Fixture difficulty: Which clubs have the toughest – and easiest – start to the new season?
The ‘big five’ European leagues have released their schedules for the 2021-22 season so we have analysed the fixture difficulty for them all. While every team has to play everyone else at some point, timing can be everything. A tough start can easily undermine a positive pre-season, while a gentle run of opening fixtures can provide the momentum necessary for a successful campaign.
Ballon d’Or odds: Messi could be in seventh heaven
Lionel Messi will look to extend his record of six Ballon d’Or titles when the annual football award returns. The 2020 award ceremony was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic but with football’s return to action, the 2021 edition will see the voting commence.
Cristiano Ronaldo transfer news: PSG swap deal mooted
We’re tracking the latest Cristiano Ronaldo transfer news and rumours to see whether the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could move this summer. Despite turning 36 in February, Ronaldo was the leading scorer in Italy’s top flight last season when bagging 29 Serie A goals for Juventus.
Lionel Messi transfer news: Where next if Barca talks collapse?
We’re tracking the latest Lionel Messi transfer news, rumours and odds for clues on where the Ballon d’Or winner could play this season. Messi is now a free agent after his contract at Barcelona expired and the club’s financial problems mean it is far from certain that they can find room within their salary cap to agree a new deal.
Harry Kane transfer news: Manchester clubs favourites to swoop
With Euro 2020 now over, attention will switch to the new domestic season and we’re tracking the latest Harry Kane transfer news to see which teams could make a move. The England captain enjoyed another impressive tournament as his four goals helped the team go agonisingly close to winning the Euros, with Kane threatening to repeat his Golden Boot success at the 2018 World Cup.
Rebuilding a footballing dynasty – and what happened next?
With several of Europe’s leading clubs in a transitional period this summer, we’ve taken a look at which past seasons have seen the biggest exoduses of title-winning players and how it affected each team’s performances in the following years.
European Super League: Breakaway tournament collapses
The football world is in turmoil following a European Super League announcement which could shake up the very foundations of the sport. It is proposed the new competition will be a rival to the Champions League, with organisers claiming it will generate increased and guaranteed income for clubs involved.
PSG vs Lille: PSG to take control of title race
It is first against second in Ligue 1 on Saturday as the French title race builds towards a thrilling conclusion. Defending champions PSG returned to the top of the table prior to the international break but are only above Lille on goal difference while Lyon are just three points further back.
Who are football’s highest-profile free agents this summer?
As the football season enters its final stretch, Europe’s top clubs will already be preparing their transfer plans for this summer. While there will undoubtedly be fierce bidding wars for the continent’s top talent, some of the biggest signings could well be free transfers.
Football’s top goalscoring bromances
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, we have taken our annual look at which pairs of footballers form the best goalscoring partnerships on the pitch. We have measured this across a range of competitions by calculating the combined goalscoring rate of every pairing per 90 minutes spent together on the pitch since the start of last season.
What can we expect from the January transfer window?
With the January transfer window set to open soon, we’ve looked at every winter signing made in the last decade by clubs in the ‘big five’ European leagues to predict which moves are the most likely. Clubs in Serie A have been the most eager January recruiters in the previous 10 years.
Analysis: Ten footballers who could suffer from burnout this season
With football now back under way across Europe, the continent’s top clubs can once again focus on the long term. Unfortunately the compressed post-Covid schedule and looming international commitments could lead to their star players tiring during the campaign and suffering from burnout.
Kalidou Koulibaly transfer odds: City backed to swoop
We’re tracking the latest Kalidou Koulibaly transfer odds to see where the Napoli centre-half may switch to this summer. The 29-year-old Senegal international has been a target for some of Europe’s elite clubs for several years and it seems Gli Azzurri may finally be ready to sell.
Football Coronavirus News: Major Leagues and Competitions Suspended
With COVID-19 causing havoc among the sporting world, we are taking a look at the latest football coronavirus news in terms of fixtures being postponed. Major leagues and competitions have been shut down around the globe, with a number of high-profile players and managers already affected by the disease.