Lionel Messi odds: Which club will he sign for? Will he stay at Barcelona?
Lionel Messi has handed in a notice to Barcelona saying he will end his contract this summer. Messi can activate a clause in his Barcelona contract which allows him to leave for free at the end of each season. Barcelona have just had their first trophyless season since 2007-08 and Quique Setien was fired after their 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. Ronald Koeman has a lot of work on his hands.
Lionel Messi is wanted by many clubs. DraftKings have released their odds for Messi's transfer. Manchester City is the favourite. Messi has a release clause of $820 million.
Arsenal host West Ham in a London derby on Boxing Day. The Gunners are five points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Mikel Arteta's team has been hit by injuries recently. David Moyes' Westhams have struggled in the league this season. Lionel Messi is the favourite to stay at Barcelona. Manchester City, PSG, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Juventus and Liverpool are also in contention.
Arsenal vs West Ham is kick off at 3 pm ET on Monday (December 26). The game is broadcast on Peacock TV and streamed via Peach Premium.
Gabriel Jesus is out for the next few months with a knee injury. Arsenal are looking to sign a replacement in January. West Ham are struggling to find their best combinations in midfield and attack. David Moyes' side are one point above the relegation zone. They need Nayef Aguerd to be fit. He will help them to improve their defensive play.
Saka impressed for England at the World Cup. Arsenal's starting back four is well-rested. Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are key for Arsenal. West Ham need Declan Rice to bring his World cup form to the Premier League. Aguerd had a fine World tournament for Morocco. Jarrod Bowen has looked sharp in their midseason games.
William Saliba could come straight back in after being at the World Cup with France. Gabriel Jesus is the only big injury concern. Emile Smith Rowe is working his way back to full fitness. Oleksandr Zinchenko missed the friendly defeat to Juventus.
Gianluca Scamacca picked up an injury in the friendly draw at Fulham. Kurt Zouma did not feature after his recent knee injury. Roberto Firmino is enjoying a renaissance season at Liverpool. Liverpool won just three of 13 games before new manager Emery took over. Emerys appointment was a coup for the club.
Diego Carlos is injured. Lionel Messi is a transfer target for Aston Villa.
Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Arthur Melo are injured for Liverpool. Manchester City is rested after a lot of time away. Jesse Marsch's Leeds beat Liverpool and Bournemouth before the thrilling but unsuccessful loss to Tottenham. USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams is yet to return to Leeds' starting XI. Brenden Aaronson came back in a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad and impressed.
Patrick Bamford is doubtful for Leeds. Illan Meslier is ill and Junior Firpo injured. Tyler Adams is suspended. Stuart Dallas is injured and Luis SInisterra is out. Archie Gray is also injured for the team.
Manchester City have no known injury issues. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are expected to play well. Forest beat Valencia in a friendly on December 16. Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis scored for Forest.
Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot are doubtful for Manchester United. Mason Greenwood is suspended. Axel Tuanzebe is also unavailable.
Harry Toffolo, Neco Williams, Omar Richards, Giulian Biancone, Cheikhou Kouyate and Moussa NIakhate are injured for Nottingham Forest.
