Melanie Gervasoni
Melanie is a freelance writer covering sports news, major event analysis, and match previews/reviews. Her articles feature athlete perspectives and insightful commentary on the latest developments across the sporting world.
Articles by Melanie Gervasoni
02
Feb
There’s nothing routine about a cup semi‑final, especially when the holders need a miracle to stay alive. On Wednesday 4 February, the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi‑final sees Manchester City host Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium. Kick‑off is scheduled for 8 PM (UK time).
Pep Guardiola’s men carry a 2-0 aggregate lead after a disciplined away performance at St James’ Park, where Antoine Semenyo struck on 53 minutes and Cherki added a stoppage‑time clincher. Newcastle, the reigning champions, couldn’t break down City’s defence and now need a heroic comeback. The reward is a place at Wembley.
Manchester City vs...
26
Jan
Liverpool return on Wednesday 28 January when they welcome Azerbaijani champions Qarabağ FK to Anfield for the UEFA Champions League league‑phase round 8 match. Kick‑off is scheduled for 20:00 GMT and, as always, the Kop will create a ferocious atmosphere under the floodlights.
This encounter looks, on paper, like one of the most lopsided fixtures of the round. Arne Slot’s men will expect to dominate possession and territory against a team who are punching well above their weight simply by appearing in the competition. Qarabağ, meanwhile, will travel to Merseyside with nothing to lose.
Liverpool vs Qarabağ – Betting Odds
The heavy...
20
Jan
On Thursday 22 January, the Estádio Municipal de Braga will reverberate to the sound of European football once again with the match between SC Braga and Nottingham Forest. Kick‑off in northern Portugal is set for 20:00 GMT (20:00 local time).
These clubs have never played a competitive match against each other. The only previous meeting was a 2016 friendly in which Nottingham Forest won 3–0. Manager Carlos Vicens and English counterpart Sean Dyche will both view this match as an opportunity to pick up crucial points and build momentum ahead of the knock‑out rounds.
Braga vs Nottingham – Betting Odds
Below is...
19
Jan
Europe’s elite football heads just north of the Arctic Circle on Tuesday 20 January, as Bodø/Glimt welcome Manchester City to the freezing confines of Aspmyra Stadion for Round 7 of the Champions League league phase. Kick-off is set for 17:45 GMT, with the Norwegian champions facing one of the continent’s most formidable sides.
As of now, City are comfortably among the top seeds while Glimt sit near the foot of the table. Below we analyse the betting markets and explain what each one means for punters in the UK.
Bodø/Glimt vs Manchester City – Betting Odds
This page focuses on the most...
18
Jan
If you’re new to the game (and yes, we mean football as in soccer, not the American kind), you might be wondering about something that seems simple: how long is a football match?
You’ve probably heard that a match is 90 minutes, but then someone mentions half-time, or games going into extra time and penalties, and it all gets a bit confusing.
We’re about to break down exactly how long a football game lasts under different situations, so you’ll know the football game length from kickoff to final whistle, including all the added bits in between.
How Long Does a Football Game...
23
Dec
The Premier League calendar squeezes a full round of fixtures into the holiday schedule. After the Boxing Day matches and a few days of recovery, the Eagles will host Spurs at Selhurst Park on Sunday, 28 December, with kick-off at 16:30 GMT.
Palace often find an extra gear in front of a noisy Holmesdale Road stand, while Tottenham’s ability to scrape points away from home will be tested by a fixture that falls right between their match with Liverpool and a New Year’s Day trip to Brentford.
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham – Betting Odds
The markets reflect how bookmakers expect this match...