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Sheffield Wednesday are back on the road again this weekend as they travel to the Abbey Stadium to take on Cambridge United in League One.

Darren Moore’s side bounced back from their 2-1 defeat against league leaders Plymouth Argyle with a comprehensive victory over Cheltenham Town last weekend to keep pace with the automatic promotion spots in the third tier.

While victory won’t be enough to see the Owls ahead of Ipswich or Plymouth into the top two, three points are a must if Wednesday have aspirations of going up automatically this season.

Moore changed the formation for the win against Cheltenham, opting for a four-at-the-back, but an away trip could see him revert back to the 3-4-1-2 that he has favoured for the majority of the season so far.

Here is how Football FanCast expects Sheffield Wednesday to line up against Cambridge on Saturday, with two changes from last weekend.

Another clean sheet against Cheltenham will no doubt see David Stockdale keep his place in between the posts.

In defence, Mark McGuinness makes his return from injury to start alongside Ben Heneghan and Michael Ihiekwe in a back three, which sees attacking midfielder Alex Mighten drop out to make the Owls more defensively solid.

The Nottingham Forest loanee, who was described as an “elite” talent by Gary Brazil, has struggled for regular form at Hillsborough so far, with no goal contributions in any of his six appearances in Yorkshire.

Wednesday’s return to a back three sees Liam Palmer and Marvin Johnson feature as wing-backs, with Barry Bannan and Will Vaulks keeping their places in the middle of the park.

Josh Windass will be looking to continue his fine start to the season as an attacking midfielder, with four goals and four assists to his name so far.

He supports Michael Smith and Malik Wilks in attack, with the latter replacing Lee Gregory up front after the 34-year-old failed to find the net once again last weekend.

West Ham United return to Premier League action this evening, taking on Wolverhampton Wanderers in a match where three points should be expected against a Bruno Lage side that has been struggling.

It has to be said, West Ham haven’t been fantastic either. David Moyes’ men have won just once in the league all season while scoring just three goals in the process as they are struggling to capitalise on their excellent campaign last season.

Moyes could make some big changes for this crucial encounter against Wolves, and he should seriously be considering starting a couple of summer arrivals.

Here is what we are predicting the West Ham starting XI will be for this evening’s clash…

Lukasz Fabianski will start for the eighth Premier League match in a row, with Alphonse Areola being used in the European matches this season.

Moyes will make one change in the back four, with Emerson coming in for Aaron Cresswell at left back due to the 32-year-olds poor performance against Everton, where he lost possession a staggering 16 times during the 1-0 defeat.

The rest of the back four will see Thilo Kehrer and Kurt Zouma at the heart of the defence, while Vladimir Coufal starts at right back.

Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek take up their usual roles at the heart of the West Ham midfield, with the Czech midfielder impressing in the league this season, achieving a rating of 7.07 as per SofaScore and he could be vital against Wolves.

Moyes will unleash Maxwel Cornet on the left wing – with Alex James proclaiming him to be “the best summer signing in the league for impact” after he scored a wonderful volley against Crystal Palace last season for Burnley. Lucas Paqueta will take up an attacking midfield slot with Jarrod Bowen starting on the right wing.

There will also be a key change to who will be leading the line, with £70k-per-week striker Michail Antonio dropped in place of summer arrival Gianluca Scamacca. The Italian should be able to dominate a weakened Wolves defence and hopefully, he can translate his European form – three goals in four matches – to domestic success.

This changed West Ham line-up should have more than enough to secure all three points and in turn, kickstart their season into gear.

Liverpool finally look set to find the solution to their midfield problems…

What’s the word?

According to Fabrizio Romano, Jurgen Klopp could now complete a U-turn on his claims regarding a deadline day move for a midfielder.

Writing on Twitter, the ever-reliable journalist claimed: “Liverpool are closing in on deal to sign Arthur Melo from Juventus. Full agreement on the salary, work now in progress for medical later.”

He then issued another update: “Medical scheduled in the afternoon for Arthur Melo as Liverpool and Juventus are closing on final details of loan deal for Brazilian midfielder. NO buy option as things stand.”

Imagine him & Fabinho

This marks another shrewd piece of business from Klopp, who has not panicked in the face of a few injuries. His calculated approach has led to this move, where Liverpool will get a well-rounded midfielder who can partner his compatriot Fabinho perfectly.

What instantly jumps out about the “incredible” Arthur – in the words of Thomas Vermaelen – is his outstanding ball retention, and his desperation to keep recycling possession until a real chance opens up.

This is outlined in his pass completion percentage, of which he ranks in the top 3% for midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues.

However, combined with his similarly impressive progressive passes and carries, of which he ranks in the top 20% and 17%, he clearly is willing to spring forward and attack when the opportunity arises.

To place him alongside Fabinho, who also boasts an 89.1% pass completion rate, it could be a match made in heaven.

It would also relieve some of the defensive burden held by the Liverpool man, who currently averages 2.67 tackles and 2.06 interceptions per 90.

Arthur is not wholly defensive minded but chipping in with his 2.12 tackles will certainly help Klopp’s benefit tough-tackling style.

Alongside one another, these Brazilians could dominate many matches with their impressive physicality and mastery of keeping the ball.

It could be one of Klopp’s most important signings, to bring in a vastly experienced international, especially given all the injuries he is currently contending with in midfield. He and Fabinho could be integral to any chances Liverpool have of trophies this season.

All the transfer talk concerning Scottish champions Celtic appears to be centred around whether or not Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley will make the move to Parkhead.

What’s the word?

Recent reports have suggested that the Old Firm giants are interested in signing the 28-year-old before the September deadline, albeit with a host of Premier League clubs also in the race for his signature.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – has given his backing to the idea of the Englishman joining the Glasgow side this summer, albeit while outlining the potential risk that could come with it due to his failings at Stamford Bridge of late.

The transfer insider stated: “It would be an exciting signing, just because of who he is. He’s a top player, he’s played in the Premier League for Everton and Chelsea, although his career has stalled in the last few years, so it would be a gamble in some respects if Celtic were to sign him.”

The 33-cap playmaker – who has just a year remaining on his current deal in west London – appears to be surplus to requirements under Thomas Tuchel after having not been handed a shirt number for the new season.

Sensation

While there may be those at Celtic Park questioning the wisdom of signing a player who made just a solitary league start last season, the overriding feeling seemingly mirrors that of O’Rourke, with huge excitement as to the potential impact he could have in the Scottish Premiership.

Pundit Kevin Campbell has certainly given his backing to the switch, stating that: “I think he’ll be a sensation up there I really do. A strong side like Celtic, the way they play, his dynamism from the midfield, the way he can dribble, shoot, beat players, I think he’d be a revelation at Celtic.

“I think that could be good for him. He could go up there for a year, do the business, and then he’s a free agent. I think he’ll do great up there.“

As has proven the case with Barkley’s former Three Lions teammate, Joe Hart, a move north of the border can well inspire a new lease of life for a player of undoubted talent who is undergoing a tricky spell in their career.

While it has been an extended stint without regular football for the former Everton man of late, having made six just league outings last season, he has still managed to rack up a respectable tally of 12 goals and 11 assists in his 100 appearances in the English capital thus far.

Equally, in what was arguably his only regular run in the side under Maurizio Sarri during the 2018/19 season, the £10.8m-rated ace recorded an impressive haul of five goals and six assists in 48 games in all competitions, proving that perhaps all he may need is the faith of a manager.

Once likened to compatriot Wayne Rooney during his time at Goodison Park – where he netted 27 goals and provided 28 assists in 179 games – the £96k-per-week man no doubt has unquestionable natural talent, with the Liverpool-born gem simply needing a new stage to show it.

If handed the chance, he could well become a ‘sensation’ for Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou.

West Ham United have reached an agreement to sign Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca for €36m (£31m) this summer with the news confirmed by the Italian club’s CEO.

Speaking to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali confirmed that an “agreement” was “in place” with the Hammers for Scamacca. The news was also reported by Fabrizio Romano on Twitter.

Signing a striker is something that West Ham manager David Moyes has been wanting to do for a while and it appears that he’s now found his man in the highly rated Italian.

The East London outfit were recently linked to Chelsea striker Armando Broja but it now appears they have decided to prioritise signing Scamacca instead.

Supporters will be delighted with the news and given his impressive performances in Serie A last season they have every reason to be.

In 36 appearances for Sassuolo, he scored 16 goals and averaged at least one shot on target per game. At just 23 years old it’s a real coup for West Ham to have secured such a prolific goalscorer for such a low price.

The Italian has been described as “brilliant” by football journalist Sean Markus Clifford and given his numbers it’s hard to disagree.

He will no doubt be relishing the chance to showcase his skills in the Premier League and if he replicates his form from last season then the Hammers will have made the perfect investment.

One player he could potentially lineup alongside for West Ham is Michail Antonio. A fan favourite at the London Stadium, the pair could form a dream duo and together fire West Ham back into the top 6.

Antonio’s form last season is similar to Scamacca’s, with the Jamaican being directly involved in 18 goals during his 36 league appearances for the club.

He was crucial in helping them qualify for the Europa Conference League, and the arrival of the Italian will only give him even more motivation to improve.

They can work extremely well together with Antonio’s experience benefiting Scamacca who can offer something new to the team.

It’s amazing how much one addition can transform the look of your side, but with the addition of the 23-year-old, the Hammers will look incredibly dangerous going forward.

AND in other news: Journalist drops “surprise” transfer claim that’ll leave West Ham supporters gutted…

Wilfried Zaha has long been linked with a move away from Crystal Palace, but if he does depart Selhurst Park this summer, Patrick Vieira may already have the Ivorian’s heir in Malcolm Ebiowei.

The 18-year-old joined from Derby County earlier in the summer and has already caught the eye with some of his performances in pre-season.

Last season saw the teenager make 16 appearances in the Championship for the Rams, in which he contributed one goal and two assists, earning a strong 6.85 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

While Vieira has a plethora of options out wide, including fellow young talents Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, Ebiowei will definitely be aiming to challenge for a first-team spot next season.

The youngster would have some significant boots to fill if Zaha were to leave this summer, but he appears to have a huge amount of potential, and Vieira will be hoping that the teenager can adapt to the Premier League quickly after some impressive displays in the second-tier last season.

Derby coach Justin Walker was full of praise for Ebiowei last season, saying: “I think he has been a breath of fresh air. You can see how much the fans have warmed to him, he gets people out of their seats. He has got that little bit of X-factor, if you like, that creativity we have lacked at times in the final third.

“The only thing probably missing from his game is a goal, but I am sure that will come. He has got so much talent, and more importantly his attitude and his character.”

Roma are reportedly keen on signing Zaha this summer, and considering that he has just one year left on his contract at Selhurst Park, this could be the time that he finally leaves.

Last season saw the former Manchester United winger contribute an impressive 14 goals in 33 Premier League appearances, averaging a strong 6.99 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which ranked him as the second-best player in Vieira’s squad.

WhoScored suggests that both Zaha and Ebiowei excel at dribbling, while they both like to play short passes and they get fouled often, which suggests that the 18-year-old could eventually step up as the Ivory Coast international’s successor at Selhurst Park.

AND in other news: Vieira given green light for “phenomenal” Crystal Palace signing, it’d be a major coup

Leeds United are closing in on signing Manchester City midfielder Darko Gyabi, according to The Manchester Evening News journalist Simon Bajkowski.  

The Lowdown: One in one out

The Whites agreed on an initial £42m fee with Manchester City for Kalvin Phillips last week. Leeds were in separate talks with the Premier League champions for Gyabi, who Phil Hay said is expected to sign a four-year deal in Yorkshire.

Phillips is set to undergo his City medical today, and it looks as if Leeds’ move for Gyabi in the opposite direction isn’t too far behind.

The Latest: Journalist’s update

Bajkowski ran a Q&A for The MEN on Thursday and was asked if anything could go wrong with deals for Phillips or Gyabi.

He said that the two announcements should be at similar times, adding a £5m fee is ‘significant’ for Leeds, who have also agreed to ‘clauses’ that will benefit City if Gyabi impresses at Elland Road.

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“The two announcements should be at similar times but any delay wouldn’t suggest anything is wrong.

“Gyabi looks an excellent prospect from what I’ve seen, but £5m is a significant amount of money for someone who hasn’t played any senior football and there will be clauses in the deal to benefit City should he go on to thrive at Leeds.”

The Verdict: Good news

Gyabi is set to become the club’s fourth signing of the summer and second midfield addition through the door after Marc Roca. He is highly rated by those who know him well, with scout Xander Wilkinson describing him as a ‘Rolls Royce’ midfielder.

Therefore, a move to Leeds should be viewed as good news, and you’d expect he’ll initially link up with the U23s at Thorp Arch.

Only time will tell if a £5m transfer will turn out to be a shrewd piece of business, and if it is, it looks as if Leeds will need to pay more money in the long run for the central midfielder.

Leeds United ‘have an interest’ in signing Belgian youngster Romeo Lavia in the summer transfer window, according to reliable journalist Mike McGrath.

The Lowdown: Lavia an emerging talent

The 18-year-old is currently on Manchester City’s books, having joined the reigning Premier League champions from Anderlecht back in 2020.

Lavia has won ten caps for Belgium’s Under-18s side, as well as one for the Under-21s, catching the eye with his performances in midfield with 60 appearances across the various levels at City.

With the Belgian unlikely to make a quick breakthrough at a club packed with world class superstars though – his current deal expires in 2024 – it could be that he moves on to pastures new this summer, in order to continue his development.

The Latest: Leeds keen on move

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, McGrath confirmed that Leeds are interested in acquiring Lavia’s signature:

“LUFC have an interest in Belgium U21 midfielder Romeo Lavia, who was part of the MCFC 1st team squad last season, as they look to strengthen that area of squad for Jesse Marsch next season”

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The Verdict: One for the future

While Lavia wouldn’t arrive as an immediate key player at Leeds – he is yet to make a single Premier League appearance – he would come in as an exciting one for the future – Sam Lee of The Athletic even says there are some within the Etihad who believe he could be a first-team regular there.

Jesse Marsch could initially deploy the ‘highly rated’ (Lee) talent in the Under-23s, allowing him regular football, before eventually blooding him as a regular part of his squad.

Planning for the long-term future is vital at Elland Road, ensuring the club continues to build for many years to come and doesn’t end up fighting relegation again, and players of Lavia’s quality are key to that happening.

In other news, Victor Orta has stepped up his chase for one Leeds signing. Find out who it is here.

Everton are set to make big changes this summer and have been linked with a number of players ahead of the transfer window, with a potential target now ruled out of a move to Goodison Park already.

What’s the latest?

According to football journalist Jacque Talbot, there is “no chance” that Manchester United midfielder James Garner will join Everton this summer.

Talbot tweeted;

“No chance James Garner goes Everton or Leeds. Man United won’t sell him permanently either.”

Supporters will be disappointed

The Toffees are in desperate need of reinforcements this summer following a poor Premier League season and signing a young talented player like Garner would have been a major coup for the club ahead of next season, so supporters will surely be disappointed.

The 21-year-old has had an impressive season at Nottingham Forest as a standout performer in the team that have now been promoted to the Premier League following a victory over Huddersfield Town in the play-off final at Wembley.

Garner scored four goals, delivered eight assists and created seven big chances as well as making 2 key passes, 1.4 interceptions and 1.8 tackles, winning the majority of his ground duels (53%), proving that he was a dominate force for Forest in both offensive and defensive play from his role in midfield.

Due to the difficult relegation battle, Frank Lampard will need to identify players that can come into the team and make an instant impact and Garner would have been an ideal move for the club on a loan deal from Old Trafford amid Everton’s reported financial troubles.

The urgency to find players that will be the right fit for the Toffees has been further heightened with rumours that Richarlison, Allan and Dominic Calvert-Lewin could make their move away from Merseyside this summer, so losing out on Garner early on with be a big blow for Farhad Moshiri in his attempts to add reinforcements.

Ultimately, the powers at Goodison Park have a lot of work to do during the transfer window to ensure they don’t find themselves in a similar situation as this season and will need to act quickly to make sure they can get the right players in as soon as possible.

AND in other news: Everton now plotting summer swoop for “infectious” £80k-p/w ace, imagine him & Gordon

Celtic are reportedly edging closer to signing Portuguese starlet Jota on a permanent deal, with the winger having dazzled on loan for the Hoops this season.

What’s the word?

As per the Daily Record, a deal for the 23-year-old is expected to be confirmed this week following a ‘final round of talks’, with parent club Benfica set to sanction his departure on a £6.5m deal.

The Lisbon-born gem was a relative unknown prior to his deadline day arrival on a season-long loan deal last summer, although has since proven instrumental in the Glasgow outfit’s tenth Scottish Premiership triumph of the last 11 seasons.

While not yet confirmed, the imminent permanent deal could prove vital to Ange Postecoglou’s side retaining their title next term, as they also attempt to navigate their way through the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2017.

The next Jinky?

It would no doubt be a travesty for all concerned were the £4.95m-rated speedster not to be at Parkhead next season, although all the indications are that he will be, handing him the chance to truly solidify his emerging cult status.

The fleet-footed wideman has proven a revelation in Glasgow thus far, notably netting ten goals and registering a further ten assists in the Scottish top-flight in the 2021/22 campaign, with such form seeing him dubbed “unbelievable” by the man who brought him to the club, Postecoglou.

The £7.1k-per-week playmaker has caught the eye of fans and pundits alike with his dynamic displays and bravery in possession, with pundit Owen Hargreaves praising the loanee for being so “direct” in his play.

Whisper it quietly, but such eyecatching showings have even evoked memories of a figure entrenched in the club’s folklore and one of the Old Firm outfit’s legendary ‘Lisbon Lions’ – Jimmy Johnstone.

Affectionately nicknamed ‘Jinky’ for his ability to bamboozle defenders with both trickery and cunning, the former Scotland international remains an iconic figure both in his home country and beyond, having notably been dubbed the “Flying Flea” by the French press following a particularly standout display against Nantes.

A star of the ’60s and ’70s at Celtic Park – having risen through the club’s youth ranks  – the European Cup winner is arguably the greatest and most talented player to have adorned the famous green and white jersey, playing an integral role as Jock Stein’s side claimed nine successive league titles between 1965 and 1974.

Such is his importance to the history of the team and its supporters, he was even immortalised with a statue outside the club’s home ground in 2008, with the legendary status of Jimmy ‘Jinky’ Johnstone set to be retained for generations to come.

To replicate the success of such a club hero may appear unlikely, although in Jota, Postecoglou has seemingly uncovered his own one-of-a-kind, unique diamond, with it an exciting thought as to just how high the young man can go.

For those of a Celtic persuasion, they will be praying that his development can continue in Scotland as the club enjoys further success over the years to come. Perhaps more importantly, however, will be the hope that he can simply continue to entertain, as the great Johnstone so often did…

IN other news, Celtic can unearth a new Giakoumakis after submitting bid for “very strong” £2.5m gem