MATCH!の 13 April 2021 の目次

1. WELCOME DISTRACTION! The Saints have been able to put their Premier League troubles to one side to reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup for just the second time in the last 18 years! They were knocked out at this stage of the competition by Chelsea in 2017-18, so they’ll be hoping to go one step further this time round! 2. HISTORY AWAITS! Ralph Hasenhuttl has made no secret of the club’s ambitions to go far in the competition this season, and The Saints have already knocked out Arsenal and Wolves on their way to the semis! If they end up lifting the trophy, Hasenhuttl will become the second manager to win the FA Cup with The Saints! 3. DEFENSIVE BEASTS! One of the main reasons why The Saints…

1. QUADRUPLE HOPES! Even though winning the Champo League is the priority for Man. City this season, they’ve still got their sights set on making history and becoming the first-ever team to win the quadruple! It’s not going to be easy for them to pull it off, but they’ve got a strong enough squad to challenge for every trophy! 2. WINNING MENTALITY! The Citizens are no strangers to this stage of the FA Cup, having reached at least the semi-finals for three seasons running! It’s fair to say Pep Guardiola’s team don’t fear anybody, but they ll’be desperate to avoid a similar outcome to last season’s defeat v Arsenal – despite having 71% possession! 3. GOALS GALORE! None of the remaining semi-finalists have scored more net-busters than Man. City and…

ONLY 8 WEEKS TO GO! KICK-OFF JUNE 11 BELGIUM TO BREAK DUCK? Belgium have never won a World Cup or European Championship in their history, although they were runners-up at Euro ’80! Could this be the year The Red Devils end their long wait for a major trophy? OF COURSE THEY WILL! ✔ Superstars like Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are all in their peak! ✔ They topped their 2020-21 Nations League group with ease, finishing five points above closest rivals England! ✔ They scored more Euro qualifying goals than any other nation, and conceded fewer than anyone else too! THEY’LL STRUGGLE AGAIN! ✘ They’ve got a history of bottling it at major tournos–they were knocked out in the semis at WC 2018 and in…

1. FEARLESS FOXES! Not many teams have outplayed Man. United this season, but that’s exactly what The Foxes did in the quarter-finals a few weeks ago! It was a timely reminder that when Leicester are at their best, they’re capable of beating anybody. Brendan Rodgers has done a fantastic job over the last few years at the King Power Stadium, and he’d love to top it off by guiding his side to a trophy! 2. FAVOURABLE DRAW! The Foxes were drawn v Southampton during half-time of their quarter-final clash against Man. United, which would’ve been a huge motivational boost for them! Even though it won’t be an easy game, Brendan Rodgers will be delighted that his side got to avoid high-flyers Man. City and Chelsea! 3. IN-FORM IHEANACHO! One player…

WATCH IT… Sunday April 25 4pm SPURS TO STEAL THE TROPHY? ✓ Jose Mourinho has a special connection with the EFL Cup – it was the first-ever trophy he lifted in England as manager of Chelsea! He also got his hands on it again when he was in charge of Man. United in the 2016-17 season! ✓ Talking about extra special connections, these Spurs players will feel good about going back to Wembley – it was their home stadium for two seasons while their new ground was being built! ✓ Even though Tottenham lost their last head-to-head 3-0 in February, the Londoners’ counter-attacking style saw them win their last two home games v City! TEAM NEWS & LIKELY LINE-UP Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Tanguy Ndombele have formed a solid partnership in…

BATTLE FOREUROPE! EVERTON v TOTTENHAM It’s only been a few weeks since Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham were knocked out of the Europa League in dramatic style by Dinamo Zagreb, but he’ll want to make sure his side qualify for another attempt in the competition next season! Everton’s Carlo Ancelotti has similar ambitions, and The Toffees have beaten Spurs twice this season already. If it’s half as exciting as their nine-goal thriller in the FA Cup, we’re in for a treat! COTTAGERS’ CHANCE! ARSENAL v FULHAM Fulham have never won a game at the Emirates Stadium, but this could be a good opportunity to end that shocking run! Arsenal head into this game off the back of a massive Europa League fixture against Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic, so The Cottagers…

1. TERRIFIC TUCHEL! It’s fair to say that boss Thomas Tuchel has had an incredible impact at Stamford Bridge since replacing Frank Lampard! The Blues have one of the strongest defensive records in the Premier League since the turn of the year, so they’ll be confident that they can get through their tough semi-final clash against Man. City by remaining solid at the back! 2. CUP EXPERTS! Not many teams have more experience of reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup than Chelsea, as they’ve now managed to do so 25 times! The Blues have fond memories of this competition, but one they’ll want to forget is losing in last year’s final to Arsenal. This is their moment to make up for that! 3. FOND MEMORIES! Even though The Blues…

1 His full name is Philip Walter Foden, but his nickname among his family is Ronnie! 2 He grew up playing loads of street footy in Stockport – that’s why he has epic control! 3 He was handed an 82-rated MOTM card on FUT 21, with 92 balance, 90 agility and 87 short passing! 4 He’s the youngest player ever to win the PL at just 17 years and 350 days old! 5 Pep Guardiola once described him as the most talented player he’s ever seen. Sorry, Messi! 6 His current contract at City expires in 2024, but he could sign a new one soon! 7 He’s got over 1.4 million followers on Instagram and over 450,000 followers on Twitter. Epic! 8 Foden was at the Etihad as a City…

CHELSEA v MAN. CITY Chelsea will try to keep things as tight as possible and sneak a goal! MATCHSAYS 1-0 YOU SAY ARSENAL v FULHAM The Gunners should nick the win against one of their London rivals! MATCHSAYS 2-1 YOU SAY LEEDS v LIVERPOOL We reckon this game will have at least six goals! What about you? MATCHSAYS 2-4 YOU SAY NEWCASTLE v WEST HAM West Ham will want revenge for their defeat against The Magpies! MATCHSAYS 1-2 YOU SAY LEICESTER v SOUTHAMPTON We think this semi-final will have goals, but Leicester will edge it! MATCH SAYS 3-2 YOU SAY EVERTON v TOTTENHAM Whoever comes out on top has an advantage in the race for Europe! MATCHSAYS 2-2 YOU SAY MAN. UNITED v BURNLEY This should be a comfortable win…

adidas Nemeziz Messi Take a look at Leo Messi’s new kicks – the “Rey del Balon” or “King Of The Ball”, in English, Nemeziz! The bright boots combine two Messi logos – a gold crown to represent his king status on the footy pitch and his signature logo in Solar Yellow. They’re worthy weapons for a megastar who became Barcelona’s all-time top appearance maker last month. Total legend! Price: £180 adidas.co.uk Puma Future Z Luis Suarez Messi’s best mate Luis Suarez also received his own special-edition silo last month after scoring his 500th career goal! The jaw-dropping Puma Future Z boots feature his world-famous “El Pistolero” celebration on the side, plus the colours of all the clubs he’s played for on the inside of the boot. How cool is that?…

CLOSING DATE: MAY 13 £250 RASCAL VOUCHER! Thanks to our mates at Rascal Clothing, we’re giving away a £250 voucher to spend on their website! Imagine all the great gear you could land with that… Rascal Clothing is an active lifestyle brand, fronted by F2 Free stylers Billy Win grove and Jeremy Lynch! Rascal Clothing prioritises movement, style and comfort for every seasonal collection! Check out the full range of gear at rascalclothing.com and follow them and the F2 now on social media @rascal_clothing and @TheF2 HOW TO ENTER! WWW.MATCHFOOTBALL.CO.UK Then click ‘WIN’ in the navigation bar on the MATCH website. Full T&Cs are available online.…

2 Only two players have ever scored Premier League penalties with both feet – Obafemi Martins and Bobby Zamora! Wales Women have appointed Gemma Grainger as their new national team manager on a four-year contract! 20+ Lionel Messi has scored 20+ goals in La Liga for 13 years running, becoming the first player to do so in the history of the competition! 2015 Sadio Mane fired the Prem’s fastest-ever hat-trick for Southampton against Aston Villa in 2015 – it took just 2 mins 56 secs! 1998 Tomas Soucek is the first player to score a goal and an own goal in the same Prem home game for West Ham since 1998! 2 Man. City star Demi Stokes has signed a two-year contract extension! 3 Former Man. United winger Ryan Giggs…