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      Portugal vs France: Live stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time for huge UEFA Nations League clash

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      PORTUGAL host Nations League rivals France as both sides battle for the chance to finish top of their group.
      In their last group game, Portugal and France played out a 0-0 bore-draw in Paris.

      Ronaldo scored his 102nd international goal against Andorra Credit: Alamy Live News

      But as both teams have won all of their other games in the group, they both stand neck-and-neck in the penultimate match day of the group stages.
      Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to hunt down the all-time international goal record of 109, having reached the 102 mark against Andorra on Tuesday night.
      Portugal have the home advantage, but France are still the world’s best International side, and anything could happen on the night.
      What time does Portugal vs France kick off?
      Portugal vs France kicks off at 7.45pm (BST) on Saturday, November 14.
      The game will take place at the Estadio da Luz in Benfica, where the Champions League final took place earlier this year.

      Kante will likely start for France against PortugalCredit: Getty – Contributor
      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?
      Portugal vs France will be shown on Sky Sports Football.
      The game is available for streaming on your smartphone or tablet, as long as you have a NOW TV or Sky Go account.

      Team news
      Ronaldo was rested to start the Andorra game but he’ll be a certainty to start this huge game against France.

      It’s likely that most of the team who played against Andorra will be changed, with th likes of Manchester City duo Joao Cancelo and Ruben Dias coming in to the side.
      Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes will also probably make the starting line-up.
      For France, Hugo Lloris will likely replace Steve Mandanda in goal, while Chelsea star N’Golo Kante could start in midfield.
      Anthony Martial and Barca forward Antoine Griezmann should also start for France by Kylian Mbappe remains doubtful.

      Odds
      Portugal – 7/5
      Draw – 21/10
      France – 2/1 More

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      Gareth Southgate says Harry Kane is a ‘privilege’ to have ahead of 50th England cap

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      HARRY KANE reaches his half century of England caps with Gareth Southgate claiming it is a “privilege” to have the striker in his team.
      The Three Lions manager believes his strikeforce, which includes Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling, is the envy of many other European powerhouses.

      Harry Kane is set to make his 50th appearance for England on SundayCredit: Rex Features

      Gareth Southgate says it’s a privilege to have the Tottenham forwardCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Kane, rested for Thursday’s 3-0 friendly win over Ireland, boasts a stunning record of 32 goals in his 49 games.
      And he looks certain to eventually smash Wayne Rooney’s all-time international record of 53 strikes from 120 appearances.
      Southgate, preparing for tomorrow’s Nations League tie in Belgium, said: “Every country is going to play differently and have their outstanding players who have different sorts of attributes.
      “Harry is a different type of centre-forward to Romelu Lukaku, for example.

      “Different to Olivier Giroud or Kylian Mbappe. We are just delighted we’ve got him and we know his impact. His scoring record for us is just phenomenal. Absolutely phenomenal.
      “You always know, going into a game with the likes of Harry, with Raheem as well, that we’ve got a tremendous goal threat which a lot of countries would be delighted to have.”
      Kane, 27, has won major praise this season for the way he has created so many chances and goals for Spurs, where he has a seemingly telepathic relationship with Son Heung-min.
      But this is of little surprise to Southgate. He first saw the player’s all-round natural ability in only his second game as Under-21 manager against Finland in September 2013.

      With tongue in cheek, Southgate added: “He started on the bench which showed what we know about talent observation!

      England beat Ireland 3-0 in Thursday and Harry Kane was given the night offCredit: AP:Associated Press
      “It was the second game we had with the Under-21s. But he came into the game as a 10. We had Saido Berahino as a 9 and Harry immediately created a goal that got us an equaliser. I know there seems to be more emphasis on that part of his game now but he’s definitely always had it.
      “He’s as good a provider and as good a passer as he is a finisher and he is, of course, an outstanding finisher.
      “Clearly the combinations at the club — with Son in particular — have been excellent. When you’ve got runners going beyond him, he will find the passes.
      “So we are privileged to have him, we know that, and it’s great to see him hitting that sort of form ahead of the weekend.”
      Another Three Lions striker in form is Dominic Calvert-Lewin. And he wants to take penalties for Everton after his thumping spot-kick against the Irish.
      The Goodison striker, 23, is the Premier League’s joint-highest scorer with eight goals — but most of his Golden Boot rivals are significantly aided by being on penalty duties for their clubs.
      Yet Gylfi Sigurdsson has had a patchy record as Everton’s spot-kick taker, while Richarlison scored one in the victory at Crystal Palace this term.
      But Calvert-Lewin, who netted his second goal in four England starts on Thursday, insisted: “I have got no problem taking penalties. I want to take them for my club as well. It was a chance to showcase my ability and stick it in the back of the net. I am completely confident at the minute.
      “I picked up some good positions during the game and I just had to stay patient.
      “My chance came in the form of a penalty, so I am obviously happy to have scored.”

      Calvert-Lewin is Kane’s understudy but he is adamant the pair could play together, which they did when ten-man England unsuccessfully attempted to claw back a 1-0 deficit against Denmark last month.
      He said: “I think why not?
      “We both played up there against Denmark and we played a bit more direct. He is a top player and I am sure we can be compatible together.”

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      England wonderkid Jude Bellingham to stay with senior squad after debut in win over Ireland

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM will stay with England’s senior squad for the next two games.
      The Borussia Dortmund superkid became the third youngest Three Lions debutant in Thursday’s 3-0 win over Ireland.

      Jude Bellingham made his England debut in the 3-0 win over IrelandCredit: PA:Press Association

      Boss Gareth Southgate wants Bellingham, 17, in his squad for tomorrow’s Nations League clash in Belgium and Wednesday’s home game with Iceland.
      This is despite the fact the teenager is unlikely to get any game time.
      Bellingham, who joined Dortmund from Birmingham for £30million, said: “I’ve really enjoyed being away with the lads. I think I have learned so much.
      “The manager has been great. All these superstars guiding me has been great.

      “I’d have loved to have my family here but hopefully everyone enjoyed it back home.
      “Now I look forward to making more memories.”
      Meanwhile, Jordan Pickford will return in goal for England tomorrow — winning his 29th cap against Belgium.
      The Everton man has been publicly criticised by Three Lions keeper coach Martyn Margetson.

      Margetson, who used to work with Pickford at Everton, claimed the 26- year-old has a few basic weaknesses.
      They include having his hands too low, while sometimes making the wrong decisions.
      Yet Pickford has taken Margetson’s comments on the chin and has impressed Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate in training.

      Jude Bellingham trains with England squad for the first time More

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      England vs Iceland WILL be held at Wembley after FA were given special permission following coronavirus travel ban

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      ENGLAND have been given special Government permission to play their Nations League clash with Iceland at Wembley next week.
      The FA have successfully persuaded health officials to make an exception to their universal travel ban from anyone travelling to the UK from Denmark because of a mutated form of Covid-19.

      England vs Iceland is set to take place in London next weekCredit: Getty

      The FA have got the green light from the Government to play it at WembleyCredit: PA:Press Association

      It means the Iceland team WILL be allowed entry to the country to play the match on November 18 having taken on Denmark just three days earlier.
      SunSport revealed last week how the game was in doubt because of the new regulations imposed in a rush last Saturday denying any non-British nationals entry if they were travelling from Denmark.
      The FA have been locked in talks with the government ever since.
      But with a review of the regulations not planned until Saturday they had started to make plans to play the fixture in Germany.

      But the Department of Transport have agreed a limited exemption for a ‘small number’ of Danish and Icelandic footballers to travel back from Copenhagen without the need to isolate.
      That means Gareth Southgate’s side will now be able to conclude their Nations League campaign.
      They were previously at risk of having to forfeit the match had they not been able to play.
      And it is believed any Denmark players who feature for clubs in England will also be cleared to return to be available for the resumption of the domestic season next weekend.

      The Government have accepted the public plea from the FA earlier today which offered to carry out enhanced testing to ensure safety from the new form of coronavirus entering the country.
      They sought assurances that anyone involved in the Icelandic ‘bubble’ would be limited to staying with their group in hotels and at Wembley.
      A DofT statement said: “The Government has also announced a limited exemption for a small number of Danish and Icelandic national football players to travel from the UK to Copenhagen and back, without the need to self-isolate, to take part in upcoming international football fixtures.
      “This temporary and extremely limited exemption will allow the relevant players and essential staff support to be exempt from the new requirements and will help reduce any disruption for England’s up and coming Nations League fixtures. “

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      FA launch desperate public appeal to government to let England face Iceland at Wembley amid coronavirus travel ban

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      THE Football Association has launched a desperate public appeal to the government to let them face Iceland at Wembley – to help protect the safety of the England squad.
      Urgent coronavirus travel restrictions placed on Demark last week mean the entire Icelandic squad is barred from entering the country for the match due to be played on November 18.

      The FA are desperate for the match to go ahead at WembleyCredit: PA:Press Association

      FA bosses are looking at staging the Nations League match in Germany as a back-up, but maintain the Iceland squad should be granted special clearance to land in the UK to play the game as planned.
      And this morning they went public with their appeal, in a series of tweets which claimed it is safer for the England players and staff to play the game at Wembley instead of having to fly to mainland Europe.
      The FA said: “We have asked Government to consider allowing us to play our final UEFA Nations League match at Wembley Stadium, by giving travel exemption to the Icelandic team subject to strict medical protocols.
      “The Icelandic team will have played Denmark in Copenhagen and therefore would be subject to a travel ban.

      “While in Denmark they will have been under strict UEFA protocols in a sporting bubble and will be PCR tested before travelling to England. The PCR test picks up the Cluster 5 variant.
      “We have agreed with the Icelandic team that they arrive on private charter to a private terminal and will only have access to their hotel and the stadium.
      “We will also put in place additional testing over and above the multiple tests normally required for each participant and staff at the match.
      “We are not asking for this support to help us have home advantage in this competitive international match, although of course that would be helpful.

      Iceland will have played in Denmark, meaning they are banned from travelling to the UKCredit: AFP or licensors

      “We are not asking for this support to avoid a huge cost from playing an England home match in Germany, although we can ill afford the financial penalty at this time.
      “The priority must be health, which is why we are asking for this support.
      “We believe it’s in the better interests of the England team and support staff to play at Wembley Stadium rather than have international travel at this time – and then play the match under the same UEFA protocols against the same opposition, but in a different country.
      “We understand the optics of an exception at a time when industries such as hauliers are not allowed to travel to Denmark.

      We believe an exception is justified and in the best interests of the England team
      The FA

       “However, international footballers are amongst the most tested people on the planet and we will even conduct extra tests to go beyond the highest standard.
      “We ask the Government to follow the advice of their public health experts as to whether the match is safe to host in the UK and we believe an exception is justified and in the best interests of the England team.
      “We hope the Government can support us putting on the match in the safest way possible at this difficult time for everyone.”

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      Nick Pope says Jordan Pickford is England’s No1 despite NEVER conceding for Three Lions and rival being axed by Everton

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      NICK POPE admits he is some distance behind England number one Jordan Pickford.
      The Burnley keeper will make his fourth senior appearance tonight against Ireland and has yet to concede a goal.

      Nick Pope says Jordan Pickford is England’s No1 despite never conceding for Three LionsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Boss Gareth Southgate has already claimed that no other keeper is ‘seriously’ challenging Pickford even though he was dropped for one game by Everton.
      Pope, 28, said: “I think it’s fair to say Jordan is number one at the minute.
      “If you look at the last 25, 30 fixtures, he’d have played probably 28 of them.
      “So, a person with that sort of record in the national team, I think, deserves to be called number one, he has earned it. It’s not happened overnight.

      “I think I’ve done quite well for England in those three games. No goals is always a massive bonus for a goalkeeper and you can’t ask for much more in terms of goals against.
      “But I don’t think I’ve been overly tested in all the games either so I don’t think I’m walking round thinking I’m the best goalkeeper in the world.”
      Pope also admitted that keepers have to accept stick when it is flying around.
      Asked about the criticism handed out by England keeper Martyn Margetson, Pope smiled.

      He said: “I’ve not seen it to be honest. I’ll have to have a look later.
      “Generally, you know when you’ve made a mistake and can feel or know if you’re in a good run of form or a bad run. I think that’s just part of being a goalkeeper.
      “You’ve got to have thick skin, be brave and have a big character to get through those moments, come through the other side and ride mistakes, put performances together and start the cycle again of being in good form.
      “I think it’s just part and parcel of being a goalkeeper. Your goalkeeping coach is there and if you want criticism from anyone, or advice or pointers, it’s your goalkeeping coach.
      “They’ve been underneath a crossbar, they’ve been in that position themselves and want only the best for you.”

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      Mason Mount refuses to apologise for not being Jack Grealish but Gareth Southgate’s solid England star has no reason to

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      MASON MOUNT refuses to apologise to the nation for not being Jack Grealish.
      And frankly, why should he?

      Mason Mount refuses to compare himself with ‘unbelievable’ Jack GrealishCredit: Rex Features

      Instead he heaped praise on his ‘world-class’ England team-mateCredit: Rex Features

      The Chelsea midfielder has been beating off fierce competition to hold down regular starting places for club and country.
      But while the clamour grows for Aston Villa skipper Grealish to start for England, Mount has become the scapegoat – a target for social-media criticism and abuse.
      Where Grealish is an eye-catching entertainer, Mount is a solid citizen and an excellent team man.
      Yet Mount is adamant that he does not consider ‘world class’ Grealish as a rival and insists the two men can start in the same team, as England prepare to face the Republic of Ireland tomorrow, before Nations League clashes with Belgium and Iceland.

      The Chelsea player is more than capable of operating in a deeper midfield role, with Grealish tending to play wide.
      And Mount, 21, said: “I’d never look at it as a rivalry. We are two different players, we can play in different positions and we do different things.
      “We are two team-mates who play for the same country. We want to do the best for each other, the team and the country.
      “I look at the way he’s been playing this season, he’s been unbelievable.

      How England could line-up based on current form

      “Everyone’s always going to have an opinion but we have a massive focus on our own games.
      “We all know what Jack can do, he’s a world-class player that can create and score goals and that’s what we need in any England team.”
      Mount claims he has never been a regular social-media user and considers himself immune to the trolls.
      And he has refuted suggestions that he is a ‘teacher’s pet’ to either Gareth Southgate or his Chelsea boss Frank Lampard.
      Mount said: “No not at all. I’m a player that wants to do their best for the team and work hard. And maybe people take that the wrong way.
      “When you join England, you’re with world-class players and you want to show what you can do. That’s my focus and I’ve never felt like that (a teacher’s pet) really.
      “I really don’t look at social media much so it doesn’t bother me.
      “I think the most important people in your life are going to help you, so I listen to them. That’s what I’ve always done.
      “I’m very headstrong and I don’t really let too many things get to me.”

      No matter which players come in, I will always be up for the battle
      Mason Mount on competition for places

      Mount, who netted England’s winner against Belgium last month, says he is more than happy to play in a deeper ‘No 8’ role.
      He said: “When you’re in a higher position you can’t really show off your passing ability. I’ve definitely got longer passing in my locker and you can bring out more when you’re playing in that No 8 position.”
      Mount broke through at Chelsea last season, along with fellow homegrown youngsters Tammy Abraham and Reece James, after the club suffered a transfer ban.
      And that trio remain regular starters at Chelsea, as well as members of the England squad, despite Lampard’s summer spending spree which saw Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech arrive at Stamford Bridge to threaten Mount’s place.
      Mount said: “The whole of my life, being at Chelsea, you’ve got to compete against players coming in from all over Europe.
      “Chelsea is a club where even at a young age, they’re bringing in players they’ve spotted from different countries so you’re always competing throughout the ages.
      “It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting off in the Under-8s or you’re in the first-team and I think that’s the beauty of the club where the competition is so high and it brings the best out of the players.
      “I’ve gained that competitiveness and willingness to keep working and keep getting better. That’s been brought out of me from a young age.
      “So no matter which players come in, I will always be up for the battle.”

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      Best England XI on current form sees Pope replace Pickford and Sancho over Sterling, according to data

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE is under pressure to shake up his England starting XI to include in form players.
      And data revealed today by SunSport shows Nick Pope should come in to replace Jordan Pickford and Jadon Sancho should start ahead of Raheem Sterling.

      England’s most in form starting lineup

      The Three Lions host the Republic of Ireland in a friendly on Thursday night before two Nations League games against Belgium and Iceland.
      And data from Carteret Analytics shows which players should start for Southgate based on current form.
      Players have been picked to fit into Southgate’s preferred 5-2-3 wingback system.
      Data from players’ last six matches has been used to project their level of performance in upcoming games.

      And this method has thrown up some surprises.
      Southgate has faced many calls to replace Pickford and stats as far back as September show Burnley stopper Pope should replace erratic Everton goalie Pickford.
      And the today’s data also suggests Southgate should make that change.
      Pickford’s Toffees team-mate Michael Keane would also be axed in place of Tyrone Mings whose Aston Villa are currently flying.

      CARTERET ANALYTICS DATA EXPLAINED

      At Carteret Analytics we have developed the quantitative analysis utilised to good effect in investment banking for trading strategy, portfolio optimisation, derivatives pricing and hedging, and risk management by our sister corporate finance firm, Carteret Capital – and applied it to football.
      In particular, our work provides an objective measure of how good a football player really is – removing all the subjective noise and opinions.

      Southampton’s in-form star James Ward Prowse was included in the original XI.
      But having withdrawn with a hamstring problem earlier today, the Saints man is replaced by another Villa ace – Jack Grealish.
      Further up the field, Sancho starts in place of out of form Sterling despite criticism of his own Borussia Dortmund form.
      Sancho’s Dortmund team-mate Jude Bellingham was called up for the first-time as Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold also pulled out injured but he does not make the data driven team.
      England chiefs are still waiting to see where the Iceland game will take place following the UK Government’s new Covid-19 travel ban on non-UK citizens arriving from Denmark due to a new coronavirus strain.
      Iceland are set to play Denmark in Copenhagen on Sunday — the same day England travel to Belgium — before flying to London.
      The FA are locked in urgent talks with Government officials to force a U-turn and allow the Icelandic team to play at Wembley in eight days’ time.

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