[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-why-motherwell-are-title-kingmakers-askou-s-tactics":61,"news-related-why-motherwell-are-title-kingmakers-askou-s-tactics-en":95,"news-related-match-why-motherwell-are-title-kingmakers-askou-s-tactics-en":26},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":39,"hostCities":40},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",-37,-20,"finished_recent",false,[41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60],"Atlanta","Boston","Dallas","East Rutherford","Guadalajara","Houston","Kansas City","Los Angeles","Mexico City","Miami","Monterrey","New-York","New York New Jersey","Philadelphia","San-Francisco","San Francisco Bay Area","Seattle","Toronto","Vancouver","Zapopan",{"article":62},{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":63,"category":64,"excerpt":65,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":66,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":70,"slug":71,"sourceName":72,"sourceURL":73,"teamId":74,"teamName":75,"teamIds":76,"teamNames":85,"title":94},"Motherwell have emerged as the unexpected kingmakers in the Scottish Premiership title race, with manager Jens Berthel Askou's bold tactics drawing comparisons to European overachievers Bodo\u002FGlimt. The Lanarkshire side, owned by fans through the Well Society, are on the brink of European qualification after a remarkable season that has seen them beat both Old Firm clubs for the first time in over two decades.\n\nAskou, a 43-year-old Danish coach who took charge last June, has instilled a possession-based, high-intensity style that has yielded 14 clean sheets in a 20-match stretch and a stunning 3-2 victory at Ibrox. That win marked the first time Motherwell have beaten Rangers and Celtic in the same campaign since the early 2000s, cementing their reputation as title spoilers.\n\nThe former Norwich and Millwall defender's journey to Fir Park is anything but conventional. Starting as a player with a reputation for dedication over natural talent, Askou cut his teeth in Danish football, leading Horsens to promotion and later winning a league and cup double in the Faroe Islands with HB Torshavn. His meticulous approach—once seen picking up litter on his first day at Horsens—has translated into a disciplined, adaptable tactical system.\n\nCentral to Motherwell's success is Askou's willingness to tinker. He has deployed formations ranging from 4-2-4 to 3-4-3, often catching opponents off guard. In November, he switched to a back three specifically to expose Hibernian defender Grant Hanley, leading to a penalty and red card. Against Celtic, with top scorer Tawanda Maswanhise at the Africa Cup of Nations and a back four of three right-backs and a winger, Motherwell delivered a 2-0 masterclass that pundits called unprecedented for a non-Old Firm side.\n\nAskou's ability to improve players is evident. He has helped transform midfielder Lennon Miller into a club record sale to Udinese, a deal that underscores the value he adds. The Dane's focus on consistency and exploiting advantages against wealthier opponents has made Motherwell a nightmare to face, especially at Fir Park, where they have lost only twice in 16 months.\n\nThe upcoming fixture against league leaders Hearts on Saturday, 9 May 2025, at 20:00 BST could prove pivotal. With Motherwell hosting Hearts and then Celtic in a five-day span, the outcome may decide the destination of the Premiership trophy. Derek McInnes admitted his Hearts side \"could have been beaten\" in all three meetings this season, highlighting Motherwell's threat.\n\nDespite a recent dip in form, Askou's team remain in contention for European football, a testament to their resilience. The manager's own career has been a linear path upward, with each stop—Horsens, Vendsyssel, HB Torshavn, IFK Gothenburg, Sparta Prague—building his reputation. Even a brief stint at Sparta, where Tomas Rosicky cited defensive issues, now seems ironic given Motherwell's record-breaking clean sheets.\n\nAskou's impact extends beyond tactics. Former player Mikkel Frankoch recalls being dropped but inspired to play his best football. \"He has a good understanding of who should play and why,\" Frankoch says. \"He makes players show the best versions of themselves.\" That man-management has been key to Motherwell's remarkable rise.\n\nAs the season reaches its climax, Askou's Motherwell embody the spirit of Bodo\u002FGlimt—a small club punching far above its weight through innovation and belief. Whether they clinch European football or decide the title, their story is already one of Scottish football's most captivating.\n\nBased on reporting from BBC Sport.","news","Motherwell's kingmaker role explained: Askou's tactics transform humble side into title threat. Key Hearts match on May 9 could decide Premiership race.","328597617690808321","326135632491450368","Africa Cup of Nations","0","2026-05-09T05:41:16Z","why-motherwell-are-title-kingmakers-askou-s-tactics","BBC Sport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fc8754enwr9wo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","326257660145963008","Motherwell",[74,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84],"326257539471642624","326255040442404864","326257664579342336","326257804941725696","326255044066283520","326257567107911680","326255038148120576","326257660011745280",[75,86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93],"Udinese","Austria Vienna","Faroe Islands","ST Johnstone","HB Torshavn","Bodo\u002FGlimt","Hibernian","ST Mirren","Why Motherwell Are Title Kingmakers: Askou's Tactics",[96,134,155,196],{"awayTeamId":97,"awayTeamName":98,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":99,"homeTeamId":100,"homeTeamName":101,"id":102,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":103,"matchName":104,"publishedAt":105,"slug":106,"sourceName":107,"sourceURL":108,"teamId":100,"teamName":101,"teamIds":109,"teamNames":121,"title":133},"326222712978542592","Ecuador","Emerse Faé: Ivory Coast's 2-1 win over France is 'good for morale' but team must stay focused on Ecuador opener.","326222712533946368","Ivory Coast","338113265982771201","327115041604112384","Ivory Coast vs Ecuador","2026-06-04T22:03:24Z","emerse-fae-urges-focus-what-ivory-coast-s-france-win-means","L'Equipe","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FActualites\u002FEmerse-fae-selectionneur-de-la-cote-d-ivoire-apres-le-succes-contre-la-france-en-amical-c-est-bon-pour-le-moral\u002F1681928#at_medium=RSS_feeds",[100,97,110,111,112,113,114,115,116,117,118,119,120],"326222711447621632","326257535994564608","326257537865224192","326257556060114944","326257561546264576","326257600507154432","326257610309242880","326257618995646464","326222707169431552","326222713142120448","326222767416414208",[101,98,122,123,124,125,126,127,128,129,130,131,132],"France","Nantes","Estoril","Estudiantes L.P.","Sonderjyske","Deportivo Pasto","Club Queretaro","CA Estudiantes","Anderlecht","Canada","Lesotho","Emerse Faé Urges Focus: What Ivory Coast's France Win Means",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":135,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":136,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":137,"slug":138,"sourceName":107,"sourceURL":139,"teamId":110,"teamName":122,"teamIds":140,"teamNames":147,"title":154},"L'Equipe's interactive tool lets fans choose France's starting XI for the Ivory Coast match. See squad, make picks as Les Bleus prepare for a crucial test.","338018848877842433","2026-06-04T16:05:00Z","france-xi-vs-ivory-coast-pick-your-starting-lineup","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002Fspecial\u002Fselection\u002F11-bleus-cdm-2026#at_medium=RSS_feeds",[110,100,141,142,143,144,118,119,120,145,146],"326257766752587776","326257768367394816","326257810339794944","326257695210344448","326257613643714560","326257623760375808",[122,101,148,149,150,151,130,131,132,152,153],"Fortaleza EC","Desportiva ES","Forest Green","Signal","Hassania Agadir","FC Anyang","France XI vs Ivory Coast: Pick Your Starting Lineup",{"awayTeamId":156,"awayTeamName":157,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":158,"homeTeamId":159,"homeTeamName":160,"id":161,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":162,"matchName":163,"publishedAt":164,"slug":165,"sourceName":166,"sourceURL":167,"teamId":168,"teamName":169,"teamIds":170,"teamNames":183,"title":195},"326257546392244224","Nottingham Forest","Tunisia kept 10 clean sheets in 2026 World Cup qualifying. Sabri Lamouchi aims to take them beyond the group stage for the first time.","326257545712766976","Manchester United","337642703640596481","327054566501650432","Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest","2026-06-03T15:00:10Z","tunisia-wc2026-0-goals-conceded-group-stage-breakthrough","The Guardian","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ffootball\u002F2026\u002Fjun\u002F03\u002Ftunisia-world-cup-2026-team-guide","326222712177430528","Tunisia",[168,159,156,171,172,173,174,175,176,177,178,179,180,119,181,182,100],"326257536112005120","326257807814823936","326257546010562560","326257565400829952","326257536078450688","326222712043212800","326222712496197632","326257535952621568","326257610074361856","326222713054040064","326222711535702016","326222711745417216",[169,160,157,184,185,186,187,188,189,190,191,51,192,131,193,194,101],"Monaco","Birmingham","Burnley","Sevilla","Paris Saint Germain","Saudi Arabia","Netherlands","Marseille","Haiti","Sweden","Japan","Tunisia WC2026: 0 Goals Conceded, Group Stage Breakthrough?",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":197,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":198,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":199,"slug":200,"sourceName":72,"sourceURL":201,"teamId":202,"teamName":203,"teamIds":204,"teamNames":210,"title":216},"After 257 goals and a Champions League title, Mohamed Salah leaves Liverpool for a new chapter, leaving a lasting legacy. What his exit means for Reds and","337509192640237569","2026-06-03T06:26:52Z","mohamed-salah-leaves-liverpool-257-goals-what-s-next","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fcx2xlk74llno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","326257545918287872","Liverpool",[202,159,176,205,206,207,208,209],"326257565535047680","326222712110321664","326257546094448640","326257565195309056","326222711623782400",[203,160,189,211,212,213,214,215],"Real Madrid","Argentina","Tottenham","Barcelona","Colombia","Mohamed Salah Leaves Liverpool: 257 Goals, What's Next?"]