by Tim Stannard

1) Reports of Kun Aguero next in line to City exit door after Pep fall-out

According to the ever-reliable English tabloid sports press, the reason that Kün Aguero was left out of Manchester City’s line-up that was eventually humiliated by Barcelona on Wednesday was not some fancy tactical ploy.

Nope. the Daily Mirror is suggesting that the Argentinean striker and Pep Guardiola are no longer BFF and Kün could well be stuck on the outcast list like Yaya Toure and Joe Hart. 'Vicente' Kompany is also reportedly on the naughty step.

Apparently, the Man City manager is demanding a little bit more from the forward – like scoring penalties for example. If that doesn’t happen then the former Atletico man could well be sold next summer. Barcelona probably won’t have the cash, Real Madrid may not be able to sign due to a transfer ban and City are unlikely to move the player to a rival EPL outfit, which leaves one tantalizing destination. PSG anyone?

2) Arsene Wenger gives ‘The Message’ to soon-to-be disappointed fans

There was a bit of a Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five vibe from Arsene Wenger on Friday as he continued with the wonderful pre-Thanksgiving tradition of raising the hopes of Arsenal fans of a Premier League title win before then crushing them in the new year.

“We have the squad and we have to show that we have the quality,” said Wenger who also warned that that it’s a jungle sometimes and it makes him wonder how he keeps from goin' under. “You have to survive by keeping your vigilance,” claimed the Frenchman who turns 67 for Saturday’s visit of Middlesbrough.

Do bear in mind you can catch Liverpool v Tottenham, Manchester United v Manchester City and Arsenal v Reading in the EFL Cup live on beIN SPORTS next Tuesday and Wednesday.

3) Atletico seal deal on latest hottest property

Atletico is turning into a big footballing bun shop stuffed with tasty goods. A footballer who is very much the man of the moment with five goals in four games, Yannick Carrasco, has had his contract extended with Atletico Madrid to from 2020 to 2022. 

The league leaders - yes, Atletico Madrid are at the top, dontcha know - are back in action on Sunday in a humdinger on beIN SPORTS against Sevilla at 10.15AM ET /11:15AM PT. However, the round starts on Friday with very much a crunch match for under pressure Betis coach, Gus Poyet, whose team is away at Osasuna from 2:45PM ET /11:45AM PT over on our Spanish channel. Catch all Friday’s highlights from across Europe on the XTRA at 7PM ET / 4PM PT.

4) Florentino gives backing to Sergio Ramos in fan chat

More droppings from the conversation that Florentino Perez had with high-ranking club members continue to filter through the Spanish press on Friday. The latest is the Madrid president giving his backing to Sergio Ramos and even offering news to cheer the currently crocked stopper that the Spaniard should earn more money.

Perez rejected the idea that Ramos had extorted a new deal from the club last summer with a threat to move to Manchester United. “He’s been here for many years and deserves what he earns, probably even more than that,” said Pérez. “He is our captain, a phenomenon, an example.” Ah, bless.

5)  Friday washout down under for MotoGP riders

Strewth! It was a cold, wet and windy Philip Island on Friday Down Under in Australia for Friday’s practice ahead of Saturday night’s Grand Prix. Indeed, matters got so bad that the second session was wrapped up early due to the worsening conditions.

Tune in on Saturday night from 9:50PM ET / 6:50PM PT to catch Round 16 of MotoGP when the weather is expectedly to be a heck of a lot drier.

WHAT IS SPORTS BURST?

The life philosophy of Sports Burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. SB is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. Hopefully at the same time.

                                                  Download NOW on iOS and Android