BBC Scotland to show Hibernian v Partizan Belgrade
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Daily Mirror
a few seconds ago
- Daily Mirror
Sunderland vs West Ham Premier League prediction, odds and betting offer
Sunderland host West Ham as the Premier League returns to Wearside, with Regis Le Bris chasing survival and Graham Potter seeking a reset Sunderland step back into the big time this weekend, with West Ham United the visitors for a long‑awaited Premier League fixture on Wearside. For the red‑and‑white end of the city, it is a day charged with memory and possibility. After four successive escapes, the drop finally came in 2016/17. An immediate reset never materialised. Instead, came a second relegation and a stark spell in the third tier for the first time since the mid‑80s. It took four seasons to climb back to the Championship, a play‑off miss in 2022/23, then a 16th‑place stumble that left ambitions trimmed. Last term flipped the script. Targeting a top‑half finish, Sunderland surged into the play‑offs and found late‑show nerve when it mattered, edging Coventry City in the semis and Sheffield United in the final with stoppage‑time drama. Promotion restored, the remit now is simple: stay up. Regis Le Bris has credit in the bank after masterminding the rise and has been backed accordingly, with more than £136m invested in new faces. Yet the challenge is brutal. The last six promoted sides have all bounced straight back down, and Sunderland's promotion points haul trailed the tallies posted by Burnley, Luton Town, Sheffield United, Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton. Margins will be razor‑thin, and the Stadium of Light's energy must become a weekly advantage. Le Bris's early priorities are clear: tighten the defensive structure without blunting the intensity that carried them up; settle key signings quickly; and make home starts count. A strong first impression against experienced Premier League opposition would buy time and belief. West Ham arrive off an underwhelming campaign: 14th in the league and early exits from both cups. Graham Potter inherits a talented group but also a fanbase unconvinced by recent direction. The European nights under David Moyes — Conference League glory and deep Europa runs, most recently in 2023/24 — feel further away than the calendar suggests. First task for Potter is to rebuild trust and connection. Sunderland vs West Ham Sunderland - 21/10 Draw - 12/5 West Ham - 13/10 18+ | Gamble responsibly | | Odds subject to change Sunderland vs West Ham Sunderland to win and both teams to score - 5/1 Under 3.5 goals - 23/10 Xhaka over 1.5 tackles - 13/8 18+ | Gamble responsibly | | Odds subject to change Sunderland vs West HamB If you are on the lookout for the latest free bet offers, then look no further. Here, not only do we bring you numerous free bet offers, but all from the very best betting sites in the industry. Each bookie we recommend is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, so you know you are always betting on a safe and trustworthy site. Check out the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers here. Gamble responsibly Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too. We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit
Scotsman
30 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Hibs and Aberdeen learn European play-off opposition as match dates and kick-off times confirmed
Austrian and Romanian sides up next for Scottish clubs Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Only four Scottish clubs remain in Europe after a night of high drama in Dundee and Edinburgh. While Hibs progressed to the Conference League play-off round with a 4-3 victory over Partizan Belgrade on aggregate, they put their fans through a rollercoaster of emotions, losing 3-2 on the night at Easter Road despite the visitors being reduced to 10 men in the second half. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It was heartbreak for Dundee United, however, at Tannadice despite a stirring effort against Rapid Vienna. Jim Goodwin's men led 2-0 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate only to be pegged back by the Austrians before losing the tie in a cruel fashion in a penalty shoot-out. Hibs goalscorers Kieron Bowie (R) and Chris Cadden embrace at full time after the aggregate victory over Partizan Belgrade. (Photo by Ewan Bootman / SNS Group) | SNS Group Aberdeen and Celtic have yet to begin their European campaigns, while Rangers progression through to the Champions League play-offs ensure four clubs will be in action next week. Hibs head for Poland Hibs' reward for overcoming Partizan is a Conference League play-off tie against Legia Warsaw, who drop down from the Europa League after suffering a 5-3 aggregate defeat to AEK Larnaca of Cyprus. David Gray's side will welcome their Polish opponents to Easter Road for the first leg on Thursday, August 21 before travelling to Warsaw for the second leg one week later on Thursday, August 28. Both matches kick-off at 8pm. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Whichever team prevails over the 180 minutes will progress to the main league phase of Uefa's third tier competition while the loser will exit Europe altogether. Hibs progress means that their intervening Premiership fixture away to Falkirk on Saturday, August 23 will now be rearranged to a later date following a request from the Easter Road club to postpone the match in line with new SPFL rules which allows club involved in a European play-off to do so. The match at home to St Mirren scheduled for Saturday, August 30 has also been pushed back 24 hours to Sunday, August 31. Dons set for Romania Aberdeen have also discovered who they will face in their Europa League play-off. The Dons secured direct entry into the final round of qualifying thanks to their Scottish Cup final win over Celtic in May. Jimmy Thelin's side will come up against Romanian outfit FCSB - formerly known as Steaua Bucharest - with the first leg at Pittodrie on Thursday, August 21, kick-off 7.45pm, and the second leg seven days later on Thursday, August 28, kick-off 7.30pm. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Aberdeen's domestic league match against Dundee United scheduled for Saturday, August 23 had already been postponed.
Scotsman
30 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Ex Everton, Hearts and Rangers star details football comeback reasons as he gives International role a second chance
The ex Hearts and Rangers striker returns to coaching after almost a year since his last job Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... With the World Cup 2026 Qualification campaign just around the corner, Steve Clarke has made some changes to his coaching staff setup. It will be the 61-year old's fourth qualification campaign since he was appointed National Team manager in 2019. Scotland will play Denmark, Greece and Belarus, as they strive to make their first World Cup finals in 28 years. The momentous fixtures will be played over September, October and November, with the opening match taking place in Copenhagen on 5th September. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Former Newcastle United manager, John Carver has been Clarke's right hand man of ;ate. However, the Geordie will now permanently manage Lechia Gdansk in Poland, leaving Clarke's assistant position vacant. Steven Naismith 'really looking forward' to Scotland assistant role Former Hearts manager plus ex Everton and Rangers player Steven Naismith has been appointed the Scotland National Team assistant manager amid a backroom staff shake-up. Naismith, who was capped as a player for his country 51 times, became a coach with Scotland after he hung up his boots in 2021 but moved on once appointed head coach at Hearts. Speaking on Clyde 1's Super Scoreboard, Naismith said he is relishing the opportunity to help Scotland qualify for the World Cup. The ex Everton, Hearts and Rangers man said: 'It'll be good, the first time around it was a brilliant role for me where I was, but it's slightly different now in that I've not got another position (not coaching at club level). 'I think with the group we've got it's doable to get to a World Cup. It's the biggest thing the manager is striving for and also the players. They've made two Euros and a World Cup would be lovely so I'm really looking forward to see how we get on.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The former Hearts man also highlighted the differences in the squad from his last stint as Scotland coach: 'the first time around, a lot of the players were at the early stages of their International careers, now everybody's much more experienced.' Naismith will be joined by Leicester City set piece coach, Andrew Hughes, who will join the National Team in the same role. Clarke 'delighted' to have Naismith back Before Carver, Alex Dyer was his right hand man, but went on to take up the manager's post at Kilmarnock. As Clarke reunites with Naismith, the Scotland boss is clearly happy that he has decided to get back into football. Clarke said: 'I am delighted to have Steven (Naismith) and Andrew (Hughes) with us for the World Cup qualifying campaign. "Steven has been with us before and brings a real complementary skill set to myself and Alan Irvine. He has had opportunities to return to full-time club football, so it says a lot for his pride in the national team that he has agreed to join up with us again.'
