Nick Pope has told Newcastle they have to believe they can win every game if they are to be thought of as a top team.

The Magpies head into Tuesday night’s crunch Champions League clash with Paris St Germain knowing their first campaign in two decades could be over if they lose.

Memories of October’s 4-1 demolition of the French champions at St James’ Park, which took Eddie Howe’s men to the top of Group F after two rounds of fixtures, have faded after back-to-back defeats by Borussia Dortmund left them at the foot of the table.

 

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However, asked what they need at the Parc des Princes, Pope said: “A win would be nice. That’s not going to do any harm in any group at any stage.

“It obviously keeps it in our hands as well, which is something that would be nice going into the Milan at home game. But the full focus has got to be on tomorrow night and taking it one game at a time.

“Every game we go into, we’ve got to look to win, whether that’s League Cup, Champions League, league.

“I believe we’re a top team and top team behaviours and top team attitudes, that’s what it is. Whoever the opponent may be, however good they are, we have to have the belief and the attitude that we want to win the game.”

Newcastle managed to keep PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe and his team-mates quiet on Tyneside, but the France international has been in lethal form since, scoring 14 goals in his last 11 games for club and country.

Another clean sheet in Paris would do Pope’s chances of winning back a place in the England set-up no harm and, although he insists he has no problem with manager Gareth Southgate’s decision to leave him out of recent squads, he knows what he needs to do to stand a chance of returning.

He said: “You can always do more. There’s more clean sheets to be had, more saves, better performances. I’ve got to look inwardly at that. Gareth’s decision to leave me out, I’ve got to make it that he can’t leave me out.”

Pope may not be the only Magpie whose form Southgate is monitoring, with Anthony Gordon staking his claim for an elevation from the under-21 ranks with a series of high-octane performances amid a crippling injury crisis.

Howe was without 13 senior players for Saturday’s 4-1 league win over Chelsea, in which the former Everton man scored the final goal, and will have to play a key role in the French capital if his side is to prosper.

The Magpies head coach, who may have to include 17-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley in his starting line-up once again after a hugely impressive display against the Blues, knows just how high the stakes are, but is not cowed by the pressure.

Howe, who put his players through their paces at the Parc des Princes on Monday evening having trained back in Newcastle for the previous two away games, said: “It’s difficult to predict football matches and what the results may be and the permutations of others’ games. We try not to lose energy doing that.

“From our side, we prepare to try to win this game, that’s all we can do and then worry about Milan afterwards.

“We’re certainly not in a strong position, we’re not in the position that we wanted to be, but we are where we are and we have to just focus on this game, and I think it’s imperative we don’t lose.”

Howe confirmed midfielder Joe Willock is to see a specialist on Tuesday over his Achilles injury.

Former England Women’s rugby union captain Sarah Hunter has said she is enjoying no longer “feeling beaten up and battered” in her retirement, as she was made a CBE for services to the sport.

The 38-year-old – England’s most capped player – said it is an “uncomfortable” feeling to be singled out for praise because rugby is the “ultimate team sport”.

Hunter, who won 138 caps and captained her side at the 2021 Rugby World Cup, was handed her CBE medal by the Prince of Wales at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Monday.

Hunter – who made her England debut in 2007 and was named World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year in 2016 – announced her retirement from international rugby earlier this year.

She has started a new chapter of her career as a coach with the England team, something she discussed with William.

She told the PA news agency: “He asked me what I’m doing now since I stopped playing.

“England Rugby have got me back in coaching to try and help the next generation of players come through.”

Hunter and William also discussed the Princess of Wales’s role as a patron of England Rugby, and the time two England players “threw her up in the line-out” during a visit, she said.

Asked about the secret to her long career, she said: “It’s probably just hanging on in there.

“As you get older it’s definitely around looking after your body. I was just driven to always be better every time I came off the field.

“I’ve been part of so many wonderful teams, it’s pretty hard to leave and say goodbye, but I guess everything has to end at some point.”

She continued: “It’s such an honour. I started playing rugby for the love of it and never did I ever imagine that I’d be honoured in this way.

“It’s kind of strange for me because rugby is the ultimate team sport, so being recognised for an individual award is fairly uncomfortable.

“But it certainly ranks right up there in my achievements, I’m immensely proud.”

Asked if she was going to miss playing rugby, Hunter said: “Do you know what, I’m not. I actually enjoy not feeling beaten up and battered.

“I think that’s a really good sign that it was time to leave. I miss the camaraderie but I don’t miss being out there on the pitch.

“England Rugby have got me back in coaching to try and help the next generation of players come through.

“I’m starting on a new journey.”

Judd Trump revealed how his unquenchable desire for success helped lift him off his sick bed and into the second round of the UK Championship in York with a convincing 6-1 win over Pang Junxu.

The 34-year-old is the latest top star to arrive at the tournament suffering the apparent effects of flu, after Ding Junhui considered withdrawal before edging defending champion Mark Allen on the opening day.

But Trump, who became only the fifth player in history to win three back-to-back ranking tournaments last month, indicated that pulling out was not an option as he targets a title that has eluded him since a solitary success in 2011.

“I didn’t feel great, but I’m always going to turn up and give it my best,” said Trump, who fears he caught the bug after attending rival Ronnie O’Sullivan’s documentary premiere in London last week.

“It’s a big tournament and you obviously want to do well in it. Maybe I had slightly lower expectations, and maybe that helped a bit. It was a decent first-round performance and hopefully I can go away and get a bit better.”

Two centuries suggested Trump was showing few ill effects against the world number 34, who had given O’Sullivan something to think about in the opening round of the World Championship earlier this year.

And Trump’s determination comes in stark contrast to reigning Crucible champion Luca Brecel, who conceded he was having to find novel ways to maintain his motivation through the current campaign.

“I just love winning,” added Trump. “I absolutely hate the feeling of losing so that’s what spurs me on. I don’t want to look back at the end of my career having missed events or not practised much.

“We get enough time off in the off-season, so when it comes to the season itself I might as well work and give it my absolute all, and win as many tournaments as possible.

“I went through a two- or three-year period of winning pretty much everything, then I went through a spell when I was still half-decent but not as good.

“The feeling of going home every time without the trophy was absolutely horrendous. For me, winning surpasses everything and there’s no better feeling than going home knowing you haven’t lost.”

Former semi-finalist Barry Hawkins also booked his place in the last 16 after recovering from a 3-1 deficit to edge qualifier Ben Woollaston.

World champion Michael Smith is not ready to hand his crown over to anyone else as he prepares for the defence of his title.

The 33-year-old lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time in January after a stunning performance against Michael van Gerwen in the final, hitting a nine-dart finish in the greatest leg in the history of the sport.

He has struggled to live up to the billing of world champion during 2023 but is determined to keep hold of the silverware in the Alexandra Palace tournament which begins next month.

“It is going to be a sad moment because I am going to be introduced as the reigning champion, but if I get beat next time I am going to be the former,” Smith, who will play Kevin Doets or Stowe Buntz in the second round, told the PA news agency.

“I don’t want to be the former. Eventually it will happen, but I’m not ready for it to end yet. I want to be announced next year as the reigning back-to-back champion, that is what I am striving for.

“I know I can do it, I have to work on my game to find it. I have done it countless times before, it is one more big push now to end the year on a big high.

“It feels like it has gone too quick. I have enjoyed it, I have virtually taken the year off darts, especially the floor events, just to enjoy what I did. Twelve months has gone by too quickly, it’s a bit saddening, but also happy to be at Ally Pally and defend my title.”

 

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Three-time champion Van Gerwen, who plays Keane Barry or Reynaldo Rivera, has not won the title since 2019 and usually arrives at the Palace as favourite.

But he says Luke Humphries is the man to beat after winning the last three majors, including the Players Championship at the weekend.

“I don’t know if I am the favourite, Luke Humphries is playing some really good darts, he has had some fantastic results,” the Dutchman told PA.

“I am one of the favourites, everyone still wants to beat me, but there will be pressure on everybody.

 

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“The worlds is a different kind of pressure. We are talking about the big tournament now. It is the biggest one so it adds extra pressure, you can’t compare the worlds to any other. It would mean the world to me.”

Two-time champion Peter Wright will play the winner of Jim Williams and Norman Madhoo, while Humphries faces Lee Evans or Sandro Eric Sosing.

Fallon Sherrock, who made history in 2020 when she became the first woman to win a World Championship match, is back at the Palace for a fourth time and will face Jermaine Wattimena in the first round, with Martin Schindler waiting in the second round.

Downtown Kingston will once again be the epicenter of electrifying boxing action as Wray & Nephew Fight Nights makes a triumphant return on Saturday, December 16, 2023. The boxing exhibition, extending into 2024, will conclude the calendar year with a thrilling seaside showdown in Jamaica's bustling capital.

Undefeated since the commencement of the boxing competition, professional boxer Jermaine "Breezy" Richards steps back into the ring for his third match of the season at the Breezy Castle fights. The event will also showcase a fresh set of female challengers vying for supremacy in the boxing arena.

The upcoming spectacle will witness the return of Ian Darby, captivating the audience for the second time following his exhilarating bout against Fabian 'Truck' Tucker on October 7, 2023.

Jamaica Boxing Board President, Stephen Jones, expressed confidence that the series has firmly established its presence among Jamaicans and is poised to deliver high-quality boxing competition for local athletes.

"The popularity of the Fight Night series has surpassed our expectations, putting us in a fantastic position. With more eyes on the sport and Jamaica as a boxing destination, the next fight card will feature at least six amateur bouts and two professional matchups. Notably, fan favorites Jermaine 'Breezy' Richards and Ian 'The Impact' Darby will face formidable Colombian opponents, promising our most exciting night to date," stated President Jones.

Pavel Smith, Marketing Manager of Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, expressed enthusiasm about the advancement of local boxing careers and the overwhelming support from fans.

"In just three stagings, we've witnessed the resurgence of love and support for local boxing. Fans are enthusiastic, and boxers are eager to showcase their talent and elevate their careers. We are delighted to see increased attendance at the events and invite all boxing enthusiasts to Breezy Castle on December 16 for the grand finale of the Wray & Nephew boxing series," remarked Smith.

Sponsored by Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, Television Jamaica, Pepsi Jamaica, Ultra Medical Services, Locker Room Sports, S & G Road Surfacing Materials Limited, and Creative Sports, the Wray & Nephew Fight Nights series, which commenced in July, is set to captivate boxing fans well into 2024.

Gordon Elliot has stressed “everything is open” for Gerri Colombe as bookmakers took evasive action anticipating a Boxing Day appearance in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.

Following his winning return at Down Royal, Elliott had mentioned Leopardstown’s festive feature, the Savills Chase, or the Cotswold Chase on Cheltenham’s Festival Trials Day card would be the destination for the next step on the seven-year-old’s path to the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

But with both defending champion Bravemansgame and Nicky Henderson’s Shishkin fluffing their lines at Haydock and Ascot respectively over the weekend, the Cullentra House handler sent the King George market spinning when briefly suggesting a trip to Kempton was possible in an interview following the victory of Imagine at Punchestown on Sunday.

Gerri Colombe has since attracted significant support in the King George market, usurping Bravemansgame as the favourite with some layers.

However, speaking to the PA news agency on Monday, Elliott confirmed no decision has been made yet, with conditions nearer the time set to determine Gerri Colombe’s next move.

“Everything is still kind of up in the air and everything is open,” said Elliott.

“We’ve got the King George, Leopardstown and the race at Cheltenham. There’s no decision made, we will just wait to see what the ground is and make a decision nearer the time.

“We won’t know for two weeks what we are doing.”

When asked if the drama-filled events over the weekend make saddling a first King George runner since Don Cossack in 2015 more tempting, Elliott added: “To be honest, I just worry about my own horse, I don’t worry about anyone else.”

Don Cossack was a late faller when sent off 15-8 favourite for Kempton’s Christmas showpiece that year, before going on to taste Gold Cup glory the following March.

And the Robcour-owned Gerri Colombe is also currently disputing favouritism with Willie Mullins’ Galopin Des Champs at the head of the Gold Cup betting.

AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli says his players can take inspiration from tennis star Jannik Sinner and Italy’s Davis Cup-winning team.

Pioli’s side will bid to keep their Champions League last-16 hopes alive on Tuesday when they face Borussia Dortmund in their penultimate Group F match.

Rossoneri fan Sinner led Italy to their first Davis Cup triumph in 47 years in Malaga at the weekend and Pioli hopes the world number four will be at the San Siro to cheer his side on.

Pioli told a press conference: “He’s an inspirational figure due to his determination, his talent, his quality, his mentality and his desire to win every single point.

“If Jannik attends, we’ll be happy. In the meantime, I’d like to congratulate him, the Italy Davis Cup team and the captain, (Filippo) Volandri.”

Pioli described his side’s clash with Dortmund, against whom they drew 0-0 on the road in October, as a “turning point” in the group.

Milan sit third with two games remaining, two points behind leaders Dortmund, after beating Paris St Germain 2-1 at home in their previous group match, while all four sides – Newcastle being the other club – can still qualify for the knockout phase.

Pioli, whose side are third in Serie A, six points behind leaders Inter after Saturday’s 1-0 home win against Fiorentina, added: “It’s a very important game, a turning point in the group.

“We know all about our opponents, who are a strong side and can cause problems.

“However, they can come into difficulties, too. We’ll need to be attentive throughout the 95 minutes and understand when to close them down when we’re out of possession.

“When we have the ball, we’ll have to try and take up the right positions and find the right spaces.”

Dortmund remain in pole position to qualify from the group. After losing their opening game to PSG 2-0 they were held 0-0 at home by Milan before back-to-back wins against Newcastle.

The German club’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl told a press conference: “We know the table and of course you look at what is still possible in this group. We know what awaits us.

“Milan showed in their home match against PSG that they can be very strong. It will be a close one. But the opportunity to qualify for the round of 16 will be in our own hands in both upcoming group games. We’ll go there with that in mind.”

Stuart Crawford hopes there is more improvement to come from smart Haydock winner Park Annonciade.

The five-year-old began his hurdling career in the summer with two encouraging efforts at Sligo and Perth, missing out by just three quarters of a length on debut and then winning well next time out.

He returned in autumn after a short break and quickly regained the winning thread with an Ayr success that led him to Haydock on Saturday, where he carried bottom weight, which was assisted further by 5lb claimer Ben Bromley.

The same trainer and owners, Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, were also represented in the race by Carnfunnock, but it was his less experienced stablemate who swept to a two-and-three-quarter-length victory as the 3-1 joint-favourite.

“We probably fancied the other horse more but he was just a bit rusty with his jumping on his first run of the season,” Crawford said.

“Park Annonciade had the advantage of a few runs, he’s been on the go over the summer and the drying ground was a big plus for him and he took advantage of being at the bottom of the weights.

“It was good that we could win with one runner anyway!”

The race was a step up to two miles and three furlongs for Park Annonciade and while Crawford predicts he will stay further in time, he is happy to move up only incrementally in the immediate future.

“Eventually, I imagine he’d be a horse that will run over a trip at some point in time but two, two and half miles at this stage will be far enough for him,” he said.

“I don’t know what the handicapper is going to do with him after that but he’s still going to struggle to get into the better races with the mark he’ll be on.

“We’ll let him progress, he’s a horse that has improved with racing and he’s taken a wee bit of time to come to himself, so hopefully there’s another day in him at some point.”

Of plans for Carnfunnock, the trainer added: “I imagine we’ll go for a similar type of race again, he was the one we were really going there for but it didn’t work out on the day for him.

“He’s come out of the run well and we’ll look for something a bit closer to Christmas.”

Travis Kelce made NFL history as the Kansas City Chiefs recorded an entertaining victory in Week 12.

The Chiefs fought back from 14-0 behind to win 31-17 at the Las Vegas Raiders, improving their 2023 record to 8-3.

Kelce hauled in six catches for 91 yards to help launch the comeback, with Rashee Rice adding eight receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown.

Sunday's game saw Kelce become the fastest tight end to reach 11,000 receiving yards in NFL history, achieving the feat in 154 games.

The 34-year-old only needed 15 yards to reach the landmark and comfortably passed that in Las Vegas, taking his career total up to 11,076.

Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez held the previous fastest mark after hitting 11,000 after 191 games.

Kelce is only the fourth tight end ever to reach the total. He still has a while to go to catch Gonzalez (15,127) in yardage, but is moving ever closer to Jason Witten (13.036) and Antonio Gates (11,841) in the TE standings.

"We went down 14 points, and it's a tough thing to come back from that," said Chiefs coach Andy Reid.

"Our guys battled back, and I'm proud of them for that."

A prime-time matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field is up next for the Chiefs, who are top of the AFC West as they look to repeat as Super Bowl champions. The Denver Broncos (6-5) are their closest challengers in the division.

Frank Reich didn't even make it to December in his first season as coach of the Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers announced on Monday that Reich has been fired.

"I met with Coach Reich this morning and informed him that he will not continue as head coach of the Carolina Panthers," team owner David Tepper said in a statement. "I want to thank Frank for his dedication and service, and we wish him well."

Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor takes over as interim coach, while offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will be in charge of play-calling.

 

The decision came one day after a 17-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans dropped the NFL-worst Panthers to 1-10.

The 61-year-old Reich, who coached the Indianapolis Colts from 2018-2022, was hired in January to help improve the offense, but the team is struggling to score points and No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young isn't playing well.

Carolina is 30th in total offence with an average of 265.9 yards per game and has scored 10 points in each of its last two contests and 15 or fewer in each of its last five.

Young has not topped 200 yards passing in each of the last four games, and has thrown for 1,877 yards with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions for a 74.9 QB rating in his first 10 games.

The Panthers passed on C.J. Stroud and selected Young first in April's draft after trading wide receiver D.J. Moore and four draft picks - including their first-round pick in next year's draft - to the Chicago Bears for the top pick.

This is the second year in a row the Panthers fired their coach mid-season after Tepper fired Matt Rhule last October after a 1-4 start.

Carolina will finish with a losing record for a sixth straight season since Tepper bought the franchise in 2018 for $2.275million.

A late call will be made on Buddy One’s participation in Sunday’s Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse, with Leopardstown’s Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle also an option for Paul Gilligan’s thriving hurdler.

Third to Iroko at the Cheltenham Festival in March before also going close at Aintree the following month, the six-year-old has continued to catch the eye in his recent outings, following up a taking victory at Galway by successfully stepping up to three miles at Cheltenham recently.

Having scored at Prestbury Park off a mark of 147, Gilligan believes Buddy One has done enough to warrant a shot in the big leagues and is preparing his progressive performer for Grade One action at either Fairyhouse this weekend or Leopardstown over the festive period.

“He’s 100 per cent and came out of his race at Cheltenham very, very well,” said Gilligan.

“Fairyhouse is still in the mix, we’re not 100 per cent sure yet. We’ll make a final decision Friday morning and it’s not finalised, but we’re hoping to go.

“It looks a race that may cut up between just Willie (Mullins) and Gordon (Elliott) and John (McConnell) might go as well. I would like to run him in it, but we will see closer to the weekend.

“The only reason he may not go there is it is only two weeks since Cheltenham and if he doesn’t go there, he will go for the Christmas Hurdle (at Leopardstown).”

Buddy One will have to take on some of the best hurdlers in Ireland wherever he makes his next start and his handler is well aware another career best may be required from his in-form gelding to make his mark in esteemed company.

“No matter where he goes now, he will be at the level where he will be taking on all these good horses,” continued Gilligan. “We’re at the level now where we can’t be skipping or avoiding.

“It’s great to have a horse like him and he was really good at Cheltenham I think, but he has got to step up if he is taking on horses like Willie’s Impaire Et Passe and Gordon’s Irish Point.

“We’re aware of that and it is not just a walk in the park now, he has to step up and hopefully he will do.”

Jockey Ray Dawson has been banned for six months after failing a drugs test at Bath on August 19.

The 30-year-old has a history of addiction problems and tested positive for cocaine after a drink and drug binge the previous night.

He has not ridden since August 24 and his suspension will be backdated until September 1.

Dawson appeared before a British Horseracing Authority Disciplinary panel on Monday, when he admitted he had relapsed one night, having spent the majority of the previous five years sober.

He enjoyed his best year in 2022 with 64 winners, which included Group Two victories in the Lowther on Zain Claudette and the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes on subsequent 1000 Guineas winner Mawj.

Paul Nolan says there will be no more ground excuses for Joyeux Machin as he contemplates a step up to Grade One company at Leopardstown over the Christmas period.

A two-time winner over hurdles last term, he has already banked plenty of chasing experience, racing four times over the larger obstacles and going close in a competitive Listed heat at Wexford earlier this month, where he found just Gordon Elliott’s Minella Crooner too good.

The six-year-old holds an entry for the Neville Hotels Novice Chase on December 29 and his handler believes he can no longer use deep ground as an excuse, having gone so close in testing conditions on his most recent outing.

“We looked a bit stupid the last day because we ran him on heavy ground,” said Nolan.

“After his two ‘PUs’ on heavy ground before and on the gallops after working him on heavy ground, it was basically a finding out mission (at Wexford) and we can’t blame ground anymore after his performance the other day, when I thought he was very unlucky and just missed the last.

“He was getting weight off the winner and on ratings he wasn’t too far wrong with the winner. There’s no point getting too carried away, but I definitely won’t be blaming ground anymore.”

Joyeux Machin’s long-term future appears to be over the larger obstacles, with Nolan having the trip to Dublin at Christmas at the forefront of his mind.

However, the handler would be open to reverting to hurdles if the opportunity presented itself, with a confidence boosting victory over timber seen as the perfect way to tee-up Joyeux Machin for his big-race festive assignment.

“I wouldn’t mind mixing things up with him,” continued Nolan. “We had him on the go during the summer for a couple of races and we won’t run him too often. His aim will be at Christmas where he is entered in the Grade One and we’ll see where we go.

“If there was a hurdle race in between that we thought may suit him, then I would love to win with him – and on that basis, if we have a look at the programme and there was a conditions hurdle that came up and he was in at a lovely weight, then I would have no problem going back over hurdles with him.

“We’ll have a chat with the owners and see what we do, but the Grade One will come under serious consideration, with the strong chance that Leopardstown won’t be that deep.”

The Champions League’s penultimate round of fixtures take place this week with 10 round-of-16 places still up for grabs.

Holders Manchester City are already through and Arsenal can seal their place in the knockout stages, but Manchester United and Newcastle have plenty to do, while Celtic are bidding for their first group win.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at each of the British clubs’ matchday five opponents.

Lazio v Celtic (Tuesday)

Lazio will qualify for the knockout phase as Group E runners-up with victory against Celtic at the Olympic Stadium in Rome if Feyenoord lose at home to leaders Atletico Madrid.

Maurizio Sarri’s side will be looking to bounce back from last Saturday’s shock Serie A defeat to bottom club Salernitana by reaching the knockout stages for the second time in three seasons, having lost to Bayern Munich 6-2 on aggregate in the last 16 in 2020-21.

Pedro’s stoppage-time goal at Celtic Park in October snatched Lazio a 2-1 win on matchday two, while their only group defeat this season was a 3-1 loss at Feyenoord last month.

Lazio qualified for the Champions League by finishing runners-up to Napoli in Serie A last season, but have struggled to maintain their domestic form in this campaign, losing six of their 13 games to sit 11th in the table.

Paris St Germain v Newcastle (Tuesday)

Paris St Germain can secure their place in the last 16 for a 12th successive season if results go their way in Group F on matchday five.

Should the French champions avenge their humbling 4-1 defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park in October with victory in the return at the Parc des Princes and Borussia Dortmund beat AC Milan in Italy, the Parisiens will go through.

But with all four group rivals still harbouring hopes of reaching the knockout stage with two games to play, it could all go down to the final round of matches.

Luis Enrique’s side have recovered from an indifferent start to their domestic season, winning seven of their last eight matches and last Friday’s 5-2 home win against Monaco kept them top of Ligue 1.

Manchester City v Leipzig (Tuesday)

Leipzig joined City as one of the first two sides to reach the knockout phase this season after winning 2-1 on the road against Red Star Belgrade in their previous Group G match.

The Germans’ only group defeat this season came last month against City, who won 3-1 at the Red Bull Arena, while victories over Red Star (twice) and Young Boys have left them a comfortable second in the table.

Leipzig secured Champions League football for a fifth straight year by finishing third in the Bundesliga last season behind champions Bayern Munich and Dortmund.

Marco Rose’s side have lost two of their last three domestic league games and currently sit fifth, while they have lost heavily on their last two visits to the Etihad Stadium, 6-3 in 2021 and 7-0 in March when Erling Haaland scored five goals.

Galatasaray v Manchester United (Wednesday)

Galatasaray will give their hopes of reaching the last 16 for the first time in 10 years a major boost if they can beat United for a second time in Group A this season.

The Turkish champions twice fought back to win 3-2 at Old Trafford in October thanks to Mauro Icardi’s late winner and currently sit third behind runaway leaders Bayern Munich, level on points with Copenhagen and a point better off than United.

Galatasaray won five and drew one of their six qualifying round matches before being drawn into Group A and while they have lost both group games to Bayern, they have also drawn with Copenhagen.

Okan Buruk led Galatasaray to a 23rd Super Lig title last season and his side currently sit second behind arch-rivals Fenerbahce on goal difference after losing only one of their first 13 domestic league matches.

Arsenal v Lens (Wednesday)

Lens, playing Champions League football for the third time, are still in the hunt to secure their first-ever slot in the round of 16.

Their 2-1 home win against Arsenal in October was sandwiched by 1-1 draws against both Sevilla and PSV Eindhoven and although the Gunners are four points clear at the top of Group B, any one of four teams can still qualify.

Lens, who were playing in Ligue 2 only three years ago, secured their place in this year’s Champions League with an impressive second-placed finish in Ligue 1, just a point behind PSG.

Franck Haise’s side failed to win any of their first five Ligue 1 games this season, losing four of them, but have since remained unbeaten and back-to-back wins in their last two domestic matches have lifted them up to sixth spot.

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