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Manchester City will be looking to continue their exceptional winning run when they take on high-flying West Ham in the Premier League in Saturday’s early kick-off.

Pep Guardiola’s side have now won 19 games in a row in all competitions and are comfortable at the top of the Premier League, but will have to be at their best if they want to take three points against David Moyes’ side, who sit fourth after their own strong run of form.

Guardiola made several changes to his side for the trip to Budapest to face Borussia Monchengladbach in midweek and more rotation seems likely, especially with another home game against Wolves to come on Tuesday.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects the Spanish manager to line his side up against the Hammers, with three changes from the starting team that secured a 2-0 win in the Champions League on Wednesday…

Ederson looks set to win the golden glove this season should City’s impressive defensive record continue, so he is likely to continue in goal.

There’s one change in defence, as John Stones comes back in Aymeric Laporte, having been rested against Monchengladbach in midweek, whilst Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker continue at full-back having excelled there against Marco Rose’s side.

Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan are likely to start in midfield, but they will support Kevin De Bruyne, with the Belgian left on the bench against Monchengladbach as he has only just returned from injury.

He comes in for Bernardo Silva, with Riyad Mahrez starting on the right-wing ahead of the Portuguese international.

Finally, Raheem Sterling moves up front ahead of Gabriel Jesus, who is dropped to the bench despite scoring in midweek, as Guardiola suggested that his side should have scored more in Hungary, with the Brazilian perhaps the guilty party after failing to shoot when through on goal.

AND, in other news… Txiki should hand new deal to £150k-p/w City beast; even if he rarely plays

Glasgow Rangers have been handed a major injury boost with the news that James Tavernier is available to face Royal Antwerp in the Europa League.

As reported by The Daily Record, via The Daily Mail, the Rangers captain had limped off the pitch during first-team training at Auchenhowie and was a doubt for this evening’s Europa League last-32 tie against Antwerp due to injury.

But Steven Gerrard has branded these reports as “fake news” while speaking to reporters in his pre-match press conference in the build-up to the clash at The Bosuilstadion later today.

Gerrard’s side have been hampered by several setbacks this season, and they have sorely missed star strikers Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe after the pair were hit by retrospective bans from the Scottish FA on charges of violent conduct.

They have also been deprived of the services of the likes of Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield at various points this season and could be without Nathan Patterson for some time after the young right-back was removed from the first-team squad following the latest Covid breach.

However, ahead of the trip to Antwerp, Gerrard has given his side a much-needed boost after he confirmed the skipper is fit to travel to Belgium before the first-leg of their Europa League last-32 clash this evening.

Speaking to Rangers TV, the Ibrox boss said: “We’ve seen recent rumours that James is carrying a niggle which is fake news. There’s nothing in that.”

After Tavernier – who is currently valued at £7.2m via Transfermarkt – was named the Scottish Premiership Player of the Month for September, Gerrard praised the impact of the “powerhouse” and his attitude.

Gerrard said: “He’s looking like the powerhouse we know we can be.

“He returned hungry and his application and return from lockdown has really impressed me.

“The challenge now is to maintain that standard and he really deserves the accolade.”

With 11 goals and nine assists in 29 top-flight appearances, the 29-year-old tops the charts out of the entire Rangers squad in the Premiership this season by some margin, with only Roofe and Morelos his closest rivals on ten and seven goals respectively.

And when you take a closer look at the numbers, it’s easy to see why he’d be such a massive miss for Gerrard if he had been ruled out due to injury. He ranks third for key passes in the Europa League (1.5 per 90), fourth for clearances, and sixth for interceptions, which just goes to show that his all-round game is good and he can put in a shift at the back as well as find the back of the net.

Tavernier leads by example from the back, and thankfully for Gerrard, he has been one of his most reliable performers so far this season.

Rangers fans should now be feeling more confident about their side’s chances of clinching victory in the crunch stage of the competition ahead of the trip to Antwerp.

AND in other Rangers news, Why Steven Gerrard must unleash Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos on Antwerp…

Rangers-linked John Lundstram has refused to be drawn on his future, saying that “it’s the same situation, everything’s still on the table.”

What’s the word?

Reports in recent months have suggested Rangers are one of several clubs across Europe keen on landing Lundstram from Sheffield United as Steven Gerrard seeks to bolster his midfield options, with The Athletic claiming that the Ibrox side are “admirers” and are “waiting in the wings” with the midfielder’s contract coming to an end this season.

It is understood the Ibrox boss was interested in signing a central midfielder as well as a playmaker last year, with Bongani Zungu and Lewis Ferguson being identified as the club’s main targets.

However, Rangers did manage to sign Zungu on loan during the extended summer transfer window, but it seems Gerrard is still keen on Lundstram as he looks to complete an overhaul in midfield.

The in-form midfielder, 26, made the remarks before Sunday’s clash with Chelsea at Bramall Lane.

He said: “It’s the same situation, everything’s still on the table. We’ll see what happens.
“Of course, (speculation) is bound to happen but I’m here and while I am here I’m committed, as you’ve seen in my performances.
“I’m 110 per cent and no-one can question that. Who knows what will happen but while I’m here, I’ll give everything.”

Better than Bongani Zungu?

With Steven Davis’ contract coming to an end in the summer, the 36-year-old’s long-term future at Ibrox still remains uncertain, despite Gerrard’s insistence that the board should offer him a new deal.

Meanwhile Zungu has done very little to suggest that he deserves to stay at Ibrox on a permanent basis, with the Rangers boss giving him just 149 minutes of football in the Scottish Premiership.

In the £4k-a-week earning Lundstram, however, Gerrard could find the perfect replacement for the 124-cap Northern Irish international.

He really burst onto the scene last season, making 34 top-flight appearances for the club predominantly from the midfield, with five goals and three assists to show for his 26 starts. By comparison, Zungu has scored just twice in the past four seasons alone across all competitions, which suggests that he’d offer a far greater attacking threat than the Bafana-Bafana midfielder.

His captain at Bramall Lane, Billy Sharp, has spoken highly about his teammate’s physicality, athleticism and technique. He said:

“He gives us a lot of energy and he got an assist as well, which is important.

“He’s got all the attributes. He runs so much in a game, he provides assists and goals. He’s a real menace to other teams and a great player to have.”

Ross Wilson, therefore, should capitalise Lundstram’s uncertain future and contract status at Sheffield United by bringing the soon-to-be free agent to Ibrox when his contract runs out at the end of this season.

AND in other news, Rangers will regret letting Nathan Young-Coombes leave as he ‘closes in’ on Ibrox exit…

Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho has been linked with a move for one of his former stars this week…

What’s the word?

According to L’Equipe, Spurs have made contact with Paris Saint-Germain attacker Angel Di Maria over a potential switch to north London as he’s out of contract at the end of the season.

It’s claimed that the Ligue 1 champions, now managed by ex-Tottenham favourite Mauricio Pochettino, remain hopeful of securing him to an extension, but Mourinho would like to reunite with his former Real Madrid star if possible.

Di Maria is thought to have rejected PSG’s latest contract offer at the end of 2020 as it reduced his current £220k-per-week terms.

Forget Bale

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will have a major call to make in the summer as there’s a possibility that he could keep hold of Gareth Bale for the foreseeable future as there’s seemingly no way back for him in Spain.

His agent, Jonathan Barrett, didn’t rule out staying beyond the season-long loan, he told talkSPORT (via Sky Sports):

“Yeah, there are lots of opportunities; it’s up to him. The most important thing is for him to enjoy his football and that he’s playing well. As long as that’s happening, it’ll all be fine.”

Whilst football.london claim there is an option to keep him longer.

Well, things have hardly gone to plan so far this campaign as the Welshman has featured for 713 minutes, which includes only one start in the Premier League, per Transfermarkt.

Considering Spurs are paying 40% of his £600k-per-week wages (around £240k-per-week), and would have to either do the same again next season or at least force his contract to end a year early, it could be a financial nightmare.

If Di Maria is available for free in the summer, and on similar, if not reduced wages – as mentioned above – then it’s a no-brainer to bring the Argentinian in instead.

He’s a player that Mourinho knows greatly having managed him for two seasons at the Bernabeu.

Indeed the 32-year-old winger has lauded the Portguese’s impact in the past, he told Dario Ole (via Goal): “Mourinho made me a better player. He showed me many things and made me grow as a footballer.”

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Whilst he has also spoken to Marca (via Goal), where the 104-cap international dubbed Mourinho “very special,” adding: “With him, I have improved each year.”

Unlike Bale, the PSG star has featured regularly despite his advancing years.

This term, he’s bagged four goals and provided eight assists having featured for a total of 1551 minutes, via WhoScored – over double the time we’ve seen the 31-year-old Bale in a Spurs shirt.

Even over the past two campaigns, Di Maria has shown he can still cut it at an elite level, averaging at least 2.7 key passes per game in back-to-back league campaigns as well as at least 2.4 shots and 1.6 dribbles per game, vis WhoScored.

This merely emphasises his creative nature and the ability to still get past the opposition’s defence to either create chances or provide for himself.

Marco Verratti also believes he’s an “extraordinary player” who’s similar to Arjen Robben. “They’re very important players in modern football because one-on-one they’re incredible, very generous on the pitch, who provide you with 15 or 20 assists every year, very altruistic and give everything for the team,” added the Italian.

Whilst Di Maria was helping PSG qualify for the Champions League final, Bale was largely sat on the bench at Madrid and as he’s yet to prove his worth back in a Spurs shirt, Levy absolutely must consider a move for Di Maria instead if he has a choice between the two.

Landing the £25.2m-rated veteran on a free transfer could be an absolute bargain move.

AND in other news, “talismanic” £20m monster can be Spurs’ dream Harry Kane heir…

For Olivier Ntcham, his Celtic stay is very quickly running out of gas.

The former Manchester City man was signed under Brendan Rodgers and initially, that looked like good business. He has scored 24 times for the Hoops throughout the years and once established himself as one of the most promising box to box midfielders in Scotland.

However, in double-quick time, it has all unravelled for the Frenchman. No longer does he display the lung-busting energy we associate with Ntcham and his lack of regular minutes this season suggest that he could soon be out the exit door.

The 24-year-old hasn’t started since the end of November and has been touted with a switch to West Brom.

That could be a welcome relief for Neil Lennon, someone who may be troubled by the player’s poor attitude this season.

Speaking earlier in the campaign about Ntcham, talkSPORT presenter Alan Brazil stated: “Ntcham, he looks as if he’s tools down and not bothered.”

Funnily enough, a player who could all but end his stay in Glasgow is in a similar situation in England.

The man in question is Preston’s Ben Pearson, another player being left out of the team because of a contract dispute. Celtic are eyeing a move for him and if they get a deal over the line, it would surely push Ntcham further down the pecking order and likely out of the Parkhead door.

After all, Pearson is a midfielder himself, and a powerful one at that.

Discussing his future over the weekend, Preston boss Alex Neil commented: “Listen, Ben would’ve been fit to be in the squad today, but we’ve signed some new lads that need to get minutes now. Ben has made it clear to us that his future doesn’t lie here come the end of the season.”

It was a damning indictment of the 26-year-old who perhaps like Ntcham, has displeased his manager.

Pearson is one of the most aggressive players around and in picking up 52 yellow cards in the last four and a half years, he is no stranger to throwing in a tackle.

By replacing their French titan with the Preston brute, they’d lose a degree of attacking urgency but importantly, they wouldn’t lose his battling and tough-tackling characteristics.

It seems like for all parties it would be best if Pearson and Ntcham left their respective clubs. Celtic, however, are likely to benefit most.

The former’s current £8.5k-per-week deal expires in the summer and consequently, Nick Hammond can agree a pre-contract with Pearson if he deems Celtic’s offer to be appropriate.

This signing would certainly be shrewd business from the Hoops hierarchy.

AND in other news, Lennon could finally axe Celtic veteran by unleashing “sensational” rarely-seen gem – opinion…

Aston Villa have made some big-name signings recently, with players like Ross Barkley and Emiliano Martinez being brought during the last transfer window. They have been linked to Jesse Lingard in the past and there is now a fresh update on the player’s future.

The latest transfer update on Lingard

According to TEAMtalk, Lingard is ready to ask Manchester United to let him leave in January. His contract expires in the summer, so United will need to sell him this winter if they want to get any money for him. They could, in theory, extend his deal but this doesn’t seem to be likely at this stage.

Lingard also has interest from abroad with teams from Germany, Spain and Italy keen, as well as Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers, keen to sign him.

Would the Englishman be a good signing for Villa

Lingard is yet to feature for the Red Devils in the Premier League this campaign.

However, he has definitely shown he has the potential to succeed in the Premier League in the past, as highlighted by his performances in the division across the 2017/18 season, where he scored eight goals and six assists (Transfermarkt).

In the past, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has praised the England international saying: “Jesse’s a big game player” but he’s yet to reward the midfielder with much game time.

Lingard also has 24 England appearances, emphasising he has an abundance of experience. A move to a club like Villa, where he should get more chances to play, could be ideal in unlocking the quality we have seen him show in the past.

With his contract expiring, Dean Smith’s side could get Lingard on the cheap, and whilst it could look like a risky signing, it could turn into a great one if they can get the Englishman back to his best and as such, it might be a gamble worth taking.

In other news, fans react to Gabriel Agbonlahor’s comments on this Bundesliga star.

Aston Villa have been handed a major boost in the race to sign Milot Rashica, after Bayer Leverkusen’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, played down a potential move for the winger.

What’s the story?

Reports over the summer transfer window suggested that the Kosovo international was a key target for Villa as they looked ahead to their second season back in the Premier League.

It was claimed that after initially wanting to stay in the Bundesliga, the £16.2m-rated Rashica had a change of heart and was open to a move to the Premier League and join Villa, with Dean Smith’s side ready to cough up big money.

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And with reports in recent weeks claiming that Villa are contemplating reigniting their interest in the forward in January, they were given a significant boost when one of their rivals for his signature, Leverkusen appeared to pour cold water over a move.

Rolfes said: “That was a consideration in the summer, especially because of the many games in the autumn. In the winter we will re-evaluate it but at the moment he is not an issue.”

Another exciting signing for Smith

With Leverkusen seemingly bowing out of the race for Rashica, Villa may well have an open road to luring him to the Premier League in the upcoming January transfer window.

The 24-year-old has struggled with injury problems this season, making just five appearances, but when he is fit and firing, he is an explosive attacker who could bring yet more pace and dynamism to Villa’s attack.

Hailed as someone who “makes scoring look easy”, Rashica can play anywhere just behind the striker and even up front too, and that kind of versatility will be like gold dust to the Villa boss.

It seems like a no-brainer for Villa to go after him next month. Johan Lange must surely be licking his lips.

As the days count down, we are slowly approaching what could be an almighty change at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland are currently engulfed in a takeover saga, one that could finally see Stewart Donald relinquish his majority stake of the Black Cats.

Settling for a 15% of the football club, he is set to sell most of his ownership in the club to Juan Sartori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, but is more change afoot?

What’s the word?

Since the takeover situation escalated, Sunderland are yet to win a game. They lost to MK Dons and then drew with Doncaster which has left them five points off top spot and fighting for promotion once again.

With the quality of football being questioned, it’s also led to queries asked surrounding the future of current manager Phil Parkinson – not for the first time.

As such, he could be replaced if things don’t improve. That’s the word of The Sun (print version, 22/11) who suggests that Sunderland are eyeing Nigel Pearson.

The paper reveals that Parkinson is set to be the first high profile casualty of the impending takeover and with someone like Pearson available, they would not take much time in moving for the former Watford boss.

It’s also thought that he could bring former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips with him as his assistant.

Promotion bid back on track?

Pearson has not managed in League One since 2008 when he took Leicester to the Championship and beyond but the chance to manage a sleeping giant such as Sunderland would surely appeal to him.

Although his hefty Premier League-sized wages could be somewhat of an issue, in terms of improving the feel of the club and rejuvenating them, there would be few better candidates.

First and foremost, Pearson has promotion experience. He was in the Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough squads in the 1990s when they were promoted through the Football League and then used that expertise as a manager to twice earn promotion with Leicester.

He is someone who knows how to get a team out of a hole, but it’s his coaching and man-management that left plenty of colleagues throwing praise his way last term.

Pearson very nearly saved Watford from relegation last season before being given his marching orders by the Pozzo family. That was despite changing the face of the football club.

Former Sunderland boss David Moyes was left stunned by the decision, claiming that had he kept the Hornets up, he would have been a candidate for the Manager of the Year award.

Although he was given the boot, he had a lasting impact on the Watford players. Ben Foster said last season:

“You need somebody who will demand that just the minimum is working hard and getting stuck in. If you look at the last four or five games we’ve played, the fight, the determination, the never giving up, the constantly everybody tracking back, the work rate, all of that, that’s what’s been missing for the best part of nine months.”

That quote should be music to the ears of Sunderland fans, a group of people who have seen efforts from the players fall way below the level of 100%.

He would undoubtedly improve their promotion hopes.

Meanwhile, Sunderland’s prospective new owner is already on the verge of a HUGE mistake…

Many Birmingham City fans have reacted to a transfer report linking former AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato with a move to the club.

Reports from Italian press have claimed the former AC Milan forward is being considered as a free transfer for the Blues. The Brazil international has been without a club since leaving Sao Paulo midway through August after a short spell.

Aged 31, the former Milan predator has bags of experience, having played for a number of clubs, including Premier League side Chelsea and Villarreal in La Liga. His time in English football at Stamford Bridge saw make just two appearances, finding the net once for the Londoners.

Birmingham sit 17th in the Championship as things stand and have struggled to score, finding the back of the net just three times in the opening seven fixtures.

Blues fans react to Pato transfer links

Do you think the Blues can seal a deal for Pato? Let us know your views in the comments section below…

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Aston Villa have seen an attempt to sign Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic fail to come to fruition.

What’s the word?

The 34-year-old has been without a club since July after he left Qatari side Al-Duhail, who he only joined back in the January transfer window from Serie A giants Juventus.

Now, Di Marzio claims that both Villa and fellow Premier League side West Ham both made attempts to sign the veteran forward, but that Mandzukic turned them both down, instead favouring a move back to Italy.

The report adds that Mandzukic’s decision to reject a switch to England was made “recently”.

Dean Smith would have loved him

Whilst he may be getting on a bit in footballing terms at 34, Mandzukic’s style of play means that he will continue to be a valuable addition to any side wherever he goes.

The Croatian is a tireless runner and always put his team first, running his heart out for the cause. Journalist Aleksandar Holiga remarked: “He stretches the defences with constant movement and seemingly endless stamina, opening space for others to come from behind or cut inside from the wing; his pressing on the ball has proven decisive on a number of previous occasions and he is, of course, one of the best strikers in the world when it comes to aerial power. So even if he does not score himself, his presence could be key for the team’s chances.”

And with an incredible 24 trophies won in his illustrious career, including winning the Champions League with Bayern Munich, Mandzukic would have represented an outstanding coup for Villa.

His former boss at international level with Croatia, Zlatko Dalic, even hailed the striker as representing the “soul of our team”. The 34-year-old’s desire to run himself into the ground in the interests of the team is unlike most forwards, and that selflessness would surely have gone down a treat with Dean Smith.

It’s just a shame that the 6 foot 3 ace didn’t fancy a move to Villa Park.