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      Captaincy options for Gameweek 22: Mohamed Salah to light up Carabao Cup semi-final?

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      DREAM TEAM managers must remember to select their captain for Gameweek 22 before Saturday’s 11am deadline.Generally speaking, it’s wise to stick the armband on a player with two point-scoring opportunities if possible.And so assets from Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool and Tottenham are in the spotlight as those four clubs are set to pull double duty in Gameweek 22, courtesy of the Carabao Cup semi-final second legs.Salah is the safe choice for a reasonCredit: Dream TeamMohamed Salah (£8m) is the first name that comes to mind as he leads the way with 339 points overall.Liverpool are due to face Bournemouth on Saturday before hosting Spurs on Thursday night.Two seasons ago, the Reds beat the Cherries 9-0 but a lot has changed since then.Right now, Bournemouth are arguably the Premier League’s most in-form side having dusted Newcastle 4-1 and thrashed high-flying Nottingham Forest 5-0 in their two most recent outings.Andoni Iraola’s side also boast the best defensive record in home fixtures this season.On paper, Salah faces a stern test this weekend.Bournemouth have outplayed several strong opponents this seasonCredit: GettyThat being said, the Egyptian superstar averages 10.6 points-per-game this season and even if he is constricted by Milos Kerkez (£3.6m) and company on the south coast then he may cash in against an injury-ravaged Spurs at Anfield a few days later.Most read in Dream TeamAnge Postecoglou’s side beat Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg and so Arne Slot is expected to name a strong starting line-up on Thursday night with a view to targeting his first trophy as Anfield boss.If Salah is going to be rested soon, it will surely be against Plymouth in the FA Cup fourth round.Many Dream Team bosses will be wary of overthinking captaincy this Gameweek and so the prolific 32-year-old provides a safe, logical option.Gaffers looking to take Salah on in Gameweek 22 would do well to consider Alexander Isak (£6.1m).A rare double Gameweek for Newcastle makes Isak an appealing optionCredit: GettyFulham (league) and Arsenal (cup) is far from a favourable double header for Newcastle but the Magpies are the only team with the luxury of two home games this Gameweek.The Toon’s Swedish striker has racked up 230 points via 19 goals this campaign – Salah and Erling Haaland (£7.9m) are the only names above him in the rankings.Isak will be up against two good defences this coming Gameweek but his blistering form means he almost transcends the schedule.Let’s not forget he banked 13 points against the Gunners in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.Arsenal have two big fixtures in Gameweek 22Credit: GettyMikel Arteta’s side are not to be underestimated but it would take a brave gaffer to confidently pick out a captain among their ranks at this juncture.Gabriel (£5m), Leandro Trossard (£3.9m) and Kai Havertz (£4.7m) have notched their fair share of points lately but Arsenal’s double header of Manchester City and Newcastle is a difficult one to predict.If Bukayo Saka (£6.6m) was fit and firing then he would be a strong candidate for the armband but sadly that’s not the case.It’s a similar story for Spurs.Son Heung-min (£5m), Pedro Porro (£4.2m) and Dejan Kulusevski (£4.4m) have delivered plentiful points this term but it’s a stretch to think any of them are stronger captaincy options than Salah or Isak… isn’t it?A bold alternativeCredit: AFPCody Gakpo (£4.7m) is among the most popular recruits ahead of Gameweek 22 and his new owners might be tempted to slap the armband straight on him following his mighty 29-point return in Gameweek 21.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Dutchman is technically Liverpool’s most in-form player right now but again, it would take some courage to opt for him over Salah.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 NOWUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      Premier League club announces 23,000-seater new stadium plan to fulfil Champions League ambition

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      BOURNEMOUTH have announced their plan to build a 23,000-seater stadium to fulfil their Champions League ambitions.The Cherries have gone from strength to strength since appointing Andoni Iraola as their manager 18 months ago.Bournemouth are ready to build a new 23,000 seater stadium to replace the VitalityCredit: RexThe Cherries’ current ground holds just over 11,000Credit: AlamyBournemouth lie 7th in the table with 11 wins and five defeats from 23 matches this season.Iraola’s men blasted five past Nottingham Forest’s mean defence last weekend.And seven days earlier they secured an impressive 4-1 win away at high-flying Newcastle.The Cherries have done all this with a severely depleted squad full of injuries.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut fans are starting to dream of a shock push for Champions League football.And club chiefs are already setting out plans to take Bournemouth to the next level.American businessman Bill Foley took over the south-coast club in 2022 as part of his Black Knight group’s multi-team ownership strategy.As well as reversing Bournemouth’s fortunes on the field while landing a top coach in Iraola, Foley and Co are now close to finishing an elite new training ground.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBut the biggest change is set to come with a brand new stadium, with plans at an advanced stage to double the capacity of Bournemouth’s current ground.The Cherries have been playing at the Vitality Stadium, otherwise known as Dean Court, since 1910.Premier League club announces major stadium changes with new capacity and away fans moved A new ground would help Bournemouth realise their Champions League ambitionsCredit: MicrosoftThe historic ground packs in over 11,000 fans for each game.But plans are now afoot to knock it down and build a new stadium over the same space while boosting capacity to over 23,000.The surge in tickets sold will give Bournemouth a huge financial boost, thereby helping them attract better players and eventually crack the Premier League’s top four.Foley told Men in Blazers via the Athletic: “We have a waiting list of 15 or 16,000 people that want tickets, so we’re not going to have trouble filling the stadium.“We’re a little ahead of schedule. I thought we’d be in Europe next year. We may have a chance this year if we can keep going and keep on playing well.“If we just get lucky on injuries and get these guys healthy the second half of the season, we should be very successful.READ MORE SUN STORIES“If we’re successful, we will play in Europe. The Champions League? That’s my dream.”Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      Man City handed nightmare Real Madrid clash as Arsenal edge towards last 16 tie with former Champions League winners

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      MANCHESTER CITY have drawn Real Madrid in the play-offs for a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.Pep Guardiola’s side narrowly avoided an early exit in the league phase of the competition and have been handed a tough draw against the 15-time champions.Manchester City have been given a nightmare drawCredit: ReutersCity will welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad on February 11 or 12, with the return leg the following week.It will be the fourth time in five seasons that the two sides have met in the Champions League.Because they finished 22nd in the league phase the English champions could only have drawn Real or Bayern Munich.Celtic will face Bayern while the remainder of the draw has had interesting ramifications for the other English clubs.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLArsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa all qualified for the quarter-final automatically after finishing in the top eight.But the Gunners’ reward could be a meeting with former winners AC Milan or Juventus – if they beat Feyenoord and PSV respectively in the play-off.The draw gets even more difficult for Arsenal after that stage, with City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen a potential opponent in the quarter-final.Liverpool face an easier route to the final on paper but they could meet PSG in the quarter-final, or Brest, Monaco or Benfica.Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWhile Villa could face Club Brugge, Atalanta, Sporting or Borussia Dortmund.English teams have performed very well in Europe this season and are closing in on an extra Champions League spot for next year’s tournament.Ally McCoist explains the new Champions League format Champions League draw in fullClub Brugge vs AtalantaManchester City vs Real MadridCeltic vs Bayern MunichJuventus vs PSVFeyenoord vs AC MilanBrest vs PSGMonaco vs BenficaSporting vs Borussia Dortmund More

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      Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s other club play in front of lowest ever crowd as fuming Man Utd fans protest ticket price hike

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      SIR JIM RATCLIFFE’s other club played in front of a record LOW crowd in their final Europa League group match.French outfit Nice welcomed Bodo/Glimt to the Allianz Riviera on Thursday night for what proved to be the final match of their European campaign this season.Nice welcomed Bodo/Glimt to the Allianz Riviera for their final Europa League group matchCredit: AFPThe match was played in front of a record-low crowd at the stadiumCredit: AFPThe French outfit are owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s billion-pound Ineos companyCredit: APLes Aiglons’ hopes of reaching the knockout stages had long gone up in smoke and they went into the match second-bottom of the 36-man table.Scores of fans opted not to attend Thursday’s academic match against Bodo, which led to a record-low attendance.A mere 4,272 supporters were in attendance for the 1-1 draw.And 800 of the fans in attendance were Bodo supporters who had made the long journey from Norway.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSNice boss Franck Haise said: “I think we’ll have fewer people at the stadium than against OM.”That’s all I’ll say. We have to be worthy of the competition.”And then there’s an interest for those who are going to play and prove that they can perform.”The midweek attendance figure was a stark contrast to the number of supporters who packed the Allianz for Nice’s clash with Olympique Marseille last weekend.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSJust over 31,000 fans were in attendance to watch Haise’s men record a 2-0 victory over the visitors.Nice fans have largely spoken positively about Ratcliffe since his company, INEOS, took ownership of the club in 2019.Paul Scholes lays into Sir Jim Ratcliffe for ‘having the cheek’ to introduce ‘ridiculous’ Man Utd’s ticket prices But the same can’t be said of Manchester United supporters, who have been irked by a number of the billionaire’s decisions since he became a shareholder in December 2023.Ratcliffe drew the ire of the Old Trafford faithful by laying off 250 staff members last July and then asking club legend Sir Alex Ferguson to step down from his ambassador role the following October.But his decision to raise ticket prices to £66 per game and axe concessionary pricing for children and seniors has really enraged fans.And supporters vocalised their anger during the Red Devils’ 1-0 win over Fulham last weekend.Sections of the travelling fans were heard chanting: “Jim Ratcliffe’s a c**t, Jim Ratcliffe’s a c**t.”Just like the Glazers, Jim Ratcliffe’s a c**t.”READ MORE SUN STORIESUnited will be back in action on Sunday, welcoming Crystal Palace to Old Trafford.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has drawn the ire of Red Devils fans by increasing ticket pricesCredit: PAUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      Champions League draw LIVE: Man City to face Real Madrid in blockbuster knockout phase tie, Celtic meet Bayern

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      THE draw for the Champions League knockout play-offs has concluded.And Manchester City have found out they will face Real Madrid in their blockbuster knockout play-off tie, while Celtic will meet Bayern Munich.The draw for the Last 16 – which features Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa – will take place on Friday, February 21 after the knockout ties.Draw start time: 11am GMTTV channel: TNT Sports 2FREE live stream: TNT Sports YouTube/ Uefa.comCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow our live blog below…That’s all from us!Thanks for joining us for today’s Champions League draw!Have a great weekend!Copy linkCopiedAre there any changes to the knockouts?No, there are no changes to the original knockout stages.The last 16 stage will continue, with a series of two-legged knockout games culminating in the final on Saturday, 31 May, at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.The removal of away goals – implemented last season – will continue as well.Copy linkCopiedArsenal could be handed ‘nightmare’ path to finalCopy linkCopiedREVEALED: Champions League earnings so farCopy linkCopiedRoad to Munich Champions League draw sees Man City to face Real Madrid in blockbuster knockout phase Copy linkCopiedExtra CL spot up for grabsCopy linkCopiedWhen is the next Champions League draw?The Champions League round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final draws will take place on February 21 – the week of the play-off second legs.Copy linkCopiedA reminder of the Champions League play-off draw in full…Left side:Brest vs PSGJuventus vs PSV EindhovenMan City vs Real MadridClub Brugge vs AtalantaRight side:Monaco vs BenficaFeyenoord vs AC MilanCeltic vs Bayern MunichSporting Lisbon vs Borussia DortmundCopy linkCopiedCeltic fans receive warningCeltic have warned their travelling fans that they are risking being DENIED access should they buy tickets and travel for their play-off round clash.Copy linkCopiedPrem closes in on extra CL spotThe Premier League has closed in on an extra place in next season’s Champions League after dominating the first phase of the new expanded competition.Six of the Prem’s seven sides earned automatic qualification for the last 16 of their respective competitions, with Liverpool and Chelsea achieving top seeding spots and Arsenal, Manchester United and Spurs in the top four.It means that with the initial league phase of the three revamped competitions now concluded, English sides have picked up an average of 20.892 coefficient points.That puts the Prem more than 3.7 points clear of third placed Spain, the equivalent of 13 individual match wins, in the fight for an extra place in the elite competition.And it gives Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Newcastle even more encouragement as they seek a place in the most prestigious club competition in football.Copy linkCopiedCity’s Rodri boostMan City plan to name Rodri in their squad for the knock-out stages of the Champions League.The Spain international was ruled out for the season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury against Arsenal in September.But Rodri has made excellent progress in his recovery and still believes he can be back in contention before the end of the current campaign.Boss Pep Guardiola wants to keep the door open for him to do that – even though City would have to go deep in the competition for him to be even in the frame.Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedMan City land horror drawCopy linkCopiedEuropa League draw in fullHere are the fixtures we’ve got to look forward to in the Europa League…Left side of the bracketFC Twente vs Bodo/GlimtUnion Saint-Gilloise vs AjaxAZ Alkmaar vs GalatasarayFerencvárosi vs Viktoria PlzenRight side of the bracketFenerbahce vs AnderlechtPAOK vs FCSBFC Midtjylland vs Real SociedadPorto vs RomaCopy linkCopiedPlay-off fixtures revealedChampions League draw sees Man City to face Real Madrid in blockbuster knockout phase Copy linkCopiedWhat does the path to the final look like?Copy linkCopiedChampions League play-off draw in fullLeft side:Brest vs PSGJuventus vs PSV EindhovenMan City vs Real MadridClub Brugge vs AtalantaRight side:Monaco vs BenficaFeyenoord vs AC MilanCeltic vs Bayern MunichSporting Lisbon vs Borussia DortmundCopy linkCopiedPlay-off fixturesThe first leg of the play-off matches will take place on the 11th & 12th February, with the return fixtures taking place one week later on the 18th & 19th February.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedLeft side of the bracketBrest vs PSGJuventus vs PSV EindhovenMan City vs Real MadridClub Brugge vs AtalantaRight side of the bracketMonaco vs BenficaFeyenoord vs AC MilanCeltic vs Bayern MunichSporting Lisbon vs Borussia DortmundCopy linkCopiedLeft side of the bracketClub BruggeMan CityJuventusBrestRight side of the bracketSporting LisbonCelticFeyenoordMonacoCopy linkCopiedSpecial guest announcedFormer Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara will assist with the draw.Copy linkCopiedHere we go!The draw is about to begin!Copy linkCopiedREVEALED: Champions League earnings so farCopy linkCopiedAre there any changes to the knockouts?No, there are no changes to the original knockout stages.The last 16 stage will continue, with a series of two-legged knockout games culminating in the final on Saturday, 31 May, at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.The removal of away goals – implemented last season – will continue as well.Copy linkCopiedWhy Arsenal had TOUGHEST run to Champions League knockouts…It’s official – Arsenal had the toughest run of the four Premier League teams in this year’s Champions League.Copy linkCopiedWhich teams are automatically through?The top eight teams in the Champions League group stage table have earned automatic qualification for the last-16.LiverpoolBarcelonaArsenalInter MilanAtletico MadridBayer LeverkusenLilleAston VillaCopy linkCopied More

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      Celtic announce Uefa disciplinary notice that could see fans BANNED from Bayern Munich away game

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      CELTIC have warned their travlling fans that they are risking being DENIED access should they buy tickets and travel for their play-off round clash.The Hoops have been learned this morning that they will face Bayern Munich in the next round of Europe’s glamour club competition.A green flare has to be removed from the pitch at Villa ParkBut the bad news for Celtic fans is that their club has now seen fit to warn them that they have RECEIVED a disciplinary notice from UEFA in the wake of their defeat to Aston Villa, a match which saw away fans throw a smoke bomb onto the Villa Park pitch.And that could well trigger an away fan ban for the next match, an outcome which Uefa indicated was on the cards when they offered the club a suspended sentence for the action of their fans earlier in the campaign.In a statement today, the Hoops appeared to be laying the groundwork for precisely such a ban.It read: “As a result of the use of pyrotechnics during our match against Borussia Dortmund last year, Celtic Football Club was sanctioned by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body.”The decision meant that, not only did the Club receive a fine of €20,000, but also that, if such behaviour was repeated at a match in the next two years, the Club would be prevented from selling tickets to supporters for one away match in UEFA club competitions.”Unfortunately, the club has received a further disciplinary notice from UEFA following the match against Aston Villa FC on Wednesday evening.  “The Club will obviously make robust representations to UEFA and will make every effort to ensure that our fans can attend our next UEFA Champions League match. “However, clearly there is a risk that supporters may not be able to attend. Most read in Football”In light of this situation, it is incumbent on the club to make supporters aware of this risk, when considering making arrangements for travel, until further information is provided by UEFA.”Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Jordan Henderson’s ‘head spinning as Ajax captain apologises after refusing armband in bid to seal Monaco transfer’

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      JORDAN HENDERSON has been caught up in a transfer storm that saw him refuse to wear the Ajax captain’s armband before returning to the dressing room with his tail between his legs.Henderson, 34, has been linked with a spectacular switch to AS Monaco in the dying embers of the January transfer window.Jordan Henderson has been linked with a move to AS MonacoCredit: GettyThe 81-time England international had reportedly been tempted by a switch to Monaco, agreeing personal terms with the Ligue 1 club on a contract until the summer of 2026.But his ideal switch to the French league was scuppered when current club Ajax made it clear that they want to keep hold of him.Ajax offered Henderson a lifeline after his move to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ettifaq went down in burning flames last January.Ajax’s helping handThe Dutch giants footed a hefty signing bonus and healthy pay packet for Henderson after he left the Saudi club on a free transfer just six months after joining.READ MORE ON JORDAN HENDERSONAnd it appears that they, understandably, want to keep hold of the man they’ve committed so much time and money to – not least because he is still contracted until 2026 in Amsterdam.However, a report from Dutch outlet De Telegraaf claims that Henderson was willing to force his way out of the club to get his move – and he wanted it to be for FREE.Forcing his way outDe Telegraaf claim the former Liverpool man had requested that Ajax allow him to leave to join AS Monaco on a free transfer, despite having 18 months remaining on his contract.Henderson is said to have threatened that he would no longer line up for Ajax if he was denied his lucrative switch to the French league.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIn fact, in a last ditch attempt to show is frustrations at being denied an exit, Henderson reportedly REFUSED to wear the captain’s armband for Ajax’s 2-1 Europa League win over Galatasaray on Thursday.Despite being listed as the club captain on the team sheet pre-match, manager Francesco Farioli handed the armband to goalkeeper Remko Pasveer instead.Furious Jordan Henderson pulled apart from Ajax team-mate in Europa League clashThe controversy didn’t stop there either as Henderson seemingly chose not to celebrate Ajax’s two goals during the game.While he also appeared to wave goodbye to the fans when he was substituted in the 77th minute.Henderson refused to wear the captain’s armband against Galatasaray on ThursdayCredit: RexHeavy criticismHenderson’s behaviour didn’t go unnoticed. Fans and ex-pros were quick to share their dismay at the club captain seemingly being so open about trying to force a move.Ajax icon Wesley Sneijder said live on Ziggo Sport: “Don’t be so difficult.”You just play that match with the armband on and then you say, ‘Yeah guys, I don’t know yet’. Something is going on.”We’ll see what happens tomorrow. Be a man and stand up. Right now, you get all this speculation, and you create unrest. It could have been much calmer if he had just worn the armband.”While Ajax fans labelled Henderson as a “disgrace of a player” online.Change of heartFollowing a whirlwind 24 hours of uncertainty, Henderson appears to have now had a change of heart.According to a sperate report by De Telegraaf, the midfielder has now apologised for his behaviour.It’s claimed that Henderson has promised technical director Alex Kroes, who immediately came into the dressing room at full-time on Thursday, that he will STAY at Ajax until the end of the season.The incredible u-turn comes after Henderson has reportedly claimed he has grown to love life at the Johan Cruyff Arena.READ MORE SUN STORIESHenderson had made 44 appearances for Ajax since his arrival a year ago, registering eight assists in that time.While this season he has been one of the most crucial cogs in manager Farioli’s side. More

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      Ollie Watkins ‘ready to join Arsenal after shock £60m transfer bid’ with Aston Villa star a lifelong fan

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      OLLIE WATKINS is willing to leave Aston Villa in the lurch and join Arsenal, it’s been claimed.The Gunners are hot on the heels of the England striker, who they’ve made their main target to fill the void left by the injured Gabriel Jesus.Arsenal have had a £60million bid for Ollie Watkins rejected by Aston VillaCredit: GETTYWatkins, 29, is reportedly willing to join the north LondonersCredit: GETTYArsenal have had a £60million bid REJECTED by the Villans, who are on the verge of losing Jhon Duran.Villa are likely to turn down a second approach for their star striker due to a lack of time to find a suitable replacement.But lifelong Gunners fan Watkins is said to be willing to swap Villa Park for the Emirates.That’s according to The Daily Mail, who claim the 29-year-old would happily move to north London should the clubs reach an agreement.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWatkins, who fired England into the Euro 2024 final, has so far remained silent on his future.But he took to social media after Villa reached the last-16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.He wrote on Instagram: “Buzzing to qualify in top 8 of the UCL.”Special night for this special club. (Groundsman is getting the sack).”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSWatkins has played a big role in Villa’s resurgence under former Gunners boss Unai Emery.The Three Lions hitman has been in fine form this season, in which he’s scored 11 goals and provided nine assists in 32 appearances.Ollie Watkins says it’s an honour to represent his country ahead of England Euro Final Watkins bagged a goal and an assist in Villa’s final Champions League group match with Celtic on Wednesday.He likely would’ve had two goals to his name had he not blazed a 67th-minute penalty over the bar.Villa will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, travelling to Molineux to take on Wolves in the Black Country derby.Arsenal, meanwhile, will welcome Manchester City to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon. More