Paris Saint Germain vs Caen : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Paris Saint Germain
  • Thiago Silva is set to return here after missing the win over Rennes through injury.
  • Adrien Rabiot and Layvin Kurzawa remain doubts, but Thiago Motta could start after coming off the bench on Saturday.
  • Presnel Kimpembe, Marco Verratti and Dani Alves all are suspended here.
Caen
  • Youssef Ait Bennasser returned from injury for the draw against Caen, but Julien Feret is a doubt here.
  • Hervé Bazile is fit again and could start on the right.
  • Ismael Diomandé is a doubt through injury, but Vincent Bessat returned on Saturday from a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
  • Attacker Jeff Louis will miss out due to an illness in his family.
  • With Djiku suspended, Baissama Sankoh could come into central defense.

Match Facts

PSG are undefeated in their last 32 home matches (Ligue 1).

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 18 of Caen‘s last 21 games (Ligue 1).

PSG have scored at least 2 goals in their last 9 home matches (Ligue 1).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 10 of PSG‘s last 11 games (Ligue 1).

PSG have been winning at both half time and full time in 7 of their last 9 home matches (Ligue 1).

Caenhavefailed to score in their last 4 away matches (Ligue 1).

PSG are undefeated in their last 12 matches against Caen in all competitions.

Prediction

  • Despite being somewhat limited in midfield and defense, PSG’s attacking firepower will likely tell against a Caen side who have their own issues with squad depth.
  • Having only scored once in their last five matches, Caen have struggled to find a rhythm of late. Much of this is down to what’s been a crowded treatment table, but without any pressure, the visitors could be a surprisingly dangerous opponent.
Prediction:

Paris Saint Germain logo Paris Saint Germain

2

1

Caen Caen logo

Real Sociedad vs Sevilla : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Real Sociedad
  • Albert de la Bella may continue at left-back for the hosts, with Kevin still struggling with a muscle problem.
  • Otherwise, there should be little in the way of selection surprises from Eusebio.
  • Adnan Januzaj and Mikel Oyarzabal should start out wide in attack, despite poor recent performances from the latter.
Sevilla
  • Clement Lenglet is sidelined due to suspension for the visitors after picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign.
  • Johannes Geis will be asked to fill in as a make-shift central defender yet again for Sevilla.
  • Nolito and Joaquin Correa will battle it out to feature on the left wing, with Wissam Ben Yedder likely to be preferred to Luis Muriel up top.

Match Facts

Sevillahavelost 5 of their last 6 away matches (La Liga).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Sevilla‘s last 4 away games (La Liga).

Sevillahaveconceded at least 2 goals in their last 4 away matches (La Liga).

Real Sociedad have failed to win their last 5 matches (La Liga).

Prediction

  • Real Sociedad are winless in their last five league games, with the pressure definitely building a little bit on their boss Eusebio. They have won just one of their last seven La Liga matches and need a drastic upturn in form before the year is out.
  • Sevilla are winless in their last three matches. They are solid at home but have so far failed to find the same level of performances on the road this season.
Prediction:

Real Sociedad logo Real Sociedad

2

2

Sevilla Sevilla logo

Antoine Griezmann ‘tapping up’ scandal as Atletico Madrid report Barcelona to FIFA over alleged illegal transfer approach

Atletico Madrid have reported Barcelona to FIFA over an alleged illegal approach of striker Antoine Griezmann.

The Catalans’ pursuit of the French forward has become increasingly public, with director Guillermo Amor admitting in a recent interview that contact had been made with the player.

And that has stung Atleti into action as the Rojiblancos bid to hold on to their star man.

“If Bartomeu met with Griezmann’s family as the newspapers say, then there may well have been an approach,” Amor said.

Atletico told Reuters: “Atletico Madrid have presented a complaint about Barcelona for repeated contact between Barcelona, the player and his people.

“Griezmann has a long contract and this cannot be permitted, while the club also considers it could affect the competition [La Liga] in which Barcelona are currently top and Atletico are second.

Manchester United are also interested in trying to lure Griezmann to Old Trafford, but it is Barca who are seemingly in the box seat in the race for the 26-year-old.

Former Manchester United midfielder Liam Miller is ‘determined and battling hard’ to beat cancer

Former Premier League footballer Liam Miller is “determined” to beat cancer.

John Hartson, who played alongside Miller at Celtic, provided an update on the 36-year-old’s battle with the disease after speaking to him on the phone.

Last month, messages of support flooded in for Miller after it emerged he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Now, Hartson, who played with Miller between 2001 and 2004 before the midfielder left Celtic for Manchester United, has told how the ex-Ireland international is “battling hard”.

On Twitter, he wrote: “Just off the phone to Liam Miller.. he has a big fight on his hands, and is feeling determined and battling hard through this horrible period of his life.”

“We send him our prayers and strength, and hope that Liam can get back to a normal way of life.”

 

LeBron James Sends Message of ‘Equality’ With Black and White Sneakers

LeBron James made a statement when the Cleveland Cavaliers played the Washington Wizards in Washington, D.C. on Sunday by wearing one black sneaker and one white Nike sneaker – each with the word “Equality” stitched on the heel in gold lettering — during the first half. The NBA star was forthcoming about his motives when speaking to reporters after the game.

“Obviously we know where we are right now, and we know who’s at the helm here,” James said. “Us as Americans, no matter the skin color, no matter the race, no matter who you are, I think we all have to understand that having equal rights and being able to stand for something and speak for something and keeping the conversation going [is important].”

James wore two black sneakers emblazoned with the word “Equality” in Cleveland’s season-opener against the Boston Celtics to “keep the conversation going.” He posted a picture of them on Instagram after the game with the caption “Together we will persevere through all adversity, negativity and turn it into happiness and love! #LiveLaughLove #striveforgreatness?”

James has been openly critical of Donald Trump in the past. He called Trump a “bum” on Twitter before the season began when defending Stephen Curry and his decision to not visit the White House, telling POTUS “going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!” It ended up being the seventh-most retweeted tweet of 2017. James then spoke about Trump at length at media day, saying “he doesn’t understand the power that he has,” and that he wasn’t going to let him use sports as a platform to divide people.

“I’ve been very outspoken and well-spoken about the situation that is going on at the helm here,” James continued on Sunday. “We’re never going to let one person dictate us, as Americans, how beautiful and how powerful we are as a people. Equality is all about understanding our rights, understanding what we stand for and how powerful we are as men and as women, black or white or hispanic — it doesn’t matter your race, whatever the case may be. This is a beautiful country, and we’re never going to let one person dictate how beautiful and how powerful we are.”

Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Bayern Munich
  • Jérôme Boateng and Niklas Süle compete for a spot at centre-back.
  • Corentin Tolisso could come in in central midfield, if manager Jupp Heynkes decides to rest James Rodríguez.
  • Kingsley Coman provides a further option on the flanks.
Borussia Dortmund
  • Neven Subotic and Marc Bartra provide further options at centre-back, if manager Peter Stöger decides to rotate there.
  • Mahmoud Dahoud and Nuri Sahin are the first alternatives in central midfield.
  • Stöger does not have many options in attacking positions though and might well field an unchanged side for the third time in a row.

Match Facts

Bayernareundefeated in 29 of their last 30 matches (DFB Pokal).

Borussia Dortmundhavewon their last 5 matches (DFB Pokal).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Borussia Dortmund‘s last 5 games (DFB Pokal).

Bayernhave seen over 2.5 goals in their last 4 matches against Borussia Dortmund in all competitions.

Borussia Dortmundhavescored at least 2 goals in their last 5 matches (DFB Pokal).

Bayernhavescored at least 2 goals in their last 4 matches against Borussia Dortmund in all competitions.

Prediction

  • Bayern are the Bundesliga’s “Autumn Champions” and head into the winter break with an 11-point lead over Schalke and a 13-point gap between themselves and third-placed BVB. They will nonetheless face a difficult task here and have a lot to lose at home against revived visitors.
  • Dortmund sacked manager Peter Bosz after a two-month spell without a win against a top-tier side. His successor Peter Stöger brought stability to the side in his first two games in charge and made BVB defend deeper and take fewer risks in their pressing, which resulted in back-to-back Bundesliga wins.
  • This game would be a worthy DFB-Pokal final and Bayern are certainly favourites at home, but BVB have found stability and balance at the right time to keep this game closer than expected.
Prediction:

2

1

Borussia Dortmund Borussia Dortmund logo

 

Top Facts

 

Wolfsburg have won 10 of their last 12 matches (DFB Pokal).

Leganes have lost their last 4 away matches (La Liga).

PAOK Thessaloniki FC have won 9 of their last 11 matches (Cup).

Levante have lost their last 3 home matches (La Liga).

Schalke have won 5 of their last 6 matches (DFB Pokal).

Mamelodi Sundowns FC have won 6 of their last 7 matches (Premier Soccer League).

Napoli have won 5 of their last 6 matches against Udinese in all competitions.

PEC Zwolle have won their last 4 home matches against NEC Nijmegen in all competitions.

Willem II have won 5 of their last 6 home matches against RKC Waalwijk in all competitions.

Levante vs Leganes : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Levante
  • Chema is sideline for a few weeks with a hamstring problem that he picked up against Sevilla.
  • Rober should slot in at centre-back, with Antonio Luna likely to be preferred to Tono at left-back.
  • Jefferson Lerma will feature in central midfield, with Enis Bardhi fit to return in the number 10 role.
Leganes
  • Mauro Dos Santos and Ezequiel Munoz should make up a more orthodox central defensive pairing for Leganes.
  • Gabriel is carrying a knock to his knee, but should start in central midfield.
  • Nordin Amrabat and Nabil El Zhar could start on the wings for the away side, with Alex Szymanowski carrying a knock.

Match Facts

Leganes have been losing at both half time and full time in their last 4 away matches (La Liga).

Levantehave kept a clean sheet in their last 4 matches against Leganes in all competitions.

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Leganes‘s last 10 away games (La Liga).

Leganes have lost their last 4 away matches (La Liga).

Leganes have failed to score in their last 3 away matches (La Liga).

Levantehavelost their last 3 home matches (La Liga).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Levante‘s last 3 home games (La Liga).

Levantehaveconceded at least 2 goals in their last 3 home matches (La Liga).

Prediction

  • Levante are winless in their last five matches, with the newly promoted side struggling to offer much in the way of an offensive threat.
  • The hosts have scored in their last two home matches, but they have similar conceded in both of those games against Athletic Club and Girona.
  • Leganes have lost their last two away games without even hitting the back of the net. This contest has the potential to be very tight indeed.
Prediction:

Levante logoLevante

1

1

LeganesLeganes logo

Arsenal vs West Ham : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Arsenal
  • Arsene Wenger has confirmed Theo Walcott will start on Tuesday night.
  • Shkodran Mustafi is back but won’t be risked in midweek, while Aaron Ramsey is still ruled out.
  • Arsenal play Liverpool on Friday night and that should reflect in Wenger’s starting XI here.
West Ham
  • David Moyes has confirmed Joe Hart will start in goal on Tuesday night despite dropping down the pecking order in recent weeks.
  • Winston Reid returns after serving a one-match ban against Stoke, while Declan Rice, André Ayew, Diafra Sakho and Javier Hernandez will push for game time at the Emirates.
  • Mark Noble, Marko Arnautovic and Pablo Zabaleta all picked up injuries against Stoke on Saturday and only the latter is expected to be fine in time to face Arsenal.
  • Cheikhou Kouyaté, Jose Fonte and Sam Byram are all expected to miss out, while Edimilson Fernandes is a doubt.
  • Manuel Lanzini has been charged by the FA for simulation against Stoke and is expected to start a two-game ban here

Prediction

  • Arsenal have only scored three goals from 89 shots on goal over their last four league matches. The Gunners were also held to a 0-0 draw against West Ham in that run.
  • West Ham are unbeaten in their last three and kept clean sheets in each of those matches (Chelsea, Arsenal and Stoke). David Moyes’ appointment is starting to have a positive impact on the team but the tough fixtures just keep on coming for the Hammers.
  • Both managers are expected to rotate on Wednesday night as the Premier League is more important for both teams. The Gunners are usually comfortable against West Ham at home but this should prove a difficult midweek match.
Prediction:

Arsenal logo Arsenal

1

0

West Ham West Ham logo

Leicester vs Manchester City: Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Leicester
  • Leicester will shuffle their pack on Tuesday night when they welcome Manchester City in the League Cup.
  • Wilfred Ndidi was sent off at the weekend and will not feature here, while Roberth Huth and Matty James are both sidelined for the home side.
  • Kelechi Iheanacho will hope to start against his former club, while Aleksandar Dragovic, Leonardo Ulloa, Andy King and Daniel Amartey will also push for game time.
Manchester City
  • Personal reasons kept David Silva out on Saturday’s 4-1 win over Tottenham and the Spaniard isn’t expected to feature here either.
  • Benjamin Mendy and John Stones will also miss the trip to Leicester, while Vincent Kompany may also skip Tuesday’s match.
  • Danilo, Yaya Touré, Phil Foden, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Bernardo Silva, Tosin Adarabioyo and Claudio Bravo will push for game time here.

Prediction

  • Leicester’s good run of form came to a firm halt at the weekend after losing 3-0 at home to Crystal Palace. They had won four matches in a row prior to that shock result.
  • Manchester City have only lost one game this season. They required penalites to overcome Championship leaders Wolves in the last round of the League Cup, but have won every other game in normal time aside from that.
  • The Foxes have already dumped Liverpool out of the League Cup this season but will struggle to repeat the feat on Tuesday. City are expected to make changes to the starting XI but should still have enough to come through this tie.
Prediction:

Leicester logoLeicester

1

2

Manchester CityManchester City logo