Nigeria’s preparation was fraught with several issues coming into this summer’s World Cup. Having been so settled and business-like in qualifying, the team rather suddenly descended into disorder: uncertainty over the starting system, an unfortunate injury to key winger Moses Simon, the continued poor form of some starters, and poor...
Both teams were surely expecting this match to be their best chance of earning some much-needed points considering the rest of the group consisted of Brazil and a strong Switzerland side. Serbia are the lowest-ranked European team at the tournament (34th) and with Costa Rica ranked 23rd it was always...
On Saturday's third of four FIFA World Cup 2018 matches, Denmark narrowly beat out an exciting Peru side. The final score was 0-1, with both sides using multiple tactics to create chances to score but ultimately struggling. For admirers of the long ball and stout defending, Peru vs Denmark was...
The opening match of Group D at Moscow’s Spartak Stadium saw a debut for Iceland in a FIFA World Cup against two-time World Cup Champions, Argentina, lead by Lionel Messi. Hallgrimsson’s players wanted to start strong by stopping La Albiceleste's attacking force and they were very confident in the way...
France came into the 2018 FIFA World Cup as one of the favourites for the trophy, only behind Brazil, Germany and Spain in the betting odds. Their squad is packed with top-class players, so much so that the likes of Anthony Martial, Adrien Rabiot and Alexandre Lacazette did not make...
This match may have taken place on the second full day of the 2018 World Cup in Russia but in all honesty it was over the course of these ninety minutes that the World Cup truly came to life. Before the match the focus and indeed the media narrative was...
FIFA World Cup 2018: Morocco Vs Iran Morocco and Iran went into their World Cup opener knowing that victory was a necessity if they were to have any real hope of progressing to the knockout stages. Drawn in Group B with Spain and Portugal, whoever lost this match would face...
FIFA World Cup 2018: Egypt Vs Uruguay Going into this summer's World Cup in Russia there was a sense that Uruguay had the potential to be a real dark horse for the tournament. They already had a rock solid defensive unit and two genuinely world class strikers in Luis Suarez...
It is fair to say that expectations were relatively low for the first match of the 2018 World Cup with the hosts Russia facing a Saudi Arabia side that were something of an unknown to the wider world. Russia had of course not played a competitive fixture since they hosted...
Atletico Madrid return to the final of the tournament that kick-started Diego Simeone's current reign of success - they won the Europa League in his first season in charge in 2012 and have fought as one of Europe's top teams ever since, however they are trophyless since winning La Liga...
Despite falling away with a five losses in seven games from the end of January to the start of April, Chelsea have clawed their way back into contention for a Champions League spot just as the top four seemed to be settled. With their run to the final of that...
Juventus and Inter arrived at the game with one aim: victory. Both teams were in the race for an objective and anything less than a win would have compromised Juve’s chances to win a Scudetto and Inter’s odds to reach a Champions League spot. The final 2-3 result in Juve’s...
Normally the French Ligue 1 isn't an interesting league to analyse because a lot of teams play similar styles and there aren't great tactical revolutions. However, if you want to observe the next great players, your chances to watch a big talent are pretty high in France. The French academy...
The race for second place in the SPFL this season is far tighter than it has been in recent years and Aberdeen have a real challenge on their hands. Rangers have started to reassert their financial dominance over the majority of domestic rivals with some intelligent signings and the return...
Bayern Munich hosted cup kings Real Madrid for a European competition record 25th time last week. Prior to kickoff, both teams had made a strong case for being favourites to win the tie. Bayern Munich have had a resurgent season ever since Jupp Heynckes replaced Carlo Ancelotti. Madrid, on the...
The Italian title-race was thrown wide open on Sunday night when Napoli's centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly powered a header from Jose Callejon's corner into the Juventus net to give Napoli a 1-0 win in Turin. Only a solitary point separate Juventus in first from Napoli in second with four games to...
