Home Blog Page 234

The 10 Best Premier League Strikers of All Time, Ranked

The 10 Best Premier League Strikers of All Time, Ranked

Since the start of the Premier League in 1992, the competition has seen many good to great strikers come and go. Many of the bigger and well-known clubs have had numerous talents throughout their history.

Picking ten strikers from 29 years of Premier League football was a tough task, with many greats playing before the re-branding of the English football landscape. Because of that, many players will miss out here.

Before we begin, players like Robbie Fowler, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Matt Le Tissier and Dwight Yorke will all miss out here, not that they weren’t good players, they were, but most of those players named do not have the same legacy or influence that the players on this list have. While Tottenham’s Hotspurs Harry Kane, for instance, is still playing and will more than likely make the list in the near future.

With the being said, here are the top ten strikers in Premier League history.

The 10 Best Premier League Strikers of All Time, Ranked:

10. Eric Cantona (Leeds United, Manchester United)

Appearances: 156

Goals: 70 Assists: 56  GPG: 0.45

PL Titles Won: 4  Golden Boots: 0

Never a man to shy away from the spotlight nor controversy, Eric Cantona is similar to a fabled fairy tale within the Manchester United consciousness.

Being part of the great United sides from the early to mid-1990s, Cantona was a strong, bullish and clinical forward with the ball at his feet.

He intimidated opponents with his mere presence and gave United another option in their already established forward line. He also bagged the first Premier League hat-trick for Leeds United in a 5-0 hammering of Tottenham in 1992.

With his collar up, chest out, he was a major reason as to why Man United won four league titles in five years, along with two FA Cups.

9. Ruud Van Nistelrooy (Manchester United)

Appearances: 150

Goals: 95  Assists: 14  GPG: 0.63

PL Titles Won: 1  Golden Boots: 1

Arriving from PSV back in 2001 after a serious cruciate knee ligament injury, Van Nistelrooy became a fan favourite at Old Trafford with his excellent goalscoring output for five years.

In his first season he notched up 23 goals in 33 games, and from there he hit 20+ goals in four seasons. Winning the PFA Player’s Player of the Year, Golden Boot and Premier League title in 2002/03, scoring 25 goals in the process and 44 in all competitions.

With a goals-per-game ratio of 0.63, he contributed to 109 goals in 150 appearances. His goal return was outstanding, a player who often was in the right spot at the right time, Van Nistelrooy was an excellent finisher in his prime.

He left United after disagreements with Sir Alex Ferguson after being subsequently dropped for the League Cup final in 2006.

8. Robin Van Persie (Arsenal, Manchester United)

Appearances: 280

Goals: 144 Assists: 53 GPG: 0.51

PL Titles Won: 1  Golden Boots: 2

The Dutchman joined Arsenal as a mere 21-year-old from Feyenoord in 2004, and from his debut to the 2009/10 season, he bagged 48 goals in 131 appearances.

Struggling with injuries and seemingly running out of patience with the Arsenal faithful, he turned a major goalscoring corner, scoring 48 Premier League goals in 63 games before making the controversial move to Manchester United in 2012/13.

He joined Manchester United as the missing key to Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge of the club, practically winning them the title with 26 goals. Winning back-to-back Golden Boots from 2011/12 with 30 goals and the following season with 26 goals, Van Persie was a great striker in his day, with a peach of a left-foot.

He would be higher on this list if he was not consistently injured and with only one league title to his name, it’s hard to justify him being anywhere else but 8th.

7. Didier Drogba (Chelsea)

Appearances: 254

Goals: 104 Assists: 55 GPG: 0.41

PL Titles Won: 4  Golden Boots: 2

Didier Drogba joined the Blues from French outfit Marseille in a £24 million deal in 2004, the player struggled in his first season for a consistent run of goals, and often being maligned for his diving.

Come the 2005/06 Premier League season, Drogba managed to turn things around becoming a major part of Chelsea’s success in England and in Europe.

Winning back-to-back titles under Mourinho, and winning two Golden Boots in 2006/07 and 2009/10 with 20 and 29 goals respectively.

Never seen a prolific goalscorer, only scoring 20+ goals twice in his eight-year spell in England, but don’t get it twisted, the big Ivorian was a world-class striker in his prime, a man for the big occasion, with 10 goals in 10 finals.

The highlight of his Chelsea career was his iconic role in Chelsea winning their first European Cup, scoring an 88th-minute equaliser against Bayern Munich and scoring the winning penalty to seal his place in Chelsea history.

Contributing to 159 goals in 254 Premier League games. Winning four League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and the Champions League.

6. Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal)

Appearances: 315

Goals: 87 Assists: 94 GPG: 0.25

PL Titles Won: 3  Golden Boots: 0

The Flying Dutchman was simply an exquisite player during his time in England. Signed by then Arsenal manager Bruce Rioch in 1995.

Bergkamp struggled in his first season, with many pundits and fans thinking his style would not suit the rough and tumble style so heavily associated with English football.

How wrong they were.

He went on to be crowned PFA Player’s Player of the Year and a Premier League winner in the 1997/98 season. Scoring the best Premier League hat-trick of all-time at Leicester in the process.

He is fondly remembered by many for his frightening partnership with Thierry Henry, where the pair worked seamlessly together to capture two more league titles, first in 2001/2002 and then their Invincible season in 2003/04.

The player retired in 2006, having won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups, with two of those being doubles.

5. Andy Cole (Newcastle United, Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Sunderland)

Appearances: 414

Goals: 187  Assists: 73  GPG: 0.45

PL Titles Won: 5  Golden Boots: 1

Starting out his Premier League career in 1993 with Newcastle United, Andy Cole was one of the hottest properties in England after scoring 55 league goals in 70 appearances for the Magpies. It was not long until Manchester United came calling.

Joining United in 1995, he would go on to become a focal point of the massive success they endured during the 1990s. His unique partnership with Dwight Yorke during the 1998/99 season catapulted them to a historic treble.

The prolific partnership netted a combined total of 98 goals for the club in their first two seasons playing alongside one another, but with incoming signings such as Ruud Van Nistelrooy, minutes on the pitch started to dwindle.

Out of Cole’s 187 Premier League goals, 93 of them came during his time at Old Trafford. Which would be expected with the team surrounding him, but out of 187 league goals, only one of them was from the penalty spot.

Enough said.

4. Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

Appearances: 275

Goals: 184  Assists: 47  GPG: 0.69

PL Titles Won: 5  Golden Boots: 1

When you think of little Argentines to have played in the Premier League, Sergio Aguero comes to mind, and rightfully so. The striker is easily one of the prolific strikers to ever grace the league during his 10-year stint with Manchester City.

Joining City in the 2011/12 season, scoring 23 league goals in his opening campaign he would go on to clinch City’s first-ever Premier League title in dramatic fashion on the final day of the season in a 3-2 victory over QPR.

The striker would notch up double-digit goals in nine of his 10 seasons in England, with six of those being 20+ goals. The Argentine reached the 100-goal mark in 129 starts while holding the joint record for the most goals in a single Premier League match with five.

Winning five Premier League titles with City is an incredible feat, but in terms of pure volume of goals scored, it’s hard to find anyone who can rival him. With the striker’s goals-per-minutes ratio at a ridiculous 108.

To think Chelsea declined to sign him over Fernando Torres.

Sigh.

3. Wayne Rooney (Everton, Manchester United)

Appearances: 491

Goals: 208  Assists: 103  GPG: 0.42

PL Titles Won: 5  Golden Boots: 0

Manchester United’s greatest ever player. Wayne Rooney became Manchester United’s top goalscorer with 253 goals, while he sits second in the all-time Premier League goalscorer list with an incredible 208 goals.

Blessed with pace and power, Rooney was one of the best youngsters to ever come out of England. Joining United in 2004 from boyhood club Everton he won 12 major honours during his spell at Old Trafford, five of those being Premier League titles.

His latter career in Manchester was filled with persistent injuries and being played as a deep-lying midfielder and sometimes as a defensive midfielder.

His best seasons were from 2009 to 2012 where he won the PFA Player’s Player of the Year in 2010, where he contributed to 41 goals in 44 games. While in the 2011/12 season, he notched up 43 goal contributions in 43 games.

Outstanding to say the least.

2. Alan Shearer (Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United)

Appearances: 441

Goals: 260  Assists: 64  GPG: 0.59

PL Titles Won: 1  Golden Boots: 3

Based on pure footballing ability, England’s Alan Shearer was maybe not the greatest. But in terms of legacy and the sheer volume of goals scored, Alan Shearer has to be included on this list.

Dragging a Blackburn side to an unlikely title win in 1995, scoring 34 goals in what would turn out to be his only league title. The infamous number nine striker scored a record-breaking 260 goals (yet to be broken) and 64 assists in 441 league appearances.

He won three Golden Boots in three consecutive seasons. Scoring 31 goals in 40 games in 1993/94, 34 goals in 42 games in 1994/95 and 31 goals in 35 games in 1995/96.

He won the Football Writer’s Player of the Year in 1994 and received the PFA Player’s Player of the Year award in 1995 along with his only Premier League title in the same season.

An out and out goal-scoring machine, Shearer could score from anywhere, but it usually involved a thunderous right-foot strike from 30 yards.

The lasting image of the proud Geordie with his right hand raised after scoring is a highlight in the League’s history and is burned into every Newcastle fans mind.

1. Thierry Henry (Arsenal)

Appearances: 258

Goals: 175  Assists: 74  GPG: 0.68

PL Titles Won: 2  Golden Boots: 4

The greatest player to ever grace the Premier League, French forward Thierry Henry was well and truly out of this world during his time in England.

Joining the Gunners from Juventus in 1999 for £11 million, Henry became a world-class player during his 9-year stay in London.

Scoring 175 goals and notching up 74 assists in 258 Premier League appearances, winning two Premier League titles in 2001/02 and 2003/04.

He went on to win the Player of the Season twice in 2003 and 2004 while picking up the Football Writer’s award in 2003, 2004 and 2006 along with four Golden Boots from 2001 to 2006.

Scoring 25+ league goals in five consecutive seasons, as well as being the only player to hit 20+ goals in five consecutive league seasons. In four of those five seasons, he was Premier League’s top scorer.

While Shearer scored more goals and spent longer in the league, Henry was a once in a lifetime striker and lit up English football that no one to this day has ever replicated, leaving behind a legacy that will be hard for anyone to match.

The 10 Best Premier League Strikers of All Time, Ranked

For more News and Stories on all things Football, click here.

The 10 Best Premier League Strikers of All Time, Ranked

Southampton v Leicester City – Preview, Teams, Odds, Where To Watch

Leicester City travel to St Mary’s Stadium to take on Southampton on Wednesday night at 7:30 pm.

Leicester have won their last two games after going four games with a victory and will look to mount a win streak and climb the table.

Southampton, on the other hand, come into the game having been torn apart by Liverpool’s fluid football and are aiming to stop their two-game skid before it gets out of control.

Leicester’s recent upturn in fortunes has seen them rise to the top of their Europa League group and get back on track in the league.

The season has seen them start poorly as their woes from the end of last season trickled into this season.

On top of this, their old three-man defensive system leaked goals without Wesley Fofana in the eleven – Fofana is recovering from an injury.

Brendan Rodgers and his coaching staff made the decision to switch to a four-man defence six days ago for their match against Legia Warsaw and the extra man has helped them pick up two wins, albeit, conceding three goals in the process.

Southampton have looked impressive at times this season but their defence was exposed against Liverpool and massive improvements at the back will be needed if they are to stop the rot.

On the plus side, their attack has looked threatening on occasion this season but consistency is needed for success to be found – that being said, Che Adams and Adam Armstrong are finding their rhythm together.

Leicester’s Youri Tielemans will miss the game through injury while Stuart Armstrong will not be available for Ralph Hassenhuttl to select – Mo Elyounoussi and Ibrahima Diallo are however.

Teams

Southampton (4-2-2-2): McCarthy; Livramento, Bednarek, Salisu, Walker-Peters; Romeu, Ward-Prowse (C); Redmond, Tella; Armstrong, Adams.

Subs: Forster, Lyanco, Perraud, Valery, Smallbone, Elyounoussi, Djenepo, Long, Broja.

Leicester City (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel (C); Castagne, Evans, Soyuncu, Thomas; Soumaré, Ndidi; Lookman; Maddison, Barnes; Vardy.

Subs: Ward, Vestergaard, Amartey, Choudhury, Dewsbury-Hall, Albrighton, Pérez, Iheanacho, Daka.

Odds

Southampton 13/10

Draw 12/5

Leicester City 19/10

Where To Watch

The fixture will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video.

Aston Villa v Man City – Preview, Teams, Odds, Where To Watch

Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa host Premier League champions Manchester City at Villa Park on Wednesday night at 8:15 pm.

Villa have won two from two under their new boss, who joined the Midlands team after a successful spell in Glasgow with Rangers.

However, this will be his biggest challenge yet as he comes up against one of the generation’s greatest tactical minds – Pep Guardiola.

City sit second in the league, a point off the leaders Chelsea and a point ahead of Gerrard’s old club, Liverpool.

A win would, at the very least keep City above Jurgen Klopp and co. but if Gerrard can get a result against the league holders, he could do his former employers a favour.

The Sky Blues have recovered from their defeat to Crystal Palace with three straight wins in the league, as well as a victory over PSG to seal first place in their group in the UEFA Champions League.

However, the game against Palace showcased that City do not fare as well without a traditional striker against smaller sides as they have done against Liverpool and Chelsea.

Villa’s new pressing system under Steven Gerrard is still raw but positive work against the likes of Rodri and Joao Cancelo could swing momentum in their favour.

But City have talent and quality in excess compared to Villa and the aforementioned players will still be able to cause the problems they have been causing all season.

The Villains’ defence has looked much more uniform and impressive under Gerrard thus far and a monumental effort will be needed if they are to topple the Kings of England.

Manchester City will be without Kevin De Bruyne, Ferran Torres and Aymeric Laporte for the match, but John Stones is expected to feature.

Former Villain Jack Grealish and Phil Foden face a late fitness test before a decision is made on their status.

Danny Ings, Bertrand Traore and Trezeguet are all out for Villa.

Teams

Aston Villa (4-3-3): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings (C), Targett; Nakamba, McGinn, Douglas Luiz; Bailey, Watkins, Buendia.

Subs: Steer, Hause, Tuanzebe, Young, Sanson, Ramsey, Chukwuemeka, El Ghazi, Davis.

Man City (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Ake, Zinchenko; Fernandinho (C), Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling.

Subs: Steffen, Carson, Grealish, Foden, Mbete, Palmer, McAtee, Lavia, Wilson-Esbrand.

Odds

Aston Villa 7/1

Draw 7/2

Man City 4/11

Where To Watch

The match will be available to watch live on Amazon Prime.

Everton v Liverpool – Preview, Teams, Odds, Where To Watch

Rafa Benitez and Everton welcome Liverpool to Goodison Park for the first Merseyside derby of the season on Wednesday night at 8:15 pm.

The two sides come into the game in contrasting form – Everton are winless in seven and have only scored four goals in that stretch, conceding 13 while Liverpool sit two points off the top of the Premier League table with eight goals in their last two games in the competition.

Liverpool are expected to dominate possession in the game, with Everton tending to sit back and soak up pressure in the hope of releasing counter-attacks.

Since their first loss of the season against West Ham, Liverpool have looked superb, scoring 10 in three games without reply.

The return of Andrew Robertson against Southampton at the weekend saw him showcase his fantastic on-field relationship with Diogo Jota.

Jota, Sadio Mané and Mo Salah lead the goalscoring charts in the Premier League at the moment – The Portuguese forward and Mané have seven goals to their name while Salah sits top on 11.

Liverpool are already outscoring Everton in the competition by a ratio of 2.5 to 1 while Everton have allowed almost twice as many goals.

Four of Liverpool’s players have netted more than Everton’s top scorers Demarai Gray and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who will miss the game through injury.

Everton will also be without Yerry Mina and Tom Davies for the match, as well as Mason Holgate who is suspended for his red card against Tottenham Hotspur.

However, Andre Gomes is back in training and Richarlison is available for selection again after serving a suspension.

Joe Gomez and Naby Keita are still sidelined for the Reds alongside Roberto Firmino and Curtis Jones.

Teams

Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Coleman, Godfrey, Keane, Digne; Doucouré, Allan; Gray, Townsend, Richarlison; Rondon.

Subs: Begovic, Kenny, Delph, Iwobi, Tosun, Gordon, Gbamin, Branthwaite, Dobbin.

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson; Salah, Jota, Mané.

Subs: Kelleher, Konaté, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino, Tsimikas, Origi, Williams, Morton.

Odds

Everton 13/2

Draw 4/1

Liverpool 1/3

Where To Watch

The game will be available to watch live on Amazon Prime at no extra cost for Prime customers.

Luke McGrath: ‘It’s nice to be back in the mix’

Leinster scrum-half Luke McGrath returned to the Ireland setup last month for the first time since March 2020 after teammate and fellow number nine Jamison Gibson-Park suffered a thigh injury.

The 28-year-old joined up with the boys in green ahead of their final game of the Autumn Nations Series.

Gibson-Park had orchestrated the Ireland attack alongside Johnny Sexton in victories over Japan and New Zealand before being ruled out.

McGrath did not get back onto the pitch in green but noted that the time he spent with the squad was valuable.

“It was great,” McGrath exclaimed. “It’s obviously been a long time since I was in but it was nice to go in after they beat New Zealand, you know, they were in great spirits.

“To be there for the rest of the Argentina week was great, even to be an extra just on game day kinda – you know, there was a while where I was very far away from that so it’s nice to be back in the mix and, like I say, hopefully, I’ll be able to get a couple odd more Irish caps in the future.

“But the only way I can do that is by playing well with Leinster, so that’s kinda where my focus is at the minute but it was a great experience.”

McGrath has appeared five times for Leinster this season, with four starts to his name and captained the side in their interprovincial clash with Ulster.

Their rivals got the upper hand on them at the RDS on the day as Dan McFarland’s men registered their first win over the boys in blue since April 2019.

Leinster were dominated for the majority of the game and were unable to deal with their linespeed and quality in the breakdown.

Ulster manipulated space against the Pro 14 champions really well, especially at the start of the game.

McGrath’s opposite number, John Cooney called three-man pods often to bring Leinster’s concentration towards the ball and not the wide men, leading to some enticing chances when the number nine chose to go down that avenue.

Connacht star Jack Carty is known to use space to his advantage and has thrived this season with Mack Hansen and him forming a dynamic duo.

Hansen has started life in the West of Ireland like a house on fire and his energy and speed caused lots of problems for the Ospreys defence last week at the Sportsground.

“We did watch a bit of the Ospreys game [Monday] morning and Jack used his kicking game really well.

“You know, Ulster, like you say, were very effective against us around the ruck, they tightened us up very well and, like you say, took the edges so maybe Connacht might use a bit more of that template this week – again, it’s kind of hard to know.

“But, like you say, Jack’s playing really well at the minute. His kicking game is so effective – it was definitely very effective against us in the RDS last year when they beat us.

“Connacht have a load of threats – Hansen’s playing really well as well so, you know, it’s gonna be a massive defensive effort from us but, yeah look, we’re really looking forward to the challenge.”

Watford v Chelsea – Preview, Betting, Probable Starting Teams

Claudio Ranieri welcomes his former club, Chelsea to Watford in this midweek clash in Round 14 of the Premier League

Watford v Chelsea will kick off at 19:30 tonight, Wednesday 1st December in the Vicarage Road Stadium. Referee David Coote will take charge of the tie.

For those that could not get tickets, the match will also be shown on Premier Sports ROI 2.

Although Watford has shown to be an impressive and exciting team so far in the Premier League season, Leeds United’s victory last night has dropped them into 17th place. A shock victory tonight could spring Ranieri’s team into 12th place.

The Hornets have become a team to kill the bigger clubs as they have already beaten Manchester United, Everton, and Aston Villa this year. Their major worry is that the team has been hit with injury concerns such as the keeper Ben Foster and star winger Emmanuel Dennis.

Tuchel will be looking at this tie with a smile on his face. Watford has not kept a clean sheet in 12 matches while Chelsea has the most with eight. This is the club’s best chance to open the gap between themselves, Manchester City, and Liverpool after their 1-1 draw with Man United at the weekend.

This will also be a good opportunity to pick up points on the road while some of their major players recover such as Ngolo Kanté, Mateo Kovacic, and Ben Chilwell.

This has become a one-sided affair in the last six years as the Blues have won eight of their last 11 games. There have also been two draws between the two sides while Watford has managed one solitary victory in 2018.

They most recently faced each other in July 2020 as Chelsea ran out 3-0 victors and Watford were later relegated.

Watford v Chelsea Probable Starting Teams

Watford

Formation

4-3-3

Probable Starting 11

Bachmann (GK), Rose, Troost-Ekong, Cathcart, Kiko, Sissoko, Louza, Cleverly, King, Fletcher, Hernández.

Injuries / Suspensions

Foster (Groin), Dennis (Knock), Sierralta (Hamstring), Sarr (Knee), Sema (Knee), Baah (Ankle), N’Koulou (Hamstring), Etebo (Thigh), Kucka (Knee)

 

Chelsea

Formation

3-4-2-1

Probable Starting 11

Mendy (GK), Rudiger, Christensen, Chalobah, Alonso, Jorginho, Saul, Azpilicueta, Pulisic, Mount, Havertz.

Injuries / Suspensions

Chilwell (Cruciate ligament), Kovacic (Hamstring), Kanté (Knee), Werner (Muscle injury)

Watford v Chelsea Match Betting

Watford to win: 9/1

Draw: 9/2

Chelsea to win: 2/7

 

Score Prediction

Coming into this match, it seems like a free hit for Tuchel’s Chelsea. The Hornet’s large injury list and the Blues continued strong form seem to show that the game can only go one way. Although Watford will try to put up a fight at home expect them to still lose by a hefty margin.

Expect the game to end 3-0 to Chelsea.

To read more from this writer, click here.

And to read more in-depth and up-to-date Premier League and international club football news, click here.

Ireland v Georgia – Preview, Teams, Odds, Where To Watch

The Republic of Ireland will host Georgia at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin on Tuesday evening at 7 pm.

The match will be Vera Pauw and co.’s fourth 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier and their third home fixture – they have yet to pick up a win at home in the campaign.

Ireland’s most recent match was a 1-1 draw with Slovakia, who netted against the run of play at the start of the second half.

Wing-back Katie McCabe pulled Ireland out of the fire on Thursday but they will need a more convincing performance against Georgia to mount a challenge for a place in the top two.

A win would put them in second on seven points with the same amount of games played as the rest of the group – currently, they sit fourth, level on points with Slovakia but behind due to the head-to-head away goal Slovakia scored.

Pauw’s Tigers have the second-best defence in the group, second only to Sweden – the second-best side in the world.

However, only three goals to their name underlines their wastefulness in the attacking third, something they must improve on if they are to make a push for World Cup qualification.

Their opponents come in the form of Georgia, who are yet to find the net in the qualifiers and have allowed nine goals in just three games.

The Georgians’ last goal in competitive football came against Israel thirteen months ago and another goalless 90 minutes against Ireland would mark five games without finding the net.

Their last competitive win came in a 2019 World Cup preliminary qualifier – a stage of qualification they did not get past.

If Ireland are to get the advantage on Finland and Slovakia at the halfway stage, now is their chance.

Teams

Republic of Ireland (4-2-3-1): Brosnan; Ziu, Fahey, Lo. Quinn, Caldwell; Littlejohn, Connolly; Lu. Quinn, O’Sullivan, McCabe (C), Carusa.

Subs: Moloney, Walsh, McCarthy, Atkinson, Barrett, O’Gorman, Finn, Farrelly, Grant, Noonan, Whelan, McLaughlin.

Georgia (4-2-3-1): Sukhashvili; Kalandadze, Sutidze, Tatuashvili, Khaburdzania; Pasikashvili, N. Daniela; Bebia, Tsotseria, Cheminava; Tchkonia (C).

Subs: Gabunia, Chkartishvili, Janikashvili, Bakradze, M. Danelia, Bolkvadze, Mtskerashvili, Dzadzua.

Odds

Ireland 1/50

Draw 9/1

Georgia 25/1

Where To Watch

The game will be available to watch live on RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player with coverage starting at 6:30 pm.

Leinster back Ciarán Frawley’s growth ‘huge’ in last 2 years – Contepomi

Leinster back Ciarán Frawley has been earning plaudits for his performances for the province for a while now, and his display against Ulster at the weekend was no different.

Frawley made 35 metres from just four carries on Saturday night and was arguably Leinster’s brightest spark on an otherwise poor night for the reigning league champions, causing problems for an exceptional Ulster defensive line.

He’s not afraid to get stuck into a game either, with 10 tackles and a turnover win against Dan McFarland’s men in 80 minutes.

The 22-year-old is listed as a fly-half on the team’s website but has played almost exclusively at 12 in the last 15 months, with all starts since the 2019-20 Pro 14 final against Ulster being at inside centre.

Recently, he joined up with the Ireland squad for a week during their preparation for the November international window as a development player.

Backs coach Felipe Contepomi has no doubt in his mind that Frawley is on the right path after his growth in the last two years.

“I think he’s seeing it week in, week out training with us,” Contepomi noted. “It’s a great joy when he’s been called for Ireland, you know.

“And again, even being involved in that manner [as a development player], training with all those great players in that setup – it can only do him better, you know, and help him.”

The 22-year-old redhead has been trusted with five starts this season as the usual number 12 in the side, Robbie Henshaw, missed the start of the season through injury – against Ulster, the pair formed a midfield partnership for the first time this season as Henshaw donned number 13.

Frawley’s speed and distribution makes him a good fit for the inside centre role at Leinster, a spot where he’s enjoyed his best run of form.

Contepomi and co. trust him on the outside of the number 10 and the Argentine believes that Frawley can get even better.

“His growth has been huge in the last two years and he’s still a lot more to go, a long way to go.

“He’s enjoying his rugby and that’s the most important thing, you know, and hopefully he can play a lot for us in the coming weeks.”

Leeds v Crystal Palace – Preview, Betting, Probable Starting Teams

Marcelo Bielsa welcomes Patrick Viera’s impressive Crystal Palace side to West Yorkshire in this Round 14 midweek clash in the Premier League

Leeds v Crystal Palace will kick-off at 20:15 tonight, Tuesday 30th November in Elland Road. Referee Kevin Friend will take charge of the tie.

Bielsa will finally be happy when he saw his star striker Patrick Bamford return to training this weekend. The English forward is also accompanied by Luke Ayling as Robin Koch is the only player remaining on the injury list.

Leeds still sits just above the relegation zone after drawing against Brighton at the weekend. The Whites will soon be in dire need of their third win of the season and Bielsa will be looking for it tonight.

Crystal Palace has become a surprising force in the Premier League this year since Patrick Viera was named manager. They sit in 11th place only four points off the sixth spot but also only four points above 17th place Leeds.

At the weekend, they lost out to Steven Gerrards Aston Villa team 2-1. Despite this loss, they are undefeated in the seven other matches, scoring nine goals in five games. Youngster Conor Gallagher has proven to be their shining light this year and an early contender for Young Player of the Year.

This has been a tense and even matchup over the last decade. They have faced each other eight times between the Premier League and Championship since 2010. Leeds United has won four of the ties, while two games have ended in draws and Crystal Palace won two.

Last season the two teams split the points with a win at home each. They last played in February where the Whites won 2-0.

Leeds v Crystal Palace Probable Starting Teams

Leeds United

Formation

4-1-4-1

Probable Starting 11

Meslier (GK), Firpo, Cooper, Llorente, Ayling, Phillips, James, Forshaw, Klich, Raphinha, Rodrigo.

Injuries / Suspensions

Koch (Hip)

 

Crystal Palace

Formation

4-3-3

Probable Starting 11

Guaita (GK), Mitchell, Guehi, Tomkins, Ward, Kouyaté, Milivojevic, Gallagher, Eze, Benteke, Zaha.

Injuries / Suspensions

McArthur (Hamstring), Anderson (Hamstring), Ferguson (Achilles tendon)

Leeds v Crystal Palace Match Betting

Leeds United to win: 7/5

Draw: 9/4

Crystal Palace to win: 2/1

 

Score Prediction

Home advantage will play a big part in this fixture as the Elland Road faithful will drive on a nearly full-strength team. For one of the first times this season, Marcelo Bielsa will have a full team to pick from and it will show in their energy and speed.

Expect this game to end 3-2 to Leeds United.

To read more from this writer, click here.

And to read more in-depth and up-to-date Premier League and international club football news, click here.

Contepomi hopes Harry Byrne can build upon international experiences

Leinster backs coach Felipe Contepomi has said that he expects fly-half, Harry Byrne to further grow as a player as the province’s coaches prepare him for a successful future.

Byrne suffered a hip injury in his first game of the season against Zebre Parma at the RDS and only returned in blue when he made a cameo in last weekend’s loss to Ulster.

His latest injury came immediately after he had made a recovery from his previous setback in the form of a foot injury.

In that time, he joined the Ireland camp for the Autumn Nations Series and played 30 minutes in the 53-7 win over Argentina but was not at his best.

Contepomi has sympathy for the 22-year-old who will hope to avoid another setback as he looks to get significant game time under his belt this season.

“Sometimes it’s the way it is, you know, if you have some injuries,” the assistant coach said. “He’s been very unlucky in terms of injuries – he’s picked up some strange injuries.

“But he’s now fit and he’s been in the Ireland camp for the last month and now he’s with us for last week and this week so hopefully he can have more games or more game time.”

The Ireland-capped fly-half has only played 38 minutes for Leinster this season, with his season debut against Zebre ending just 22 minutes in.

His cameo against Ulster saw him enter the field with Leinster’s backs against the wall and the prospect made several mistakes as Leo Cullen’s men registered their first defeat of the United Rugby Championship.

However, he is only 22 and, with the experience that he already has under his belt at both provincial and international level, Contepomi believes he can continue to learn and tap into his potential.

On top of this, he hopes that Byrne is preparing himself for success as he plays more and more matches in blue and green.

“That’s what we are trying to do, trying to set him up to be successful. So hopefully he can improve and take the experience he is getting also at international level, or more at international training [and build from it].

“It’s always important to be at an international camp,” the 87-cap former Argentine number 10 said.

“You learn so much from such good players so hopefully he can bring it into Leinster and keep building his game.”

1...233234235...607Page 234 of 607

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

SportsNewsIreland is an Irish website launched in 2009 to offer sports fans in Ireland an alternative and independent source to keep them up to date with all the news from around the country. Every week we bring you live score updates from all levels of GAA, rugby, soccer, racing and athletics. Contact

Contact us: Email: info@sportsnewsireland.com

FOLLOW US

Design by SportsMediaIreland.ie