Team news
With two games in four days, Liverpool are likely to make changes to the side that beat Leicester 4-0.


There is good news for the Premier League leaders, with Jordan Henderson expected to be fine after going off injured at the King Power Stadium, with Jurgen Klopp insisting it was just a kick on the shin.Klopp also confirmed Rhian Brewster is close to returning after injury.


Meanwhile, Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo could stick to a winning formula after he named an unchanged side for the win over Manchester City on Friday.

The likes of Patrick Cutrone, Pedro Neto, Ruben Vinagre, Ryan Bennett and Max Kilman are options if changes are needed.

Midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White (back) continues his recovery, along with centre-back Willy Boly (fractured leg) and Bruno Jordao (ankle).

How to follow
Watch the game on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 1pm (Kick-off 4.30pm), or follow the action with our dedicated live blog. Highlights of the game will be published shortly after full-time on the Sky Sports website and app plus the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel.

Opta stats
Liverpool have lost just one of their 10 Premier League games against Wolves (W7 D2), winning the last five in a row by an aggregate score of 12-1.
Wolves have lost 15 of their last 17 top-flight away games against Liverpool, winning the other two, 1-0 in January 1984 and December 2010. Wolves have failed to score in 10 of their last 14 league visits to Anfield.
Liverpool have won their final league game in each of the last five calendar years, since losing 2-1 at Chelsea in 2013.
Wolves have won their final league game in four of the last five calendar years, losing 2-1 at home to QPR in 2016.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 49 Premier League home games (W39 D10). If they avoid defeat here it would be just the third unbeaten home run of 50+ games in English top-flight history (Chelsea 86, 2004-2008 and Liverpool 63, 1978-1980).
Charlie's prediction
Liverpool vs Wolves - Super Sunday, 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports Premier League
Wolves are a good side and always do well against top six teams. It is easy to say this with the Manchester City result, but you must have a different mentality at Anfield. They are brave on the ball and Adama Traore at the moment is unreal. They must have been working behind the scenes with him - if they get the final ball right they have got a real player. He is a speed merchant, but when you are a forward, you are concentrating on finishing, but have to adapt the delivery. Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota are decent, combined with a clever midfield to counterattack.

It will be more of a test than what Leicester was. Liverpool are just gliding along, Mohamed Salah been slightly off, and they haven't been so glamorous to watch. Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have dipped at times, yet Mane has been the best player of the season alongside Kevin De Bruyne. You always have the danger of the front three and the Liverpool midfield is strong too. Their performance at Leicester was breathtaking, but they are at ease with themselves and the 13-point gap they currently hold. It will be another high-scoring affair


https://www.skysports.com/football/liverpool-vs-wolves/preview/408174

Dominique

Dominique * Please we expect liverpool Club world cup thread on front page too.

Up liverpool today.

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Dec 21, 2019 at 5.30pm UKLiverpoolvs.Flamengo


Build‑up
Preview

Football
Preview: Liverpool vs. Flamengo - prediction, team news, lineups
By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 9h
Liverpool have the chance to add a first Club World Cup crown to their extensive honours list when they take on Flamengo in the final of the competition at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp's side needed a last-minute goal to edge past Monterrey in the semi-final on Wednesday, whereas Flamengo came from behind to beat Al-Hilal in their last-four tie.

Match preview


Preview: Liverpool vs. Flamengo - prediction, team news, lineups

History beckons for one of these sides on Saturday as they both look to claim their first Club World Cup title and be officially crowned the best team on the planet.

Many will feel that Liverpool have that unofficial status already following their Champions League glory and Premier League domination so far this term, but Flamengo are out to prove that South American teams can challenge the increasing supremacy of those from Europe.

The European representatives have won each of the last six editions of the Club World Cup, although the most recent exception did pit a Brazilian team against an English one as Corinthians beat Chelsea in the 2012 final.

No English team has won the trophy since 2008, with Liverpool themselves losing to Sao Paulo in 2005, but it is Klopp's side that will go into this final as favourites, despite their largely unconvincing display against Monterrey on Wednesday.

The Reds needed Alisson Becker on top form to keep the Mexican outfit at bay until Roberto Firmino's last-gasp winner, which was greeted with an equal measure of delight and relief at avoiding extra time in an already hectic December fixture schedule.



Preview: Liverpool vs. Flamengo - prediction, team news, lineups
Liverpool have already been forced to sacrifice one tournament by fielding their youngest-ever side against Aston Villa for the EFL Cup quarter-final, leaving their Under-23 team behind while the senior squad travelled out to Qatar.

The 5-0 defeat those youngsters suffered will officially go down on Liverpool's record as their second loss of the season, although it should come with an asterisk and the senior group of players come into this match unbeaten in 20 outings across all competitions, including 18 wins.

Many of those wins have been in similar fashion to Wednesday's over Monterrey, with Liverpool not at their best but scoring late to secure the victory, although in Flamengo they come up against a team with a winning habit of their own.


The Brazilian outfit have won 25 and lost just one of their last 31 matches across all competitions, the most significant of which saw them launch a Liverpool-esque late comeback to beat holders River Plate in the Copa Libertadores final last month.

It was the first time since 1981 that they had been crowned champions of South America, and victory at the Club World Cup would cap an unforgettable year which also saw them claim their first Brazilian Serie A title in a decade.



Jorge Jesus's side finished 16 points clear of their closest rivals in the league despite a 4-0 defeat to Santos on the final day, so they are genuine contenders to challenge Liverpool for the title of world's best.

The concern for Flamengo is that Liverpool are exactly the type of team who cause them problems; there are not many weaknesses in the Brazilian outfit, but they do tend to struggle against a high press and against pacy attackers, both of which are key elements of Liverpool's play.

The Reds have bigger priorities at the moment, though, and while Flamengo's domestic season is now over, Klopp's side may have one eye on the result of Manchester City vs. Leicester City, with their two closest Premier League rivals facing off at the same time as this game on Saturday evening.

The carrot of being crowned the best team in the world is undoubtedly alluring, but for Liverpool they may be fairly content if they arrive home with no new injury concerns ahead of their Boxing Day showdown with Leicester.

Liverpool Club World Cup form: W
Liverpool form (all competitions): WWWWLW

Flamengo Club World Cup form: W
Flamengo form (all competitions): WWWWLW

Team News


Virgil van Dijk was Liverpool's most noticeable absentee from the semi-final after being struck down by illness, forcing Jordan Henderson into an unfamiliar centre-back role.

Sepp van den Berg is one of three youngsters to have joined up with the squad ahead of the final and should provide extra cover in defence with Klopp unwilling to take any risks over key players, although the fact that it was illness rather than injury means that Van Dijk could be back in contention for Saturday.

Sadio Mane, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Firmino all came off the bench against Monterrey and could start this weekend as part of Klopp's rotation, although there will be a public clamour for Mohamed Salah to keep his starting role too.

Naby Keita will be hopeful of keeping his midfield starting spot after opening the scoring on Wednesday, but Adam Lallana could drop out if Henderson is freed from centre-back duties.

Flamengo have no new injury concerns after their own semi-final and could name an unchanged side for this one, including former Bayern Munich full-back Rafinha and Chelsea defender Filipe Luis.

Inter Milan loanee Gabriel Barbosa will lead the line again, having recently revealed his intention to leave the Italian club on a permanent basis and admitted that he would relish the chance to join Liverpool.

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Milner; Henderson, Keita; Shaqiri, Firmino, Mane; Salah

Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Alves; Rafinha, Caio, Mari, Luis; Arao, Gerson; Ribeiro, De Arrascaeta, Henrique; Barbosa



We say: Liverpool 2-1 Flamengo
This is all set up to be a fascinating contest between two teams worthy of battling it out for the title of world's best. It could go all the way to extra time and penalties, particularly if Liverpool are not at full strength, but we are backing Klopp's side to end up victorious as they have done so often in recent times.


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https://amp.sportsmole.co.uk/football/liverpool/preview/preview-liverpool-vs-flamengo-prediction-team-news-lineups_383434.html

Dominique Front page

healthserve:
Which team would Liverpool meet in the finals. Or winner between which matches will Liverpool meet

Flamengo on Saturday

Roberto Firmino came in at 85 minutes and scored a late goal to fire Liverpool to Fifa club world cup final.

Match preview coming soon.

Dominique**

Dominique

Lineup

Dominique

Dominique

Liverpool have the title of the world's best team in their sights on their mid-season trip to Qatar as they face Monterrey in the Club World Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.

Jurgen Klopp's side won the Champions League for a sixth time in the summer to earn their place in this tournament, although they have never lifted this particular trophy before.

The first hurdle to doing so comes in the form of Mexican side and CONCACAF champions Monterrey, who beat Al-Sadd on Saturday to set up the showdown with Liverpool.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how the Premier League side could line up for the contest.



How Liverpool could line up against Monterrey
Out: Dejan Lovren (thigh), Joel Matip (knee), Fabinho (ankle), Nathaniel Clyne (ankle)
Doubtful: Georginio Wijnaldum (muscle)

> Click here for Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

The extent to which Klopp rotates his side for the upcoming two games in this competition remains to be seen, but a certain degree of change is expected.

The very fact that Liverpool have taken their first-team squad out to Qatar and left an Under-23s side to face Aston Villa in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup suggests that they are taking the competition seriously, but a growing injury list during a busy December schedule will undoubtedly make Klopp more cautious with one eye firmly on the Boxing Day visit to closest title challengers Leicester City.

Georginio Wijnaldum was the latest player to join that list when he limped off against Watford on Saturday, although the Dutchman has been deemed fit enough to travel with the squad out to Qatar.

Klopp is unlikely to risk Wijnaldum for this match unless he is passed fully fit, though, meaning that there could be starting opportunities for the likes of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner in midfield.

There is less scope for rotation in defence, where injuries to Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip have left Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez as Liverpool's only two fit senior centre-backs.

At least one of the usual front three is likely to be rested, and it could be the turns of both Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino to sit out - as was the case for the Merseyside derby at the start of the month.

Two youngsters have been included as part of the initial squad too, and both Neco Williams and Curtis Jones will be hopeful of getting chances to impress in Qatar.

https://amp.sportsmole.co.uk/football/liverpool/predicted-lineups/how-liverpool-could-line-up-against-monterrey_383168.html

Dominique*

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FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS

Aston Villa vs Liverpool preview, predictions & possible XIs

By Ben Green



Published: 17:24, 16 December 2019

Liverpool lock horns with Aston Villa on Tuesday night looking to secure a place in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
The Reds will be without all of their first-team players and Jurgen Klopp as the European champions have travelled to Qatar for the Fifa Club World Cup, meaning Under-23 manager, Neil Critchley, will take charge of the contest at Villa Park.
The Villans last reached the semi-final of this competition in 2012/13, and will surely fancy their chances of replicating that feat against an unrecognisable Liverpool side — both on the pitch and in the dugout.
Read on for Aston Villa vs Liverpool preview, predictions, teams news and TV coverage information

When is Aston Villa vs Liverpool and where can I watch live?

Competition: Carabao Cup
Venue: Villa Park
Date: Tuesday, 17 December 2019
Kick-off: 7:45 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): Sky Sports Main Event

Last five meetings: Aston Villa vs Liverpool

02 Nov 2019: Villa 1-2 Liverpool (Premier League)
14 Feb 2016: Villa 0-6 Liverpool (Premier League)
26 Sep 2015: Liverpool 3-2 Villa (Premier League)
19 Apr 2015: Villa 2-1 Liverpool (FA Cup)
17 Jan 2015: Villa 0-2 Liverpool (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Aston Villa (LLLWL) 5-14 Liverpool (WWWLW)

Ones to watch

Aston Villa: Jack Grealish

With Liverpool set to deploy a second-string XI, Villa have a fantastic opportunity to book their ticket in the penultimate stage of this competition, but they will still need their key performers on song if they are to navigate past a youthful opponent.
One of those players is undoubtedly Grealish, who will be desperate to bounce back from missing a penalty over the weekend by producing an influential performance on Tuesday. His leadership qualities, technical verve and passing range will be imperative to unlocking doors and inspiring his side to a win in front of what will surely be a raucous Villa Park crowd.
Key stat: Jack Grealish has created more chances per 90 minutes than any other Aston Villa player this season (2.5).
Liverpool: Harvey Elliott

The precocious teenager has impressed during the fleeting opportunities Klopp has afforded him, but Tuesday night will be a massive chance for him to truly announce himself to Koppites following his summer transfer from Fulham.
Elliot has the creativity and footballing bravado to make in on Merseyside, but he just has to make sure that when opportunities fall his way, he grabs them with both hands.
Key stat: Harvey Elliot created three chances during Liverpool’s win over Arsenal in the previous round of this competition — more than any other player on the pitch.

Team news

Aston Villa
Smith will be sweating over the fitness of Conor Hourihane, who faces a late fitness test after missing the match against Sheffield United over the weekend with a knock.
Elsewhere, cup ‘keeper Jed Steer is sidelined with an Achilles injury so Orjan Nyland could start in goal, while Tyrone Mings is also set to miss out, but Keinan Davis could make the matchday squad. 
Predicted XI: Nyland; Elmohamady, Konsa, Hause, Taylor; Lansbury, Luiz, Grealish; Jota, Trezeguet, Kodjia. 
Subscribe to Squawka’s Youtube channel here.
Liverpool
This will be a completely new-look Liverpool side both in the dugout and on the pitch. Apart from the obvious first-team players who travelled to Qatar, both Adrian and Andy Lonergan also jetted off, as did youngsters Curtis Jones and Neco Williams.
Rhian Brewster would have been expected to lead the line for Liverpool, but Critchley has since confirmed he is a major doubt having sustained an ankle injury.
He told reporters: “He’s got a knock so he’s doubtful. We’re assessing him today, fingers crossed he makes it. We’ll see.”
Liverpool’s side will include a host of players from the club’s Under-23 and Under-18 sides, and Critchley will be joined in the dugout by Under-18 coach Barry Lewtas, academy manager Alex Inglethorpe and elite development coach Vitor Matos.
Predicted XI: Kelleher; Hoever, Van den Berg, Clayton, Larouci; Chirivella, Kane, Dixon-Bonner, Elliott, Christie-Davies; Longstaff.

Squawka prediction

Liverpool may boast an exceptionally talented production line, but it is hard to look past anything other than a Villa win here providing Smith goes full strength.
It will certainly be interesting to see whether Critchley and his youthful squad can step up to the plate, but with the experience and quality in Villa’s side, they should be able to get the job done and march on in this competition.
Scoreline prediction: Aston Villa 3-1 Liverpool

https://www.squawka.com/en/predictions/aston-villa-liverpool-predictions-preview-carabao-cup

Warrii go blow.

This is gonna be a cracker.

Champions League round of 16: meet the qualified teams
Wednesday 11 December 2019

Atlético Madrid and Atalanta have completed the line-up for Monday's round of 16 draw: we profile the contenders.

The 16 contenders heading for Monday's draw
The 16 contenders heading for Monday's draw
©UEFA.com
Group winners (seeded): Barcelona (ESP), Bayern München (GER), Juventus (ITA), Leipzig (GER), Liverpool (ENG, holders), Manchester City (ENG), Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), Valencia (ESP)

Group runners-up (unseeded): Atalanta (ITA), Atlético Madrid (ESP), Borussia Dortmund (GER), Chelsea (ENG), Lyon (FRA), Napoli (ITA), Real Madrid (ESP), Tottenham Hotspur (ENG)


Round of 16 draw explained: 12:00 CET on Monday
Round of 16 first legs start on 18 February
How the group stage tables finished
Road to Istanbul final on 30 May: calendar

Atalanta (ITA)
UEFA ranking: 56
Group stage: W2 D1 L3 F8 A12
Top scorer: Mario Pašalić (2)
Last season: UEFA Europa League play-offs
European Cup best: round of 16 (2020)
Atalanta (ITA)
Who's in charge?: Gian Piero Gasperini led Atalanta back into Europe for the first time in 26 years in the 2017/18 season. He was made an honorary citizen of Bergamo after securing their first shot at the UEFA Champions League this term.

Their campaign in ten words: Lost first three group stage games; rallied to make knockouts

Atlético Madrid (ESP)
UEFA ranking: 4
Group stage: W3 D1 L2 F8 A5
Top scorer: João Félix, Álvaro Morata (2)
Last season: round of 16
European Cup best: runners-up (1974, 2014, 2016)

Who's in charge?: Diego Simeone refashioned Atlético in his own rugged image after rejoining the club as coach in 2011. The Argentinian has steered them to two UEFA Europa League triumphs and two UEFA Champions League finals, plus a Liga title and a cup.

Their campaign in ten words: Goals are rarer without Griezmann, but determined Atlético soldier on

Barcelona (ESP)
Highlights: Inter 1-2 Barcelona
Highlights: Inter 1-2 Barcelona
UEFA ranking: 2
Group stage: W4 D2 L0 F9 A4
Top scorer: Luis Suárez (3)
Last season: semi-finals
European Cup best: winners x5 (1992, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2015)

Who's in charge?: Ex-Barcelona forward Ernesto Valverde has been in charge since 2017; he has led the club to back-to-back Spanish titles, but a perceived lack of UEFA Champions League success has undermined him somewhat.

Their campaign in ten words: Jury still out on Griezmann-Messi-Suárez trident up front

Bayern München (GER)
UEFA ranking: 3
Group stage: W6 D0 L0 F24 A5
Top scorer: Robert Lewandowski (10)
Last season: round of 16
European Cup best: winners x5 (1974, 1975, 1976, 2001, 2013)

Who's in charge?: Ex-Germany assistant Hans-Dieter Flick has been in interim command since early November. Jupp Heynckes is urging his old club to secure a longer deal with this "gem of a coach", with Bayern looking more at ease under him.

Their campaign in ten words: Group stage top scorers, Lewandowski on fire: crisis, what crisis?

Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Highlights: Dortmund 2-1 Slavia Praha
Highlights: Dortmund 2-1 Slavia Praha
UEFA ranking: 14
Group stage: W3 D1 L2 F8 A8
Top scorer: Achraf Hakimi (4)
Last season: round of 16
European Cup best: winners (1997)

Who's in charge?: Hired by Dortmund in 2018, Lucien Favre has a reputation for reviving struggling clubs with stylish football. He ended Zürich's long wait for Swiss championships, and then brought good times to Hertha, Mönchengladbach and Nice.

Their campaign in ten words: Outranked Inter to finish behind Barcelona in a tough group

Chelsea (ENG)
UEFA ranking: 13
Group stage: W3 D2 L1 F11 A9
Top scorers: Tammy Abraham, César Azpilicueta, Jorginho (2)
Last season: UEFA Europa League winners
European Cup best: winners (2012)

Who's in charge?: A club great, Frank Lampard landed three titles, the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League as a Chelsea midfielder. He was reunited with the Blues as manager last summer and – at 41 – is learning on the job.

Their campaign in ten words: Ups and downs as Lampard gives younger players a chance

Juventus (ITA)
Highlights: Leverkusen 0-2 Juventus
Highlights: Leverkusen 0-2 Juventus
UEFA ranking: 5
Group stage: W5 D1 L0 F12 A4
Top scorer: Paulo Dybala (3)
Last season: quarter-finals
European Cup best: winners x2 (1985, 1996)

Who's in charge?: Ex-Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri was installed in the summer after steering Chelsea to UEFA Europa League glory last May. The inventor of the high-pressing 'Sarri-ball' style, his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo has come under close inspection.

Their campaign in ten words: Solid performances, respectable results, but Ronaldo not at his sharpest

Leipzig (GER)
UEFA ranking: 37
Group stage: W3 D2 L1 F10 A8
Top scorers: Emil Forsberg, Marcel Sabitzer, Timo Werner (2)
Last season: UEFA Europa League group stage
European Cup best: round of 16 (2020)

Who's in charge?: A centre-back whose career was ruined by injury, Julian Nagelsmann is a seasoned Champions League coach at 32; hired by Leipzig in summer 2019, he had made it to the 2018/19 group stage with Hoffenheim.

Their campaign in ten words: Bundesliga upstarts reach last 16 for first time; respect due

Lyon (FRA)
Highlights: Lyon 2-2 Leipzig
Highlights: Lyon 2-2 Leipzig
UEFA ranking: 17
Group stage: W2 D2 L2 F9 A8
Top scorer: Memphis Depay (5)
Last season: round of 16
European Cup best: semi-finals (2010)

Who's in charge?: Rudi Garcia nurtured Eden Hazard and picked up a French title at LOSC, then did respectably with Roma and took Marseille to the 2018 UEFA Europa League final. He was installed by OL in October to replace Sylvinho.

Their campaign in ten words: Steady home form and sensational win at Leipzig the keys

Liverpool (ENG, holders)
UEFA ranking: 8
Group stage: W4 D1 L1 F13 A8
Top scorer: Mohamed Salah (4)
Last season: winners
European Cup best: winners (1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005, 2019)

Who's in charge?: Master of the press and counter-press, Jürgen Klopp established his coaching reputation in Germany with Mainz and Dortmund. Headhunted by Liverpool in 2015, he directed them to UEFA Champions League glory last season.

Their campaign in ten words: Napoli proved a handful, but the European champions progressed regardless

Manchester City (ENG)
Highlights: Dinamo Zagreb 1-4 Man. City
Highlights: Dinamo Zagreb 1-4 Man. City
UEFA ranking: 6
Group stage: W4 D2 L0 F16 A4
Top scorer: Raheem Sterling (5)
Last season: quarter-finals
European Cup best: semi-finals (2016)

Who's in charge?: In 11 seasons as a first-team boss, Pep Guardiola has lifted eight league titles: three at Barcelona, three at Bayern and two at City. However, he claimed the last of his two managerial UEFA Champions League winners' medals in 2011.

Their campaign in ten words: Sterling on fire, but City lack their usual killer instinct

Napoli (ITA)
UEFA ranking: 15
Group stage: W3 D3 L0 F11 A4
Top scorer: Dries Mertens (5)
Last season: group stage (progressed to UEFA Europa League quarter-finals)
European Cup best: round of 16 (2012, 2017)

Who's in charge?: Carlo Ancelotti was at the helm for the group stage but departed the night they went through.

Their campaign in ten words: Took four points off Liverpool; struggled more against lesser teams

Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Highlights: Paris 5-0 Galatasaray
Highlights: Paris 5-0 Galatasaray
UEFA ranking: 7
Group stage: W5 D1 L0 F17 A2
Top scorer: Mauro Icardi, Kylian Mbappé (5)
Last season: round of 16
European Cup best: semi-finals (1995)

Who's in charge?: Having succeeded Klopp at Mainz and then Dortmund, Thomas Tuchel has proved that he can be a winner at Paris: an immediate championship since his arrival in 2018, but no great leap forward in Europe just yet.

Their campaign in ten words: Mbappé sparkles in Neymar's absence, but knockouts are the key

Real Madrid (ESP)
UEFA ranking: 1
Group stage: W3 D2 L1 F14 A8
Top scorers: Karim Benzema, Rodrygo (4)
Last season: round of 16
European Cup best: winners x 13 (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)

Who's in charge?: Re-hired in 2019, Zinédine Zidane has won the UEFA Champions League four times with Real Madrid: once as a player, three times as coach. After a lean spell, Sergio Ramos said the squad were "committed to Zizou until death".

Their campaign in ten words: Following a shaky start, Zidane's rejigged Madrid are looking good

Tottenham Hotspur (ENG)
Highlights: Bayern 3-1 Tottenham
Highlights: Bayern 3-1 Tottenham
UEFA ranking: 12
Group stage: W3 D1 L2 F18 A14
Top scorer: Harry Kane (6)
Last season: runners-up
European Cup best: runners-up (2019)

Who's in charge?: A European champion with Porto and Inter, José Mourinho replaced Mauricio Pochettino in November. 'The Special One' has much to prove in north London after an underwhelming spell in charge of Manchester United.

Their campaign in ten words: Leaky defence, killer attack; can Mourinho fix 2019's losing finalists?

Valencia (ESP)
UEFA ranking: 25
Group stage: W3 D2 L1 F9 A7
Top scorer: Rodrigo (2)
Last season: group stage (progressed to UEFA Europa League semi-finals)
European Cup best: runners-up (2000, 2001)

Who's in charge?: A defensive midfielder, Albert Celades played for Barcelona and Real Madrid, then specialised in youth coaching. Previously assistant coach at Real Madrid, he was appointed by Valencia in September – his first senior club job.

Their campaign in ten words: Battled through a competitive group including Chelsea, Ajax and Lyon

© 1998-2019 UEFA. All rights reserved. Last updated: Friday 13 December 2019


https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2635739.html

Wolves vs Tottenham preview, predictions & possible XIs
By Steve Jennings

image: https://media.squawka.com/images/en/2019/12/12174852/wolves-spurs-preview-featured-940x530.png


26
SHARES
Published: 14:40, 13 December 2019

Wolves and Tottenham go into Sunday’s clash aiming to close in on the top four as well as preventing each other from pushing towards the Champions League places.

The hosts were unfortunate to lose this fixture last season, almost coming from three goals down to snatch a draw.



They made up for it with a 3-1 win against Spurs at Wembley, which all points towards another thrilling encounter.

Read on for our preview, predictions, team news, possible line-ups and more.

When is Wolves vs Tottenham and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League

Venue: Molineux Stadium

Date: Sunday, 14 December 2019

Kick-off: 2:00 PM (UK time)

TV coverage (UK): N/A

Last five meetings: Wolves vs Tottenham
29 December 2018: Tottenham 1-3 Wolves (Premier League)

3 November 2018: Wolves 2-3 Tottenham (Premier League)

14 January 2012: Tottenham 1-1 Wolves (Premier League)

10 September 2011: Wolves 0-2 Tottenham (Premier League)

6 March 2011: Wolves 3-3 Tottenham (Premier League)

Aggregate Score: Wolves (WLDLD) 9-10 Tottenham (LWDWD)

Three fringe Spurs players who impressed Mourinho against Bayern – and three who didn’t
Tottenham’s final Champions League group stage game against Bayern Munich in midweek was a dead rubber with both sides having already sealed qualification for the knockout rounds, so Jose Mourinho used the match to give opportunities to a number of fringe players.

Some impressed while others didn’t, and those performances – good and bad – could have a bearing on which of them are used in rotation during the busy festive period.

image: https://media.squawka.com/images/en/2019/10/02113227/danny-rose-jan-vertonghen-bayern-munich-tottenham-2019.jpg


In the ‘good’ category, three players stood out. Juan Foyth wasn’t perfect at centre-back, but he was calm and confident on the ball. With Toby Alderweireld’s future far from resolved, Foyth could find himself playing more regularly in the near future. Oliver Skipp came off the bench and pressed with more intensity than any other Spurs player. The teenager may offer Mourinho a solution to the central midfield conundrum. Best of all was Ryan Sessegnon, who took his goal superbly and proved he can deputise on the left wing if anything happens to Heung-Min Son.

As for the ‘bad’ column, Kyle Walker-Peters looked out of his depth. He could have done with more help, but his slackness in possession and inability to thwart Bayern’s wide players won’t have done him any favours in his quest for minutes. Danny Rose – who has lost his place at left-back to Jan Veronghen under Mourinho – was equally poor, failing to clear the ball convincingly on multiple occasions and struggling to get forward. Then there was Giovani Lo Celso, who played his part in the move that led to Tottenham’s goal but found himself chasing shadows for most of the game. He has a long way to go to prove his is worthy of a starting spot.

Team news
Wolves

Morgan Gibbs-White (back) and Willy Boly (fractured leg) are still out for Wolves, who had the likes of Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota missing from their Europa League starting line-up in midweek (the former being suspended) – Jota, though, still managed to score a hat-trick from the bench. The star players should return here.

Predicted XI: Rui Patricio; Dendoncker, Coady, Saiss; Doherty, Neves, Moutinho, Otto; Traore, Jimenez, Jota.



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Tottenham

Mourinho will recall the likes of Dele Alli and Harry Kane, who were rested for the trip to Germany. Harry Winks (ankle) and Tanguy Ndombele (groin) are doubts, while Hugo Lloris (elbow), Michel Vorm (calf), Ben Davies (ankle) and Erik Lamela (hamstring) remain sidelined.

Predicted XI: Gazzaniga; Aurier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Dier, Sissoko; Lucas, Alli, Son; Kane.

Squawka prediction
Tottenham will be hoping the fact Wolves have had one day fewer to prepare plays a part, but Molineux is a difficult place to go regardless. The in-form attackers of both sides will probably have a say, which could mean multiple goals and an exciting draw.

Scoreline prediction : 2 - 2

https://www.squawka.com/en/predictions/wolves-tottenham-predictions-preview-premier-league

Dominique

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Dec 14, 2019 at 12.30pm UKLiverpoolvs.Watford


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Football
Preview: Liverpool vs. Watford - prediction, team news, lineups
By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 1d
Nigel Pearson could not have wished for a tougher start to life in the Watford dugout as his basement-dwelling side visit runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime.

The Reds will be looking to move 11 points clear of Leicester City in what is their final league game before Christmas, whereas Watford remain rooted to the foot of the table with six points now separating them from safety.

Match preview


Preview: Liverpool vs. Watford - prediction, team news, lineups
The glitz and glamour of the Club World Cup in Qatar awaits Liverpool next week in addition to an EFL Cup quarter-final, but first they must pass their final league test before Christmas.

On paper, it looks like the most straightforward one possible for the Reds, who have won 24 of their last 25 top-flight outings including 15 of 16 this term to storm into an eight-point lead over Leicester and a whopping 14-point advantage over champions Manchester City.

Last weekend's 3-0 cruise at Bournemouth ensured that Liverpool will be top on Christmas Day despite the chasing pack having the chance to catch up while the leaders are in Qatar, although the Merseysiders are responsible for the last three occasions that a team has topped the table at Christmas but failed to go on and win the title.

All the signs so far point to this season being different to those of the past, but should Jurgen Klopp's side suffer an unlikely slip-up this weekend and Leicester keep their winning run going then the Foxes would suddenly have the chance to leapfrog Liverpool at the top of the table when they face off in a huge Boxing Day clash.

Such a situation contains a number of improbable hypotheticals, though, not least Liverpool seeing their 33-match unbeaten Premier League run and 15-match league winning streak at Anfield coming to an end at the hands of the division's basement club.



Preview: Liverpool vs. Watford - prediction, team news, lineups
Indeed, Liverpool have not lost a league game at Anfield since April 2017, a run of 48 matches, the most recent of which saw them brush Everton aside with a 5-2 Merseyside derby win despite resting the likes of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

All of the front three have had rests so far in December, in fact, and the performances of fringe players in those games were another example of Liverpool's title credentials with the likes of Divock Origi, Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all getting on the scoresheet.

Klopp's side have so far made light work of a packed festive schedule and could rest players again for this one with one eye on being crowned the best football team in the world for the first time next week.

The Reds will no doubt be wary of the 'new manager boost' which so often catches teams out, and it will not be lost on them that Pearson was the man to lay many of the foundations at Leicester which have enabled the Foxes to become their closest title challengers this term.

It is a big ask for a manager whose last job saw him sacked by Belgian second tier side Oud-Heverlee Leuven to suddenly turn this Watford team into giant-killers within eight days of his appointment, though, and the stats firmly point towards a comfortable home win.



Preview: Liverpool vs. Watford - prediction, team news, lineups
Only four times in Premier League history has the bottom club beaten the league leaders, while Watford themselves have lost all of their last 12 top-flight matches against teams starting the day top of the table - a run which stretches back to 1986.

Liverpool may also be confident of keeping their first home clean sheet of the season at the 13th attempt considering that Watford have failed to score in a league-high nine of their 16 games so far. Liverpool themselves are the only team to have scored in all 16, incidentally.

Klopp's side go into the match having kept successive clean sheets too, including a 2-0 triumph over free-scoring Red Bull Salzburg in midweek which sealed their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

The likes of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund could await in the next round, whereas Watford on their current trajectory are heading for the distinctly less glamorous destination of the Championship.

The Hornets have had more managers than wins approaching the midway point of the season, with Javi Gracia, Quique Sanchez Flores and interim boss Hayden Mullins combining for just the solitary success between them so far.



Preview: Liverpool vs. Watford - prediction, team news, lineups
Whether Pearson is the man to turn a sinking ship around remains to be seen, but Watford certainly seem to have the players to escape their current situation, with the likes of Gerard Deulofeu, Troy Deeney and Abdoulaye Doucoure at their disposal.

Those players have simply not done the job so far, though; a tally of one win and nine points from 16 league games is only ever going to leave a club rock bottom of the table, while their measly tally of nine goals is fewer than Liverpool have managed from headers alone this season.

Watford make the trip to Anfield having only won two of their last 13 away games in the league, losing nine of those in a run which began on their last visit to Anfield in February.

Few will be expecting that record to improve this weekend, nor indeed next weekend at home to Manchester United, so it will take a fairly major upset for Pearson to avoid seeing the six-point gap to safety grow even bigger in the early days of his tenure.

The new boss will at least have his side well-drilled and fired up for the difficult double-header, though, and should they get the first goal against a Liverpool side shipping them regularly at Anfield this season then belief will grow that they could get the type of result which would surely kickstart their campaign.

Liverpool Premier League form: WWWWWW
Liverpool form (all competitions): WDWWWW

Watford Premier League form: LWLLLD

Team News


Preview: Liverpool vs. Watford - prediction, team news, lineups
Dejan Lovren has been ruled out for the hosts having limped off early for the second match in a row, with Klopp confirming that the latest injury is more serious.

Joe Gomez will therefore partner Virgil van Dijk in defence as Liverpool's only two remaining fit centre-backs, with Joel Matip and potential makeshift defender Fabinho still sidelined through injury.

Changes elsewhere are likely following Liverpool's midweek exploits, with the likes of Origi, Shaqiri, Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner all pushing for recalls, while Adam Lallana should be available again after missing the last two games.

It is unlikely that Klopp will choose all three of Salah, Firmino and Sadio Mane having done so against Salzburg, although none of them will want to miss out considering their record against Saturday's opponents.

Salah has six goals and one assist in four league games against Watford, Mane has five goals and three assists in five games and Firmino has also scored five and created three in six meetings with the Hornets.

Watford, meanwhile, will be without Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, Daryl Janmaat, Sebastian Prodl and Jose Holebas but could have better news on the injury front elsewhere.

Craig Dawson should be in contention after missing the last three games with a head injury, while Adam Masina and Roberto Pereyra will both undergo late fitness tests and could be in contention to feature.

Pearson tends to favour a 4-2-3-1 formation - as Watford fielded against Crystal Palace last time out - which could mean that Andre Gray once again has to settle for a place on the bench behind captain Deeney.

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Milner; Shaqiri, Keita, Mane; Origi

Watford possible starting lineup:
Foster; Femenia, Kabasele, Cathcart, Masina; Doucoure, Capoue; Sarr, Pereyra, Deulofeu; Deeney

Head To Head
Liverpool have not enjoyed playing many teams more than Watford in recent years, winning six and losing none of their last seven Premier League meetings while scoring 25 goals and conceding just four.

The Hornets have only ever won one of their 15 previous visits to Anfield and have lost the last three 6-1, 5-0 and 5-0. No team in English top-flight history has ever beaten a single opponent by a five-goal margin or more in four consecutive home games.

Since the two sides first faced off in 1967 Liverpool have won 23 of the 32 meetings, and should they avoid defeat this weekend then it would equal their longest ever unbeaten streak against the Hornets.



Preview: Liverpool vs. Watford - prediction, team news, lineups
We say: Liverpool 3-0 Watford
Make no mistake - this is a potential banana skin for Liverpool. The league leaders are likely to make changes and will come up against a team boosted by a new manager whose first priority will be to make them organised and difficult to break down.

However, Liverpool have faced plenty of teams like that in recent times and seem to have mastered the art of getting through them, and this weekend should be no different. The win may not be quite as emphatic as some of Liverpool's at home to Watford over the past few seasons, but it is hard to see anything other than a comfortable home triumph.

https://amp.sportsmole.co.uk/football/liverpool/preview/preview-liverpool-vs-watford-prediction-team-news-lineups_382655.html

Dominique

Dominique
Please front page

Dominique

Dominique

Lineup please

Threat of Haaland is real, God help us today

Dominique

ednut1:
Awusubilahi . Won ti kapa Tinubu. ANAN chartered not even ican or acca nawa

Nigeria is a joke walahi. I give up

ednut1:
are u not a professional noi. Abi u be factory worker or hustler ni

lol

ednut1:
lol. U want make mr omar do u bad thin abi. Abeg o no go

and you say make i go UAE

This is gonna be a cracker

Dominique