2021/2022 Premier League Preview: Chelsea vs Brentford

 Chelsea News

Christian Pulisic is expected to play some part for USA in the early hours of Thursday morning, so may not be risked from the outset.

Ben Chilwell is also absent, but Thomas Tuchel may have Kepa, Saul Niguez, Andreas Christensen, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James available for selection.

With an eye on next week's Champions League meeting with Real Madrid, James may not be risked, with Tuchel potentially sticking with a four-man backline.

 

Brentford News

Josh Dasilva returns following a ban, but Thomas Frank is without Julian Jeanvier and Saman Ghoddos, the latter due to COVID.

Despite defeat at Leicester before the international break, Frank may stick with a 4-5-1 system, with Yoane Wissa keeping his spot on the left at Sergi Canos' expense.

Christian Eriksen, who netted twice during the international break, should also return to the starting XI.

 

Prediction

Chelsea welcome west London rivals Brentford to Stamford Bridge on a six-game winning run. Their only defeat in their last 14 was the Carabao Cup final shootout loss to Liverpool.

Back-to-back wins over relegation rivals Norwich and Burnley were followed up by a loss at Leicester prior to the international break, but the Bees have at least put breathing space between themselves and the drop zone.

Nevertheless, Brentford may endure another setback here with Chelsea excellent at home in recent weeks.

2021/2022 Premier League Preview: Manchester United vs Leicester

Manchester United News

Edinson Cavani likely wouldn't have played anyway after his involvement in South America in midweek but has actually picked up an injury in Wednesday's game for Uruguay.

Marcus Rashford has come under fire in recent weeks but will likely start in attack against Leicester. He has more goals against Leicester (6) than any other team in his career.

Fred and Alex Telles both trained on Thursday despite returns from South America and are available for selection here.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes will be on a high after Portugal secured qualification to the 2022 World Cup in midweek.

 

Leicester News

Jamie Vardy has been ruled out for the trip to Old Trafford and could yet be a few weeks away.

Jonny Evans got minutes for Northern Ireland during the international break but Brendan Rodgers says the former Manchester United defender isn't yet ready for 90 minutes.

Wesley Fofana wasn't risked in the win over Brentford before the break but has a decent chance of returning here.

Marc Albrighton should return here doubt but Wilfred Ndidi will not play again this season after undergoing knee surgery.

Luke Thomas looks set to miss out after returning from England U21 duty injured so Timothy Castagne, Ricardo Pereira and James Justin are vying for two places.

 

Prediction

This is Manchester United's first match since being dumped out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid. They have nothing else left to play for other than finishing fourth and it doesn't look like they will manage that. They are currently four points adrift of fourth and have played a game more than current occupants Arsenal.

Leicester's injury woes have eased significantly and now Brendan Rodgers will hope to finish what has been a frustrating campaign strongly. Rodgers was touted as a potential future United manager earlier this season but those rumours have gone dead as Leicester languish in midtable.

Leicester have conceded more goals (46) than they have scored (42) in the Premier League this season but their defensive record should improve now they have their best defenders back available. That could prove the difference here, as Leicester look to make it four straight wins against United for the first time in history.

2021/2022 Bundesliga Preview: Union Berlin vs FC Koln

 Union Berlin News

Grischa Prömel is available after suspension, while Niko Gießelmann could return from illness. Dominique Heintz is also back in training after a muscular injury.

Andreas Luthe, Genki Haraguchi, Levin Oztunali, Kevin Behrens and Christopher Trimmel could all return from COVID-19, while Keita Endo is nearing a return from a knee injury.

 

FC Koln News

Ondrej Duda is suspended after picking up five yellow cards.

Mark Uth could return after illness, but Jonas Hector, Florian Kainz, Dejan Ljubicic, Marvin Obuz and Tim Lemperle are all doubts, while Louis Schaub tested positive for COVID while away on international duty with Austria.

Benno Schmitz is struggling with a thigh injury. Kingsley Ehizibue could line up in defence.

 

Prediction

Union Berlin have failed to score in five out of seven league matches since the departure of key man Max Kruse to slip below the visitors.

FC Koln avoided relegation last season by the skin of their teeth, but are riding high in seventh currently thanks to 15 goals from Frenchman Anthony Modeste, around 40% of their goals tally.

Union can go above Koln with a win and can nick the three points in front of a sell-out crowd of just over 22,000 for the first time since November last year.

2021/2022 Bundesliga Preview: Freiburg vs Bayern Munich

Freiburg News

Nicolas Höfller is available after suspension, which is timely as Freiburg have not won in seven games without him.

Woo-Yeong Jeong and Philipp Lienhart should both return after COVID.

Yannik Keitel has a broken toe to contend with, while German U21 international Kevin Schade remains doubtful with a stomach muscle injury.

 

Bayern Munich News

Alphonso Davies has recently returned to training, but will not be rushed back. Leon Goretzka is also fit after a long-term injury.

Niklas Sule has returned to light training after suffering a hamstring injury. Benjamin Pavard should return from COVID, while fellow Frenchman Corentin Tolisso is also nearing a return.

Julian Nagelsmann is currently persisting with an insanely offensive formation that gets Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane into the same XI.

 

Prediction

Looking good for a 10th Bundesliga in a row, Bayern's lead at the top is a very healthy six points with seven games remaining.

The two teams with the best defensive records meet. Only Bayern have conceded fewer goals (28) than Freiburg's 29, but Bayern have scored almost twice as many (81) compared to the home side's 43.

Unheralded Freiburg are chasing Champions League qualification and talented Dutch keeper Mark Flekken has kept the joint most clean sheets of nine.

Bayern will be confident of stretching their Bundesliga record of scoring in 74 straight matches and can nick a narrow win.

2021/2022 - World Cup Qualification UEFA 2nd Round Preview:Portugal vs North Macedonia

Portugal News

Joao Cancelo is available having served a ban and is expected to start at right-back at Diogo Dalot's expense.

Other than that, Fernando Santos may elect against making any further changes to the side that started against Portugal.

That would see Danilo Pereira start alongside Jose Fonte in defence and Otavio keep his place in attack.

 

North Macedonia News

Eljif Elmas and Tihomir Kostadinov return follows bans for North Macedonia, who potentially lose Boban Nikolov after he was taken off against Italy on Thursday night.

The duo are expected to return to the midfield for Tuesday's World Cup playoff showdown with Portugal.

Bojan Miovski is hoping his assist for Aleksandar Trajkovski's winner against Italy will see him start in place of Milan Ristovski.

 

Prediction

Portugal rode their luck a little on Thursday night in their 3-1 win over Turkey. Burak Yilmaz's penalty miss late one saw the experienced striker blow the chance to draw Turkey level, before Matheus Nunes wrapped up the victory in injury time.

North Macedonia upset the odds to beat Italy 1-0 in Palermo in their playoff game. They have now won four of their last five World Cup qualifying matches and have now sprung upsets against both Germany and Italy in the last 12 months.

North Macedonia are not to be underestimated on Tuesday night, but Portugal should get the job done in Porto to book their Qatar 2022 spot.

World Cup Qualification UEFA 2nd Round preview: Portugal vs North Macedonia

Portugal News:

Joao Cancelo is available having served a ban and is expected to start at right-back at Diogo Dalot's expense.

Other than that, Fernando Santos may elect against making any further changes to the side that started against Portugal.

That would see Danilo Pereira start alongside Jose Fonte in defence and Otavio keep his place in attack.

 

North Macedonia News:

Eljif Elmas and Tihomir Kostadinov return follows bans for North Macedonia, who potentially lose Boban Nikolov after he was taken off against Italy on Thursday night.

The duo are expected to return to the midfield for Tuesday's World Cup playoff showdown with Portugal.

Bojan Miovski is hoping his assist for Aleksandar Trajkovski's winner against Italy will see him start in place of Milan Ristovski.

 

Prediction

Portugal rode their luck a little on Thursday night in their 3-1 win over Turkey. Burak Yilmaz's penalty miss late one saw the experienced striker blow the chance to draw Turkey level, before Matheus Nunes wrapped up the victory in injury time.

North Macedonia upset the odds to beat Italy 1-0 in Palermo in their playoff game. They have now won four of their last five World Cup qualifying matches and have now sprung upsets against both Germany and Italy in the last 12 months.

North Macedonia are not to be underestimated on Tuesday night, but Portugal should get the job done in Porto to book their Qatar 2022 spot.

International Friendly 2022 preview: Ireland vs Belgium

 Ireland News:

Blackburn defender Darragh Lenihan has withdrawn from the Ireland squad through injury.

Ireland finished their World Cup qualification campaign well and Stephen Kenny will hope to continue that work into 2022.

There will need to be a change in attack as neither Jamie McGrath nor Adam Idah are available for Ireland.

 

Belgium News:

Roberto Martinez has turned to new players for this international break. He has given the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois time off.

Meanwhile, Koen Casteels has withdrawn from the squad through injury.

 

Prediction:

Ireland failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, ultimately paying the price for starting their campaign with three straight defeats. In truth, however, they were fighting a losing battle trying to qualify in one of the top two positions with Serbia and Portugal in their group.

Belgium topped their group as expected and now Roberto Martinez is using this period between now and December to look else Belgium has to offer beyond their household names. He has rested nearly all of his main players for this break so expect plenty of rotation from the Belgium head coach.

Even without the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Dries Mertens, Belgium will still be expected to come away with the victory this weekend.