Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso has had surgery to help resolve an on-going back problem, the club have announced.

The 33-year-old Spain left-back has been restricted to just seven appearances for Barca this season, making four starts.

A brief statement on the club’s official website said: “First-team player Marcos Alonso has successfully undergone a procedure to treat his lower back issues.

MEDICAL NEWS | Marcos Alonso has undergone a successful procedure for his lower back issues, performed by Dr. Amélie Léglise, under the supervision of the Club s Medical Services, at the Sports Clinic Bordeaux Merignac. He is out and his recovery will determine his availability.

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona)

“The procedure was performed by Dr Amel…

A Tottenham fan has been banned from attending football matches for three years after being found guilty of mocking the Hillsborough disaster.

The Crown Prosecution Service said that Kieron Darlow, 25, from Welwyn, made the gestures at the Liverpool v Spurs Premier League game at Anfield on April 30.

Andrew Page, of CPS Mersey Cheshire, said: “Darlow admitted making a gesture towards the Liverpool fans and that this was a reference to the Hillsborough disaster.

“He admitted that this was to suggest that fans without tickets had pushed forward in the tragedy and had been partly to blame for the crush that led to so many deaths.

A fan has been banned from football matches after making mocking tragedy gestures towards fans in relation to the Hillsborou…

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Tosin Adarabioyo in the summer transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Italian journalist has reported on that Adarabioyo is one of the defenders that Tottenham are monitoring at the moment.

Romano has claimed that Adarabioyo has decided to leave Fulham this summer. Fulham and the centre-back are unable to agree on terms on a new deal, and it has now reportedly been decided that the former England Under-19 international will be sold.

Adarabioyo made 23 starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League for Fulham last season. The defender scored one goal in those games. The 25-year-old also played four times in the FA Cup for Marco Silva’s side last season. During the 2021-22 campaign, Adarabioyo scored …

Best Odds: 1/2

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With all eyes falling on the Spanish capital this weekend, Atletico Madrid will welcome Los Blancos to the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday night.

Atletico Madrid

Starting with the hosts, suffering remarkable Champions League heartbreak away at Lazio earlier in the week, many will be wondering if Atletico Madrid show any signs of a hangover here. Eventually having to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at the Stadio Olimpico, Diego Simeone’s men have struggled to find much stability since returning from September’s international break. Marking their return from the fortnight interval with a woeful 3-0 drumming at the hands of Valencia, the former La Liga champions will be excited to make a return to the Spanish capital here. Last seen at the…

While Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal might steal most of Sunday’s headlines, there are plenty of other heavyweight affairs from across Europe’s elite.

So, for those of you who are looking to stick on a Sunday flutter, we have found a pair of noteworthy betting tips that can potentially offer a great bang for your buck.

14:00 Lille vs Clermont

Eventually falling short in their bid to book a Champions League return last season, Lille are desperate to go one step further this time around. Opening Sunday’s showdown sat just three points adrift of skyrocketing back into France’s top-three, Paulo Fonseca’s men will know the importance of making a statement of intent when they return to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Despite being forced to settle for a 0-…

Newcastle United are interested in signing Jonathan David from Lille in the summer transfer window, according to . The report in the French news outlet has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are also keen on the 23-year-old Canada international striker.

David is one of the best young strikers around and has been a big success for Lille. The Canada international, who can play out wide or as a centre-forward, made 36 starts and one substitute appearance for Lille last season. The striker scored 24 goals and gave four assists in those games.

During the 2021-22 season, the youngster made 32 starts and six substitute appearances in Ligue 1 for Lille. David scored 15 goals in those games. Newcastle have Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson on their books already, and it i…

Leah Williamson toasted an end to Arsenal s trophy drought as England s Euro 2022 captain helped the Gunners topple Chelsea in the Women s League Cup final.

The leader of the Lionesses is vice-captain of Arsenal, with the 25-year-old having been part of the side that won the 2018-19 Women s Super League.

Sunday s success at Selhurst Park was the first silverware the team have won since that league championship, with captain Kim Little scoring from the spot in a 3-1 win over Emma Hayes Blues.

Australia star Sam Kerr headed Chelsea into a second-minute lead, with the side from west London looking to follow up their FA Cup victory over Arsenal from seven days earlier.

However, Arsenal turned it around, with Swedish forward Stina Blackstenius slotting a 16th-…

Market: Ermedin Demirovic to score anytime

Odds: 8/5 @

Two sides who have their sights set on securing a top-half finish this season, Augsburg will welcome Heidenheim to Bavaria on Saturday afternoon.

Starting with the hosts, while Augsburg might have shown some extended inconsistencies this season, Jess Thorup’s men are enjoying a recent boost. Last seen putting in a stunning performance away at relegation scrappers Darmstadt as they secured a 6-0 romp, the Bavaria-based outfit have clinched back-to-back Bundesliga victories for the first time since the end of October. Opening Saturday’s showdown holding a one-point buffer from slipping out of the top-half, the former Copenhagen boss has also seen his squad enjoy a real flurry in the final third. Notching e…

Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness admits it will not be easy to prise Xabi Alonso away from Bayer Leverkusen due to competition from Liverpool and Real Madrid.

The reigning German champions look set to lose their Bundesliga title to Alonso’s Leverkusen side as they trail their rivals by 10 points.

That situation prompted the early announcement of Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel’s departure at the end of the season but Jurgen Klopp revealing in January he was leaving Anfield in the summer has hastened proceedings as a host of big-name clubs battle to find new managers this summer.

New direction for the new season: FC Bayern and Thomas Tuchel to end their working relationship in the summer.

— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN)

Al…

A goal in the second minute from Ollie Watkins secured a 1-0 win for Aston Villa over Arsenal on Saturday.

Beaten at Wolves on Tuesday, the Gunners slipped to a 10th Premier League defeat of the season as they made it three losses in a row to the Villans for the first time since 1993.

Mikel Arteta s men came into the weekend nine points outside of the top four and this result is another blow, while Dean Smith s Villa side have now reached 35 points, matching their tally from the whole of last season.

Debutant Mat Ryan conceded his first Arsenal goal before even touching the ball, Watkins shot on the turn deflecting in off Rob Holding after Bertrand Traore pounced on a mix-up between Cedric Soares and the returning Gabriel.

3 Ollie Watkins is the first Ast…