Newcastle's Fantastic Future in World’s Best League
Why down is up for Newcastle United, Ronaldo’s possible move to PSG, and an extra incentive for Barca to lose title battle. All this and more solar systems of sport in the universe of sport.
By Tim Stannard
1) Toon Army face fun trips to Rotherham as Sunderland looks for EPL safety
Being in the Premier League is a largely joyless experience. That’s why clubs are handed so much money to take part in it. Spoilt supporters of marquee clubs constantly complain over why their team is not higher up the table, while fans of the minnows suffer sleepless nights fretting over relegation from a league they hate in the first place.
This is why Newcastle United supporters – our Ray Hudson included - should be joyfully embracing joining the best league in the world - the English Championship. 46 games per season! The opportunity to win some of them! But best of all, the chance to visit Rotherham, one of the stunning secret havens of England! The Toon could be doing what Aston Villa have already done and joining the light side in a few hours, if Sunderland beat Everton in an EPL catch-up game on Wednesday.
Norwich City could be the third and final team to go down as well, should Sunderland win, no matter what Norwich do in their own clash against Watford. You can find out which teams are blessed enough to be heading to England’s glorious second tier on the XTRA on Wednesday night at 10PM ET. And don’t forget to tune in on Friday for the first Championship playoff semifinal between Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton on Friday from 2.30PM ET. The Championship – real football, for real fans. And Rotherham.
2) West Ham promise life ban for bus attack whilst Pedro suffers nose break mystery
West Ham United’s final match at Upton Park got off to a rather ugly start before a 3-2 win over Manchester United with the opposition team bus being attacked by fans who blocked the entrance to the home team’s stadium. A statement from the club said that anyone found guilty in the incident will face a ban for life.
Here’s a weird one. Chelsea forward Pedro has broken his nose. At home. And apparently his wife was not involved. But he still plays in the EPL clash with Liverpool tonight.
3) PSG look to extend record at top of table as Ronaldo move makes waves once again
Ligue Un is also taking care of a bit of business too on Wednesday with PSG away at Bordeaux. Whilst the title race door slammed shut some time ago with PSG holding a 145-point lead over second-place Lyon, the motivation now is to continue to extend the points record at the top of the table from 92 to 95. “Now we have to finish the season well and why not get closer to 100 points? We cannot reach more than 98, but that would be fabulous,” enthused a joyful Blaise Matuidi. Join the good ship beIN SPORTS at 2.25PM ET for live coverage of that Ligue Un clash.
And whilst on the topic of PSG, France Football are poking the embers of the Cristiano Ronaldo to the French capital story again, claiming that there is a verbal agreement between his agent and PSG bosses that their club would be the primary port of call should the Pouty One decide to leave Real Madrid.
And on the topic of Real Madrid, despite incentive payments in La Liga from a club A to encourage a club B to beat a club C being very much illegal, Granada goalkeeper, Ivan Kelava, has said that any money from Real Madrid for his team to beat Barcelona on Saturday in the La Liga finale would be very much appreciated. “My teammates have told me it’s standard for an incentive to be given to players at other clubs,” said the Croatian keeper. Remember that the top of the table, all-singing La Liga finale live on Saturday from 10.55AM ET.
4) Ulissi looking pretty in pink as Giro d’Italia continues
The Giro d’Italia saw a new holder of the pink jersey with Team Giant-Alpecin’s Tom Dumolin wearing it with pride after Tuesday’s stage in the race’s first leg of the Italy. However, the stage itself was won more fittingly by an Italian, Diego Ulissi of the Lampre-Merida team. Coverage begins of Wednesday’s stage 5 from Praia a Mare to Beneveto on beIN SPORTS from 8.30AM ET, with a full recap of the day’s events on the XTRA at 10PM ET.
5) More action in Italy as Federer wins in tennis tussle
The Italian Open continues in Rome. Last night’s big win was for Serena Williams whilst Wednesday’s play has already seen a victory for Roger Federer. Andy Murray’s game is in progress at time of writing.