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      Salzburg vs Chelsea LIVE: Stream, TV channel, team news as Pulisic and Havertz START Champions League match – latest

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      CHELSEA take on Salzburg tonight in a repeat of Graham Potter’s first match in chaarge of the Blues in the Champions League.Their first clash at Stamford Bridge finished 1-1 thanks to Noah Okafor’s late equaliser after Raheem Sterling opened the scoring.

      Start time: 5.45pm BST
      TV/Live stream: BT Sport 4
      Salzburg XI: Kohn, Adamu, Seiwald, Kjaergaard, Sucic, Gourna-Douath, Pavlovic, Wober, Dedic, Okafor, Bernardo
      Chelsea XI: Kepa, Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Cucurella, Kovacic, Jorginho, Sterling, Pulisic, Gallagher, Havertz, Aubameyang

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      Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
      When is RB Salzburg vs Chelsea?

      RB Salzburg entertain Chelsea TODAY – Tuesday, October 25.
      It is scheduled to kick off earlier than usual – 5:45pm UK time but 6:45pm local time.
      Red Bull Arena in Wals-Siezenheim is the allocated venue for this fixture and it can host approximately 30,188 spectators.
      Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw when the sides last met in September.

      What TV channel is RB Salzburg vs Chelsea on and can I live stream it?

      RB Salzburg vs Chelsea will be broadcasted LIVE on BT Sport 4 in the UK.
      Coverage is set to commence from 5pm UK time – 45 minutes before kick-off.
      Subscription holders of BT Sport can stream the match live via the BT Sport website or BT Sport app.

      On the Chelsea bench tonight
      13 Bettinelli, 16 Mendy, 12 Loftus-Cheek, 18 Broja, 19 Mount, 20 Zakaria, 21 Chilwell, 22 Ziyech, 28 Azpilicueta, 30 Chukwuemeka
      Havetz returns for Potter’s Blues
      1 Kepa; 14 Chalobah, 6 Thiago Silva, 32 Cucurella; 10 Pulisic, 8 Kovacic, 23 Gallagher, 5 Jorginho, 17 Sterling; 29 Havertz, 9 Aubameyang

      Wonderkid Sesko named among subs
      1 Mantl, 33 Walke, 2 Van Der Brempt, 4 Piatkowski, 6 Baidoo, 8 Kameri, 17 Ulmer, 23 Simic, 24 Diarra, 30 Sesko
      Recovered Sukic starts for Salzburg
      18 Kohn; 70 Dedic, 95 Bernardo, 31 Pavlovic, 39 Wober; 13 Seiwald, 27 Gourna-Douath, 21 Sucic, 14 Kjaergaard; 9 Adamu, 77 Okafor

      Blues odds-on to progress
      RB Salzburg may be unbeaten in their last 16 matches in all competitions, but the bookies still expect Chelsea to claim the three points they need to seal their spot in the knockout stages.

      RB Salzburg win 4/1
      Draw 27/10
      Chelsea win 8/11

      Odds from Betfair correct at the time of post publication.
      Chelsea eye place in knockouts
      Good afternoon and welcome to live SunSport coverage of RB Salzburg versus Chelsea.
      Yes, the early evening Champions League action this Tuesday comes from Austria, where Graham Potter’s men will be hoping to seal their route into the Last 16.
      The Blues require a win to seal one of the top two spots in Group E with a game to spare, and will be further evidence of an impressive start to life at Stamford Bridge for their new manager.
      However, standing in the Londoners’ way are a fearless Salzburg side, not used to losing on their own patch.
      Kick-off at the Red Bull Arena is set for 5.45pm, and confirmation of the two starting line-ups is imminent.
      Load more entries… More

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      Tottenham vs Sporting Lisbon: Live stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time for Champions League clash

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      TOTTENHAM are up against Sporting Lisbon in their penultimate Champions League group stage clash. Spurs lost to the Portuguese side 2-0 when the two sides faced each other last month.
      Tottenham lost 2-0 to Sporting Lisbon the last time the two sides playedCredit: Getty
      Tottenham overcame Frankfurt 3-2 in a tight affair last weekCredit: Getty
      But since then, Antonio Conte’s side have worked their way to the top of the group, and they stand just one win away from qualification to the last 16.
      Sporting, on the other hand, are third on six points – level with second-placed Marseille.
      But Tottenham will be desperate to secure a spot in the knockout stages with a game to spare.

      What time does Tottenham vs Sporting kick off?

      Tottenham take on Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday, October 26.
      The game will get underway from 8pm UK time.
      Tottenham vs Sporting will be held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      Tottenham vs Sporting will be shown live on BT Sport 3 and BT Sport Ultimate.
      You can live stream the action from the BT Sport app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

      Most read in Champions League
      Team news
      Dejan Kulusevski is working his way back to fitness and could find a spot on the bench for Conte’s side.
      Richarlison had a calf issue to contend with but is set to be fit with the clash against Sporting.
      Marcus Edwards and Francisco Trincao are set to start up front again but alongside Paulinho rathet than Goncalves.
      Sebastian Coates will miss the clash, as will Luis Neto, who has a knee injury.
      Odds

      Tottenham – 40/85
      Draw – 18/5
      Sporting – 11/2

      *Odds courtesy of Betfair and correct at time of publication. More

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      New Champions League set up for 2024-25 season leaves Football Manager players in shock with radical changes introduced

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      FOOTBALL MANAGER 2023 players have been left baffled by the new Champions League format.From the 2024-25 season onwards, the group stage will be drastically revamped.
      Football Manager fans were left baffled by this imageCredit: Twitter
      The Champions League is set to look very differentCredit: The Times
      Rather than the current 32-team format featuring eight groups of four – 36 clubs will be entered into one giant league.
      They won’t face everybody, however, instead playing ten matches – five at home and five away.
      The lucrative plans will see 189 games take place in the competition instead of 125.
      Despite not everyone playing each other, all results will be entered into one 36-team group.
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      The top eight will qualify automatically for the round of 16 – while those placed between ninth and 16th will be entered into two-legged play-offs.
      Football Manager released the beta version of its 2023 game last week – and some players have already devoured their first two seasons to reach the 2024-25 campaign.
      Only the most ardent of fans will have kept up to speed with the changes confirmed by Uefa bigwigs earlier this year – and those that didn’t were in for a big shock.
      A grab of the new-look 36-team Champions League group on FM23 subsequently did the rounds on social media.
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      One fan responded: “Not sure what’s more concerning, the new UCL format or the fact people are in 2024-25 within 2 days of fm23 being out.”
      Another asked: “Sorry is this a bug????”
      After looking through all the teams that had qualified for the 2024-25 edition, a third fan joked: “Looks awful but Arsenal in the UCL.”
      A bemused footy fan wrote: “What on earth is this?!”
      One did defend the change, however, writing: “Chill out everyone, it’s a format preventing teams ranking 2nd in their groups but performing worse than a team ranking 3rd in another group from getting through to next round.
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      “With the new format only the best performing teams will be going through to next rounds. Fair enough.”
      Of the four extra group stage slots up for grabs after the competition’s expansion – two will go to countries whose teams performed the best as a collective the previous season – giving Prem teams an opportunity to grab an extra spot. More

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      Barcelona vs Bayern Munich: TV channel, live stream, kick-off time and team news for CRUCIAL Champions League clash

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      BARCELONA are in need of three points against Bayern Munich to stand any chance of progressing to the Champions League last-16.The Spanish giants were on the verge of crashing out in San Siro when Robin Gosens drilled home what looked to be an Inter Milan winner.
      Robert Lewandowski threw Barcelona a life line with his late doubleCredit: Reuters
      But Robert Lewandowski’s late double ensured that Barcelona could live to fight another day.
      However, Xavi’s side face an uphill task of needing to beat table topping Bayern – who they have already lost to in this campaign.
      And the Catalonians will also need to hope that rock-bottom Viktoria Plzen somehow manages to pull off a shock result in Milan.
      When is Barcelona vs Bayern Munich?

      Barcelona’s mouth-watering fixture against Bayern Munich takes place on Wednesday, October 26.
      It is scheduled kick off at 8pm UK time – 9pm local time.
      Nou Camp in Barcelona, Spain is the allocated arena for this encounter and it can host a staggering 99,354 supporters.
      Bayern comfortably beat Barca 2-0 the last time the sides met in September.

      Leroy Sane capped off a 2-0 win for Bayern over Barcelona last time outCredit: Getty
      Read more on Champions League
      What TV channel is Barcelona vs Bayern Munich on and can I live stream it?

      Barcelona vs Bayern Munich will be broadcasted LIVE on BT Sport 5.
      Subscription holders of BT Sport can stream the match live via the BT Sport website or BT Sport app.

      What is the team news?
      Barcelona boss Xavi will be tempted to give Hector Bellerin a run out as full-back Sergi Roberto dislocated his shoulder on the weekend.
      Most read in Champions League
      Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen and Memphis Depay are also set to be out.
      But Gavi is expected to be available despite suffering a blow to his abductor.
      Elsewhere, Manuel Neuer, Lucas Hernandez, Leroy Sane and Bouna Sarr will miss the trip to Barcelona.
      However, it gives Julien Naglesmann the opportunity to go with a front three of Sadio Mane, Kinglsey Coman and Serge Gnabry.
      Latest odds

      Barcelona to win 13/10
      Draw 29/10
      Bayern Munich to win 9/5

      *Odds courtesy of Betfair are correct at time of publication More

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      Uefa release statement slamming Benfica with Juventus clash in Champions League NOT having goal-line technology

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      UEFA have confirmed that Benfica vs Juventus will go ahead WITHOUT goal-line technology.The two sides will meet in Lisbon on Tuesday night as Champions League Group H approaches its climax.
      Benfica last met Juventus on September 14Credit: Getty
      All matches in Uefa’s premier competition are supposed to go ahead with goal-line technology.
      But works being carried out on Benfica’s Estadio da Luz have rendered their tech dysfunctional.
      Confirming the game would still go ahead, Uefa placed the blame squarely at the Portuguese club’s feet.
      They wrote in a statement: “Ahead of the Uefa Champions League match between SL Benfica and Juventus, the home club – without the knowledge of Uefa and Uefa’s goal-line technology supplier – commissioned works in the Estadio do SL Benfica, which made the installed goal-line technology system dysfunctional.
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      “Unfortunately it will not be possible to replace and install a new system in time for the match and therefore the match will go ahead without the use of goal-line technology as per the Uefa Champions League regulations.”
      The match is set to be crucial with Juventus aiming to cling on to their hopes of qualifying for the round of 16.
      Benfica go into the game second on eight points after four matches – level with top side Paris Saint-Germain.
      Juventus, meanwhile, only have three points and anything other than a win will see them eliminated.
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      The two sides met in Turin on September 14, with Benfica running out 2-1 winners.
      Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik had given Massimiliano Allegri’s side a fourth minute lead.
      But former West Ham flop Joao Mario’s penalty levelled the clash on the stroke of half-time – before David Neres struck a 55th-minute winner. More

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      How Newcastle lined up last time they were in Champions League in 2003 as Eddie Howe’s side battle for top four spot

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      NEWCASTLE are dreaming of Champions League football for the first time since 2003 after beating Tottenham.The victory over the weekend put Eddie Howe’s side into fourth place after 11 games, having lost just once all season.
      Bobby Robson’s side finished third in 2003 to set up the Champions League qualifier
      Howe has been able to invest heavily since arriving as Toon boss and, with spending set to continue, Newcastle have a chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
      Should they succeed, it will mark a return to the top table of European football for the first time in 19 years.
      The late Sir Bobby Robson was in charge in August 2003 when the Magpies lost to Partizan Belgrade in the third qualifying round.
      Newcastle won the first leg away 1-0 before losing 4-3 on penalties after the game at St James’ Park ended 1-0 to the Serbian giants after extra-time.
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      SunSport takes a look at the team that lost that day, which includes a couple of Newcastle legends.
      Shay Given
      The former Republic of Ireland international achieved hero status at Newcastle after making 462 appearances in all competitions.
      The ex-goalkeeper, 46, now works as a pundit after leaving a coaching role at Derby in the summer, having spent four years with the Rams.
      Shay Given works as a pundit following a coaching spell at DerbyCredit: Getty
      Aaron Hughes
      Hughes, 42, came through the Newcastle academy and played in 279 games for Toon before joining Aston Villa in 2005.
      The Northern Irishman actually made 12 appearances in the Champions League and also had spells at Fulham, Hearts and Brighton.
      Aaron Hughes became an important defender after graduating from the club’s academyCredit: Pacemaker Press
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      Andy O’Brien
      He helped Newcastle to a third-place finish in his first season at the club to set up the qualifier with Partizan Belgrade.
      The 43-year-old was a mainstay in the team until poor form led to his sale to Portsmouth in 2005.
      Andy O’Brien made 172 Toon appearances between 2000-2005Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Jonathan Woodgate
      One of the stand-out players in the side, Woodgate had proven his pedigree in Europe by nullifying Didier Drogba in a Uefa Cup semi-final clash against Marseille a few months earlier.
      He helped Newcastle to a fifth-place finish in his first full season in 2003-04 before joining Real Madrid.
      Woodgate, 42, also had spells at Leeds and Tottenham and managed Middlesbrough, where he has recently returned as a coach under new boss Michael Carrick.
      Jonathan Woodgate returned to Middlesbrough as a coach this weekCredit: Getty
      Olivier Bernard
      The Frenchman, 43, made 102 appearances in his first spell at the club between 2000-2005.
      He returned in 2006 but injury cut short his career and he never made another appearance.
      Bernard blamed former Toon boss Graeme Souness for his early retirement and the ex-defender has since worked with Show Racism the Red Card, an anti-racism education charity.
      Olivier Bernard was forced to retire through injury aged 27Credit: EPA
      Nolberto Solano
      The Peruvian, 47, was a cult hero in the North East and also had two spells at the club, between 1998-2004 and 2005-07.
      He made 314 appearances for Newcastle in total, scoring 48 goals and helping Toon to an Intertoto Cup win in 2006.
      Nolberto Solano achieved cult hero status at the MagpiesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Gary Speed
      Speed was a prominent figure for both Newcastle and Wales during his spell in the North East, and he twice finished as an FA Cup runner-up with the Magpies in 1998 and 1999.
      He sadly passed away in 2011 aged just 42, while he was manager of Wales.
      Gary Speed is fondly remembered for his spell at NewcastleCredit: AFP
      Hugo Viana
      Injuries disrupted the Portuguese star during his time at the club and he was limited to 39 Prem appearances between 2002-04.
      Viana, 39, is now director of football at Sporting Lisbon and tried to sign Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer.
      Hugo Viana is director of football at Sporting LisbonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Kieron Dyer
      Dyer, 43, played 250 times for Newcastle between 1999-2007.
      He is perhaps most well known for his infamous fight with former team-mate Lee Bowyer during a 3-0 loss to Aston Villa, but he also won 33 England caps thanks to his good form for Toon.
      Since retiring Dyer has appeared on TV shows I’m a Celebrity and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and became manager of Ipswich Under-23s before resigning in March.
      Kieron Dyer was named in the 2002-03 Premier League team of the yearCredit: Getty
      Alan Shearer
      The Newcastle legend, 52, unfortunately made only ten Champions League appearances with Newcastle and never won a major honour.
      But the Match of the Day pundit did secure his place as the club’s record scorer with 206 goals in 405 games before hanging up his boots in 2006.
      He returned for a failed stint as Toon interim manager in 2009 in which he was unable to prevent the club from relegation.
      Alan Shearer is Newcastle’s record goalscorer but he could not fire them into the Champions League in 2003Credit: Getty
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      Shola Ameobi
      Another popular figure at St James’ Park, Ameobi made 397 appearances for the club after rising through the ranks, scoring 79 goals.
      He returned to the Magpies in 2019 as loan co-ordinator, a role the 41-year-old still holds.
      Shola Ameobi is now loan co-ordinator at NewcastleCredit: Getty More

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      Antonio Rudiger shows off gruesome red eye and 20 stitches in head after Real Madrid star’s injury vs Shakhtar Donetsk

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      REAL MADRID star Antonio Rudiger has shown off his gruesome battle scars following his nasty Champions League knock.The ex-Chelsea ace, 29, sustained a scary head and eye injury during Real’s 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk two weeks ago.
      Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger revealed his gruesome injuriesCredit: Pacific Coast News
      Antonio Rudiger hurt his eye and head in the Champions League
      The centre-back was busted open after he heroically netted a last-gasp equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time to cancel out Oleksandr Zubkov’s opener.
      The Germany international required a whopping 20 stitches to heal his wound after the match.
      Rudiger flew back to Madrid covered in bandages but appeared to be in good spirits, based on a selfie he shared on the plane.
      But the former Chelsea star showed the same toughness he brought to Stamford Bridge as he came off the bench in the El Clasico just five days later against Barcelona.
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      The defender also competed against Elche with a face mask and Sevilla with a headband.
      He is now gearing up for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash at RB Leipzig.
      Even now, Rudiger’s injury hasn’t completely healed.
      During the pre-match press conference, the defender’s eye was still blood-red with the stitches still visible.
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      However, the German looked keen to start for Carlo Ancelotti’s side after admitting he is loving life at Real.
      Rudiger said: “I’m satisfied with my performances.
      “I feel I’m on a good run, I don’t have to play every game because we have a large squad with a lot of quality.
      “I feel I’m a 10 out of 10. I’m surprised at how quickly I’ve adapted. I had the help of [Toni] Kroos and [David] Alaba.
      “I’m very happy. As I said in my presentation, I’m going to give 100 per cent for this club”. More

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      Napoli vs Rangers: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Group A Champions League match in Naples

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      RANGERS will be determined to restore some pride in their Champions League fixture against Napoli – but they face an uphill battle.The Scottish giants were humiliated 7-1 by out-of-form Liverpool in their last European outing despite taking the lead.
      Rangers were thrashed 7-1 by Liverpool in their last Champions League outingCredit: Getty
      And it was a result that meant Rangers are yet to register a single point in this season’s competition.
      However, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side can still secure a Europa League spot and they trail third-place Ajax by only three points.
      But Ranger come up against a Napoli side who have gone unbeaten since the start of their 2022/23 campaign.
      When is Napoli vs Rangers?

      Napoli entertain Rangers on Wednesday, October 26.
      It is scheduled to kick off at 8pm UK time – 9pm local time.
      Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, Italy is the allocated arena for this match and it can host 54,726 fans.
      The Scottish giants were embarrassed on their own turf 3-0 when the sides last met and they also went down to ten men.

      James Sands was sent off in the reverse fixtureCredit: AFP
      Read more on Champions League
      What TV channel is Napoli vs Rangers on and can I live stream it?

      Napoli vs Rangers will be broadcasted LIVE on BT Soort 4 in the UK.
      Coverage is set to commence from 7:15pm UK time – 45 minutes before kick-off.
      Subscription holders of BT Sport can stream the match live via the BT Sport website or BT Sport app.

      What is the team news?
      Napoli head coach Luciano Spalletti will be delighted to have seen Victor Osihmen return from injury with a winner against Roma on the weekend.
      Most read in Champions League
      However, Amir Rrahmani and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s thigh injuries are expected to keep them out.
      Meanwhile, Giovanni van Bronckhorst will still have a number of key players missing for this huge fixture.
      Glen Kamara, Tom Lawrence, Ianis Hagi, John Soultar, Ryan Jack, Connor Goldson and Filip Helander all look set to be unavailable.
      But on a positive note, Alex Lowry and Kemar Roofe recently returned to action and could be involved in the visitors squad.
      Latest odds

      Napoli to win 1/5
      Draw 11/2
      Rangers to win 13/1

      *Odds courtesy of Betfair are correct at time of publication More