Managers are being scrutinised more than ever, and with good reason. The fans and owners expect results from their teams, no matter who their players are. Whether it’s Huddersfield Town or Manchester City, every manager knows that their owners can pull the plug at any time.
Croatia shocked most of the soccer world with its run to the World Cup final, although we here at The18 saw it coming. In order to prove that was no fluke, I'm doubling down on my bold World Cup predictions, this time four years in advance of the tournament instead of one. If you're wondering who the Croatia of the 2022 World Cup will be, you don't need to look any further than their neighbor (and historical rival) to the east.
This scenario is like Football Manager once you get deep enough into the game — eventually, all the top players start to become managers. Some experience considerable success and bounce around the top teams in the world, while others are stuck meddling around with teams in the lower divisions of various leagues.
Steven Gerrard at Rangers
Frank Lampard at Derby
Kevin Nolan at Notts County
Harry Kewell at Crawley Town
For those who grew up watching the Champions League in the early 2000s, the extended absence of 2009-10 champions Inter Milan has certainly been felt. Between 2002 and 2012 there was a 10-season period in which Inter always had a seat at club football’s most prestigious banquet, but the 2018-19 campaign will mark Inter's first appearance in seven years.
We are nearing what promises to be an absolute roller-coaster of a Premier League season. There are plenty of storylines surrounding it: can Pep Guardiola go back-to-back? Will Jose Mourinho break his third-season syndrome? Who will win the league within the Premier League and finish seventh? We answer all of those questions in our Premier League predictions for the upcoming season.
Agree? Disagree? Let us know where you think these teams will finish.
1st - Manchester City
Are you in a Fantasy Premier League competition with your friends? Do you want to kick their ass this season? If your answer is “yes” to both of those questions (and it should be), then we are here to help you.
Everyone needs a top bargain buy in Fantasy Premier League — a cheap player who'll get you points is absolutely phenomenal. Who will be the best players available on the cheap in Fantasy Premier League this season? We’ve compiled our top five players that will deliver plenty of points for your team.
The new English Premier League promoted clubs are Wolves, Cardiff City and Fulham. The three new kids on the block replace the relegated teams of Swansea City, Stoke City and West Brom. The newly promoted clubs climbed up the ranks from the EFL Championship, and we’re here to let you know what they’re all about. Plus, why you should cheer for each one.
After all, they’re playing with the big boys now.
The Spanish football season begins on August 12, 2018, with the Supercopa de España in Tangier, Morocco. That trophy match will be contested by La Liga winner Barcelona and Copa del Rey runner-up Sevilla, and it’ll serve as the curtain raiser for the new league season. The La Liga fixtures for 2018-19 were announced Tuesday, including opening weekend matches and the dates for this season’s El Clásicos.
The Croatia World Cup final vs. France is definitely something historic for the Balkan country.
Not many countries have had the honor of reaching that stage.
This has all the more merit considering how young the country is — Croatia was formed as a nation state in 1991 after the dissolution of Yugoslavia.
It’s here. The World Cup final. The culmination of one of the greatest World Cups we’ve ever seen will pit the stars of France against star-aligned Croatia. And The18 has all the World Cup final predictions and previews you could want.