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Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that he doesn’t think Tottenham will beat Manchester City in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, even if Harry Kane plays.

Spurs go in search of their first major trophy since winning the same competition in 2008 when they face the seven-times winners and three-times defending champions at Wembley.

But Tottenham’s chances of ending their 13-year trophy drought could rest on the fitness of their star man Kane.

The England striker has been in scintillating form throughout the season, but hobbled off against Everton on Friday with his latest ankle problem, and faces a race against time to be fit.

But Windass believes that with Manchester City out for revenge following their FA Cup exit last weekend, it’ll be too big of a task to beat Pep Guardiola’s men, who haven’t lost in the League Cup for more than four years.

“I don’t think they’ve got any chance of beating City even if Harry Kane is fit,” Windass told Football FanCast.

“Ryan Mason has got to get everybody on board. But it’s going to be a tough game against Man City, especially after them getting beaten in the semi-finals, so they’ll be wounded. 

But with Jose Mourinho no longer in charge, and the squad on a clean slate, Windass made no secret as to who should be their front-three moving forward.

He added:

“I would like to see Gareth Bale get a number of games from now until the end of the season with Son and Kane upfront.

“You’ve got more chance of winning football matches with them three upfront than with them not in the team.”

Rangers will be looking to continue their unbeaten run in the Premiership as they take on St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday evening, with Steven Gerrard’s side now just four games away from an invincible league season.

The Light Blues are fresh from success in the Old Firm derby after winning 2-0 at Ibrox at the weekend and will be in a confident mood ahead of the first of two games against Callum Davidson’s side this week.

So far this season, Rangers have recorded comfortable victories against the Saints, winning 3-0 twice in 2020 before a 1-0 triumph at Ibrox back in February. However, Davidson’s side have won four of their last five games and will undoubtedly be eyeing an upset on Wednesday night.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Gerrard to line up at McDiarmid Park, with two changes from the side which started the Old Firm derby on Sunday…

After another superb display in the Old Firm derby at the weekend, in which he saved a penalty from Odsonne Edouard, McGregor keeps his place in goal.

There is one change in defence as, despite another excellent performance against the Hoops, Nathan Patterson is dropped to the bench, with captain James Tavernier – hailed as “fantastic” by former Ibrox ace Graham Roberts – making his return from injury at right-back.

Joe Aribo reverts to midfield alongside Glen Kamara and Steven Davis, with Scott Arfield dropping to the bench as Gerrard goes with a more attacking line-up than last time out.

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This allows Ianis Hagi to start on the right wing, where Aribo had featured on Sunday, and the Romanian supports Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos in attack for this one.

In other news… Allen masterclass: “Terrific” Rangers beast’s value has risen 275% since joining 

Many Everton fans have been left to slam the display of Alex Iwobi in their 2-2 home draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Friday night.

Two goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson were not enough in the end as two defensive errors meant that Harry Kane was able to pounce and earn Jose Mourinho’s team a point at Goodison Park.

Nonetheless, Iwobi did not have the best of games for the Merseyside club and was subsequently hauled off just after the hour mark for Seamus Coleman, who immediately made an impact with an assist.

The former Arsenal man lost out on seven out of eight of his duels (87.5%), and also failed to record a single shot on target, successful dribble, key pass or accurate cross, all while losing possession of the ball on no fewer than on 12 separate occasions in the game (Sofascore).

Everton fans on Iwobi display

These Toffees supporters slammed his performance on Twitter, with one Blues fan even going as far as to claim that the Nigeria international is ‘awful’:

“How have we given Arsenal nearly £50 million for Walcott and Iwobi if you put them together you still wouldn’t have half a player. #EFC”

Credit: @Tezza_c1878

“Iwobi is stealing a living with us #EFC”

Credit: @Toffeeman2010

“Coleman doing more in 2 minutes than Iwobi done in 60. He offers us nothing #EFC”

Credit: @Ball86T

“Iwobi really doesn’t have a future at the club. Add him to the list #EFC”

Credit: @nickjones314

“A truly woeful signing gone off. Brands will do well to recover from Iwobi #efc”

Credit: @BlueDanEFC

“Iwobi must be like Ronaldo in training because he’s consistently awful on a match day! What’s he done to start?!!! #EFC #EVETOT”

Credit: @ridroberts

In other news, find out what transfer plans have left EFC fans fuming here!

Charlton Athletic return to League One action this weekend, looking to build on their unbeaten run under new manager Nigel Adkins and they’ll need to find a way past fellow promotion chasers Sunderland if they are to keep up their playoff hopes.

Last time out, the Addicks defeated Doncaster Rovers to move to within three points of the top six, whilst their Easter Monday encounter with Lincoln City was postponed.

The Black Cats need a victory if they are to move back into an automatic spot, so there’s certainly a lot at stake at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon.

Adkins will need to get his team selection spot on, and he could well aid Charlton’s chances of picking up a result if he unleashes Chuks Aneke from the off.

On the Chalkboard

The 27-year-old has been a major source of goals for the Addicks, particularly under the recently-departed Lee Bowyer, so it’s certainly a surprise to see the £360k-rated dynamo named on the bench in both of Adkins’ lineups thus far.

No player has scored as many goals as Aneke this term, with the former MK Dons man finding the net 12 times. He’s also averaging the highest number of shots per game (2.3) in this squad, via WhoScored, proving to be a dangerous threat in attack.

The Addicks’ second top goalscorer (11) Conor Washington was ruled out of the Easter period, so there’s certainly a void to be filled alongside Jayden Stockley.

Right before Bowyer left, Aneke bagged his 13th in all competitions against Wigan and it left the new Birmingham boss in awe. He told London News Online: “He was immense up there again today. He’s unplayable, on his day he’s unplayable. The only disappointing thing, if I’m him, is that he didn’t score more.”

That only makes Adkins’ decision to omit him recently a little more baffling.

Sunderland have the best defensive record in the division, having conceded only 29 times in 38 matches. And that’s exactly why Aneke must be unleashed as no other Addicks player has been a greater threat this campaign.

The former Arsenal graduate must start on Saturday afternoon.

AND in other news, Gallen heading for disaster over “important” Charlton “leader”…

Aston Villa must seize their perfect chance to sell Bjorn Engels amid reported transfer interest from Royal Antwerp.

What’s the story?

The £55,000-a-week centre-back has been a complete outcast at Villa Park this season, barely featuring for Dean Smith’s side in the Premier League – in fact, he’s yet to make a single competitive appearance in any competition in 2020/21.

His time at the club could soon be over, with Belgian publication Voetbalkrant saying (via Sport Witness) that Antwerp are eyeing a summer move for the 26-year-old as they look to bring him back to his native Belgium.

The report added that a deal for Engels to leave is “inevitable”, and that Antwerp are at the front of the line for a deal. It was even suggested that Villa would be prepared to sell him for very little just to get him off their books.

Sawiris surely buzzing

It comes as no surprise, then, that former Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has claimed that Engels’ career at the club is over, insisting that he just doesn’t have the qualities needed to succeed in the Premier League.

The 34-year-old said earlier this year: “It’s time for him to move on. The problem with the Premier League now is you have to have pace in defence. Unless you’re an unbelievable defender and you can read the game unbelievably you need to have the pace at the back.

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“That’s what Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause allow you. If they make a mistake they’ve got the pace to make up for it. If they’re left one-on-one they’ve got the pace to stop the attacker.

“The problem with Engels is that if he’s left one-on-one he hasn’t got that pace so he’s going to get found out a bit. That’s what it is, it’s one of those things.”

With Antwerp now showing interest in taking him off Villa’s hands this summer, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens will surely be buzzing that one of the club’s highest earners could well be off their books way before his contract comes to an end in the Midlands.

Given that he’s yet to play at all this season for Smith, letting him go for whatever fee is presented just seems like the perfect eventuality for all parties concerned.

Meanwhile, Villa must sell this first team ace in the summer…

Some Manchester City fans have been reacting to the news that Borussia Dortmund reportedly want €150m (£128m) for their star striker Erling Haaland if they are to sell him this summer.

The Citizens have been heavily linked with a move for Haaland (The Mirror via BeSoccer), who has been in stunning form for Dortmund so far this campaign. In 30 games in all competitions, he has 31 strikes to his name, meaning he has 47 goals in just 48 matches for Die Schwarzgelben since signing for them in January of last year (Transfermarkt). Not only that, he has managed to hit the back of the net 20 times in just 14 Champions League games throughout his career.

It is common knowledge that the 20-year-old Norwegian has a €75m (£64.2m) release clause which comes into play next summer, but Dortmund would let him go for €150m (£128m) in just a few months according to German outlet Bild (via CBS Sports).

This news was shared by Twitter account @City_Chief, and it attracted plenty of attention from these City supporters, who took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Haaland news below

“Write that check!”

Credit: @MatthewShehorn

“That’s a steal, to us he is worth twice that. Just get it done!”

Credit: @FplVester

“Just pay what they want!”

Credit: @peko3141

“That’s it? Let’s get this going ASAP!!”

Credit: @DaOGMuffinMan

“pay it and get him signed up….”

Credit: @mcfc_matty

“Worth that price tag no point waiting for the release clause he will be gone by then”

Credit: @dkrobinson2398

In other news, some Manchester City fans slammed this player against Fulham.

Glasgow Rangers legend Ally McCoist believes the Gers could lose a couple of important players ahead of the next campaign.

McCoist suggests exit

The Gers have already been confirmed as Premiership champions and are in with a chance of reaching the Europa League quarter-finals.

However, McCoist believes one or two players could depart at the end of the term. He told BT Sport (via Ibrox News):

“Recruitment is key, he’s (Steven Gerrard) intelligent enough and been in the game long enough to know you don’t stand still, you’ve got to move forward.

“You’ve got to plan. It’s one thing getting there, you’ve got to stay there, you’ve got to improve.

“Performances in the Europa League have been fantastic but the Champions League is a different ball game.

“I’ll be interested to see players coming in and I don’t want to tempt fate but [Gerrard] might lose one or two because of the success that they’ve had…it wouldn’t surprise me.”

Could happen

Unfortunately, McCoist may well be right. This has been a successful campaign so far, and the Gers do have a shot at Champions League football to offer to their stars, but the fact of the matter is that the Scottish Premiership lacks the glamour, finances and competitiveness of the Premier League and several other top European divisions.

For the Ibrox outfit, at least, they are now in a position to demand higher fees for their star men. Long gone are the days when they could be signed for bargain fees – their performances both domestically and on the continent mean that is no longer possible. They will be in demand, and Ross Wilson and co must use that to their advantage.

In other news, Rangers fans react to this Sky Sports news.

Former Scotland international Alan Hutton believes that Celtic appointing a new sporting director could turn out to be a “disaster.”

Warning issued to Celtic

This comes after Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph claimed that the Hoops are looking to appoint someone who has experience in the role, with the likes of David Webb, Fergal Harkin and Matteo Tognozzi being considered for the position.

Reports back in January suggested that the Parkhead club are due to undergo a mass overhaul in the summer, with transfer guru Nick Hammond and recruitment chief Gary Penrice set to follow Neil Lennon out the exit door.

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton reacted to the prospect of Celtic bringing a sporting director in but also sent a warning to the club.

“It seems to be going that way,” he said. “It takes a little bit of pressure, I think, off the manager and most teams are doing it.

“It doesn’t always work out. I think it has to be a solid relationship between the manager and the sporting director. If they’re pushing in different directions it is always going to end in disaster.

“It’ll work if they can get somebody there who gets on well with the manager. If they’ve got the same ideas, same philosophy, same way of moving the team forward.

“It’s as simple as that. I understand why they’re doing it and it just seems to be the way that football’s going at the moment.”

Transfer Tavern Verdict

We think the club should follow the path that the former Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers suggested – bringing in a Director of Football.

But Hutton is right – Celtic could be in danger of repeating the recruitment mistakes that have been made during the 2020/21 campaign if they do not make the right selection.

With the new chief executive Dominic McKay set to start his new role in the summer, time will tell whether Hutton’s warnings are heeded.

In other news, Alan Hutton predicts Celtic boardroom chief will ‘lose his job.’

Having produced one of their most impressive displays of the season in beating Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford late last year, Arsenal will be relishing the prospect of taking on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men on Saturday afternoon.

The Gunners have turned a corner after beating Chelsea 3-1 at the Emirates, and have racked up five wins and a draw in their last six Premier League games.

Mikel Arteta’s side head into tonight’s match off the back of a fine victory away at Southampton, and they appear to have been given a late boost with some late injury news.

And with that in mind, below is a look at how Arsenal might line up to take on United.

In goal, Bernd Leno will be looking to preserve Arsenal’s record as the second-best defensive team in the league this season, with only Manchester City having conceded more goals than the Gunners.

The back-four could see one crucial change, with the return of Kieran Tierney at left-back. The £75k-a-week earning ace was pictured in full training with the rest of his teammates on Friday afternoon, and Arteta will surely be keen to get the man dubbed by Sir Alex Ferguson as “phenomenal”, back into the side.

The big call the Gunners boss will of course have to make is who starts at right-back, and based on current form, the nod should go to Cedric, who picked up an assist against Newcastle before providing the pre-assist to Alexandre Lacazette’s goal against Southampton.

In midfield, Goal journalist Charles Watts delivered a pre-game boost to the Gunners by confirming that Thomas Partey is expected to be fit to face United, and he could be partnered alongside Granit Xhaka once again.

Further forward, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is once again set to miss out, with Nicolas Pepe, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka all set to start just behind number nine Alexandre Lacazette.

Meanwhile, Arsenal could sign their perfect Lacazette successor in this striker…

West Brom have reportedly opened discussions over a potential loan swoop for Okay Yokuslu…

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, Baggies boss Sam Allardyce is looking to bring the Celta Vigo utility man to the Hawthorns this transfer window as he eyes extra protection for his leaky backline.

It’s claimed that the La Liga outfit are open to offers for the 26-year-old despite him playing 13 times this season.

Two birds, one stone

With Filip Krovinovic looking more and more likely to be leaving Albion this month and with the rising need for a holding midfielder, sporting director Luke Dowling and Big Sam can resolve multiple problems at West Brom by making a move for Yokuslu.

As per the Express & Star, Krovinovic is deemed surplus to requirements and is set to have his season-long loan from Benfica cut short before joining Hajduk Split for the rest of the campaign.

The £9m-rated Yokuslu, meanwhile, can also play in central defence, meaning he could be an additional option to a backline that has leaked more goals than any other Premier League outfit this season.

Capped 28 times by Turkey, the Celta Vigo ace would be an interesting acquisition given their links to both William Carvalho and Hamza Choudhury since the transfer market opened over two weeks ago.

Over the course of his career so far, Yokuslu has proven to be an absolute animal defensively having averaged 2.2 tackles, 1.9 interceptions, 1.9 clearances and a whopping three aerial duels won per game, via WhoScored.

Standing at 6 foot 3 inches, he’s an imposing figure, so it’s perhaps no surprise to see these sorts of numbers as he is evidently difficult to get past – for comparison, only Conor Gallagher has averaged more tackles of any regular WBA player, whilst Yokuslu has won more aerials than either of Dara O’Shea or Semi Ajayi, so he’d be a crucial presence at set-pieces.

He’d also top Albion’s charts currently for interceptions too.

By adding Yokuslu this month, Big Sam can not only replace Krovinovic in one fell swoop but he could also find that defensive midfielder he’s longing for – one who is capable of playing in defence too.

It would certainly be a shrewd signing to make.

AND in other news, Allardyce can find his next Nzonzi in £18m-rated “giant” compared to Patrick Vieira…