The Guardian

Another grand old club currently without a manager are Blackburn Rovers. BBC Sport and others are reporting that Michael O’Neill is set to take over at Ewood Park – but will also continue in his Northern Ireland role for the World Cup playoffs, and this summer’s finals if they qualify.

Blackburn’s current interim manager is the former Northern Ireland international Damien Johnson, and he will reportedly stay on as part of O’Neill’s coaching staff. Rovers sacked Valérien Ismaël on 2 February, with the club mired in the Championship relegation zone.

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Hello. The first domestic football match I ever saw on live TV was in 1991 – the FA Cup final between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur. Two historic clubs led by long-serving managers Brian Clough and Terry Venables, who walked out at Wembley holding hands. Jumpers for goalposts, isn’t it? Marvellous.

Spurs won the Cup but Venables was soon moved upstairs by Alan Sugar, so maybe managerial turmoil is nothing new. But it’s still sad to see the current state of affairs at both of these storied clubs, who both dispensed with their managers earlier this week. Relegation is a real threat for two teams who really should be nowhere near trouble, and nobody is 100% sure who to blame.

Forest are lining up Vítor Pereira, the Premier League’s new Winston Wolf, to replace Sean Dyche, while Spurs didn’t appear to have anyone in mind to replace Thomas Frank. We’ll keep track of developments and look ahead to a busy FA Cup fourth-weekend – although Tottenham and Forest are helpfully both already out, freeing up time for their recruitment searches.

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Chelsea 1-0 Leeds: Supposedly, taking Cucurella off was a tactic decision …

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Second half

We are starting up once more.

Chelsea 1-0 Leeds: Hato is on for Cucurella.

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Half-time reading:

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Martin Gamage says: “And the chorus of boos ring out at Spurs. I don’t bet as a rule but as a Spurs fan I’m going to hedge my disappointment and put some money on this Spurs team to go down. I genuinely don’t think they have the stomach for this fight. Newcastle have been by far the better team.”

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Do not forget we have West Ham v Man United going on, too. Almost 10 minutes in over in East London.

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Peter Crosby emails: “I know there’s a bit of contention about this issue, but in terms of the Spurs fans’ responsibility - they may not be able to to affect the choice of the Spurs hierarchy, or the efficacy of the sporting directors, or the skill and ability of the medical department or the muscle fallibility of our best players - BUT - they can be responsible for one thing - getting those 11 mostly very young lads the support they need. It’s not rocket science. I know this is a nuanced issue but the atmosphere is terrible and the only people who can make that better are the fans.”

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Half time: Tottenham 0-1 Newcastle

Boos from the home fans.

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GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Newcastle: Elanga lifts a cross to the back post where Thiaw is waiting. The defender heads it down, Vicario makes the save but Thiaw is the quickest to the rebound.

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Updated at 21.34 CET

GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Newcastle (Thiaw, 45+5)

It’s what Newcastle deserve.

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Half time: Chelsea 1-0 Leeds

Joao Pedro has given Chelsea the lead.

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Half time: Everton 1-0 Bournemouth

Ndiaye’s penalty is the difference at the moment.

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Tottenham 0-0 Newcastle: Willock’s scalp was offside. A buzz cut might have ensured the goal counter.

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NO GOAL! Tottenham 0-0 Newcastle

That might be the tightest offside call I’ve ever seen. Spurs reprieved.

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GOAL? Tottenham 0-1 Newcastle: The visitors win the ball back and quickly move up the field. Ramsey threads a pass to Willock who curls a corner around a defender into the corner. We get a lengthy VAR check for offside … it is tight.

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GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Newcastle (Willock, 44)

The midfielder keeps his cool to find the corner.

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GOAL! Everton 1-0 Bournemouth (Ndiaye, pen, 42)

No mistake from the spot.

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Updated at 21.24 CET

Everton 0-0 Bournemouth: PENALTY TO EVERTON!

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Updated at 21.21 CET

Peter Oh writes: “Calling this Newcastle strip jazzy might be an affront to jazz. According to the kit maker’s official verbiage, the design is a nod to the ‘97/’98 season, and the colours are called Victory Blue and Bahia Orange.

“Orange you glad to know this? Anyway, to Victory!”

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Tottenham 0-0 Newcastle: Sarr is booked for diving in an attempt to get Ramsey booked. What a dismal night this is for Spurs so far. At least it’s level.

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Tottenham 0-0 Newcastle: No need for the neighbours to complain about the decibel levels. Sounds silent inside the stadium.

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Everton 0-0 Bournemouth: Barry should open the scoring but misses from very close range. Poor Thierno.

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Tottenham 0-0 Newcastle: Odobert off, Tel on.

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Chelsea 1-0 Leeds: Palmer is at the heart of everything for Chelsea, he flicks the ball into Joao Pedro’s path but he flashes his shot wide.

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Tottenham 0-0 Newcastle: Tel seems to be getting prepared to replace the Frenchman.

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Tottenham 0-0 Newcastle: More concern for Spurs with Odobert down on the ground needing lengthy treatment.

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Chelsea 1-0 Leeds: There are calls for a penalty after Gusto and Gudmundsson tangle in the box. There is a pull on the shorts but the Leeds man goes down too easily.

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Everton 0-0 Bournemouth: Toth fires a free-kick at goal but Pickford is behind it.

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Tottenham 0-0 Newcastle: Spurs look to be making progress on the attack but they end up turning around and the ball ends up back with the defence. That does not please the fans.

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Chelsea 1-0 Leeds: GOAL! Palmer finds space in midfield, opens himself up and slips a through ball for Joao Pedro, who is quicker than the defender, allowing him time to dink it over Darlow.

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Updated at 21.01 CET

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Leeds (Joao Pedro, 24)

A lovely finish from the Brazilian.

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Tottenham 0-0 Newcastle: Spurs lift the ball into the box and Solanke goes down under pressure from behind. The striker wants a penalty but there is no chance of that.

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Chelsea 0-0 Leeds: The Blues have a free-kick around 30 yards from goal. It is worked smartly into the box, Pedro chests it down but can’t make effective contact on the volley.

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Chelsea 0-0 Leeds: Palmer takes aim from 20 yards but there is no power in the shot, allowing Leeds get possession and counter but it ends with Gudmundsson committing a foul and getting harshly booked.

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Tottenham 0-0 Newcastle: Burn knocks the ball down for Ramsey to attack, he miscues his shot and Van de Ven sends it behind. The crowd is getting agitated.

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Premier League  The Guardian

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Tottenham Hotspur, wearing second-choice yellow, get the ball rolling. They’re kicking towards the Stretford End in this first half.

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The teams congregate in the Old Trafford tunnel. Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes helps his manager Michael Carrick to adjust his black armband, a small but touching moment of togetherness. Carrick and Thomas Frank lead their players out, each carrying a wreath which they place on the turf once trodden so elegantly by the Babes. A poignant beat … then a crackle of expectancy and excitement ahead of the big match. We’ll be off in a couple of minutes.

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Updated at 13.32 CET

This is also the time of year when thoughts turn to the Busby Babes. The Munich disaster occurred 66 years ago yesterday, and Michael Carrick was among the many club representatives who yesterday honoured United’s fallen heroes in a memorial event. A separate matchday service took place earlier this morning, and flags at Old Trafford will fly at half-mast today, while the team will lay a wreath. Sleep well, Flowers of Manchester.

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This weekend’s Premier League card is dedicated to the Premier League With Pride initiative. With Pride aims to “bring together the ongoing LGBTQ+ work the League and clubs carry out across the year to help deliver long-term change … with a focus on embedding three core themes: education, celebration and action.” There will be With Pride-themed handshake boards, ball plinths, assistants’ flags, substitution boards, perimeter LEDs and pin badges, though captains will wear standard Premier League armbands. More details can be found here.

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Thomas Frank has talked to TNT. “We can keep building on the consistency and the performances we have shown … not only the City game but the Champions League games … we are ready for this game … [Manchester United] have a massive threat up front but we are ready for it … [Cristian Romero] is our captain and one of our most important players … [Micky van de Ven] is a top centre back … his partnership with [Romero] is very, very good and they are getting stronger and stringer together.”

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Updated at 13.12 CET

So smoothly is Michael Carrick’s caretaker stint going, there’s just one change to Manchester United’s squad today. Tyler Fletcher, son of erstwhile United midfielder Darren, nudges out Scouse winger Shea Lacey. And while we’re on the subject of fresh talent on the periphery, here’s Richard Stant: “Great to see Lucá Williams-Barnett getting a spot on the bench. He’s going to be an amazing player … although as he’s at Tottenham he’ll spend most of his career on the treatment table.”

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Michael Carrick speaks to TNT Sports. “Ben [Šeško] is going to be a big player here for a long time … everything about him is really encouraging … it was a huge moment for him last week … I’m sure he’ll have more of those … he’ll come on and make a difference again for us … [Tottenham] are a good team with some really good players … we’ve got to be aware of that … it’s not going to be perfect … if we do it with the right intent, and the supporters feel it, and we bounce off each other, we’ve got a good chance … we want to look good with and without the ball.”

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Michael Carrick is in an if-it-ain’t-broke frame of mind. His Manchester United are unchanged from the 3-2 win over Fulham. Matthijs de Ligt, Mason Mount and Patrick Dorgu are all injured.

Spurs boss Thomas Frank makes three changes to his starting XI following the 2-2 draw with Manchester City. Micky van de Ven, Wilson Odobert and Pape Matar Sarr are in; Randal Kolo Muani, Radu Drăgușin and Yves Bissouma drop to the bench.

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Updated at 12.32 CET

The teams

Manchester United: Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo.

Subs: Bayindir, Mazraoui, Zirkzee, Malacia, Yoro, Ugarte, Heaven, Sesko, Tyler Fletcher.

Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario, Joao Palhinha, Romero, van de Ven, Gray, Gallagher, Sarr, Udogie, Odobert, Simons, Solanke.

Subs: Kinsky, Dragusin, Bissouma, Tel, Souza, Muani, Olusesi, Byfield, Williams-Barnet.

Referee: Michael Oliver.

VAR: Paul Tierney.

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Updated at 12.32 CET

Preamble

The cynics will tell you that Manchester United have just taken their first three innocent missteps into another cycle of caretaker-boom-then-bust … but didn’t they look genuinely good against the top two teams in the land? Tottenham Hotspur meanwhile languish in 14th spot with home fans revolting … but what a second-half comeback against Manchester City last week, a performance that followed their securing of fourth spot in the Champions League first phase!

All of which is all a long-winded way of saying: here are two teams nobody can quite get a handle on right now. United have won three on the bounce under Solskjær-du-jour Michael Carrick, and sucker-punched Spurs in the last minute at New White Hart Lane last November; Spurs are unbeaten in four and clean-swept United last season, ultimately in silverware-collecting style. So good luck predicting this meeting of two of the most entertainingly erratic, but always so goddamn glamorous, clubs in the world. Kick-off is at 12.30pm. It’s on!

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It’s a Manchester 1-2 in the Women’s Super League although City are absolutely running away with it. United travel to Leicester in the only WSL fixture today. It kicks off at 12pm which is a bit daft given that the men’s team are in action at 12.30pm. What if you’re a big fan of both? Anyway, here’s the table. United will hope to cut the gap to eight points.

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Premier League team news. Okay, the fantasy deadline has already gone due to Leeds playing Nottingham Forest last night but for those who love to ponder starting XIs, see who’s crocked and check current form along with each club’s top scorer, this is the article just for you.

Man Utd v Spurs team news will be with you at 11.15pm today by the way.

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All games across the EFL will kick off a minute later than usual today and there’s a very good reason why.

It’s part of the Every Minute Matters campaign which calls on football fans across the country to learn CPR and help build an army of 500,000 lifesavers during Heart Month.

The gesture serves as a powerful reminder that every minute counts when someone suffers a cardiac arrest - with survival chances dropping by up to 10% for every minute without CPR or defibrillation.

Micah Richards has joined forces with Bristol Rovers defender, Tom Lockyer, who suffered a cardiac arrest in December 2023 when playing for Luton.

Former Manchester City defender and now TV pundit, Richards said: “Every Minute Matters is a brilliant partnership that is just bigger than football. Learning CPR takes just 15 minutes, and it could save a life. It doesn’t get bigger than that.

“Listening to Tom and seeing what he has achieved is inspirational. We’re asking fans to ‘Show Your Heart’ this February and learn one of the most important skills of all, CPR.

“If football can do this and create an army of half a million lifesavers, it would be an incredible achievement.”

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After an appalling tally a fortnight ago, I managed a healthy haul of 80 Premier League Fantasy points last week. That was mainly thanks to the blossoming relationship of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike. There was an Opta start doing the rounds later that the Liverpool pair have combined for six goals in all competitions this season, more than any other Premier League duo. They’s assisted each other three times. It’s pretty obvious that Wirtz and Ekitike are now the heartbeat of the Liverpool attack, with Mo Salah’s influence receding.

Having said all that, I’ve captained Bruno Fernandes (v Spurs) this weekend. You?

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Whoops, I forgot to mention two other Friday matches. Perhaps because neither witnessed a goal.

In Ligue 1, bottom club Metz did well to hold fifth-placed Lille to a 0-0 draw while there were also blanks in a Championship London derby. Charlton 0-0 QPR left the hosts in 17th while the visitors snuck up a place to 10th. It’s cramped around the playoff spots, as you can see.

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So what else happened on Friday night? A quick spin through some of the games in Europe.

Serie A

Verona 0-0 Pisa. A goalless draw between the two bottom teams. Not very helpful for either.

La Liga

Celta Vigo 1-2 Osasuna. A good away win for Osasuna, who nudged up to eighth, one spot behind Celta. The hosts could have gone fifth with a win but Osasuna stole the points via a late goal from Raúl García de Haro.

Bundesliga

Union Berlin 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt. It all happened late here with both goals and a red card in the final six minutes. Frankfurt are now managed by former Liverpool winger, Albert Riera, but he was denied a winning start by Leopold Querfeld’s 87th-minute penalty.

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The Premier League kicked off last night with a crucial game at a windy and rainy Elland Road. And, for the fifth straight time this season, Leeds won a night game in front of their home fans. Supporters and atmosphere make a difference, right. Here’s Aaron Bower’s match report.

And this is what it did to the table. Leeds are now nine points clear of the drop zone.

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Yesterday was the 68th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster. Manchester United boss, Michael Carrick, was asked what the remembrance meant to him.

Munich is probably the biggest part of the history of this club in terms of the tragedy itself, how the team and the football club bounced back from it and went on to success... and everything from there was carried on. Sir Alex when I came would mention it, it was important to him, it was important to us [the playing squad at the time] and then it becomes a way of life and a way of the club. I think it’s important that we carry that on. I was here for the 50th [anniversary], I was here for the 60th, we’ll see about the 70th, we’re not sure yet. But being aware of it and being around it, especially in those moments, you really feel that emotion to be honest with you. On Saturday, inside the stadium, we’ll feel it as well.

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Today’s Premier League fixtures (3pm GMT kick-off unless stated otherwise):

Man Utd v Tottenham (12:30pm GMT)

Arsenal v Sunderland

Bournemouth v Aston Villa

Burnley v West Ham

Fulham v Everton

Wolves v Chelsea

Newcastle v Brentford (5:30pm GMT)

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Preamble

There’s still something about a Saturday morning that can never be beaten in terms of sporting anticipation. And, if the feeling is mutual, you’ve come to the right place!

While you may want to dabble in the Winter Olympics and Six Nations later on (we have live blogs on both), this page is all about the football. And what a cracker we have to start things off at 12.30pm – rejuvenated Manchester United v rejuvenated Tottenham. Although the latter refers to one good half against Man City, let’s go with it.

It’s one of seven Saturday fixtures in the Premier League, with two on Sunday including the blockbuster that is Liverpool v Manchester City. If you’re finger counting and have only reached nine, that’s because we’ve already had Leeds v West Ham. More on that Friday result shortly.

And how about you? Off to a game? Let us know! Lots to discuss as we cast our eye around the football world so strap in and let’s get things on the road!

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That Spurs bench tells its own story. Thomas Frank has been beset by injuries for the bulk of the season. He’s without Maddison, Kulusevski, Kudus, Van de Ven, Bentancur, Bergvall, Porro and Davies today – and that’s just off the top of my head.

Archie Gray at right-back certainly has a job on his hands to contain Antoine Semenyo, who Spurs tried to sign earlier in the window. The former Bournemouth man has been electric sign he joined City, slotting straight into Pep Guardiola’s preferred XI.

Against a Spurs defence that has looked vulnerable to say the least of late, he will surely be licking his lips.

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Preamble

Welcome along to this the headline fixture of the Premier League weekend. Out-of-form Tottenham welcome title-challenging Manchester City in a game fans of both teams may well want City to win, given Spurs supporters’ preference to see Arsenal bottle fail to win the title.

There will be no such thoughts from Thomas Frank of course. The former Brentford coach desperately needs some league wins to go with his team’s positive Champions League campaign and, despite City’s lofty league standing, can have some hope of a decent result given this fixture’s recent history. Tottenham have won three of their last four games against Pep Guardiola’s side and eight of the last 15 dating back to 2020. People talk about Dr Tottenham but maybe City simply develop a strong case of Cityitis whenever they face Spurs.

It all gets under way at 4.30pm (GMT) at the the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Join us for team news and updates next, before match updates of course.

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Pope saves Dembele's penalty!

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Peep peep (x18)! The night o’ chaos is under way.

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“What have you done to deserve this 18-match live blog from The Man?” writes Krishnamoothy V. “It feels like those simultaneous chess games that grandmasters play. My head would be scrambled and fried by half-time if I were to do this.”

They told me it was a birthday present.

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GOAL!!! No, not really; it’s not even 8pm. I’m just getting ready for the orgy of goals that is about to begin.

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PSG v Newcastle

“G’day Rob, hope you’re well!” writes the never-less-than-chipper Chris Paraskevas. “Newcastle’s rather awkward lineup doesn’t fill me with confidence at all. A front three of Willock, Woltemade and Elanga probably doesn’t strike fear into PSG, but their front three makes me feel very uncertain and awkward - like that time I turned up to my girlfriend’s high school prom with a Socceroos scarf and realised I was woefully out of my depth/underprepared on the big stage... Still hoping this will be a cracking match.”

I was surprised to see Gordon on the bench but I can understand Elanga’s selection given the likelihood that Newcastle will be forced to play on the break. Bruno not being fit enough to start is a huge blow.

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Real Madrid, Liverpool and Spurs are guaranteed a top-eight place if they win tonight. For the rest, including Newcastle, Chelsea and Manchester City, it’s a bit more complicated.

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Athletic Club v Sporting team news

Athletic Club Simon, Gorosabel, Paredes, Yuri, Boiro, Ruiz de Galarreta, Rego, Gomez, Sancet, Guruzeta, Navarro.

Subs: Padilla, Vesga, Berenguer, Areso, Lekue, Serrano, Hierro, de Luis, Ibon Sanchez, Selton Sanchez, Gift.

Sporting Rui Silva, Fresneda, Diomande, Inacio, Araujo, Hjulmand, Simoes, Catamo, Braganca, Trincao, Suarez.

Subs: Virginia, Francisco Silva, Matheus Reis, Morita, Pedro Goncalves, Vagiannidis, Kochorashvili, Alisson Santos, Flavio Goncalves, Quaresma, Nel, Ricardo Mangas.

Referee Felix Zwayer (Germany)

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Thirteen minutes to kick off. A reminder that we have a separate live blog for Napoli v Chelsea, with John Brewin doing the honours.

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“After defeat, get right back on the horse, isn’t it?” writes Charles Antaki. “Ideally a rough-riding war horse to test your mettle and give you back pride and confidence. Arsenal, though, have something a little less daunting in front of them; perhaps one of those small friendly ponies you see at petting zoos. No disrespect to Kairat FC of course, but they are bottom of the league. So maybe just a gentle canter round the ring for Arteta and his men? Of course, if they fall off this time, even though it won’t mean much in Champions League terms, there will be Unhappiness among the faithful.”

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Union SG v Atalanta team news

Union SG Scherpen, Mac Allister, Burgess, Sykes, Patris, Van De Perre, Zorgane, Khalaili, Smith, Ait El Hadj, Florucz.

Subs: Chambaere, Fuseini, Schoofs, Niang, Keita, Berradi, Huygevelde, Hamoutahar, Leysen.

Atalanta Sportiello, Kossounou, Hien, Ahanor, Zappacosta, Musah, Ederson Silva, Bernasconi, Samardzic, Lookman, Krstovic.

Subs: Zalewski, Scalvini, Kolasinac, Djimsiti, De Ketelaere, de Roon, Scamacca, Pasalic, Sulemana, Carnesecchi, Rossi.

Referee Michael Oliver (England)

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Barcelona v FC Copenhagen team news

Barcelona Joan Garcia, Kounde, Cubarsi, Gerard, Balde, Eric Garcia, Lopez, Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha, Lewandowski.

Subs: Szczesny, Kochen, Araujo, Torres, Rashford, Bernal, Torrents, Bardghji, Marques, Casado.

FC Copenhagen Kotarski, Meling, Hatzidiakos, Gabriel Pereira, Suzuki, Lopez, Larsson, Clem, Achouri, Elyounoussi, Dadason.

Subs: Runarsson, Gadeberg-Burr, Garananga, Claesson, Moukoko, Robert, Madsen, Moalem, Hojer, Ankamafio, West.

Referee Benoit Bastien (France)

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Borussia Dortmund v Inter Milan team news

Borussia Dortmund Kobel, Can, Mane, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson, Bellingham, Nmecha, Bensebaini, Beier, Silva, Guirassy.

Subs: Ostrzinski, Meyer, Yan Couto, Brandt, Chukwuemeka, Adeyemi.

Inter Milan Sommer, Akanji, Acerbi, Bisseck, Luis Henrique, Sucic, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco, Bonny, Thuram.

Subs: Di Gennaro, Josep Martinez, de Vrij, Lautaro Martinez, Frattesi, Diouf, Carlos Augusto, Darmian, Cocchi, Bovo, Esposito, Bastoni.

Referee Istvan Kovacs (Romania)

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Benfica v Real Madrid team news

Benfica Trubin, Dedic, Tomas Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl, Barreiro, Aursnes, Prestianni, Sudakov, Schjelderup, Pavlidis.

Subs: Ferreira, Antonio Silva, Barrenechea, Bruma, Ivanovic, Manu, Banjaqui, Neto, Oliveira, Anisio Cabral, Rego, Prioste.

Real Madrid Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras, Guler, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Mastantuono, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior.

Subs: Lunin, Gonzalez, Carvajal, Alaba, Camavinga, Rodrygo, Gonzalo Garcia, Ceballos, Francisco Garcia, Diaz, Aguado, Cestero.

Referee Davide Massa (Italy)

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Liverpool v Qarabag

Remember the summer of 2008? That was when Pep Guardiola was appointed as first-team coach at Barcelona, Jürgen Klopp arrived at Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea gambled on a certain Luiz Felipe Scolari. Since then the west London club have had 12 different permanent managers. Qarabag, who Liverpool play in the Champions League on Wednesday, have had one: Gurban Gurbanov, also known as the Azerbaijani Sir Alex Ferguson.

Gurbanov has become one of the longest serving elite coaches in the world and he has built a remarkable empire, turning the club into a force to be reckoned with in European competitions.

This season is destined to be their best. As Qarabag visit Anfield on the last matchday of the league phase of the Champions League, they have a very good chance of qualifying for the next phase. They are 18th on 10 points, one ahead of European powerhouses such as Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen and PSV Eindhoven. Even a defeat may be enough to stay in the playoff places.

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Liverpool v Qarabag team news

Ryan Gravenberch starts in defence for Liverpool, with Andy Robertson returning at left-back.

Liverpool Alisson, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Van Dijk, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Endo, Kerkez, Chiesa, Nyoni, Nallo, Morrison, Ngumoha.

Qarabag FK Kochalski, Matheus Silva, Mustafazade, Medina, Cafarquliyev, Pedro Bicalho, Jankovic, Andrade, Montiel, Zoubir, Duran.

Subs: Ramazanov, Buntic, Mmaee, Kouakou, Akhundzade, Addai, Daniel, Kashchuk, Qurbanly, Bayramov, Abbas Huseynov, Badavi Huseynov.

Referee Ivan Kruzliak (Slovakia)

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Paris Saint-Germain v Newcastle team news

A blow for Newcastle, whose captain Bruno Guimaraes is only fit enough for the bench.

Paris Saint-Germain Safonov, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Zaire Emery, Vitinha, Neves, Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Barcola.

Subs: Chevalier, James, Lucas Beraldo, Zabarnyi, Goncalo Ramos, Doue, Hernandez, Mayulu, Mbaye.

Newcastle Pope, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Hall, Miley, Ramsey, Tonali, Elanga, Willock, Woltemade.

Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Wissa, Gordon, Barnes, Osula, Jacob Murphy, Alex Murphy, Guimaraes, Shahar, Harris.

Referee Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)

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Updated at 20.37 CET

Napoli v Chelsea

This is the first meeting between the sides since a classic tie in 2011-12. Chelsea came back from a 3-1 defeat in Naples to progress on a wild night at Stamford Bridge, and one of our own was there.

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Napoli v Chelsea team news

Napoli Meret, Di Lorenzo, Juan Jesus, Buongiorno, Spinazzola, Lobotka, McTominay, Olivera, Vergara, Elmas, Hojlund.

Subs: Contini, Spinelli, Gutierrez, Lukaku, Beukema, De Chiara, Garofalo.

Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, James, Fofana, Cucurella, Santos, Caicedo, Estevao, Fernandez, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro.

Subs: Jorgensen, Merrick, Badiashile, Delap, Palmer, Bynoe-Gittens, Hato, Chalobah, George, Acheampong, Guiu, Garnacho.

Referee Clement Turpin (France)

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PSV v Bayern Munich team news

PSV Kovar, Dest, Schouten, Obispo, Junior, Til, Veerman, Man, Wanner, Perisic, Saibari.

Subs: Schiks, Smolenaars, Saleh-Eddine, Flamingo, Driouech, Bajraktarevic, Sildialli, Fernandez, Nagalo, Verkooijen.

Bayern Munich Urbig, Bischof, Upamecano, Tah, Ito, Kimmich, Pavlovic, Karl, Musiala, Diaz, Jackson.

Subs: Neuer, Ulreich, Gnabry, Goretzka, Kane, Olise, Davies, Boey, Kiala, Mike, Chavez.

Referee Joao Pedro Pinheiro (Portugal)

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Arsenal v FC Kairat team news

With Arsenal already sure of a place int he last 16, Mikel Arteta has picked a (very, very strong) reserve team.

Arsenal Arrizabalaga, White, Mosquera, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Norgaard, Havertz, Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli.

Subs: Setford, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, Salmon, Porter, Ibrahim, Bailey-Joseph.

FC Kairat Anarbekov, Shirobokov, Martynovich, Sorokin, Tapalov, Glazer, Sadybekov, Mata, Mrynskiy, Edmilson, Jorginho.

Subs: Buch, Kalmurza, Kasabulat, Kurgin, Stanojev, Gromyko, Bagdat, Ricardinho.

Referee Urs Schnyder (Switzerland)

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Updated at 20.15 CET

Man City v Galatasaray team news

Erling Haaland returns to the City side after being rested against Wolves at the weekend.

Man City Donnarumma, Matheus Luiz, Khusanov, Ake, Ait Nouri, O’Reilly, Cherki, Silva, Marmoush, Doku, Haaland.

Subs: Trafford, Bettinelli, Reijnders, Gonzalez, Foden, Gray, Mukasa, Alleyne, Lewis, Mfuni.

Galatasaray Cakir, Sallai, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs, Gundogan, Lemina, Sane, Gabriel Sara, Baris Yilmaz, Osimhen.

Subs: Sen, Guvenc, Icardi, Yunus Akgun, Elmali, Kutucu, Ayhan, Torreira, Kahraman, Karasu, Kocak, Singo.

Referee Alejandro Hernandez (Spain)

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Updated at 20.15 CET

Eintracht Frankfurt v Tottenham Hotspur team news

Randal Kolo Muani and Wilson Odobert, who were involved in a car accident yesterday, both start for Spurs.

Eintracht Frankfurt Santos, Amenda, Koch, Theate, Buta, Hojlund, Larsson, Brown, Skhiri, Gotze, Knauff.

Subs: Zetterer, Grahl, Chaibi, Dahoud, Kristensen, Bahoya, Doan, Chandler, Collins, Doumbia, Dills, Staff.

Tottenham Hotspur Vicario, Spence, Romero, Danso, Udogie, Gray, Joao Palhinha, Odobert, Sarr, Simons, Muani.

Subs: Kinsky, Austin, Solanke, Scarlett, Kyerematen, Hardy, Byfield, Rowswell, Olusesi, Hall.

Referee Jesus Gil Manzano (Spain)

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Updated at 20.16 CET

David Hytner

Eintracht Frankfurt v Tottenham Hotspur

Thomas Frank’s preparations for the Champions League game at Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night have been rocked by injuries to Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven – and a car crash affecting Randal Kolo Muani and Wilson Odobert.

The Tottenham manager reported that Kolo Muani and Odobert were OK after pictures emerged on social media of them standing by a black Ferrari with significant damage to its front end.

It is understood that the car belongs to Kolo Muani and had a tyre blowout on the motorway. Odobert was following behind in a separate vehicle and stopped to check on him. The players were making their way from the Spurs training ground to Stansted airport for the team flight to Frankfurt. Frank said neither had boarded it and they had to take a different flight to Frankfurt later on Tuesday night.

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Jonathan Wilson

Has there been a great game in the Champions League group stage this season? Probably not. Even if there had been, it almost certainly didn’t mean all that much. But that’s the way of the modern game: an extremely protracted clearing of the throat before the real business begins.

Uefa will proudly tell the world that only six teams have nothing to play for in the final round of games on Wednesday, but whether it was worth 126 games to get to the mild peril of Napoli or Club Brugge possibly going out, or the questionable thrill of finding out whether Tottenham or Atalanta will have to endure the playoff round, is debatable.

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The permutations

Look, it’s really complicated. But Billy Munday and Michael Butler have put together this very useful guide to what the 36 teams (well, 32, as four of them are out) need to do tonight.

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The Champions League table (as it stands)

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Preamble

Hello and welcome to live, goal-by-goal coverage of matchday eight in the Champions League. It’s the last night of the league phase, which means all 36 teams are playing simultaneously and every football fan on planet earth has the phrase “as it stands” on their lips.

This is the sophomore season of the Champions League’s Swiss model, so we’re still getting used to the unique chaos of this final round of fixtures. For those unfamiliar with the new format, let’s get down to brass tacks.

The top eight teams go straight through to the round of 16.

The teams finishing between ninth and 24th go into the playoff round, the draw for which takes place on Friday. Each team goes into a particular bracket based on their position: for example, with the current positions, Manchester City (11th) and Atletico Madrid (12th) would play either Monaco (21st) or PSV Eindhoven (22nd). The winners of those ties would then play Spurs (5th) or Paris Saint-Germain (6th) in the last 16.

The teams who finish between 25th and 36th get nada. Zilch. Bugger all. Not even a Conference League parachute.

City are the only English team outside the top eight going into tonight’s games, but the table is Spandex-tight: there are only two points separating Real Madrid in third and Atalanta in 13th. Arsenal and Bayern Munich have qualified for the last 16; the rest all have work to do.

We’ll attempt to keep across all 18 matches but neurological and physical restrictions may preclude this, so our main focus will be the six English teams. Here’s the full fixture list, all 8pm kick-offs.

Arsenal v Kairat Almaty

Athletic Club v Sporting CP

Atletico Madrid v Bodo/Glimt

Ajax v Olympiacos

Barcelona v Copenhagen

Bayer Leverkusen v Villarreal

Benfica v Real Madrid

Borussia Dortmund v Inter

Club Brugge v Marseille

Eintracht Frankfurt v Tottenham Hotspur

Liverpool v Qarabag

Man City v Galatasaray

Monaco v Juventus

Napoli v Chelsea

Pafos v Slavia Prague

Paris Saint-Germain v Newcastle

PSV Eindhoven v Bayern Munich

Union SG v Atalanta

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Key events

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And Will Unwin is in the one and only Clockwatch seat, with Inter v Arsenal and Real Madrid v Monaco on the agenda.

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Manchester City are having a miserable trim in Nordland. You can get the latest from their match against Bodø/Glimt with Barry Glendenning.

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This, by David Squires on Spurs and Thomas Frank, is too good

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Team news

Thomas Frank makes five changes, four of them enforced, to the team that lost against West Ham. Kevin Danso, Destiny Udogie, Lucas Bergvall, Djed Spence and Dominic Solanke replace Micky van de Van (suspended), Ben Davies (injured), Conor Gallagher, Mathys Tel (both ineligible) and Randal Kolo Muani.

With Spurs down to the bare bones, either Djed Spence or Destiny Udogie will start as a wide attacker.

Dortmund, who beat St Pauli 3-2 on Saturday, make three changes. Ramy Bensebaini, Yan Couto and Serhou Guirassy come in for Emre Can, Julian Ryerson and Fabio Silva.

Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1) Vicario; Porro, Romero, Danso, Udogie; Gray, Bergvall; Odobert, Simons, Spence; Solanke.

Subs: Kinsky, Kolo Muani, Austin, Scarlett, Olusesi, Thompson, Hardy, Byfield, Williams-Barnett, Akhamrich, Rowswell.

Borussia Dortmund (3-4-2-1) Kobel; Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Yan Couto, Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson; Adeyemi, Brandt; Guirassy.

Subs: Beier, Duranville, Chukwuemeka, Fabio Silva, Can, Sule, Ryerson, Anselmino, Ostrzinski, Meyer, Mane.

Referee Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)

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Borussia Dortmund are the best of the rest in Germany. They’re second in the Bundesliga, just 11 points behind Bayern Munich, and like Spurs they have taken 11 points from their six Champions League games. Dortmund are above Spurs on goals scored.

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David Hytner

Thomas Frank has insisted the Tottenham hierarchy are standing with him in the face of the storm gripping the club.

The manager’s job is in the balance, his situation precarious after the home defeat against West Ham on Saturday. The Spurs support were so incensed by the result and the continuation of the team’s terrible Premier League form – they have won twice in their past 13 league matches – that they demanded Frank be “sacked in the morning”.

Frank has survived, for now, and will be in the dugout for the Champions League tie at home against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. It remains to be seen whether it proves to be merely a stay of execution. Frank has a selection crisis for the Dortmund clash, with only 11 available outfield players – three of whom he said would struggle to complete the 90 minutes. His back is firmly against the wall.

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Preamble

Spurs’ Champions League campaign is going swimmingly. They’ve picked up 11 points from six games and are on course for a playoff place, perhaps even an automatic passage to the last 16. Alas, as Ange Postecoglou found out, progress in Europe does not keep the wolf from the door, or the boos from the shell-like, and there is widespread expectation that Thomas Frank will be the next Premier League manager to lose his job.

Frank has been forced to carry the entirely imaginary Dead Man Walking Stick™ after a run of two wins in 15 domestic matches. At the weekend Spurs were beaten by West Ham, extending an unfathomably poor home record – at least in the Premier League.

In the Champions League, Spurs’ home form has been perfect: three games, three wins, eight goals scored, none conceded. Tonight’s opponents, Borussia Dortmund, are a step up from Villarreal, FC Copenhagen and Slavia Prague. Spurs could do with a good performance, but all that really matters is the result.

Kick off 8pm.

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Real Madrid 0-0 Levante: More than half an hour has been played at the Bernabéu and it’s still goalless. A penny for Álvaro Arbeloa’s thoughts? He’s fielded all his superstars: Kylian Mbappé, Vini Jr and Jude Bellingham have all started the game, but Los Blancos are yet to muster a shot on target.

It really is a must win for Madrid at home against the team second bottom of La Liga.

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Preamble

Hello and welcome to Saturday’s clockwatch. We’ve got five Premier League games for you at 3pm, with West Ham traveling to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face Spurs and Burnley travelling to Anfield to play Liverpool.

Both London clubs have struggled in the past few weeks. Spurs have won just two of their last 12 games and lost to Aston Villa in the FA Cup last week. Meanwhile, West Ham progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup after beating Queens Park Rangers, but remain winless in their last 10 Premier League games. With both sides lacking flair, this game will likely be decided by set pieces – Spurs have scored 11 times from corners this season (the joint highest tally in the league) while West Ham have conceded 12 goals from corners (the highest tally in the league).

Liverpool are on a good run of form after their early season stutter, unbeaten in their last 11 games in all competitions. Burnley on the other hand, are battling relegation, but Scott Parker will be hoping that their 5-1 victory over Millwall in the FA Cup is a turning point.

I’ll also bring you updates from Chelsea v Brentford, Leeds v Fulham and Sunderland v Crystal Palace, as well as the games in the Football League, Scotland and Europe’s major leagues.

Team news is on its way shortly. Get in touch with your thoughts on today’s games.

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Updated at 15.12 CET

Preamble

Well, it has been a terrific day in the FA Cup so far, with Macclesfield’s history-making victory over Crystal Palace the undoubted highlight. There won’t quite be that kind of magic in north London this evening but rather an intriguing meeting of a couple of Premier League big beasts.

Tottenham and Thomas Frank have been having a miserable time of it in the Premier League, where they have won just twice since October – a run stretching back 12 matches. Aston Villa, meanwhile, have been in sensational form, a return to the Champions League is basically nailed on and the only concern of note is keeping hold of Unai Emery.

But in the FA Cup of late the form suggests a different story. Villa have tended towards feast or famine – in the nine years between reaching the final in 2015 and the semis last year there was a run of seven successive third-round exits sandwiched between two fourth-round defeats. Spurs have been remarkably consistent – they have been knocked out in the third round only once since 2005-06, a pretty decent two-decade run.

It all could/should make for something quite entertaining. Kick-off is at 5.45pm GMT.