Competition: Premier League Date: Saturday 15th April 2017 Venue: Stadium of Light Kick-Off: 15:00 GMT

Team News

Sunderland are without influential midfielder Sebastian Larsson, who serves the first match of his three-match ban following a red card against Manchester United last weekend.

Adnan Januzaj and John O’Shea return to selection for David Moyes’ side but Bryan Oviedo is unavailable with a hamstring injury.

West Ham were handed a huge blow this week with the news that Michail Antonio has been ruled-out of the remainder of the season.

Captain Mark Noble is also unavailable, after picking up his tenth yellow card of the season last weekend.

Match Preview

Sat ten points from safety, Sunderland’s relegation to the Championship seems inevitable and Jermain Defoe’s two-month span without a goal won’t help their chances. The Black Cats have failed to find the net in ten of their last 11 matches, which has only increased their woes.

West Ham ended a woeful run last weekend with a vital victory over relegation rivals Swansea City, which put them eight points clear of the drop. Whilst safety is not yet secured, another victory here would go a long way to securing that aim.

The Hammers have struggled on the road recently, losing all of their last three matches away from the London Stadium, but Sunderland’s awful form leaves little for the hosts to be confident about.

Likely Line-Ups

Sunderland
Pickford; Jones, Kone, Denayer, Manquillo; Ndong, Cattermole, Rodwell; Januzaj, Defoe, Anichebe.

West Ham
Randolph; Nordtveit, Collins, Fonte, Masuaku; Snodgrass, Fernandes, Kouyate, Lanzini; Carroll, Ayew.

Key Stats

Sunderland have not won any of the past seven meetings with West Ham, losing the last two matches 1-0.

Sunderland have lost ten of their last 14 Premier League matches, winning just one.

The Black Cats have not won at home since a victory over Watford in mid-December.

West Ham’s clean-sheet last weekend was their first in 11 Premier League matches.

Prediction
1-1

Tottenham Hotspur are on-course to secure their place in the Champions League next year and finally finish above North London rivals Arsenal. Victory against Bournemouth this weekend should assure their position and this team can easily see off the Cherries.

GK: Hugo Lloris

Captain at White Hart Lane and a crucial player for the Lilywhites, securing a top-four finish was vital to keeping goalkeeper Hugo Lloris happy at the club and the success of Mauricio Pochettino’s side will ensure the French international stays on.

Spurs have conceded just 22 goals this season, the lowest amount in the Premier League, and Lloris has helped to shape the North London side from top-four hopefuls to title contenders. Big challenges await next year but Lloris will be able to ensure Spurs campaign this term continues on it’s fine path.

The game is being shown live on Sky Sports on Saturday afternoon (12:30pm kick-off UK time) and you can get a NowTV day pass and watch the game for just £6.29 with our fantastic 10% off a day pass offer.

Competition: Premier League Date: Saturday 15th April 2017 Venue: Goodison Park Kick-Off: 15:00 BST

Team News

Everton welcome Ashley Williams back to contention following suspension but Aaron Lennon is missing once again.

Muhamed Besic is edging closer to a return after nine months out with a knee injury but it remains to be see if he’ll feature tomorrow.

Burnley have Steven Defour fit, with the midfielder returning after a variety of injury problems over the past ten weeks.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson is edging closer to a return but may not feature tomorrow.

Match Preview

Everton have improved thoroughly this season under the guidance of Ronald Koeman and they can put real pressure on Arsenal ahead of the Gunners clash with Middlesbrough on Monday, as victory would put the Toffees into sixth spot and potentially as high as fifth.

The hosts will be confident of making it eight consecutive Premier League victories at home against a Burnley side who are yet to secure a win on the road this season. Fortunately, Sean Dyche’s are set to avoid the drop.

Romelu Lukaku, the Premier League’s top-scorer, will be confident of adding to his 23 league goals this season and Burnley’s defence will find it difficult to keep him quiet.

Likely Line-Ups

Everton
Robles; Holgate, Jagielka, Williams, Baines; Gueye, Schneiderlin, Davies; Barkley, Lukaku, Mirallas.

Burnley
Heaton; Lowton, Keane, Mee, Ward; Boyd, Hendrick, Barton, Brady; Barnes, Gray.

Key Stats

Burnley have only won once at Goodison Park in 54 years but beat the Toffees in the reverse clash earlier this season.

An eighth consecutive home win for Everton would be their best top-flight run since January to April 1990.

Only Barcelona (28) have scored more league home goals than Everton’s 26 in 2017.

Burnley are one of just two sides in the English football pyramid yet to secure an away win this term, with the other being Rotherham United.

Prediction
2-0

Liverpool have been linked with a huge swoop for Arsenal ace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer but he may not be the only Premier League player the Reds sign. Here, we’ve identified three top-flight players who could join the England international at Anfield.

Virgil Van Dijk

The Southampton defender has earned a stellar reputation for the Saints this season and is tipped with a high-profile move in the summer, with a wealth of top-tier clubs looking to land his services; including Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

The Reds, of course, have a strong history of transfer dealings with the Saints in recent years and could bring the Dutchman in to partner another former Southampton man, Dejan Lovren. Whilst he’d be an expensive recruit, he’s certainly affordable.

Arsenal are set for a major overhaul this summer and reports from The Daily Mirror have stated the North London side will embark on a huge £200m spending spree. Here, we’ve outlined the five players Arsenal are looking to sign.

Alexandre Lacazette

Considered to be the missing link in Arsenal’s attack, the Gunners are desperate to bring Alexandre Lacazette to North London from Lyon this summer but the French club are notoriously difficult to negotiate with- which could see Arsenal having to break their £42m transfer record.

That fee, paid in 2013 for Mesut Ozil, is significantly less than the record amounts that the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City have paid so moving ahead in a deal like this would be a real statement of intent.

With Lacazette boasting 96 Ligue 1 goals in 200 appearances, there’s no doubt he would be worth the money.

Manchester United’s quest to win the Europa League continues in Belgium tomorrow as the Red Devils tackle Anderlecht. Here, we’ve identified the starting XI that Jose Mourinho should select.

GK: David De Gea

Manchester United’s number one has been first-choice on the team-sheet throughout the season and will remain in that position for the foreseeable future- although Real Madrid are looking to change the situation with a swoop this summer.

Whilst he can be criticised for being over dramatic at times, De Gea is one of the best young goalkeepers in the world and should be able to put in a commanding performance against Anderlecht tomorrow evening- where a clean-sheet would help the Red Devils tremendously in their aim to reach the semi-finals.

The World Cup is just over a year away and numerous players will be thinking about their futures as they look to give themselves the best possible chance of representing their national sides.

It’s no different at Arsenal and these five players should definitely seek a summer transfer to put themselves back in a running for their nation’s squads for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Jack Wilshere

The midfield ace has spent this season on-loan with Bournemouth and has made it clear he will not extend his deal with Arsenal unless he gets first-team assurances. As he rapidly approaches the final 12 months of his deal, it seems increasingly likely Wilshere will leave.

Having fallen out of favour in the England set-up, Wilshere needs regular football and Arsenal can’t offer that- as they already have the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka, Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla.

If Wilshere doesn’t move this summer, and doesn’t get first-team football at Arsenal, the chances of him making England’s World Cup squad are very slim.

Manchester United have thrown all their eggs in one basket with their pursuit of Antoine Griezmann but it seems Atletico Madrid are trying to pen him to a new deal. As such, the Red Devils need to start considering alternatives and these four would be ideal.

Robert Lewandowski

The Polish centre-forward has established himself as one of the finest striker’s in world football over recent years and he could elect to seek a new challenge this summer away from German football, having starred for Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

At 28, Lewandowski is in the prime years of his career and a switch to Manchester United would see the Red Devils’ front line improve significantly. If Zlatan Ibrahimovic is to leave this summer, then Lewandowski would be the perfect replacement.

Money is no object to Manchester United so they should be able to convince Bayern Munich to part ways, with it being well-known that Bundesliga sides cannot match their English counterparts in the transfer market.

Arsenal have struggled to remain competitive over the past decade but a major overhaul is expected to take place this summer. With a host of reported signings on the cards, these four new additions will turn the Gunners into Premier League contenders.

GK: Ederson

The eyes of Europe’s elite have been turned towards Benfica ace Ederson this summer and Arsenal are one of many clubs eyeing his services, as they see the 23-year-old Brazilian as the perfect long-term replacement for ageing veteran Petr Cech.

Cech has struggled to remain consistent this season but is likely to stay on. David Ospina, meanwhile, wants more regular first-team football and an exit is one the cards. For next season, playing Ederson in the Premier League and reverting Cech to the cup campaigns could be ideal.

Romelu Lukaku looks increasingly likely to leave Everton this summer and the Toffees face a major challenge to replace him. Fortunately, they have money to spend and these three targets would be quality replacements.

Willian Jose

Linked with a £27m move to Goodison Park this summer, Real Sociedad striker Willian Jose has seemingly found himself top of Ronald Koeman’s wish-list in Everton’s quest to find a replacement for Lukaku and the Brazilian could be a good fit.

Since signing for the Basque outfit last summer, Willian Jose has hit 11 La Liga goals in just 19 appearances- his best ever return. Having struggled to establish himself in numerous loan moves previously though, his consistency can be called into question.

For that price, Everton would seek a player who has shown for numerous years that he can be relied upon and that could lead to concerns regarding Willian Jose’s services.

Manchester United face a battle to keep star-man Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Old Trafford for another year after reports suggested he’s set to move to LA Galaxy. The Red Devils ace could end-up being joined in the MLS by some of his current team-mates, as we’ve identified three players who could follow him stateside.

Wayne Rooney

Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer has struggled to find his place in Jose Mourinho’s set-up this season, with the veteran forward battling the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a striking role.

A loss of pace has seen Rooney revert to more of a midfield-based position over the past year but United may not have a spot for the England skipper there either. As such, an exit is widely reported this summer and Rooney could become the latest big-name to move to the MLS.

Whilst a move stateside would affect his chances of representing England at the World Cup next summer, it could hand the United captain a new lease of life and he can expect a bumper pay-day as a result.

Liverpool need a major overhaul this summer if they’re to succeed under Jurgen Klopp and the German boss can expect to axe several members of his side. Here, we’ve identified five of his team that need to go.

Alberto Moreno

The Spanish full-back has been cast out of the Liverpool squad this season, with his poor performances seeing James Milner handed a fresh chance at left-back and enjoy a new lease of life in the Reds defence.

Moreno’s position in the squad is now intangible as he remains behind Milner in the pecking order, whilst likely arrivals this summer will push him further down the list in the eyes of Jurgen Klopp- so a sale is definitely the right move.

At 24, Moreno has age on his side and he’ll look to get back on track with his career elsewhere, with a return to Spain a possibility.

Arsenal face a stern test to replace Alexis Sanchez this summer if the Chilean decides to leave the Emirates Stadium but the Gunners have options in the Premier League. Here, we’ve identified three potential targets.

Riyad Mahrez

The Algerian doesn’t quite have the same reputation as he did a year ago when he helped guide Leicester City to a shock Premier League title success but last season’s PFA Player of the Year is still a quality player and one who can provide a boost to Arsenal.

Having only recently turned 26, Mahrez has years ahead of him and is approaching the prime period of his career. If Alexis Sanchez was to be sold, investing some of that money to lure Mahrez to the Emirates Stadium would be a wise move.

However, he’d be an expensive acquisition.

Manchester United are eyeing big changes this summer and it’s likely that Jose Mourinho will splash the cash heavily once again, despite the astronomical figure spent last summer.

The Red Devils have been linked with a host of top-class players ahead of the upcoming transfer window but a new name has now been thrown into the mix, as Don Balon state Mourinho is eyeing a swoop for Bayern Munich ace Robert Lewandowski.

United’s interest comes amidst growing concerns on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s future at Old Trafford, as the veteran striker has consistently been linked with an exit despite only arriving on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain less than a year ago.

With prime target Antoine Griezmann regularly knocking back claims he will leave Atletico Madrid for a switch to the Premier League, Mourinho has been forced to identify alternative options and Lewandowski tops his short-list.

Would Lewandowski move?

Manchester United would have to pay an astonishing sum to land Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich but they have no problem with paying high prices, as shown last summer by their £89m capture of Paul Pogba.

However, the Red Devils would have to secure Champions League football to bring the Polish striker to the Premier League, as he’s determined to continue playing at the highest level, and the Red Devils chances of securing a top-four finish look bleak. That said, a place in Europe’s elite competition could come with success in the Europa League.

As for Bayern, the Bavarian giants are aware they cannot compete with the prices of the Premier League and a sale of Lewandowski would hand them ample funds to find the right sort of replacement, although filling the gap left by the former Borussia Dortmund man wouldn’t be easy.

Will Ibrahimovic leave?

Manchester United are keen to keep Ibrahimovic at Old Trafford, following his tremendous performances in his debut season in English football, but the Swede has had his head turned by offers elsewhere- with one of the most recent reports suggesting he’ll join LA Galaxy.

A return to Italy to join Napoli has also been highly discussed by his agent Mino Raiola and the Swedish striker could seek a fresh challenge, especially as he aspires to be the star-man in the squad and that may not be possible if the signature of a player like Griezmann was to be secured.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is not resting on his laurels this summer and is expected to go big in the transfer market to help establish the Blues as contenders for Champions League glory.

Whilst his West London side have stood as the frontrunners in the Premier League title chase throughout the season, and look set to win their second league trophy in three years, the squad at Conte’s disposal does need improving in particular areas.

Conte is determined to boost his options in attack, with Diego Costa struggling for form since the new year and facing question marks on his own future, and it seems a major deal is edging towards completion- and it could be a club-record deal.

Quoted by Metro, Italian journalist Massimo Marianello told Sky Italia that Romelu Lukaku’s return to Stamford Bridge is almost complete.

What was said?

‘I think many big players will join Chelsea in the summer as Conte wants the Blues to become credible contenders for the Champions League win,’

‘I can say Lukaku’s Chelsea move is almost done deal and reports in England claim Alexis Sanchez will also play for Chelsea next season. Many other players could also arrive [at Chelsea].’

Will it happen?

Romelu Lukaku made it clear he would not extend his deal at Goodison Park but he has spoken recently about his desire to make history with the Toffees. However, the Belgian is unlikely to stay if a lucrative offer comes in.

Everton, for there part, don’t want to sell but a reported price-tag of around £70m would be extremely difficult to turn down and would allow Ronald Koeman to have plenty of room to recruit in the transfer market.

Incidentally, a figure that high would also set a club-record fee for Chelsea, surpassing the £50m they paid Liverpool for Fernando Torres, and would stand as one of the highest fees in Premier League history- although still a way off the £89m Manchester United paid for Paul Pogba.

Manchester United’s transfer charge this summer could see them eye a move closer to home, with a sensational report being reported in South America.

As reported by Metro, Chile’s ‘El Show de Prensafutbol’ claims that Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has contacted Alexis Sanchez over the phone to try and persuade the 28-year-old to move to Old Trafford this summer.

Two-time Copa America winner Alexis is facing an uncertain future in North London, as he rapidly approaches the final 12 months of his contract with no progress of an extension being made- and reports widely suggest he’ll move on this summer.

Whilst there is a wealth of interest in the Premier League, Arsenal would naturally prefer to sell their star-man to a side elsewhere in Europe- although that could be difficult if Alexis decides he wants to stay within English football.

How likely is a deal?

As mentioned, Arsenal will be determined not to sell to a direct rival and will likely block any move for Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United. On top of that though, it’s difficult to see where exactly Alexis Sanchez would fit-in at Old Trafford.

Mourinho’s side already boast the talents of Anthony Martial, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard out wide, whilst Marcus Rashford has often been deployed on the wings this season and the Red Devils have been heavily linked with a move for Antoine Griezmann, who could also be deployed out-wide if United stick with their current formation.

Money is not a problem for the Red Devils though and Arsenal would likely earn a club-record sum for the sale of Alexis Sanchez, although it may not be worth it if the South American starlet was to wear the colours of United on a weekly basis.

Who else is keen?

The report also mentions interest from Manchester City, as it states Pep Guardiola has also held talks with Alexis Sanchez. On top of that, Chelsea are also heavily interested in the services of the South American- but Arsenal will still attempt to block any transfer to a Premier League rival.

Elsewhere in Europe, Serie A leaders Juventus are keen on bringing the former Udinese man back to Italian football, whilst oil-rich Paris Saint-Germain want to make the Chilean their star signing- having failed to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic last summer.

There has also been talk of a potential move to Bayern Munich, where Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are approaching the end of their careers, whilst a reunion with Jorge Sampaoli at Sevilla has also been mentioned- although the former Chile boss is unlikely to remain at the Andalusian side for too long, having been linked with Barcelona.

Manchester United have a lot of work to do under Jose Mourinho this summer and the Portuguese boss is preparing for another flurry of transfer window activity.

Amidst all the deals that could bring fresh faces to Old Trafford, Manchester United will also be wary of losing key assists to other top sides in Europe- and goalkeeper David De Gea is one player in particular they’ll have to fend off interest in.

The Spaniard continues to attract a wealth of interest from Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid but United have a back-up plan if he does seal a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, with The Manchester Evening News stating Jan Oblak is keen on a switch to the Premier League giants.

Conceding just 18 goals in La Liga last season, 24-year-old Oblak is widely regarded to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world but Manchester United would have to face a huge sum to land his signature- likely one that would eclipse the world-record fee paid for a goalkeeper, which currently stands at the £33m Juventus paid for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.

Money is not a problem for United though and the comments from a source close to the player will give the Red Devils a real boost if they elect to pursue Oblak’s signature.

What’s been said?

A source told The Manchester Evening News:

“I think for every player it is an honour to come to the UK and play for clubs like this one. A lot of top clubs from Europe wants the best goalkeeper in the world. In the UK, there are three of them who show an interest regarding Jan Oblak.”

“If De Gea goes back to Spain, everything is possible.”

How expensive would a deal be?

With a release-clause of £85m, and with Atletico Madrid having no intention to sell, securing Jan Oblak’s signature may be difficult. However, Atleti are set for a summer of change as they leave the Vicente Calderon and they could lose the services of key-men like Antoine Griezmann.

Oblak is close to both Griezmann and Jose Gimenez, both of whom have been linked with a move to Manchester United, and he may feel this summer is the right time to leave Atletico- with Real Madrid and Barcelona halting their rise in Spanish football.

On the continent, Atletico are going strong and are set to face Leicester City in the quarter-finals of the Champions League but the Spaniards have lost in the final in two of the last three seasons, so Oblak may feel his best chance of continental glory lies elsewhere.

That said, Manchester United may not be able to offer Champions League football and that could throw a spanner in the works of any potential deal.

Chelsea have stormed through the Premier League campaign this season but Antonio Conte is set to make significant changes in the summer transfer window to bolster his squad ahead of their return to the Champions League.

One area the Blues are focusing on strengthening is at right-back, with The Daily Mirror stating Conte’s side have identified two prime-targets to bolster the squad; Atalanta’s Andrea Conti and Hoffenheim’s Jeremy Toljan.

Chelsea scouts have watched the pair recently, keeping tabs on Conti during Atalanta’s 5-0 victory over Genoa at the weekend, where he scored the opening goal, whilst German U21 international Toljan was watched against England and Portugal during the international break.

Conte has eyed Toljan since his days as Juventus manager and Conti has risen up his wish-list with his performances this season.

Who’s more likely to move?

Both Toljan and Conti could be on the market this summer as they seek to give themselves a chance of featuring for Italy and Germany respectively at the World Cup next summer but the signature of Conti from Atalanta could be easier to secure.

Sat third in the Bundesliga standing, eight points above fifth-place, Hoffenheim are on-course for Champions League football next season and Toljan, who has risen through the youth ranks at the club, may be keen to be a part of that historic campaign.

The German outlet have never played in Europe, having only secured a place in the Bundesliga in 2008, so the youngster is set to achieve something that the squad has never accomplished before.

Atalanta, meanwhile, sit fifth in Serie A but are six points behind Napoli and the Champions League places. Europa League football for the club is a great achievement but the prospect of playing in Europe’s elite tier with Chelsea could be too difficult to turn down.

How much would they cost?

TransferMarkt values Andrea Conti at around £5.1m, whilst Toljan is valued at the low price of £2.98m. However, Chelsea would have to pay well over those figures to secure either player as the selling club holds a strong negotiating position.

Conti is tied down with Atalanta until 2021 but Toljan’s contract is due to expire in 2018, which means Chelsea could swoop and secure the player for a smaller fee this summer. As mentioned though, he may opt to extend his deal and stay with Hoffenheim for their upcoming Champions League adventure.

Chelsea surge towards Premier League glory was halted by Crystal Palace at the weekend and there’s a real danger that they could concede their advantage in the league standings over the coming weeks.

The Blues hold a seven point advantage over Tottenham Hotspur heading into the midweek Premier League fixtures and that could be cut to just four points by the end of play tomorrow, should Chelsea lose to Manchester City and Spurs beat Swansea.

Antonio Conte’s side need to treat the defeat to Crystal Palace as a wake-up call and make sufficient alterations to their side as a result, to ensure the squad is kept fresh and, crucially, doesn’t get complacent as we approach the latter end of the season.

With a few tweaks to the side that lost to Palace at the weekend, Chelsea can return to winning ways against Pep Guardiola’s side. Here, we’ve selected the ideal XI to tackle the Citizens.

GK: Thibaut Courtois

The Belgian goalkeeper has been an ever-present figure for the Blues this season, playing all 29 games of the Blues charge to the top of the Premier League. During that time, he’s conceded just 23 goals- a number only Tottenham Hotspur (21) can better.

With 13 clean-sheets, the highest in the league, Courtois has been an important member of a Chelsea defence that has been extremely difficult to break down. They’ll need him to be at his best against Manchester City, who have scored 56 goals this season.

Liverpool enjoyed a good weekend last time out, as the Reds beat Everton in the Merseyside derby and saw Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal all drop points.

The Reds therefore maintained third spot in the Premier League standings and have their hopes of Champions League football in their own hands, as they can keep in the top-four even if their rivals win their games in hand.

Having secured four points from clashes against Manchester City and Everton, Jurgen Klopp’s side are now preparing for a favourable run-in to the season but they’ll need to improve, having struggled against lower-end opposition this season.

On Wednesday, Liverpool host a Bournemouth side who defeated them on the South Coast earlier this season and the Reds will be keen on revenge. With Manchester United and Manchester City both facing stern tests this midweek, it’s an opportunity for Liverpool to strengthen their grip on a Champions League place.

Here, we’ve selected the Liverpool XI that Klopp should select to overcome the threat of the Cherries.

GK: Simon Mignolet

Liverpool’s goalkeeping ranks are the weakest section of their squad but Simon Mignolet has managed to retain his spot as number one despite the summer signing of Loris Karius. Whilst the situation may change in the summer, Mignolet should definitely start against Bournemouth.

The Belgian has started 20 games for Liverpool in the Premier League this season and needs to show the best of his ability if the Reds are to retain their spot amongst the top-four. That means cutting out the mishaps that have plagued him during his time in Anfield but he has the capability to do that.

Arsenal face a difficult summer ahead of them as the Gunners risk missing out on Champions League football, whilst there could also be a wealth of departures from the first-team.

Amongst the stars tipped to move away from the Emirates Stadium this summer is two-time Copa America winner Alexis Sanchez, who is rapidly approaching the final 12 months of his contract with the Gunners and seems increasingly unlikely to pen a new deal.

His situation has attracted a wealth of interest in his services and French outlet RMC Sport has stated Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have opened negotiations with the Chilean, whilst The Daily Telegraph adds Alexis would prefer a move to Stamford Bridge.

Naturally, Arsenal would prefer not to sell to a Premier League rival but Alexis’ contract situation does not put them in a strong bargaining position and any reluctance to sell could leave the door open for the 28-year-old to leave on a free transfer next summer.

Who leads the battle?

As mentioned, Chelsea are keen to bring Alexis Sanchez across London and the Chilean prefers a move to Stamford Bridge. However, the Blues’ strong rivalry with Arsenal makes a deal unlikely- and the same can be said for Manchester City.

In Europe, the likes of Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan have been linked with the Chilean’s signature, whilst there has also been a mention of interest from Sevilla, but Alexis’ likely demands for Champions League football could rule Inter out of the race.

That would leave Juventus and PSG as the big-hitters for Alexis’ signature and a move to the French capital would seem more likely, as the oil-rich club have far more weight to throw about in the transfer market than their Turin counterparts.

Is there any chance of Alexis staying?

Alexis Sanchez could still stay at Arsenal but his decision is unlikely to come down to money and will instead to built around what he believes he can achieve with a transfer. If he were to stay in North London, Arsenal would need to show significant improvements.

Finishing the season strongly would be unlikely to be enough to convince Alexis to stay and they’d have to show the Chilean they’re determined to turn things around- which could involve a major squad overhaul, replacing Arsene Wenger or going all-out in the transfer market.

Arsenal spent over £110m last summer but don’t have too much to show for it performance wise, so any persuasion on the transfer front would likely come from the calibre of players signed rather than the money spent.

Liverpool have made good progress under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp but there is still a lot of work to be done if the Reds are to end their long wait for league glory.

Klopp’s side are likely to be very active in the transfer market this summer and the Reds are eyeing top-quality youngsters to bolster their ranks, with a specific focus on midfielders. Having seen long-term target Mahmoud Dahoud seal a move to Borussia Dortmund, the Merseyside outfit will be keen to identify an alternative option.

The Reds will have therefore been worried by suggestions that Julian Brandt had agreed a move from Bayer Leverkusen to Bayern Munich but The Liverpool Echo reports that the German ace’s father has denied such an agreement exists, leaving the Reds still pursuing a deal.

A clause in Brandt’s contract indicates he can move for just €12.5m in the summer of 2018 but his father, who also acts as his agent, disputed the claim that a deal worth that figure was in place for the upcoming summer window.

What was said?

Speaking to Kicker and quoted by The Liverpool Echo, Jurgen Brandt said:

“It is fake news that Julian has agreed terms with Bayern. Julian has never been in the situation where he had to - or wanted to - make a decision on his future.”

However, he did admit interest in his client was high. In comments made to Sky Deutchsland, he said:

“There isn’t any trend nor any agreement. Julian will speak to Leverkusen about the season and his future in the summer. There have been enquiries from Bayern as well as others - but only to me. I collect these but there’s nothing concrete yet.”

“Julian hasn’t made any decision as to his future yet. He hasn’t spoken with any of those responsible at Bayern such as (Karl-Heinz) Rummenigge, (Uli) Hoeness or (Michael) Reschke, nor has he spoken to (Carlo) Ancelotti.”

Can Liverpool do a deal?

Regardless of whether a deal with Bayern Munich has been agreed yet, Liverpool will still face a huge test to land Brandt’s signature- especially as German players have a strong record of making transfers to other Bundesliga sides.

With Bayern Munich also losing the services of veteran midfielder Xabi Alonso this summer to retirement, the Bavarian giants have a hole in their midfield to fill and Brandt could be the ideal fit. Moving to the Allianz Arena could also bolster his chances of making Germany’s World Cup squad next summer and that may play into a decision.

For Liverpool, securing a Champions League finish will be decisive to any hope they have of landing Brandt’s signature and Jurgen Klopp will have a lot of work to do to demonstrate Liverpool are a side capable of going toe-to-toe with Europe’s elite.

Arsenal and Manchester United could look to swoop and secure the signature of a Leicester City ace this summer, with the Foxes fearful they’ll have to fend-off interest in their midfielder.

Wilfred Ndidi only arrived at the King Power Stadium in January, for a fee around £17m, but the Foxes are concerned he could jump ship in the summer as both Arsenal and Manchester United eye a move, as reported by The Daily Mirror.

Signed by the Foxes to fill the void left by N’Golo Kante’s summer move to Premier League leaders Chelsea, Ndidi has impressed and the 20-year-old, who snubbed interest from Arsenal last summer, could find himself on the move again.

Where would he fit in?

Both Manchester United and Arsenal are seeking midfield improvements this summer and both Premier League giants face the prospect of replacing long-serving members of their squad in the not-too-distant future.

The Red Devils are likely to wave goodbye to Michael Carrick at the end of the season and need a combative midfielder to fill that void, whilst Arsenal continue to seek a long-term replacement for Santi Cazorla.

Whilst Ndidi isn’t comparable to Cazorla, the Gunners would certainly benefit from additional strength in the midfield and a partnership alongside Granit Xhaka could give the North London side the catalyst to build success upon.

Could he stay?

Having only recently signed for Leicester, he could elect to stay with the Foxes. However, the defending Premier League champions face an uncertain future after slipping down the table this season and it’s unclear where their long-term status lies.

Nigerian ace Ndidi, who has been capped six times by his national side, will have aspirations of representing the African team in next summer’s World Cup but his nation still face a battle to get through the qualifying stages- although they’ve taken maximum points from their two matches in Round 3 so far.

Should Ndidi seal a move and play in European competition, his chances of making Nigeria’s squad would be significantly boosted and that could play into any decision he makes.

The best golf tournament of the year gets underway this week with the green jacket the coveted prize. The Masters always draws the biggest names and past Champion Jordan Spieth along with Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood make up a great 50/1 treble chance offer from one of the top golf betting bookies’ Bet on Brazil.

Arsenal are set for major changes this summer and a host of big-names could leave the Emirates Stadium amongst a squad overhaul.

Whilst the Gunners have been public in their desire to keep 25-year-old Jack Wilshere, the England international is rapidly approaching the final 12 months of his contract and is seeking first-team assurances before he puts pen-to-paper on an extension.

Having struggled during recent years with a wealth of injury problems, Wilshere has impressed on-loan with Bournemouth and Cherries boss Eddie Howe has confirmed he’d like to sign the midfielder on a permanent deal this summer.

However, interest in the Arsenal academy graduate is high and Wilshere’s signature this summer could fetch a premium price.

What’s been said?

Quoted by The Telegraph, Howe said after the weekend’s goalless draw with Southampton:

“I’ve always said we would love to sign him. But that decision will rest with Arsenal. He’s played so many games. This is just a little spell where he’s been out of the team but he’s still coming on to great effect.”

Is Bournemouth the right fit?

Jack Wilshere may have found his feet in Bournemouth but moving to the Cherries on a permanent basis could effect his chances of making the England squad next summer, where Wilshere will aim to represent the Three Lions at the World Cup.

Moving to a bigger side may end up being the best course of action for Wilshere and he has options ahead of him, with The Sun stating this weekend that West Ham will offer £30m to Arsenal and give the midfielder the opportunity of remaining in London.

Wilshere could also have the option to move abroad, with The Daily Mail stating last month he’s open to a move to AC Milan- where he’d follow in the footsteps of former England captain David Beckham, who spent successful loan spells in Italy with the club.

Liverpool have a lot of work to do this summer and Jurgen Klopp is set to clear out the deadwood at Anfield, which could prove to be useful for other sides in the Premier League.

One of the players likely to be shipped out at the end of the season is French defender Mamadou Sakho, who has impressed since January after joining Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace on-loan until the end of the season.

The Independent now states the Eagles will push for the permanent signing of Sakho this summer but risk losing out in the market following the defender’s fine performances, which are likely to have raised his value and Liverpool’s asking price.

Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce confirmed at the weekend he’ll look to sign Sakho permanently, following the Eagles surprise 2-1 victory over Premier League leaders Chelsea, but reports indicate Sakho’s services could fetch as much as £25m.

What’s been said?

Speaking after the victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, Sam Allardyce said:

“Securing our Premier League status is our priority, and then we’ll see what Mamadou’s aspirations are, to be with us or anywhere else. His future doesn’t look as if it is at Liverpool. He’s enjoying his football and his life here. He’s brought that resilience to the team by leading by example.”

“He’s taking a commanding role in his performance and the information he’s giving out on the field. That has helped with our defensive resilience: one goal conceded in four games.”

Will he join Palace?

Sakho has excelled since joining Crystal Palace, winning all four of his matches with the Eagles thus far, and his performances have attracted interest from Italian sides and Southampton- which means Crystal Palace could easily be priced out of a deal.

For the player himself, staying in an area where he feels settled may be decisive but Sakho will also hold aspirations of forcing his way into France’s squad for the World Cup next summer- having missed Euro 2016 following a drugs ban, which was later overturned.

Sakho missed out on the latest international squad and hasn’t made the squad since last summer, with the 27-year-old now facing competition with the likes of Samuel Umtiti, Aymeric Laporte, Raphael Varane and Laurent Koscielny for a spot in France’s starting line-up.

Manchester United missed the chance to continue putting pressure on the top-four this weekend, as they once again dropped points at Old Trafford.

A goalless draw with West Brom failed to create confidence amongst the fans for the remainder of the season, as the Red Devils prepare for a difficult run in- which starts against Everton in midweek.

With Jose Mourinho’s side still having to face Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur between now and the end of the campaign, as well as fighting for glory in the Europa League, fans aren’t confident that they’ll be successful in their push for Champions League football.

However, they’re delighted that a crucial player is set to return against Everton and have heralded Ander Herrera as one of their most crucial players- suggesting he’s even more important to them than world-record signing Paul Pogba.

@ucheguccigoo @TheSoccerUK More than Pogba we need Herrera….

— Supermanunited (@Supermanunited7) April 1, 2017

We need pogba, Ibra and Herrera back ASAP…we can’t continue dropping points at this stage of the season #mufc

— JOHNTE (@johnoti08531694) April 1, 2017

@MickiMadness @CopyOfOne Pogba, Zlatan & Herrera can’t come back sooner. We desperately need them in almost every game.

— Mané Garrincha (@VickieOfficiel) April 2, 2017

Ah well Ibra, Pogba & Herrera back against Everton & my god do we need them.

— Melvin S7ven (@MelvinS7ven) April 2, 2017

We didn’t miss Zlatan or Pogba today. We missed @AnderHerrera

— Seán Webb (@seanwebb87) April 1, 2017

The biggest miss to this Manchester United team is Ander Herrera. So underrated his energy and willingness to push forward. Superb player.

— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) April 1, 2017

Chelsea’s assault on the Premier League title suffered a major blow this weekend, as a shock defeat to Crystal Palace opened the door for a late charge from their rivals.

The Blues 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge to Palace, accompanied by Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-0 victory over Burnley, saw the Lilywhites cut the deficit to seven points and Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be hopeful of a late push towards the title.

Chelsea still boast a comfortable advantage but face a huge test in midweek against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, where defeat could open the door for Spurs to cut the deficit to just four points- and spark a major tussle at the end of the campaign.

The Blues may consider the defeat against Crystal Palace to be a wake-up call and fans on social media are calling for a big change this week, as they’re desperate to see misfiring striker Diego Costa dropped amidst his poor form.

Costa has struggled since having his head turned from interest in China during the January transfer window and his decline of form in front of goal has raised question marks as to whether the title race is really over.

With so much to lose, Costa’s form is a problem and many fans want him to be taught a lesson by being dropped in the coming weeks.

If Conte doesn’t want to bottle this then he must drop Costa now. Play Ruben or Batshuayi or even Hazard upfront I don’t care.

— Foreverblue (@ForeverBlue_07) April 1, 2017

If Conte really Is the winner & killer they everyone says he is he’ll drop Costa vs City.

— 🇨🇦 (@lxwry) April 1, 2017

Drop Costa for a few games and start Michy. I’m confident he’ll do fine, or at least better than how Costa has been doing lately.

— Ꭻ (@KanteleIe) April 1, 2017

Conte should really show some balls and drop Costa for the City game. Costa has taken his place for granted as there’s no competition.

— Foreverblue (@ForeverBlue_07) April 2, 2017

Costa couldn’t do that yesterday, please @ChelseaFC tell conte to drop costa on wednesday

— TK (@TKQHD) April 2, 2017

Conte too scared to drop costa man cba we gonna lose the title because of that

— i (@beardedcesc) April 2, 2017

Hope so but I know he won’t drop costa easily I pray Costa gets injured for the rest of the season https://t.co/4RKwL3YMWM

— Itz_Tj (@Tijjani63527922) April 1, 2017

Arsenal failed to win again yesterday and one particular player was crucified by supporters on social media, with many calling for him to be sold.

Arsenal managed to stop the rot yesterday with a 2-2 draw against Manchester City but it wasn’t enough to see the Gunners rise from sixth position in the Premier League standings, whilst they remain seven points behind the top-four.

Arsene Wenger’s side do still have two games in hand but a major improvement is needed over the final two months of the season, with the Gunners battling the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and the Citizens for a top-four finish.

Of those clubs, Arsenal are currently the side that look destined to miss out on Champions League football next season and a victory against Manchester City would have given them a massive boost in the quest to turn things around.

However, the Gunners were forced to settle for a draw after fighting back from behind twice and one particular Arsenal man was hounded for what many believed to be a woeful performance- and it came from Arsenal’s all-time most expensive signing.

Mesut Ozil may have provided the assist for Shkodran Mustafi’s equalising goal in the second-half but he was guilty of sloppily conceding possession in the build up to Sergio Aguero’s goal, which came minutes after Theo Walcott equalised at the other end.

The German World Cup winner also failed to take advantage of a number of decent attacking opportunities and social media was awash with criticism for the former Real Madrid man, who enters the final 12 months of his deal with Arsenal this summer.

Any arsenal fans who think ozil and xhaka played well please you need help !!! What game are you watching 🙈

— paul jones (@paul_woodford_2) April 2, 2017

I’ll never ever understand why people rate Ozil so highly. In my eyes he is the most overrated footballer of all time.

— Jack (@CIassyCouts) April 2, 2017

Ozil out!!! In my opinion totally rubbish! Looks disinterested! Can’t be doing with him. Plus he looks like he needs a vitamin injection 😡

— Sinéad 🇮🇪☘️💕🎯⚽️ (@sineadmcanenny) April 2, 2017

I love Wenger but honestly now, arsenal needs a restart button, Ozil, Sanchez, Wenger can all go now. What an embarrassingly woeful club.

— Beardless Hunk (@DustyStreetzz) April 2, 2017

Not content with giving the ball away once - Ozil did it twice in the build up to that goal and then decided to have a rest. Woeful

— James Robson (@JamesRobsonMEN) April 2, 2017

I would sell ozil. He’s not what we need. Like playing with 10 players.

— 4everapplegrape (@4everapplegrape) April 2, 2017

We should sell Ozil and give all the money to Sanchez. #Arsenal

— Aminu Mahdi (@_Aminu_) April 2, 2017

Can the media please stop saying Alexis and Ozil are our two best players. Ozil not even in the top 5! Sell him

— Steve (@goonersteve12) April 2, 2017

I hope we sell Ozil to Fenerbahce in the summer. He’s beyond bad.

— aBs (@absdadon) April 2, 2017

Sell Mesut Ozil
I don’t even know why I’m an Arsenal fan any more#WengerOut

— Johnny Tse (@JohnnyTse) April 2, 2017

Been saying it for some time now, sell Mesut Ozil and Arsenal would greatly improve. This is shambolic #AFCvMCFC

— Patrick O’Meara (@pat_romeara) April 2, 2017

Liverpool host Everton in a crucial Merseyside derby this weekend and these three battles are likely to decide the outcome of the match.

The derby is being shown live on Sky Sports with the game kicking off at 12:30pm on Saturday. You can pick up a NowTV day pass and watch the game for just £6.29 with the 10% off a day pass offer. Alternatively weekly passes are available for £10.99. You can redeem the fantastic day pass offer by clicking here.

Lukaku v Matip

Romelu Lukaku boasts 21 Premier League goals this season, the highest of any player in the division, and keeping him quiet won’t be an easy task. This weekend, that task falls to Liverpool’s summer recruit Joel Matip.

The Cameroonian international has impressed in his debut season in English football but Lukaku has the strength and ability to emerge victorious in this battle. Lukaku can’t be afforded room and time on the ball, whilst Matip has to expect a hefty physical battle.

Liverpool face a huge game on Saturday as they tackle Merseyside rivals Everton at Anfield, with the Reds looking to consolidate their position of fourth-spot in the Premier League. Here, we’ve selected the side that Liverpool should select to win the game.

The derby is being shown live on Sky Sports with the game kicking off at 12:30pm on Saturday. You can pick up a NowTV day pass and watch the game for just £6.29 with the 10% off a day pass offer. Alternatively, weekly passes are available for £10.99. You can redeem the fantastic day pass offer by clicking here.

GK: Simon Mignolet

Liverpool’s goalkeeping options are quite weak, with both Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius struggling to impress this season, but it’s the former who should get the nod for this crucial Merseyside derby as the Belgian has looked slightly better.

The Reds need to make a choice on their number one for the remainder of the season and stick with it, with that man likely to be Mignolet. Come the summer, changes in this area are likely but Jurgen Klopp has to work with what he’s got for now.