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Getting the new Premier League campaign underway on Friday night, Manchester United will welcome Fulham to Old Trafford.

Manchester United

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester United might have sprung a major FA Cup upset at Wembley on May 25th as they secured a famous 2-1 victory against bitter local rivals Manchester City, the Red Devils endured a public Premier League struggle last season. Breaking a string of unwanted records and coming under a huge amount of scrutiny, Erik ten Hag once again has a real battle on his hands at Old Trafford. Making the decision to stick with the former Ajax boss this summer, United will know the importance of finding some much-needed stability this time around. Winning just a trio of their final…

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg declared England dream opponents for Germany in Sunday s Women s Euro 2022 final – and she believes all the pressure is on the Lionesses.

An eye-catching Wembley showpiece will pit hosts England against eight-time European champions Germany.

These have been the two standout sides throughout the tournament, and there is plenty of history behind this fixture.

When England last reached the Women s Euros final in 2009, they were beaten by Germany – one of 21 defeats in the teams 27 meetings.

But Germany coach Voss-Tecklenburg was looking beyond the confines of the women s game as she considered what this match means, with the men s rivalry reaching back to England s 1966 World Cup final success. That remains the sole major title f…

FIFA has received four expressions of interest in hosting the 2027 Women s World Cup, including a joint bid from the United States and Mexico.

Brazil and South Africa have also submitted expressions of interest alongside another joint bid from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, with the hosts set to be appointed next May.

USA hosted the Women s World Cup in 1999 and 2003 – winning the former edition – while Germany are the only other potential host to have previously staged the competition, doing so in 2011.

The US and Mexico – alongside Canada – are already set to host the next edition of the men s World Cup in 2026.

Federations hoping to host the tournament now have until May 19 to confirm their involvement in the bidding process.

FI…

FC Cincinnati defender DeAndre Yedlin is hoping his team-mates can rediscover their competitive edge as they travel to the Red Bull Arena to face New York Red Bulls this weekend.

The Orange and Blue were forced to relinquish top spot in the Eastern Conference table as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Chicago Fire courtesy of Brian Gutierrez’s second half winner.

Cincinnati are now two points behind Inter Miami, who overcame their 6-1 defeat to Pat Noonan’s side last week with a convincing triumph over Toronto FC in midweek.

With Columbus Crew breathing down their necks and going to within five points of them with two games in hand, Yedlin insisted that his squad must rally together to rekindle that winning formula.

We expect to win every game. It do…

Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch said he felt like someone has ripped my heart out after watching his side implode in Saturday s 4-3 loss at Tottenham.

The visitors took the lead three times in north London and were ahead with nine minutes of normal time remaining, only for Rodrigo Bentancur to score a late double.

Leeds have shipped 26 goals in 14 Premier League games this season at a rate of 1.86 per 90 minutes – only Nottingham Forest (2) and Bournemouth (2.13) have fared worse.

Marsch, who had seen the pressure on him ease following back-to-back league wins prior to the Spurs loss, admits it has been a familiar theme for his side this campaign.

I m gutted, I feel like someone has ripped my heart out, he told BBC Sport. I thought we had control …

Norwich City and Leeds United could not be separated in a goalless draw in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final, leaving it all to play for at Elland Road.

Junior Firpo put the ball into the back of the net in the 30th minute, but it was ruled out for a marginal offside by Georginio Rutter in the build-up at Carrow Road.

Marcelino Nunez failed to take Norwich s best chance in the first half, firing wide of the left post after Leeds had an early penalty shout for a foul on Wilfried Gnonto by Borja Sainz dismissed by the referee.

The sides will meet again on Thursday at Elland Road for a winner-takes-all-decider and a place in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium on May 26.

Nothing between and after the first leg all to play for on Thu…

Jurgen Klopp hopes Liverpool have found their feet at the ideal time ahead of their Champions League clash with Real Madrid, as the Reds look to avenge the torture of last year s final defeat.

Having failed to win any of their first four league games of 2023, Liverpool have recorded morale-boosting 2-0 wins against Everton and Newcastle United ahead of their return to European action on Tuesday.

While things are looking up for Liverpool in the Premier League, they have failed to win any of their last six matches against Madrid (D1 L5), including a 1-0 defeat in last year s Champions League final in Paris.

Klopp is under no illusions as to the threat the 14-time European champions will pose at Anfield, but believes Liverpool have timed their upturn well.

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Alex Sandro celebrated trophies and finals with Juventus but says he will cherish his bond with the Bianconeri supporters the most after an emotional farewell on Saturday.

The Brazil international waved goodbye in Turin for one final time against Monza, signing off with a goal in a 2-0 victory at Allianz Stadium.

Alex Sandro made a record-equalling 327 appearances for Juve, matching Pavel Nedved s record for the most by a foreign player in the club s history.

Yet the versatile defender will be moving onto new beginnings after Juve ended the season third in Serie A.

It was emotional for me, I have never cried so much in my life, he told DAZN, having joined the club in 2015.

I am proud of myself and what I achieved. Over the last few days, I told …

James Tarkowski has signed a new contract at Burnley, committing his future with the Premier League surprise package until 2022.

Tarkowski has excelled having stepped into the team to replace Michael Keane after the England international signed for Everton last July, starting 19 Premier League games.

The 25-year-old was ever-present for the Clarets leading to speculation he could receive a maiden England call-up before receiving a retrospective three-game ban for an elbow on Brighton striker Glenn Murray.

With Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal having all been linked with the former Brentford defender, Burnley have moved to tie him down to a new long-term deal.

BREAKING: signs new long-term deal at Burnley. Full story to follow.

— Burnley F…

The 2018 World Cup in Russia looks likely to be one of the most competitive tournaments in history, with numerous top nations in with a realistic chance of winning football s most prestigious prize.

The opening stage of the World Cup features 32 teams split into eight groups of four, with the top two in each qualifying for the knockout rounds.

Hosts Russia have been drawn alongside Uruguay, Egypt and Saudi Arabia in Group A. Read on as we assess each team s chances of reaching the last 16.

Uruguay

Uruguay are the favourites to win the group after finishing second behind Brazil in the South American qualifiers.

Luis Suarez is a handful up front and he ll be the key if Uruguay are to progress to the later stages of the World Cup.

Strike partner Ed…