Prediction: Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace

Spain s status as one of the favourites to win the 2010 World Cup could end up hurting the squad s chances, Liverpool s Spanish international Fernando Torres said in an interview published Sunday.

Everyone expects a great deal from us and that pressure is not always good for a player, the 25-year-old striker told XLSemanal, the weekly magazine supplement of daily Spanish newspaper ABC.

We have good players who have played harmoniously for three or four years now. If we miss this chance to win the World Cup, it is possible that we will not have a second opportunity. The pressure is enormous, he added.

Spain, the winners of Euro 2008, are ranked number one in the year-end FIFA standings for the second straight year, making them the only side to ever occupy the t…

Eden Hazard has admitted he was like a ghost during Chelsea s dismal campaign in 2015-16.

The Belgium international won the Professional Footballers Association Player of the Year and was named the Football Writers Association Footballer of the Year after inspiring Jose Mourinho s side to the title two seasons ago.

Hazard s performance level then dipped markedly last term and he failed to score in the Premier League before April, with Mourinho having left Stamford Bridge 16 games into the season.

However, the 26-year-old has recaptured some of his best form in Antonio Conte s table-topping side and he is determined to re-establish his place as the leading light in the division.

I was the best player two years ago, but last season I was like a ghost, he …

Celtic and Rangers both completed loan signings on a relatively quiet transfer deadline day in the cinch Premiership.

The champions confirmed the capture of Norwich striker Adam Idah while Rangers announced the signing of winger Oscar Cortes from French side Lens.

The 20-year-old Colombian joins on loan for the rest of the season with Rangers holding an option to buy him in the summer.

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC)

The Light Blues are reported to have rebuffed interest from Galatasaray in Ridvan Yilmaz after missing out on an immediate bid to sign left-back Jefte from Fluminense, with the Brazilian’s loan club APOEL Nicosia reportedly intent on keeping him until the end of the campaign.

Reports from Italy also claimed Hellas …

Diego Simeone has insisted that Atletico Madrid will not alter their tactics as it would go against the history of the club.

Under the Argentinian, the team have employed a hard-working, physical and compact style of play.

Not only did it send Atletico to the Liga title in 2013-14 season, the 45-year-old believes it is a strategy that is part of the club s history – which he has no desire to go against regardless of any complaints.

For those who do not know what Atletico have been about throughout history, I remind you that it is working, pressure, counter-attack and strong defence, Simeone said.

Those who want to change that go against the history of what Atletico are.

You can play well in many ways. We will compete along those lines beyon…

Paris Saint-Germain have dedicated their Ligue 1 title triumph to healthcare workers and everyday heroes who have made such sacrifices during the coronavirus crisis.

PSG were declared champions on Thursday after the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) confirmed final standings will be decided on a points-per-game basis.

The announcement came two days after French prime minister Edouard Philippe said there would be no professional sporting events in the country before September, bringing the 2019-20 campaign to an end.

Thomas Tuchel s side were 12 points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand when the season was suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over 24,000 people have died in France after contracting the virus and PSG cha…

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has slammed nonsense claims that manager Ian Holloway will leave the club.

Parish has been forced to deny the suggestions after media reports claimed that the pair s relationship had irreparably deteriorated amid disagreements around the club s recruitment policy.

Holloway has made new 10 new additions to his squad following promotion via the play-offs last May, either on permanent or loan deals, with Palace without a point after their opening two Premier League fixtures.

Former Palace boss Neil Warnock, who suggested prior to leaving his last job at Leeds United in April that it would be final managerial post, has been linked with a return to Selhurst Park, but Parish has laughed off the speculation.

It’s such nonsense. Th…

Morata keen on Juventus return / Image via Goal.com

Marginalized Talent

Things might be blooming in his private life, but there is plenty of reason to be worried when it comes to the professional career of Alvaro Morata – once a great talent and a leader of the new wave in Spanish football.

Last couple of years, however, have done enough to marginalize Morata’s talents and turn him into a sparingly used forward who just can’t seem to get his big break at the top.

With 2016 already in the rearview mirror, Morata is ready to end the hoodoo.

Newly engaged to his future wife Alice Campello, the 24-year-old Spanish striker Alvaro Morata spent his holiday in London, thus sparking a debate whether he might be on the move again. All he wanted was to make …

Valencia head coach Ruben Baraja has said his club will fight back against “smears” after they were handed a five-game partial stadium closure and hefty fine following the racist abuse aimed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.

Speaking at a press conference, Baraja stressed he was “absolutely against racism”, but echoed Valencia’s earlier claim that the sanction was “unfair and disproportionate”, and added: “I am not going to allow the Valencia CF fans and Mestalla to be smeared with labels that do not represent us.

“Just as a player rightly fights back against insults and I support that with all my might, we as a club and a fanbase rebel against those who, during the days since the game, have accused us of being what we are not.”

s mess…

European champions Spain make their World Cup bow against Switzerland here on Wednesday with star midfielder Cesc Fabregas saying they were hungry for the title .

Spanish football is riding the crest of a wave following Spain s Euro 2008 victory and the record-breaking achievements of Barcelona in 2009, and La Roja have rightly been installed as joint favourites for the World Cup with Brazil.

Spain hold the distinction of being the only side to ever be ranked number one in the FIFA standings without winning a World Cup. Their best placing remains fourth place in 1950.

The country would only appear in two more World Cups until 1978, but have qualified for every tournament since then.

But in players like goalkeeper Iker Casillas, midfield magicians Xavi an…

Premier League giants Arsenal have joined the race for Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, .

The Gunners have informed the player’s representatives that they are looking to submit an official proposal for the 22-year-old footballer in the summer transfer window.

Arsenal will, however, face stiff competition for Bakayoko, who is also on the radar of Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool, among other clubs, but at least it appears that the highly rated footballer will be leaving at the end of the current campaign.

Namely, while he currently earns just over €1 million gross per year, the youngster has been offered a minor pay rise by his employers, but he has rejected the offer and seems to have set his sights on leaving for greener pastures.

Tiemoue B…