Prediction: Ireland vs Armenia

Aberdeen manager Barry Robson has backed Dante Polvara to become a “top player” after handing the American midfielder a new three-year contract.

The 23-year-old has made six appearances this season after forcing his way into Robson’s plans.

The New Yorker arrived at Pittodrie in January 2022 but his game time was limited and he returned to the United States in March 2023 to join USL Championship side Charleston Battery on loan.

Robson said: “Dante has got a real opportunity ahead of him here at the club.

Dante Polvara has today signed a new three-year contract with the Dons and will extend his stay at Pittodrie until 2026

— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC)

“He’s got two great feet, he’s a good size and he is a real athlete due t…

Arsenal missed the chance to seal top spot in Group A with a game to spare as Joey Veerman and Luuk de Jong helped PSV to a 2-0 Europa League win over the Gunners at the Philips Stadion.

Lively duo Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons both had first-half goals disallowed as Arsenal struggled, but PSV finally hit the front when Veerman picked out the top-right corner after the break.

De Jong was outstanding following his half-time introduction, and he got himself on the scoresheet by beating Aaron Ramsdale to a corner delivery as Arsenal crumbled.

The result saw PSV seal their own place in the knockout stage, also keeping alive their chances of usurping Arsenal for top spot.

23 Luuk de Jong scored 23 European goals for PSV and FC Twente, with only one player findin…

Celtic maintained their perfect start to the Scottish Premiership season with an emphatic 3-0 victory over St Mirren on Sunday.

Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate struck in the first half to put the Bhoys in control, with Alistair Johnston scoring in the second to ensure they would leave with all three points.

Celtic got off to a superb start, with captain McGregor latching onto James Forrest s lay-off to pick out the bottom-right corner inside the opening three minutes.

The visitors dominance was rewarded with a second goal just after the half-hour mark, with Hatate coolly slotting in via the inside of the far post.

St Mirren started the second half on the front foot, though only Jaden Brown tested Kasper Schmeichel, who got down well to hold onto his low sh…

Alex Greenwood is well enough to return home and is set to be checked out by Manchester City after sustaining a head injury while on England duty.

England’s 3-2 Women’s Nations League loss in Belgium on Tuesday evening was compounded by Greenwood being carried off on a stretcher following an accidental clash of heads with Jassina Blom in the first half.

Greenwood was “conscious and talking” afterwards, according to Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman, who added: “I haven’t talked to the medical staff yet. She’s alright – when she’s walking, she’s alright.”

City issued a further update on their defender, who received treatment for more than 10 minutes on the field before being taken off and replaced by Chelsea’s Jess Carter.

A statement o…

Erik ten Hag has good hope that star man Marcus Rashford will be available for Manchester United s vital Premier League clash with Newcastle United on Sunday.

Rashford has enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career so far, netting 27 goals in all competitions to help the Red Devils to end their six-year trophy drought by lifting the EFL Cup in February, beating Newcastle in the final.

However, Rashford was forced to withdraw from the England squad for the recent international break after picking up a knock late on in the FA Cup victory over Fulham.

With Ten Hag s men travelling to play the Magpies again on Sunday in a crucial encounter in the race for the Champions League spots, the Dutchman believes Rashford is in with a strong chance of featuring.

I…

Inter s recent revival under Luciano Spalletti makes Wednesday s Milan derby impossible to call, according to Hernan Crespo.

After a stunning start to the season that saw the Nerazzurri top Serie A in December, their league campaign stuttered with a run of nine games without a win.

That ended any hope of the Scudetto for Spalletti s side, but three wins in their last four have reignited their Champions League dreams.

And Crespo, who had spells with both Milan clubs between 2002 and 2009, believes Inter s resurgence means their midweek clash could go either way.

Probably until a month ago everyone would have said [AC] Milan are favourites, Crespo told Omnisport, speaking courtesy of Hublot.

That s not because their players have changed but they h…

Blackburn held out for a 1-1 draw away to Burnley in the East Lancashire derby, despite playing the final 33 minutes of the match with 10 men.

Burnley opened the scoring after 10 minutes at Turf Moor after new signing Jaidon Anthony whipped in a perfect cross for Lyle Foster who remains at the club following a potential move to Ipswich breaking down to head home.

The home side dominated the early proceedings of the match and deservedly led until Blackburn struck against the run of play in the 23rd minute.

Forward Andi Weimann hit a sumptuous dipping shot from outside the penalty area, which looped over goalkeeper James Trafford, to level the scores.

What a way to mark your first league start, ! |

— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers)

Rovers t…

Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo is confident the forward line will step up to cover for the pending absence of Mohamed Salah.

Darwin Nunez ended a run of 12 matches without a goal, while Diogo Jota came off the bench to score after a month out injured in Tuesday’s 2-0 Premier League win over Burnley which took Jurgen Klopp’s side top of the table.

Salah has one more game – at home to Newcastle on Sunday – before he departs for the African Nations Cup with Egypt and the 16-goal winger is likely to be away for a month.

What a feeling #50

— Diogo Jota (@DiogoJota18)

Therefore, Jota’s timely return boosts the numbers up top, while Nunez’s confidence has been lifted by his first Premier League goal since October.

Gakpo himself has seve…

According to a recent report from Calciomercato, Juventus are aiming to sell Aaron Ramsey during the summer transfer window later on this year – just 12 months after they first signed him from Arsenal. 

The belief is that Juve want to make a big profit on Ramsey, using that money to bring in an even greater force in the middle of the park. Paul Pogba is one name that comes to mind but in truth, this is more about Ramsey and what he may wind up doing next. 

It’d be the ultimate irony for him to make his way back to the Emirates in order to play for the Gunners, but the possibilities really are endless. He’s an efficient and dynamic midfielder that seems to be growing and improving with each and every passing year. 

Whether or not he is suited to a style…

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a unique talent but Milan s improving form means they may not make a move for a new forward, says the club s chief football officer Zvonimir Boban.

The future of veteran free agent Ibrahimovic has been the topic of much discussion in recent weeks, with Milan and Serie A rivals Napoli and Bologna all tipped with a move for his signature.

Ibrahimovic is a former Rossoneri favourite and won a Serie A and a Supercoppa Italiana during two seasons with the club between 2010 and 2012.

Boban says even at the age of 38 Ibrahimovic, who decided not to renew his stay with LA Galaxy in MLS, can have an impact on the team but says Milan – who are unbeaten in their past four matches under Stefano Pioli – must take time to weigh up their options.

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