Monthly Archives: March 2019

Referee charged with match-fixing in Belgian football corruption probe

A total of five people stand accused of trying to influence the outcome of Pro League fixtures in the European country

A referee and four other people have been charged following an investigation into football corruption in Belgium, the public prosecutor confirmed on Thursday.

Agent Dejan Veljkovic, referee Sebastien Delferiere and officials from Mechelen and Waasland-Beveren had match-fixing charges levelled against them.

Mogi Bayat, also an agent, has been accused of setting up schemes in order to get money out of Belgium to disguise payments received or paid to players, along with Veljkovic.

Top-tier clubs, agents and referees were among those targeted by police on Wednesday, as an anti-corruption investigation – which was started in late 2017 – was ramped up.

It is alleged Veljkovic tried to fix two matches towards the end of the 2017-18 Pro League season in an attempt to save Mechelen from relegation.

According to the prosecution’s spokesperson, Wenke Roggen, two matches were identified as suspicious by investigators.

The first saw Antwerp run out 2-0 winners over Mechelen’s fellow relegation battlers Eupen on March 3, with a penalty given for a foul outside the box.

The second match was eight days later on the last day of the regular competition, as Mechelen defeated Waasland-Beveren 2-0, though the 1988 European Cup Winners’ Cup champions were relegated anyway because of Eupen’s 4-0 hammering of Royal Excel Mouscron.

Although Delferiere was not an official for either game, the prosecution claims Veljkovic contacted him in an attempt to influence refereeing matters.

“The investigating judge charged four persons with criminal organisation and active and passive private corruption,” Roggen said at a news conference. “A fifth person has been additionally charged with money laundering.

“The investigation, among other things, focuses on the Antwerp-Eupen match of the penultimate competition day, 3 March 2018, and on the Mechelen-Waasland Beveren match of the ultimate competition day of the season, 11 March 2018.

“The investigation contains indications a broker in the players market, Dejan Veljkovic, in connivance with four members of the board of football club KV Mechelen having directly or through friendly contacts influenced the final score of these two matches.”

 

La Rapa das Bestas, Morgadans

Dominic Bonuccelli travelled to Spain on assignment for Lonely Planet. You can follow his adventures on Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled, screening internationally on National Geographic. In Morgadans, Dominic captures the rugged locals, their rugged hairstyles and the excitement of the curro, Galicia’s annual wild horse wrestling festival.

Around 120 wild horses are rounded-up in the hills above Morgadans and channelled into a mountainside corral. The next morning they will be brought to the outskirts of town for the annual curro.

A sweaty team of riders, most sporting mullets, seem almost centaur-like as they help flush the wild horses from the Galician hills.

A mare and her foal huddle together in a sierra-side corral before being brought into town.

One of the few locals without a mullet, halter stick in hand, surveys the herd before flushing the wild horses into the village.

To prevent a stampede and to round up stragglers, a gauntlet of townspeople brave blasting heat to accompany the wild horses on the path from the sierra corral to the curro.

This rugged Galician mans the gate of the curro, preventing any human or equine transgressions.

Hardy characters with freshly cut reeds await their turn in the curro. Once inside they will wrangle a wild horse, trim its mane, brand it with the mark of their ranch and spray it with disinfectant before releasing it for another year to roam the mountain ridge.

Macho locals with halter ropes try their luck in the curro. Using the pole, they drape the top loop of the rope over the adult horse’s ears, and the bottom loop under its mouth, to tether the horse while branding and trimming; the foals are wrestled with bare hands.

De Bruyne and Hazard the Premier League's best – Gudmundsson

The Iceland international has become a key player for Burnley, racing to the top of the assist chart, but he says the Belgians are still the benchmark

Kevin De Bruyne could return to start for Manchester City against Burnley on Saturday and Johann Berg Gudmundsson believes that his rival is in the top two players in the league, along with Eden Hazard.

Man City are top of the Premier League despite being without De Bruyne since August due to a knee injury, but the Belgian has trained with his club throughout the international break.

De Bruyne topped the assists chart with 16 last season, but in his absence, Gudmundsson has emerged as the joint-top assist provider with four for Burnley in the league. The in-form Iceland midfielder scored against City last season at Turf Moor and hopes his side can once again shock the champions of England.

“It was a big moment for me [to score that goal] because City at that moment, and probably still are, the best team in England,” Gudmundsson told Goal. “It was a nice moment and hopefully we can do similar things in the next game. We know it will be tough because the quality in their side is unbelievable.

“Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard are up there as the top players who I enjoy to watch in the Premier League. At left-back, I thought Alonso was quite tough because he goes up and down all time, he is difficult to track. I haven’t yet played against [Benjamin] Mendy but he looks like a really good player.”

Meanwhile, Gudmundsson is beginning to get highlighted by Sean Dyche and a host of pundits for his outstanding creative performances at the Lancashire club.

The 27-year-old thinks that Dyche has gotten more out of him than any other manager so far, which is some praise considering that he has played under Louis van Gaal, Ronald Koeman and Dick Advocaat.

“I’ve been playing really well and I have obviously set up a few goals,” said the man with five assists and a goal to his name in all competitions. “My game at the moment is in a good place and it is nice when people pick it up and talk about. It is still early days and only a few games in. I want to keep this up for the whole season to get more goals and assists.

“Up until now, I am happy with how things are going but I want to keep it up throughout the season. It is just experience and at the moment I am enjoying football. My body is fine, I have no injuries and nothing to worry about. 

“It is the team that I am in at the moment. I work well with them, I know what they expect from me and everything at the moment is in a good place, both on and off the field. I think Sean Dyche is definitely the manager who has given me the most. He gave me confidence, he made me believe that I am an established Premier League player.

“His training methods are good and he will be honest with you. He tells you exactly what he wants from you so I think he is definitely the manager who has got the most out of me and I hope he can get even more out of me this season.

“It has shown with Burnley over the last few seasons now in how well he has done with one of the smallest budgets in the Premier League. The Dutch coaches helped me a lot as well, but I have to say Sean Dyche has been my best coach because I am playing my best football yet under him at the moment.

“I am extremely happy at Burnley at the moment. I signed a new contract and I am looking forward to carrying on doing well.

“I always wanted to play in England. I went to Charlton first in the Championship and worked my way up. I always wanted to play in the Premier League.

“In Iceland, it is the biggest league and the one you follow. That was always my aim and I am extremely proud that I am able to say I am a Premier League player.”

Gudmundsson now lives in Manchester himself, with the city being in close proximity to Burnley. The winger’s assists from the right have drawn comparisons to those of David Beckham and he said the former Manchester United star was the player that he grew up admiring the most, with the Old Trafford outfit dominating the Premier League in his youth.

“In world football, I followed David Beckham in England. I watched the Premier League and English national team and he was the standout character there,” he continued. “I had a few idols. Obviously, for people here in Iceland, Eidur Gudjohnsen was definitely one of them.

“He was a fantastic player and I was lucky enough to play with him as well. He was obviously in our Euro 2016 squad as well. He was one of the players in Iceland who I definitely looked up.”

Gudmundsson’s career path was an unusual one. His parents got work in London and he moved with them and joined Chelsea’s academy before moving to Fulham’s facility nearby.

He suffered his biggest career setback at Fulham with an injury to his cruciate ligament coming ahead of the west London club’s decision on who to offer scholarships to. Gudmundsson made the move back to Iceland with Breidablik, before joining AZ and Charlton on his journey to the Premier League.

He now believes that this moment gave him the work ethic to ensure he made his dream become a reality.

“My parents lived in London for work. That’s why I went to Chelsea and Fulham,” he concluded. “When I was at Fulham I tore my anterior cruciate ligament in my knee. I had an operation and after that I didn’t get offered a scholarship.

“My family decided to move back to Iceland. I started playing football with my friends again. I played one season in the top league in Iceland and then AZ came in and bought me from Iceland. It was a good experience though, to be in England.

“It was definitely difficult but at the same time it spurred me onto better things because I always wanted to be a professional footballer. Setbacks are not ideal, but they can give you some extra motivation to get you to your goal and that definitely happened for me.

“In the end it all worked out fine for me. If I hadn’t done my ligament, what would have happened? I don’t know. That’s just football and injuries are something you have to get used to.”

'Modric transfer to Inter is fantasy football' – Guardiola doesn't expect Real Madrid star to move

The Serie A side have been heavily linked with a swoop for the Croatia international, but a January switch has been deemed ‘impossible’

Real Madrid star Luka Modric potentially joining Inter is “fantasy football” talk, according to Pep Guardiola.

Modric, 33, was heavily linked with a shock switch to the Serie A side in the off-season, but stayed with the European champions.

However, the Croatia captain continues to be a reported target for Inter, although a January move seems unlikely.

Asked about the possible switch, Manchester City manager Guardiola said any such talk at this stage was pure imagination.

“There is, what’s it called, fantasy football,” he said on Sunday.

“When you speak about a player leaving for next year, the market is closed now.”

Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio has also recently dismissed the possibility of Modric arriving in January , describing a transfer as “impossible”.

The Serie A side are set to be active when the window reopens in January but Ausilio said Modric will not be among the players the club look to bring in.

“We already have a strong squad. Now we are scouting, we are watching a lot of matches and we did well,” Ausilio told Sky Italia.

“I’m convinced that after having viewed these players we can be ready to add what is needed.

“Modric is impossible in January, but we know where to look. The most important thing for the next window will be quality.”

Meanwhile, Ausilio confirmed Inter are in talks with captain Mauro Icardi over a new contract.

Icardi scored 29 Serie A goals last term as Inter secured a return to the Champions League, and the Argentina international has netted five in his last five appearances across all competitions this term.

The 25-year-old’s deal expires in June 2021, but Ausilio – who also announced that Marcelo Brozovic is close to agreeing a new contract – has revealed talks are underway regarding fresh terms.

However, Ausilio affirmed that Inter are in no rush to pin their star man down.

“Icardi’s renewal? We are working on it, we aren’t hiding that fact,” Ausilio told Sky Italia.  “We saw each other and talked, we aren’t in a rush.”

Inter face city rivals AC Milan when Serie A returns after the international break at San Siro on October 21.

Kuwait vs Australia: TV channel, live stream, squad, Socceroos news & preview

The green and gold will have their first match under a new manager as they ramp up their preparations for an Asian Cup defence

Australia will ramp up preparations for their January Asian Cup defence in UAE 2019 with a friendly against Kuwait in Kuwait City.

It will be coach Graham Arnold’s first match in charge of the Socceroos – who last played in the FIFA World Cup against Peru under Bert van Marwijk.

The conditions in Kuwait will help the green and gold acclimatise to the harsh Middle Eastern climate  – with the team also having a camp in the UAE in the days after.

Kuwait only had a two-year FIFA ban lifted 12 months ago which stopped them playing any international football.

The two teams last met in the opening match of the 2015 Asian Cup with the Socceroos winning 4-1 in Melbourne.

Game Kuwait v Australia
Date Tuesday, October 16 AEDT
Time 3:30am AEDT / 7.30pm LOCAL

In Australia, the match can be watched live on Fox Sports through the Foxtel platform.

You can stream the game through either the Foxtel Go or Play platform – just bear in mind both services are subscription based.

AUS TV channel Online stream
Fox Sports Foxtel GO/Play

 

Position Kuwait players
Goalkeepers Al-Rashidi, Al-Qallaf, Abdulghafoor
Defenders Al-Matouq, Saeed, Ibrahim, Hamoud,  Al-Hajeri, Al-Guhaidi, Fareeh, Khaled, Atiq, Al-Fadhel
Midfielders Al Enezi, Al-Hubaiter, Harbi, Al-Ansari, Al-Dhefeeri, Mawi, Al-Azmi, Zayed, Al-Enezi, Al-Tararwa
Forwards Al-Mutawa, AlMusawi

All of Kuwait’s side ply their trade in the Middle East – mainly in their own country.

Goalkeeper Khaled Al-Rashidi spent a season on the books of English Championship side Nottingham Forest.

Position Australia players
Goalkeepers Vukovic, Jones, Langerak
Defenders Risdon, Sainsbury, Milligan, Behich, Gersbach, Degenek, Deng, Jurman
Midfielders Rogic, Luongo, Irvine, Dougall, Amini, Genreau
Forwards Juric, Leckie, Arzani, Kruse, Mabil, Giannou

The Socceroos have been hit with injuries to Premier League stars Mat Ryan and Aaron Mooy plus the retirement of Mile Jedinak – meaning extra opportunity will likely be handed to several fringe players.

Danny Vukovic is likely to earn first crack at the backup goalkeeping role, while the likes of Jackson Irvine and Massimo Luongo shoud get plenty of game time.

Promising talents Daniel Arzani, Awer Mabil, Denis Genreau and Thomas Deng will likely be given chances late in the game

Potential Australia XI: Vukovic; Behich, Sainsbury, Milligan, Risdon; Luongo, Irvine; Kruse, Rogic, Leckie; Giannou

Australia are hot favourites to win the game at $1.50, while an unlikely Kuwait victory is paying $6.

You can get on the draw at $4.33

Click here to see all of bet 365’s offers for the game, including goalscoring markets, correct score predictions and more.

*Odds correct at time of publishing

The Socceroos will be looking to gel with their new coach Arnold in their first match since their 2018 World Cup campaign.

It will be one of only three matches the team plays before their 2019 Asian Cup opening match – with other games scheduled against South Korea and Lebanon in November.

With the absence of Ryan and Mooy, several Socceroos players will be looking to take the opportunity to impress in front of their new gaffer.

It’s likely that a few of the four uncapped players – Mabil, Genreau, Deng and Dougall – will get their first game time in green and gold.

The style of play employed by Arnold will be under heavy scrutiny, with the veteran coach in his second stint as Australian manager – having struggled in his first period between 2006-2007.

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Netherlands vs Germany: TV channel, live stream, squad news & preview

The Dutch are in desperate need of points as they attempt to avoid being relegated to League B of the new UEFA competition

Bitter rivals meet at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday as the Netherlands host Germany in the UEFA Nations League.

Ronald Koeman’s side will be eager to bounce back from the 2-1 defeat they suffered against France in their tournament opener, while Germany will be aiming to put more points on the board having drawn 0-0 with Les Bleus back in September.

The Dutch have a friendly game against their near neighbours Belgium to come the following Tuesday, but there is no let-up for Joachim Low’s side, who must lock horns with Group 1 foes France once more.

Victory for Germany will set them up nicely heading into the crunch game against Didier Deschamps’ world champions in Paris and it would also pile the pressure on Koeman by pushing his team closer to relegation.

Game Netherlands vs Germany
Date Saturday, October 13
Time 7:45pm BST / 2:45pm ET
Stream (US only) fubo TV (7-day free trial)

In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).

New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.

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US TV channel Online stream
Univision Deportes fubo TV (7-day free trial)

In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on TV on Sky Sports Mix and it can be streamed live online using Sky Go. The game can also be followed live on Goal here.

UK TV channel Online stream
Sky Sports Mix Sky Go
Position Netherlands squad
Goalkeepers Cillessen, Zoet, Bizot
Defenders De Ligt, Van Dijk, Blind, De Vrij, Ake, Van Aanholt, Hateboer, Dumfries
Midfielders F. de Jong, Wijnaldum, Strootman, Van de Beek, De Roon, Vilhena, Rosario
Forwards Promes, Depay, Babel, L. de Jong, Bergwijn, Danjuma

There is no place for Lyon defender Kenny Tete, who is injured along with Terence Kongolo and Timothy Fosu-Mensah. Davy Propper has also been forced to withdraw after sustaining an injury while playing for Brighton.

Roma’s Justin Kluivert, Brugge midfielder Ruud Vormer and Wolsfburg forward Wout Weghorst were cut from the provisional panel. PSV trio Denzel Dumfries, Pablo Rosario and Steven Bergwijn could potentially make their senior national team debuts.

Potential Netherlands XI: Cillessen; De Ligt, Van Dijk, Dumfries, Blind; Wijnaldum, F. de Jong, Vilhena; Bergwijn, Depay, Babel.

Position Germany squad
Goalkeepers Neuer, Leno, Ter Stegen
Defenders Kehrer, Hector, Ginter, Hummels, Schulz, Sule, Boateng
Midfielders Gnabry, Draxler, Kroos, Brandt, Can, Kimmich, Sane, Rudy
Forwards Werner, Muller, Uth

Kevin Trapp and Leon Goretzka were named in the initial squad but have been replaced by Bernd Leno and Serge Gnabry respectively after sustaining injuries.

Antonio Rudiger, Kai Havertz and Marco Reus were also expected to be involved in the game but all three have been forced to withdraw due to injuries.

Schalke striker Mark Uth, who bagged 14 Bundesliga goals last season but has yet to score this term, could potentially win his first cap.

Potential Germany XI: Neuer; Ginter, Boateng, Hummels, Kimmich; Kroos, Can, Draxler; Werner, Muller, Sane.

Visitors Germany are strong favourites to win at 23/20 according to bet365. The Netherlands’ chances of victory are rated 12/5 and a draw is deemed more likely than that at 11/4.

Click here to see more offers for the game, including goalscoring markets, correct score predictions and more.

As the Netherlands get ready to host Germany in the Nations League on Saturday they do so knowing that they have not managed to beat their bitter rivals in their previous five attempts.

The last time the Oranje came out on top in a battle between the teams was November 2002, when goals from Patrick Kluivert, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Ruud van Nistelrooy were the difference in a 3-1 friendly victory. However, one must go back even further, to Euro 1992, for the last time the Dutch registered a competitive win against the Germans.

As well as that, the Netherlands are currently at a low ebb having missed out on a place at both Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, so they come into the clash as serious underdogs, despite being at home. Nevertheless, Koeman remains positive about his side’s chances, pointing to the Germans’ own recent downturn in form.

“In my opinion, it’s not a great period for the national team. We’re used to fighting for trophies. On the other hand, we still have players who play for big clubs,” the former Everton boss said ahead of the game.

“We have enough quality but it’s not going to be an easy win for us against Germany. We have to play at our best against them, but I also think that Germany have known better times in football.”

Four-time world champions Germany have indeed known better times and head coach Low is navigating uncomfortable terrain as he looks to steer the team through a period of transition. Shorn of stars such as Reus and Goretzka through injury, not to mention Mesut Ozil, the team is evolving, but it still features a lot of youthful talent.

Despite the difficulties, Low’s men played out a hard-fought draw against world champions France last month and followed it up with a 2-1 win over Peru, so they will have no concerns ahead of the Amsterdam showdown.

Hazard: Monaco-linked Henry will be a 'top manager'

The current Belgium assistant has been tipped to move to Ligue 1 for his first coaching job, and Hazard believes he would shine in the role

Eden Hazard has given Thierry Henry’s managerial credentials a ringing endorsement after the Frenchman was linked with the vacancy at his former club Monaco.

Current Belgium assistant Henry began his professional career at Ligue 1 club Monaco, who are seeking a new boss after sacking Leonardo Jardim on Thursday due to a poor start to the campaign.

Henry, 41, has previously expressed his desire to move into management and Chelsea playmaker Hazard has given a coach he works with at international level a glowing reference.

“He was a fantastic player,” Hazard said at a press conference.

“As a manager he doesn’t have a lot of experience, but he will learn. If he leaves the Belgium team we will be sad, but I think for him maybe it’s a good time to go.

“He wants to be a manager, so he will be a top manager, for sure.”

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez had previously stated Henry is ready to make the leap into management, though he expects him to be on his staff on Friday when the World Cup semi-finalists meet Switzerland in the Nations League.

“I think it’s nothing new for us – every time there is a vacancy, there is a report on Thierry going,” Martinez added.

“Nothing changes apart from that Monaco is one of those clubs that he has a link [with] – Thierry started at Monaco. I can guarantee you he’ll be on the bench tomorrow.”

Renato Sanches wants more minutes at Bayern Munich

The Portugal midfielder believes he is ready to build on an encouraging series of displays after returning to the first-team fold

Renato Sanches hopes his personal renaissance amid Bayern Munich’s flagging form leads to more regular playing time.

Niko Kovac’s arrival at Allianz Arena has coincided with a spike in Sanches’ fortunes following a frustrating postscript to his eye-catching Euro 2016 performances.

The Portugal midfielder struggled to settle in his first season in Germany and fared no better during a loan spell at Swansea City that ended in relegation from the Premier League.

New Bayern boss Kovac wiped the slate clean and, after two Bundesliga starts and a goal in the Champions League, the 21-year-old now wants a greater slice of the action.

“The relationship with the coach is very good,” Sanches told Bild .

“Sure, I’d like to play more. We have a lot of internationals in our team and the coach has to rotate.

“But I would like to have more minutes.”

Sanches appeared off the bench in the recent 3-0 loss to Borussia Monchengladbach which extended the champions’ winless run to four matches in all competitions .

Rumours of dressing-room unrest have emerged alongside criticism of Kovac’s persistent tinkering with his starting XI .

However, Benfica product Sanches insists the mood within the team is nothing out of the ordinary.

“It’s clear that we always feel pressure,” he said. “We always have to do our best and represent the best club in Germany.

“It’s normal that there are discussions [if matches are lost]. That’s part of the business and no problem at all.”

Brazil vs Argentina: TV channel, live stream, squad news & preview

Saudi Arabia is the stage for a clash between two of South America’s biggest and best teams as the Selecao face the Albiceleste

Perennial South American rivals Brazil and Argentina lock horns on Tuesday when they face off at King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Saudi Arabia.

Both sides are on a tour of the Middle East, with Argentina beating Iraq 4-0 last Thursday and Brazil defeating Saudi Arabia 2-0 on Friday .

Sometimes described as the continent’s Clasico, meetings between the two teams tend to be highly competitive and, despite it being a friendly, bragging rights are always at stake.

Ahead of the game, Goal brings you everything you need to know about the match, including team news, when it kicks off and how to watch.

Game Brazil vs Argentina
Date Tuesday, October 16
Time 7pm BST / 2pm ET
Stream (US only) fubo TV (7-day free trial)

In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).

New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.

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US TV channel Online stream
beIN Sports fubo TV (7-day free trial)

In the United Kingdom (UK), the game cannot be watched live on TV or streamed online, but it can be followed live on Goal here .

UK TV channel Online stream
N/A N/A
Position Brazil squad
Goalkeepers Alisson, Phelipe, Ederson
Defenders Danilo, Miranda, Militao, Sandro, Pablo, Marquinhos, Fabinho, Luis
Midfielders Casemiro, R. Augusto, Coutinho, Arthur, Walace, Fred
Forwards Richarlison, Jesus, Neymar, Malcom, Firmino, Lucas

A number of regulars are missing from the Brazil panel, including Thiago Silva, Willian, Paulinho and Fernandinho, but Tite still has a strong squad to choose from.

Roberto Firmino and Gabriel Jesus will both start as part of Brazil’s attacking trio, along with captain Neymar. 

Brazil XI:  Alisson, Danilo, Marquinhos, Miranda, Filipe Luis; Casemiro, Arthur, Coutinho; Neymar, Firmino, Jesus

Position Argentina squad
Goalkeepers Romero, Herrera, Rulli
Defenders Kannemann, Tagliafico, Bustos, Pezzella, Acuna, Funes Mori, Otamendi, Saravia, Foyth
Midfielders Paredes, Pereyra, Meza, Ascacibar, Battaglia, Salvio, Lo Celso, Cervi, Vazquez, De Paul
Forwards Icardi, Correa, Simeone, Dybala, Martinez

A host of star names are missing from the Argentina squad as coach Lionel Scaloni experiments with new faces. Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria and Marcos Rojo are among those not included in the panel.

Mauro Icardi, who missed the win against Iraq, will win his sixth cap for his country as he starts up front.

Argentina XI: Romero; Saravia, Otamendi, Pezzella, Tagliafico; Paredes, Correa, Battaglia, Lo Celso, Dybala; Icardi

According to bet365 , Brazil are strong favourites to defeat a weakened Argentina team at 3/5. The Albiceleste’s chances of winning are 5/1 and a draw is priced at 11/4.

Click here to see more offers for the game, including goalscoring markets, correct score predictions and more.

Both Brazil and Argentina are gearing up for the 2019 Copa America, so the autumn friendly games offer an opportunity for coaches to experiment with personnel and fine-tune tactics.

Argentina are shorn of some of their most recognisable performers for the game, with Messi, Aguero and Di Maria among those not in the squad, but their absence has allowed space for the likes of Lautaro Martinez and Ricardo Pereyra to shine, not to mention the likes of Icardi and Paulo Dybala.

Brazil, on the other hand, boast a typically strong panel, with Tite including stars such as Neymar and Philippe Coutinho in his squad for the match. Nevertheless, the 57-year-old has included a number of new faces, with the likes of Richarlison, Arthur and Malcom being given a chance to impress.

Tite was not pleased with his side’s performance in their 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia last week and he will be demanding a much more passionate display against their bitter rivals.

“We were not convincing,” Tite told reporters of his side’s victory. “We won because we had creativity up front and that was it. Brazil versus Argentina is never a friendly. We hope to be better for that.”

Pogba, Mbappe and Griezmann meet Mickey Mouse

The France stars visited Disneyland in Paris on Friday and ran into the famous mouse along the way

Mickey Mouse was the star attraction as Paul Pogba and some of his France team-mates paid a visit to Disneyland on Friday.

With time on their hands before Tuesday’s Nations League showdown against Germany in Paris, Pogba, Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele hung out with Mickey Mouse.

After world champions France battled to earn a 2-2 draw against Iceland on Thursday, the French quartet visited the iconic theme park and even picked up some of Mickey Mouse’s famous gloves along the way.

Pogba, Mbappe, Griezmann and Dembele also had some fun on one of the roller-coasters – Manchester United midfielder Pogba poking fun at teenage sensation Mbappe’s reaction in an embarrassing photo.

 

France will host Germany in League A Group 1 action at the Stade de France.