Sports
Team News, Predicted Lineups for Champions League Game
FC Barcelona will be eager to get back on track after a stunning 3-0 loss to
Chelsea last time out in the UEFA Champions League when they host
Eintracht Frankfurt in Matchday 6 of the league phase on Tuesday.
The Blaugrana traveled to London with high hopes amid a strong run of form, but an early own goal and a red card to Ronald Araujo just before half-time gave them very little to work with on a historic night at Stamford Bridge for the Blues.
Barca now sit in 18th place in the UCL league phase table, with two wins, one draw and two losses for seven points through five games.
The loss to the English giants didn’t hurt Barcelona’s momentum in La Liga, however, as the Catalans have continued their dominant run. They extended their domestic winning streak to six on Saturday as they dismantled Real Betis 5-3 in Seville.
Just a few days prior, they put on one of their best performances of the season so far in a 3-1 win over title challengers
Atlético Madrid at the Camp Nou.
Hansi Flick’s troops now sit four points clear at the top of the table after
Real Madrid suffered a 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Eintracht Frankfurt, meanwhile, have struggled in their return to Champions League football following a two-year hiatus, winning only once and losing three games so far. They sit in 28th position, two points adrift of the playoff qualification spots.
Die Adler were handed a 3-0 thrashing by Atalanta on Matchday 5, having already suffered big losses to Liverpool and Atletico Madrid earlier in the campaign. Their lone win came against Galatasaray in their tournament opener.
Their Bundesliga form has faltered of late as well, fresh off a devastating 6-0 loss in Leipzig over the weekend. Eintracht currently occupies seventh place in the German league standings, one point off the final European qualification spot.
Barcelona and Eintracht Frankfurt have only faced each other twice before as part of a quarterfinal tie in the Europa League during the 2022-23 season. Frankfurt shocked the Spanish giants with a 4-3 aggregate win following a dramatic second leg win by the Germans in Barcelona.
Where to Watch Barcelona vs Eintracht Frankfurt
- When: Tuesday, December 9 – 3PM ET / 12PM PT
- Where: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona
- Where to watch: CBS Sports, Paramount+
Barcelona vs Eintracht Frankfurt Betting Odds
- FC Barcelona to win: -700
- Draw: +750
- Eintracht Frankfurt to win: +1600
- Both teams to score (Yes/No): -138 / +108
- Over/Under 3.5 goals: -168 / +136
- Robert Lewandowski first goalscorer: +270
- Raphinha anytime goalscorer: -145
- Ferran Torres anytime goalscorer: -160
- Lamine Yamal to score or assist: -350
Odds courtesy of FanDuel.
Eintracht Frankfurt Team News and Predicted Lineup
To add insult to injury, Frankfurt lost a pair of important players in their heavy defeat to Leipzig, as Mitchy Batshuayi and Jonathan Burkhardt were forced off.
Neither is expected to feature against Barcelona, but head coach Dino Toppmoller will be encouraged by the return to fitness of Can Uzun and Hugo Larsson, who both saw the pitch over the weekend.
World Cup winner Mario Gotze should also feature in the starting lineup on Tuesday as he continues to look for his first goal of the season.
Eintracht Frankfurt predicted lineup (3-4-2-1): Michael Zetterer (GK) – Nnamdi Collins, Robin Koch, Arthur Theate – Rasmus Kristensen, Fares Chaibi, Mahmoud Dahoud, Nathaniel Brown – Mario Gotze, Ritsu Doan – Jean Matteo Bahoya.
FC Barcelona Team News and Predicted Lineup
Barcelona’s squad is as healthy as it’s been all season, much to the delight of Hansi Flick and his staff.
The German boss should deploy his lethal attacking trident of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski. They’ll likely be joined by Ferran Torres, who will be difficult to leave off the team sheet after his hat-trick against Betis.
Eric Garcia has been a revelation in a holding midfield role and should retain his spot alongside Pedri.
Gerard Martin has impressed as a makeshift center-back in Ronald Araujo’s absence, and should continue in the middle of defense to face Eintracht.
FC Barcelona predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia (GK) – Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Alejandro Balde – Eric Garcia, Pedri – Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Ferran Torres – Robert Lewandowski.
Sports
Thomas Tuchel Went Ballistic at Djed Spence During England vs DR Congo
An apoplectic Thomas Tuchel lost his head at one of his England players during the nervy 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo.
The Three Lions needed Harry Kane to come up with a brace to beat the spirited African nation, who led for 75 minutes. Brian Cipenga gave the Congolese a shock lead in the seventh minute, and Tuchel’s men were poor during the first half.
Kane’s first goal came in the 75th minute when he met Anthony Gordon’s cross with a superb header. The Bayern Munich frontman then fired home an 86th-minute winner to send his country through to the last 16 of the World Cup where they meet Mexico on Monday.
England got the job done, but there are now widespread debates over who should start at the Azteca. Judging by Tuchel’s reaction during the game, he might be about to wield the axe on one of his starters.
England 2-1 DR Congo: Tuchel Furious With Spence
With England chasing the game on the hour mark, frustration was written all over Tuchel’s face. He lost his temper at Djed Spence while shouting orders to the Tottenham Hotspur man.
Spence started the game at right-back due to the injury crisis, which has seen Tino Livramento withdraw from the squad. Reece James is unavailable due to a hamstring injury, limiting Tuchel’s options.
Tuchel opted to bring Spence off minutes after his angry outburst at the Spurs star, who is being used as a makeshift right-back. It’s raised doubts over the 25-year-old continuing in the starting lineup ahead of the trip to the Azteca to face Mexico.
You can watch the incident involving Tuchel and Spence below:
This isn’t the first time Tuchel has lost his patience with Spence, as he angrily ordered the full-back to ‘give and go’ in the 0-0 stalemate against Ghana. His decision to pick the Spurs defender in his 26-man squad caused debate before the tournament and there are now question marks over his place in the starting lineup.
England’s Right-Back Dilemma
England headed into the tournament with two right-backs selected as Livramento and James made Tuchel’s 26-man squad. That’s despite the pair enduring recurring injuries in recent seasons and concerns about their fitness for the World Cup.
Tuchel claimed that nobody saw James’ hamstring injury coming, which surprised many English fans who are well aware of his injury record. The Chelsea captain rarely plays more than once a week for his club, and his injury is a massive blow.
Livramento withdrew ahead of the opening 4-2 win over Croatia due to a calf injury. Instead of calling up Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tuchel turned to Trevoh Chalobah, a decision that has proven costly.
Jarell Quansah is another option for Tuchel, as the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back can play at right-back. But he, too, missed the DR Congo win due to a twisted ankle sustained in the 2-0 win against Panama last Saturday.
Tuchel has a big decision to make for the encounter with Mexico on Monday and whether to continue with Spence at right-back. He opted to use Declan Rice in the position after bringing the Spurs man off in the second half today.
Sports
Done Deal: Newcastle Agree £43m Deal to Sign Bazoumana Traore

Newcastle United have agreed a £43m deal to sign Hoffenheim forward Bazoumana Traore this summer, according to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg.
Sports
Man Utd Leading Race to Sign £103m Star Felix Nmecha
Manchester United are leading the race alongside Man City to sign Borussia Dortmund star Felix Nmecha this summer, according to Sport BILD.
The Red Devils have had a difficult summer window so far, missing out on top targets Elliot Anderson to Man City and Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham Hotspur, although a deal to sign Atalanta star Ederson is expected to be completed after the World Cup.
But midfield remains a priority position to strengthen, and even more so following Manuel Ugarte’s serious knee injury, and the Germany international has now emerged as a potential target at Old Trafford.
Man Utd Lead Race for Felix Nmecha
Nmecha, who has been described by Julian Nagelsmann as ‘one of the best central midfielders in the world’, shone at the World Cup for Germany before they were surprisingly eliminated by Paraguay in the Round of 32 on penalties.
But the Borussia Dortmund star has attracted the attention of a number of top clubs with his performances, including Man Utd, after they missed out on deals for some of their top targets.
Man City, Newcastle United, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid are all understood to be alert to his situation, but it’s Man Utd who are considered to be ‘the main attractions’ for the central midfielder, who came through the academy at Man City, meaning he would count as ‘homegrown’ in the Premier League.
However, Dortmund are not under any pressure to sell the 25-year-old and have set a price of at least €120m (£103m) to allow him to depart the Bundesliga side.
It’s unclear if United would be willing to go so high, but Dortmund are understood to be very confident that Nmecha will be playing for them next season rather than at Old Trafford or anywhere else.
Nmecha Not a Big Money Signing
While Nmecha has impressed for both Dortmund and Germany in recent times, it’s clear that Dortmund are trying to cash in on the hype around him to get an inflated fee.
If Man Utd weren’t willing to pay the money needed to sign Anderson, who had been publicly earmarked as their top target for months, or Fernandes, who would have been considerably cheaper, then it’s hard to see how they justify paying that much for Nmecha.
While he has the skillset to excel and shine in United’s midfield, there are also several flaws in his game that would need hiding or helping, and the fee just simply isn’t anywhere near good value, making a deal highly unlikely to happen.
Man Utd Explore Move to Sign ‘Unbelievable’ £80m Star Instead of Mateus Fernandes
Man Utd are ready to move on from Fernandes.
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