House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie ThompsonBennie Gordon ThompsonHouse Homeland Security Committee subpoenas security officials for testimony on terrorism Gaetz calls Democrats ‘angry pack of rabid hyenas’ after storming impeachment hearing Hillicon Valley: Lawmakers unleash on Zuckerberg | House passes third election interference bill | Online extremism legislation advances in House | Google claims quantum computing breakthrough MORE (D-Miss.) on Thursday issued subpoenas for the public testimony of two senior Trump administration officials on terror threats facing the country. 

Thompson on Wednesday subpoenaed acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan and acting National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) Director Russell Travers, demanding that they testify in a public Oct. 30 hearing. 

A statement from the committee on the subpoenas said that it has been attempting to get McAleenan and Travers to testify since July and that both agencies previously pulled out of a hearing. 

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“From the release of ISIS prisoners in Syria to the rising number of domestic terrorism incidents here at home to the continuing effort by Russia to meddle in our elections, there are urgent security threats facing the nation. I am concerned that turmoil within the White House and vacancies at the highest levels of the Department of Homeland Security are undermining our ability to respond to terrorist threats,” Thomson said in a statement.

“It is inexcusable that the people charged with keeping the country safe from terrorism are refusing to show up to testify before Congress and speak to the American people about what they are doing to secure the homeland. It is unfortunate but not surprising the Administration would not keep its word and that subpoenas have become necessary, but the Committee will carry out its oversight responsibilities entrusted to Congress by the Constitution,” he added. 

The Hill has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the NCTC for comment. McAleenan has led DHS on an acting basis since April after then-Secretary Kirstjen NielsenKirstjen Michele NielsenHouse Homeland Security Committee subpoenas security officials for testimony on terrorism Trump’s new challenge is officials dishing dirt Nielsen on leaving Trump administration: ‘Saying no and refusing to do it myself was not going to be enough’ MORE‘s resignation. Trump recently announced that McAleenan will also be stepping down. 

Travers became the acting NCTC head in August.

President TrumpDonald John TrumpCharles Barkley: ‘Vice President Pence needs to shut the hell up’ Democrats say whistleblower deposition no longer central to impeachment investigation: report Trump plans to appeal House subpoena for financial records to Supreme Court MORE‘s recent decision to pull U.S. troops out of northern Syria and a subsequent Turkish incursion has sparked concern about a possible ISIS resurgence.

Recent hate-motivated attacks have also brought attention to the threat of white supremacy. McAleenan said last month that his department’s counterterrorism strategy would include combatting such domestic threats.

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China intends to buy at least $20 billion worth of U.S. agricultural products if it signs a partial trade deal with Washington and would consider boosting the purchases further in future rounds of talks, according to a Bloomberg report.

Purchases of $20 billion would return Chinese imports of American farm goods roughly back to the levels of 2017, before the intense trade war was sparked between Washington and Beijing. People familiar with the matter told the news outlet that the purchases could rise to as high as $40 billion-$50 billion in the second year of a possible final deal once all tariffs are lifted.

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U.S. and Chinese officials are currently working on hammering out the details of a limited trade agreement that both governments have hinted could be signed when President TrumpDonald John TrumpCharles Barkley: ‘Vice President Pence needs to shut the hell up’ Democrats say whistleblower deposition no longer central to impeachment investigation: report Trump plans to appeal House subpoena for financial records to Supreme Court MORE and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet in Chile next month.

The two sides reached an initial deal earlier this month that would postpone an upcoming increase of tariffs on Chinese goods in exchange for Beijing drastically increasing imports of American crops. The agreement is meant to provide a brief economic reprieve for both nations as they seek a broader deal. 

China has already begun increasing its purchases of agricultural goods. It issued waivers for 10 million tons of soybean purchases this week and is mulling approving an additional 4 million-5 million tons of grains, including wheat, corn and sorghum, according to Bloomberg. 

Trump has been quick to hype the deal as a victory for farmers as negotiations continue.

“The deal I just made with China is, by far, the greatest and biggest deal ever made for our Great Patriot Farmers in the history of our Country. In fact, there is a question as to whether or not this much product can be produced? Our farmers will figure it out. Thank you China!” he tweeted this month. 

 

However, observers have cautioned that China has previously retreated from similar promises of agricultural purchases.

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“The Chinese don’t want Xi to move forward with this initial phase or this initial detente if they don’t get rid of the December tariff threat as well,” Stephen Myrow, managing partner at Beacon Policy Advisors, told The Hill this month. “No matter what they sign, they don’t really trust Trump.”

A group of GOP senators were briefed at the White House on Thursday about a forthcoming Syria plan from top Pentagon officials.

 

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Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamDemocrats say whistleblower deposition no longer central to impeachment investigation: report White House weighing options that would keep 500 troops in Syria: report Overnight Defense: Top general briefs GOP senators on Syria plan | Senators ‘encouraged’ by briefing | Pence huddles with Republican allies on Syria | Trump nominee sidesteps questions on arms treaties MORE (R-S.C.) told reporters that the GOP senators were briefed in the White House situation room by Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. 

 

“There’s a plan coming together from the joint chiefs that I think may work, that may give us what we need to prevent ISIS from coming back. … I am somewhat encouraged that a plan is coming about that will meet our core objectives in Syria,” Graham told reporters. 

 

Graham indicated that troops were a part of the discussion within the administration, and signaled that the number of troops could be in the hundreds.

 

“All of that’s being talked about. Is that enough? Well it’s not thousands — is it enough to get the job done?” Graham said, asked how many U.S. troops would be included in the Pentagon’s plan. 

 

He added that he didn’t know if the plan would ultimately be approved by Trump.

 

Graham did not provide any other details about troops being sent to the Middle East. Pentagon officials told Fox News that the United States is “likely” to send tanks and soldiers into eastern Syria.

 

Sens. Lamar AlexanderAndrew (Lamar) Lamar AlexanderOvernight Defense: Top general briefs GOP senators on Syria plan | Senators ‘encouraged’ by briefing | Pence huddles with Republican allies on Syria | Trump nominee sidesteps questions on arms treaties GOP senators briefed on administration Syria plan Senate GOP introduces resolution condemning House impeachment inquiry MORE (R-Tenn.), Roy BluntRoy Dean BluntOvernight Defense: Top general briefs GOP senators on Syria plan | Senators ‘encouraged’ by briefing | Pence huddles with Republican allies on Syria | Trump nominee sidesteps questions on arms treaties GOP senators briefed on administration Syria plan Trump allies mull how to quickly quash impeachment articles MORE (R-Mo.), Ron JohnsonRonald (Ron) Harold JohnsonOvernight Defense: Top general briefs GOP senators on Syria plan | Senators ‘encouraged’ by briefing | Pence huddles with Republican allies on Syria | Trump nominee sidesteps questions on arms treaties GOP senators briefed on administration Syria plan GOP senators frustrated with Romney jabs at Trump MORE (R-Wis.) and David Perdue (R-Ga.) were among the approximately 10 senators who took part in the White House meeting. 

 

Johnson told NBC News that “we were actually pretty encouraged by what progress is being made in Syria, and kind of what the game plan is.”

 

The White House meeting with GOP senators came as Vice President Pence met in the Capitol with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin Owen McCarthyOvernight Defense: Top general briefs GOP senators on Syria plan | Senators ‘encouraged’ by briefing | Pence huddles with Republican allies on Syria | Trump nominee sidesteps questions on arms treaties GOP senators briefed on administration Syria plan Pence huddles with GOP allies on Syria MORE (R-Calif.), GOP Conference Chairwoman Liz CheneyElizabeth (Liz) Lynn CheneyOvernight Defense: Top general briefs GOP senators on Syria plan | Senators ‘encouraged’ by briefing | Pence huddles with Republican allies on Syria | Trump nominee sidesteps questions on arms treaties GOP senators briefed on administration Syria plan Pence huddles with GOP allies on Syria MORE (R-Wyo.), former Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark MeadowsMark Randall MeadowsOvernight Defense: Top general briefs GOP senators on Syria plan | Senators ‘encouraged’ by briefing | Pence huddles with Republican allies on Syria | Trump nominee sidesteps questions on arms treaties Bannon returns from exile to wage impeachment battle for Trump GOP senators briefed on administration Syria plan MORE (R-N.C.), and the top Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Mike McCaul of Texas.

 

 

The White House has faced weeks of backlash from Capitol Hill over President TrumpDonald John TrumpCharles Barkley: ‘Vice President Pence needs to shut the hell up’ Democrats say whistleblower deposition no longer central to impeachment investigation: report Trump plans to appeal House subpoena for financial records to Supreme Court MORE‘s decision to pull troops out of northern Syria, paving the way for Turkey’s invasion. 

 

Republicans fumed, warning that it would empower the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and harm the Kurds, who helped the United States fight ISIS. 

 

 

Lawmakers are weighing how to respond to Turkey’s actions. 

 

The House previously passed a resolution formally opposing Trump’s decision to pull back U.S. troops and calling on Turkey to end its incursion. 

 

But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellDemocrats say whistleblower deposition no longer central to impeachment investigation: report Overnight Defense: Top general briefs GOP senators on Syria plan | Senators ‘encouraged’ by briefing | Pence huddles with Republican allies on Syria | Trump nominee sidesteps questions on arms treaties GOP senators briefed on administration Syria plan MORE (R-Ky.) has offered his own resolution, which was met with quick opposition from Democrats. 

 

Lawmakers in both parties have also introduced legislation to slap new sanctions on Turkey. The House is expected to vote on a sanctions package as soon as next week. 

Climate change is the issue of highest concern to young voters, according to a new report from an initiative dedicated to studying what motivates the nation’s youth.

A report from the Cause & Social Influence Initiative found that climate change was the top issue for 34 percent of members of Generation Z and 27 percent of Millennials surveyed.

“This year’s research began in the wake of Greta Thunberg’s sail to the Climate Change Summit and heavy media coverage of her trip and the issue; climate change subsequently was the top social issue for 2019,” the report said.

Civil rights, immigration, healthcare reform and mental health and social services rounded out the top five issues of concern for young voters, booting gun control from the list of top social issues.

Polls have also found climate change is a top priority for voters.

A CNN poll found it was a top issue for Democratic voters, while polling from the Sierra Club found 62 percent of voters said climate change plans would be an important factor in who they decided to vote for. 

Thirty-two Democratic lawmakers have signed a letter asking House and Senate appropriators to withhold funds in the 2020 budget that could be used to move the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s two research agencies out of the capital.

“With only a fraction of reassigned employees opting to relocate, we are extremely concerned that moving forward with this relocation will increasingly jeopardize ERS and NIFA’s ability to continue their critical work as well as cause irreparable harm to the federal scientific workforce,” the lawmakers wrote, using abbreviations for the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

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The USDA announced in June it would relocate the two agencies to Kansas City, Mo. The department’s Office of Inspector General has questioned the legality of the decision. 

The move has already had negative effects as employees leave the agencies. ERS was forced to delay or quash research after losing nearly 80 percent of its staff as employees fled rather than relocated. 

The House did not include funding for the move in the USDA spending bill, but the Senate version passed Tuesday did. 

“It is disappointing that this bill supports the administration’s ill-advised relocation of USDA research agencies. I have spoken out about this relocation effort and remain concerned about the loss of expertise and focus such a move precipitates at USDA,” Sen. Patrick LeahyPatrick Joseph LeahyOvernight Energy: Interior sees rise in revenue from drilling on public lands | Officials propose easing pesticide rule for farms | Trump prepares to formally leave Paris climate deal Democrats ask appropriators to block funding for USDA move Trump says remark about Colorado border wall was made ‘kiddingly’ MORE (D-Vt.) said on the floor. 

According to data from the Office of Personnel Management, 85 percent of federal employees are already located outside the D.C. metro area.

But there has been a push by Republicans to further move agencies outside of D.C., arguing that they should move closer to their stakeholders.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced in July it would move 27 employees to a new headquarters in Grand Junction, Colo., while another nearly 300 would be spread across various existing BLM offices out west. The move would leave just 61 of the agency’s 10,000 employees in Washington. 

On Wednesday, Sens. Josh HawleyJoshua (Josh) David HawleyDemocrats ask appropriators to block funding for USDA move Overnight Energy: GOP senators push bill to move most federal agencies out of DC | DOJ sues California to stifle cap-and-trade program with Quebec | Cutting wild horse population to cost BLM billion Hawley, Blackburn push bill to move most federal agencies out of DC MORE (R-Mo.) and Marsha BlackburnMarsha BlackburnDemocrats ask appropriators to block funding for USDA move Melania Trump makes first solo visit to Capitol Hill House passes third bill aimed at preventing foreign election interference MORE (R-Tenn.) introduced a bill that would move 10 federal agencies to as many states. 

Niv Elis contributed.

The France international midfielder has made waves this summer with his refusal to sign a new deal with PSG – so where will he end up?

The summer transfer window of 2018 may only just have closed for the majority of clubs around Europe, yet already one of the major stories of 2019 is brewing in Paris. Adrien Rabiot is set to be one of the hot talking points for the next year, with the central midfielder’s contract up with Paris Saint-Germain next summer.

Many of Europe’s biggest clubs have been linked with the 23-year-old, who has grown from academy graduate to first-team regular at Parc des Princes – no mean feat given the lavish spending of France’s dominant club. 

It takes a certain personality type to grow in that manner, and while Rabiot’s self-confidence, backed by his notoriously pushy mother, Veronique, has helped him make his name in the French capital, it could also be the factor that leads him away.

His stubborn attitude has led to an impasse in contract negotiations with PSG and, as such, a great degree of uncertainty as to where exactly his future lies. 

Rabiot’s personality meant that he missed the World Cup as Didier Deschamps did not believe he was a good figure to have around a squad that thrived on their togetherness, but that has been a factor in allowing him to enjoy a strong start to the season.

While players such as Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, who went deep into Russia 2018, have had their playing time reduced in the opening weeks of the season, Rabiot has come into the campaign fresh and has been present on the park for every competitive minute that PSG have played.

And he has shown the stature that made him so difficult to be overlooked by Deschamps, particularly in the wake of Thiago Motta’s retirement. Typically a more attacking player than the former Italy international, he has operated as No.6 in the midfield, although he yearns to be given more freedom once again.

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There is, however, no guarantee that he will leave Paris. Goal understands that neither the player nor Veronique has their heart set on a transfer, although if the team flops in the Champions League, that could change his outlook.

Meanwhile, head coach Thomas Tuchel has gone public on how much he appreciates the midfielder.

“I really like Adrien, really. I appreciate him,” the former Dortmund boss told RMC .

“There was a difficult situation after the World Cup that he missed but Adrien has showed incredible willingness from the first day of training. He has never missed a training session, not a single thing – we can really trust him and count on him.

“Adrien is good, physically, and he is essential for us. 

“Adrien comes from the youth academy and it is very important to have players like him here, to encourage them, support them and place them at the heart of the project.

“I love working with Adrien and I have no influence over the rest.”

Conversely, though, the player has also rejected two contract offers from the club, turning the latest down in mid-August, when he rebuffed a €7.2 million-per-year offer from the Parc des Princes side. This was a slap in the face for PSG as they bowed to his request of a three-year deal – a shorter contract than habitually offered by the powerhouse club. For his part, Rabiot does not want to miss out on a potential switch away in the manner that both Marco Verratti and Marquinhos have in recent times.

PSG have been in this difficult situation with the player before. In 2015, he appeared to be heading out of the club on the advice of his mother, who suggested her teenage son deserved a more regular place in an already world-class midfield. He was pushed to the very fringes of the squad before an agreement was reached and he returned.

“Adrien loves PSG, he’s attached to the club,” the player’s mother protested. “He wants to make a career there, but it’s not possible. He’d need 35 full games a season to continue his progress and that won’t happen. Since he can’t make his way, it’s better to leave.”

At that time, Veronique was accused of holding the club to ransom, yet under duress, it was the player and his mother who blinked. That could be seen as a precedent. 

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But what are his other options? Liverpool and Manchester City, where he spent a matter of months as a youth player, have both been closely associated with a move for the player, yet it is Goal’s understanding that there is little substance to the reports linking him with a move to either Anfield or the Etihad.

England, however, is not the only location that Rabiot has been linked with a Bosman move to.

Barcelona have been one of the sides to the forefront of transfer rumours for much of the summer, notably hitting the headlines in August in the aftermath of Rabiot’s rejection of PSG’s terms. Reports state that the Camp Nou side were willing to offer him €10m per season – more 30% higher than PSG’s bid.

The Catalan giants, whose interest in the player has been confirmed to Goal, are Veronique’s preferred destination for her son, and the location that she is doing her best to push him towards. 

However, they view Rabiot as a backup option to Frenkie de Jong of Ajax, who remains their top priority, while they would also seek to sign Manchester United’s Paul Pogba before moving for the Frenchman.

Juventus are the other European giant in the hunt. After splashing out on Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer, a free transfer for such a talented and relatively young player is attractive for a club who have signed many stars on a Bosman in recent years. He would make sense as a replacement for Sami Khedira, who may only recently have signed a new deal with the club, but who will be 32 by the end of the campaign.

Certainly, it is a situation that the Turin giants are monitoring, but at the moment, he is not regarded as a priority.

Given the state of play, it is difficult to discount anything from Rabiot’s future, but equally it is impossible to say that there is a front runner in the early stages of this race. There are many months for this story left to run. 

England’s number two kept a clean sheet in the 1-0 win over Switzerland, and says Gareth Southgate has re-assured him about his place

England goalkeeper Jack Butland has been re-assured about his place in the national team squad by coach Gareth Southgate despite playing his club football in the Championship this season following relegation with Stoke City.

Butland replaced Jordan Pickford in the England goal and kept a clean sheet as the Three Lions beat Switzerland 1-0 at Leicester’s King Power Stadium on Tuesday, and says Southgate has told him that, despite being the only player in the squad to play outside of the top flight, his international place is safe – for now.

“You can argue that the standard is different [in the Championship], but it’s still a very demanding league and I still have to be at the top of my game,” Butland told Sky Sports.

“I still have to be fit, strong, train well and play well. If I can do that, I’d like to think I can stay in the squad. The manager’s reassured me of that. We’ve had a lot of conversations.

“If I’m in the Championship beyond this season, then obviously things start to get a bit trickier, but certainly for this year he’s reassured me that if I can keep my standards high, I can be a part of the team.”

Despite keeping out the Swiss, Butland was twice at fault with the ball at his feet on Tuesday night, almost gifting the visitors an own goal with a stray pass and presenting former Stoke team-mate Xherdan Shaqiri with a glaring opening that he failed to take.

“It’s not particularly difficult if you’re comfortable doing it,” said Butland of Southgate’s instructions that England should play out from defence. “We’ve done it all week in training.

“So for me, I enjoy it, I like the challenge, I like the experience of being able to do it, so it’s nice to have that opportunity to do it with England.”

England’s victory came three days after being beaten 2-1 by Spain at Wembley in their opening Nations League fixture. Butland watched from the bench as World Cup goalkeeper Pickford started.

 

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The 48-year-old is not looking too far ahead with his contract set to expire in two years

England manager Gareth Southgate is not sure if he will continue in his role beyond the 2020 European Championship.

Southgate’s contract expires at the end of Euro 2020, with the England boss still having two years remaining on his current deal.

The Football Association (FA) is reportedly keen to retain Southgate for the 2022 World Cup after the 48-year-old guided England to the semi-finals in Russia.

However, Southgate – who replaced Sam Allardyce in 2016 – is not looking too far ahead as England prepare to face Switzerland on Tuesday following their 2-1 loss to Spain in the Nations League.

“First and foremost, I’m 100 per cent focused on this job, nothing else. I am under contract, I have two years, you know that leads to a European Championship, which we have games at Wembley [in] which is going to be a brilliant experience,” Southgate said.

“That is my pure focus. I know absolutely what comes with the job so anything that suggests there’s a problem with what surrounds the job, and the focus and attention of it, absolutely no problem at all. I want to be in games that matter, I believe I’ve been through an experience that is as pressured as you’re ever going to face at any club or international team in getting through a World Cup, so I’m totally comfortable with that, and what’s beyond that is to be decided.

“For me, I’m under contract, I’m enjoying the role, I love the challenge of it and that’s it really. I think in the end it’s not something that’s right to discuss publicly. I think it’s the right thing to focus on the job, and I’m sure, as and when there’s anything to update, we will do that.”

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The Catalan giants kick off their continental campaign with a home tie against the Dutch champions

Barcelona begin their quest for Champions League glory this season when they face PSV at Camp Nou on Tuesday.

Ernesto Valverde’s side were drawn along with the Dutch champions in Group B, which also contains Premier League side Tottenham and Serie A behemoths Inter.

The Liga champions, who are chasing their sixth Champions League title, will be eager to make an impact in the 2018-19 edition after being knocked out at the quarter-final stage last season.

PSV, meanwhile, have returned to UEFA’s premier club competition after failing to qualify last term.

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Game	Barcelona vs PSV
Date	Tuesday, September 18
Time	5:55pm BST / 12:55pm ET

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In the United States (US) the game will be available to watch live on television via TNT USA or Univision and it can be streamed live online using Watch TNT, B/R Live or Univision NOW.

US TV channel	Online stream
TNT USA / Univision	Watch TNT / B/R Live / Univision NOW

The game can be watched live on television in the United Kingdom (UK) via BT Sport 1 and it can be streamed live online using the BT Sport app.

UK TV channel	Online stream
BT Sport 1	BT Sport app

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Position	Barcelona squad
Goalkeepers	Ter Stegen, Cillessen, Pena, Ezkieta
Defenders	Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Rafinha, Alba, Umtiti, Vermaelen, Miranda, Cuenca
Midfielders	Rakitic, S. Busquets, D. Suarez, Arthur, Samper, Roberto, Vidal, Alena, Puig, Monchu, Collado, O. Busquets
Forwards	Coutinho, L. Suarez, Messi, Dembele, Malcom, Munir, Ruiz

Valverde will have a near-full panel to choose from, with Denis Suarez likely to be fit enough to take a place in the squad, but Sergi Samper is injured.

Nelson Semedo began the weekend’s game against Real Sociedad at right-back but was taken off at half-time and Sergi Roberto, who has played there this season, has been preferred.

Philippe Coutinho, who came on at the beginning of the second half in that contest, will earn the start, his first for Barcelona in the Champions League after he was unable to feature for them last year.

Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Alba, Pique, Umtiti, Roberto; S. Busquets, Rakitic, Coutinho; Dembele, Messi, L. Suarez.

Position	PSV squad
Goalkeepers	Zoet, Room, Van Osch
Defenders	Isimat-Mirin, Behich, Viergever, Schwaab, Angelino, Obispo, Sainsbury, Dumfries, Teze, Soulas
Midfielders	Pereiro, Hendrix, Rigo, Rosario, Ramselaar, Lundqvist, Gutierrez, Thomas, Sadilek, Mauro Junior, Frey
Forwards	De Jong, Romero, Lozano, Malen, Bergwijn, Gakpo, Aboukhlal

The likes of Ramon-Pascal Lundqvist, Ryan Thomas, Dante Rigo and Maximiliano Romero are injury concerns and unlikely to play. Van Bommel will be relying on stars such as Hirving Lozano, Luuk de Jong and Steven Bergwijn for goals.

PSV XI: Zoet; Dumfries, Schwaab, Viergever, Tasende; Hendrix, Pereiro, Rosario; Bergwijn, Lozano, De Jong.

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Barcelona are serious favourites to win at 1/9 according to bet365 . PSV’s chances of victory are rated at 25/1 and a draw is deemed more likely at 11/1.

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

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Despite steering Barcelona to Liga glory in impressive fashion, Valverde could not crack the Champions League as his side crashed out against Roma in the last eight, despite taking what appeared to be an unassailable 4-1 lead in the first leg.

As he looks to build on the foundations laid in his first full season at the helm of the Catalan club, continental success will surely be high on the agenda.

The former Real Betis boss has added greater depth to his squad, recruiting players such as Arthur, Clement Lenglet, Malcom and Arturo Vidal, which should go some way towards helping the team manage what can often become a gruelling schedule, particularly heading into the latter stages of the competition.

“We prioritise everything, we will always fight for the Champions League,” Valverde told reporters back in August when asked about where his focus lay.

“Barca will always be like that, we are very excited but the way to win the Champions League is to win the league. You focus on being better for a year, and if so, you are closer to winning the Champions League.”

They get things started with a home match against a youthful PSV team, which is managed by former Barca midfielder Mark van Bommel and contains the talented Hirving Lozano, who has previously been linked with a move to Catalunya .

Sterner tasks are sure to come with Tottenham and Inter also competing in Group B, but they cannot afford to take the Eredivisie champions for granted.

The winger suggested his leg would have to be broken before an opposing player is red carded, so eyes will be on him when Palace play Newcastle

Wilfried Zaha’s comments regarding refereeing decisions should be assessed by the FA, according to Rafael Benitez.

Crystal Palace winger Zaha claimed he would have to sustain a broken leg in a tackle for an opponent to be sent off when speaking to reporters after the South London club’s game against Huddersfield on Saturday.

Palace host Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday and the Magpies boss took exception to Zaha’s suggestion he is not protected by officials.

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“He’s a good player, no doubt about that, but I think the FA has to deal with his comments,” said Benitez.

“I’m sure that [referee Andre] Marriner will not have this in the back of his head.

“He has a lot of experience, even if his record is not the best in terms of red cards, but I’m confident he is a very good referee with a lot of experience and he will deal with the situation in a normal way.

“When we talk about ‘you cannot ask for a yellow card during the game’, [what about] asking for a red card before the game? It’s not something we can control but maybe someone else will make a point.”

Zaha shrugged off some heavy treatment by Huddersfield Town defenders last week to earn all three points for Palace with a sensational solo strike.

And Palace manager Hodgson denied reports he has been in contact with Professional Game Match Officials Limited managing director Mike Riley regarding Zaha.

“No, I haven’t spoken to Mike Riley. I think that was simply a reference to the fact that after every game clubs are asked to comment and send a report on the game,” the former England boss said.

“I am pretty certain we did that, like we do every game, but there has been no specific contact with either the Premier League or Mike Riley and his people, I see no reason for that.

“We are talking about an interview that somebody gave which has sparked a lot of debate, that’s fine, maybe we should have these debates from time to time.

“Football has changed enormously, and we have moved on and a lot of good things have been done. The refereeing standard today is far greater and far better, in my opinion, than it was many years ago.

“As far as I am concerned, that is a situation which is in the past and I have absolutely no comments to make about referees and we have certainly, from a coaching side of things, have not made any overtures to the Premier League or to the PGMOL.”