Rafael Leao was Milan s hero in the derby against Inter and head coach Stefano Pioli says the Rossoneri are determined to tie the in-demand forward to a new deal.

Leao scored twice and provided an assist for Olivier Giroud as the Serie A champions defeated their city rivals 3-2 in an entertaining clash at San Siro on Saturday.

It was a welcome performance for Milan supporters, who had seen their star linked with a move to Premier League big-spenders Chelsea on transfer deadline day.

However, the Blues were rebuffed in their attempts to strike a deal for a player who reportedly has a €150million release clause in his contract, which runs until June 2024.

Pioli said he was never fearful Leao would depart and has now confirmed the plan is to tie the 23-y…

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker:

In a heavyweight showdown on Tuesday night, PSG and Juventus will open their Champions League adventure when they meet on Tuesday night.

Starting with the hosts, after parting ways with Mauricio Pochettino over the summer, PSG have got a new era underway this season. While many might have been shocked to see Christophe Galtier arrive in the French capital back in July, the ex-Nice boss has seen his star-studded squad gain plenty of plaudits. Looking to lay down an early marker on Tuesday night when they open their Champions League adventure, Les Parisiens were last seen over the weekend picking up some perfect momentum. Last seen a few days ago storming their way to a thumping 3-0 victory away at Nantes, PSG have really come flying out…

FC Groningen and NAC Breda shared the spoils after playing out a 1-1 draw in their mid-table Eredivisie clash on Friday.

Groningen had not beaten NAC on home soil since March 2010 but they moved towards ending that run when Maikel Kieftenbeld broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half.

The defensive midfielder pounced on a poorly cleared corner to fire home the opening goal from 25 yards.

Groningen s lead was short-lived as NAC levelled the game just two minutes later through a Jordy Buijs penalty, the defender s fourth goal of the season.

The result leaves Groningen in ninth position and NAC in 12th with eight games remaining in the Eredivisie.

…

Arsenal v Fulham

This is fifth against eighth but there are twelve points between them. Arsenal are fresh from the 1-0 Champions League win over Roma, which whilst they should have scored more (you know who you are Bendtner and Eboue!) was a pretty good result. Fulham are also fresh from a 2-1 win over Swansea in the FA Cup which was a good performance as well.

The big problem for Fulham here is that their away form is nothing like as good as their home form. They are yet to win a game away from Craven Cottage. Arsenal, meanwhile, are unbeaten in twelve in the league.

Fulham defend well, but they won’t defend well enough in this one.

SoccerNews prediction: 2-0

Chelsea v Wigan

Chelsea have done OK so far under Guus Hiddink. A decent win …

Swansea City manager Garry Monk said Jonjo Shelvey deserved his call-up to the England squad after making a bright start to the Premier League season.

Shelvey was among the 22 players selected by Roy Hodgson on Sunday for next month s Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Switzerland.

The 23-year-old, who earned his one and only cap against San Marino in 2013, has hit the ground running this term after meeting with Monk at the end of 2014-15 to address his discipline and application.

Speaking to reporters following Sunday s 2-1 win at home to Manchester United, Monk lauded Shelvey for his efforts.

It s time to grow up and he s done that, Monk said.

I had a good relationship with Jonjo and worked closel
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y with him and he s worked…

Newcastle United midfielder Yoan Gouffran is set to be sent out on loan, .

No less than three Championship clubs have been linked with a move for Frenchman, with Nottingham Forest, Hull City and Middlesbrough monitoring his situation.

Since arriving in the North East of England in January 2013, Gouffran has made eighty-eight appearances in all competitions, scoring eleven goals.

However, his only outing under Steve McClaren came in the 4-1 League Cup second round victory over Northampton Town.

Prior to his switch to the Premier League, he spent four-and-a-half years at Bordeaux having begun his career with Caen.

Internationally he has been capped twenty-two times for France’s U21s, scoring three goals and was part of the Under 19s squad tha…

Ajax have revealed the on-field treatment received by Abdelhak Nouri after he collapsed during a game was inadequate and could have worsened his condition.

Nouri was left with permanent brain damage after experiencing heart failure during Ajax s friendly against Werder Bremen in July 2017.

Ajax initially suggested Nouri was given all the correct care, but managing director Edwin van der Sar has now accepted the club should have handled the situation better.

We have important news about the terrible incident concerning Abdelhak Nouri last year, Van der Sar said in a lengthy statement to the media on Monday. Based on new insights, which we, unfortunately, did not discover until very recently, we have reached new conclusions. 

These are that the treatment…

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte insists he is unsurprised by the form shown by Eden Hazard so far this season.

The Belgium star endured a poor 2015-16 campaign, a season after being named the Premier League Player of the Season.

But Hazard has returned to some of his best form, and he scored again as Chelsea claimed a 12th straight league win by beating Bournemouth 3-0 on Monday.

Conte praised the attacker for his displays, with the 25-year-old having contributed nine league goals and an assist in 17 games.

I knew Eden only through as an opponent with the national team and for sure I watched him a lot of time on TV, he said.  I am not surprised because he has good talent.

But the most important thing is that he s putting his talent in the team…

Karim Benzema scored a first-half hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Almeria 4-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu to move within eight points of Barcelona at the top of LaLiga.

After Girona and Rayo Vallecano dealt the top two surprise midweek defeats, Madrid had the chance to cut Barca s lead – at least temporarily before the Blaugrana face Real Betis.

Benzema ensured they seized that opportunity in emphatic fashion, benefitting from excellent assists from Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo before stroking home a third from the penalty spot.

Lazaro and Lucas Robertone netted either side of a long-range fourth from Rodrygo as Almeria fought gallantly, but Madrid were ultimately deserved winners.

8 has scored three hat-tricks in his last eight games with in all competit…

Saturday 3rd October

Bolton v Tottenham

Gary Megson is a really dour character who even his own fans find it hard to warm to. He may not be an immediately likeable character but you can’t deny his ability as a manager. Once again he is slowly but surely edging Bolton to a position of mid-table respectability.

Tottenham are still looking like a fine team although their injury problems at the back are a serious issue. They still sit in the top four and on current form they deserve to be there.

Bolton won’t make it easy for Harry Redknapp’s men but I fancy the away side to have just enough to take the points.

SoccerNews prediction: 1-2

Burnley v Birmingham

Home form has become absolutely crucial f…