Chelsea vs Ajax: Enzo Maresca’s young stars shine in 5-1 Champions League win over Ajax

Chelsea vs Ajax: Enzo Maresca’s young stars shine in 5-1 Champions League win over Ajax

Champions League nights at Stamford Bridge are back this season, and so far, have been delivering to the Chelsea faithful, with a 5-1 win over Ajax the latest triumph.

The success on the night of Wednesday, October 23, was Chelsea’s fourth win in four games - Benfica, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and now, Ajax.

Despite the unavailability or lack of match fitness of key players, Enzo Maresca still managed to pick up yet another important win.

He fielded a young squad, with the starting XI having an average age of 22 years and 163 days - the second youngest in the competition's history. Still, the youngsters proved themselves in front of the home crowd.

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What Spain’s dominance in Padel says about football’s debate between culture and investment
Padel, Padel news, Soccer, Soccer news Vanely Barumire Padel, Padel news, Soccer, Soccer news Vanely Barumire

What Spain’s dominance in Padel says about football’s debate between culture and investment

It has often been said, mainly by American sports commentators, that if the United States invested as much time and money in football (soccer) as it does in the NFL, the country could compete more effectively. And by compete they mean for the World Cup title.

It is a debate that has been had for years, and while many have dismissed the claim, could they actually compete? More investment means more success, right?

Looking at Spain's dominance in Padel, Sports News Blitz’s Vanely Barumire will try to get to the bottom of the age-old question: Is success in football based on culture or financial backing?

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EFL news: Lampard has Coventry City dreaming as Bristol Rovers, Huddersfield continue to struggle
Soccer, Soccer news, EFL news Charlie Gardner Soccer, Soccer news, EFL news Charlie Gardner

EFL news: Lampard has Coventry City dreaming as Bristol Rovers, Huddersfield continue to struggle

The English Football League (EFL) returned to action at the weekend after a brief hiatus for the international break, immediately producing some instant classics and no shortage of talking points at both ends of the table.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Charlie Gardner takes a look at what happened in the recent matchweek.

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Premier League news: Super-sub Buendia rescues Aston Villa as lacklustre Tottenham falter at home

Premier League news: Super-sub Buendia rescues Aston Villa as lacklustre Tottenham falter at home

Super-sub Emi Buendia helped Aston Villa stage a comeback 2-1 victory over a lacklustre Tottenham side in London on Sunday.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce takes a look at the visitors’ two difference-makers in securing what could prove to be a crucial three points.

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Premier League betting tips: Chelsea to win, Liverpool vs Man Utd to yield obvious results, and more

Premier League betting tips: Chelsea to win, Liverpool vs Man Utd to yield obvious results, and more

Is it just me, or do these international breaks now feel like they last longer than a Shawshank prison sentence?

Last Sunday was ridiculous. I was so bored without my fix of Premier League football that I ended up stripping the bed.

Can I also say that the people who make fitted sheets need to have a proper sit-down with the folk who make mattresses? Making the bed should not be like trying to put a swimming cap over a snooker table.

That aside, we are back, baby. Slack 6/1 Bet Builder winner for the column last time out, so let us see what this weekend brings.  

Read on for a breakdown of the best bets from the Premier League's TV games from Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate - The Bookie Basher - including Liverpool’s crunch clash with Manchester United.

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Premier League on Sky Sports: Liverpool vs Man Utd betting preview and tips

Premier League on Sky Sports: Liverpool vs Man Utd betting preview and tips

This weekend, Super Sunday serves up a classic as Liverpool welcome fierce rivals Manchester United to Anfield.

Here, Sports News Blitz outlines all the best bets and key stats ahead of the clash.

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Premier League on TNT Sports: Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea betting preview and tips

Premier League on TNT Sports: Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea betting preview and tips

The Premier League returns from the international break with a lunchtime clash at the City Ground as Nottingham Forest welcome Chelsea to the East Midlands.

Here, Sports News Blitz outlines all the best bets and key stats ahead of the match.

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Premier League on Sky Sports: Fulham vs Arsenal betting preview and tips

Premier League on Sky Sports: Fulham vs Arsenal betting preview and tips

Craven Cottage plays host to a capital clash this Saturday evening as Fulham welcome high-flying Arsenal to west London.

Here, Sports News Blitz outlines all the best bets and key stats ahead of the match.

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Liverpool vs Man Utd: Five key battles ahead of the Premier League clash at Anfield this weekend

Liverpool vs Man Utd: Five key battles ahead of the Premier League clash at Anfield this weekend

Manchester United travel to Anfield this Sunday in what is a staple fixture in the English football calendar between both Premier League giants.

Sunday, October 19, at 4:30 pm will commence the 1000th anniversary Man United have faced Liverpool at Anfield.

In this article, Sports News Blitz writer Will Thomas looks at five key battles to look out for ahead of the big game.

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Premier League on Sky Sports: Tottenham vs Aston Villa preview, predictions and betting tips

Premier League on Sky Sports: Tottenham vs Aston Villa preview, predictions and betting tips

Tottenham welcome Aston Villa to North London on Sunday, October 19, in a clash between two sides with top-six ambitions and momentum to match.

Spurs are flying high under Thomas Frank, while Unai Emery’s Villa are quietly piecing together a solid run of their own.

Sports News Blitz previews Spurs vs Villa, with stats and betting tips provided.

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Premier League on Sky Sports: West Ham vs Brentford preview, predictions and betting tips

Premier League on Sky Sports: West Ham vs Brentford preview, predictions and betting tips

Monday night lights at the London Stadium set the stage for a tense Premier League clash as West Ham host Brentford.

A fixture with more than a whiff of early-season jeopardy. Both sides are in desperate need of a result, and for the Irons, a fresh managerial era brings fresh expectation.

Sports News Blitz previews West Ham vs Brentford, offering stats and betting tips alongside.

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Premier League news: Manchester City vs Everton – Five key battles and score prediction

Premier League news: Manchester City vs Everton – Five key battles and score prediction

The first instalment of this weekend’s Manchester vs Merseyside double-header takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as Manchester City welcome Everton.

Ahead of the match, Sports News Blitz writer Jon Shea highlights five key battles to anticipate and offers a score prediction.

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Soccer opinion: VAR on trial - Should football maintain faith or scrap it for good?
Soccer, Soccer news, Soccer opinion, VAR, VAR opinion Ben Phillips Soccer, Soccer news, Soccer opinion, VAR, VAR opinion Ben Phillips

Soccer opinion: VAR on trial - Should football maintain faith or scrap it for good?

When video assistant referees were introduced to football, they were meant to represent progress, a step toward fairness and accuracy in a sport long defined by human error.

VAR promised to correct the infamous injustices of the past, from Thierry Henry’s handball in 2009 to Frank Lampard’s ghost goal in 2010.

The technology was sold as the answer to decades of controversy. Yet over five years after its introduction to the Premier League - fans, players and managers remain divided.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Ben Phillips looks into arguments for and against the continuation of the VAR project.

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The Saudi Pro League Needs Statement Signings Next Summer
Soccer, Soccer news, Saudi Pro League news Sports News Blitz writer Soccer, Soccer news, Saudi Pro League news Sports News Blitz writer

The Saudi Pro League Needs Statement Signings Next Summer

The Saudi Pro League (SPL) turned heads by entering the global transfer market with one of the most ambitious projects ever seen in professional football.

Thanks to the Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) unlimited resources, SPL clubs attracted Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez to the Middle East.

However, subsequent transfer windows have been underwhelming. The SPL needs more statement signings and there are some exciting options they could consider.

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Soccer news: Latvia vs England – Five talking points as Three Lions chase World Cup qualification
Soccer, Soccer news, FIFA World Cup news, England news Eloise Stevens Soccer, Soccer news, FIFA World Cup news, England news Eloise Stevens

Soccer news: Latvia vs England – Five talking points as Three Lions chase World Cup qualification

England head into Tuesday night’s clash against Latvia with 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification on the line as a win in Riga will see Thomas Tuchel’s men punch their ticket to next year’s footballing showcase in the United States.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Eloise Stevens looks at the key talking points ahead of the match.

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