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    Transfer recommendations for Gameweek 14: Bargain defenders or premium midfielders?

    THERE’S barely time for Dream Team managers to catch their breath with Gameweek 14 fast approaching.The Champions League, Europa League and Conference League are all set to resume in the week after a full round of Premier League fixtures which means the seven teams active in Europe are set to pull double duty.We refuse to patronise you by listing obvious names such as Mohamed Salah (£7.4m), Bukayo Saka (£6.6m) and Erling Haaland (£8.6m) as transfer recommendations (because of course they are) but allow us to present some other suggestions ahead of Saturday’s 11am deadline. Confirm your transfers before Saturday’s 11am deadlineCredit: Dream TeamJoe Gomez (£3.1m)Liverpool may have shipped three goals to Newcastle on Wednesday night but their defence has generally been a reliable source of points this season.Ibrahima Konate (£4.8m) is expected to be sidelined until the new year and so Gomez is likely to get plenty of minutes – he started against Manchester City and the Magpies for a return of nine points in Gameweek 13.The Reds have a much more favourable double header in Gameweek 14 in the form of Everton and Girona.The Toffees will be motivated to hinder their neighbours’ title charge but they are among the lowest scorers in the top flight while the Spanish outfit have not quite rekindled the magic of 2023/24 – they’re eighth in La Liga at present.Arne Slot will be hopeful of at least one clean sheet in the coming days and Gomez could provide a cheap route to the points on offer.Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.7m) is anything but cheap as the most expensive defender in the game but he averages a mighty 6.9 points-per-game in 2024/25 and is therefore well set for a double-digit haul in Gameweek 14.Most read in FootballThe creative right-back banked 16 points across his outings against Man City and Newcastle via two assists to remind Dream Team bosses of his pedigree upon return from injury.A formidable combinationCredit: GettyMartin Odegaard (£5.2m)The aforementioned Saka is Dream Team’s most in-form player at the time of writing and should probably be considered a must-have asset.Furthermore, it might be worth doubling up on Arsenal midfielders for the festive period as their fixtures appear rather favourable.The Gunners’ captain has produced three assists and a goal in the space of three Gameweeks since his return to the starting line-up.Odegaard’s numbers are impressive but, crucially, he’s also passed the eye test with flying colours since the end of the November international break.Arsenal mustered one goal in three games immediately before the break and it’s no coincidence they’ve bagged 16 in five games since the Norwegian playmaker regained full fitness.Class is permanentCredit: ReutersKevin De Bruyne (£5.8m)If Odegaard doesn’t float your boat then how about another premium midfielder?City’s brilliant Belgian helped his side stop the rot in midweek with a goal and assist at the heart of a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.De Bruyne also earned three bonus points to finish with an overall haul of 18 when he went off midway through the second half (20 total for the Gameweek including two points against Liverpool).The 33 year-old playmaker has been limited to just 548 minutes this season but with Pep Guardiola in need of his big guns in the wake of a rare downturn in form, De Bruyne will surely be unleashed upon Crystal Palace and Juventus in Gameweek 14.You don’t need to be convinced of KDB’s abilities but it’s rare that such an elite talent has an ownership as low as 4.8%.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOWDon’t write them off just yet…Credit: GettyMorgan Rogers (£2.7m) or Youri Tielemans (£3.9m)Many gaffers will have gone cold on Aston Villa players recently but Gameweek 14 looks primed for points on paper, especially after Unai Emery’s men returned to winnings ways against Brentford in midweek.The Villains host 20th-placed Southampton on Saturday before travelling to RB Leipzig on Tuesday – it’s a good time to play the Bundesliga side as they’ve lost five of their last seven games in all competitions.Ollie Watkins (£5.3m) produced 19 points in Gameweek 13 but he comes at a steep cost and continues to be substituted in the second half of games.READ MORE SUN STORIESRogers and Tielemans are more relatively affordable midfield options, both coming off the back of double-digit hauls.The Belgium international has earned 30 bonus points this season – the joint-highest tally among all players, alongside Ryan Gravenberch (£3.8m).BetMGM sign up offerBetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — HERE**New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

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    Fans spot Man Utd’s pre-match tactic that massively backfired against Arsenal

    MANCHESTER UNITED practised defending corners in their warm-up before facing Arsenal… and still went on to concede from them TWICE.Mikel Arteta’s men went into the game with a reputation for being dangerous from corner kicks.Manchester United practised defending corners before the gameCredit: RexThey were seen heading away corners during the warm-up at the EmiratesCredit: RexAnd they lived up to that billing as Jurrien Timber and William Saliba both nodded home from the set-pieces to hand Arsenal a 2-0 win at the Emirates.Ruben Amorim’s side could not deal with the deliveries all evening as Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino also went close from corners.So it will come as a major surprise to most Man Utd fans that the Red Devils were preparing for Arsenal’s corner-kick assault just moments before the match.A video posted by Manchester Evening News shows corners being whipped in as Man Utd’s defenders – who were in bibs – head them away while under pressure from some of their team-mates.READ MORE ON MAN UTDYet it clearly did not work as they then looked all at sea for the corners taken by Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.And fans on social media saw the irony in the training drill.One said: “You can’t stop the inevitable 😂.”Another added: “They should’ve had Declan or Bukayo take the corners for them in the warm-up.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSArsenal went on to terrorise Man Utd in the gameCredit: RexWilliam Saliba, left, and Jurrien Timber, right, both headed home from cornersCredit: GettyA third replied: “Not once did they start from outside the goal and run in once… they did it all wrong 😂🤣🤣.”While a fourth jokingly responded: “They defended the corners so well in training tbf🤣😀.”Ruben Amorim reveals four Man Utd stars who have a ‘time limit’ as he discusses squad issues Arsenal have now scored 22 goals from corners since the start of last season – seven more than Manchester City and eight more than Premier League leaders Liverpool.Next up for Arsenal is a trip to Fulham on Sunday, before they host Monaco in the Champions League.Ruben Amorim suffered his first defeat as Man Utd manager on Wednesday nightCredit: GettyHow to stop Arsenal at cornersArsenal have turned into a prolific team when it comes to scoring from corners.The Gunners have now scored 22 goals from them since the start of last season – seven more than their nearest rival Manchester City and eight more than Premier League leaders Liverpool.Two of them came against Manchester United – Jurrien Timber and William Saliba netting in the second half to earn Mikel Arteta’s men a vital win as they chase down Arne Slot’s Reds.Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were the architects with their deliveries, and each now have seven set-piece assists since the start of the 2023/24 campaign – more than any other player.United legend Dimitar Berbatov joked Arsenal are the new Stoke City of the top flight – a side under Tony Pulis who terrorised the so-called “bigger clubs” with set-piece mastery.Here are four ways to stop Arteta’s side at corners More

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    How ex-Barcelona starlet Louie Barry, nicknamed ‘the little Jamie Vardy’, rebuilt his career to be League One top scorer

    AS a talented teenager, Louie Barry had the football world watching his incredible talent.In 2018, he scored 10 goals in five games for England U15s at a tournament in Italy.Wonderkid Louie Barry was touted as a huge star when he was a teenagerCredit: https://www.wba.co.uk/Aged 16, Barry signed for BarcelonaCurrently on loan at Stockport, Barry is realising his potentialCredit: AlamyBefore that, he won the golden boot at the Val-de-Marne tournament, which England U16s won.After rejecting a contract with parent club West Brom, Barry embarked on a Spanish adventure – joining Barcelona to train at their famous La Masia academy.Aged just 16, he was the first English player to join La Masia.However, a squabble over his registration with Fifa meant settling in Catalonia proved harder than it should have been.Read more football newsThen, when Covid hit , Barry decided to leave to be with family.It meant starting again, at boyhood club Aston Villa, although his chances were few and far between.Barry, to his credit, has found his shooting boots in League One, where he plays for Stockport County on loan.With 13 goals, he’s the league’s top scorer and fulfilling the potential that led to former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp calling him ‘Little Jamie Vardy’.Most read in Football’I loved my time at Barcelona’After starring in West Brom’s youth side, helping them reach the FA Youth Cup semi-final and playing three age groups are, it was inevitable he would move to a bigger club.Meet Aston Villa wonderkid Lamare Bogarde who has a famous uncleLiverpool and Manchester City were linked with the forward domestically, while he was invited to Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig’s academies.PSG were the first in talks, when it appeared evident he wasn’t going to stay with the Baggies.Then, Barcelona stole a march on the French club, even after a medical was passed with the Ligue 1 giants.But, it wasn’t all rosy in Catalonia.Soon after Barry signed a three-year contract with the La Liga side, West Brom filed a complaint to Fifa claiming they hadn’t received the compensation they were due – £235,000.Barcelona said they had, and ultimately a judge ruled in their favour that no more compensation was due.That held up Barry’s international registration for three months, meaning he missed seven games of the U19 season.He lived in La Masia, while his family remained in the Midlands.In January, 2020 as Covid began to sweep the world, Barry decided to return to the UK because he wanted to see his family more.Immediately, boyhood club Aston Villa snapped him up for a fee that could rise to £3.5million.Barry has fond memories of his time at La MasiaCredit: Getty Images – GettyIn 2020, Barry returned to the UK to boyhood club Aston VillaCredit: PAread more sport features”I loved my time in Barcelona, ” he told The i.”I don’t have a bad word to say about it. But I decided to come back. Villa are 10 minutes away from my family home. I grew up there. I support Villa. I wouldn’t have gone anywhere else and I am so thankful they came in for me.”Klopp’s praiseChances were few and far between in Villa’s side.But when the club was decimated by Covid, forcing 10 players to miss out ahead of a FA Cup third round tie against Liverpool in 2021, Barry was thrust into the action.Incredibly, he would score the equaliser against the Reds, before they were beaten 4-1.That performance saw German manager Jurgen Klopp praise the youngster – comparing him to a Leicester City legend.After the game, he told talkSPORT: “The boys did really well. Little Jamie Vardy was a proper threat.”Admittedly, Barry has revealed in the past he has studied Vardy’s game and movement on and off the ball.Barry starred for Aston Villa against Liverpool in an FA Cup third round tie in 2021Credit: AFPAfter the game, Jurgen Klopp called Barry ‘Little Jamie Vardy’Credit: GettyHe revealed: “I do work hard out of possession, and ‘cheat’ isn’t the right word because I do track back and do my defensive work, but when I feel that the ball might be passed to me, or take a ricochet and come my way, I’ll come for the ball and then all I want to do is go forward.”Even if I lose the ball a few times, I want to be as direct as possible.”It’s working out for himWith Villa realising the now 21-year-old needs more first time experience, they sent him on various loans.While it didn’t work out at Ipswich Town and MK Dons, it’s all falling into place at Edgeley Park.Barry has rediscovered his goalscoring form under boss Dave Challinor – and has 13 goals in 17 matches already.In 17 games Barry has scored 13 goals – making him League One’s top scorerCredit: AlamyBarry has since been linked with a move to several Championship clubsCredit: RexHe’s top of the goalscoring charts, as Stockport County chase promotion to the Championship.READ MORE SUN STORIESNaturally, that has seen the youngster linked with moves to Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday.With Barry finding his feet, it would be hard to imagine Villa will let this asset go now. More

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    West Ham make Julen Lopetegui decision ahead of ‘El Sackico’ against Wolves with Graham Potter an option for both clubs

    JULEN LOPETEGUI has been given a stay of execution at West Ham.But the Spaniard will almost certainly face the sack if they are beaten by his former club Wolves at home on Monday.Julen Lopetegui is facing the axe if West Ham lose to WolvesCredit: ReutersGary O’Neil is also fighting to save his jobCredit: RexThe Hammers’ woeful defeat at Leicester on Tuesday night has pushed Lopetegui to the brink of the axe, with a number of senior figures keen for a change to be made.However, club chiefs have given him a temporary reprieve after two days of crunch talks.Bosses acknowledged that results are far from good enough and that the defensive record must improve quickly.There have also been concerns over instructions given to the squad, while the ex-Real Madrid manager’s heated clashes with Mohammed Kudus and Jean-Clair Todibo during games have not helped.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLopetegui faces Wolves boss Gary O’Neil, who is also fighting to save his job after losing 4-0 at Everton on Wednesday.West Ham are 14th are winning just four of their 14 Premier League games under Lopetegui this season.The Hammers have gone backwards since David Moyes was replaced in the summer and almost £130million was spent on new players.Frustrated fans turned on Lopetegui at Leicester, chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” at the former Wolves manager.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSGraham Potter, Edin Terzic and Max Allegri are among the free agent bosses who have been under consideration with Lopetegui’s position uncertain.Ex-Porto boss Sergio Conceicao was an option but would be unlikely to get the job.Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa has to be held back by security in row with fanPotter, who has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in April last year, said he is “open to everything” when it comes to a new role.West Ham replaced Moyes, who won the Europa Conference League during his second spell in charge, with a view to improving the style of play.But the Hammers remain woeful in defence and there has been little sign of a new style being implemented.Next West Ham manager oddsOdds via talkSPORT BETGraham Potter 4/5Kasper Hjulmand 7/2Edin Terzic 5/1Sergio Conceicao 6/1Michael Carrick 16/1Roger Schmidt 20/1Jose Mourinho 25/1 More

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    in Motorsport

    George Russell claims Max Verstappen threatened to crash into him and ‘put my f***ing head in the wall’

    GEORGE RUSSELL dropped a bombshell accusation that Max Verstappen said he would “put his head in the f***ing wall” in Qatar.The ugly row between the Brit and the Red Bull driver has exploded into an all out war ahead of this weekend’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.George Russell has hit out at Max VerstappenCredit: GettyRussell has labelled Verstappen ‘violent’, ‘aggressive’ and a ‘bully’Credit: AFPVerstappen, right, was handed a one-place grid penalty in Qatar after he and Russell went before the stewardsCredit: GettyIt all started last time out in Qatar when Verstappen was hit with a one-place grid penalty after driving “unnecessarily slowly” and blocking Russell in qualifying.Despite qualifying in pole position for his first race as a four-time world champion, Verstappen was forced to start the race from second, although he went on to win it.Russell said: “I have known Max for a long time and I know what he is capable of and he said to me he is going to purposely go out of his way to crash into me and put my f***ing head in the wall.”I knew that was a bit of a heat in the moment thing but when I went to see him the next day in the driver’s parade I saw in his eyes that he means it.READ MORE IN F1″He is a four time world champion and when I compare his actions to Lewis Hamilton, Lewis is the sort of world champion that I aspire to be like. The way he fought Max in 2021, hard and fair but never beyond the line.”I’ve got an eight-year-old nephew who has just started go karting, who watches all of my races.”For a world champion to be saying he’s going to go out of his way to crash into someone and put them on their eff-ing head that is not the sort of role models we should be.”Verstappen has been involved with a number of spats this season, including in Budapest in July when he crashed into Hamilton and fought with his own team on the radio.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSRussell added: “The second he does not have the fastest car, Budapest for example. He crashes into Lewis, slams his whole team and he loses the plot.”Straight away after that race 25 percent of his engineering team were sending their CV’s to Mercedes, McLaren and Aston Martin because they said they can’t deal with a guy like that.Max Verstappen chokes back tears as he thanks Red Bull on team radio after winning fourth F1 world title”Lewis stood up to him in 2021, and Lewis lost that championship unfairly. Could you imagine the roles being reversed? I mean, [Michael] Masi would be fearing for his life.”Verstappen doubled down on his scathing attack of the Mercedes driver, calling him a “backstabber” and a “loser”.The Dutchman also accused the Mercedes driver of “lying” to influence the stewards’ decision to penalise him.Verstappen said: “No [I have no regrets]. I meant every word. I’ve never experienced anything like that from the stewards.”I found his behaviour really unacceptable.”It has nothing to do with him being head of the drivers’ association [Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, of which Russell is a director]. He simply lied about what he was or wasn’t doing, and certainly influenced the stewards.”He’s backstabber. You shouldn’t talk too much about people like that, because they’re just losers.”READ MORE SUN STORIESMercedes boss Toto Wolff crashed Russell’s press conference, dubbing Christian Horner a “yapping little terrier” after the Red Bull boss called the Brit “hysterical”.SunSport has approached the FIA for a comment on Russell’s accusation but they are yet to respond. More

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    Bizarre reason England star was BANNED from coming on to the pitch despite being stripped off and ready for substitution

    SARINA WIEGMAN has revealed why England were BANNED from bringing on Lucy Bronze in their friendly win over Switzerland.The Lionesses treated fans to a 1-0 victory courtesy of an early Grace Clinton goal to follow up their 0-0 draw with the USA.Bronze was dressed and ready to come on to earn her 128th capBut the Chelsea star was sent back to the bench in the 83rd minuteIt came after a baffling administrative errorBronze was geared up to enter the contest, for what would’ve been her 128th cap, in the final 10 minutes of the contest at Bramall Lane.The Chelsea star, 33, was dressed and ready on the touchline before being asked to return to her seat.Wiegman was instead forced to bring on NJ/NY Gotham defender Jess Carter on Tuesday.It was later revealed that England had failed to include Bronze on their official team list.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWiegman explained: “That was the moment where she was not on the list. There had been a mistake, unfortunately, a human mistake.”We found out there and we still wanted to bring her on the pitch but unfortunately she couldn’t go so that was really frustrating, of course the most for herself but, we couldn’t change it anymore.”According to the International Football Association Board’s (IFAB) laws of the game, “only the players and substitutes named on the team list may take part in the match upon their arrival”.For those who are not named on the team list as a player, substitute or a team official, they are classified as “an outside agent”.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWiegman made ten changes from England’s stalemate with the US, managed by Emma Hayes.And Clinton, 21, repaid her faith with her third international goal in five appearances.My cousin is Man Utd FA Cup hero – now he’s helping me through my injury hell so I can shine for women’s teamThe Manchester United star had England in front within ten minutes, firing home from close range.She was on hand to smash home the rebound after Millie Turner headed the ball on to the post from a free-kick.The Lionesses return to action on February 21 when they take on Portugal in their first match of the Women’s Nations League.Grace Clinton scored the only goal of the evening More

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    Former Premier League star Van der Vaart reveals why he never saw ex-team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo naked

    RAFAEL VAN DER VAART hilariously explained why Cristiano Ronaldo is the hardest worker he’s ever played with.Van der Vaart, 41, and Ronaldo, 39, played together at Real Madrid for only a year until the former left in 2010 for Tottenham.Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafael van der Vaart spent a year together at Real MadridCredit: GettyRonaldo is the hardest worker Van der Vaart has ever played withCredit: GettyVan der Vaart has a hilarious way to explain Ronaldo’s work ethicCredit: GettyBut that was enough for the Manchester United legend to make a major impression on the ex-Netherlands international thanks to his undying work ethic.CR7’s passion has led him to a staggering five Ballon d’Or awards and five Champions League titles throughout his 22-year career that’s still going on as he plays for Al-Nassr.Van der Vaart is not surprised as he claims the star forward was constantly on the training pitch.So much so that the former playmaker never saw Ronaldo in the dressing room.Read More on FootballVan der Vaart told talkSPORT’s ‘The LineUp: “He never left his house!”I always say as a joke, Ronaldo is the only player that I never saw his willy!”He was the first one on the training [pitch]! And the last one who went.”First of all his body, wow! A machine. He was a little bit ahead of his time, players now are the same.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”But his training in the gym, food, sleep. For him that was more important than training extra hard.”Ronaldo was so unbelievably selfish, if we won 6-0 and he did not score, he was not happy. When we lose but he scored twice, it’d be alright!”Van der Vaart reveals Redknapp’s three-word half-time team-talk that inspired Tottenham to Arsenal triumphVan der Vaart never won anything with Ronaldo, who conquered his first of many pieces of silverware with Real in 2010 by claiming the Copa del Rey. More

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    British driver wins F1 Academy title then is immediately stripped of honour after last-minute change

    BRITISH driver Abbi Pulling will have to earn the F1 Academy title this weekend… despite having already been declared the champion.The bizarre situation comes after some last minute changes to the women-only series.Abbi Pulling had been declared champion last weekendCredit: RexTwo races had been scheduled to take place in Qatar last weekend.But due to barrier repairs, the second was cancelled.This meant that Pulling, 21, held an unassailable lead heading into the final races of the season in Abu Dhabi.It saw the Alpine driver declared champion and she even celebrated her triumph.READ MORE IN F1But she will now have to earn it again, after organisers decided to add a third race to this weekend’s schedule in Abu Dhabi.This late addition means that 84 points are now on offer, which means that Pulling’s current lead of 83 points is not quite enough to declare her the official champ.In truth, it would take something astonishing for the Brit to not be champion.Each race offers 25 points for a win.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSA further two are earned for securing pole, while a bonus point is added for fastest lap.Organisers have confirmed that two points will be declared for securing pole in each of the three races.Ferrari urged to rip up Lewis Hamilton’s contract by F1 legend after star’s ‘worrying’ admission This means that 84 points will be available this weekend, with Pulling 83 ahead of closest rival Doriane Pin.Pin, 20, had earned pole for last weekend’s second race that never was in Qatar.Despite the race not going ahead, Pin has retained those two points.Formula One teams each nominate a driver and have their livery on a car in the Academy, a series on their support programme aimed at helping female racers climb the ladder.The last woman to start an F1 Grand Prix was the late Italian Lella Lombardi in 1976.Pulling, 21, will have to earn her title againCredit: Getty More