, but also deflated the home fans.

They started the second half on the front foot, and Sarri clearly smelt blood when he brought Hazard on shortly after the hour mark to find a winner against a Frankfurt side who looked out on their feet.

They couldn’t capitalise on their dominance, but they will be confident of finishing the job at Stamford Bridge next week.

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Player Ratings

Starting XI: Arrizabalaga (6); Azpilicueta (6), Luiz (7), Christensen (6), Emerson (7); Jorginho (7), Kante (8), Loftus-Cheek (8); Pedro (7), Giroud (6), Willian (7).

Substitutes: Hazard (6), Kovacic (6)

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STAR MAN – Loftus-Cheek was the driving force behind a Chelsea midfield which looked as impressive as they ever have done since Sarri took over last year.

His second half display in particular was extremely impressive, mainly thanks to some outstanding and aggressive runs as his side tried to find a winner.

His lay-off set Pedro up for the all important goal on the edge of half-time, but his all round play was a huge factor in not allowing the hosts to build any momentum whatsoever.

He was extremely unfortunate to be brought off in the 81st minute, and his performance in an extremely intense atmosphere suggested that he is more than capable of playing every week for a top European side.

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EINTRACHT FRANKFURT

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Trapp (6); Abraham (6), Hinteregger (5), Falette (6); Da Costa (6), Rode (8), Hasebe (6), Fernandes (6), Kostic (7); Gacinovic (6), Jovic (7).

Substitutes: Paciencia (6).

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Looking Ahead

Chelsea host Watford on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League, before the reverse leg against Frankfurt next Thursday evening.

The Blues travel to Leicester on the final day of the season, hoping to secure their place in the top four in the process.

Frankfurt continue their challenge for a Champions League place when they visit Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday, before hosting Mainz following next week’s clash at Stamford Bridge.

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La Liga champions ​Barcelona travel to Celta Vigo on Saturday fresh off the back of claiming their 26th league title and beating Liverpool in the Champions League.

It’s a crucial game for Celta, who sit just two points above the relegation zone with three games to play. Ernesto Valverde could opt to rest several key Barca players ahead of the Catalans’ Champions League semi final second leg game against Liverpool the following Tuesday. 

Check out 90min’s preview for the match below.

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Where to Watch

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When Is Kick Off?	Saturday 4 May
What Time Is Kick Off?	19:45 (BST)
Where Is it Played?	Balaídos
TV Channel/Live Stream?	Eleven Sports
Referee?	José Sánchez Martínez

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​Liverpool take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday night as the Reds look to take the title race to the final day of the season.

Just one point separates ​Liverpool and ​Manchester City at the top of the table, with Jurgen Klopp relying on a City slip-up in the final two games to take the Premier League trophy to Anfield for the first time in 29 years.

After Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League defeat to ​Barcelona, Klopp will demand an instant response against a ​Newcastle side with nothing but pride at stake.

The Magpies have, however, picked up seven points from a possible nine in recent weeks so Rafael Benitez may be out to finish the season strongly, with his future still up in the air.

Check out the preview for Saturday’s ​clash below.

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​Where to Watch

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​When Is Kick Off?	​Saturday 4 May
​What Time Is Kick Off?	​19:45 (BST)
​Where Is It Played?	​St James’ Park
​TV Channel/Live Stream?	​Sky Sports Premier League
​Referee?	​Andre Marriner

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Team News

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Newcastle are missing young midfielder Sean Longstaff and defender Florian Lejeune, who both face lengthy spells on the sidelines, while January signing Miguel Almiron will miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.

Jamaal Lascelles also missed last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Brighton with a stomach illness but the captain could return on Saturday, while Ayoze Perez was forced off in the same game and could miss out.

​Roberto Firmino and ​Trent Alexander-Arnold were named on the ​Liverpool bench in midweek, with both players expected to return to the starting lineup this weekend.

Unfortunately for Liverpool, ​Naby Keita’s season is over after the Guinea international ​suffered a groin tear at Camp Nou from a challenge by ​Ivan Rakitic.

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Predicted Lineups

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​Newcastle	Dubravka; Manquillo, Schar, Lascelles, Dummett, Ritchie; Perez, Shelvey, Hayden, Atsu; Rondon​.
​Liverpool	​Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Henderson; Salah, Firmino, Mane.

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Head to Head Record

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Unsurprisingly, the Reds have a far superior record against Newcastle, winning 84 games to the Magpies’ 50. However, Liverpool haven’t won at St James’ Park since a 6-0 thumping back in 2013, with ​Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge both scoring braces.

This season’s reverse fixture was also a resounding victory for Liverpool, winning 4-0 at Anfield thanks to goals from ​Dejan Lovren, ​Mohamed Salah, Xherdan Shaqiri and ​Fabinho.

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Recent Form

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Newcastle have two wins from three in the Premier League, with forward Perez in impressive form. The Spaniard scored every goal for the Magpies in April (five), including a hat trick against ​Southampton.

Liverpool’s defeat to Barça brought an end to a run of nine consecutive wins in all competitions, with Klopp’s side scoring at least twice in each game.

​Sadio Mane is in the form of his life, scoring nine goals during that victorious streak, as he battles it out with teammate Salah and City’s ​Sergio Aguero for the Premier League Golden Boot.

Here’s how each team has performed in their last five fixtures:

​Newcastle United	​Liverpool
​Brighton 1-1 Newcastle (27/4)	​Barcelona 3-0 Liverpool (1/5)
​Newcastle 3-1 Southampton (20/4)	​Liverpool 5-0 Huddersfield (26/4)
​Leicester 1-1 Newcastle (12/4)	​Cardiff 0-2 Liverpool (21/4)
​Newcastle 0-1 Crystal Palace (6/4)	​Porto 1-4 Liverpool (17/4)
​Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle (1/4)	​Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea (14/4)

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Prediction

Their Champions League journey looks to be over after the first leg of their semi final, which might take the pressure off next week’s return leg and allows Klopp to put most of his focus on the final two league games.

Newcastle have nothing riding on the match and with Rafa in charge, it’s hard to imagine he’ll be the one to stop Liverpool’s title bid.

Prediction: Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool

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