What Al Ahly Loss Did To Sundowns’ World Ranking

Mamelodi Sundowns’ form both domestically and on the continent has seen the Brazilians progress on many ranking systems worldwide, however, after their CAF Champions League exit, the Brazilians have taken a dip.

As reported from the last update on February 25th this year, Sundowns were placed at 57th position in the world, this according to clubworldranking.com.

Read more: Mosimane Confirms Affonso Blow, Gives Transfer Update

At the time, the Brazilians were ranked higher than a few well-known European outfits, such as Club Brugge and Borussia Dortmund.

Although, after their exit from the CAF Champions League at the hands of Egyptian giants, Al Ahly, Sundowns have since dropped to number 62 in the world.

Al Ahly on the other hand, is ranked at number 52. 

However, the Brazilians can continue to be boastful about how they are the highest-ranked South African club in the world and by a long shot.

Despite Orlando Pirates being behind Kaizer Chiefs on the Absa Premiership log, the Bucs are ranked as the second-highest club from Mzansi, currently at position number 246 in the world, while Amakhosi are at 259.

According to the ranking system on clubworldranking.com, here are all the positions of the rest of the clubs in the Absa Premiership:

62 – Sundowns

246 – Pirates

259 – Chiefs

321 – Maritzburg United

350 – Bidvest Wits

353 – Golden Arrows

359 - SuperSport United

381 – Highlands Park

431 – Bloemfontein Celtic

455 – Polokwane City

457 – Chippa United

472 – Cape Town City

512 – Black Leopards

527 – AmaZulu FC

528 – Baroka FC

583 – Stellenbosch FC 

Chiefs Panicked: ‘We Were Too Casual…’

Kaizer Chiefs were ‘too casual’ and began to ‘start panicking’ in their defeat to AmaZulu, a loss which blew the 2019/20 Absa Premiership title race wide open…

The Glamour Boys suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Usuthu as they were beaten 1-0 at FNB Stadium on Saturday night, a first win for the visitors over Amakhosi in almost exactly 13 years.

Having gone into the game after doing a league double over Orlando Pirates, Ernst Middendorp believes that his side didn’t do what was required to win the game, admitting that it was hard to break down an AmaZulu side that was fighting for their lives at the foot of the table.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Middendorp said, “In the beginning we were too casual… We spoke about it during the week, I was hoping that everybody understood the message. This is something that often happens after winning the Derby match, the players get too relaxed and don’t put themselves into the next game.

“We had a fantastic chance to make it 1-0 early in the first half, we took it too casual. Not really with the excitement I am talking about. And at a critical time, just before half-time, you concede. Then you start panicking and playing against the wall. You also face a block of a defensive team, defending quite deep and you struggle to find the key to unlock them.”

The German went on to add, “We failed to get the right identity in the game. Exactly what I meant when I said we took it casually. Now suddenly we concede and start panicking. We were unable to string passes together and players struggled to find each other in the game. When you get a shock, you then try to correct yourself as an individual and as a collective.”

Chiefs now have some time to try and bounce back before facing Bidvest Wits on March 18, but are set to be without Willard Katsande (knee) and Reeve Frosler (suspension) for that game in a couple of weeks. 

Mosimane: Mamelodi Sundowns have two new signings for the Champions League

The Tshwane giants have already bolstered their squad for next season, according to their head coach who didn't reveal the new players he has signed

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane has confirmed three new players will join him next season. 

However, the 55-year-old mentor said he cannot disclose their names at this stage, saying Sundowns will be a better team in the Caf Champions League next season. 

South Africa junior international goalkeeper Jody February could be one of the players Mosimane was referring to after he completed his move to the Brazilians before being loaned out to Cape Umoya United in the NFD. 

"We have made new signings, just that you don't know, we don't say," Mosimane told the media. 

"We have made signings that I have recommended and the club has gone with them. So we have strengthened the team for next year."

"We have two more. We have three players already signed. But we can't talk. There will be a better team in next year's Champions League," he added. 

Mosimane added he recommended the three signings to the club, and he was pleased the management was able to secure their services for him.

"I have done that. I have made recommendations and the club has gone with them," concluded Mosimane. 

It is unclear if the Kagiso-born tactician will still be at Chloorkop next season as he's yet to agree on a new deal with the Brazilians. 

While he has already started preparing for next season because he wants to stay, Mosimane said this past weekend that the ball is definitely in Sundowns' court when it comes to his new contract. 

FK Rostov vs CSKA Moscow Prediction & Match Preview

FK Rostov vs CSKA Moscow
Russian Premier League
Date: Monday, 9 March 2020
Kick-Off at 11:00 UK
Venue: Rostov Arena, Rostov na Donu

Russian Premier League has resumed last weekend after the standard winter break, which means big battle for UEFA Champions League positions continue. All big guns of this division are scheduled to play on Monday. The action is starting with a clash between FK Rostov and CSKA Moscow.

These two teams are still hoping to jump into the title race with Zenit, but that is hardly going to happen at this point considering the gap. This contest should be a close one. Home win is priced at 2.75 rate at the moment, while CSKA have slightly better chances at 2.55.

FK Rostov vs CSKA Moscow Head-to-head

FK Rostov caused an upset and defeated CSKA in Moscow in the first part of the season. Full-time result was 3-1 in their favour mostly thanks to Khoren Bayramyan who scored two goals and provided one assist.

These two opponents have met 32 times in the past and CSKA Moscow have 16-10 lead in terms of victories. The average number of goals scored in those encounters is at 2.31 per duel.

Six out of the last nine meetings ended with low number of goals Under 2.5 FT.

FK Rostov vs CSKA Moscow Prediction

CSKA Moscow are currently sitting in 4th position with 35 points. Team’s biggest strength so far was great defending. They have conceded only 19 goals so far, which places them on high 2nd place in this field in the entire league.

Coach Viktor Goncharenko surely can’t be happy with the results in 2020. First, CSKA Moscow won only one point at home against Ural, followed by elimination from the national cup against city rivals Spartak Moscow.

FK Rostov are looking really strong at their arena, having won six out of nine encounters so far. Their start of the second part of the league wasn’t successful though, featuring 1-1 draw on the road against Akhmat. We feel that draw is the most realistic full-time winner outcome here. Under 2.5 FT also makes a lot of sense considering recent and h2h numbers.

FK Rostov vs CSKA Moscow Bet Tips

• Draw @ 3.20

• Under 2.5 goals FT @ 1.62

Sassuolo vs Brescia Prediction & Match Preview

Sassuolo vs Brescia
Italy – Serie A
Date: Monday, 9 March 2020
Kick-off at 17:30 UK / 18:30 CET
Venue: MAPEI Stadium (Reggio Emilia)

Sassuolo head into the Sunday’s clash having had an unexpected rest when their meeting with Atalanta was called off because of coronavirus outbreak in the northern Italy, and for the same reason this match will be played without fans.

Sassuolo vs Brescia: Match Preview

Their four-game unbeaten run which included wins against Torino (2-1), Roma (4-2) and SPAL (2-1) together with a goalless draw at Sampdoria, came to an end a fortnight ago when they fell to a narrow defeat to Parma in one of the Emilia-Romagna derbies.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side have taken ten points from their last six league games, which puts them on eighth position in recent form table and with 29 points to their name, club is currently occupying twelfth spot on the league ladder, seven points above the dropping zone.

The Neroverdi have posted five wins, one draw and six losses at MAPEI Stadium this season, scoring 2.08 goals per match on average and conceding 1.83 per tie. They have won two of their last three home games.

Brescia slumped to their second straight Serie A defeat as second half goals from Lorenzo Insigne and Fabian Ruiz gave Napoli all three points. Winless in ten league matches, Brescia are second-to-last, one point above rock-bottomed SPAL and, more importantly, seven points off of safety.

Diego Lopez’s men embark on two-game road trip, starting with a dangerous Sassuolo side. They will be hoping to get more points on board before the Genoa clash on March 15th.

The Rondinelle have registered three wins, one draw and six defeats on their travels, averaging 0.75 goals scored per game, whilst allowing 1.75 in return. They have lost six of their last eight away fixtures.

Sassuolo vs Brescia: Team News & Probable Lineups

Tripaldelli (2 games – 0 goals) is on the treatment table; Traore (20/3) is doubtful to make it.

Sassuolo (4-2-3-1): Consigli – Toljan, Romagna, Ferrari, Kyriakopoulos – Locatelli, Magnanelli – Berardi, Djuricic, Boga – Caputo

Ales Mateju (20/0) is banned for this one. There are no injuries to report.

Brescia (4-3-1-2): Joronen – Sabelli, Chancellor, Cistana, Martella – Bisoli, Tonali, Dessena – Skrabb – Torregrossa, Balotelli

Sassuolo vs Brescia: Head-to-head (h2h)

• Overall Stats (9 games): Sassuolo 2 Wins, Brescia 3 Wins, 4 Draws.
• Three of four games in Reggio Emilia failed to produce a winner.
• Less than three goals have been scored in each of their games at this venue.
• Both teams have found the back of the net in five of the last seven H2H matches.
• The Neroverdi beat Brescia 2-0 in the reverse fixture at the Mario Rigamonti.

Sassuolo vs Brescia: Prediction

The hosts have tremendous attacking potential and with their average numbers at this venue, I absolutely fancy them to score at least two goals on Sunday.

Only Parma managed to shut them down in Reggio Emilia. I can’t see Brescia doing the same, not with their defensive record away from home.

As for my second bet, I will follow my 2-1 score line hunch and pick goals on both sides. The visiting team have scored at least one goal in 75 percent of their away matches and 83 percent of Sassuolo’s home games had BTTS – Yes.

Sassuolo vs Brescia: Betting Tips

• Sassuolo To Score Over 1.5 Goals @1.60

• Both Teams To Score – Yes @1.65.

Leicester vs Aston Villa Prediction & Match Preview

Leicester vs Aston Villa
England – Premier League
Date: Monday, 9 March 2020
Kick-off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: King Power Stadium.

After a great start to their season, Leicester are now struggling to consistently post points on the board. They desperately need a huge win to get their confidence back, and this Sunday, they have a great opportunity to do just that against the relegation-threatened Villans.

Leicester vs Aston Villa Head-to-head (h2h)

• The reverse league fixture had ended in a 1-4 win for the Foxes.
• Since 2004, only thrice have the Villans won.
• Since 1999, the guests have won just once at this venue, and the victory had come back in 2004.
• The latest PL encounter at this stadium ended in a 3-2 win for Brendan Rodgers’s men.

Leicester vs Aston Villa Match Preview

Rodgers’s men lost 1-0 on the road the last match-day, against Norwich. The defeat, that too against the dead-last placed team in the competition was a hard blow for the team, and they will desperately push for a massive win this Monday to compensate for it.

Gone are the days when the Foxes used to be the team to beat in the league. After their phenomenal run in 2015-16, they once again became a major contender at the start of the season with some mesmerizing performances. But the squad failed to keep the level consistently up, and now they are in danger of losing out on a CL ticket.

They still are in possession of the third spot in the table, and do have a five-point cushion of safety over it. But the team will have to start performing very soon, if they are not to be replaced from there, by the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United etc.

Meanwhile, the Villans lost 2-0 on the road the prior game week, against Southampton. It was their third league loss in a row, and more than justified their stay in the relegation zone.

Leicester vs Aston Villa Prediction

The Foxes are one of the best teams in the competition, and they have been so for the past few years. They are now determined for a win, and they are at home. To make things easier for them, they are pitted against Dean Smith’s men, who are placed 19th in a table of 20, and are right in the middle of the race to avoid relegation.

On top of that, the Villans are on a four-game losing run, and they were winless in eight of their past ten overall fixtures. On the road, they are on a run of five matches without a win, and remained so in 12 of their preceding 13 trips.

Moreover, Rodgers’s men had also won the reverse fixture handsomely, and they further have the confidence of taking on not only an under-pressure relegation-battler, but an inexperienced and newly promoted team as well.

Taking these observations into account, it’s deduced that Leicester are on course to deliver a conclusive win this Sunday at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester vs Aston Villa Betting Tips

• Leicester to Win @ 1.40 (2/5)

• To Score in First Half: Leicester @ 1.50 (1/2).

Ronaldo: “Orgoglioso di aver raggiunto le 1000 partite con una vittoria importante”

Atmosfera surreale allo Stadium, teatro del match a porte chiuse tra Juventus e Inter, terminata con la vittoria dei bianconeri per 2-0, una sfida tanto attesa dai tifosi, purtroppo assenti a causa delle disposizioni del Governo per fronteggiare l’emergenza coronavirus.

Mancati quindi tutti i rituali del pre partita, compreso il saluto dei tifosi solitamente assiepati all’ingresso dello stadio, per salutare i giocatori al loro arrivo a bordo dell’autobus.

Una consuetudine che è mancata anche ai giocatori, che necessitano del sostegno dei propri tifosi.

Ed è mancata a Cristiano Ronaldo, che dirigendosi silenziosamente verso gli spogliatoi, ha teso la mano come a dare il consueto cinque alla folla di tifosi solitamente presenti ad accoglierli.

Un gesto simpatico che è giunto ai suoi tifosi, che non hanno mancato di evidenziarlo sui social.