More stories

  • in

    How Chelsea could line up at Porto with Thiago Silva set to remain in defence despite West Brom red card horror show

    THOMAS TUCHEL faces a nasty back ache for Chelsea’s Champions League quarter-final with Porto – after Thiago Silva saw red in the manager’s first defeat with the Blues.Central-defender Silva could retain his place despite the Brazilian’s early dismissal sparking West Brom’s dominant 5-2 Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

    Thiago Silva has been backed to keep his place in a three-man Chelsea defence, behind what could be a four-strong midfield against PortoCredit: 3

    And Tuchel is tipped to recall England duo Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount for Wednesday’s first leg in Sevilla, where the return clash with the Portuguese champs will also be played.
    With Edouard Mendy now established as first-choice keeper, Tuchel’s main selection issues could be in defence – following his first loss in 15 matches since succeeding Frank Lampard as boss in January.
    Cesar Azpilicueta seems a certain starter on the right, with Silva and much-improved Kurt Zouma hoping to retain their spots in a three-man backline.
    But Tuchel will think carefully – after Chelsea suffered their worst ever home Prem defeat over the weekend.
    Saturday was also the first time the Blues have conceded five at Stamford Bridge since Arsenal triumphed 5-3 in October 2011.
    Reece James, normally a wing-back, is favourite to remain on the right of a four-man midfield, although fellow England starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi, more of a natural winger, hopes to get the nod.
    Midfield anchorman N’Golo Kante is back in a full-strength 23-man squad after a hamstring injury.
    But for now Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic are likely to keep their central places ahead of the French World Cup winner.

    GRAND NATIONAL: GET £140 IN FREE BETS FOR FESTIVAL AT AINTREE

    Meanwhile, Chilwell might just displace Marcus Alonso on the left of midfield, as Tuchel balances keeping his team fresh with retaining stability with a like-for-like swap.
    Reliable playmaker Mount should return, having been a scoring sub in Saturday’s debacle after Tuchel gave him a 45-minute rest following his busy week with England.
    Hakim Ziyech is regarded as Mount’s most likely partner in a Chelsea pair sitting behind the main striker, who is expected to be Euro specialist Olivier Giroud rather than Timo Werner.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
    Ben Chilwell ‘punches’ Kurt Zouma to make light of Kepa vs Rudiger ‘fight More

  • in

    Man City vs Dortmund FREE: Live stream, TV channel, team news, kick-off time for huge Champions League quarter-final

    MANCHESTER CITY come up against Borussia Dortmund in their first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie. City have been one of the best teams in the competition this season while Dortmund striker Erling Haaland has arguably been the best player, and both will be looking to do some damage.
    Erilng Haaland has been rampant this season in the Champions League for DortmundCredit: Getty
    What time does Man City vs Dortmund kick-off?

    Man City’s big clash with Dortmund will get underway from 8pm UK time on Tuesday, April 6.
    The game will take place at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
    There will be no fans in the stadium because of the coronavirus restrictions on the UK.

    What channel is Man City vs Dortmund on and can I live stream it?

    City’s quarter-final clash with Dortmund will be shown live on BT Sport 3 and BT Sport Extra.
    The game is available for live streaming from the BT Sport app, which you can download onto your mobile or tablet device.

    Can I watch for FREE?

    EE customers can get BT Sport INCLUDED to their plan at no extra cost if they are on a plan with Smart Benefits – simply log in to EE and choose BT Sport app.
    And then get it on the big screen by texting SPORT to 150 to get a FREE three-month trial of large screen so you can cast all the action on your TV.
    At the end of the three months you will automatically roll onto the £15 per month subscription unless cancelled.

    Team news
    City have a fully-fit squad ready and raring to go for their big clash with Dortmund.
    But they could be without Joao Cancelo or Fernandinho in the second if either pick up a booking against the German side on Tuesday evening.
    Guardiola is likely to want to get Gundogan in midfield from the off, with Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling expected to start too.
    For Dortmund, Jadon Sancho will be missing through injury, scuppering any chances of returning against his old side.
    Erling Haaland will start but is also one booking away from a one-game suspension.
    Odds

    Man City – 1/3
    Draw – 4/1
    Dortmund – 15/2

    *Odds courtesy of Paddy Power and correct at time of publication. More

  • in

    Real Madrid star Raphael Varane tests positive for coronavirus hours before Liverpool clash in Champions League

    RAPHAEL VARANE has tested positive for coronavirus hours before Real Madrid face Liverpool.The Los Blancos players were checked on Tuesday morning ahead of tonight’s clash.
    Raphael Varane will miss the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool with coronavirusCredit: Getty
    And the club confirmed in a statement the result for their Frenchman.
    Varane – a transfer target for Manchester United – was named in Real Madrid’s 21-man matchday squad for the match on Monday afternoon.
    But he will now be forced to sit out of the first-leg quarter-final clash at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
    It also puts his availability to face Barcelona in a crunch El Clasico on Saturday night into major doubt.
    Zinedine Zidane is without both of his first-choice centre-backs against the six-time champions.
    Sergio Ramos was ruled out after picking up a calf injury during the international break.
    That meant he could not continue his rivalry with the Reds and specifically Mo Salah following the 2018 Champions League final.
    Dani Carvajal is also out meaning it is expected to be a back four of Lucas Vazquez, Eder Militao, Nacho and Ferland Mendy.

    Jurgen Klopp has plenty of defensive woes of his own with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip long-term absentees.
    Ben Davies is yet to feature for the club with on-loan Ozan Kabak expected to partner Nat Phillips in defence – although Fabinho could be dropped deeper to fill in.
    Kick-off in Madrid is at 8pm – 9pm local time – with the game live on BT Sport 2.
    Real Madrid vs Liverpool – Watch LIVE for FREE, channel info and kick-off time More

  • in

    Why isn’t Real Madrid vs Liverpool at the Bernabeu and where is the match being played?

    REAL MADRID host Liverpool in their Champions League quarter-final first leg, but it won’t be at the Santiago Bernabeu. Los Blancos have not played a single game at the Bernabeu this season, but have instead found a temporary home elsewhere in Madrid.
    Real Madrid haven’t played a single game at the Bernabeu this seasonCredit: AP
    Why isn’t Real Madrid vs Liverpool at the Bernabeu?
    Real Madrid haven’t been playing at the Bernabeu this season because of an extensive renovation project which is underway at the historic stadium.
    Real president Florentino Perez had always planned for the stadium to be renovated, but the coronavirus pandemic brought forward those plans.
    The Bernabeu will have a different, more modern appearance, when it reopens in the summer of 2022.
    It could however, be finished sooner, as work began three months earlier than scheduled.

    Perez said: “Our future naturally involves a new Santiago Bernabeu stadium, a reference of the 21st century.
    “A modern, avant-garde stadium, with maximum comfort and safety, with state-of-the-art technology, where fans can experience unique sensations and also be a new and important source of income for the club.”
    The new stadium will have a completely new exterior, fitted with a retractable roof.
    An underground car park will also be an extra added feature.
    Where is Real Madrid vs Liverpool being played?
    Real Madrid have played all of their home matches at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium this season.
    And they will do the same against Liverpool, who they play on Tuesday, April 6.
    The Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium is where Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s reserve side, play their home clashes.
    Real Madrid have played their home games at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium this seasonCredit: Getty
    The stadium allows for up to 6,000 fans, a far cry from the 80,000 which can fill the Bernabeu.
    But due to the coronavirus, Real have played all their games this season without the presence of fans.
    Once fans do return, however, there’s the possibility that Real will share rivals Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano until the Bernabeu is finished. More

  • in

    Man City vs Dortmund FREE: Live stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time for huge Champions League quarter-final

    MANCHESTER CITY come up against Borussia Dortmund in their first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie. City have been one of the best teams in the competition this season while Dortmund striker Erling Haaland has arguably been the best player, and both will be looking to do some damage.
    Erilng Haaland has been rampant this season in the Champions League for DortmundCredit: Getty
    What time does Man City vs Dortmund kick-off?

    Man City’s big clash with Dortmund will get underway from 8pm UK time on Tuesday, April 6.
    The game will take place at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
    There will be no fans in the stadium because of the coronavirus restrictions on the UK.

    What channel is Man City vs Dortmund on and can I live stream it?

    City’s quarter-final clash with Dortmund will be shown live on BT Sport 3 and BT Sport Extra.
    The game is available for live streaming from the BT Sport app, which you can download onto your mobile or tablet device.

    Can I watch for FREE?

    EE customers can get BT Sport INCLUDED to their plan at no extra cost if they are on a plan with Smart Benefits – simply log in to EE and choose BT Sport app.
    And then get it on the big screen by texting SPORT to 150 to get a FREE three-month trial of large screen so you can cast all the action on your TV.
    At the end of the three months you will automatically roll onto the £15 per month subscription unless cancelled.

    Team news
    City have a fully-fit squad ready and raring to go for their big clash with Dortmund.
    But they could be without Joao Cancelo or Fernandinho in the second if either pick up a booking against the German side on Tuesday evening.
    Guardiola is likely to want to get Gundogan in midfield from the off, with Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling expected to start too.
    For Dortmund, Jadon Sancho will be missing through injury, scuppering any chances of returning against his old side.
    Erling Haaland will start but is also one booking away from a one-game suspension.
    Odds

    Man City – 1/3
    Draw – 4/1
    Dortmund – 15/2

    *Odds courtesy of Paddy Power and correct at time of publication. More

  • in

    Man City boss Pep Guardiola aims dig at Champions League rivals Borussia Dortmund over their payments to agents

    PEP GUARDIOLA has taken a swipe at Champions League rivals Dortmund over the amount they pay agents.The Bundesliga giants visit Manchester City in the quarter-finals on Tuesday, with striker Erling Haaland set to start.
    Pep Guardiola has spoken out on Borussia Dortmund’s agent paymentsCredit: Getty
    The Germans paid RB Salzburg £18.5million when they signed Haaland in December 2019 — but also shelled out £13m to agent Mino Raiola.
    Former Bayern Munich boss Pep said: “If one person knows in this city about Borussia Dortmund, it is me.
    “I will not find one single player at Borussia Dortmund without quality.
    “They spent a lot of money on young, young players and also pay a lot of money to the agents to bring these players there because they have an incredible quality.”
    City are interested in signing Haaland in the summer but Raiola insists he will have to be offered £600,000-A-WEEK wages plus a £153m transfer fee.
    Dortmund beat Sevilla in the last 16 but lost 2-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

    The defeat left them seven points off fourth in the Bundesliga and a Champions League spot.
    Guardiola, 50, added: “Maybe they have not found the consistency this season in the Bundesliga.
    “But in one game or two games they are able to do anything. We saw that against Sevilla.
    “Sevilla won three Europa Leagues in a row and last season again.
    FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
    In-demand Erling Haaland is set to face Guardiola’s side on TuesdayCredit: AFP

    “You have to have respect for Dortmund and what they have done.
    “I was in Germany for three years and they are big opponents.
    “I saw the game against Frankfurt. We will try and be aggressive, win and travel to Dortmund to win the second game.
    “This is the target and what we will try to do.”
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

    Pep Guardiola says Man City may not sign new striker despite Sergio Aguero exit More

  • in

    Jadon Sancho could miss BOTH legs of huge Man City clash with Borussia Dortmund star out injured

    BORUSSIA DORTMUND are sweating over the fitness of Jadon Sancho ahead of the Champions League quarter-final with Manchester City.The winger, 21, has missed the last four Bundesliga games as well as England’s World Cup qualifiers due to a muscle injury.
    Jadon Sancho is a big doubt for this month’s tie with Manchester CityCredit: Getty
    Time is running out for a return to action with the first leg at the Etihad kicking off on Tuesday night.
    Sancho is yet to face his old club having left for Germany in 2017.
    And his chances of making the reunion are in major doubt after he was unable to train on Sunday.
    According to Dortmund daily Ruhr Nachrichten, the player is also likely to miss the return game on April 14.
    Borussia interim boss Edin Terzic had raised fans’ hopes that Sancho would be available when discussing his recovery last week.
    He said: “With Jadon, we hope that the situation with him will change in the next seven to ten days.”
    CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

    But the forward’s recovery does not appear to be going to plan despite returning from a rehabilitation stint in Dubai on Thursday.
    Sancho had hit four goals and two assists in his four games before picking up the injury.
    Without the England star, Dortmund have won just one in four and lost a vital top-four showdown against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
    The club is struggling to qualify for next season’s Champions League while sat fifth in the Bundesliga table ahead of the first leg with City.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
    Watch Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho star in epic new Pepsi Max advert and trio show off flicks and tricks More

  • in

    Real Madrid star Eden Hazard in line to face Liverpool in Champions League after incredible recovery from injury

    REAL MADRID could be handed a huge boost ahead of facing Liverpool with Eden Hazard nearing a return to fitness.The Belgian last played on March 13 having suffered the latest in a long list of injuries since he joined Madrid.
    Eden Hazard is looking towards a reunion with Liverpool on TuesdayCredit: Reuters
    Discomfort in the psoas muscle of the lower back led to Hazard missing Belgium’s World Cup qualifiers last month.
    And he was once again unavailable as Real took on Eibar on Saturday.
    But the 30-year-old completed a speedy comeback to training ahead of the game and, according to Marca, is over the injury.
    Therefore he is set to be available for Tuesday’s clash with Liverpool, if Zinedine Zidane decides to risk him.
    Hazard’s troublesome ankle problems led to him reportedly seeking surgery to fix the issue once and for all while he was out anyway with the psoas injury.
    But medical specialists advised against having the ankle operated on for a third time, amid fears it could end his career.
    BETTING SPECIAL: 40/1 ON A PENALTY FOR EITHER SIDE IN MAN UTD vs BRIGHTON

    Instead, he could help Los Blancos finally win a trophy this year with the LaLiga title a difficult prospect and both cup campaigns over.
    Hazard will however have to improve his tally of four goal in 36 appearances for Real if he is to make a serious impression – and he last completed a 90 minutes in November 2019.
    Liverpool may be an ideal team to do just that thanks to the winger’s record of seven goals in his previous 18 meetings with the club.
    The Reds travel to Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex for the 8pm kick-off on Tuesday with the quarter-final return leg at Anfield on April 14.
    Hazard has hit seven goals against Liverpool – the joint-most of any opponent in his careerCredit: Reuters

    Zidane welcomed another fitness boost ahead of the game with Toni Kroos once again available.
    A muscle issue had kept the German out of his international duties but he was fit enough for the bench versus Eibar.
    Sergio Ramos will miss both legs of the quarter-final due to a calf injury while Dani Carvajal (thigh) and Fede Valverde (groin) are doubts.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

    Champions League quarter-final draw sees Liverpool take on Real Madrid and Man City face Borussia Dortmund More