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City match v Brugge their ‘most important of the week’ – Guardiola

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that his team’s UEFA Champions League clash with Club Brugge is their most important match of the week.

City play Club Brugge on Wednesday night at the Etihad Stadium at 8 pm in their fourth outing of the 2021/22 Champions League.

Later on in the week, they travel across Manchester to face rivals Manchester United in their first inter-city derby of the season.

However, Guardiola has made a case for their upcoming game against the Belgian champions being the biggest one of their week.

“It’s much more important this game than the United game,” said Pep. “This game would be an incredible step towards qualifying for the Champions League last 16 while in the Premier League, there are many games – here (there are) just six with three left.

“They are decisive. Games three and four are the most important and you have to take them seriously to make a step forward in our qualification.

“Of course. Brugge are going to adjust – the manager saw the game (in Belgium). They will punish us and we have to get better.

“It will be a completely different game tomorrow.”

Manchester City head into the game looking for a third win in the competition this season and a first win in three in all competitions.

Last Wednesday, the Carabao Cup holders were knocked out of the competition that they have dominated since 2016 when West Ham United beat them on penalties at the London Stadium.

Their most recent outing saw them drop all three points in the Premier League against former City player Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace.

However, the odds are in their favour for their game against Brugge after the reverse fixture saw them leave Belgium with all three points after a 5-1 victory.

Should City win, they will open up a five-point gap between them and third-placed Brugge in Group A with two games to go.

Liverpool midfielders Fabinho and Thiago may play against Atletico Madrid

Liverpool midfielders Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara are in contention for a place in the matchday squad for Wednesday night’s UEFA Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid.

The pair took part in full training on Monday and appear set to return to the pitch for the team this week after their respective knee and calf injuries.

Liverpool have missed both players in recent games, with the remaining midfielders struggling to screen as well as Fabinho does and dictate play as well as Thiago does.

However, Naby Keita, who lasted less than 20 minutes against Brighton and Hove Albion after being deemed fit, is now facing a spell on the sidelines.

The hamstring injury he picked up inside the first quarter of the 2-2 draw with Graham Potter’s men at Anfield will see him miss several games.

On top of this, James Milner will still be sidelined for Liverpool’s potential qualification-sealing match against the side that knocked them out of the Champions League in a match that has become infamous for various reasons.

Jürgen Klopp told his pre-match press conference: “Naby has a hamstring injury so will be out for a while.

“Apart from that, Millie it’s clear [ that he won’t be involved] and the others who are out long-term will be out as well.

“Fabinho and Thiago trained completely normally and are in contention, which is good obviously. It’s very helpful and so we will see.

“Injuries [in this] period of the season are completely normal, as long as they are not too harsh we have to accept that. The players will be back, hopefully soon, and then they are in contention again as well.

“But for tomorrow only the fit players, obviously.”

Liverpool play host to Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night at 8 pm. The game is the reverse fixture of the Klopp and co.’s last Champions League outing – a 3-2 win at the Wanda Metropolitano in the Spanish capital.

ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2021 schedule announced

The ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2021 schedule has been announced and sees Ireland take on the Netherlands in their opening game.

The ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2021 is to be played across four venues in Harare, Zimbabwe from November 21 to December 5.

The tournament gets off with a set of warm-up matches on November 19 before the preliminary league takes place.

The 10 competing teams will be split into two groups of five for the preliminary league, with Ed Joyce’s girls in green placed in Group A alongside the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea and the West Indies.

There is no knockout stage in the competition, with the preliminary league, consisting of five teams each in two groups, followed by a Super Six stage to decide the final positions at the end of 29 matches.

Ireland’s match against the Netherlands will take place on the opening day of the qualifiers at Takashinga Cricket Club alongside three other matches.

Pakistan and Bangladesh feature in a highly anticipated match at the Old Hararians Club while Thailand and Zimbabwe face-off at Harare Sports Club and a second Group A clash of the day is played between West Indies and Papua New Guinea at Sunrise Cricket Club.

The Zimbabwe tournament is an important one on the calendar as it decides three qualifiers for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 to be held in New Zealand from 4 March to 3 April.

The three qualifiers will join five teams who have already qualified through the ICC Women’s Championship – Australia, England, India, South Africa and hosts New Zealand.

These three qualifiers as well as the next two teams will also ensure places in the next ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) along with the top five from last time, as the number of teams in the third cycle of the IWC goes up from eight to 10 teams.

All fixtures are day matches starting at 9:30 am local time, or 11:30 am GMT.

Groupings

Group A Group B
West Indies Pakistan
Sri Lanka Bangladesh
Ireland Thailand
Papua New Guinea Zimbabwe
Netherlands USA

 

Ireland ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2021 fixtures

Warm-up match

Friday, November 19 – Pakistan v Ireland

Qualifiers

Sunday, November 21 – Ireland v Netherlands – 11:30 am

Tuesday, November 23 – West Indies v Ireland – 11:30 am

Thursday, November 25 – Ireland v Sri Lanka – 11:30 am

Saturday, November 27 – Ireland v Papua New Guinea – 11:30 am

2x All-Ireland winner Pat Mulcahy joins Cork senior hurling backroom

Two-time All-Ireland winner Pat Mulcahy has joined the Cork senior hurling backroom under manager Kieran Kingston for the 2022 season.

Mulcahy was part of the Cork side that went back-to-back in 2004 and 2005 in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.

However, Mulcahy missed much of Cork’s triumphant 2004 campaign after being involved in a car accident.

The 46-year-old also won four Munster titles, as well as one National Hurling League title and was an All-Star in 2005.

At club level, he is an All-Ireland medallist with Newtownshandrum and also has three Munster medals and five county titles to his name – four senior and one intermediate.

His coaching experience includes work with his club as well as the Cork Institute of Technology hurlers.

All-Ireland winning Cork minor manager Noel Furlong will join him in Kingston’s backroom for 2022 – both men will join the backroom as selectors and coaches.

Diarmuid O’Sullivan will stay on as a selector and coach and Donal O’Grady will continue on in his role in coaching and analysis for the side.

Stephen Casey will join as a strength and conditioning coach for the 2021 All-Ireland SHC finalists.

Gary Keegan, who is currently involved with Irish Rugby, will return to the Cork senior hurling setup as a performance coach.

Keegan has previously worked alongside the Dublin senior footballers and Irish boxers and was part of Kingston’s backroom in his first stint as Cork manager.

Keegan also worked under former Cork boss John Meyler, who is the father of former Ireland international David Meyler.

The announcement of the new personnel that are set to be ratified by the county board on Tuesday night also includes a thank you to now-former selector and coach Ger Cunningham who has stepped down.

The former Dublin senior hurling manager follows Clare native Christy O’Connor, who left the setup last week.

UFC 268 – Usman vs Covington: Where to watch, Time, Betting

UFC 268 – Usman vs Covington: Where to watch, Time, Betting

UFC 268 is set up to be one of the biggest and greatest shows in the companies history with numerous big-name fights, headlined by the rematch between UFC Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and challenger Colby Covington at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The last time these two stars fought was back at UFC 245 in December 2019, where one of the greatest title fights in UFC history took place.

A close-knit affair between two wrestlers. The fight ironically was kept on the feet for the five rounds where Usman came out victorious with a fifth-round TKO.

If Usman and Covington is the main event, then get ready for the entreé. The card will also feature a title rematch between champion Rose Namajunas and Zhang Weili for the women’s Strawweight title.

The last time these two fought was at UFC 261, where Namajunas won the title back via first-round head kick knockout.

In the Lightweight division, former title challengers Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler will go head-to-head in a fight that should produce fireworks.

Here’s everything you need to know about UFC 268.

UFC 268 Start Time

Like always, the time difference between fights is apparent, but here are all the times for multiple timezones.

US

  • The main card starts Nov 6, 10.00 p.m. EDT (7.00 p.m. PDT).
  • The prelims start Nov 6, 8.00 p.m. EDT (5.00 p.m. PDT).
  • The early prelims start Nov 6, 6.00 p.m. EDT (3.00 p.m. PDT).

UK

  • The main card starts Nov 7. 30, 2 a.m. GMT.
  • The prelims starts on Nov 7, midnight. GMT.
  • The early prelims start Nov 6, 10 p.m. GMT

Australia

  • The main card starts Nov 7, 1pm a.m AEDT.
  • The prelims start Nov 7, 11.00 a.m. AEDT.
  • The early prelims start Nov 7, 9.00 a.m. AEDT

What TV channel is UFC 268 on?

In the US, you can watch the full card on ESPN+.

MMA fans in the UK will have to get up at all hours to watch the full card, but the fights will be shown exclusively through BT Sport 1.

In Australia, there are many options to look at, You can watch UFC 268 through Main Event on Foxtel. You can also watch on the UFC website or using its app. You can even order using your PlayStation or using the UFC app on your Xbox.

Betting

Kamaru Usman: 1/3

Draw: 50/1

Colby Covington: 9/4

Method of Victory

Usman

Usman by KO/TKO: 6/4

Usman by Points: 15/8

Usman by Submission: 12/1

Covington

Covington by KO/TKO: 7/1

Covington by Points: 5/1

Covington by Submission: 16/1

UFC 268: Usman vs Covington FULL CARD

Main card

  • Kamaru Usman (c) vs Colby Covington (welterweight title)
  • Rose Namajunas (c) vs Weili Zhang (strawweight title)
  • Justin Gaethje vs Michael Chandler
  • Frankie Edgar vs Marlon Vera
  • Alex Pereira vs Andreas Michailidis

Preliminary card

  • Al Iaquinta vs Bobby Green
  • Shane Burgos vs Billy Quarantillo
  • Edmen Shahbazyan vs Nassourdine Imavov
  • Ian Garry vs Jordan Williams

Early preliminary card

  • Gian Villante vs Chris Barnett
  • Aleksa Camur vs John Allan
  • CJ Vergara vs Ode Osbourne

UFC 268 – Usman vs Covington: Where to watch, Time, Betting

For more News and Stories on all things MMA, click here.

Unai Emery Leading Candidate for Newcastle Job

Unai Emery Leading Candidate for Newcastle Job

Unai Emery has been touted as the leading candidate to become the next manager of Newcastle United.

The former Arsenal manager is currently enjoying life as manager of Spanish side Villarreal, winning the Europa League last season against Manchester United.

If Newcastle were to open talks with the Spaniard, it would take up to £5 million worth of compensation to get him out of his current deal.

It is understood that while Emery is more than happy to stay at Villarreal, he would not be opposed to opening talks with Newcastle.

After being sacked by Arsenal in 2019, the 49-year-old is said to have unfinished business in England.

Although on Monday, Emery came out dismissing any interest from Tyneside.

Addressing questions about the vacant position before Villarreal’s Champions League clash with Young Boys, Emery said:

“I don’t know anything about Newcastle.”

With the sacking of Steve Bruce, Newcastle have been without a manager for their last two Premier League fixtures, drawing to Crystal Palace and losing to Chelsea at home.

It is understood that Newcastle wants a manager in charge by the weekend, ahead of their game away at Brighton.

Former Roma boss Paulo Fonseca was reportedly in talks for the vacant position, but as it stands it is highly unlikely that the Portuguese will be appointed as Steve Bruce’s successor.

Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Roberto Martinez and Eddie Howe have all been linked with the Newcastle job in recent weeks.

Graeme Jones has assumed caretaker charge and oversaw Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to league leaders Chelsea.

The Magpies remain winless in the Premier League after drawing four games and losing six of their 10 matches so far this term.

Unai Emery Leading Candidate for Newcastle Job

For more News and Stories on all things Football, click here.

Waterford hurling star Kevin Moran announces retirement after 16 years

Waterford GAA hurler Kevin Moran has announced his retirement from the inter-county level after 16 years playing for the Déise.

Moran retires with two Munster titles, two National Hurling League titles and two All-Stars to his name.

The midfielder also represented his county in three All-Ireland finals in 2008, 2017 and 2020 against Kilkenny, Galway and Limerick respectively.

Moran captained the county to victory in the 2015 NHL and was also their leader when they made the run to the All-Ireland final in 2017, picking up his second All-Star that year from his sixth nomination in seven years.

He made 143 appearances for the county in the league and the championship – only Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh and Tony Browne have made more for Waterford.

His first for the side came in the 2006 NHL against Wexford under Justin McCarthy and he made his debut in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship later that year in the qualifiers.

His final appearance for the side was a loss to John Kiely’s Limerick machine under Liam Cahill, his sixth manager at Waterford.

His peak came under Derek McGrath in a midfield duo with Jamie Barron – he played in 56 of McGrath’s 58 league and championship games as manager of the Crystal County.

In a statement announcing his retirement, the De La Salle clubman said: “After 16 years, I have decided that the time is right for me to step away from inter-county hurling and to concentrate on putting more time into my club DLS.

“I would like to thank everyone that has been involved with all the Waterford senior hurling teams during my time on county panels.

“In particular, I would like to thank the Waterford fans, my club DLS, family, friends and my wife Aoife for being so supportive through all the good and bad days.

“I would really like to wish all the very best to Liam Cahill and all the Waterford backroom and panel for the next year.

“Up the Déise.”

Conlan Boxing Vows to Bring Big Boxing Back To Belfast

Conlan Boxing Vows to Bring Big Boxing Back To Belfast

WBA Interim Featherweight World Champion and two-time Olympian, Michael Conlan and his brother, manager and ex-professional boxer, Jamie, have announced plans to bring big boxing bouts back to Belfast with the official launch of Conlan Boxing.

Independently owned by the two Belfast brothers, the management and promotional company plans to bring several fight nights to the city every year and sign and showcase the best local talent from all backgrounds and communities.

Speaking ahead of this Friday’s Conlan Boxing event in the Ulster Hall, Jamie Conlan, Director said:

“Belfast is an amazing Boxing city with a rich history, tremendous home-grown talent and an unbeatable atmosphere at fights. However, the one thing that has been lacking over the years is consistency and we aim to change this with Conlan Boxing. We are going to put on several fight nights every year and give up and coming boxers from across Northern Ireland the opportunity to go up against the big names.

Michael is at the top of his game and having retired from professional boxing in 2017, I’ve spent the last four years managing and developing some of the world’s best boxing talent so we know the sport inside out, what it takes for boxers to succeed and how to put on a good show. We’re excited to be able to come together and launch our own independent management and promotional company and give something back to the local fans who have supported us all these years.”

Michael Conlan, Director of Conlan Boxing added:

“In the months and years ahead, Jamie and I are looking forward to finding and developing the best local talent from all backgrounds and communities across Northern Ireland. As well as fighting on home turf, there will be opportunities to travel the world to challenge for titles and we’re looking forward to announcing our first signing in the next couple of weeks.

We’re also going to have Conlan Boxing Workshops throughout the year to encourage children to get involved in the sport from a young age, teach them some of the skills and inspire the next generation of local boxing talent!”

A limited number of tickets are still available for Friday’s Conlan Boxing event in the Ulster Hall. To purchase, go to www.ulsterhall.co.uk

Conlan Boxing Vows to Bring Big Boxing Back To Belfast

For more News and Stories on all things Boxing, click here.

Malmo FF v Chelsea – Preview, Betting, Probable Starting Teams

The second half of the Champions League group stage kicks off tonight as Chelsea travel to the Swedish leaders

Malmo FF v Chelsea will kick off at 17:45 this evening, 2nd November in the Eleda Stadium. German referee Felix Brych will take charge of the tie.

The game will be shown live on BT Sport 2 while subscribers can also watch it on the app.

Malmo have been getting back to their good form in Sweden. Since their last match against Chelsea, they are unbeaten in three games including a 3-2 victory away to Sirius.

The Champions League has been much less favourable for them. After three games, they have zero points, conceding 11 goals and scoring none. They will need to turn their form around in the next three games if they want to ensure a Europa League place.

Thomas Tuchel’s men have now gone six games unbeaten since losing to Juventus in September. Chelsea’s squad depth has been really important recently after injuries to crucial players but now they are beginning to return to the first team.

Tonight’s game is the perfect chance for Chelsea to improve their strong goal difference as they mount a comeback to claim the top of the group against the Italian giants.

This is a very sporadic fixture as Sweden’s current number one have only faced England’s current number one three times before. Chelsea have won all three of those games scoring nine and only conceding one.

Most recently, the Blues beat Malmo 4-0 in Stamford Bridge last month in the Champions League.

Malmo FF v Chelsea Probable Starting Teams

Malmo FF

Formation

5-3-2

Probable Starting 11

Dahlin (GK), Rieks, Moisander, Ahmedhodzic, Larsson, Berget, Rakip, Christiansen, Innocent, Birmancevic, Colak.

Injuries / Suspensions

Beijmo (Collarbone), Knudsen (Knee), Toivonen (Knee)

 

Chelsea

Formation

3-4-2-1

Probable Starting 11

Arrizabalaga (GK), Rudiger, Christensen, Chalobah, Alonso, Jorginho, Niguez, Azpilicueta, Ziyech, Hudson-Odoi, Havertz

Injuries / Suspensions

Mount (Illness), Kovacic (Hamstring), Lukaku (Sprained ankle), Werner (Hamstring injury)

Malmo FF v Chelsea Match Betting

Malmo FF to win: 13/1

Draw: 5/1

Chelsea to win: 1/5

 

Score Prediction

This will be a good home fixture for the Swedish team to have in terms of entertainment but not with the hopes of claiming any points. Malmo’s previous form in Europe will continue tonight as they face a team chasing top of the group.

Expect Chelsea to run out 4-0 winners.

To read more from this writer, click here.

And to read more in-depth and up-to-date Champions League and international club football news, click here.

Michael Conlan to fight Leigh Wood for WBA World Featherweight title

Michael Conlan is set to fight Leigh Wood for the WBA World Featherweight title after promotion Matchroom Boxing won the purse bid.

Conlan is Wood’s mandatory challenger after his interim title win over TJ Doheny at Falls Park in Belfast last year.

His most recent victory saw him move to 16-0 in his professional career after his controversial exit at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

The WBA had opened up purse bids for the fight on Monday morning with Matchroom and Top Rank seen as the favourites to land it.

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn announced their bidding victory on Twitter that evening: “Delighted to win the purse bid for our Champ @itsLeighWood to defend his WBA World title against @mickconlan11 – official announcement coming soon.”

Leigh Wood, who is represented by Matchroom, won the WBA belt in July when he knocked Chinese boxer Can Xu down in the 12th round of their fight at Matchroom HG Garden.

The fight is set to be broadcast on DAZN due to their partnership with Matchroom Boxing and is expected to take place in 2022, possibly on St Patrick’s Day – Wood is currently recovering from an injury.

This bout will be the first World title bout that Conlan has fought at professional level – he has previously fought for and won the WBO inter-continetal featherweight and bantamweight belts as well as the featherweight division’s WBA interim belt, as previously mentioned.

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