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    Alexander Isak’s Dream Team viability sky-high having averaged a goal every 79 minutes since mid-September

    NEWCASTLE came ever so close to an epic Champions League rearguard on Tuesday night.Eddie Howe’s side were a minute away from a win over PSG in the French capital when the hosts were given a generous penalty, one that (probably) wouldn’t have been awarded in the Premier League.
    Kylian Mbappe’s converted the spot-kick to break the hearts of many Dream Team managers who would have been delighted if the likes of Nick Pope (£4.2m) and Kieran Trippier (£5.2m) had held out for an improbable clean sheet.

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    A harsh blowCredit: Getty
    Partially lost among the chaos was Alexander Isak’s (£4.2m) goal but Dream Team bosses would do well to take note of the Sweden international’s efforts.
    The former Real Sociedad forward was on hand to fulfil the role of poacher when Miguel Almiron’s (£3.4m) shot was parried into a dangerous area by Gigi Donnarumma.
    Isolated for much of the game, Isak nonetheless pouched eight points at the Parc des Princes, doubling his tally for the Gameweek – he opened the scoring against Chelsea at St James’ Park on Saturday.
    16 points has to be considered a particularly impressive return for Gameweek 13 considering Isak was an availability question mark right up until he was named in the starting line-up at the weekend.
    Deadly in front of goalCredit: Dream Team
    The 24-year-old missed five games while injured and it’s because of his spell on the sidelines that many Dream Team gaffers will not be aware of his clinical conversion rate when available.
    Isak has now scored seven goals in his last nine appearances at an average of one every 79 minutes – a run that began in mid-September.
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    This fruitful spell that has yielded 67 points at an average of 7.44 per outing since the start of Gameweek 6.
    The stats paint a portrait of a striker in fine form who will provide healthy returns so long as he can avoid further injury setbacks.
    Plus, Isak’s minutes are assured as along as Callum Wilson (£4.4m) is sidelined and, regardless, the pair have flourished even when forced to share game time in the last year.
    The Magpies are in the midst of a chronic injury crisis but their convincing victory over Chelsea, who went toe-to-toe with Manchester City before the international break, proved they remain capable of impressive performances and results.
    Their fixtures across the next two Gameweeks are far from easy – Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham, AC Milan – but Isak is certainly capable of extending his points-laden streak against such opponents.
    Newcastle face a tough run but they should continue to produce pointsCredit: Reuters
    Newcastle’s No14 has scored nine goals in all competitions this season – only Erling Haaland (£7.9m) and Mohamed Salah (£6.7m) are ahead of him among all Dream Team assets.
    Isak’s total of 91 Dream Team points is hindered by his injury lay-off but he actually averages more points-per-game than Ollie Watkins (£4.8m) and Darwin Nunez (£4.5m).
    Don’t underestimate him!

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    Real Madrid vs Napoli LIVE SCORE: Latest Champions League updates as European kings look to extend winning run

    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE kings Real Madrid will be hoping to extend their lead at the top of Group C when they take on Napoli tonight.The Spanish giants have picked up maximum points from their four games in Europe, while the Italians sit second.

    Kick off time: 8pm GMT
    TV/ live stream: TNT Sports 3/discovery+

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    Bayern Munich vs Copenhagen LIVE SCORE: Latest Champions League updates as Germans look to continue flawless record

    BAYERN Munich will host Copenhagen in a Champions League group stage clash tonight.The German giants are currently top of Group A after winning all four of their games in Europe so far this season.
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    Sevilla vs PSV LIVE SCORE: Latest Champions League updates as Spanish giants eye first win in Group B

    SEVILLA will be hoping to get their first win of their Champions League campaign as they face PSV on Wednesday night.The Spanish giants are currently bottom of Group B and are in need of a win to boost their chances of qualifying for the knockout rounds.

    Kick off time: 5.45 GMT
    TV/ live stream: TNT Sports 3/discovery+

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    Will Man Utd’s Champions League match against Galatasaray get called off?

    MANCHESTER UNITED face Galatasaray in their most important game this season – but there are fears it might not go ahead.The Red Devils must win this evening in order to keep their European hopes alive.
    Alejandro Garnacho scored a spectacular over-head kick against EvertonCredit: Getty
    And after Alejandro Garnacho’s incredible goal inspired United to an Everton win, they’ll be oozing with confidence.
    But fans are now anxious as there have been fears that the game will get called off.
    Why could Man Utd’s match against Galatasaray get called off?
    Around 2,500 travelling United fans have been warned to take extra care due to the extreme weather warnings.
    Heavy rain has already started to flood the streets of Istanbul, with strong winds also expected ahead of kick-off.

    Despite the weather, Man Utd’s Under-19’s still faced Galatasaray in the UEFA Youth League at lunchtime, winning 1-0.
    But while the full game was played, it was severely impacted by a waterlogged pitch at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium.
    A commentator for MUTV even deemed it as “unplayable” with 20 minutes remaining.
    Pitch inspections have taken place after Istanbul has been hit with torrential wind and rain.
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    When is Galatasaray vs Man Utd?

    Galatasaray vs Man Utd is scheduled to take place this evening – Wednesday, November 29.
    Kick-off is scheduled for 5.45pm GMT.
    Rams Park will play host. More

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    Benfica vs Inter Milan LIVE SCORE: Latest updates from Champions League clash

    BENFICA are hosting Inter Milan in a Champions League Group D clash.Italian giants Inter are already through as they battle Real Sociedad for top spot, while Benfica are out having failed to pick up a point so far.

    Kick off time: 8pm GMT
    TV/ live stream: TNT Sports 6/ discovery+

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    Champions League star nearly reduced to tears as he receives heartwarming surprise after match

    ATLETICO MADRID midfielder Rodrigo Riquelme nearly teared up as he received the Man of the Match on Tuesday night.The 23-year-old put on a stellar performance in Atletico’s 3-1 victory against Feyenoord in their Champions League group stage clash.
    Champions League star Rodrigo Riquelme could not believe he got the Man of the Match awardCredit: Instagram @atleticodemadrid
    Riquelme received the award after Atletico Madrid’s 3-1 win on Tuesday nightCredit: Instagram @atleticodemadrid
    The midfielder was nearly reduced to tears and gave a heartwarming responseCredit: Instagram @atleticodemadrid
    The 23-year-old put on a stellar performance against Feyenoord on Tuesday nightCredit: AFP
    Riquelme was stunned as he was handed the MVP after the game against the Dutch giants.
    Atletico secured the top spot in Group E as two own goals and a brilliant lob by Mario Hermoso sealed the fate of Diego Simeone’s men.
    But the most heartwarming part of the Spanish giant’s win is when midfielder Riquelme was gifted with the award.
    The La Liga side shared his reaction on their Instagram and the ex-AFC Bournemouth star was almost brought to tears.
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    In the clip, he emotionally said: “For me? You are teasing me.
    “I can’t believe this. Is this serious? I still can’t believe it. Holy moly.
    “You believe me when I say this, this is very special for me because I have been fighting for a long time to be able to play here, Atletico Madrid, the club of my life.
    “I never thought I could win the MVP of a Champions League match.
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    “This victory is so important for us. For me this is everything.”
    Riquelme joined Atletico Madrid’s youth setup in 2010 when he was ten.
    He made his debut with the reserves in March 2019 and then his first team and La Liga debut in September of that year.
    But after a struggling start to his senior career, he made a move to the English Championship on loan at Bournemouth where he made 19 appearances in the 2020-21 term.
    Then he was sent on another two season-long loans to Spanish second-division side Mirandes and La Liga’s Girona.
    But his efforts have not gone unnoticed as this term he has impressed boss Simeone and made ten appearances and scored two goals.
    And his improving form earned his Spain debut in their 3-1 win over Cyprus last week, coming off the bench for Mikel Oyarzabal. More

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    What do Man Utd need to do to qualify for last-16 of Champions League? Permutations explained

    MANCHESTER UNITED will face Galatasaray TONIGHT in their penultimate Champions League group stage game.Erik ten Hag’s side face an uphill battle to qualify for the last-16 of Europe’s elite competition.
    Man Utd will be hoping to take their impressive recent Premier League form into the Champions LeagueCredit: REUTERS
    Man Utd are bottom of Group A with just one win and three losses from their four Champions League games this season.
    The Red Devils were on the end of a dramatic 4-3 loss to Copenhagen last time out.
    Man Utd’s defeat to the Danes on Matchday 4 meant that their Champions League fate is no longer in their own hands.
    What do Man Utd need to do to qualify for last-16 of the Champions League?
    The Red Devils can only qualify for the last-16 of the Champions League by finishing second in Group A.
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    That is because Bayern Munich have already confirmed their title as group winners as the German giants have 12 points after winning all four of their games.
    If Man Utd lose against Galatasaray
    Should Man Utd lose against Galatasaray on Matchday 5 they will be OUT of the Champions League as the Turkish giants go four points ahead with only three left to play for.
    If Man Utd win against Galatasaray
    If Man Utd beat Galatasaray on their own turf, they would go up to six points and would qualify for the last-16 with a win against Bayern in their final game unless Copenhagen overcome the Germans and Galatasaray in their final two matches.
    Should Ten Hag’s side claim all three points in Istanbul but lose to the Germans in their final game, they would need Bayern to win against the Danes and there not to be a winner in Copenhagen vs Galatasaray.
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    If Man Utd draw with Galatasaray
    A draw in Istanbul and Bayern beating Copenhagen would mean a win over Thomas Tuchel’s side at Old Trafford would result in the Red Devils qualifying for the last-16 if Galatasaray fail to win against Copenhagen.
    Should the Danes draw in Munich and the Red Devils triumph over Bayern in their final Group A game, that would see them progress if Copenhagen vs Galatasaray ends in a draw.
    If the Turkish side beat the Danes in Gameweek 6 after drawing with Man Utd, they will go through to the knockout stages.
    If Man Utd draw in Istanbul and then beat Bayern and Copenhagen win their final group stage game after losing their penultimate Group A match, they would be both on seven points, but Ten Hag’s side would go through with a better head-to-head record as they have scored more away goals in the matches between the two.
    What happens if Man Utd, Galatasaray and Copenhagen all finish on 7 points in Group A?
    Remarkably, Man Utd, Galatasaray and Copenhagen could all finish on 7 points in Group A.
    Here is how each team’s final two matches would need to play out:

    Copenhagen beat Bayern, then lose to Galatasaray.
    Galatasaray lose to Man Utd, then beat Copenhagen.
    Man Utd beat Galatasaray, then draw with Bayern.

    Teams that finish level on points in the Champions League group stage are sorted by the following criteria.
    Unlike the Premier League – which uses goal difference when teams are tied on points – the Champions League separates the teams on head-to-head points among the two fixtures between the sides.

    Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
    Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
    Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
    Away goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
    Goal difference in all group matches;
    Goals scored in all group matches;
    Away goals scored in all group matches;
    Wins in all group matches;
    Away wins in all group matches;
    Disciplinary points (red card = 3 points, yellow card = 1 point, expulsion for two yellow cards in one match = 3 points);
    UEFA club coefficient.

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    Which teams have already qualified for the last-16 of the Champions League?
    Here are all the teams that have qualified for the knockout stages so far:

    Bayern Munich
    Real Madrid
    Real Sociedad
    Inter Milan
    Manchester City
    RB Leipzig
    Atletico Madrid
    Lazio
    Borussia Dortmund
    FC Barcelona More