Premier League

NOTTINGHAM FOREST have grand plans to renovate the City Ground.The stadium has been their home since 1898 and owner Evangelos Marinakis is desperate for the club to stay “where it belongs”.Nottingham Forest are set to renovate the City GroundCredit: RexIn 2019, Nottingham Forest produced a computer-generated image of their potential new Peter Taylor StandBut Forest want to keep their classic ground in touch with the modern day and make it “one of England’s best”.Marinakis has made it no secret that he wants to increase the capacity of the stadium to match demand.Forest claim that they could have sold 50,000 tickets to games last season given their huge season ticket waiting list.Back in February, details emerged via The Athletic about the club’s plans to redevelop their 29,550-seater into one fit for 40,000 supporters.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey want to extend the Bridgford Stand and replace the Peter Taylor Stand with a new two-tiered 10,000-seater structure.The club shop and offices sit adjacent to the ground, and are set to be knocked down and replaced by a stunning 19-storey apartment block.This means the club shop will be moved and a museum showcasing the club’s two European Cup triumphs will be added.The Reds also want to install solar panels on the Brian Clough Stand to generate their own power for matchdays.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThere will also be a “pedestrianised plaza” around the new City Ground.Forest have long wanted to get going with the building works but a standoff with the council has delayed the modernisation.Premier League club unveil ‘beautiful’ new-look training ground with games room, ice baths and state-of-the-art kitchen Nottingham City Council owned the land the it is on, which the club lease.Talks over a new lease collapsed before Forest eventually struck a deal to buy the land from the local authority in the summer.They are now ready to push ahead of with their stunning design.Computer generated images show what the main stand might look like in the future, with the stadium set to keep it’s square shape to ensure fans remain close to the pitch.The modernised ground built on the bank of the River Trent will initially hold 42,000 fans.But Marinakis has his eye on eventually increasing the capacity to 50,000 should it prove a success.AI’s impression of what a new 50,000-seater City Ground could look likeForest claim their are thousands on the waiting list for season ticketsCredit: AFPOwner Evangelos Marinakis wants to building works to start as soon as possibleCredit: AlamyHe said: “We have a lot of supporters and a huge waiting list for season tickets and I’m sure a 50,000-seat stadium will be full watching our team and our passion.”The Greek businessman hopes his ideas get the green light this year.Chief Tom Cartledge: “If you add up our 20,000 season-ticket holders, plus the 21,500 or more who were waiting in a queue for tickets, the city of Nottingham should be able to sustain a 45,000 to 50,000-seat stadium. “We can get ourselves to 40,000 and, if there was no obstruction, he [Marinakis] would get on it next season. He just wants to get going with it and that’s very exciting.”READ MORE SUN STORIESSuch is his desperation to get going, Forest are working on erecting 20 hospitality pods made out of shipping containers that can house up to 180 people over five storeys.The new feature, which sits in the corner between the Trent End and the Brian Clough Stand, has taken inspiration from the Qatar World Cup 974 Stadium.A CGI of the club’s new hospitality podsCredit: https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/The pods, made of shipping containers, have now been added to the stadiumCredit: Alamy More

IPSWICH TOWN’s stunning redevelopment plans for Portman Road have taken a huge leap forward.The Premier League club are planning to modernise the iconic Cobbold Stand.The Cobbold Stand is set to be redevelopedCredit: RexIpswich have bought land behind the ground ahead of plans to transform the areaCredit: BBCA stunning new hotel and aquatics centre will be builtCredit: BBCThe project has been dubbed a ‘masterplan’Credit: BBCAnd the improvements are now set to be given the green light after the Tractor Boys struck an “in-principle agreement” to buy land adjacent to their ground.Ipswich Borough Council said specific terms are “yet to be finalised” but the club is set to buy part of the New Portman Road car park that backs onto the Cobbold Stand.Back in March, the local authority unveiled a “masterplan” to regenerate the area.In a statement they said: “It features plans for an aquatics centre, a multi-storey car park, a hotel and designated space for Ipswich Town Football Club’s development and expansion.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe current Crown Pools will be replaced by a state-of-the-art facility and gym, while a seven-story car park comes in for the current 500 spaces.Incredible computer generated images show what the area might look like in the future.The council labelled it an “exciting project and partnership”.But they have admitted the plans for a new and improved aquatics centre are “ambitious”.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Cobbold Stand, which was constructed in 1971, is the oldest at the stadium and is where away fans are positioned.Ipswich chief Mark Ashton previously said they will lose 4,000 of the 30,000 capacity for 18 months during the rebuild.Fifa confirm 12 stadiums for new-look Club World Cup including TWO £1.2BILLION NFL grounds and 88,500-seat Olympic venueKieran McKenna’s side currently sit 17th in the Premier League are still waiting for their first win.Portman Road will be at a reduced capacity during the building worksCredit: RexWhat we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. More

BRIGHTON great Bobby Zamora has returned to the club as a coach.Zamora, 43, scored 90 goals in 162 appearances for the Seagulls over two spells as a player.Bobby Zamora has taken up a striker consultant role at BrightonCredit: GettyHe will take up the role of ‘striker consultant’ on Fabian Hurzeler’s staff.The two-cap England man is set to work with Albion’s forwards twice a week to try to sharpen their work in the box.Zamora said: “I’m pleased to be back to help the strikers to achieve their goals, working on all elements of football on and off the pitch.“Hopefully I can play a part in helping the club achieve further success.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTechnical director David Weir added: “Brighton fans need no introduction to Bobby.“They know just how clinical he was as a player and about his ability in the penalty box. We feel he can help our attacking players in that regard.”Brighton have made a great start to season under Hurzeler and sit fifth with 15 points from eight games.Danny Welbeck has looked revitalised under the new boss with five goals in eight games and could benefit from Zamora’s arrival.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHowever he may have to wait to work with Zamora after suffering an injury against Newcastle last weekend.The striker was given oxygen and carried off on a stretcher after being hurt in a challenge with Fabian Schar.Chelsea Player vs Brighton Ratings More

ARSENAL could put their ‘musical chairs’ tactic to good use when they face Liverpool in a huge Premier League clash this weekend.The Gunners will be determined to bounce back from last weekend’s shock defeat to Bournemouth.Mikel Arteta will be busy on the training pitch this weekCredit: AlamyThe Gunners could replicate their ‘musical chairs’ tactic – and Declan Rice will play a pivotal roleCredit: GettyHowever, it will not be an easy task – especially given Mikel Arteta’s growing injury list.Despite being at risk of missing some key players – including Martin Odegaard and potentially Bukayo Saka – Arsenal can go into the match with some confidence thanks to the Spaniard’s tactical prowess.Arteta insisted his team will be “flying” at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.And he could utilise an effective ‘musical chairs’ trick to get the better of Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right side of Liverpool’s defence.Read More in FootballArteta’s ‘musical chairs’ tacticThe Gunners have been using a new system which uses an inverted left-back.New boy Riccardo Calafiori has taken up that role in recent weeks, but he could be replaced with Jurrien Timber or Oleksandr Zinchenko at the weekend due to injury.Arsenal left-back Riccardo Calafiori has been playing an inverted roleGabriel Martinelli has enjoyed a boost in confidence over the last few weeksDeclan Rice plays inside the left channel as a central midfielder, with left winger Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz completing a diamond.Those four players then rotate throughout the match and change positions, moving into the areas where space has been left.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIf Calafiori moves inside, Rice will shift out to the left and make the side of the diamond.The Italian then moves to the base, leaving plenty of space for Martinelli in attack.’If Arsenal lose to Liverpool, they are out of the Premier League title race… the gulf is massive’That would then give Alexander-Arnold a headache in terms of who he should mark.Liverpool will have to find a solution to keep tabs on the four moving players.And the Reds have got to be aware of who’s running and  who’s  staying in their position – which could also confuse midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.Whoever lines up at left-back could cause Liverpool troubleWho marks Salah?From a defensive point of view, Arsenal have to figure out who will be responsible for covering Liverpool’s star man, Mohamed Salah.With Calafiori likely to miss Sunday’s match due to a knee injury, Zinchenko may be in line to start.The Ukrainian has struggled up against Salah in the past which could be a cause for concern.It will be a game of stick or twist for Arsenal, with Gabriel Magalhaes potentially forced to step out onto the left – adding to the diamond.But £105million man Rice will likely cover the position.The midfielder is pivotal when it comes to Arsenal’s in-game formation switch from attack to defence.Arteta usually encourages his team to be brave by attacking with five.But with Salah and Luis Diaz going the other way, they can’t afford to be naive.Mohamed Salah will pose a huge threat to the Arsenal defenceCredit: APLONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 17: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal reacts as he encourages the fans prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Emirates Stadium on August 17, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Credit: GettyDirect David RayaOne of David Raya’s key strengths is his ability to play direct and diagonal passes from the back.Some opposition teams have attempted to catch him out in the pass by pressing high.But the Gunners have been able to play over that press thanks to Raya’s distribution.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat gives the wingers plenty of space to make a run in behind the opposition defence.It also gives Havertz, who is 6ft 4in tall, the chance to act as a target man, causing problems for the centre-backs.David Raya has the ability to skip the press and play direct to the attack More