Talksport
Man City vs Arsenal will have goals but talkSPORT’s finest say it will be close as they make their prediction for the biggest game of the season

Manchester City and Arsenal can decide the fate of the title race this weekend – and talkSPORT’s finest are torn over who will be on top. Defending Premier League champions City are trailing the Gunners by just a point with ten games left ahead of Sunday’s showdown. It’s all to play for in the race to be champion Arsenal have won all eight of their top-flight games of 2024, but Mikel Arteta‘s men haven’t won away at the Etihad since 2015. Pep Guardiola‘s City, however, have already lost twice to the north Londoners this season, first in the Community Shield, before a 1-0 victory in October’s reverse fixture. Here, talkSPORT asks some of its presenters to try and settle which of City or Arsenal will edge the six-point affair. Jeff Stelling – Draw Prediction: 2-2 This fixture in April proved to be Arsenal’s undoing in last season’s title race, as Arteta’s side were thumped 4-1. However, talkSPORT Breakfast presenter Stelling is backing the Gunners’ renewed steel in the big fixtures to spring a shock. “Tense, nervous, edgy? I don’t think it’ll be any of those things. “Arsenal have proved this season they can live with the big boys, they can go well when the pressure is on. “City – brilliant – but not quite at the levels of last season. I think they’ll be goals and I’m going to go Man City 2-1 Arsenal.” Sunday’s clash could go some way to deciding where the title ends up this seasonGetty Ally McCoist – Man City Prediction: 2-1 City Stelling’s co-host McCoist refused to sit on the fence – if only begrudgingly. ‘Super Ally’ is just about backing treble winners City to once again get over the line, as they always seem to do at this point in the season. “Tough one to call. I’m kind of leaning towards City. “For that reason, with no real conviction, I’m gonna say 2-1 City.” De Bruyne took just seven minutes to set City on their way last seasonGetty Shebahn Aherne – Arsenal Prediction: 2-1 Arsenal The Gunners can take advantage of Man City’s injuries to claim their first win at the Etihad for almost nine years, according to Shebahn. “Huge game for the Gunners this weekend. “I think it’s the biggest game of their season and if they beat Manchester City then they may well win the title. “Can they though? Bukayo Saka has to be back to full fitness, and it looks like they might get the better of City if they’re without John Stones and Kyle Walker. “I’m in favour of Arsenal this time, I’m thinking they might win 2-1.” Martinelli’s 86th-minute winner won the first meeting between the sides this seasonGetty Jason Cundy – Man City Prediction: 2-1 Man City None of our experts have predicted there to be more than a solitary goal being the difference this Sunday, and Cundy is no different. The Sports Bar host has leaned towards home advantage proving the decisive factor, however, as was the case in October’s reverse game. “It’s tight, it’s a tough one to call this but I’m going to go with home advantage just like Arsenal beat them earlier in the season. “I’m going to go for a Man City win, narrow but 2-1.” Man City’s draw at Anfield continued their unbeaten run in 2024Getty Andy Townsend – Draw Prediction: 2-2 The former Chelsea star can’t separate the two teams due to the belief that Arsenal won’t return to north London with nothing. The Gunners were handed a huge morale boost by reaching the Champions League quarter-finals before the international break. “I think Arsenal are going to get something. “Really looking forward to the game – I think it’s gonna be ever so close. I’m going to go 2-2.” Follow all the updates of the biggest game of the season live from the Etihad on talkSPORT on Sunday 31 March from 4:30pm

Xabi Alonso expected to stay at Bayer Leverkusen as Liverpool consider other options

Xabi Alonso is expected to stay at Bayer Leverkusen rather than become Liverpool’s new manager, talkSPORT understands. Reds legend Alonso was seen as the early favourite to replace the outgoing Jurgen Klopp but they are now exploring other options. It looks as though Alonso is going nowhere this summerGetty The Spaniard has also been heavily linked with a switch to his fellow former club Bayern Munich, who see Thomas Tuchel leave at the end of the season. However, Alonso looks set to remain at Leverkusen amid an incredible second year in charge at the club. The German side are firmly on track to win the Bundesliga title, meaning they are set to enjoy the prospect of competing in next season’s Champions League. Liverpool will therefore eye other contenders with Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi rumoured names, and Julian Nagelsmann is currently out of work at club level. Amorim currently sits top of the Portuguese top-flight with Sporting Lisbon and has also been linked with Chelsea. De Zerbi has hugely impressed during his time at Brighton, leading them to their first ever campaign in Europe. Nagelsmann is the current head coach of the German national team and was previously at Bayern, where he won the Bundesliga in 2022. Whoever Liverpool’s next appointment is has huge shoes to fill when Klopp leaves Anfield. The former Liverpool star has been strongly linked with a return to AnfieldGetty The German will call an end to almost a decade in charge of the Reds, where he has won every major honour. Klopp has helped Liverpool compete with Manchester City for the Premier League title across the past few seasons. He could end his Liverpool journey on a high with another title in May to add to their Carabao Cup success and potential Europa League triumph. Alonso though does not look to be the man to replace him from next season, with Liverpool’s search set to be prolonged. As will Bayern’s, with honorary president Uli Hoeness admitting that it would be ‘very difficult’ to hire him at the Allianz Arena.

Premier League apologise after being forced to reschedule Tottenham v Nottingham Forest just 10 days before match

The Premier League have ‘apologised unreservedly’ after being forced into rescheduling a fixture just 10 days before it takes place. Tottenham were due to face Nottingham Forest on Monday, April 8 at 8pm however this fixture has now been brought forward. The Premier League fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been brought forwardGetty The clash will now take place on Sunday, April 7 with the unusual kick-off time of 6pm. The decision to reschedule the fixture is down to rail and tube strikes which threaten to cause travel chaos for both sets of supporters on the original day of the fixture. Picked for television coverage, the match will continue to be broadcast on TV. A Premier League spokesperson said: “The Premier League apologises unreservedly to supporters of both clubs and all those affected, for the inconvenience and disruption caused by this late fixture change. “The change has been made due to matters beyond the League’s control, namely the decision to implement rail and tube strikes on Monday 8 April and the subsequent reduction in available travel services. “This has resulted in the local authority’s Safety And Advisory Group determining that it is not possible to stage the match with the required levels of safety for attending fans.” The 6pm kick-off means that the fixture will clash with the fixture between Sheffield United and Chelsea due to take place at 5.30pm. That rearrangement came following the decision the move Manchester United vs Liverpool to the earlier kick-off time of 3.30pm.

Sean Dyche explains what really happened in awkward moment with Everton defender during Portugal training camp

Sean Dyche has revealed what really happened when a joke at Everton’s team dinner failed to have the desired effect. The Toffees took advantage of a break in first-team fixtures by heading to Portugal for a gruelling training camp. Dyche was only too happy to set the record straight during his press conference on ThursdayGetty The trip also provided Everton’s star with the opportunity to partake in some team-building activities ahead of a third consecutive Premier League relegation dogfight. Whilst at the club’s training base in Portugal, Everton boss Dyche became embroiled in a joke gone wrong with young defender Nathan Patterson. It was claimed Dyche ‘slapped’ the 22-year-old during a team dinner, leading to senior players having to step in to help control the situation. The issue was reportedly resolved internally before the team flew back to the UK, with the whole scene played down as lighthearted and not serious. Dyche was quizzed on the incident during his press conference ahead of Saturday’s crunch trip to Bournemouth and set the record straight, claiming the whole situation was a joke missed by Patterson. “You know, never let the truth get in the way of a good story,” he said. “So, there’s nothing in it really. “I tapped him on the head like your older brother would and he didn’t get the joke, there’s nothing more to it but of course, that wouldn’t have sold. “So, everyone has to add layers and layers and layers to it but it’s really that simple.” Patterson was the recipient of a slap form Dyche but the Everton boss said it was all blown out of proportionGetty With the incident firmly brushed under the carpet, Everton will hope all focus can now be placed on the club’s fight for survival. The Toffees are 16th in the table but are facing the possibility of a second points deduction this season as part of the Premier League’s investigation into breaches of its profit and sustainability rules. Everton sit four points ahead of 18th-placed Nottingham Forest who were handed a four-point deduction of their own earlier this month. An uncertain future awaits Dyche’s side who can ill-afford too many more slip ups this season with just nine games remaining. With seven sides realistically battling to avoid the dreaded drop, it is all to play for in what will undoubtedly be one of the most intriguing relegation battles in recent memory. Everton face four relegation candidates across their remaining games which is likely to determine the club’s Premier League fate.

Mark Goldbridge: Ridiculous to say Kobbie Mainoo is ‘next big thing’… but he’s got a bit of Zinedine Zidane about him

Mark Goldbridge has urged pundits and fans to calm down about Manchester United teen ace Kobbie Mainoo. The 18-year-old is being tipped for stardom after a stunning breakthrough to the Red Devils’ first team and senior England squad. Mainoo put in a performance way beyond his years against one of the world’s top sidesGetty The young midfielder made an impressive cameo off the bench in England’s 1-0 defeat to Brazil last week, earning a first Three Lions start in their next game, a 2-2 draw with Belgium. He even played a key role in England’s first goal in that match, while he has contributed two goals in 20 appearances for Man United this season. It’s been a rapid rise for the teenager, who only made his first United start in November, with many now tipping him for a place in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad and to follow in Jude Bellingham’s footsteps to become one of the world’s great young players. But United fan and YouTube host Goldbridge insists all that talk of Mainoo’s superstar future is far too premature, admitting there are plenty of former Red Devils wonderkids who failed to fulfil their potential.  Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, Goldbridge said about the young midfielder: “Considering he only started playing first-team football for United in the Autumn, it’s been one hell of a ride and it’s been all good, really. “But United fans will tell you that not every game he’s played he’s been good. I remember the Aston Villa away game and he really struggled against Douglas Luiz and Jacob Ramsey, but that’s part of the process and United fans are well versed in this, you’ll have games where it’s not so good – Alejandro Garnacho’s had it, that’s just part of the nurturing process. “I think at United the potential for him and the ceiling for him is unknown, there are many pitfalls.  “I remember a few years ago we had Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood, and you look at where they’ve ended up, I don’t think any of those players hit where he thought they would, for various reasons. Mainoo has quickly turned into a starter for one of the biggest clubs in the worldGetty “Football is like that, you just don’t know how it’s going to go – off the field issues, injuries, loss of form. “It’s ridiculous that people are saying Kobbie Mainoo is going to be the ‘next big thing’ because we just don’t know. He needs the right people around him, he needs to stay injury-free and keep developing.” Goldbridge does admit, though, that Mainoo does have something special about him. And he even compared his swashbuckling and no-fear style of play to some of football’s great mavericks – Zinedine Zidane, Paul Gascoigne and Paul Pogba . “What he does have is something really unique, which we saw even in his England cameos, and that’s the ability to not only pass and tackle but also the ability to take people on,” added Goldbridge. “In the modern game that’s a rarity. Everyone’s play is so structured, it’s all about passing between the lines, but what we saw with the first England goal, when Mainoo picks the ball up and skips past a couple of players and suddenly the space is there for Bellingham to play it in. “That’s the exciting thing about Mainoo – his profile as a midfielder who can actually carry the ball, it makes him stand out. Goldbridge says there are shade of Zidane in Mainoo’s direct style of play with the ballgetty “I think that’s why there’s a lot of excitement around him, because there aren’t that many players in world football who do that. “If he can develop in that way you’ve almost got a bit of a Zidane or Gascoigne type player, a Pogba type player. “I’m not saying he’s going to hit those levels, but someone who can actually take people on from midfield, and that’s a game-changer.”

Manchester United and Tottenham target Jean-Clair Todibo available for cut-price fee

Manchester United and Tottenham target Jean-Clair Todibo could be available for a cut-price £40million, talkSPORT understands. The France international has impressed since returning to France with Nice in 2021, following a two-year spell at Barcelona. Todibo has long been admired by a host of Premier League clubsGetty Todibo has played a prominent role in Nice establishing themselves as Ligue 1’s meanest defence having conceded just 20 goals this season. The 24-year-old has struck up a solid partnership with veteran Brazilian defender Dante and his performances have caught the eye of Premier League clubs. Among them are Manchester United and Tottenham, who are on the lookout for defensive reinforcements this summer and Todibo could fit the bill. talkSPORT understands Nice value the defender at £40million which appears to be good value for the highly-rated centre-back. Manchester United will fancy their chances of luring the star to Old Trafford at the expense of Spurs due to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s connections with both United and Nice. Ratcliffe sanctioned the signing of the Frenchman from Barcelona after a short spell on loan in the South of France. However, it could be seen as a bad look for Ratcliffe to raid Nice so soon after completing his minority purchase of United. Last year, Todibo was tipped to stay in Ligue 1 for one more season and this summer could be the right time for him to step away from his homeland once again. Ratcliffe will know all about Todibo’s qualities having sanctioned his signing at NiceAFP However any future sale would see Barcelona claim a percentage of the final transfer fee as per terms of their agreement with Nice. Todibo has featured 25 times for the Cote d’Azur club across all competitions this season helping lift the club into fifth position and a shot at European qualification next term.  Impressive displays at club level earned Todibo a call up to the France senior squad in late 2023. He made his debut against Germany in September before featuring in the 14-0 thrashing of Gibraltar the following month. Todibo was not called up by Didier Deschamps for the recent double header against Germany and Chile. See More Tables See Full Table