Latest news with #JhonDurán
New York Times
21-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Manchester City vs Aston Villa odds: Is Joško Gvardiol Pep Guardiola's secret weapon?
For more stories like this click here to follow The Athletic's sports betting section and have them added to your feed. The Premier League may have robbed us of a thrilling title race and dogged relegation battle, but it has delivered on the Champions League qualification front. Five points separate seventh-place Chelsea from third-place Newcastle – and there's no guarantee it'll remain that way after the mid-week slate. Advertisement Fortunately, the fixture gods have pitted two contenders against each other on an otherwise uneventful Tuesday evening: Aston Villa versus Manchester City. The Villans sit sixth in the table on 57 points, trailing Nottingham Forest only by goal differential, while the wounded Citizens are currently fourth on 58 points. Due to injuries and various transfer endeavours, we aren't expecting a repeat of last Christmas Eve's fiery 2-1 showdown. So, we've assessed each side's chances and their potential betting value… In the latter stages of 2024, City resembled a team made up of sentient traffic cones. With each turnover of possession, their defensive vulnerabilities became more and more apparent. Meanwhile, Villa's attack relied heavily on super-sub Jhon Durán, who was drastically overperforming his underlying metrics. Four months into 2025, neither side are recognizable. Since February 15th, the Villans have become the third-most potent attack in the league, only trailing behind Liverpool and Brighton in Expected Goals (xG) created, per Understat data. Coincidentally – or not – that date coincided with the first time Marcus Rashford joined fellow January transfers Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen on a pitch. Before their arrival, Villa's chance creation was at a crossroads. Durán was a game-changer off the bench but failed to mesh with the incumbent Ollie Watkins. Both players favoured a 'shots only' approach, which, when combined, wreaked havoc on the team's attacking dynamics. While Durán's one-dimensional approach posed problems, relying on the fading Leon Bailey was far more concerning. The injection of Rashford, Malen and Asensio offered more quality and, perhaps even more importantly, versatility. Each player could play multiple positions across the field, either pairing with Watkins or replacing him outright. This flexibility is why Villa's attack has remained productive and consistent despite Unai Emery's frequent squad rotations. Advertisement For Pep Guardiola, the task has not been about rejuvenating the attack but fortifying the midfield and defence. Bringing in former Eintracht Frankfurt winger Omar Marmoush was a flashy purchase. But, the recent improvement in performances suggests the Catalan coach has also strengthened the defence – and the data proves it. Since February 15, Villa rank third in xG creation, while Man City position third in xG allowed during that same time frame. The catalyst for the defensive improvement should largely be credited to Nico González. The 23-year-old's xG-allowed splits are particularly eye-opening. Per FBref, Only John Stones, Nico O'Reilly and Jeremy Doku's xG-allowed per 90 rank lower than González's 0.96 mark. It's important to remember that xG on/off splits are very volatile and require a lot of contextual framing. But in this case, it's a welcome arrival of fresh legs to an ageing midfield. Erling Haaland's absence is glaringly obvious. But, sidestep the ruse, and you'll see the biggest area of concern is the defence – or what's left of it. No John Stones to command the back line or Rodri to anchor ahead has forced Guardiola to deploy left-back Gvardiol in a more central position. While he's no longer getting the freedom to combine with attackers, supply his teammates with shrewd passes in the box, or let loose screamers from tight angles, the Croatian international is still doing a lot for the City attack. Josko Gvardiol vs. Everton Successful Passes: 81 Expected Threat: 0.17 Progression via pass: 7.23 Progression via carry: 3.1 Donations — markstats bot (@markstatsbot) April 19, 2025 Draw, Both Teams to Score (15/4) The one caveat to include when talking about City's defensive turnaround this year is that the teams they have faced recently haven't been strong opponents. Since March, they've held four sides to 1.0 xG or less. Those four clubs – Forest, Leicester City, Manchester United and Everton – are not just struggling (Forest) or holistically bad (the other three) but also rank among the bottom seven clubs in xG created this season. Advertisement A trip to Manchester could make things dicey for Emery's troops, but Villa's results on the road suggest otherwise. Five of the Villan's last six away games have resulted in victories, with their only loss during that stretch coming against arguably the best team in world football – Paris Saint-Germain – in the Champions League quarter-finals. Incidentally, the last time City played a strong attacking team at home was a 2-2 draw to Brighton in March, where even the Seagulls managed to slightly edge the Citizens in the xG battle. Given the tactical similarities between Brighton and Villa, getting nearly 4-to-1 odds to see a similar result seems too good to pass up as the top four race intensifies. Betting/Odds links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo of Josko Gvardiol: Matt McNulty / Getty Images)
Asharq Al-Awsat
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Nassr Defeats Esteghlal, Advances to AFC Elite Champions League Quarters
Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr qualified for the AFC Elite Champions League quarterfinals after defeating Iran's Esteghlal 3-0 on Monday in the second-leg match played at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh. Jhon Durán netted two goals for Al-Nassr in the 9th and 84th minutes, while Cristiano Ronaldo added another from the penalty spot in the 27th minute. With the victory, Al-Nassr secured a spot in the quarterfinals following a goalless draw in the first-leg match held in Tehran.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jhon Durán scores another brace for Al-Nassr
Take a look at Jhon Durán's amazing brace in Al-Nassr's 3-2 away win over Al-Ahli in February 2025 in the Saudi Pro League.
Daily Tribune
09-02-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Saudi Sport's New Era: Youth Takes Center Stage
At 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the biggest name in the Saudi Pro League, continuing to perform at a level few can match at his age. But while the Portuguese superstar is still at the forefront, the landscape of Saudi sport is shifting—toward youth. Football's Fresh Faces This transition was evident on a hectic week in Riyadh. At Al Nassr, Jhon Durán, just 21 years old, made a dazzling AFC Champions League debut in a dominant win over Al Wasl. The Colombian striker opted for Saudi Arabia over England's Premier League, signaling a new trend in the SPL's recruitment strategy. A day later, Al Hilal reinforced their regional dominance with a 4-1 thrashing of Persepolis. Their squad featured exciting young talent, including Kaio César (20) and Marcos Leonardo (21)—players who had attracted interest from Europe's biggest clubs before choosing Riyadh. This shift away from veteran stars is evident in the numbers: over 50 signings in the January transfer window, with more than half aged 23 or younger. LIV Golf's Youth Movement The youth revolution is not limited to football. LIV Golf, backed by Saudi investment, has brought in elite players like Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka but is also attracting rising stars. This weekend, Tom McKibbin (22) made his LIV debut in Riyadh, joining Rahm's Legion XIII team after making waves on the European Tour. While some, including Rory McIlroy, advised him against the move due to limited access to golf's traditional majors, McKibbin embraced the opportunity, calling the atmosphere 'cool' and tailored for younger players. Another rising talent, Caleb Surratt (20), bypassed college to join LIV, citing faster development opportunities alongside the sport's elite. A Changing Sporting Landscape Eighteen months ago, Saudi sport's recruitment model was defined by superstars past their prime. Now, it is increasingly about building for the future, with young talents choosing Saudi Arabia as a first-choice destination rather than a final stop. From football to golf, the Kingdom's sporting ambitions are evolving—and getting younger.
Gulf Insider
08-02-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Insider
Al Nassr Reclaims Third Place With 3-0 Victory Over Al Fayha As Jhon Durán Shines
Al Nassr reclaimed third place in the Saudi Pro League standings after securing a commanding 3-0 victory over Al Fayha on Friday night, with Colombian forward Jhon Durán making an instant impact by scoring his first two league goals. The win propelled Al Nassr to 41 points, reinforcing their position in the top three, while Al Fayha remained at 16 points, slipping to 14th place in the table. Durán opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, marking his first goal in the Saudi Pro League, before doubling his tally in the 72nd minute to strengthen his team's lead. The night was also special for Cristiano Ronaldo, who celebrated his 40th birthday as fans at Al Awal Park chanted his name in the 40th minute. Just minutes later, the Portuguese star sealed the victory in the 74th minute, scoring his 16th goal of the season to maintain his position as the league's top scorer. Head coach Stefano Pioli opted to rest Otávio and Mohamed Simakan, ensuring they are fresh for Al Nassr's highly anticipated clash against Al Ahli in the next round.
