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Sheffield United will be looking to secure back-to-back wins when they take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Wednesday evening.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side picked up an impressive 1-0 win against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday evening, with 17-year-old sensation Daniel Jebbison scoring the only goal of the game.

The Blades will be desperate to finish the season strongly to take some momentum into next season, where they will be hoping to secure an immediate return to the top-flight via promotion from the Championship.

Newcastle United meanwhile, secured their safety in the top-flight recently thanks to a strong run of form, with Steve Bruce awarded the manager of the month award, and they were spirited in a 4-3 defeat against champions Manchester City last time out.

Here’s how Football FanCast thinks Heckingbottom should line his side up on Wednesday evening, with two changes from the team that started in the win at Goodison Park…

After an incredible display against Carlo Ancelotti’s side to earn a clean sheets, Aaron Ramsdale keeps his place in between the sticks.

There’s one change in defence, as Jayden Bogle starts ahead of George Baldock at right wing-back, with the rest of the defence keeping their place after the rare shut out against the Toffees.

Oliver Norwood and John Fleck continue together in midfield, with Sander Berge unfortunately suffering another setback in his injury, which should rule him out of the trip to St James’ Park.

There’s one change in attack, as the “exceptional” Rhian Brewster replaces Ben Osborn, with David McGoldrick supporting the former Liverpool man and Jebbison in an attacking midfield role, in the hope that Brewster can break his duck and grab his first Blades goal ahead of next season.

And, in other news… Sheffield United suffer huge blow as CL giants eye seven-goal beast, Blades fans will be fuming

Tottenham Hotspur could be gifted a second shot at signing Sasa Kalajdzic this January after a fresh report emerged this week…

What’s the word?

According to Fussball Transfers, there is a feeling around Stuttgart that they could be forced to sell their leading talisman, despite him nearing a return from injury.

His contract is set to expire in summer 2023 but there have been no concrete talks over an extension, and it’s thought that the right offer would see the Bundesliga outfit accept.

It means the door has seemingly opened for the north London outfit to strike, though it remains to be seen how much the 24-year-old would command, with CIES Football Observatory valuing him at £18m.

Sign him up?

Antonio Conte only has one senior centre-forward at his disposal in Harry Kane and we’ve already seen his struggles this season, having bagged just one goal in the Premier League from 11 appearances.

The 11-time Austria international would be an intriguing alternative to the England captain, not least because he stands at a whopping 6 foot 7 – the same height as former Spurs striker Peter Crouch, to whom Kalajdzic has been likened in the past.

[snack-amp-story url = “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/tottenham-hotspur-latest-team-injury-team-news-updates-transfers-gossip-rumours-antonio-conte-thfc” title=”Read the latest Spurs news, transfer updates and much, much more!”]

“I have heard a lot of phrases and expressions! I’ve heard a comparison with [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, Peter Crouch, anything from ‘tall and lanky’ to ‘tall’ and an ‘Ibrahimovic-Machine’! I’ve heard a lot of things,” he told Bundesliga.com.

“When I used to play holding midfield there was a player called Nemanja Matic at Manchester United who was a bit of an idol, he’s also Serbian and I have Serbian roots. I tried to compare myself to him.”

Interestingly, Matic is a player who Conte has managed before. The midfielder played a crucial role during Chelsea’s title-winning campaign in 2016/17.

Despite being so tall, the Austrian has proven to be a very adept and dynamic forward, as revealed by his manager Pellegrino Matarazzo, who said: “He’s a very good footballer. He links up well with his teammates, and communicates very effectively. He’s invaluable.”

Conte has often utilised big centre-forwards in his systems – think Diego Costa and Romelu Lukaku – so he would surely love Fabio Paratici to make a move for the Stuttgart sensation this winter.

AND in other news, “In discussions”: Journo drops big Spurs transfer claim, fans should be hugely worried…

While Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side overcame a rather large hurdle in the Premiership title race on Thursday evening, securing a 1-0 win over third-placed Hearts, the victory came at quite a significant cost for the 56-year-old manager and his side.

Indeed, Jota, Stephen Welsh and Anthony Ralston all had to be substituted due to injury, while Carl Stafelt also appeared to finish the fixture with a knock to his knee.

As such, it looks as if Celtic will travel to Dundee United today with something of a depleted squad. However, speaking after the Hearts game, Postecoglou suggested that the injuries picked up by a number of his regular starters will, in turn, provide an opportunity for those who are yet to get many games under their belt this term.

The 56-year-old said: “We saw on Thursday night that Adam Montgomery had to come on and he has not played for four or five weeks. We still have a fair chunk of important games coming up after [Real] Betis so it makes sense to get some minutes into some of the other guys so that when we call on them they will have played in this period.

“James McCarthy, Mikey Johnston, Liel Abada and Nir Bitton all come into that category. There is an opportunity to get some minutes into their legs and have them ready when required.”

Postecoglou must unleash Johnston

One of the players Postecoglou mentions above, Mikey Johnston, would appear to be in more need than most for regular first-team minutes, as, since his return from injury earlier this season, the 22-year-old has started just once for the Hoops.

Indeed, the winger has endured a frustrating last couple of years at Celtic, with the £900k-rated man featuring in just 10 fixtures last season due to injury, as well as missing a large portion of the start of the current campaign with a knock.

However, the former Scotland U21 international has proven that, when he is fully fit, he can be an extremely useful player in the Bhoys’ attack, scoring six goals and registering six assists over 22 appearances back in 2019/20, as well as bagging five goals and one assist over 23 appearances in 2018/19.

Furthermore, Celtic captain Callum McGregor is quite clearly convinced of the £7.9k-per-week forward’s ability, with the 28-year-old midfielder stating: “He’s such a brilliant talent, bags of ability, bags of potential and he’s one as well that the manager’s asking a lot of him physically.

“He’s responding really well and the guys are doing some great work with him in the physio department and sports science to really get him to a level where he can go and make that impact. Against Hibs, I thought he was sensational.”

As such, with it being clear that Postecoglou simply must begin rotating his side more frequently if he is to avoid a catastrophic injury crisis at Parkhead, the 56-year-old must unleash Johnston against Dundee United this afternoon, as the winger could well prove to play pivotal in Celtic’s Premiership push this season – if given the chance.

In other news: Ange must seal Celtic deal for “prominent” £13m-rated beast who “stole the show” in EL

Aston Villa revealed on Tuesday that additional tickets for the home game against Manchester United next month are now on sale, and a number of Villa fans were quick to give their thoughts to the news on social media.

Villa’s clash with Burnley on Saturday was postponed just a couple of hours before the scheduled kick-off time due to an ongoing viral outbreak at Bodymoor Heath. The Premier League are set to continue playing through the festive period, though, after deciding against a circuit breaker on Monday.

Fans watching matches live at the stadium now need to provide NHS certification of either a double vaccination or a negative test prior to attending.

Villa shared details of tickets for the match against Manchester United on January 15, which comes just a few days after the clubs’ FA Cup third round clash at Old Trafford. Prices start at £29.50 for adults and go up to £55, with all the information available to view here.

Villa fans react

Here is what these Villa fans had to say in reply to the club’s official Twitter post regarding the ticket arrangements, with one labelling the prices as ‘absurd’ and others questioning why they are advertising it given the distinct possibility of the match being either postponed or playing behind closed doors.

“This is brave”

Credit: @DaleAC93

“Those prices are absurd”

Credit: @_Whittall

“Why? Someone explain, I’m confused lol”

Credit: @JoesVillaArmy

“Announcement on playing Boxing Day yet or not?? Some of us have lives to organise rather than getting cancelled 2 hours before due to depleted squad..”

Credit: @JohnGallett

“Why do this when it’s probably going to be behind closed doors?”

Credit: @k2_villa

“Lockdown by then”

Credit: @TSJ671

In other news: ‘Is he really’ – Many Villa fans erupt as journalist says £27k-p/w ‘carthorse’ may join Gerrard

Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has not had the best time of things since arriving at Anfield from RB Leipzig.

Brought to the club by Jurgen Klopp officially in the summer of 2018, the Guinean penned a five-year contract for a fee of approximately £48m.

His arrival looked a steal for the Reds, with Keita having harnessed a reputation as one of the most exciting midfielders in Europe with the German outfit. It certainly looked as though Michael Edwards had pulled off another masterstroke in the transfer market.

However, it has not panned out the way he or the club will have envisaged, with the 26-year-old’s transfer rating taking a nose-dive from its peak of £58.5m all the way down to his current valuation of £34.2m.

Even during Liverpool’s glorious 2019/20 campaign, his value dropped habitually, only plateauing in July of 2020.

It is the result of an inconsistent few years on Merseyside for Keita.

Since his arrival, he has started just 42 out of a possible 151 matches in all competitions for the Reds, that being down to a combination of poor form and consistent injury problems.

As it stands, should Liverpool have all of their midfielders fit and available, it is likely that he ranks below the likes of Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum in the pecking order at Anfield.

In all of his time with Liverpool, Keita has also scored just seven goals and notched four assists in all competitions. For context, he scored nine goals and contributed seven assists in his final season at the Red Bull Arena – indicating his huge drop-off at Anfield.

Despite Liverpool colossus Virgil van Dijk labelling the Guinean midfielder as “world class” prior to the 2020/21 season, Keita is yet to really show that with Liverpool, an aspect that has contributed to the dramatic decrease in his transfer valuation.

He and manager Klopp will certainly be hoping that his time with the club takes on somewhat of a more positive outlook in the next few seasons.

AND in more news, we take a closer look at Trent Alexander-Arnold’s poor form in March…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League midfielder Lee Hendrie has tipped Manchester City to make a move for Tottenham striker Harry Kane in the summer transfer window.

With Sergio Aguero’s contract up at the end of the season, Pep Guardiola could find himself in the market looking for a new No.9.

Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland is one name Manchester City are currently being linked with, with the MailOnline claiming that the Citizens are leading the race for the 20-year-old.

It is a transfer that Hendrie can imagine happening; however, the ex-Aston Villa star can also see the Premier League favourites targeting Kane, rated at £108m by Transfermarkt.

“I feel that Man City will certainly go for… I personally think a Haaland or a Kane in my eyes,” Hendrie told FFC. “And I think if they do, they’re not far off being the complete and utter Premier League side. I think they would dominate.”

As well as Haaland, Manchester City are also said to have Southampton’s Danny Ings on their shortlist as they weigh up potential successors to Aguero.

Ings, who has scored eight goals in the Premier League this season, will be a free agent next summer, meaning the Saints may have to consider cashing in on their talisman in the upcoming transfer window.

Meanwhile, Aguero is being linked with a move to Chelsea, with Barcelona also said to be interested in bringing the Argentina international back to Spain.

Nottingham Forest will look to continue their sprint towards Premier League promotion tonight, but will face a tough test against Champions-elect Fulham at Craven Cottage.

A victory would effectively cement Forest’s spot in the play-off places, though Cooper will be looking for a win in case of the possibility that they could pip both Bournemouth and Huddersfield to the second-place automatic promotion spot.

Including tonight’s fixture, Forest have four games to play with one of those ties against Bournemouth – their rivals for automatic promotion. A win today is a must for Steve Cooper’s side.

In terms of injury news, Max Lowe is still out with a groin issue, and Steve Cook is also unlikely to start after just coming back from an ankle injury. Fulham will not roll over though and still have the title to play for, despite already sealing their ticket back to the Premier League.

Keinan Davis is another who is ruled out due to a hamstring injury sustained against Luton Town two games ago.

Lewis Grabban is also unlikely to feature after hobbling off after a 15-minute cameo appearance against Peterborough.

With that update, here is how we at Football FanCast expect Nottingham Forest to line up against Fulham tonight.

In what would be a real statement of intent, our predicted line-up sees Surridge retain his starting spot through Grabban’s injury, meaning that there is just one change, with £1.8m-rated Tobias Figueiredo axed for Joe Lolley, due to the 4-2-3-1 system switch.

With his attacking prowess – he has 26 goals for Forest in total – and Lyle Taylor’s praise, dubbing him a “wriggly worm”, he could cause the Cottagers all sorts of problems this evening.

Cooper’s side have stuck with the 3-4-1-2 system for the last six games which has seen them score thirteen goals and concede just two during that run. And although the saying “don’t fix what isn’t broken” rings true in most cases, it failed to work for them last time out against Fulham who ran out 4-0 winners.

The 4-2-3-1 system has notably been used in big games by Cooper. In the game against Fulham before the 4-0 thrashing, they used the 4-2-3-1 system and narrowly lost 1-0.

This system was also used against Liverpool, who also found it tough against Forest.

A change to a hardy 4-2-3-1 could pay dividends for Cooper and provide an element of shock for Marco Silva.

In other news: Sold after 1 appearance: Nottingham Forest had a disaster over 23 y/o “top talent”…

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Bayern Munich wonderkid Jamal Musiala and if he were to join the Reds, he could overtake Harvey Elliott as the brightest prospect at the Merseyside club.

Recent reports have suggested that Liverpool, as well as both Manchester clubs, are keen on signing the 17-year-old.

The former Chelsea youngster has enjoyed a sensational rise so far this season and has regularly appeared for Hans Dieter-Flick’s side, despite being so young.

In 13 Bundesliga appearances this season, the teenager has impressively contributed three goals, which has seen his Transfermarkt value soar to £9 million.

However, he is only contracted with Die Roten until 2022 and recent reports have suggested that contract talks with the club are not going well, with Musiala wanting as much as £100k per week.

It is a possibility, therefore, that Liverpool’s reported interest is simply Musiala’s agent’s way of encouraging Bayern Munich to give him what he wants, but if the Reds are interested, they should definitely try and sign the 17-year-old, as he looks destined for a great future in the game.

In fact, it could be argued that he would be even more of a prospect than Harvey Elliott, who is impressing on loan with Blackburn Rovers in the Championship.

Since joining Tony Mowbray’s side in the second tier, the 17-year-old has contributed four goals and seven assists in 19 appearances, so certainly looks set for a bright future with the Reds.

With the greatest respect to Blackburn, they are not of the same level as the current European champions, so the fact that Musiala is establishing himself there is arguably more impressive than Elliott’s feats.

Elliott has averaged 0.23 goals per 90 minutes in the Championship, compared to Musiala’s impressive 0.75 goals per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga.

He also scores higher than the Liverpool man when it comes to pass completion, having registered an 86% success rate compared to the 80% Elliott registered in the Premier League last season.

Therefore, the fact that Musiala is outscoring Elliott despite playing fewer minutes at a higher standard suggests that he is currently a better option than Elliott, and could, therefore, be a superb addition to Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

The 17-year-old’s former coach Andrew Martin was full of praise for Musiala after his goal against Schalke earlier this season, saying:

“Technically outstanding, very skillful, and a player who can score all types of goals, inside and outside the box. And he’s a great dribbler and likes to take players on, as he did against Schalke. He later became a No.10 and has become as much of a creator as a goalscorer.”

It seems as if Musiala is destined for a big future in the game, and Liverpool could be the ones to benefit from his current contract stalemate, so Michael Edwards should swoop for the winger.

And, in other news… “Of course he would” – Exclusive: Pundit claims PL beast would love to join LFC

Plenty of Aston Villa fans were left disappointed after defender Ezri Konsa was left out of Gareth Southgate’s provisional England squad for this summer’s European Championships.

Southgate named Tyrone Mings, Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins in his 33-man squad, with no room for Konsa or Matt Targett.

That squad will have to be trimmed down to 26 players over the coming days, but plenty of Villa supporters were baffled at Konsa not making the initial 33.

He missed just two Premier League games all season and was key in a Villa defence that kept 15 clean sheets during the 2020/21 campaign.

Konsa, who can also represent Portugal, has turned out for the Three Lions at Under-21 level, but a maiden senior call up will, unfortunately, have to wait.

Villa fans react

Villa shared the news on Mings, Grealish and Watkins on their official Twitter page on Tuesday afternoon.

However, these supporters wanted to talk about Konsa’s exclusion, with one describing the decision to overlook him as ‘terrible’.

“Disgusting that Konsa hasn’t gone”Credit: @Harry34740948″How Konsa hasn’t been named is a travesty. He’s our best defender and a Rolls Royce of a player. He only called up Jack after major pressure from fans/pundits and squad injuries. No doubt he’ll bin off Ollie too later for his favourites.”Credit: @Scott84764090″Konsa robbed”Credit: @joshkentx”How konsa hasn’t gone is terrible”Credit: @harry79050597″justice for konsa I say”Credit: @catrinedwards18″Feel for Konsa. Deserves a chance.”Credit: @JayVtid

In other news: Many AVFC fans buzz at Emiliano Buendia latest, find out more here. 

As West Ham United star Jesse Lingard gets nominated for Premier League Player of the Month, with the club now urging supporters to cast their vote, plenty of Irons flocked to this update in excitement over their loan signing, who has impressed so far in east London. 

Lingard, who has bagged three goals and an assist for the Hammers already since signing on loan from Man United this summer, starting just five Premier League games, is now up for POTM as per the club post.

Urging Irons to cast their vote for the Englishman, supporters were just buzzing at his nomination – coming after manager David Moyes hinted that West Ham could be open to a permanent deal if he continues this form.

Moyes has overseen a head-turning start to life in east London for Lingard, and his name now being up for voting in POTM highlights this even more.

Flocking as West Ham urge supporters to vote, Irons seemed excited – find all of their verdicts down below.

West Ham fans flock to club post

“Get it done lads”

Credit: @Kai_WHU

“So deserved, what a story and what a player- has to be him”

Credit: @_thejacobbc_

“J lingz is amazing don’t care what you say hope we can sign him up”

Credit: @riceTHEchamp

“LETS GOOOOO”

Credit: @LingardJesseBR

“Done. And well deserved”

Credit: @Stuthehammer76

“PLEASE EVERYONE”

Credit: @jlingzbase

“I hope we sign him and Dawson.”

Credit: @dennis_rothwell

“JLINGZZZZZZZZZZ”

Credit: @JackkWHU

In other news: West Ham are eyeing this in form colossus, find out more here.