List of All Articles with Tag 'gb'

Aston Villa return to Europa Conference League action as they try to get their qualification hopes back on track against Bosnian champions Zrinjski Mostar. Playing European football for the first time in 13 years and having successfully negotiated Hibernian in the play-off round, Villa’s group stage started in disappointing fashion as they twice came from behind to equalise through Jhon Duran and Lucas Digne away to Legia Warsaw but eventually went down 3-2 in the Polish capital. That means victory over eight-time Bosnian title winners Zrinjski, who have climbed back to the top of the domestic game since Krunoslav Rendulic took over as manager last November, is a must and Unai Emery’s men are in good form since that defeat in Warsaw. They have beaten Chelsea and Brighton in the Premier League – the latter in a shock 6-1 thumping at the weekend – and will be heavy favourites to triumph on home turf, although Zrinjski are currently top of Group E after stunningly coming from 3-0 down at half-time to beat AZ Alkmaar 4-3 in their Europa Conference League opener. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the fixture; see all the latest Europa League odds and tips for tonight here. When is Aston Villa vs Zrinjski Mostar? The match kicks off at 8pm BST on Thursday 5 October at Villa Park in Aston, Birmingham. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 2, with coverage on the channel from 7:45pm BST. Subscribers can stream the action via discovery+, which is also available via Amazon Prime. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. What is the team news? Villa were hit by the news that Boubacar Kamara, Moussa Diaby and Jacob Ramsey would all miss the match earlier this week, while Alex Moreno is out until after the international break and both Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia are long-term absentees. Leon Bailey should be back in contention after a thigh strain, however. Krunoslav Rendulic normally favours a 4-3-3 formation with Tomislav Kis and Nemanja Bilbija in contention to lead the line and Zvonimir Kozulj pushing for a start after scoring twice in Zrinjski’s remarkable comeback against AZ last month. Predicted line-ups Aston Villa: Olsen; Cash, Konsa, Lenglet, Digne; Luiz, Tielemans; Traore, McGinn, Zaniolo; Duran Zrinjski Mostar: Maric; Corluka, Jakovljevic, Radic, Memija; Ivancic, Balic, Kozulj; Cuze, Kis, Ticinovic Odds Aston Villa win 1/10 Draw 10/1 Zrinjski Mostar win 30/1 Get the latest football odds here Prediction Villa to build on their impressive Premier League form and get their qualification hopes back on track. Aston Villa 4-1 Zrinjski Mostar Read More Unai Emery urges Aston Villa to adapt quickly to demands of European football Ollie Watkins scores hat-trick as rampant Aston Villa hit Brighton for six Unai Emery savours ‘special’ Villa Park atmosphere in rout of Brighton England boss Gareth Southgate hoping for positive news over Bukayo Saka fitness Arsenal renew Pedro Neto interest but face competition from two Premier League rivals Consistency the key for Vincent Kompany as he bids to lift Burnley

Gareth Southgate has named Bukayo Saka in his England squad, despite the Arsenal winger being an injury doubt ahead of his side’s Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday. The England manager has also recalled Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen ahead of upcoming matches against Australia and Italy during October’s international break. Saka came off in the first half of the Gunners’ 2-1 Champions League defeat at Lens on Tuesday night and manager Mikel Arteta said he had suffered a hamstring injury, admitting it was a concern ahead of the match against Manchester City this weekend. Among the other key calls from this announcement is Southgate’s decision to stick with Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson, while there is no place for Raheem Sterling, James Ward-Prowse or Anthony Gordon. Follow along for all the updates as England’s latest squad is announced: Read More Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen make England return but Raheem Sterling left out

Bank of England Deputy Governor Ben Broadbent said UK households have now run down the majority of their

The PGMOL has rejected Ben Foster’s claim that Premier League match officials conspired with Sky Sports to cover up the VAR mistake during Liverpool’s defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. The referees’ body has faced severe criticism over the error, in which VAR Darren England misunderstood an on-field decision and allowed a legitimate goal by Liverpool’s Luis Diaz to be chalked off for offside. He failed to alert his colleagues on the pitch, telling his replay operator “there’s nothing I can do” as the match continued. The incident sparked online conspiracy theories around football’s governance plotting against Liverpool. And Foster weighed in when he accused both the PGMOL and its VAR team at Premier League headquarters of putting direct pressure on Sky Sports not to broadcast replays of the incident. Speaking on his YouTube channel Ben Foster - The Cycling GK which has 1.4 million subscribers, the former Premier League goalkeeper said there was only one replay shown of the offside goal in its immediate aftermath, and his suspicions were further raised when the incident was only briefly discussed by Sky Sports’ pundits at half-time. “That tells me Sky are in bed with the people at VAR and [the PGMOL],” he claimed. “Because they must have got straight on the phone and said ‘do not highlight the fact that we’ve cocked up here, do not show it, do not bad-mouth us, do not nothing’. “I guarantee you that’s what’s happened. So that’s why Sky were under direct orders to not say a single word about it.” The Independent understands that the PGMOL feels Foster’s allegations are unfounded and completely untrue. The Premier League’s match centre, rather than the PGMOL, communicates only factual information to broadcasters, and it is understood that the referees’ body has no say or sway in what TV companies show. Indeed Sky Sports would have leapt at the chance to highlight a major VAR mistake, and did so once it had clarification of the error. Sky Sports did not want to comment on Foster’s claims, but sources pointed out that the half-time segment of the programme needed to cover two goals and a red card in an action-packed first half. The broadcaster later read out a PGMOL statement live on air and has since delved into extensive coverage of the incident, unpicking the moment in detail both on its Sky Sports News programmes and during Monday Night Football. Analyst Jamie Carragher criticised the decision by England not to intervene and halt the game once he understood that the wrong decision had been taken. “The bit where I’m really struggling is that they [VAR officials] must know within two seconds because Tottenham have taken a free-kick,” Carragher said. “I’d be screaming at the referee that a mistake has been made but maybe they’re saying they have to wait until the ball goes out of play. They’re saying they stayed with protocol, that they’re not allowed to stop [the match] but I don’t believe that. They panicked, they froze. “I know that’s the rule but that’s a red-tape rule. If they had reversed it, we’d have been praising their leadership. “There’s talk that the officials didn’t know until half-time that a mistake had been made but when that ball goes out of play [after the incident] the look on that referee’s face... it’s a look of something has gone wrong.” The Independent has contacted Foster’s representatives for comment. Read More Man United and Tottenham eye move for Atletico Madrid’s transfer guru Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall signs new long-term contract Manchester City can put a stamp on the season with Arsenal win – Rico Lewis Man United and Tottenham eye move for Atletico Madrid’s transfer guru Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall signs new long-term contract Manchester City can put a stamp on the season with Arsenal win – Rico Lewis

As the Manchester United hierarchy reflected on yet another defeat, there was scarcely a thought of blaming Erik ten Hag. That means they certainly won’t be making any “knee-jerk decisions” about his future. United are committed to the Dutch coach. The overriding feeling is that Ten Hag has faced an almost impossible number of injuries, to go with more off-field issues in a short period than almost any manager has ever faced. The latter may not be a complete coincidence in the context of the overall future of the club. There is a sense that a decade of issues from the ownership post-Ferguson have started to finally come together, which has caused everything else to come apart. So much has gone full circle, right down to comparisons now being made between Ten Hag and Louis van Gaal. The Dutch great was one of many who warned them. It's still a hierarchy that knows how to spend the club's money, but doesn't know how to spend with real football insight. Investment has not been made in deeper football intelligence. A crumbling Old Trafford has become a visual metaphor of all that. Now, to round it all off, it is hard not to think the uncertainty over the sale process has started to manifest on the pitch; inhibiting decisions; preventing true clarity. Some within the club would even argue that the heavily criticised management of cases like Mason Greenwood comes down to how financial considerations are the main factor conditioning all decisions. So much has been seen in terms of financial assets with value. It is known that the case affected Ten Hag’s planning. There have since been further disruptions. One £80m-plus forward in Antony was temporarily unavailable for selection due to accusations of domestic abuse, which he denies. Another £80m-plus forward in Jadon Sancho is not being used over a personality clash with the manager. That latter situation leads into one of the most relevant questions, at least as regards whether the club can navigate their way out of yet another classic United crisis. That is if Ten Hag’s management is making the current situation worse. The Independent has been told that the atmosphere inside the dressing room and among general staff is now “toxic”. Many previous employees speak in David Beckham’s new documentary, the premiere of which took place on the same night as that Champions League group match at home to Galatasaray. It was that exact fixture that saw Beckham score his first-ever goal for the club back in 1994, which was featured on the documentary to symbolise a player and a team on the up. It only sharpened the contrast to now. United figures will no doubt watch it forlornly, as they are reminded how that ferocious assurance has evaporated. They are back in the pre-Ferguson days, but almost worse. Comparisons have similarly been made between Ten Hag’s start to the season and that which got Ron Atkinson sacked in 1986. While it is wrong to say the Dutch coach has “lost the dressing room”, he is at a fraught point where any connection with the current team is in danger of being broken. This is where some players privately complain about how Ten Hag “isn’t exactly warm”. His response to setbacks is to get even more disciplinarian. There isn’t that nuance to the approach. Plenty at United would say that is exactly what is required, and itself needs patience, since this is a dressing room that has seen off a series of managers. Accounts of “toxic” atmospheres long preceded Ten Hag. It doesn’t help the Dutch coach that so many remnants of four previous managerial regimes remain. There is a fair argument that is a significant factor that has almost been understated in all of the discussion around United. Ten Hag could fairly compare it to Mikel Arteta’s circumstances. For all that Arsenal have spent, a proud argument made within the London club is that their greatest investment wasn’t any player purchase but in paying off the contracts of Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Decisions like that have ensured everyone in the squad fully buys into what the manager wants. That is hugely important from a psychological perspective, as well as in fostering the kind of furnace-heat assurance Ferguson made such a force. Ten Hag doesn’t have anything close to that. He instead has players hanging around who he doesn’t want and who themselves know that. That saps the focus. Even the Sancho decision has played into this. While some players consider Ten Hag’s stance completely fair, the winger still has friends in the squad. They feel he has been treated too harshly, further eroding that focus. The injuries have made all that worse. Those absences have been particularly ruinous at the back, which has made Andre Onana’s integration even more difficult. The new goalkeeper has played behind seven different starting backlines in 10 games, and the current one is probably the fourth choice. The benefits of Onana’s good footwork have barely been felt because the make-up of the team means he often has to go long. There's no one to collect. It hasn’t helped that the Cameroonian arrived relatively late after a protracted negotiation with Internazionale, when modern goalkeeping coaches would insist they are signings that need to be made from 1 June because of the deeper chemistry that is required. Onana's confidence has clearly been affected. This is where there should be scrutiny beyond Ten Hag. United’s approach to transfers has long come under criticism. The squad has so many remnants of previous regimes hanging around because they have struggled to offload players for years. Officials at other clubs have been privately dismissive of director of football John Murtough. Some have even questioned whether he would get such a lofty role elsewhere, and if the job is “too big for him”. It is felt he doesn’t have the contact base of some of his equivalents, not least people like Txiki Begiristain at Manchester City. As an example, Raphael Varane and Casemiro were big “obvious” signings. It should be acknowledged both looked transformative last season but - in the words of one Bernabeu contact - “there’s a reason Real Madrid got rid of them”. United have arguably seen the other side of their advanced careers this season. That actually makes it all the more striking that they didn’t even try for Harry Kane in the summer, one senior player whose situation was very different. He outgrew his club. It was the sort of deal United would have just made happen in the past, perhaps with Declan Rice. Club employees would defend Murtough, and insist he has improved how the role works. Rasmus Hojlund already looks an excellent signing, and of the forward-thinking type the club should be making. It is similarly possible that some of the questions elsewhere come from different interpretations of the job, albeit interpretations that influence how smoothly United work. The position should really involve setting the entire football philosophy of the club. United’s interpretation has instead led to another manager-led approach, which has been especially visible in the transfer market. While Pep Guardiola will give City’s recruitment team a profile of players he wants, which has meant some low-profile or relatively unrecognised purchases, Ten Hag has often insisted on specific names. It’s already been commented upon how so many of United’s signings are players the Dutch coach has previously worked with. This is why so much again rests on whether Ten Hag now has what it takes, and why the club’s bigger managerial decisions are so crucial, arguably more than any other club. It’s also where the comparisons with Van Gaal come in. A comment regularly made is that, like his predecessor, Ten Hag is doggedly insistent on players who understand his system over quality. That is theoretically a positive but the reality is often that it brings other gaps in how the team plays. Mason Mount was clearly a signing made for his tactical understanding. His range of positions offers a real variety. There’s even a commercial benefit, given his value as a high-profile England international. It’s still the case, however, that players who like Mount don’t seem to have an obvious role in the team. One question that’s been repeated is why exactly United bought him. There are then the disciplinary echoes of Van Gaal. Where the carrot might be needed, such as in circumstances as testing as this, Ten Hag just keeps going for the stick. Some sources have been amusingly acerbic about. “He’s just Dutch.” That has nevertheless led another argument, that has lingered from Ten Hag’s initial appointment. Dutch coaches generally haven’t excelled in the Premier League. An argument has been that they are used to specific club structures, and are too dogmatic. All of that does come amid a wider discussion whether the game is starting to really move into a tactical era beyond the Dutch-Spanish pressing-possession paradigm. Where there was once a sense that approach represented an “end of history” in terms of tactics, we are now into a future of baiting the press and similar innovations. Even Guardiola has adapted. For Ten Hag's part, he has argued his ideal is an approach executed at such an intense pace it makes his sides unplayable. Visions of that have been seen at United, especially in the build-up to the League Cup victory, and that thrilling win over Barcelona. It has just barely been seen since, without a convincing display in recent memory. That is almost what is most alarming of all. The League Cup was supposed to be the launch of a new era, but currently just looks like a club that thought it had arrived again, only to be left there. United didn’t build on it. So much has corroded since. It is why Ten Hag needs his foundation rebuilt. He needs to get through these injuries, so he is only playing teams he wants. On the other side of that, he has now made a point of bringing through the younger players such as Hannibal Mejbri and Kobbie Mainoo. That will bring more buy-in. That may bring a better longer-term outlook. Some figures around the club would again point to Arteta here, arguing that his Arsenal were mid-table for two years. The process wasn’t close to complete. His squad still didn’t get it. They get it now. Ten Hag will eventually get some reprieve. Some of the off-field issues will calm. It similarly looks likely the ownership situation will settle, even if it is not as many fans want. Joel and Avram Glazer still aren’t ready to sell, which will prevent the unanimity required from the siblings unless a mega offer is made. It is why Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s potential minority offer may be a strategically clever compromise. It gives the Glazers necessary investment and gives the INEOS boss a way in. It seems quite neat but won’t necessarily go like that. Sources close to the process say any minority buyer would want “a path to a majority”. Avram and Joel may not be ready to give up that. It means, for now, uncertainty reigns - not least over results. Read More ‘No excuses’: Ten Hag vows Man United will fight on ‘together’ after Champions League defeat Gary Neville responds after Jurgen Klopp calls for Liverpool replay: ‘That’s madness’ Manchester United are in crisis and Erik ten Hag is right about only one thing Gareth Southgate waits on Bukayo Saka news ahead of England double-header Rasmus Hojlund says Manchester United must ‘stick together’ in ‘tough period’ ‘No excuses’: Ten Hag vows Man United will fight on after Champions League defeat

The supply of new UK rental properties rose the most since November 2022 in an early sign of

Punjabi musicians fear they will be caught in the middle of rising tensions between India and Canada.

Newcastle stunned Paris Saint-Germain on their first Champions League match at St James’ Park in 20 years as goals from Miguel Almiron, Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff and Fabian Schar sealed a famous 4-1 win. Newcastle took the lead midway through the first half when Almiron steered a composed finish inside the post before Burn doubled their lead before the break with a towering heder, awarded following a VAR check. Longstaff added a dream third for Eddie Howe’s side and although Lucas Hernandez pulled one back for the visitors, the French champions and star forward Kylian Mbappe were subdued as they suffered a shock defeat. Schar then scored a screamer in stoppage time to cap a stunning night, and Newcastle’s victory puts them top of Group F after two games, with Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan playing out a goalless draw in Germany.Here are how the players rated from St James’ Park. Newcastle United Nick Pope, 7 PSG barely had a shot in the first half and the England international - who was so busy last time out to earn a point in the San Siro - was mainly a spectator here. Could not do too much about Hernandez’s header, as PSG pulled one back. Kieran Trippier, 8 The right back faced the sizeable task of marking Kylian Mbappe but was faultless against the best player in the world. Add in the quality of his set-pieces and an assist and this was another great performance from the England international. Jamaal Lascelles, 8 Newcastle’s captain would not have expected to start but was excellent as a replacement for Sven Botman. Was solid in the heart of defence and made an outstanding recovering challenge on Dembele. Fabian Schar, 9 The defender’s stunning strike from the edge of the box capped off another impressive night from the centre-back, who was sharp to PSG’s movement and kept the visiting stars quiet throughout. That he also has so much quality going forward is a real bonus. Dan Burn, 8 You feared the worst when the towering full-back lined up against the tricky Ousmanne Dembele, but it was Burn who gave PSG more problems. Doubled their lead with a dream goal, powering a header past Donnarumma. Sean Longstaff, 8 If anyone deserved a Champions League goal at St James’ Park, it was him. Shone in midfield on what was the biggest night of his career. Barely gave the ball away and smashed in a stunning third goal after half time. Bruno Guimaraes, 7 The Brazilian was full of quality touches and flicks to help Newcastle break forward against PSG. The timing of his pass is so often excellent. Sandro Tonali, 7 Helped Newcastle settle with his energy and drive in the opening stages, and looked more at home on the left side of the midfield three. Miguel Almiron, 9 Even with the talent on display at St James’ Park, Almiron was the most dangerous forward on the pitch. Kept his head to steer a precise first-time finish past Donnarumma for Newcastle’s opening goal and was a menace throughout. Alexander Isak, 7 Led the line well and was a handful the PSG centre-backs could not deal with, even if it was others in the Newcastle side who made the difference on the night. Anthony Gordon, 7 Another who rose to the occasion. Pressed furiously from the front and set the tone from the first few minutes as he closed down Hakimi and Marquinhos and then made sure he did his defensive work at the other end. Paris Saint-Germain Gianluigi Donnarumma, 3 The Italian was faced with an onslaught of shots and crumbled. If the fact both of Newcastle’s first-half goals came from rebounds suggested he could have done better, there was no doubt about the third as Longstaff’s shot went through his hands. A big player who went missing, but far from the only one. Achraf Hakimi, 4 The right back looked to be a key outlet for PSG with his runs forward but was largely pinned back by the lively duo of Gordon and Tonali. Fortunately for him, the defensive mess in the PSG back four was on the other side. Marquinhos, 3 What was the PSG captain thinking with his careless ball into midfield? The experienced centre-back was punished by Almiron and looked spooked by the occasion. Milan Skriniar, 3 Left an ocean of space for Longstaff to run into for Newcastle’s third goal. It summed up a complete mess of a defensive performance from PSG. Lucas Hernandez, 4 The Frenchman was run ragged by the excellent Almiron and was nowhere to be seen for Longstaff’s third goal. Popped up to pull one back. Manuel Ugarte, 4 If PSG’s approach seemed to leave him isolated in midfield, the defensive midfielder struggled to adapt. Needed to move it quicker and looked overwhelmed. Warren Zaire Emery, 7 Despite his age, the 17-year-old led by example and was the key link between PSG’s defence and attack with his bursts forward from midfield. Perhaps the only PSG player to come away with any credit tonight. Ousmane Dembele, 6 Went close at 0-0 with a wicked volley from Mbappe’s cross that just went past the post. You thought he could have troubled Burn but hardly tested him enough, although he was still the brightest of PSG’s forwards and stun Pope’s palms with a sharp volley late on. Kylian Mbappe, 3 Found no joy on the wing in the first half so drifted along the frontline after the break - but still struggled to get into the game until very late on. This is Mbappe’s team now and you expect him to take more responsibility, but he looks like a player who is ready to move on. Randal Kolo Muani, 3 A largely anonymous performance. Hardly saw the ball and it was no surprise that he was taken off before the hour. Goncalo Ramos, 4 The striker was unlucky with a strike that was deflected just wide but was otherwise quiet. Read More Newcastle’s local heroes stun PSG to twist a tale of geopolitical tension The twin tensions which explain Newcastle and PSG’s very modern rivalry

Newcastle United entertain Paris Saint-Germain as they continue their exciting Champions League journey with Eddie Howe’s side hoping to kick-start their campaign after a goalless draw in Milan. Kylian Mbappe is leading a newlook PSG outfit, with Luis Enrique reshaping the profile and philosophy behind the Qatari-owned side as they look to claim a first European crown after the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar. A thrilling display to ease past Dortmund last time out, with goals from Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi, makes Les Parisiens one of the strongest challengers to Manchester City and Real Madrid. Howe's side defeated Burnley 2-0 last weekend, with Miguel Almiron and Alexander Isak on the shoresheet. Follow the latest news and updates from Newcastle vs PSG below and get the latest odds and tips here. Read More The twin tensions which explain Newcastle and PSG’s very modern rivalry Champions League faces future rival as Saudi Arabia looks to transform Club World Cup Eddie Howe worried over growing injury list as Newcastle prepare for PSG clash

Celtic welcome Lazio to Glasgow seeking their first points of this season’s Champions League campaign. The Scottish club suffered an opening defeat at Feyenoord in Group E, with both Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm sent off. Lazio, meanwhile, opened with a home draw against Atletico Madrid as goalkeeper Ivan Provedel scored a dramatic stoppage time equaliser. Maurizio Sarri’s side are struggling in Serie A, though, having won just twice in their first seven league games. Here’s everything you need to know. Get all the latest football betting sites offers here. When is Celtic vs Lazio? Celtic vs Lazio is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Wednesday 4 October at Celtic Park in Glasgow. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 3, with coverage on the channel from 7.30pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the action via discovery+. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. Team news Celtic’s Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm are suspended after their red cards against Feyenoord, but Joe Hart is back available after serving a domestic suspension at the weekend and should start in goal. Centre-half Cameron Carter-Vickers is expected to remain out until after the international break with his hamstring issue, while Liel Abada remains absent after picking up an injury to his thigh while away with Israel in September. Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri had hoped to give Ciro Immobile a day off before the 2-0 league defeat to Milan, but was forced to use the striker from the bench despite Immobile’s hip flexor issue. It may be that the Italian is able to start up front here, while a midfield reshuffle is also likely after youngster Nicolò Rovella started in that Serie A loss. Line-ups Celtic XI: Hart; Johnston, Phillips, Scales, Taylor; O’Riley, McGregor, Hatate; Maeda, Furuhashi, Palma Lazio XI: Provedel; Marusic, Romagnoli, Casale, Pellegrini; Kamada, Vecino, Alberto; Anderson, Zaccagni; Immobile. Odds Celtic win 9/5 Draw 13/5 Lazio win 11/8 Get the latest football odds here. Prediction A score draw. Celtic 2-2 Lazio. Read More Champions League faces future rival as Saudi Arabia looks to transform Club World Cup Every VAR apology so far: From Liverpool offside to Man City handball Victor Osimhen ends feud with own club Napoli in Instagram post Gary Neville responds after Jurgen Klopp calls for Liverpool replay: ‘That’s madness’ Manchester United are in crisis and Erik ten Hag is right about only one thing Chelsea’s Reece James fined and banned for abusing match official

After opening their Champions League campaigns with victory, RB Leipzig and Manchester City meet in Group G. The German side secured a significant away win at Young Boys in their opening group fixture, while last year’s Champions League winners got the defence of their crown up and running with a 3-1 victory against Red Star Belgrade. These two clubs met at the round of 16 stage of last season’s competition, with Leipzig holding the eventual champions at home but suffering a 7-0 thrashing at the Etihad Stadium. They may spy a Manchester City side in a vulnerable state, though, with injury problems mounting for Pep Guardiola and his team fresh from a surprise league slip-up against Wolves. Here’s everything you need to know. Get all the latest football betting sites offers here. When is RB Leipzig vs Manchester City? RB Leipzig vs Manchester City is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Wednesday 4 October at Red Bull Arena in Leipzig. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7.45pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the action via discovery+. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. Team news Experienced midfielder Kevin Kampl has been ailed by a hip problem of late and may miss out for RB Leipzig, who also have Timo Werner and Dani Olmo among those currently sidelined. Pep Guardiola was unable to name a full bench at Wolves in the weekend Premier League defeat, but will be boosted by the availability of key cog Rodri for this Champions League game - the Spain midfielder continues to serve a domestic suspension after his sending off against Nottingham Forest. Guardiola hinted that Bernardo Silva and John Stones are nearing a return, too. Predicted line-ups RB Leipzig XI: Blaswich; Henrichs, Simakan, Lukeba, Raum; Schlager, Seiwald; Simons, Forsberg; Poulsen, Openda. Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Gvardiol, Ake; Foden, Rodri, Kovacic, Doku; Alvarez; Haaland. Odds Leipzig win 10/3 Draw 16/5 Manchester City win 7/10 Get the latest football odds here. Prediction Manchester City secure victory. RB Leipzig 1-3 Manchester City Read More Champions League faces future rival as Saudi Arabia looks to transform Club World Cup The Premier League now faces a credibility ‘crisis’ – and latest VAR farce is just the tip Manchester City legend Francis Lee dies aged 79 Mikel Arteta gives Bukayo Saka injury update ahead of Arsenal vs Man City Gareth Southgate waits on Bukayo Saka news ahead of England double-header Football rumours: Jadon Sancho keeping contact with Borussia Dortmund

The UK and Ireland are poised to host Euro 2028 with their bid now unopposed due to Turkey’s withdrawal. The joint bid between England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, which was up against Turkey ahead of next week’s Uefa announcement, will secure hosting rights subject to final approval from the governing body’s executive committee. Turkey will now join forces with Italy to host Euro 2032 instead, with Germany the hosts for next year’s Euro 2024. Uefa officials are yet to confirm how the hosts would qualify for Euro 2028, with discussions over the prospect of teams participating in qualification to secure competitive preparation for the tournament. However some teams could still qualify even if knocked out. The Independent reported in July that Uefa were unlikely to grant all five nations a place in the 24-team tournament. While Uefa sees benefits to the joint bid in terms of commercial potential and most of the infrastructure already in place, the number of teams hosting brings an unprecedented element. Issues related to sporting integrity as regards qualification may now emerge, with Uefa likely to award a maximum of three guaranteed places. The anticipated expansion of the tournament to 32 teams is not expected to happen until 2032. The prospect of a mini-tournament before qualification officially starts is thought to be on the table. While the Independent understands there is a very minor possibility the tournament could have just four hosts if Northern Ireland's planned stadium of Casement Park in Belfast isn't reconstructed in time. But that isn't currently seen as a challenge, given five years until the competition. There is no confirmation on who would host the final, though Wembley Stadium would seem the likely favourite, meaning a second European final in three editions of the competition. England lost to Italy in the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley, which took place in 2021 after its postponement due to Covid. Wembley is one of 14 venues across the five countries to have been shortlisted in the bid, with nine English stadia in total, two in the Republic of Ireland and one each in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The inclusion of Casement Park, a Gaelic sports venue which is in the process of being redeveloped, means Belfast is set to host matches should it remain when the final list of 10 stadia is submitted to Uefa in April. The nine English stadia include three in London – Wembley, the London Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium are on the provisional list, as are Newcastle’s St James’ Park and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. Everton’s new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock is on the shortlist, as is Villa Park in Birmingham. The Aviva Stadium and Croke Park are the shortlisted venues in Dublin, while the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and Hampden Park in Glasgow complete the list. Gareth Bale was due to help the bid by joining a Welsh delegation in Geneva this month. The legendary winger, who is Wales' most capped player and record goalscorer, retired from football in January, but the 34-year-old offered to help Wales secure joint-hosting rights. Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney said: “We are hoping for a successful bid and Gareth is very much part of the FAW and what we do. He has been identified as one of the faces of the bid presentation. Gareth is globally famous. You can get into a taxi in Sydney or Peru and if you mention you are from Wales they will say ‘Gareth Bale’. It is an instant reaction. “When I go home to the west of Ireland the first thing people say to me is ‘how is Gareth Bale?’ Gareth is so good for us. We went to him and asked him if he would get involved in the Euro ’28 bid and he just said: ‘What can I do for Wales?’ It was instant – ‘how can I help you get the bid over the line?'” Turkey now looks set to host the major tournament in 2032, eight years after falling short in the race to host Euro 2024, with Germany outpointing them 12-4 in the voting. The Uefa Executive Committee will officially appoint host associations on 10 October at the governing body’s headquarters, the House of European Football, in Nyon, Switzerland. Read More UK and Ireland’s Euro 2028 bid unlikely to secure five automatic places Gareth Bale part of Welsh delegation to help UK and Ireland Euro 2028 bid UK and Ireland shortlist 14 stadiums for Euro 2028 bid Gareth Bale part of Welsh delegation to help UK and Ireland Euro 2028 bid UK and Ireland bid for Euro 2028 to be unopposed after Turkey withdraw interest Ed Sheeran and Ipswich players celebrate win with dressing room sing-along