Today's Key Football Updates
In case you missed it, here is the latest football news from today:
“Bournemouth are on the beach, but not in the football sense – they still have realistic Europe ambitions and will want to play up for the gaffer who’s taken them there,” writes Jeremy Boyce. “NotAsNasty Leeds will present feisty opposition, despite their upcoming FA Cup semi v leaderless Chelsea. A point tonight and they’re safe. Plenty to play for, and given their respective styles, there should be goals.
“Hand on heart, this Leeds fan says a surprise 1-2 and a happy day out at Wemberlee on Sunday. We can always dream.”
There is, of course, another game on tonight: Burnley v Manchester City. If City win it, they go top, and Burnley will be relegated. High stakes indeed; follow that one with Simon Burnton.
“I know we start next season on -15 points, but looking at the team tonight, it’s a good team,” writes Sheffield Wednesday fan Colin Everest. “Let’s hope the takeover goes through smoothly this month.” Amen to that.
Middlesbrough vs Sheffield Wednesday Teams
Middlesbrough (3-4-2-1): Brynn; Malanda, Fry, Ayling; Brittain, Morris, Whittaker, Targett; Browne, Conway; Strelec.
Subs: Sene, Silvera, Castledine, Bangura, Edmundson, Hansen, Wildsmith, Ibeh, Sarmiento.
Sheffield Wednesday (3-4-3): Cooper; Palmer, Otegbayo, Lowe; Fusire, Heskey, Nakamba, Adaramola; Thornton, Yates, McNeill.
Subs: Iorfa, Lowe, Chalobah, Kobacki, Stretch, McGhee, Grainger, Moses, Silcott-Duberry.
“Did Liam Rosenior really fail at Chelsea?” asks Liam Ro David Wall. “People forget that their measures of success aren’t the normal ones for any other football club. Their aim is to short-sell the market on wide forwards below the age of 25, the other on-pitch stuff is just sleight-of-hand to get the suckers looking the other way. How they can make any decision on his tenure before the transfer window opens is beyond me.”
Bringing it back round to Bournemouth, Andoni Iraola is among the early favourites for the Chelsea hotseat this summer. You have to wonder why any manager whose star is rising would take that job on.
Bournemouth vs Leeds Team News
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Jiménez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Christie; Brooks, Kroupi, Tavernier; Evanilson.
Subs: Mandas, Smith, Adams, Diakité, Doak, Toth, Adli, Unal, Rayan.
Leeds United (3-4-2-1): Darlow; Justin, Bijol, Struijk; Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson; Aaronson, Okafor; Calvert-Lewin.
Subs: Perri, Rodon, Bornauw, Buonanotte, Dan James, Sean Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Gnonto.
PSG were originally scheduled to host this game between their Champions League ties against Chelsea, but it was moved to allow them to focus on European competition. PSG have played only four Ligue 1 matches since the end of February, and visiting fans expressed their discontent with a banner. To be fair, PSG have lost two of those games, which may be contributing to the dissatisfaction.
It has been a lively start to Atlético Madrid’s game at Elche – having taken an early lead through Nico González, the visitors fell behind 2-1 before González scored a second goal to level the match 2-2 at half-time.
In Ligue 1, PSG lead relegation-threatened Nantes 2-0 at the Parc des Princes, with goals from Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desiré Doué. As this is being written, Kvaratskhelia has added his second goal, showcasing his skill.
European Unbeaten Runs and Season Prospects
Which team currently holds the longest unbeaten streak in any of Europe’s "big five" leagues? It is not Bayern Munich or Barcelona, but Bournemouth, who have not lost in 13 matches.
Not even the announcement of Andoni Iraola’s summer departure has hindered them – if anything, their results have improved. After securing six points from trips to the Emirates and St James’ Park, the Cherries can climb to sixth place with a win tonight, bringing a first European campaign within reach.
It could also be a historic season for Leeds, who are unbeaten in six games across all competitions and will be optimistic about upsetting Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend. With an eight-point lead over Spurs in the relegation battle, a positive result here would nearly guarantee their survival.
The atmosphere at the Vitality Stadium is expected to be excellent, and there is plenty happening elsewhere. Ipswich and Middlesbrough require wins to enhance their promotion hopes, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona are competing in La Liga, and the only semi-final in the DFB Pokal is Leverkusen versus Bayern. Let’s get started!
