SportsNews
EPL: Liverpool’s Van Dijk predicts Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has predicted that Arsenal will defeat Crystal Palace when both sides meet in the Premier League on Wednesday night at the Emirates Stadium.
The Netherlands defender also stated that Liverpool must secure victory against Tottenham Hotspur to seal the Premier League title this season.
Speaking to The Times, Van Dijk said winning the Premier League title this week without kicking a ball would be a pleasant outcome.
However, the 33-year-old expects Mikel Arteta’s side to triumph in their home fixture against Crystal Palace.
“I expect Arsenal to win at home but, yeah, if it doesn’t happen, then I think it would be nice to be together,” Van Dijk said.
“So, however that may look, we will discuss in the next couple of days. But if Arsenal just win that game, as they probably expect they will do against a very good Crystal Palace, then we have to do our job at the weekend.”
Liverpool will be crowned champions on Wednesday night if Arsenal lose to Crystal Palace.
Arne Slot’s men are currently 13 points ahead of Arsenal and can secure the title on Sunday by defeating Tottenham, should the Gunners win during the week.
Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric has confirmed Ademola Lookman is available for Sunday’s Serie A clash with Torino.
Juric however said the Nigeria international is not in his best physical condition.
Lookman trained with his Atalanta teammates for the first time on Thursday, since pushing to join Inter Milan during the transfer window.
The 27-year-old is yet to feature for the Bergamo club this season.
The winger however made two appearances for Nigeria two weeks ago.
Juric disclosed that Lookman was warmly received on his return to the squad.
“He’s spoken with me, the team and my staff. He was well received and from tomorrow, he will begin to be available to us,” Juric told a pre-match press conference on Saturday.
“He’s not in the best condition given that he’s been training alone up until now. He did very well in training (on Friday).”
Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso has insisted that it will be “special” for new Benfica manager, Jose Mourinho when both teams clash in the UEFA Champions League in the coming months.
Mourinho was recently appointed as Benfica’s new manager after he was sacked by Fenerbahce.
However, the 62-year-old is now set to face his former club, Real Madrid, in the league phase of the Champions League on January 28, 2026.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s LaLiga clash with Espanyol on Saturday, Alonso said of Mourinho (via Madrid Xtra on X): “Playing against Mourinho? I had the chance to face him when he was at Roma and I was at Leverkusen.
“It will be special for him. It was three very intense years, very important. He has a huge affection for this club.”
Mourinho has faced Alonso in the Europa League in the past during his time at AS Roma.
The Portuguese led Roma to beat Bayer Leverkusen under the guidance of Alonso in the past.
Lydia Monyepao, the Chief Executive Officer of the South African Football Association, SAFA, has confirmed they have received communication from FIFA over an investigation into the Teboho Mokoena suspension saga.
The world football governing body has written to Bafana Bafana, demanding an explanation as to how Mokoena played against Lesotho in March this year.
The midfielder was ineligible to feature in the 2026 World Cup qualifier having picked up two yellow cards.
FIFA’s investigation could now overturn South Africa’s 2-0 win to a 3-0 defeat.
“We have received communication from FIFA about the investigation they have launched in terms of the Lesotho match that Teboho Mokoena was fielded, we received it yesterday,” Monyepao said via Idiski Times.
“So we’re preparing our response to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee which is ultimately required of us as an association…”
With two games left to play, Nigeria occupy third spot in Group C with 11 points, trailing South Africa, who have 17 points, and Benin Republic on 14 points.
Both Benin and Nigeria will be eagerly awaiting FIFA’s verdict on the matter.
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