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Listed No. 1 in the ICC rankings for bowlers in ODIs and T20Is, Imran Tahir was “sad” and “down” after going unsold at the IPL auction two months ago. But an injury to Mitchell Marsh opened a door for Tahir: he was signed as a replacement and shone with 3 for 28 in Rising Pune Supergiant’s seven-wicket win in their opening match against Mumbai Indians.After Mumbai raced to 41 for 0 in four overs with consecutive sixes from Jos Buttler, Steven Smith brought on Tahir, who bowled Parthiv Patel around his legs and then removed Rohit Sharma and Buttler within the space of three balls in his next over.”The way they were playing it looked like they were going to end up getting 200,” Tahir told after the match. “I always love challenges, and when I bowl I always look to get wickets. I was very fortunate to get Patel out and obviously, the next two wickets were very special. Those guys were really good against spin bowling and it was very special for me that I got them out and [I’m] really, really happy with the way the ball came out. I’ve been here for one week and I’m trying to do well because it’s a new team and they gave me a lot of confidence.”I always come on the ground with a smile on the face but inside I’m always ready to fight and try to give as much as I can. I love doing what I’m doing and I always look for a challenge.”Tahir expressed how disappointed he was when no franchise picked him at the auction in February, when he had a base price of INR 50 lakhs. He had been released by Delhi Daredevils after an unimpressive IPL last year, playing four matches for five wickets with an economy rate of 8.62.”I was obviously sad not to be part of this league [in the auction] but there’s nothing I can do about it,” Tahir said. “But really relieved and pleased with myself about playing the way I’ve been playing and just deliver it today.”I’m grateful to god and my family supported me, especially my wife. I was quite down when I didn’t get picked in the league. But our life carries on and I came here to prove myself again, that’s what my job is. I don’t blame no one for not picking me. My job, if someone picks me, is to come and perform, that’s what we do for a living.””I always come on the ground with a smile on the face but inside I’m always ready to fight”•BCCI

Supergiant played two legspinners – Tahir and Adam Zampa – in the absence of R Ashwin and left out Faf du Plessis from the XI. Zampa, their highest wicket-taker last season, did not impress as much as Tahir on Thursday, with 1 for 26 from three overs, but Ajinkya Rahane said the strategy of playing two attacking legspinners worked for them.”Both of them are attacking, both of them look to take wickets, and that’s very important in T20,” Rahane said. “Zampa did well for us last year, and Imran Tahir is a world-class bowler. It’s good to have them both in our side, and we, as a team, know they’re always looking to take wickets.”Rahane gave Supergiant’s chase of 185 impetus, scoring 60 off 34 that featured six fours and three sixes. He brought up his half-century off only 27 balls; Supergiant were 79 for 1 in the ninth over.”When you’re chasing 180-190, it’s important to continue the momentum after the first six overs,” Rahane said. “I knew I was batting really well, and striking the ball well. So, for me, it was really important to play with that same momentum. Smith was completely new [on the pitch] at that time. So, I just wanted to take my chances and play my normal shots. I mean, I didn’t take any risks. But it was important for both of us to keep rotating the strike and hit one boundary or six in an over.”When you are chasing 180 plus, it’s the openers’ job to consolidate the innings. For me and Mayank [Agarwal], our discussion was to play positive cricket. We did not set any target for the first six overs. We just wanted to play our attacking game, and later on just capitalise on that. Unfortunately, he got out, but I was batting well. And Smith was there, I told him I’ll take my chances, and he should just carry on and play a long innings.”

A fire accident at the Jharkhand team hotel forced their Vijay Hazare Trophy game against Bengal to be postponed to Saturday

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Mar-2017

A fire accident at Jharkhand’s team hotel in New Delhi’s Dwarka area on Friday morning has resulted in postponement of the second semi-final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The match between Jharkhand and Bengal will now be played on Saturday at Feroz Shah Kotla.”We were to assemble in the lobby at 7.30am as we usually do before a game, but at 7, I was asked to stay back in the room by Pratyush Singh as there was lot of fire and smoke at the ground floor lobby,” Ishank Jaggi, the Jharkhand batsman, told ESPNcricinfo. “It spread quite quickly and when we finally got out of our seventh floor rooms, all we could see around us was smoke. It was so thick that we couldn’t even see the far end of the lobby.”What added to our concern was the fire alarm didn’t go off, so we assumed it to be a small fire accident. But when there was a strong burning smell, we were asked to vacate immediately. The seriousness of it struck us only when we got out. The smoke spread to our rooms as well. That is when we were asked to run down the stairs.”After getting out of the hotel, MS Dhoni, the captain, along with the rest of the players and support staff were driven to the Palam grounds, where they are currently housed.The final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the Feroz Shah Kotla was subsequently postponed to Monday.

Marco Asensio has been a revelation in a central role for Paris Saint-Germain, keeping big-money signing Goncalo Ramos out of the side

Marco Asensio is not a striker. At least, that's what we were told.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, at various points last year, had a hole to fill through the middle. First, Karim Benzema was injured. Then, Rodrygo picked up a knock. Meanwhile Alvaro Rodriguez, despite scoring a memorable last-minute header to equalise in the Madrid derby, wasn't trusted to play 90 minutes as a pure No.9.

Asensio, for his part, never really had the chance to prove himself leading the line. Instead, Ancelotti favoured the Spaniard as an occasional right-winger, an emergency presence who has never quite reached the heights of his early, pre-knee-injury career. It made sense, then, that Asensio was allowed to leave without being handed a new deal. Ancelotti couldn't really fit him in the side, while the presumptive arrival of other key players would have made him an expensive backup.

Now, it appears, Ancelotti might have made the wrong call. Asensio, now of PSG, has been tasked with playing through the middle for Luis Enrique's side — and has done so with aplomb. The Spaniard has scored 2, set up 1, and been a constant source of chance creation in the role where Ancelotti simply would not play him. It has become clear, albeit in just a month of play, that Madrid might have let the wrong guy go.

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  A messy summer in Madrid

  Madrid, of course, weren't to know this at the time. Their whole summer, in fact, was a bit of a mess. Things started well with the pre-arranged arrival of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, but quickly took a turn. Karim Benzema was allured by the big money of the Saudi Pro League, while Kylian Mbappe, a potential target, elected to stay at PSG — and might even extend his stay if the Parisians enjoy a successful 2023-24 campaign.

  Los Blancos, in turn, went after a number of attacking players, but never signed a reliable striker. Joselu, brought in from Espanyol, is the kind of auxiliary option most mid-table sides would love to have. Arda Guler, snatched from under the nose of a complacent Barcelona, is more right-winger than out-and-out striker. Brahim Diaz, finally given a shot to impress after a two-year stint at AC Milan, has much the same problem.

  They reportedly made a massive bid for a yet-to-be-named top-tier striker. But no deal was ever agreed. Bellingham has been the unlikely provider in attack so far, with five in four games for Los Blancos. Still, despite his fine form, there are no guarantees that he can fill such a role long term. This is an elite, do-it-all centre-midfielder who can nick a goal, not a striker who has been used out of place for years. Madrid, then, have a problem.

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  A poor World Cup for Spain

  In a sense, it's hard to criticise them for not finding a solution. Ancelotti, 24 major trophies and all, is a reasonably good manager. When he elects not to deploy a player at any given position, he probably knows what he's talking about.

  Luis Enrique is perhaps deserving of the same tactical respect. Although he is not as accomplished of a coach as Ancelotti, this is still a Champions League winning manager who set up one of the most dominant attacking sides in recent memory in trophy-laden 2014-15 Barcelona. Trebles, contrary to popular belief, are not so easily won.

  But, ironically, Luis Enrique has been here before. He was an ardent supporter of an out-of-form Asensio during the World Cup, and deployed the player as a centre-forward for three out of four of Spain's games — and brought him off the bench in another. In those contests, Asensio had 10 shots, put two on goal, and scored just once.

  He was worryingly uninvolved in play, too. Spain routinely pinged the ball around their opponents, amassing over 60 percent possession in every game. Asensio still didn't see the ball much, amassing his most touches, 53, in a 7-0 battering of Costa Rica to open the tournament. Here was a right-winger awkwardly deployed as a centre-forward, and proving remarkably ineffective in the process. Spain's lack of finishing proved costly in their round of 16 exit, and Asensio was certainly among those to blame.

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  A turnaround for PSG

  Many were puzzled, then, when Luis Enrique once again called on Asensio to start through the middle when he took the PSG job in late June. The Spaniard was deployed as a centre-forward for each of his four preseason starts, and only found the back of the net once — an inconsequential finish during the 88th minute of a 3-0 rout of Jeonbuk FC. PSG, certainly, were short of striking options, but Hugo Ekitike had impressed in brief spells for the Parisians, and seemed more deserving of a look than his Spain counterpart.

  Luis Enrique changed his mind for the Parisians' drab draw to open the season, but moved Asensio back to a central role for their third fixture. The results were impressive. This time, Asensio was immensely influential. With Mbappe on his left and Ousmane Dembele on the right, Asensio roamed and linked play expertly. He wasn't expected to score as much as facilitate, find the right spaces and allow the legs and trickery of Mbappe and Dembele to do the hard work. He scored the opener against Lens — a fine curled effort — and provided two goal contributions a week later against Lyon.

  Asensio's numbers in possession were remarkably similar to those he recorded for Spain nine months before. He amassed 45 touches against Lens, and just 38 against Lyon. But he had space to operate in, and with PSG stretching opponents on the counter, Asensio was seldom forced to play away from goal. The result was the Spaniard at his best — influential when on the ball, and clinical in the right moments. It's exactly the kind of player Real Madrid need.

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  His long term future?

  This could all change rather quickly, though. PSG spent big this summer, and signed two No.9s to round out their squad. Goncalo Ramos — who disappointed on his PSG debut — was brought in from Benfica. Meanwhile, long-term target and friend of Mbappe's, Randal Kolo Muani arrived from Frankfurt. Both are young, proven goalscorers who would start through the middle for most teams in Europe. These are not the players that Asensio should be in the squad ahead of.

  But there's little room elsewhere. Dembele, although injury prone, is probably too talented to drop on the right. Mbappe isn't losing his place any time soon. And Enrique is likely too much of a 4-3-3 loyalist to try Asensio in a deeper role — one he wouldn't be an ideal fit for, anyway.

  Instead, then, Asensio might keep almost €150 million worth of strikers out of the team. Kolo Muani is just returning to fitness, while Ramos will need time to adjust to a new league. And perhaps there's something to be said for depth, too. Kolo Muani and Ramos could be expensive backups, but with Champions League and Coupe de France football — as well as what could be a surprisingly tough Ligue 1 slate — the Parisians will need legs.

  Until then, Asensio will likely be given his chance through the middle. And what seemed an unlikely experiment might just become a long-term solution, as well as a signal to the Spanish capital that they might have let the wrong player leave.

The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) have confirmed that 10 out of 17 players contracted to the Cobras franchise seek the removal of coach Paul Adams and will ask the Council for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to intervene. The dispute resolution body cannot make a binding order but will seek to mediate between the parties.The players’ grievances, which were formally recorded in May this year, have been specified for the first time in a SACA release but none of the players have been named. The players claim to have experienced a “a fundamental loss of confidence in the coach’s ability to lead the coaching of the team,” and “his inability to create an effective team culture, poor communication and man management skills, lack of tactical and technical knowledge and disorganisation in running proper practice and training sessions” as the reason for them seeking his removal.The players claim this has been the case since Adams took over four years ago, even though he has won five trophies in four seasons with the franchise. “According to the players the coach’s shortcomings back then were compensated for by the role played by senior players at the time and the situation has got progressively worse,” Tony Irish, SACA CEO said.In December last year, a player survey revealed the breakdown of the relationship but the players said the issues went unaddressed. Adams underwent a leadership course over the winter in an effort to improve his coaching skills. When the players learned of the Western Cape Cricket Board’s (WCC) intention to renew Adams’ contract in May, 10 players raised formal grievances while others supported the action. “We also know that players outside of the 10 sympathise with the grievance although have not put their names to it,” Irish said.An internal process was put in place to deal with the situation which culminated in the appointment of Paddy Upton as a mediator. Upton interviewed players and compiled a report which, in Irish’s words, “made a clear recommendation to the parties that the coach should stand down from the team, and be re-deployed in a different capacity if possible.” The Cobras chose not to implement that because they found material deficiencies in Upton’s report: he did not interview all their contracted players. SACA and the players reject this as a valid reason for ignoring Upton’s assessment.”We and the players concerned strongly disagree with this suggestion of the report’s deficiency. Upton was brought in to get an understanding of the grievance and to assist in resolving it, and he was specifically empowered to use whatever approach he deemed appropriate in doing so. He looked at the documentation, including the surveys, interviewed the individuals he considered relevant and produced a thorough report with a clear recommendation to the parties,” Irish said.The players remain firm in their demand that Upton’s suggestion is upheld and Adams stands down. The CCMA will take at least a month to complete proceedings and until then, it will be business as usual at the Cobras with Adams in charge. The squad has been in training and will kick off their season next Wednesday with a first-class fixture against Lions in Johannesburg.”The players care about the Cobras team and its ability to perform going forward. They are however extremely frustrated by the way their very legitimate concerns, which were clearly evident over nine months ago, have been dealt with and the length of time it has taken. They want the franchise to address the issue further,” Irish said.

Potential new Manchester United owner Sheikh Jassim is reportedly already eyeing an incredible move to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news involving Jassim and Neymar?

The deadline for third offers at Old Trafford has now passed, with Jassim making a final take-it-or-leave-it offer to take full control from the Glazers.

Jassim previously wanted a takeover 'done quickly' so he could help Erik ten Hag in the transfer market, and it looks as if the Qatari group are already identifying targets at Old Trafford, with Neymar potentially a huge statement signing.

Should Jassim’s offer prove to be successful, The Sun ‘understands that one of his first actions will be to make an incredible move to sign Neymar’.

They say that the forward ‘would be a marquee signing for the club to signal the new owners' intentions moving forward’, with PSG potentially open to offers due to the player’s struggles with injuries.

Setting the bar high…

Neymar is on a whopping salary of around €1bn-a-week (£950,000) in Paris, so Jassim would need to show his financial power to bring the Brazilian to Manchester. He's also a "huge fan" of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham, so appears to be hitting the bar high when it comes to possible additions to the squad.

The 31-year-old has scored 293 goals and has provided 188 assists during his 493-game club career for Santos, Barcelona and PSG, while he has also netted 77 times for his country, showing the quality he could bring to England.

Mark Goldbridge wasn't thrilled after hearing Neymar could be a target for the Red Devils, though, but he could be happier if it is Jassim taking over at United instead of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with The United Stand presenter hitting out at the possibility of Ratcliffe keeping the Glazers involved at Old Trafford.

Journalist Dean Jones has claimed it is "pretty significant" Tottenham Hotspur remain in the hunt for Luis Enrique amid recent links.

What's the latest Luis Enrique on and Spurs?

Things are going pretty badly for Spurs this season and even the exit of former boss Antonio Conte hasn't helped ease any problems on the field.

After all, Talksport pundit Jamie O'Hara slammed interim boss Cristian Stellini recently after the Premier League loss

to Bournemouth on the weekend at home, claiming the Italian "hasn't got a clue".

With that being the case, fans will be desperate for Daniel Levy to get his next managerial appointment spot on. And the club have been linked with Luis Enrique with reports in the media claiming suggesting Tottenham are keen on the 52-year-old.

Now, the former Barcelona boss has been touted in the media as a possible option even before Conte left and insider Jones believes it is "significant" that the rumours have not died down yet.

When talking on Chasing Green Arrows, the journalist said (10:29): “Spurs and Chelsea both want Luis Enrique as manager at the moment, they're both looking into that.

"It's pretty significant that Tottenham [are] still showing interest in him here.”

Does Luis Enrique want to work in the Premier League?

The 52-year-old Spaniard has actually been on the record about hoping to come to England and manage in the Premier League one day.

Indeed, he told Cadena Ser radio (via FourFourTwo): "I follow above all the Premier [League] because I would like to go to England to work.

"I wouldn't go to any team but to one that could do important things, which greatly reduces the number. I don't put my hopes up, really, because there are many candidates.

"I am lucky because my personal life fills me up. That it takes longer, that no offers arrive, well, it is what it is. I would go to a team with possibilities. That doesn't mean that I wouldn't work in Spain."

The only concern for Spurs there is the fact that he says he only wants to go to a team that can do "important things".

With that in mind, he may have looked at how serial winners Conte, Jose Mourinho and others have all failed to lift a trophy during their spells in north London.

However, seeing as the rumours remain, Luis Enrique clearly hasn't ruled himself out of the Tottenham job just yet. And so, it certainly could be significant that he remains a candidate at this stage.

Manchester United make their return to Premier League action away to top-four rivals Newcastle United this afternoon, with Erik ten Hag's men set to kick off what will be a hectic month of fixtures across all fronts.

Today's trip to St James' Park will be the first of three top-flight games in the space of a week for the Red Devils, with the Carabao Cup winners currently on a run of just three wins from their last eight matches in the competition.

If Champions League qualification is to be secured come the end of the season, then United will certainly need to improve upon that rather patchy recent record in the league, with a strong performance against the Magpies likely to be a perfect way to get April underway.

Ahead of the crucial meeting later today with Eddie Howe's men, Ten Hag has revealed a notable piece of positive injury news, with striker Anthony Martial set to return to the match-day squad for the first time since early February.

While it does appear that the Frenchman could be sold this summer after almost eight years at the club, in the short-term the Old Trafford outfit are certainly in need of a more natural, goalscoring presence in attack, with fellow forward Wout Weghorst netting just twice in 18 starts for United to date.

With Ten Hag previously suggesting that his side play their "best football" with Martial leading the line, it could be a real lift to see the 27-year-old return to the fold, particularly with doubts over teammate Marcus Rashford's fitness.

The forward line could also be bolstered by the inclusion of summer signing, Antony in the starting lineup, with the Brazilian "baller" – as hailed by journalist Sacha Pisani – having sparkled off the bench in the FA Cup triumph over Fulham last time out.

Will Antony start against Newcastle?

There's no denying that the £86m man has been a polarising presence since his arrival from Ajax – having been branded a "clown" by club legend Paul Scholes – yet when at his best it is hard to ignore the impact that the 23-year-old can have on the side.

The fleet-footed maverick was particularly impressive against the Cottagers prior to the international break, having simply "changed the game" following his introduction in the second half, according to former Manchester Evening News writer Hesham Bilal-Hefiz.

That 'game-changing' impact was evident as it was Antony's threaded pass that teed up Jadon Sancho in the build-up to the eventual penalty decision that flipped the tie on its head, with the visitors subsequently imploding to allow United to romp to victory.

Such a dazzling cameo also saw the mercurial talent register two key passes and also win five of his nine ground duels as a marker of his ability to make an impact both in and out of possession, having been a real livewire down the right flank.

The hope will be that the 5 foot 9 ace can replicate that display up against Newcastle later today, having previously 'toyed' with his opposite man Dan Burn when the two sides last met at Wembley, as per MEN correspondent, Samuel Luckhurst.

Although the £200k-per-week man will need to begin to provide a regular end product to mirror the notable flicks and tricks, on the evidence of his performance against Fulham last time out, he could well be the man to terrorise the opposition this time around.

Amid the prospect of having both the 16-cap dynamo and the aforementioned Martial in the attacking trio, Ten Hag could finally see things begin to truly fall into place with regard to the forward line.

Vusi Sibanda’s first T20I fifty and Elton Chigumbura’s audacious finishing ensured Zimbabwe had enough runs to beat Hong Kong, although they will be disappointed in an all-round messy performance

The Report by Firdose Moonda08-Mar-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsVusi Sibanda’s maiden T20I fifty gave Zimbabwe a strong total to defend•International Cricket Council

Vusi Sibanda’s first T20I fifty and Elton Chigumbura’s audacious finishing ensured Zimbabwe had enough runs to beat Hong Kong, although they will be disappointed in an all-round messy performance. Three run-outs stunted what should have been a more imposing total, and loose bowling and fielding, and a gutsy Hong Kong chase could have easily pulled the carpet out from under them.Jamie Atkinson’s career-best 53 held Hong Kong’s innings together but he battled against a constantly rising required rate which ballooned from a shave under eight to more than 13 with five overs left. With Zimbabwe’s slower bowlers struggling for control, Hong Kong were in it until almost the end, when the task proved just a little too much.Zimbabwe could have made it a much more comprehensive result with a better batting performance. They were plagued by lack of partnerships and soft dismissals, which started with the casualness of their captain.Hamilton Masakadza gave himself an over to get his eye in and then unleashed two fours and a six off seamer Haseeb Amjad. His innings, however, met a farcical end when he failed to ground his bat or his foot after setting off for a quick single. Babar Hayat nailed a direct hit from mid-off to catch Hamilton short. Sibanda, who had faced only one of the first 14 balls, took over from where Hamilton left off. Richmond Mutumbami, however, holed out to long-on for a three-ball duck.On a sticky pitch, Hong Kong’s captain Tanwir Afzal sensed Zimbabwe’s hurry and slowed them down. Sean Williams was particularly fidgety and fell when he attempted a cut and played on. Sikandar Raza was run-out in the next over, after Sibanda insisted on a second run, and Zimbabwe were left in trouble at 62 for 4 in 7.5 overs.Sibanda, though, knuckled down and built a steady partnership with Malcolm Waller. They were cautious against seamer Aizaz Khan and Ryan Campbell whose contribution was crucial in pulling Zimbabwe back from a score that seemed to be heading towards 170. Hong Kong conceded just 38 runs in the next six overs before Sibanda slammed left-arm spinner Nadeem Ahmed down the ground to raise his fifty off 40 balls.Sibanda showed signs of cutting loose, but just as his partnership with Waller looked to take off, it ended. Waller gave a gift to sweeper cover, trying to clear the boundary, and then both Sibanda and Donald Tiripano were dismissed. Hong Kong took three wickets in eight balls to leave Zimbabwe wobbling again.Elton Chigumbura, however, teed off early. He hit the ball cleanly and down the ground, slapping 30 off 13 balls to take Zimbabwe past 150. Ultimately, Chigumbura’s cameo turned out to be the difference after Hong Kong put up an impressive fight.Campbell and Atkinson started slowly in the chase against the discipline of Zimbabwe’s seamers. The slow-burn approach backfired when Campbell hit Tiripano straight to mid-on. Atkinson could have been removed an over later, on 10, had Sibanda not misjudged a catch at deep midwicket off Wellington Masakadza.Wellington then had some reward when he trapped Babar Hayat in front but his joy was short-lived. He was attacked by Mark Chapman, who also went after Raza. But the allrounder had the last laugh when Chapman hit him to deep midwicket with Sibanda redeeming himself.Atkinson, however, went on to bring up his maiden T20I half-century off 41 balls with a crunch down the ground off Tendai Chatara. Although Hong Kong needed 53 off the last four overs, they would have felt they had a chance.Zimbabwe brought back their seamers to finish things off. Tiripano rewarded his captain when he deceived Atkinson with a slower ball that he hit to long-on. But the threat from Hong Kong was only properly diffused in the penultimate over with a Chatara double-strike. His hat-trick ball was a beamer, which went for four, an indication of Zimbabwe’s sloppy performance. They sealed the win, but will be mindful of the need to tighten up to stay on top of the group.

The last international break for around four months is finally behind us as Glasgow Rangers return to Premiership action this weekend.

During the last break, the Gers were in crisis, having just sacked Michael Beale and the Ibrox hierarchy went on a mad dash to find an appropriate successor.

They announced Philippe Clement just a few weeks later, and it's safe to say, the move has gone swimmingly so far.

The Ibrox faithful shouldn’t get carried away, however, as there have been managers in the past who have enjoyed decent starts before their reigns turned into a disaster (looking at you Giovanni van Bronckhorst) and their feet should remain firmly on the ground.

The performances under the Belgian have been much better than what was served up under Beale and with a League Cup final to contest next month, the Light Blues could secure their first piece of silverware in 18 months.

A tie against Aberdeen in the league is first up, however, and following on from their 2-0 victory over Livingston last time out, Clement could make a few changes ahead of the trip to the north-east.

With that mind, here's how the Gers could lineup this weekend

1 GK – Jack Butland

The ever-present Rangers player has featured in every single match this season and his performances between the sticks have been excellent.

While Beale failed to really improve sections of the squad during the summer, luring Butland from England has proven to be a stroke of genius, and he will start once again versus the Dons.

The 30-year-old has kept eight clean sheets in 12 league ties and another one against Barry Robson’s men could be crucial.

2 RB – James Tavernier

The captain will be leading the side out on Sunday as he aims to maintain their recent excellent form by securing another three points.

Tavernier has scored 11 goals and grabbed three assists – no other Rangers player has more goal contributions – and he would love to add to this tally.

If he leads the Gers to a win, it will give them a major boost heading into the League Cup final against the same opposition in just three weeks.

3 CB – Connor Goldson

Connor Goldson has been solid under Clement so far, starting every match during his tenure, and the club have conceded only three goals in that period.

The defender has been a colossus at the heart of the defence, winning 72% of his total duels so far this season, and if he is in this type of mood, the Aberdeen forwards stand no chance.

4 CB – Leon Balogun

The question is, who will partner Goldson on Sunday? Balogun certainly deserves another start following his impressive display against Livingston a few weeks ago.

The Nigerian won a staggering 13 out of 15 total duels during the tie while also making four clearances and three interceptions to keep Livi at bay.

He may be approaching the end of his career, yet the 35-year-old is still a class act on the pitch when given a chance.

5 LB – Ridvan Yilmaz

Three of his four league starts have come under Clement and the Turkish gem should be given the opportunity to show his worth from the start against Aberdeen.

With the future of Borna Barisic still unclear, Yilmaz is the heir to his throne at left back and the more he plays, the better he will become.

6 CM – John Lundstram

The midfielder has returned to some solid form this campaign, and he will be unleashed in the starting XI for the ninth league game on the trot.

The Englishman has created two big chances and averages 1.1 key passes per game, linking the defence to the attack quite nicely, and he will be looking to prove to Clement that he deserves a contract extension.

7 CM – Jose Cifuentes

The former Los Angeles FC midfielder hasn’t started a match since the 3-0 win over St Mirren at the beginning of October, but three sub appearances in the last four matches indicate that he is ready to start.

This means Ryan Jack is dropped to the bench for the tie against his former team. The Scot has entered into the final year of his deal at the club, but he has been impressive this term.

The Ecuadorian needs game time, however, and once he returns to full fitness, he will be a key asset for Clement.

8 RW – Ross McCausland

The young winger has enjoyed a wonderful few weeks. Firstly, he made his first start for the Light Blues in their win over Livingston, winning a penalty and even scored, but the goal was disallowed.

Then, he made his debut for Northern Ireland during their recent Euro 2024 qualifier against Finland and it could be the beginning of a fine career for the starlet.

9 AM – Todd Cantwell

Often deployed out on the right-hand side this season, Todd Cantwell’s best position is just behind the striker.

Indeed, he scored four goals and grabbed four assists from that position during the second half of the 2022/23 season after he joined the club from Norwich City in January.

He should be unleashed by Clement as, when in top form, Cantwell is able to cause opposition defences plenty of trouble.

10 LW – Abdallah Sima

The on-loan winger has been wonderful this season since arriving in the summer from Brighton and Hove Albion.

He has been a solid attacking threat from the left-hand side, scoring nine goals already and his pace has been a valuable asset.

Expect him to start against the Dons.

Arsenal didn't wait around in the summer window, securing their targets early on and splashing the cash fresh from Premier League title heartbreak but, more importantly, a Champions League return. The Gunners welcomed the likes of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz in big-money moves, with the former enjoying a better start at The Emirates than the latter.

Mikel Arteta's squad is still not perfect, however, and that could cost them up against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City yet again by the end of the current campaign. The January transfer window could help ensure that they avoid the same heartbreak as last May, but recent news suggests that Arteta is set to be handed a major stumbling block in his pursuit of winter targets.

Arsenal transfer news

Arsenal's summer spending reportedly reached the €235m (£206m) mark, as they brought in Rice, Jurrien Timber, Havertz and David Raya in a busy window. Building on the side that pushed City all the way last season, Arsenal now sit behind Guardiola's side on goal difference alone, with the Premier League champions set to play their game in hand on the North London club. And whilst Arteta won't want to settle for second place, he may not have the option of turning to the January transfer window for extensive reinforcements.

According to Pete O'Rourke of Football Insider, Arsenal do not have the January transfer budget to sign a defensive midfielder, given the likely reported price of Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz. The plan was to reportedly attempt to sell Thomas Partey in the winter window, but his recent injury means that his departure is now unlikely to come before the summer.

With that said, it looks as though the Gunners will have to make do with their current squad, who could make it back-to-back seasons behind the winning machine that is Manchester City.

"Clever" Luiz would boost Arsenal

Given Partey's recent injury issues, there's no doubt that a January move for Luiz would provide Arsenal with a major boost. But Aston Villa are in a far stronger position to negotiate these days as they take steps back into European football under Emery. The fact that the Brazilian's contract doesn't expire until 2026, too, means that any deal is likely to be expensive and one that those in North London reportedly can't afford in January.

Luiz's stats compared to Partey's last season proves that the Villa man is more than capable of taking the former Atletico Madrid midfielder's place at The Emirates.

Player

Goals

Assists

Progressive Carries

Tackles Won

Blocks

Douglas Luiz

6

6

48

42

36

Thomas Partey

3

0

34

40

26

Luiz's performances for the Villans over the years have resulted in praise from the likes of Guardiola, who said via The Boot Room: "He’s a guy who plays all of the minutes. He’s an important player for Aston Villa. A guy who’s clever with the ball, so physically strong. He’s a lovely, lovely guy."

The midfielder looks like one to keep an eye on in the summer rather than in January, with Arsenal seemingly unable to pursue a deal during the winter window.