ClubSocial: 2020-02-23

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March 01, 2020 at 05:30AM
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New on Sports Illustrated: No title

March 01, 2020 at 05:30AM
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New on Sports Illustrated: No title

March 01, 2020 at 05:30AM
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New on Sports Illustrated: No title

March 01, 2020 at 05:30AM
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March 01, 2020 at 05:30AM
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New on Sports Illustrated: Minnesota United-Timbers Preview

Following the most successful season in Minnesota United FC's brief MLS history, there's hope that 2020 can be even better.

United starts down that journey on Sunday against the Portland Timbers in the raucous environment of Providence Park.

In its third season of 2019, Minnesota set MLS-club records with 15 victories and 53 points to finish fourth in the Western Conference and make the franchise's first playoff appearance. A major reason for that success was the fact it conceded just 43 goals after giving up 141 in the first two seasons.

Practically all of Minnesota's key defensive options are back, highlighted by MLS Defender of the Year Ike Opara and veteran defensive midfielder Osvaldo Alonso. Tyler Miller comes over from Los Angeles FC to man the net in place of Vito Mannone.

Up front, newcomer Luis Amarilla was an offensive force in Paraguay, and is brought in with the intent to mesh with Ethan Finlay and Mason Toye, who combined for 13 league goals in 2019.

"We obviously have quality players now, still, the squad is strong, but to say how strong we are, how best we are, it's too early," midfielder Jan Gregus told Minnesota's official website. "I think the season will show, and we just have to prove it every single game and see."

Minnesota will also see if it can win at Portland for the first time in four tries. Though it did play the Timbers to a scoreless draw there last season.

Portland should be glad to open at home this season after playing its first 12 games of 2019 on the road while Providence Park underwent a major upgrade. Despite struggling early and late in the season, the Timbers managed to make the MLS playoffs with 14 wins.

They hope it won't be that much of a chore to reach the postseason this time around. Though 15-goal scorer Brian Fernandez's time in Portland was brief, Jeremy Ebobisse recorded a career-best 11 goals last season and Diego Valeri (eight goals, 16 assists) returns.

Newcomers Felipe Mora and Jaroslaw Niezgoda are expected to contribute up front right off the bat. Meanwhile, star midfielder Diego Chara will have younger brother, Yimmi, on the Portland roster to help the club take care of business in 2020.

"We're certainly hungry and we're ready to go," veteran goalkeeper Steve Clark told the Timbers' official website. "The real feeling is 'let's get this on.' It feels like a long preseason, and we're well prepared. We've been chomping at the bit since we lost in the playoffs last year."

March 01, 2020 at 05:30AM
Minnesota United-Timbers Preview

New on Sports Illustrated: Fire-Sounders Preview

After raising their latest MLS championship banner, it's time for the Seattle Sounders to move on. And, they might have the means to motivate them toward another title run in 2020.

It should be an even more spirited atmosphere than usual at CenturyLink Field on Sunday when the Sounder open the season against new-look Chicago Fire FC.

The Sounders and their supporters have waited plenty long to celebrate their second league title in four seasons one last time. Seattle won their final six games, including the playoffs, capped with a 3-1 victory over Toronto FC in the MLS Cup final.

The club is essentially the same from last season with the likes of Raul Ruidiaz (15 goals over all 2019 competitions), Jordan Morris (13 goals), midfielder Cristian Roldan and Kelvin Leerdam on the back-end leading the way. Colombian defender Yeimar Gomez Andrade also is a nice addition to a club that could very well start slow, but once again rise to the occasion when it counts.

Being stunningly knocked out of the CONCACAF Champions League this week was a severe blow to the collective pride and ego of the Sounders, but they have an entire MLS season to make things right and use that setback a fuel going forward.

"I think you have to look at it as a wakeup call, try to learn from it and see what we did well," keeper Stefan Frei told the Sounders' official website. "We screwed up, (but) the silver lining is that we have a chance to give our full focus on to the season opener and the other games to come … Let's make a push for (the) Supporters' Shield and it starts on Sunday."

Seattle topped Chicago 4-2 on the road last season with Morris and Nicolas Lodeiro each recording a goal with an assist. Ruidiaz also scored. That match was played in suburban Chicago, but the Fire are back down on the city's lakefront at Soldier Field.

That's not all that is new with the Chicago club for the 2020 campaign.

Under new owner Joe Mansueto, the franchise has gone through a rebranding with a new name and logo. George Heitz is the new sporting director, Sebastian Pelzer as technical director and former FC Basel and United States-under 17 manager Raphael Wicky has taken over the reins as on-field manager.

The Fire have made only one playoff appearance in seven seasons (2017) and won just twice in their last 29 league road matches.

"We want to win everyday in training and we want to win our games," Wicky told the Fire's official website. "Making the playoffs is one of the big objectives, but that shouldn't be the end of the objectives."

C.J. Sapong scored a team-high 13 goals last season, but the Fire dealt with plenty of offensive inconsistency. They scored four or more goals five times but where shut out on eight occasions. The addition of Robert Beric and Luka Stojanovic could help add some consistency to the cause.

March 01, 2020 at 05:30AM
Fire-Sounders Preview

'Alarming': A trapped child is rescued from a locked car every day in WA

New and alarming statistics released by the RAC show crews rescue nearly 450 children every year from locked cars every year.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Australian authorities review Italy travel advice as confirmed cases rise

The number of confirmed cases in Italy rose overnight from 821 to 1128, with eight more people dying from the illness in the worst COVID-19 cluster outside Asia

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Bulldog Toogood avoids serious knee injury

The Bulldogs feared the worst when Bonnie Toogood went down with a knee injury, but the forward has escaped serious damage.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Greece fires tear gas at migrants after Turkish border 'onslaught'

Greece, which has tense relations with Turkey, accused Ankara of sending the migrants to the border post in an organised "onslaught" and said it would keep them out.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Suits worn at Qld's first same-sex wedding to feature in exhibition

The wedding showcase is one of 10 major exhibitions planned for the year ahead at Queensland Museum.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Iran's negligence may lead to an even greater global viral outbreak

Any chance that Iran might have kept the epidemic from spiralling out of control has already been lost.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Gay rugby club set to give 'pantomime villain' Folau colourful welcome

Israel Folau will be greeted with rainbow flags and some jeers when he makes his first appearance on English soil on Monday morning.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Erdogan asks Putin to step aside in Syria

With diplomatic attempts to ease tensions in tatters, Turkey has come closer than ever to confrontation with Russia on the battlefield in Syria.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Food delivery platform DoorDash files for initial public offering

DoorDash has filed for an initial public offering setting it up to be one of the most high-profile listings of 2020.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Business https://ift.tt/2Pz4DBC
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'Alarming': A trapped child is rescued from a locked car every day in WA

New and alarming statistics released by the RAC show crews rescue nearly 450 children every year from locked cars every year.

from Sydney Morning Herald - National
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Suits worn at Qld's first same-sex wedding to feature in exhibition

The wedding showcase is one of 10 major exhibitions planned for the year ahead at Queensland Museum.

from Sydney Morning Herald - National
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BBC NEWS - South Carolina primary: Joe Biden projected to win

It comes as a major boost to the former vice-president's flagging presidential campaign.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-51693714

BBC NEWS - Berlin International Film Festival: Iranian film about executions wins top prize

Director Mohammad Rasoulof is banned from leaving Iran and filmed There Is No Evil in secret.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-51693417

BBC NEWS - Afghan conflict: What will Taliban do after signing US deal?

A sense of cautious optimism is rising, but Afghanistan's political future is yet to be decided.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-51691947

Washington State Reports 1st Coronavirus Death in US

U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States was prepared for any circumstance arising from the coronavirus outbreak as U.S. health officials reported the first U.S. death from the virus.

from Latest Breaking News RSS feed – Big News Network
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Boris Johnson and partner Carrie Symonds engaged, expecting baby

London [UK], Mar 01 (ANI): British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds announced their engagement and said they are expecting a baby. No further information is being provided b

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February 29, 2020 at 05:30AM
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New on Sports Illustrated: No title

February 29, 2020 at 05:30AM
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New on Sports Illustrated: No title

February 29, 2020 at 05:30AM
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New on Sports Illustrated: Sporting Kansas City-Whitecaps FC Preview

Sporting Kansas City is hoping its massively disappointing 2019 season was nothing more than a fluke.

Aiming for a serious bounce-back in 2020, visiting Kansas City opens play on Saturday night against the overhauled Vancouver Whitecaps.

In 2018, Sporting Kansas City finished atop the Western Conference with 62 points and reached the semifinals. However, a rash of injuries and an overwhelming amount of frustration led to SKC finishing second-to-last in the West with just 38 points to see its eight-year playoff run come to an end.

"The pride was wounded a little bit," coach Peter Vermes told Sports Radio 810 about last season. "The question is how do you react to that? So far, the reaction has been very good."

That remains to be seen if things stay that way on the pitch. Vermes, though, thinks new additions like Mexican striker Alan Pulido - a former Liga MX Golden Boot winner - and returning veterans such as Felipe Gutierrez (12 goals in 2019) and Johnny Russell (nine goals) will mesh well.

"We have a great combination of those (new and old players), that we're hopefully going to get a lot out of it," added Vermes, who still needs to see an improved effort on the back-line after SKC conceded a whopping 67 goals in 2019.

The only club to finish worse than Sporting Kansas City in the West last season was Vancouver, four points back. The biggest issue for the Whitecaps was not preventing goals, but scoring them. Their 37 goals were among the fewest in the league, and they scored more than two in a game twice in 2019.

While Vancouver might have a budding star in 23-year-old Inbeom Hwang (three goals as an MLS rookie in 2019), the club made a relatively big splash by signing former Liga MX talent Lucas Cavallini. The Whitecaps also brought in Colombian winger Cristian Dajome and 22-year-old Leonardo Owusu as a couple of players who could provide an immediate impact out of the gate.

However, for the Whitecaps, it's about coming together as a collective to improve. A move the team will physically display as the players and coaches will walk into the stadium together on home matchdays, through the fans, and ready to compete.

"Having the right mentality starts from the time we arrive at the stadium," Vancouver sporting director Axel Schuster told the club's official website. "We will come to stadium together, united as a team and with our fans. And, we will bring that same mentality on the pitch."

Vancouver, though, would like a different result against SKC to end an 0-3-1 stretch in this series. After the teams played to a 1-1 draw at Kansas City - thanks to Derek Cornelius' equalizer for the Whitecaps in the 94th minute - on May 18, SKC won 3-0 at Vancouver in July.

February 29, 2020 at 05:30AM
Sporting Kansas City-Whitecaps FC Preview

New on Sports Illustrated: Rapids-D.C. United Preview

As the 25th MLS season kicks off, D.C. United hopes those still with the team will make their supporters forget about who are not.

United looks to get off to a strong start Saturday, when they host a confident Colorado Rapids side looking to avoid the same disastrous beginning they endured last season.

As D.C. United prepares to start a new season, it has said goodbye to former stalwarts Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta. United, fortunately, must also deal with a knee injury to Paul Arriola that could see the talented midfielder miss the entire season.

The good news for United, which finished a disappointing fifth in the Eastern Conference last season after entering 2019 as one of the title favorites, is that those new to fold have the potential to make an immediate impact. Julian Gressel scored a career-high eight goals for Atlanta United FC in 2019 and midfielder Edison Flores was paid handsomely to come over from Liga MX.

"We're looking forward to it," coach Ben Olsen told United's official website to this weekend's kickoff. "It's never perfect the first month with everybody scratching for points with an imperfect team. We move on."

While the goal for United might be to play more aggressively up front and on the wings, defense should obviously still be at the forefront. D.C.'s 38 goals conceded last season were the second-fewest in the league, however, it was pummeled 5-1 by eventual runner-up Toronto FC in the playoffs.

United has played relatively solid defense while conceding eight goals during its 5-0-4 stretch against Colorado. D.C.'s last league loss to the Rapids came on the road April 3, 2011.

Colorado, meanwhile, was one of the league's worst defensive teams with 63 goals allowed during an overall rough 2019 campaign. The Rapids were essentially dead in the water following on 0-9-2 start that cost coach Anthony Hudson his job, but did manage to show life under new gaffer Robin Fraser, and won five of their final seven matches.

In an attempt to improve defensively, Colorado traded for Philadelphia defender Austin Trusty.

"The defending group is really making strides forward," Fraser told the Rapids' official website. "Everyday is an opportunity to learn."

Meanwhile, veteran Kei Kamara (14 goals in 2019), Diego Rubio (11 goals), Andre Shinyashiki (seven goals) and Jonathan Lewis, along with the addition of talented Dutch playmaker Younes Namli, should provide consistent offense for the Rapids in 2020. Seven times last season the Rapids scored three or more goals.

February 29, 2020 at 05:30AM
Rapids-D.C. United Preview

New on Sports Illustrated: Atlanta United-Nashville Preview

Nashville SC may be a newcomer, but it does not lack for regional rivals. Music City make their MLS debut Saturday night versus Atlanta United.

Saturday night marks the end of a process that formally began in January 2017 when the city supported bringing Major League Soccer to Nashville. Two months later John Ingram bought a majority stake in DMD Soccer, which is the ownership group of Nashville SC. The Wilfs, who own the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL but had their bid to own an MLS team rebuffed as Minnesota United came into existence, joined the ownership group that summer.

The group was awarded an expansion franchise in December 2017, named Mike Jacobs general manager in October 2018, and announced it would go by Nashville SC - which was in use by the USL club. Music City will play their first two seasons at Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans, before moving into a soccer-specific stadium at the Nashville Fairgrounds in 2022 after reaching an agreement with the city to fund 100 percent of the costs earlier this month.

"I'm so glad we've reached a better deal for Nashville. I'm grateful to Nashville Soccer Holdings and John Ingram for understanding our city's financial realities and agreeing to pay up to $54 million in additional costs," Nashville mayor John Cooper said in a statement at the time of the agreement. "This deal saves the taxpayers money and provides a better site plan for the Fairgrounds. Today is an exciting step forward for sports in Nashville and I'm ready for the first Nashville SC game on February 29th."

There have already been over 50,000 tickets sold for the season opener, with the club expected to open the upper tier of the stadium for their inaugural match.

The Music City side that will be on the pitch will be markedly different from the USL side, though there is a hope they can carry the defense to the top tier after conceding just 26 goals in 34 matches last year. Coach Gary Smith will be counting on Walker Zimmerman, formerly of LAFC, to anchor the backline along with U.S. international Dan Lovitz and Jalil Anibaba.

Nashville SC also landed an experienced keeper in Joe Willis, who was Houston's No. 1 the last three seasons and recorded a career-high 10 victories in 2019. In attack, midfielder Hany Mukhtar is the team's only Designated Player after being signed from Danish side Brondby IF and will be flanked by Randall Leal and David Accam. Dax McCarty brings veteran leadership as the 32-year-old joins his fifth MLS club after three seasons with the Chicago Fire.

"We have a manager who's very stingy defensively - his teams just don't concede goals," Jacobs told Soccer Speedway. "We want players who are ok with being uncomfortable, who can deal with being under pressure. The likes of playing somewhere like Atlanta in front of 70,000 fans... We want them to be comfortable being uncomfortable, but also able to make other teams uncomfortable, in a high-pressing team on both sides of the ball."

Atlanta United has made most every MLS team uncomfortable in their three seasons since entering the league in 2017. While the Five Stripes did not successfully defend their MLS Cup title last year, they did win the U.S. Open Cup and the Campeones Cup and have finished no worse than fourth overall since their debut.

Josef Martinez again will lead the line, coming off another productive season in which he totaled 33 goals in 39 matches and bettered his own MLS record with a goal-scoring streak of 15 games - tied for the third-longest in world soccer. The Venezuela international has racked up 88 goals in 102 matches in all competitions and scored in both legs of Atlanta's 4-1 aggregate victory over Honduran side Motagua in the CONCACAF Champions round of 16 tie.

Pity Martinez scored the other two goals - both set up by Josef Martinez - as he bagged a brace in Tuesday night's 3-0 second-leg victory as keeper Brad Guzan did not need to make a save for the clean sheet in his 100th match with Atlanta.

"I think he showed some high-quality play last season, but maybe was a little bit inconsistent," United manager Ronald de Boer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about Pity Martinez. "He knows that, everybody knows that. When he came in this preseason, he was really determined to show himself. He wants to be a leader for the team and he has the quality to do that. Right now, I'm really pleased with how he's involved with everything. He's really fun to watch inside and outside the pitch."

February 29, 2020 at 05:30AM
Atlanta United-Nashville Preview

New on Sports Illustrated: Toronto FC-Earthquakes Preview

After coming up just short in a bid to reach the playoffs last year, the San Jose Earthquakes are gambling that a largely unchanged side will get the job done this time as they open the season Saturday at home versus Toronto FC.

The Earthquakes (13-16-5) finished four points out of the final postseason spot in the Western Conference in 2019 as they came completely undone down the stretch with a season-ending six-match losing streak in which they were outscored 12-4 and failed to score more than one goal in any defeat.

General manager Jesse Fioranelli, though, has opted to stay the course with manager Matias Almeyda, who was rumored to be considered for the Monterrey job during that late stretch. The returning players comprise 90 percent of the minutes played last year for San Jose, the highest percentage in the league.

"The most challenging goal, which is to be competitive," Almeyda said when asked about his team's goals in his second season. "By being a competitive team that can define the course of the season. In the meantime, we are happy and enjoying the week before our match. We're looking forward to starting the season and I am personally thankful towards this organization and this league and style of soccer that allows me to continue learning. We are very enthusiastic."

As has been the case for more than a decade, any talk of success for San Jose begins with striker Chris Wondolowski. Now the league's all-time leading goal-scorer with 159, the 37-year-old is coming off one of his better seasons after totaling 15 goals in 32 matches, tying him for fifth in the MLS.

For goal-scoring, attacking midfielder and Georgia international Vako returns for his third season with the 'Quakes, looking to build on an 11-goal haul from 2019. San Jose also made winger Christian Espinoza's loan deal from Villarreal permanent after he racked up 13 assists, and Almeyda is playing Magnus Eriksson in a deeper midfield role as part of a potential 4-4-1-1 set-up after totaling six goals and seven assists.

Daniel Vega is expected to start the season between the sticks, but U.S. Under-23 keeper JT Marcincowski could make a push for playing time once the Olympic qualifying cycle ends.

After finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference, Toronto FC (13-10-11) reached the MLS Cup final for the third time in four years but was denied a second title in that stretch after being outclassed by the Seattle Sounders 3-1.

The loss put a damper on a strong late-season push in which the Reds went unbeaten in 13 matches (7-6-0) en route to the final, but a quiet preseason - Toronto FC has no Champions League commitments for the first time in three years - could allow Greg Vanney's team to get off to a quick start.

"Physically we're in a good position. A lot of guys are returning, so we picked up where we left off," said Vanney, who will be coaching his 100th match with the club. "We're good, but none of it really means anything until the season starts," assessed the coach. "Always the first few games are getting yourself really going and into it."

"We've got a good mix of guys, they get along great, work hard for each other, have good chemistry on the field," he listed. "We're comfortable with that and now we get the league started."

There are, however, two notable absences for this game as veteran midfielder and captain Michael Bradley and Designated Player signee Pablo Piatti are both out through injury. Bradley's absence could be Liam Fraser's gain as he is expected to work in tandem with Mark Delgado as a push-and-pull center in what is expected to be a 4-2-3-1 formation.

The good news for Toronto is forwards Alejandro Pozuelo and Jozy Altidore are both healthy, which was a challenge last year for the latter. Despite being limited to 23 games, Altidore finished with 12 goals and seven assists. Pozuelo's first season following his move from Genk was a successful one as he totaled 14 goals and 14 assists across all competitions.

Quentin Westberg starts the season as the No. 1 goalkeeper, having supplanted Alex Bono last season and serving as a major contributor to Toronto's late-season push to the MLS Cup final.

Wondolowski's brace on either side of halftime powered San Jose to a 2-1 victory in the lone meeting last year, canceling out a goal by Richie Laryea that gave Toronto a short-lived lead. The Reds are 2-3-2 all-time in San Jose but winless in their last four trips (0-2-2).

February 29, 2020 at 05:30AM
Toronto FC-Earthquakes Preview

New on Sports Illustrated: Southampton-West Ham United Preview

Whilst frustration might be at an all-time high for West Ham United this season, they are doing their best to remain positive with the belief times will get better before it's really too late.

Sitting atop the Premier League relegation zone and winless since New Year's Day, West Ham again try to taste victory and do the double over Southampton, one of the few teams they've actually beat this term, on Saturday at London Stadium.

One of the most storied teams in all of English football, West Ham (6-6-15) have been living with the reality of relegation for some time now. They've conceded 16 goals during an 0-2-5 rut since beating Bournemouth 4-0 on Jan. 1.

The Hammers gave a spirited effort and led 2-1 at Anfield over runaway leaders Liverpool well over the hour mark before the Reds' big guns of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane scored to pull out a 3-2 victory for the hosts.

Whilst the result moved Liverpool further toward their first Premier League title, it left West Ham at the top of the drop with 24 points, but only one point from safety.

"Performances like (against Liverpool) are what we need to get out of trouble," midfielder Robert Snodgrass told West Ham's official website. "We need to stop conceding goals. It's not rocket science, it's the basics of football. If you don't make mistakes, you give yourself a better chance to win the game.

"We know ourselves, as footballers, that if we keep playing that way, we will get points on the board … There's definitely belief there."

Perhaps a visit from Southampton (10-4-13) will increase that level of belief. The Saints managed to turn their own season around and currently sit 12th in the table, but they also lost 1-0 to the Hammers at home on Dec. 14. Sebastien Haller scored in the 37th minute for West Ham for their most recent road triumph.

Haller has six Premier League goals, but only one in nine games since facing Southampton.

The Saints, meanwhile, are 6-1-3 since that loss, but avoided a third consecutive defeat with last weekend's 2-0 home victory over Aston Villa. Shane Long scored early and Stuart Armstrong late for Southampton, who had totaled one goal in their previous two contests.

"In games like (that) it's always important to take your chances and make sure you put the game to bed as quickly as you can," Armstrong told Southampton's official website. "You know it's the Premier League, and teams can come back at you - we've seen that before. It's about being patient and seeing it through."

Whilst Southampton will be without key midfielder Nathan Redmond for the time being due to a muscle injury, defender Kyle Walker-Peters is back training and could be available for selection.

Southampton's Danny Ings ranks among the Premier League leaders with 15 goals, but has just one over a five-game stretch.

February 29, 2020 at 05:30AM
Southampton-West Ham United Preview

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February 29, 2020 at 05:30AM
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New on Sports Illustrated: Liverpool-Watford Preview

After arguably the biggest threat to their unbeaten Premier League season, Liverpool look to right themselves and continue chasing history Saturday when they face relegation-threatened Watford at Vicarage Road in search of a record-setting 19th consecutive victory.

Perhaps it was the hangover from their midweek Champions League loss at Atletico Madrid, perhaps the pressure from trying to join Arsenal and Preston North End as the only unbeaten top-flight sides in English football history, but Monday's match against West Ham was one of the few times this season Liverpool (26-1-0) were involved in a slog.

The Merseysiders rallied for a 3-2 victory on second-half goals by Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, with right back Trent Alexander-Arnold playing a key role in the fightback with assists on Giorginio Wijnaldum's first-half goal and Mane's match-winner on 80 minutes. The 21-year-old has 12 assists - second only to Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne in the Premier League - while doing so as a defender.

"I think we passed the moment where we treat him like a young boy, he is just a proper member of the squad," Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp told the club's official website regarding Alexander-Arnold. "Everybody has to contribute, everybody has to bring on the pitch what he is able to do - and the boys do a lot to bring him or Robbo (Andrew Robertson) in the position and save them there.

"I don't want to make the performance more than it is, I am completely happy with it, but that's how football works on the highest level. (There were) super moments of Gini, for example, where he just wins that decisive battle, Sadio really (good), Bobby chasing back and wins the ball. Thank God in our stadium (it is like) nearly scoring a goal (with) the celebration after Bobby wins a really important ball back."

The 18 straight victories since their only blemish - a 1-1 draw at Manchester United on Oct. 20 - are equal with Manchester City's record-setting run set from August to December 2017 and bettered their club mark of 17 set bridging this season and last season prior to the stalemate at Old Trafford. Liverpool have won eight straight road matches since their draw at United, conceding just three goals in that span.

Liverpool have won 35 of their last 36 league matches while going unbeaten in their last 44 (39-5-0) such contests, which is the fifth-longest among clubs in Europe's top five leagues.

"I really believe that the better you defend, the easier it is to attack," Liverpool assistant Pepijn Linders said. "The last game, we didn't attack - or we were not protected in the way we should be protected - so we didn't attack in the right way and that's why we had to run back and stop these counters much deeper than we are normally used to. The better we attack, the easier it is to defend. It's really related to each other.

"If you want to win, if you want to go far, you have to dominate everything. Each phase in the best way possible. We don't speak about perfection, but the best way possible. Be dominant in each phase and that's something we are good at. If we have to defend, we defend. If we have to attack, we attack."

Talisman and midfielder Jordan Henderson is expected to miss this contest with a hamstring injury as Klopp has an eye for him to return for Liverpool's second-leg round of 16 tie at home versus Atletico Madrid on March 11. This match also kicks off a busy stretch for the Reds, who also have a fifth-round FA Cup clash with Chelsea on Tuesday.

Much like West Ham on Monday, Watford (5-9-13) are in a similar plight with relation to the relegation scrap. The Hornets are second-bottom on 24 points, trailing West Ham on goal difference but also two points from safety.

The new manager bounce Nigel Pearson brought with his arrival has ebbed during a challenging stretch of fixtures, with the Hornets winless in their last five matches (0-2-3) after a 3-0 drubbing administered by Manchester United on Sunday.

Watford had trouble containing United's attack and failed to generate much offence themselves, often second-best while putting only two shots on target and taking seven overall - two fewer than United had on target.

"It's going to be a scrap to the end of the season," keeper Ben Foster told Watford's official website. "We gave them too much time and respect. We have to keep our heads up and keep fighting.

"Team spirit is going to be a huge part of this," said the goalkeeper. "Results in other games were kind to us this weekend. We know we've got plenty of quality in the dressing room, so we can't let things affect us emotionally."

Ismalia Sarr should be available for this match after a successful 20-minute runout versus United after missing the previous three games through injury, and right back Daryl Janmaat has returned to first-team training. This contest, though, may come too soon for Kiko Femenia as he continues to work his way back from a hamstring injury.

Liverpool ran out 2-0 winners in the reverse fixture at Anfield on a brace by Salah on either side of halftime. They have won four on the trot versus Watford - all by shutout - and are 7-1-0 in the last eight meetings since the Hornets' lone top-flight home win in the series, a 3-0 victory in December 2015.

February 29, 2020 at 05:30AM
Liverpool-Watford Preview

New on Sports Illustrated: Crystal Palace-Brighton & Hove Albion Preview

Whilst Crystal Palace managed to end their lengthy Premier League winless spell last week, Brighton & Hove Albion are still stuck in one of their own.

Palace can win consecutive league games for the first time in almost three months by extending the Seagulls' top-flight winless stretch to eight matches on Saturday at the Amex.

There was a much-needed sigh of relief when time went full on Crystal Palace's 1-0 home victory over Newcastle United last Saturday. Patrick van Aanholt's goal at the end of the first half was enough for the Eagles (8-9-10) to snap a three-game losing streak and end their 0-4-3 league rut.

The result left Palace with a club-record 33 points through 27 Premier League matches, and 13th in the table. The triumph should also give them some momentum to look ahead confidently whilst trying to win back-to-back top-flight matches for the first time since Nov. 30 and Dec. 3.

"Look at what's in front of you and look at what you can get to," veteran defender Gary Cahill told Crystal Palace's official website. "Obviously, we realise we've had three not-so-good results, but along the way through we've had some good performances. (Last Saturday), I thought we deserved the win."

Palace had to work much harder just to earn a point through a 1-1 draw with Brighton at home on Dec. 16. Wilfried Zaha scored the equaliser in the 76th minute after Neal Maupay opened the scoring for the Seagulls on 54 minutes.

Brighton (6-10-11), 15th in the table and five points back of Palace, are all too familiar with the draw. They've recorded one in each of their last three Premier League games and are 0-5-2 since beating Bournemouth 2-0 at home on Dec. 28.

It was Maupay again who came through to help earn his team a point via last Saturday's 1-1 draw versus Sheffield United. His team-leading eighth goal of the season equalised on the half-hour mark.

"We'll look at the Sheffield United match to see what we did well and where we can improve. We'll (continue) to work hard this week and be ready on Saturday to get a win," Maupay, who snapped an eight-game league goal drought, told Brighton's official website.

Whilst Maupay ended his own scoring rut, Palace leading scorer Jordan Ayew (six league goals) has gone five straight top-flight games without a goal. Ayew does not have a goal in three career matches versus Brighton.

February 29, 2020 at 05:30AM
Crystal Palace-Brighton & Hove Albion Preview

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