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      in Soccer

      World Cup 2022 qualifying play-offs fixtures and dates: Who will Italy, Portugal, Scotland and Wales play?

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      MORE and more teams who will participate at the Qatar World Cup are becoming known, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal are not yet one of them.The Euro 2016 champions were beaten by a last minute Aleksandar Mitrovic header as they went down 2-1 at home to Serbia.
      Cristiano Ronaldo will have to take the play-off route if he is to play in the Qatar World CupCredit: Getty
      Italy join Portugal in the World Cup play-offsCredit: Pacemaker
      That means they will now have to overcome both a play-off semi-final and final in order to make it to Qatar.
      And to make matters worse for Ronaldo and co, they have been joined by current European champions Italy.
      The Italians were unable to find a way past Northern Ireland, meaning Switzerland progressed to the World Cup as group winners.
      When are the World Cup qualifying play-offs?
      The World Cup qualifying play-offs will take place during the next international break, which will be held from March 24 to March 29, 2022.
      Twelve teams will enter the play-offs – the ten runners-up from World Cup qualifying plus the best placed Nations League group winners to have not yet qualified.
      However, just THREE will advance to the World Cup.
      The draw for the play-offs will be held on November 26 and will see the six best placed teams in World Cup qualifying handed home semi-final ties.
      That draw will also decide who will play who in the three finals.
      Gareth Bale and Wales will feature in the World Cup play-offsCredit: PA
      Could Italy play Portugal?
      Italy and Portugal will avoid each other in the play-off semi-finals as both finished among the six best group winners, meaning a home semi.
      However, there is nothing to stop them playing each other in the final.
      Which teams are in the World Cup qualifying play-offs and who is at home?
      Here’s how the teams line up so far.
      Home semi-finalists

      Portugal
      Russia
      Italy
      Scotland

      Away semi-finalists

      North Macedonia
      Austria

      TBC

      Wales
      Czech Republic
      Sweden

      The play-off entrants from two groups have yet to be decided.
      In Group D, Ukraine need to win in Bosnia and hope Finland fail to beat France at home if they are to make the play-offs. France have already qualified for the World Cup.
      In Group G, Netherlands, Turkey and Norway could all end up in first, second or third place.

      Are there any other World Cup qualifying play-offs?
      Yes. The inter-confederation play-offs will take place under the usual two-legged format.
      This will see the winner of Oceania qualifying, fourth place in North American qualifying, fifth place in South American qualifying and the best third place in the two Asian qualifying groups drawn into two two-legged ties.
      The two winners of their ties will qualify for the World Cup.
      In African qualifying the ten group winners will advance to to two-legged continental play-offs.
      The five winners of those African ties will then advance to Qatar. More

    • 213 Shares129 Views

      in Boxing

      Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Williams: Date, UK start time, TV channel, live stream and undercard info

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      CHRIS EUBANK JR is stepping into the lion’s den as he takes on Welsh middleweight Liam Williams in Cardiff. Next Gen has fought twice so far in 2021, seeing off Marcus Morrison and Wanik Awdijan as he looks to build towards Gennady Golovkin and a world title shot.

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      Credit: Getty
      Williams meanwhile got his chance at the WBO middleweight crown in the summer, but fell on the wrong side of an unanimous decision against Demetrius Andrade.
      This will be the Welshman’s first bout in Cardiff since 2018, where he scored an emphatic second round KO of Craig Nicholson.
      There is no love-lost between the two fighters and this Best of British fight could be one of the highlights of 2021.
      When is Eubank Jr vs Williams?

      This big domestic dust-up is set for Saturday, December 11.
      It will be held at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, which will house around 7,000 fight fans.
      The evening’s entertainment will start around 6pm, with the main event around 10pm GMT.

      Williams will be backed by a vociferous crowd in CardiffCredit: Getty
      Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
      You will be able to watch every jab, duck and upper-cut on Sky Sports Arena.
      Exact times are yet to be confirmed but it is likely the evening’s entertainment will broadcast from 7pm.
      If you’re not a Sky customer, you can watch by grabbing a NOW TV pass from £9.99.
      SunSport will be running a dedicated live blog for this fight, so you don’t miss any of the drama.

      Who else is fighting on the undercard?
      As yet, the final card is yet to be confirmed.
      But as of November 16, here’s how things are looking for fight night in the Welsh capital:

      Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Williams (middleweight)
      Claressa Shields vs Ema Kozin (women’s WBC, WBA, IBF, WBF middlweight title)
      Samuel Antwi vs Conah Walker (BBBofC English welterweight title)
      Rhys Edwards vs TBC
      Bradley Rea vs TBC

      What they said
      Eubank Jr: “I’m no stranger to going into the lion’s den. I’ve been booed into arenas many times before.
      “It doesn’t affect me. If anything, it makes me fight harder, if the crowd is against me. Not to say that I’m hoping they are. I hope that I receive a warm welcome.
      “But either way, I’m going to go in there and get the job done.”
      Williams: “He’s a pretender. He just wants to make people believe that he’s at a certain level and everybody else is irrelevant and a no one, but the reality of it is he’s a clown.”
      “We both have a style where we want to be involved in good fights and we can’t help but be involved in them because we are both gutsy fighters.
      “The fans are going to be the winners.” More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Is Georgia U21 vs England U21 on TV? Channel, live stream, teams and kick-off time for TODAY’S friendly clash

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      ENGLAND U21 visit Georgia as they look to stake their claim for a senior spot.Lee Carsley’s Young Lions head to the Caucasus off the back of a crucial 3-1 win at home to Czech Republic to put them back into the Euro U21 qualifying mix.
      England U21 are looking to continue their good form in GeorgiaCredit: Getty
      Georgia meanwhile have already qualified for the 2023 tournament as co-hosts and will look to gain crucial experience in this friendly.
      What time does Georgia U21 vs England U21 kick off?

      Georgia U21 vs England U21 takes place on Tuesday, November 16.
      The match kicks off at 2pm UK time – 6pm in Georgia.

      What TV channel is Georgia U21 vs England U21 on and can I live stream it?

      England U21s’ match in Georgia will not be in television in the United Kingdom.

      Team news

      Latest odds
      Georgia 15/2
      Draw 15/4
      England 2/7
      *Odds from Betfair correct as of Monday, November 15 More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Boxing

      Terence Crawford vs Shawn Porter: Date, UK start time, TV channel, live stream and undercard for huge welterweight clash

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      TERENCE CRAWFORD defends his WBO welterweight crown in a potentially career-defining clash against Shawn Porter.Fighting for the first time in over a year, Bud puts his unbeaten 37-0 record on the line in Sin City against former WBC champion Showtime.

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      Crawford returns for the first time since beating Kell Brook in November 2020Credit: Getty
      Crawford is regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet, but has struggled to lure the very best welterweights into the ring since stepping up from 140lbs.
      Porter represents that challenge and it promises to be a hugely exciting showdown in Las Vegas, with titles and reputations on the line.
      When is Crawford vs Porter?

      This blockbuster world title clash will be held on Saturday, November 20.
      It will take place in the early hours of Sunday morning here in the UK.
      Expect the main event around 8pm Vegas time, which is 4am on this side of the Atlantic.

      Porter is confident he can spring a surprise and take the WBO beltCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
      In a big boost for fight fans, this showdown is NOT a pay-per-view event in the UK.
      The full evening’s entertainment – including the main card – will be shown on Sky Sports Arena and Main Event.
      Coverage will start at 2am GMT.
      To stream, download the Sky Go app if you’re a Sky customer and watch on a number of devices.
      While non-subscriber can get a NOW TV pass from £9.99, with the fight then available on your mobile, tablet, PC, games console or smart TV.

      Who is fighting on the undercard?

      Terence Crawford vs Shawn Porter (WBO welterweight title)
      Esquiva Falcao vs Patrice Volny (middleweight)
      Janibek Alimkhanuly vs Hassan N’Dam (middleweight)
      Raymond Muratalla vs Steven Ortiz (lightweight)

      What they said
      Terence Crawford: “I want to be the best fighter in the world. Simple. I feel like I’m already there, but I have to prove it to the world and it starts with Porter.
      “I wasn’t looking to fight Shawn Porter when I stepped up into the welterweight division.
      “But being that he’s one of the top welterweights in the world, here we are and I’m looking forward to it.”

      Shawn Porter: “He’ll have his mind where it needs to be when the fight starts, but I expect to make [things] as easy as can be.
      “Simply put, Terence has met his match. It’s not up to me to say things to convince anybody of that.”
      Fight odds

      Crawford to win – 1/7
      Porter win – 4/1
      Crawford by KO/TKO – 7/4
      Porter by KO/TKO – 17/2
      Crawford on points – 5/6
      Porter on points – 13/2
      Fight to go the distance – 4/7

      *All odds from Betfair and correct at time of publication. More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Argentina vs Brazil: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time, team news – Neymar OUT of World Cup qualifier

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      ARGENTINA take on Brazil tonight in one of the world’s biggest international derbies.The match comes just two months after the return fixture in Brazil was bizarrely abandoned after an intervention from the Brazilian health authorities.
      Lionel Messi is looking to take the scalp of arch rivals Brazil for a second time this year.Credit: EPA
      Neymar will play no part in this match, but fortunately for him Brazil have already qualified for the World CupCredit: Getty
      Brazilian officials stormed onto the pitch as a result of four Argentine Premier League players – Giovani Lo Celso, Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero and Emi Buendia – entering the country without their permission.
      Fifa have yet to come to a decision on whether that match will be re-arranged or awarded to one of the two teams.
      Argentina are looking to join their fierce rivals at the World Cup in Qatar, with Brazil having qualified by beating Colombia 1-0 last week.
      A victory would also move the Argentines to within three points of the Selecao and keep them in with a chance of picking up a morale-boosting first place in the world’s longest qualifying campaign.
      What time does Argentina vs Brazil kick off?

      What TV channel is Argentina vs Brazil on and can I live stream it?

      Team news
      Lionel Messi will definitely play against Brazil after starting on the bench in Uruguay, manager Lionel Scaloni has confirmed.
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner had sat out PSG’s previous fixture with an injury going into the international break.
      Paulo Dybala picked up a knock against Uruguay and could now have his place taken by Messi.
      Scaloni otherwise has a clean bill of health and is unlikely to make any further changes to the team that won in Montevideo.
      For Brazil, Casemiro is out after an accumulation of bookings with Internacional’s Edenilson called up to the squad as a replacement.
      But Liverpool’s Fabinho is the man who will expect to come in for the Real Madrid star.
      Man Utd’s Fred is in danger of losing his spot after being hauled off at half time against Colombia.
      And it has been confirmed today that star man Neymar will sit this one out through injury.
      Latest odds
      Argentina 7/5
      Draw 21/10
      Brazil 15/8
      *Odds from Betfair correct as of Thursday, November 11 More

    • 275 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Wales vs Belgium FREE: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news – Bale NOT IN SQUAD for World Cup qualifier

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      WALES face a huge clash with Belgium tonight as they look to secure a home World Cup qualifying play-off.The Dragons need a draw to secure second place in Group E, which would leave them with the best possible chance of making it to Qatar.
      Gareth Bale made his 100th Wales appearance on Saturday but is not in the squad for this oneCredit: PA
      Bale’s Real Madrid team-mate Eden Hazard will hope to keep his place in the Belgium teamCredit: Alamy
      Should they lose, Czech Republic would move into second place with a two-goal victory at home to Estonia.
      That would mean Wales would still enter the World Cup play-off as a result of topping their Nations League group, but they would face an away semi-final, potentially against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal or European Champions Italy.
      What time does Wales vs Belgium kick off?

      Wales take on Belgium on Tuesday, November 16.
      The match kicks off at 7.45pm UK time – 8.45pm in Belgium.
      It takes place at the Cardiff City Stadium.
      The teams last met back in March, when Belgium ran out 3-1 winners in Leuven.

      What TV channel is Wales vs Belgium on and can I live stream it?

      Wales vs Belgium is live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.
      To stream the game live, head to your Sky Go account, the Sky Sports website or the Sky Sports app.
      Non-Sky Sports subscribers can still watch all the action with a Now TV Day Pass from £9.99.
      If you want to watch in Welsh, you can catch all the action live on S4C.

      Can I watch Wales vs Belgium for free?

      Yes, but you’ll have to watch in Welsh. S4C is free for all UK viewers with a TV licence.

      Team news
      Gareth Bale celebrated his 100th Wales appearance as he played the first half against Belarus on Saturday.
      However, he is not in the squad for this crucial clash with the Belgians.
      Manager Robert Page had already confirmed that Bale would not have started if he was in the squad.
      He said: “He was never going to start. We knew that coming into camp.
      “The plan was always for him to get a half in the first game and then come on and maybe have an impact in the second game.
      “He has not played for a couple of months and to throw him in for that game was a big ask from a physical point of view.”
      Wales’ Ethan Ampadu is suspended for this one after picking up a booking against Belarus.
      Chris Mepham or Chris Gunter are the leading candidates to step into the defence as Ampadu’s replacement.
      In a major boost to Wales’ hopes, Belgium are without key man Romelu Lukaku, who is still recovering from injury and not in the Red Devils’ squad.
      Latest odds
      Wales 12/5
      Draw 9/4
      Belgium 5/4
      *Odds from Betfair correct as of Monday, November 15 More

    • 213 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Argentina vs Brazil: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for World Cup 2022 qualifying

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      ARGENTINA are set to take on Brazil in one of the world’s biggest international derbies.The match comes just two months after the return fixture in Brazil was bizarrely abandoned after an intervention from the Brazilian health authorities.
      Lionel Messi is looking to take the scalp of arch rivals Brazil for a second time this year.Credit: EPA
      Neymar and Brazil are set to continue their record of qualifying for every single World CupCredit: Getty
      Brazilian officials stormed onto the pitch as a result of four Argentine Premier League players – Giovani Lo Celso, Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero and Emi Buendia – entering the country without their permission.
      Fifa have yet to come to a decision on whether that match will be re-arranged or awarded to one of the two teams.
      Argentina are looking to join their fierce rivals at the World Cup in Qatar, with Brazil having qualified by beating Colombia 1-0 last week.
      A victory would also move the Argentines to within three points of the Selecao and keep them in with a chance of picking up a morale-boosting first place in the world’s longest qualifying campaign.
      What time does Argentina vs Brazil kick off?

      What TV channel is Argentina vs Brazil on and can I live stream it?

      Team news
      Lionel Messi will definitely play against Brazil after starting on the bench in Uruguay, manager Lionel Scaloni has confirmed.
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner had sat out PSG’s previous fixture with an injury going into the international break.
      Paulo Dybala picked up a knock against Uruguay and could now have his place taken by Messi.
      Scaloni otherwise has a clean bill of health and is unlikely to make any further changes to the team that won in Montevideo.
      For Brazil, Casemiro is out after an accumulation of bookings with Internacional’s Edenilson called up to the squad as a replacement.
      But Liverpool’s Fabinho is the man who will expect to come in for the Real Madrid star.
      Man Utd’s Fred is in danger of losing his spot after being hauled off at half time against Colombia.
      Latest odds
      Argentina 7/5
      Draw 21/10
      Brazil 15/8
      *Odds from Betfair correct as of Thursday, November 11 More

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Wales vs Belgium FREE: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for World Cup qualifying

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      WALES face a huge clash with Belgium as they look to secure a home World Cup qualifying play-off.The Dragons need a draw to secure second place in Group E, which would leave them with the best possible chance of making it to Qatar.
      Gareth Bale made his 100th Wales appearance on SaturdayCredit: PA
      Bale’s Real Madrid team-mate Eden Hazard will hope to keep his place in the Belgium teamCredit: Alamy
      Should they lose, Czech Republic would move into second place with a two-goal victory at home to Estonia.
      That would mean Wales would still enter the World Cup play-off as a result of topping their Nations League group, but they would face an away semi-final, potentially against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
      What time does Wales vs Belgium kick off?

      Wales take on Belgium on Tuesday, November 16.
      The match kicks off at 7.45pm UK time – 8.45pm in Belgium.
      It takes place at the Cardiff City Stadium.
      The teams last met back in March, when Belgium ran out 3-1 winners in Leuven.

      What TV channel is Wales vs Belgium on and can I live stream it?

      Wales vs Belgium is live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.
      To stream the game live, head to your Sky Go account, the Sky Sports website or the Sky Sports app.
      Non-Sky Sports subscribers can still watch all the action with a Now TV Day Pass from £9.99.
      If you want to watch in Welsh, you can catch all the action live on S4C.

      Can I watch Wales vs Belgium for free?

      Yes, but you’ll have to watch in Welsh. S4C is free for all UK viewers with a TV licence.

      Team news
      Wales’ Ethan Ampadu is suspended for this one after picking up a booking against Belarus.
      Chris Mepham or Chris Gunter are the leading candidates to step into the defence as Ampadu’s replacement.
      Gareth Bale is short of fitness but still likely to keep his starting place following his 100th cap on Saturday.
      In a major boost to Wales’ hopes, Belgium are without key man Romelu Lukaku, who is still recovering from injury and not in the Red Devils’ squad.
      Latest odds
      Wales 12/5
      Draw 9/4
      Belgium 5/4
      *Odds from Betfair correct as of Monday, November 15 More