“Diomande has been a target for Celtic players during the previous matches between these clubs this season, and little is likely to change for the midfielder in this encounter.

He won 5 fouls at Parkhead back in September and then picked up 4 at Ibrox in the Boxing Day clash between the teams.

A combination of his willingness to be brave in possession as well as combative out of it means he is a prime candidate to be involved in the thick of the action and pick up free-kicks again.

Diomande has won a club-high 39 fouls this season at a rate of 1.76 per 90 in the Premiership.”

“In the absence of Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu due to injury, Enzo Maresca has experimented with a variety of options to lead the line for Chelsea. He considered deploying Nkunku as the striker but has since moved away from that suggestion, categorically confirming on multiple occasions that he doesn’t see the former RB Leipzig man as a centre forward and has instead been playing him off the left-hand side in recent weeks. 

Neto has impressed Maresca when playing up front, he first trialled this in Chelsea’s defeat against Aston Villa a few weeks ago. Chelsea ultimately lost the game, but Neto was bright throughout, managing four shots in the game, two of which found the target. Neto’s speed and mobility make him suited to running off the opposition backline, he’s been a bit limited in wide areas under Maresca because the Chelsea boss likes his wingers to be very wide whilst Neto is more dangerous in the inside channels which is an area he gets to occupy more often when playing as a centre forward. 

Neto followed up that promising cameo against Aston Villa with a goal and an assist against Southampton. Neto has already hurt Arsenal this season, scoring the equaliser against the Gunners at Stamford Bridge – a game in which he managed three shots on goal. Neto is averaging 2.12 shots per 90 in the Premier League this season which is a record we can expect to rise when he’s playing in this role as the central striker.”

“Djed Spence has been one of Spurs’ standout performers this season, and his direct dribbling style makes him a frequent target for opposition defenders. Spence is currently averaging 1.81 fouls won per game, but his recent form has been even more impressive. He has been fouled at least twice in 6 of his last 7 starts, winning a total of 18 fouls during this period — an average of over 2.5 fouls won per game.

Spence’s pace and ability to take on defenders one-on-one make him a constant threat, especially against a Fulham side that tends to commit fouls in wide areas. Fulham’s pressing system and physical defensive setup mean Spence will likely draw multiple fouls as he looks to exploit the space on the flanks. With Spence’s consistent foul count and the competitive nature of this derby, the odds of 2.10 for him to be fouled twice represent excellent value.”

“It’s really hard to call the winner of this final. Liverpool are certainly better placed when looking at the quality and depth they have in the side, but we are yet to see how their first proper setback of the season in exiting the Champions League will impact the side. Arne Slot’s men have been dominant for large periods of the season but have shown some vulnerability of late, which Newcastle will be hoping seeps its way into this final. 

Newcastle have plenty of scoring power despite the absence of Anthony Gordon. Eddie Howe’s side fired three past Liverpool in the initial Premier League meeting between the sides at St James’ Park in a thrilling 3-3 draw. The reverse fixture was more dominated by Liverpool who ran out 2-0 winners and managed to stop Newcastle even having a shot on target. Wembley takes away any angles of home advantage so we are likely to see quite an even game here which should result in opportunities for both sides. 

Liverpool played 120 minutes and had to deal with the tension of a penalty shootout in their last outing against PSG, so the long game could suit Newcastle here, who are likely to have more energy in the tank, having not played in midweek. Newcastle have already seen off Arsenal and Chelsea in the Carabao Cup this campaign, suggesting that they will be up for the challenge in attempting to find a way past the favourites. The Magpies may fall just short of lifting the trophy here, but they can find the back of the net against a Liverpool side that will still be feeling the weight of their midweek defeat.”

“Staring down the barrel of relegation, Leicester sits 6 points adrift of safety, making a return to the Championship seem inevitable. The Foxes enter this fixture off the back of 6 straight league defeats and have lost 12 of their last 13 (W1). Their home form is particularly alarming—they have lost 6 consecutive league games at the King Power without scoring a single goal. 

United, despite failing to win any of their last three away games across all competitions (D2, L1), will be buoyed by their convincing 4-1 thrashing of Real Sociedad on Thursday. History is also on their side, having won the last 3 head-to-head encounters with Leicester—all without conceding. Additionally, they have lost just 1 of their last 8 league visits to the King Power (W4, D3). 

Further boosting confidence, United boasts an unbeaten record against bottom-three sides this season (W4, D1), scoring exactly 3 goals in each of those wins. “

“PSG are arguably the best attacking side in Europe this season, the combination of Kvaratskhelia, Barcola and Dembele are a threat to any side in world football and they can combine again here to cause Marseille plenty of problems. Barcola has registered 20 goal contributions across his 25 appearances in Ligue 1 this season (13 goals, 7 assists).

Whilst Ousmane Dembele has taken the majority of the headlines for his scintillating form in the Champions League this season, Barcola has been on an incredible run of form domestically. He’s recorded a goal contribution in each of his last four games across all competitions as well as finding the back of the net against Marseille in the meeting between the sides earlier in the season.”