Best Of Bets

Author: Best Of Bets

  • Tuesday Horse Racing: Daily Nap

    Tuesday Horse Racing: Daily Nap

    Today’s daily nap comes from Taunton at the 3:30pm race in the name of Hidden Beauty.

    Fergal O’Brian has his team in form with four winners from a dozen runners in February and today, the yard will unleash Hidden Beauty under a penalty in the extended 2m mares’ novice hurdle at Taunton. This sex-year old by Kapgarde won with plenty more in hand than the four-length margin of victory over re-opposing rival Passing Reflection when last in action at Doncaster less than a month ago.
    That display came after Hidden Beauty ran a fine fourth behind a couple of subsequent winners in Kateira and Fay Ce Que Voudras at Uttoxeter. A longer home straight on Town Moor played to her strengths when she cruised into the lead after jumping three out. Despite wandering about on the approach to the final flight, Hidden Beauty was already home and hosed so Paddy Brennan eased her down.
  • Next Leeds boss odds as Manchester United double header awaits

    Next Leeds boss odds as Manchester United double header awaits

    When Leeds signed United States midfield ace Weston McKennie and appointed American coach Chris Armas onto their coaching staff in late January, it seemed like a major show of support for under-fire manager Jesse Marsch.

    A week later, that theory has already been kiboshed. Marsch has been sacked after leading the Whites to just eight wins from 32 matches in charge; they’re now hovering above the relegation places only on goal difference. Little has changed in the year since Marsch was appointed to replace Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds clearly felt they needed to act following the 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

    Rivals like Everton, Bournemouth and Wolves have pulled the trigger on their managers this season with some success, with only Southampton’s managerial change going south (just watch Nathan Jones’ most recent press conference for evidence). Sacking managers has certainly been a huge trend of the post World Cup period in the Premier League, especially among those sides threatened by relegation. Leeds, as it stands, are 2/1 with most bookmakers to fall through the trapdoor.

    The problem at Elland Road now seems to be that there’s no obvious successor to Marsch – or at least no clear plan to replace him swiftly. There has been some tentative talk of a Bielsa return, although most bookies see that as a long shot at 9/1.

    West Brom boss Carlos Corberan is the current favourite, as short as 5/4 with some bookmakers at the time of writing, although his lack of Premier League experience is a concern for many. The Spanish coach certainly worked wonders at Huddersfield Town last season but Leeds, as Marsch and others can testify, is an enormous job.

    Mauricio Pochettino is a big enough name to satisfy those fans desperate for a statement appointment, although whether he’d involve himself in a relegation dogfight, when a tempting Tottenham Hotspur return might be on the cards soon, is doubtful. The bookies clearly agree, with some rating him 9/1 to take over at Elland Road.

    All this speculation comes just as Leeds prepare for a huge Premier League double header against fierce rivals Manchester United, playing them home and away in the space of four days.

    Armas – who worked as Ralf Rangnick’s assistant at Old Trafford last season – is almost certain to be in caretaker charge for the first game in Manchester on Wednesday night and the Leeds kingmakers must get their skates on to make an appointment before the rematch on Sunday.

    Erik ten Hag’s situation at Manchester United is altogether more calm and serene than the one facing Armas and Leeds right now. Even without the suspended Casemiro and the injured Christian Eriksen in midfield, the Red Devils are 4/5 favourites to win on Wednesday.

    It might be a different story by the time Sunday rolls round. But that all depends on Leeds and whether they can start marching together in the right direction again. We might then see a new manager bounce.

  • Cheltenham Festival: Will Honeysuckle Retire Before Cheltenham Festival or take on the Mares’ Hurdle?  

    Cheltenham Festival: Will Honeysuckle Retire Before Cheltenham Festival or take on the Mares’ Hurdle?  

    Cheltenham Festival: Will Honeysuckle Retire Before Cheltenham Festival or take on the Mares’ Hurdle?  

    Honeysuckle suffered only her second even defeat on Sunday in the Irish Champion Hurdle – her second loss on the bounce after an incredible run of 16 straight wins. However, the unfortunate recent results means that owner Kenny Alexander has ruled the 9 year old out of the Cheltenham Festival Champion Hurdle next month. Does this mean that the Mares’ Hurdle be Honeysuckle’s next race?
    With the risk of stating the obvious; horses can’t go on winning forever – unless, they are called Frankel. So even though it’s always sad to see a superstar horse, such as Honeysuckle, who has racked up a load of wins, losing a race, it’s inevitable  and something that will eventually happen more often than not.
    After winning her first 16 races, the Honeysuckle bubble burst at Fairyhouse at the start of December, when third in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, and even though many horse racing fans stuck with her on Sunday as she tried to win the Irish Champion Hurdle for a fourth time, it seems her invisibility powers are no longer after only managing second – beaten 4 3/4 lengths by the younger legs of State Man.
    And with two defeats on the bounce, it seems as that first defeat back in December wasn’t just a blip but instead, a sign that age is finally catching up with the 9 year-old Honeysuckle.
    Connections Rule Out Cheltenham Festival Champion Hurdle Defence
    Following Sunday’s defeat, her first at Leopardstown in five runs at the Dublin track, connections were quick to rule her out of the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, a race she’s won for the last two seasons.
    Therefore, a date with the classy Constitution Hill in the 2023 Champion Hurdle would not be fair for her at this stage of her career.
    Instead her owner Kenny Alexander was honest enough to say that there’s two options left for Honeysuckle – retirement or a tilt at the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival – an easier option running against her own sex and a prize she won in 2020.
    Honeysuckle’s owner – Kenny Alexander told the Racing Post “We’ll definitely not be taking on Constitution Hill, that’s for sure,” was owner  emphatic reply when I asked him what was next for his legendary mare.
    “I would fear what would happen against Constitution Hill and we’ve no desire to go running around for place money. It’s up to Henry. If he wants to chuck it now, that’s okay. I’ve always said that we have to get her out safe and sound. Maybe the time has come.
    “If we go for Constitution Hill, the mare is so brave and Rachael doesn’t muck about – we’d run to win and I’d dread for anything to happen to her now. I don’t think we can beat Constitution Hill. I’m not sure anything can beat Constitution Hill.”
    “I would be prepared to go for the Mares’ Hurdle, but let’s talk to Henry and Rachael. I’ll leave it to them – whatever they say we’ll go with. She doesn’t owe us anything. I’d love to win another Mares’ Hurdle with her and go out in a blaze of glory, but I don’t want anything to happen to her now.”
    Honeysuckle 2/1: Cheltenham Festival 2023 Mares’ Hurdle
    The bookmakers reacted with this news by pushing Honeysuckle out to 20/1 for the 2023 Champion Hurdle, with State Man at 3/1, but shorten her up in the Mares’ Hurdle (Tues, 14th March) to 2/1.
    2023 Cheltenham Festival Mares’ Hurdle
    • Honeysuckle 2/1
    • Maries Rock 7/2
    • Epatante 4/1
    • Brandy Love 4/1
    • Love Envoi 9/2
    • Echoes In Rain 11/2
  • Nathan Jones Favourite To Be Sacked

    Nathan Jones Favourite To Be Sacked

    Southampton manager Nathan Jones is odds-on to become the next Premier League manager to leave his post.

    In just a week, Jones has seen his odds nosedive from 14/1 to as short as 2/9, which suggest that his position as manager is most likely under review.
    This comes after a bizarre interview after Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Brentford, which saw Jones describe himself as“one of the best in Europe.” 
    In response to this, bookmakers have now made the former Luton Town manager the heavy favourite to be the next manager to get sacked.
    Meanwhile, Leeds manager Jesse Marsch finds himself in the runner-up spot following their 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
    The defeat saw Leeds go to seven league games without a win and the only reason the team remain outside the relegation zone is down to goal differences. In fact, Leeds are now without a Premier League win since the 5th November and despite a strong first half, the second half was anything but and the last of consistency is borderline painful to watch.
    In contrast, last week’s favourite David Moyes has drifted right out in the betting market from 3/1 favourite just four days ago to a 20/1 outsider to be the next manager to go. This comes after West Ham’s 1-1 draw against Newcastle – a game that suggested that Moyes still have his team behind him as they’re all ready to fight back.
  • Monday Horse Racing: Daily Nap

    Monday Horse Racing: Daily Nap

    Monday Horse Racing: Daily Nap

    From a quiet Monday racecard, today’s first daily nap comes from Fontwell at the 15:30 race in the name of Auriferous.

    This 5 year old gelding shaped up very nicely on his hurdling debut at Huntington 10 days ago and we wouldn’t be surprised if he came back just as strong today. Time-wise, the race at the Cambridgeshire venue turned out to be well above-average for the grade and with the distinct likelihood of even more to come now racing over further, Auriferous can strike at the second time of asking at track where his stable don’t often leave empty handed.

    Previously trained by Andrew Balding, the son Golden Horn was well-supported to make a winning start to his new vocation and although that looked like materialising at any stage, he did more enough to indicate that he has a very bright future ahead of him.

    Odds: 6/4 

    Our second tips of the day comes from Wolverhampton at the 7pm race in the name of Tothenines. 

    Tothenines, who has risen in the ranks after dropping in grade off a reduced mark. Following an eye-catching performance at Southwell last month and with tonight’s seemingly less taxing affairs may enable him to finally gain his reward for consistency.

    That last run was also his first try over a mile, having spent all his career racing over 5-7 furlongs, and not only did he relish the extra furlong but he stayed on particularly strongly in the closing stages, which opened up lots of new doors for himself in the process.

    Odds: 10/3 

  • Friday Horse Racing: Daily Nap

    Friday Horse Racing: Daily Nap

    Friday Horse Racing: Daily Nap

    Today’s daily nap comes from Chepstow at the 3pm race in the of Ree Okka.

    This dual winning hurdler, trained by Harry Fry, has now been turned over at the short prices on all three starts over fences this winter. And following a less perfect performance in Ludlow, today represents an excellent opportunity to get off the mark under Jonathan Burke. Today’s track and ground – good to soft- should work really well for this 7 year old and having dropped back in trip this could really exploit a very attractive handicap mark.

    Odds: 9/2

  • Six Nations Preview

    Six Nations Preview

    Six Nations preview

    A Six Nations Championship in the same year as a Rugby World Cup always holds extra significance. Whoever lifts the prestigious European prize in the spring will be among the favourites for the William Webb Ellis trophy come the autumn, propelled by that shot of momentum.

    For England in particular, this Six Nations feels massive. Steve Borthwick has replaced Eddie Jones as head coach, when the RFU would have preferred to keep the Australian in his job – but were forced to act after an underwhelming 2022. England only just sneaked past Argentina in November, before drawing with the All Blacks and losing comfortably to South Africa. That after a 2022 Six Nations campaign in which the Red Rose lost three of their five games consigned Jones to the bin.

    For that reason, England are not fancied by the bookmakers for this year’s championship. Ireland (13/10) have their noses in front of reigning champions France (2/1) in the odds, with England back at 9/2. Wales (14/1) and Scotland (18/1) are huge outsiders while Italy are given no chance whatsoever at 500/1.

    Each of the major nations, Ireland aside, have been through their own controversies of late. Both the Welsh and Scottish rugby unions are facing criticism from within their own gates, while the French Federation’s president Bernard Laporte has stood down after being found guilty of corruption.

     

    England’s problems are mainly on the field, where Borthwick is facing something of an injury crisis. Elliot Daly, Henry Slade and Dan Kelly have all been ruled out of this weekend’s Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland at Twickenham, although the home side are still big favourites (1/3) to win the game and get off to a triumphant start. The visitors from north of the border are long shots at 13/5.

    Wales and Ireland lock horns in Cardiff for what is undoubtedly the standout game of the opening weekend. The Welsh are not fancied to start with a win (5/2) but with Warren Gatland returning to his old role as head coach and a vociferous home crowd at the Principality Stadium, don’t rule them out.

    “It’s the bragging rights,” Gatland told the media this week when asked what made the Six Nations unique.

    “In work environments, going in on a Monday when your team has won, you can rub people’s noses in it. It’s what makes this tournament so special.

    “Forty per cent of fans can be away supporters. That creates an unbelievable atmosphere.”

     

    That should definitely be the case this weekend as the fans turn out in their droves. And with France almost certain of starting their campaign with a win over Italy in Rome (1/16), the three favourites should all get off to an ideal start.

    Just watch out for Wales. They’ve won more Six Nations titles than anyone since 2017 and they rarely start as favourites.

    Our tips: Wales to beat Ireland (5/2), France to win the Championship (2/1)

     

  • Three Premier League Fixtures To Bet On This Weekend

    Three Premier League Fixtures To Bet On This Weekend

    Three Premier League fixtures to bet on this weekend

    Once again, BestOfBets previews this weekend’s Premier League action as the teams return to domestic action following a busy January transfer deadline day – and some managerial movement. These are the games that should be grabbing your attention this weekend…

    Everton vs Arsenal @ 12.30pm, Saturday
    The most in-form team in the country travel to the league’s most listless and out-of-sorts club – on and off the pitch. It’s virtually bottom versus top at Goodison Park, with only goal difference keeping Everton off the foot of the table and Arsenal still five points clear at the summit, with a game in hand.

    Yet the appointment of Sean Dyche at Everton changes the feel of this game entirely. Despite the fact Everton suffered a miserable January transfer window, allowing Anthony Gordon to be sold to Newcastle without replacing him and missing out on Arnaut Danjuma to Tottenham, there is now hope on Merseyside.

    Asking them to topple Arsenal – who have lost just once in the league all season – is surely too much, but Dyche’s new side might run Mikel Arteta’s men close on the Spaniard’s return to his old stomping ground. An Everton win is a tempting bet at 8/1 and there’s no value in betting on the Gunners at 4/9.

    Our tip: Draw (15/4)

    Newcastle vs West Ham @ 5.30pm, Saturday
    Newcastle are on a roll. Reaching their first cup final in almost a quarter of a century has certainly created a buoyant feeling on Tyneside, with Eddie Howe exceeding expectations even after the Saudi takeover of the club.

    The former Bournemouth manager has the Magpies significantly ahead of schedule in terms of their progress, with the January signing of Gordon another statement of intent along the way.

    It’s difficult to envisage West Ham putting any sort of halt to the Newcastle momentum on a spicy Saturday evening in the north east, with the Hammers struggling for consistency this season. The bookies aren’t backing David Moyes’ side either, with West Ham 21/4 to win and 3/1 to grab a draw.

    Our tip: Newcastle to win & both teams to score (5/2)

    Tottenham vs Man City @ 4.30pm, Sunday
    If there’s been one team who have had Pep Guardiola’s number in recent years, it’s been Tottenham Hotspur. Since overcoming Manchester City (on away goals) in that dramatic two-legged Champions League quarter-final in 2019 under Mauricio Pochettino, Spurs have lost just four in nine games against Guardiola’s troops – an impressive record for a team who have largely been in flux during that time.

    Harry Kane and company found success against City both home and away in the league last season. But with Antonio Conte struck down by illness in the past week and his team’s form fluctuating wildly, it’s hard to see another Spurs success this time around.

    They are out at 7/2 to grab a victory, while City – despite losing Joao Cancelo to Bayern Munich on deadline day – are justified favourites at 4/5. Don’t bet against Pep this time around.

    Our tip: City to win to nil (3/1)

  • Dublin Racing Festival 2023

    Dublin Racing Festival 2023

    Dublin Racing Festival 2023

    As we’re closing in on the Cheltenham Festival, this weekend, all eyes will be on Leopardstown and its two-day Dublin Racing Festival, which marks one of the final opportunities to pick up hints and hips ahead of the Festival next month.
    And no doubt, only a few weeks ago, the antepost for the Festival looked a lot different as since then a number of horses have weren’t meant to run have been added; equally a few horses that were topping the lists have been withdrawn. More on that could be found on our Cheltenham Antepost Special.
    The relevance of this upcoming two race Festival at Leopardstown shouldn’t be ignored as it’s come to play a major factor in terms of providing Cheltenham Festival clues and this year’s meeting should be no exception, as the likes of State Man, Blue Lord, Lossiemouth, Galopin Des Champs and many more ante-post favourites will be in action across the two days.

    Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘€50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novices’ Hurdle

    The first of the weekend’s Grade 1 races at Leopardstown is the ‘Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘€50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novices’ Hurdle, which has attracted a very strong field to kickstart this high-class fixture.
    Understandably, the betting is currently headed by Good Land, available at 2/1, who returned a good winner at this course over two-miles four-furlongs last time. Although some many believe that his victory isn’t enough to justify the level of backing for this race as he steps up considerably in grade, but we believe Good Land is for the good people and definitely worth a punt. Meanwhile, another horse, firmly in the mix is the six year old, Paul Nolan trained Sandor Clegane (4/1), who arrives on the back of an easy success at Punchestown.
    It’s worth mentioning that he is jumping up from a maiden hurdle straight to a Grade 1 so improvement is required but, different to Good Land, Sandor Clegane is one for the shrewd punter and he’s definitely one to keep an eye on. Moreover, Paul Nolan has had a few tricky years and being such an excellent trainer, it’d be good to see him properly bounce back.
    Gordon Elliot is coming in with a number of fantastic horses, American Mike, being one of them, who is available at 5/1 this weekend. He’s got an excellent chance if able to jump with more fluency than last time. He’s a smart prospect and his three-length second in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham reads well in the context of this race.
    He holds entries in the Supreme, Ballymore and Albert Bartlett at the Festival in March but most likely, we will see him go down the Albert Bartlett route, in which he is a general 12/1 chance, and that price could look huge should he return to winning ways this weekend.
    Some have argued that he’s the best horse in this race and perhaps, if he can channel his true ability, he should go close and be able to book his return to the Festival in March.

    Spring Juvenile Hurdle 

    The second race at the Dublin Racing Festival is the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle, where Willie Mullins holds the aces.
    As it stands, the current Triumph Hurdle favourite at the  Cheltenham Festival, Lossiemouth, bids to keep his unbeaten record intact.
    In essence, this race in particular has been a notable pointer towards identifying the Triumph Hurdle winner as seven of the last 11 Triumph Hurdle winners contested this race beforehand. This race is without question the best trial for the Triumph. That being said, it may be too early to completely write off Gala Marceau – a horse Mullins himself has been raving about since the beginning of the season. And it’s unusual for Mullins to be so vocal about a horse unless it’s rather special.
    Last year’s winner Vauban is a perfect example of what this race can produce. Lossiemouth, who is 4/9 favourite this weekend, has won all three hurdle starts to date and the form of her Fairyhouse success has been advertised since with the third Comfort Zone winning on Trials Day at Cheltenham last weekend.
    If Lossiemouth extends her unbeaten record here, there is no doubt she’ll be even shorter for the Triumph Hurdle betting and it’ll take a good one to beat her.
    The leading trainer in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle over the last 20 renewals is W Mullins who has won the race 5 times. Those 5 winners came from Mister Hight (2006), Petite Parisienne (2015), Footpad (2016), Mr Adjudicator (2018) & Vauban (2022). Other trainers who have recorded multiple wins in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle are Gordon Elliott (2 wins), Joseph Patrick O’Brien (2 wins) & D K Weld (2 wins).

    Irish Arkle Novice Chase

    The Irish Arkle Novice Chase has been a notable good guide to finding Cheltenham Festival winners over the years. Douvan, Un De Sceau, Footpad, Energumene are just a handful of winners of this race this century to have also scored at the Festival in March.
    Coincidentally, all of those mentioned were and are trained by Willie Mullins and it appears the champion trainer has a stranglehold on this year’s field as well, as four of the first five in the market are trained by the man himself.
    Up until a few days ago, this was a, somehow, open race, and then Appreciate It was entered, which saw many punters, in rage, rip up their antepost slips. No doubt this incredible horse is now the favourite at 5/4. And it’s easy to see why; he is four-from-four at Leopardstown, with two of those wins coming in Grade 1 company and whilst he hasn’t beaten much in both his chase starts and there is more to come.
    Paul Townend will most likely choose to ride him over his stablemates and it’ll take a good performance from anything else to see his colours lowered that’s for sure.
    However, if there is one horse to spoil his party it could end up being stablemate  Saint Roi (7/1) who is a front runner in the antepost betting market in the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival.
    Interestingly, Saint Roi is the ONLY Grade 1 winner over fences in this field, which counts for plenty, and the fact he is still available at an attractive 7/1 makes him a standout each-way proposition here.

    The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup

    The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup is one of the biggest renewals on the National Hunt calendar and the Grade 1 contest over 3m should offer a few clues for the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. 
    In fact, just three horses have won this race and the Gold Cup in the same season – and Willie Mullins’ Galopin Des Champs (1/3) is set to bid to become the fourth to achieve the feat. Having said that, stablemate Stattler (7/2), the winner of last season’s National Hunt Chase, is prominent in the early market after an encouraging run on seasonal reappearance behind Minella Indo in the New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore.
    Meanwhile, Gordon Elliott has won this race twice in the last three years and relies on track-and-trip winner Fury Road, while Grand National hopes The Big Dog (Peter Fahy) and Any Second Now (Ted Walsh) complete the list of potential runners.
  • Transfer Deadline Day 

    Transfer Deadline Day 

    The end of the January transfer window is upon us and considering many teams success of past dealings on deadline day, with some brilliant additions and regrettable blunders, BestofBets.com have looked at the most likely transfers to go through before the window shuts tonight.

    It appears to be a busy day of ins and out at Stamford Bridge. Starting off with Jorginho who’s been linked with a move away from Chelsea to join Arsenal. Apparently his fee has been approved by both clubs and with odds as short as 4/7, is seems to be a done deal, which would make the Italian the sixth player over the age of 30 to join Arsenal since 2015. Also, along with Petr Cech, David Luiz and Willian, Jorginho would be the fourth player to have joined from Chelsea.

    Players over 30 to join Arsenal since 2015: 

    • Petr Cech (Chelsea to Arsenal, 2015)
    • Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus to Arsenal, 2018)
    • Sokratis (Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal, 2018)
    • David Luiz (Chelsea to Arsenal, 2019)
    • Willian (Chelsea to Arsenal, 2020)

    Chelsea have bid a British Record £115 million for Benfica ace Enzo Fernández as this becomes one of the likelier transfers to get through. Odds are 1/4.

    Moisés Caicedo has a slight chance of turning up for a pre-arranged photoshoot involving a scarf whilst Conor Gallagher is the subject of a hefty Everton bid and Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a target for Newcastle on loan.

    What a day like this really needs is a left-field move and N’Golo Kanté joining Liverpool from Chelsea would certainly be that, but it seems a touch pie in the sky but stranger things have happened during deadline day so never say never.

    Meanwhile, Leicester’s Youri Tielemans, who is out of contract in the summer, may head to Manchester United on deadline day. Christian Erikson, who’s become a cornerstone of Erik ten Hag’s squad since arriving at Old Trafford in the summer, picked up an injury over the weekend so adding Tielemans to be squad makes a lot of sense. Odds 11/4.

    Should Man United want to sign Harry Kane, they’ll have to part with a whopping £120m.

    It also transpires that Harry Maguire does not fancy a few months in Italy after the defender reportedly turned down the chance to join Internazionale on loan. Another Manchester United squad player attracting loan interest is the winger Anthony Elanga, who has 10 offers on the table but Erik ten Hag wants to keep him around.

    And with the imminent departure of Jonjo Shelvey, Newcastle need a new central midfielder. They have earmarked Sheffield United’s Sander Berge as the man for the job.

    Nottingham Forest could be set for another trademark busy deadline day. FC Cincinnati striker Brenner is one potential arrival. If he joined, Brenner would be the third Brazilian to move to the City Ground this month, although he could be the fourth if the Atlético Madrid centre-back Felipe signs beforehand. They need to get rid of a few players because their squad is bloated. Lewis O’Brien should move out on loan to Sheffield United or West Brom, while Steve Cook is a target for Stoke. The centre-back could be a replacement for Harry Souttar who is a target for Leicester. The Premier League club have, supposedly, made a £12m bid for the Australia international.

    In order to boost their attempts to beat the drop, Southampton have earmarked Lyon’s Moussa Dembélé as a last-minute target. Alternatively, they could bring in the Genk striker Paul Onuachu after making a bid on Monday.

    Bournemouth’s new owners have been desperate to flex their financial muscle since their recent takeover. Ilya Zabarnyi looks set to be the latest player to put pen to paper on the south coast after a deal was agreed with Dynamo Kyiv. He will be joined at the Vitality Stadium by the Roma defender Matias Viña, who signed on Monday night, and Sassuolo’s Hamed Traorè.

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