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      Arsenal face nightmare North London derby as Tottenham given 15 DAYS off while Gunners play four crucial clashes

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      ARSENAL face a nightmare run up to the North London derby compared to Tottenham.The Gunners are still fighting for silverware in both the Premier League and Champions League.Mikel Arteta faces a nightmare run up to the North London derbyCredit: GettyArsenal will be playing four matches after Tottenham’s final game before the derbyCredit: GettyIt means Arsenal will play at least SIX HOURS more football than Ange Postecoglou’s sideCredit: AlamyMeanwhile, Spurs have 15 days offCredit: GettyApril will prove to be a pivotal month in their hopes of landing either, with crucial fixtures in both competitions.Meanwhile, Spurs only have to focus their energy on the fight for the Prem’s Champions League spots, the last of which they currently occupy with a six-point gap to Manchester United.And this has led to a dramatically different schedule for the two sides ahead of the North London derby on April 28.The last fixture Ange Postecoglou’s side will contend with before the derby is an away clash with Newcastle on April 13, meaning they will have a whopping 15 DAYS to prepare for the match.READ MORE ON ARSENALOn the other hand, Mikel Arteta will be juggling his squad with FOUR games being played in that 15 day period.Following Spurs’ April 13 match, Arsenal have league clashes against Aston Villa on April 14, Wolves on April 20 and Chelsea on April 23, the latter of which is a rescheduled date.And then there is the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final to consider on April 17 which will be played at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena in Germany.And it means Arteta will have his work cut out managing the workload of his squad before the game, with at least SIX HOURS more football set to be played by the Gunners compared to Spurs.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe cause of such scheduling chaos is from FA Cup disruptions and the progress made by clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester City in European competitions.Spurs were due to play Man City on the weekend of April 20-21.What happened to Highbury?But due to City’s progression into the FA Cup semi-final that game was postponed, with the Premier League yet to announce a new date.So the scheduling chaos ahead of the North London derby could prove instrumental in the outcome and therefore have major repercussions in both the title and Champions League race.How Arsenal and Spurs’ outlook is for a crucial time of the season More

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      Man Utd could be BARRED from Europe next season as Uefa refuse to change club ownership rules after Ratcliffe takeover

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      MANCHESTER UNITED face being BARRED from Europe next season after Uefa stuck to their ban on clubs under the same ownership competing against each other.Uefa have finally published their new regulations about ‘multi-club ownership’ issues.Manchester United could be barred from Europe as a result of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s takeoverCredit: GettyThe Red Devils could face a season without any European competitionCredit: APWhile clubs under the same ownership umbrella CAN play in Europe if they are in different competitions, the ban on clubs taking part in the SAME one remains in place.And that is where Nice’s recent slump in France’s Ligue 1 could end up preventing United from playing in ANY competition next season.Nice are fully owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group, while the petrochemicals billionaire confirmed he would be “delegated responsibility for the management of United’s football operations” as part of his minority buy-out of shares from the Glazers.Only last month, Ratcliffe claimed he had been told by Uefa there were “no circumstances” in which his ownership of Nice would prevent Man Utd from playing in Europe.READ MORE ON MAN UTDBut Uefa have now confirmed there IS a blanket ban on clubs under the same ownership taking part in the same competition despite a revision of its rulebook.Asked to confirm the situation, a Uefa insider told SunSport: “It is correct that Manchester United and Nice cannot play in the same competition.“They could play in different competitions, as there is no ‘feeding’ between competitions any more.”Sixth-placed United appear destined for a Europa League place next season, even if English clubs earn an extra Champions League spot through their performances in Europe this season.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSNice have dropped out of the Champions League qualification places which could present a problem for Man UtdCredit: AlamyBut Nice’s shocking form in 2024 could massively complicate that.They seemed certain of a Champions League spot at the end of January before a horror run of just one win in seven which has dropped them to fifth.Inside Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s amazing lifestyleIf United and Nice finished in their current positions, both clubs would qualify for the Europa League.However, according to the rules, Nice would take precedence as the club “ranked highest in the domestic championship”.That would change if United won the FA Cup, which would give them precedence and send Nice to the Conference League instead.Similarly, should United and Nice both qualify for the Champions League, whoever finish higher in their domestic competition would get the spot, with the other dropping in the Europa.That’s unless Nice finish fourth, which is only good enough for a Champions League play-off, in which United would get the spot.Inside Ratcliffe’s Man Utd plansEverything you need to know as Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes charge at Manchester United…
      If both clubs finish in the same position domestically, and qualify for the same competition, then United would get precedence because of England’s position at the top of Uefa’s five-year “access list”.But, depending on the winners of each country’s domestic cup, there remains a scenario in which United and Nice each qualify for the Conference League but the French side take the spot due to a higher league position – leaving United with nothing.READ MORE SUN STORIESUefa are scrapping the traditional group stage of the three competitions from next season, replacing it with three single leagues, with clubs eliminated from any of them out of Europe altogether.It is understood that any issues if both Manchester City and Girona – currently third in LaLiga – qualify for the Champions League would be ended if the Catalan club lost its representation on the City Football Club board.Ratcliffe could propose a new venue on the land next to the current ground More

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      Man City to bank a guaranteed £53million in next year’s revamped Champions League before they kick a single ball

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      MANCHESTER CITY will earn a guaranteed £53million in next year’s Champions League – without kicking a ball.The Etihad side will be able to land £133.5m if they win every game – up from the £117m they earned for last season’s triumph.Manchester City will earn a guaranteed £53m in next year’s Champions LeagueCredit: PAMan City pose as a certainty to compete in next season’s revamped Champions LeagueCredit: AFPAnd England’s other representatives can all gross huge sums, with Liverpool just fractionally behind City in the new money table.Pep Guardiola’s side can add an extra £3.67m if they retain their title at Wembley in June and then win the Uefa Super Cup for the second year running – taking their potential European earnings to £137.21m.But French giants Paris Saint-Germain will be Europe’s top pre-season earners under a new calculation system agreed by Uefa’s top brass.The revamped competition, with 36 teams in the expanded Champions League, will be worth a total of £372m more to participating clubs from next season.Read More on FootballThat sees the round by round prize fund increase from maximum earnings of £72.9m per club to £94.9m.The new system will see all teams play eight opponents – with four games at home and four away – to create a “final” table.The team top of that table will collect £8.6m, in addition to their starting bonus of £15.9m and £1.8m for every league stage win.Further bonuses for each stage reached in the competition – with the top eight teams in the table going straight through to the last 16 and the clubs ranked ninth to 24th playing off to join them – boost the performance prize fund by 43.4 per cent to a total £1.35billion.Most read in FootballBut City will also benefit from a new calculation for the remaining £730m available to the clubs, which sees the previous “TV market pool” and controversial “coefficient” calculations merged together.It sees around 80 per cent of the remaining cash distributed by a calculation of performances in European football over the past five seasons and the size of the individual TV pot paid by broadcasters in each nation.Martin Lipton reacts to the Champions League draw as Arsenal face old foesTNT Sport are paying £305m per season for live coverage of all but 17 of the 189 matches, with Amazon Prime screening the others – the first pick of Tuesday games – and highlights on BBC for the first time.But the total of those deals are thought to be slightly under the £411m per year cable outfit Canal+ are paying for rights in France.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERIt means PSG will take the biggest share of that pot – £30.9m – followed by City on £30.1m and Liverpool, assuming they finish in the Prem top four, on £29.2m.If Arsenal, Tottenham or Manchester United qualify, they will all take in excess of £23m from that pot.The remaining approximate 20 per cent will be determined by a 10-year ranking of European performances, although no longer including bonus points for past title wins.City are certain to be third in that list – behind Real Madrid and Bayern Munich – earning a further £7.3m.READ MORE SUN STORIESLiverpool are set to pick up £6.23m from that pot for a total “value pillar” share of £35.43 compared to City’s £37.28m.The new prize fund, though, means clubs will earn LESS money per game than under the current system even if the gross figure is higher. More

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      Man Utd flop reveals he’s turned to DNA TESTING to get his career back on track after injury hell

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      DUTCH hotshot Memphis Depay has revealed how he got his career back on track thanks to DNA testing.The Atletico Madrid striker – whose goal saw his side through to a penalty shoot-out Champions League Round of 16 win against Inter Milan – was dogged by injuries since his move from Barcelona last year.Memphis Depay has revealed how he got his career back on track thanks to DNA testingCredit: GettyDepay has dogged injuries since his move from Barcelona last yearCredit: Kenny RamsayDepay is best known to British fans for his disappointing spell at Manchester United from 2015-2017.While his debut season went well during the 2016-17 season Memphis made only four appearances all of them as a substitute and had a total playing time of just 20 minutes in the Premier League.The 30-year-old who is set to face Scotland tonight, said: “We looked at my physical strength. Maybe sometimes so much force is released that my muscles can’t hold it for a while.”Then you have to see whether something needs to change in the way of training and playing matches.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”So we started looking into everything, including via DNA tests, so see what exactly my body needs in terms of nutrition and hydration.”Luckily I have stayed away from injuries for a while now, so confidence in your body increases.”I am in that phase now. That confidence translates into goals and assists.”I have come a long way in life so I’m not going to give up anything in my career due to injuries.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERFollowing his United hell, he reinvigorated himself at Lyon, becoming their star player and helping them reach the Champions League semi-finals in 2020, beating Manchester City on the way.That earned him his move to Barcelona, and then to Atletico.His record for the Netherlands is superb – he has 44 goals in 88 internationals.Man Utd hero Lee Sharpe opened up about the most unforgettable hairdryer treatment he ever received from legendary manager Sir Alex FergusonThe Atlético Madrid player will play two friendly matches with the Dutch national team during the international break.He will hope to feature against Scotland later, and on March 26, the national team will face Germany. More

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      Real Madrid plot shock raid on Newcastle for £100million star who has ‘burning desire’ to play in Champions League

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      REAL MADRID are reportedly readying a swoop for Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes.The 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder moved to St. James’ Park in January 2022 for £35m and has become one of Europe’s most sought-after players.Real Madrid reportedly scouted Bruno Guimaraes against Man City last weekendCredit: AlamyThe former Lyon ace has scored 13 goals and assisted another 13 in 96 appearances for the Magpies.And we revealed earlier this month how Guimaraes is now attracting interest from a host of teams across the continent.He remains under contract with Newcastle until 2028 after signing an extension earlier this season.However, that deal reportedly includes a £100m release clause on the star’s own insistence.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLNow talkSPORT claims that Eddie Howe and the Toon “are bracing themselves for Real Madrid to step up interest” this summer.They claim that the LaLiga giants had scouts watching him in last week’s 2-0 FA Cup quarter final loss to Manchester City.Guimaraes also allegedly has a “burning desire” to be playing regularly in the Champions League.He did achieve that on Tyneside before theory group stage exit this term, but Newcastle will need a miraculous turn of results to qualify for it again next season.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThe Magpies are also looking at the prospect of having to offload a star name in order to help them remain on the right side of Premier League spending rules.And any figure they receive close to his release clause would result in a huge profit on the Samba ace.Lee Clarke wants son Bobby to make ‘dream’ move to NewcastleNewcastle are currently 10th in the Premier League and out of all cup competitions, something Guimaraes has admitted has left him “disappointed” when quizzed about the campaign this week.Ahead of Brazil’s clash with England at Wembley, he said: “This season we have been struggling.“I think we’ve had many problems with injuries and suspensions but this is part of the process. When I signed for the club I knew that this would happen.“Things have happened too quickly. During my two years at the club, we reached a final, unfortunately, we didn’t win but we got there after 20 years which was massive for the club.”When he was asked about Newcastle having to sell in order to meet PSR rules, Guimaraes said: “I don’t know. I am not involved in that.“We never know what is going to happen but I’m happy at the club. Of course, I’m disappointed about our season but I think we still have a chance to finish at least seventh, Europa League or Conference League.“But about the club staff, I cannot speak too much. I don’t know what is going to happen in the future but what I can say is I am so grateful for Newcastle.” More

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      Jude Bellingham was fiercely defending forgotten England man NOT Erling Haaland in viral debate with Aurelien Tchouameni

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      REAL MADRID midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has revealed what he and Jude Bellingham were arguing about during a viral debate.Earlier this week, a video of the two Los Blancos stars locked in a dressing room debate went viral on social media.Aurelien Tchouameni has revealed who he and Jude Bellingham were speaking about in a debateCredit: RMC SPORTFans initially thought they were discussing Kylian Mbappe and Erling HaalandCredit: X formerly TwitterBellingham was actually defending Eric DierCredit: GettyMany fans believed they were discussing Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, with the names of each player bleeped out.Bellingham could be heard saying: “He’s an unbelievable guy,” before Tchouameni responded: “We don’t care.”The England international then said: “He’s better than your boy.”However, his Real Madrid team-mate hit back, replying: “No brother, no. Please. Please. Please.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile many fans were initially convinced the discussion centred around the two best forwards in the world, Tchouameni has confirmed that it was actually about Bayern Munich stars Dayot Upamecano and Eric Dier.The Frenchman said: “We have to set the record straight because as soon as I arrived in the selection, that was the first question I was asked.”We weren’t talking about Kylian and we weren’t talking about Erling.”We were talking about Dayot (Upamecano) and Dier.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSEric Dier joined Bayern Munich in JanuaryDayot Upamecano is a key player for Bayern”Why? Because it was the day before our Champions League match and we were watching Bayern-Lazio if I’m not mistaken. I think it was Bayern-Lazio in the Champions League, yes that’s it.”And so in fact Jude (Bellingham) was talking about Dier and I was talking about Dayot. So today we are going to re-establish the truth. I know it will sell less but that is what happened.”Rudiger sent flying into crowd after flattening Tchouameni as Alaba slaps Diaz celebrating last-gasp Real Madrid winnerTchouameni went on to admit that he thinks Mbappe is the better player.He continued: “The strongest and most complete? So…I’m going to say Kylian for everything.”I prefer Kylian. Afterwards, Erling Haaland is also one of the best players in the world and everyone can have their opinion.”Mbappe has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid ahead of the summer transfer window.The forward is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of the season. More

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      Fans fume at Champions League scheduling that ‘should be illegal’ as Arsenal vs Bayern Munich has huge fixture clash

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      FOOTY FANS labelled the Champions League quarter-final schedule an “absolute scandal” with Arsenal and Manchester City on at the same time.The Gunners edged past Porto on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate score as David Raya proved to be the shootout hero.Arsenal play Bayern at the same time City face Real MadridCredit: GettyFans are angry over the schedulingCredit: AFPThat secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years but supporters were raging when a Chelsea legend picked them out against Bayern Munich.Meanwhile, holders City sailed into the last-eight by defeating Copenhagen 6-2 on aggregate.And, for the third successive year, they will meet Real Madrid in the knockout stages.Arsenal host Bayern at Emirates Stadium, with no away fans allowed, in the first leg while City head to Spain.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNow Uefa have confirmed the date and timings for their full quarter-final line-up – and it has left English armchair fans fuming.Arsenal and City’s first legs will both take place at 8pm on Tuesday 9 April.And the crucial return matches will be on Wednesday 17 April.One fan reacted to the news by posting: “Who the hell organise these schedules man.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERAnother added: “This should be illegal.”A third wrote: “How can these two games be at the same time.”Will Pugh and Rob Maul discuss Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool’s chances in the Premier League title raceA fourth asked: “Which genius decided to put Bayern-Arsenal and City-Madrid at same time???”While more blasted: “Absolute scandal… on the same night.”It turns out Uefa had no choice but to make them play on the same night as they are on the same side of the draw.The two winners meet in the semi-final.Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta’s sides will both be in action at the same timeCredit: Getty More

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      Supercomputer predicts who will land last Champions League spot with Man Utd hopeful after Villa and Spurs drop points

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      THE supercomputer is back and this time it has predicted who will land the last Champions League spot.Currently, Aston Villa are in the fourth spot in the Premier League but Tottenham and Manchester United are also chasing down Unai Emery’s side.Super computer predicts whether Aston Villa can hold onto their Champions League spotCredit: GettyMan Utd had an excellent weekend with fans guessing if they will snatch the spot from VillaCredit: GettyTottenham dropped points after being thrashed 3-0 against Fulham while Aston Villa struggled to only secure a point against West Ham.Whereas Manchester United had a terrific extra-time victory against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.Fans are now second-guessing who is going to land that final guaranteed Champions League spot this season.And the Bettingexpert’s supercomputer, BETSiE, has run the numbers from last season, pre-season and the current season to see how the title race will unfold.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLVilla are set to hold onto their Champions League spot while Tottenham and United must settle for a Europa League spot as they are set to finish fifth and sixth respectively.There is still some hope for Tottenham though – as it’s possible the Premier League will be awarded FIVE places in the Champions League which would mean they qualify.Meanwhile, Chelsea are set to make an impressive comeback to finish seventh and snap up the last European spot.And for Mikel Arteta Arsenal will end their trophy drought as they are in line to finally secure the Premier League title.Most read in FootballThis will ruin Jurgen Klopp’s grand farewell as the German boss will leave Anfield and the end of the season.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERLiverpool crashed out of the FA Cup on Sunday Amad Diallo’s 121st-minute goal which saw their hopes of a historic quadruple being crushed.But now it looks that the league title will also be out of their reach leaving them to fight for Europa League victory.BBC commentator ‘loses all composure’ as he goes wild on-air during Man Utd’s epic FA Cup win over LiverpoolOn the other end of the table, Nottingham Forest have slumped into the relegation zone after being slapped with a four-point reduction for breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules.And now Forest’s relegation probability has increased from 5.6 per cent (before deduction) to 22.7 per cent.But Nuno Espirto Santo’s side are tipped to avoid demotion by four points with Luton projected to finish below them at 18th. More