Edgar Davids has hailed the focus shown by Neymar in improving his craft since his move to Barcelona but says he is still not on the level of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Neymar who joined Barca in June 2013 is in the running to win the FIFA Ballon d Or but is up against stiff competition in club colleague Messi and Real Madrid star Ronaldo for the honour.

In the last seven years Messi has won the award four times while Ronaldo has received the gong on three occasions and could win it for the third consecutive year when the recipient is announced on January 11.

Brazil captain Neymar scored 39 goals in all competitions last season and already has 16 to his name in this campaign, his efforts in adjusting to European football and then thriving drawing praise …

Market: Under 2.5 goals

Odds: 7/10 @

Desperate to try and find a much-needed boost in midweek, Tottenham will make the trip to Molineux on Wednesday night when they face off against Wolves.

Starting with the hosts, while Wolves might have managed to mark their return from the international break with a 2-0 win against Watford on the road, the Oranges drastically failed to keep up that momentum over the weekend. Missing out on what they thought was a golden chance at Molineux, new boss Bruno Lage saw his side get hit with a 2-0 loss against Premier League debutants Brentford. Losing four of their opening five top-flight contests, including a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Spurs last month, there is no doubt that the former Benfica boss will have a real headache over …

Stefano Pioli felt Milan demonstrated their strength in depth in a 2-0 Serie A victory over Venezia at San Siro.

Pioli rung the changes following the draw with Juventus on Sunday, with Fode Ballo-Toure coming into a new-look defence for his first start.

The Rossoneri dominated possession but did not register a shot on target until Brahim Díaz turned in a first-time cross from substitute Theo Hernandez midway through the second half.

Marauding full-back Hernandez, who came on along with Fikayo Tomori and Alexis Saelemaekers just before the hour-mark, doubled Milan s advantage eight minutes from time as they moved level on points with leaders and fierce rivals Inter.

It had been a frustrating evening for Milan until Diaz struck with his third goal of the s…

Just weeks after the end of the 2009/10 Ligue 1 season, French defender Sebastien Puygrenier has stated his desire to return to Monaco. Puygrenier, 28, is currently contracted to Russian giants Zenit St.Petersburg, but spent last season on loan at ASM and is keen to return to the Principality club soon.

Limoges born Puygrenier started his career with Rennes before switching to Nancy. Some eye catching performances for Nancy earned him a move to Zenit in 2008, but he was unable to settle down in Russia and was loaned out in January 2009 to Bolton Wanderers. He scored the Trotters 4000th goal in English football against Tottenham in the same month.

Puygrenier has stated that negotiations are on between Monaco and Zenit and he is hopeful that something concrete will materi…

With his side set to face Uruguay in Saturday s third place play-off, defender Marcell Jansen echoed captain Philipp Lahm s hopes that Germany s young side can emulate the rise of World Cup finalists Spain.

Despite suffering key injuries in the run up to the finals, Germany have played some of the tournament s best football by hammering both England and Argentina before losing Wednesday s semi-final 1-0 to Spain.

Germany may have failed to reach the final but there have been many positives with the greatest one being the unearthing of rising stars Mesut Ozil and Thomas Mueller.

The Spanish face the Netherlands in Sunday s final in Johannesburg and Jansen says Germany are hoping to repeat Spain s rise, to European champions they beat Germany 1-0 in the Euro 2008 …

Charlie Austin made a dream Southampton debut by heading an 87th-minute winner to sink a dire Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford.

Austin returned to the Premier League this week as Saints pounced for the former QPR man, and he stepped off the bench late in the day to illuminate an otherwise dull encounter that did nothing to enhance Louis van Gaal s standing with United supporters.

The home faithful did not hold back displeasure as their side fail to score before half-time for an 11th consecutive home game and Juan Mata s half-time introduction brought no more than sporadic flickers of life in attack.

Southampton carried a set-piece threat before Austin entered the fray in place of Sadio Mane in the 79th minute and his decisive goal owed something to an over-e…

that former West Ham United captain Kevin Nolan has rejected a move to an unknown top division French club to stay in London.

The thirty-three year old left Upton Park by mutual consent last month and has been training with League Two promotion hopefuls Leyton Orient to maintain his fitness.

Bournemouth and Sunderland have been linked with a move for the former Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle United man, who’s next appearance in the Premier League, should he make one, would be his four hundredth in the division.

During his time with West Ham, Nolan played one hundred and fifty-seven times in all competitions scoring thirty-one goals while he was part of the squad that won promotion to the top-flight via the play-offs in 2012.

He was named the Champ…

Alan Shearer believes the Football Association s decision to recall Wayne Rooney to the England squad has reduced next week s international friendly with the United States to a testimonial.

Rooney will make his first international appearance for two years on November 15 after it was confirmed he would be included in England s squad to face United States at Wembley.

Former Three Lions captain Rooney last played for England in November 2016 but will make his 120th and final appearance for his country next Thursday.

The international friendly has been dubbed The Wayne Rooney Foundation International and some of the proceeds from the game will go towards the Manchester United great s charity.

While former England striker Shearer is pleased that DC United f…

France Football is reporting that former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri could be offered a job at Stade Allianz Riviera.

Nice have enjoyed a tremendous season under Lucien Favre, but with the Swiss coach reportedly the number one target for Borussia Dortmund, les Aiglons want the Italian to replace him if he does leave.

Les Aiglons chairman Jean-Pierre Rivere has already contacted Ranieri to sound out his interest and it is believed the Italian is keen on taking over the reigns at Nice.

Namely, while Lyon and West Ham are also interested in his services, the Premier League winner prefers moving to Stade Allianz Riviera due to the fact that he is now based in nearby Monaco.

Ranieri miraculously led Leicester City to the 2015/2016 Premier League troph…

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker:

Looking to move one step closer to the knockout stage on Thursday night, West Ham will welcome Anderlecht to the London Stadium.

West Ham

Starting with the hosts, while West Ham might have opened the 2022/23 campaign in the midst of a worrying run of form, it appears that the Hammers have put those issues behind them. Last seen over the weekend mounting a comeback on home soil as they picked up a 3-1 victory against Premier League returners Fulham, David Moyes men have begun to push their way up the top-flight standings. Really breaking the bank this summer, the former Manchester United boss has seen his side enjoy an eye-catching boost since returning from September s international break. Impressing many as they reached the semi-final…