LAURA WOODS: FURY TO BEAT USYK

USYK VS FURY II PREVIEW

This is so tricky! I've been really enjoying the build-up and listening to how Tyson Fury has been preparing for it. Locking himself away from his family for three months sounds gruelling but, as he said, he has a point to prove and knows where he went wrong last time.

Oleksandr Usyk has come through every challenge in front of him and he’s still undefeated. He’s an absolute machine, ridiculously awkward and I love watching him. He also knows exactly how to beat Tyson.

Tyson has been different this time though: no nonsense and no games. I know a lot of the experts are going for Usyk but I’m going to go for Fury.

If he does lose again, I don’t think there’s any shame in it whatsoever. Usyk is an animal, he’s the best heavyweight around at the moment, it will be deserved.

Fury is nearly 40 but he’s got plenty of options if he does lose to Usyk. I'd love to see him fight Daniel Dubois and I still want the Anthony Joshua fight, even now after all these years of waiting!

THE AI JUDGE

I’m all for seeing how effective it is. We see too many scorecards that don’t replicate what actually happened inside the ring and an AI system, providing it works properly, will apparently offer accuracy without bias and human error.

It’s something we haven’t seen before in a professional fight so I’m intrigued! Give it a go and see what we can learn from it.

The good thing is it won’t affect the official decision, but what if it comes to a different one to the actual judges?! I’m usually not a big fan of technology intervening in sport, unless it’s done well like in tennis or cricket. So, if I’m honest, I’m quite excited to see it in action.

Today's 𝘽𝙄𝙂 office debate...

What would you rather see 𝙔𝙊𝙐𝙍 club achieve? 🤔

— BetMGM UK (@BetMGMUK) December 18, 2024

ARSENAL NEED A STRIKER

As we were building up to Arsenal vs Monaco in the Champions League last week we focused on a stat both pre and post-match: Gabriel Jesus had scored one goal in 33 games, which became 34 when he failed to score at the Emirates once again.

But a hat-trick on Thursday against Crystal Palace is just what the doctor ordered – not only for Jesus but for Arsenal, who have been dying for a goal in open play.

It won’t fix all their problems but it does boost the confidence that there are more goals to come in this team.

‘Do Arsenal need a striker?’ is the question I’ve heard the most in the last couple of seasons and I’ve flitted between yes and no quite a bit.

My answer now is yes. There have been opportunities missed this season at crucial moments where Arsenal could have stayed close to Liverpool at the top.

ISAK PERFECT FOR ARSENAL; GYOKERES A GOOD OPTION

I'm a long-time fan of Alexander Isak. He would be perfect at Arsenal but I doubt Newcastle would let him go and especially not to the Emirates.

They have the same ambitions to get back into the Champions League and letting Isak go would be disastrous for them.

I also really like Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP. He also has ambitions to play in the Premier League but would he want a reunion with his old boss Ruben Amorim at Manchester United instead or would he consider the club too early in their rebuild and too far off Champions League football?

Beating Manchester City at the Etihad might have caught his attention. He’ll cost a pretty penny, though, with £70m minimum being reported. I don’t think Arsenal would shell that out.

CAMERON MENZIES

I really felt for Cameron when he had his struggle on the Alexandra Palace stage on Tuesday. I've met him in the past and he is a great guy.

I think we forget the pressure that stage brings and the dreams these players have about performing on it.

I've watched players over the years get absolutely hounded by that crowd. It is a huge part of the game in that arena, you can’t escape it.

It is a completely different animal to the floor events. I also read that he was tearful because he wanted to win for his sick father, who is in hospital so I really wish both Cameron and his dad well and I hope he’s surrounded by love and support.

After 𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗡 years at Old Trafford, Marcus Rashford has admitted he needs a "new challenge" 👋

Can you see him staying in England or should he move abroad? 🛫

Find the market for his next club on 01/09/25 👉 https://t.co/dkWhxFCFGG

*Odds subject to change#MUFC pic.twitter.com/3ZLxGbRdaH

— BetMGM UK (@BetMGMUK) December 19, 2024

RASHFORD COMMENTS SURPRISING

I was surprised Marcus Rashford said what he did about leaving United, if I'm honest.

Probably because Amorim has only just arrived and I wanted to see how that relationship developed and if Amorim could spark the old Rashford on the pitch again.

So to come out and say something like that makes me wonder whether he already knows his future isn’t in Manchester anymore.

Anything Marcus says will garner a lot of attention and a lot of criticism too – I've seen a mixed reaction to it.

He is an academy graduate and he’s been their star boy at times but, while he’s been underperforming as one of the club's top earners, fans and critics have become quite sceptical about him as a footballer.

I can’t imagine how someone deals with the spotlight that comes at Old Trafford.