Month: January 2020

China’s capital Beijing will build a comprehensive transportation hub in its sub-city center in Tongzhou district, Zeng Zanrong, Party head of the district, said on Tuesday.

The transportation hub, which is designed to connect three subway lines and two railways, began construction on Nov 30.

Zeng said it will become anther huge-scale transportation infrastructure construction following the Beijing Daxing International Airport.

According to the district authority, the project will be completed by the end of 2024 and will be ready to be put into operation.

China will release another batch of 20,000 tons of pork reserves to stabilize prices for the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, according to the website of China Merchandise Reserve Management Center on Thursday.

It is the second time for China to release the frozen pork this year after the first batch of 30,000 tons on Jan 3. Interested parties should register on the website of the center – mrm.com.cn – to compete in the bidding at 1 pm on Jan 9.

Pork, a staple in China, has seen its price soar since last year, due to the short supply affected by African swine fever and cyclical factors.

Chinese authorities have taken measures to help revitalize the hog production, and lowered the tariff on imported pork. In 2019, China released 170,000 tons of frozen pork in seven batches, with the last batch of 40,000 tons in December.

During the week of Dec 30 to Jan 3, the average pork price in 16 provinces and municipalities came in at 45.48 yuan ($6.52) per kilogram, rising 3.4 percent from a week ago, and 159.7 percent from the same period a year ago.

Click Here: liverpool mens jersey

Overall economic activity in nation is on a stabilizing trajectory, say experts

Though the service sector expanded at a slower pace in December, the growth in new orders in the sector is an indication of further economic stabilization, with more policy easing expected to be implemented in the coming quarters, economists said on Monday.

The Caixin China General Services Business Activity Index stood at 52.5 in December, one percentage point lower than that of November, suggesting that China’s service sector grew at a slower pace in that month.

The new order index, a sub index of the Caixin service PMI index, continued to rebound in December, hitting a three-month high and indicating improved demand, according to a survey jointly released by media group Caixin and information provider IHS Markit.

Surveyed companies in the service sector said that the growth in new orders was aided by rising client numbers, product innovation and marketing campaigns. Factors like uncertainties in the trade negotiations between China and the United States, slower economic growth and labor shortages could crimp business prospects this year.

Zhong Zhengsheng, director of macroeconomic analysis at CEBM Group, said that while the service and manufacturing sector expansion slowed in December, the overall economic activities were on a stabilizing trajectory.

“Business confidence is still at a low level … which is an important factor that has constrained the economic rebound. China and the US signing the phase-one deal will help restore business confidence,” Zhong said.

Robin Xing, chief China economist at Morgan Stanley, said that China’s exports of goods and services may rebound in a restocking cycle given a possible recovery of global GDP growth starting from the first quarter and gradually gaining momentum over the course of the year.

China’s private consumption may grow at a faster pace of 6.3 percent this year, compared with 6 percent in 2019. Stronger consumption will help stabilize the labor market, release pent-up demand and support a solid expansion of the service business, the economist said.

Click Here: liverpool mens jersey

Xing said that better external demand and improved business confidence will also facilitate a modest recovery in manufacturing fixed-asset investment growth. He said that China’s GDP growth may improve to 6 percent in the first quarter after reaching a bottom of 5.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019, as external uncertainties have abated temporarily, which could stabilize private sector confidence and lead to a mild recovery in exports and private spending.

China is scheduled to release a set of key economic data for December this week including consumer price index, social financing, money supply growth and foreign direct investment.

“We expect the upcoming December data release to show largely stable domestic activities and faster trade growth, with slightly slower growth of industrial production and retail sales, and steady overall FAI (fixed-asset investment) growth,” Wang Tao, chief China economist at UBS, said in a research note.

“We expect the overall policy stance to continue with easing bias in the coming quarter, and more policy details to be rolled out in the upcoming meeting of the National People’s Congress in March. We expect China’s sequential growth momentum to rebound in the first and second quarter, and maintain our 2020 GDP growth forecast at 6 percent,” Wang said.

The Liga side are willing to let the 24-year-old leave, with Tottenham having been linked with a loan move in the January transfer window

Atletico Madrid will listen to offers for Thomas Lemar in the January transfer window although Arsenal are not currently in the market for the France international.

The Gunners have been linked with a move for the 24-year-old but they are not interested in bringing him to Emirates Stadium as things stand, owing to the options already at Mikel Arteta’s disposal coupled with the lack of funds for big-money purchases.

Indeed, as revealed by Goal, the north Londoners are looking at bringing in one or two players on loan in the winter window, with their £130 million ($171m) spend from last summer restricting their ability to manoeuvre in the January market.

That said, they would consider an opportunity that is too good to turn down, although Lemar, who Arsenal came close to signing during Arsene Wenger’s reign, isn’t currently viewed as that player.

Reports have suggested that Tottenham are considering a loan switch for the former Monaco ace, with The Independent suggesting that Spurs are willing to offer a loan fee of €6m with the option to purchase outright for €60m (£51m/$67m).

The player’s long-term future at Wanda Metropolitano is in some doubt, with Diego Simeone having publicly admitted that his move from Ligue 1 to Spain hasn’t worked out.

Lemar is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and has been limited to just nine league starts this season, contributing no goals or assists, and Simeone couldn’t guarantee he would remain with the Liga title hopefuls.

The Atleti boss told reporters: “Facts speak better than words. Lemar is an important player who hasn’t been able to develop his game but who has characteristics that others don’t have.

“Let’s hope he has a good moment when he comes back from injury.

“Now, if Lemar can stay or not… we know that agents work in an exemplary way. Clubs work in terms of the needs of the clubs. But, as a footballer, every time he has been available, he’s played a lot more than he hasn’t played.

“His characteristics have always excited me. But he hasn’t been able to live up to expectations.”

Atletico are in the market for a striker to challenge Alvaro Morata for the central attacking role, with Diego Costa having been unavailable since November due to a neck injury that required surgery.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani has been mooted as a possible target for Simeone’s side although Lemar’s future will likely need to be resolved before potentially bringing in the Uruguay international in January.

After the Portuguese scored a hat-trick against Cagliari, the Bianconeri boss said his superstar forward was “really happy” now he is fully fit

A fit and firing Cristiano Ronaldo is “really happy” now his knee problem is behind him, according to Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri.

Portugal international Ronaldo started 2020 with a bang on Monday as he netted a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Cagliari to take his tally to eight goals in his past five Serie A appearances.

The 34-year-old appears to have rediscovered his mojo having gone three games without scoring at the start of November, when he was twice substituted by Sarri as he battled a minor knee problem.

There has been no sign of that issue affecting Ronaldo of late, though, with Sarri delighted the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is back to his best.

“Ronaldo has not any more problems with his knee and now he is enjoying his great physical and mental condition,” the Juventus head coach told a news conference.

“Finally I can see him really happy because his knee is fine now. He can play at his best now.”

Another Bianconeri player who has been troubled by injury issues is defender Matthijs de Ligt.

The former Ajax captain was an unused substitute in the victory against Cagliari having not started a league game in a month due to shoulder and adductor problems.

De Ligt has yet to replicate the type of form which earned him the move to Turin ahead of this season, yet Sarri is convinced he can fulfil his promise.

“The situation of De Ligt is very clear: I’m sure he’ll become one of the best – or the best maybe – defenders in the world,” Sarri added.

Click Here: liverpool mens jersey

“We need to understand that he was just 19 coming to a club like Juventus and forced to play 23 games in a row.

“He needs to learn a new language and new training technique. In Italy he had to change his way to play and his lifestyle. He had a lot of work to do in the last months.

“He improved a lot, then he had some little injuries. But that’s normal.”

Juventus, who sit level on points with leaders Inter in the Serie A table, will be back in action on Sunday when they take in a trip to Roma.

The Norwegian thinks his players have been targeted by a number of teams this season due to their electrifying pace on the counter

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester United players have been frequent victims of tactical fouling this season, and he has called for more protection from referees ahead of a Carabao Cup semi-final tie against Manchester City.

In the days leading up to a derby meeting at the end of the 2018-19 campaign, Solskjaer hinted that City’s penchant for late tackles was a deliberate tactic to slow down their opposition, which Pep Guardiola vehemently denied.

United are due to come up against their noisy neighbours once again on Tuesday night, in a semi-final first-leg clash at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer feels City’s blueprint for stopping United’s attackers has been copied by teams throughout the Premier League this season, with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Daniel James causing plenty of problems with their speed in the transition.

“That’s a big thing and sometimes I look at the referees and I look at our games and even if they are just little fouls there have been teams who have stopped us with those little fouls, which has stopped us showing how good we are when we attack,” the Norwegian head coach told a press conference.

“But I didn’t raise it [the subject of tactical fouling] this time, you did!”

Solskjaer thinks £15 million ($20m) summer signing James has been targeted the most due to his raw pace, but all too often referees have failed to punish those responsible for halting his momentum unfairly.

The Welshman was fouled on a number of occasions during United’s 2-1 win over City at the Etihad Stadium last month, and Burnley also subjected him to rough treatment in a Premier League meeting on December 28.

Solskjaer added: “There have been a few fouls on Dan James and I am better off not talking about it but the referees have got to look at when players with his pace, even if they just knock the ball past them, they [opponents] stop them in their tracks. Of course, it is yellow cards [that should be issued].”

After their latest clash with City, the Red Devils will turn their attention back to the Premier League, with a home fixture against Norwich on the cards on Saturday.

United are currently fifth in the standings, and cannot afford to lose any more ground on Chelsea in the race for the final Champions League spot.

City, meanwhile, are due to take in a trip to Aston Villa a day later, as they look to close the 14-point gap between themselves and runaway leaders Liverpool.

Click Here: liverpool mens jersey

The midfielder confirmed that the winger does not do any weightlifting in training, despite his incredible physique

Adama Traore was approached by NFL teams to play American football during his time at Barcelona, said Wolves team-mate Romain Saiss.

Wolves winger Traore has played a starring role for the Premier League side this season, with four goals and as many assists.

The season has been something of a breakout campaign for the Spanish youth international, who struggled to find his footing during spells at Aston Villa and Middlesbrough after making the move to England from Barcelona.

Traore’s five goals across all competitions this season are just two fewer than the winger fired during his first four seasons in English football.

The winger’s pace and incredible physique has made headlines as Liverpool, Manchester City and former club Barca reportedly eye the 23-year-old speedster.

While confirming Traore’s claim that he does not do any weightlifting in training , Wolves midfielder Saiss said the Spaniard – who left Camp Nou in 2015 – was previously targeted by NFL franchises.

“I see him every day, because we are in the gym together, before or after training,” Saiss told RMC Sport.

“Maybe he has a hidden gym room in his house, but at training, in any case, he never pumps iron, whether it is bench-press or otherwise. He is huge and very quick.

Click Here: liverpool mens jersey

“I remember saying to him: ‘You run like an American footballer’. He responded to me that at the time that he played in Barcelona, NFL teams tried to get him to playing American football instead, that’s how explosive he was.

“There are people who say that it is not possible, that he cannot be playing football.”

Wolves currently sit seventh in the Premier League, level on points with Tottenham, one point behind fifth-place Manchester United and six points back of Chelsea for that fourth and final Champions League spot.

Wolves are set to face Newcastle this weekend in their next Premier League match before facing an FA Cup replay against Man Utd.

The two sides played out to a scoreless draw this past weekend and will now continue their third-round clash at Old Trafford on January 14.

Wolves also remain in the Europa League and will return to continental play in February against Espanyol. 

The French striker has revealed an angry half-time teamtalk was needed after a below-par first-half display from the Gunners

Alexandre Lacazette says head coach Mikel Arteta “shouted a lot” at half-time to rouse Arsenal into an improved second-half performance that saw them edge past Leeds to reach the FA Cup fourth round.

The Gunners were largely outplayed by their Championship opponents during the opening 45 minutes at Emirates Stadium, with Patrick Bamford hitting the bar with one of Leeds’ 15 shots at goal.

However, Arteta’s side were much brighter after the break and scored the game’s only goal 10 minutes into the second period through Reiss Nelson.

Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli also went close to extending the lead as Arsenal ended the game strongly, with the win securing a fourth-round trip to Bournemouth.

Speaking after the game Lacazette revealed that Arteta was far from happy with his players at half-time and made his feelings clear in the dressing room.

“He shouted a lot! He was not happy because we knew they were going to play like this and we didn’t respect what he said,” Lacazette told BBC Sport. “The second half was better and thank you, Reiss, for the goal!

“Emotions are very high. They played very well in the first half and of course Leeds are a great team, I think they pressed us and we didn’t expect it. We got the final goal in the end and that’s the most important thing.”

Goalscorer Nelson also praised Arteta’s rousing half-time teamtalk and hopes this win, combined with their New Year’s Day victory over Manchester United, can provide a platform to build on during the second half of the season.

“I think [shouting a lot] is good – as a coach you always need to have the aggressive side and obviously the side where he’s loving as well,” the 20-year-old said.

“In training he’s always asking us to press with passion and play with purpose. Sometimes we played out wide, sometimes we played down the middle and it’s all paying off.

“It gives us confidence to go forward on the [Crystal] Palace game [on Saturday], we want to go there and we want to do well. Getting two wins at the Emirates is good and we’re just going to carry on going forward.”

With Smith’s men struggling with a hefty injury list, Al Hain-Cole expects the Foxes to ease to victory in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final

Leicester City will be looking to put one foot in the Carabao Cup final when they welcome Aston Villa to the King Power Stadium in Wednesday’s semi-final first leg.

The Foxes ran out 1-0 aggregate winners against this opposition when they met at this stage back in 1999-00, the year they went on to lift the trophy for the third and last time.

Leicester City vs Aston Villa Latest Odds

Having lost just once in 11 home games this season, they are 4/11 (1.36) favourites with bet365 to take command of the tie with a victory in front of their own fans.

Dean Smith’s men suffered a cup exit against Championship side Fulham at the weekend, but can be backed at 7/1 (8.00) to bounce back by coming out on top here.

Just one of the last seven encounters between this pair has resulted in a draw and you can get odds of 17/4 (5.25) on them cancelling each other out once again.

Leicester City vs Aston Villa Team News

Filip Benkovic and Wes Morgan were both forced off with injury in Saturday’s FA Cup victory over Wigan, leaving them doubtful for this clash. Jamie Vardy is available again after missing Leicester’s last two games through injury.

Jed Steer, Tom Heaton, Matt Targett, John McGinn and Wesley make up an extensive injury list for the visitors.

Leicester City vs Aston Villa Preview

While a trip to this ground seemed like a tall order for the Villans when the draw was made, their current injury list makes it look positively ominous.

Having lost six and won just one of their last eight away matches on the road, it is hard to see them competing with Brendan Rodgers’ team.

Indeed, the hosts have won eight of their previous 10 fixtures in front of their own fans, and ran out impressive 4-1 winners at Villa Park in the most recent encounter.

Leicester City vs Aston Villa Tips and Predictions

All in all, even money (2.00) seems like decent value on Leicester winning by at least two goals against an injury-stricken Villa.

All odds correct at time of publish. Please gamble responsibly.

Leicester (-1) to win for a 1.5pt stake at Evens (2.00) with bet365

Click Here: liverpool mens jersey

The 19-year-old put in a match-winning display against Nottingham Forest but his manager says there is more to come

Callum Hudson-Odoi took a significant step forward in Chelsea’s FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest , but Frank Lampard has no doubt there is more to come.

Chelsea beat Championship side Forest 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with Hudson-Odoi opening the scoring before Ross Barkley also found the back of the net.

Lampard suggested in his pre-match news conference that the Blues may have been expecting too much of the 19-year-old winger, who returned from five months out with a ruptured Achilles in September.

Hudson-Odoi has struggled for form since then , but Lampard was impressed by his display against Forest.

“It was a good performance. I was pleased to see him high up the pitch, pleased to see him being aggressive in how he gets at people, which is what he is there for. He gets his goal with a great strike,” said Lampard.

“It has been an interesting 12 months for him considering how young he is, when you take that into account. Last year everyone was talking about him for different reasons. He gets a terrible injury, he comes back very early and when he did come back there were issues getting him tip top.

“This was a nice step forward for him. Next time it will be, ‘Can you do more?’

“When you are a player of speed and sharpness, when you have an injury like that it can be slightly held back. There is a lot of strength work he needs to do – stuff on the pitch and in the gym now we’re getting him towards the point where he has that acceleration.

“As a player he is 19 and he has had that injury so there is a lot more to come from him.”

Danny Drinkwater has returned from an unsuccessful loan to Burnley and Lampard said it was “a possibility” he could head straight back out in another temporary switch.

The future of Olivier Giroud , an unused substitute against Forest with Michy Batshuayi deputising for the rested Tammy Abraham, also remains up in the air.

Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Lyon have been linked with Giroud and Lampard did not rule out the France international leaving the club.

“There’s no update on Oli and my answer remains the same as it has done recently,” added the Chelsea head coach.

“I have spoken with him. If the conditions are that it is something Oli really wants to do and it works for the club and for me and the squad, then it’s something that could happen.

“But it’s only when all three bases are covered. So, we’re still there.”