Football

Reece James and N’Golo Kante will see specialists over the weekend amid fears the Chelsea duo might miss the World Cup.

James limped out of Tuesday’s Champions League win over AC Milan with what gave the impression to be a knee damage whereas Kante was unavailable for that match having suffered a setback in his restoration from a hamstring concern. It has been recommended that each might fall quick of their restoration earlier than the World Cup kicks off in Qatar little over a month from now, a hammer blow for each the England and France nationwide groups.

Talking forward of his facet’s Premier League recreation in opposition to Aston Villa, Graham Potter supplied no conclusive suggestion that both participant could be unavailable for the match earlier than additional exams are carried out. Equally he did nothing to quell fears over a prolonged absence for arguably Chelsea’s two most vital gamers with James’ evaluation this week believed to be to determine whether or not or not he’ll bear surgical procedure.

“He is attributable to see a specialist over the weekend, till we get that info there’s not an excessive amount of I can add,” Potter mentioned of James. “The remaining could be hypothesis from my perspective. We have to test. There’s discomfort.

“Yesterday he felt not too dangerous however till you get these items checked you by no means know. We’ll wait and see. There isn’t any level trying into the doomsday situation but.”

On his French midfielder, who has not performed for the reason that draw with Tottenham two months in the past, Potter added: “Kante is because of see a guide on the weekend. It is a setback, I am unable to offer you any greater than that.”

Whereas James’ damage was a bolt from the blue, Kante has struggled for health lately and performed simply 45 video games for membership and nation in 2021-22, the place he missed time for six separate points. Certainly he has performed simply three video games for Les Bleus for the reason that European Championships and time is working out for him to construct sharpness earlier than video games kick off in Qatar subsequent month.

“Traditionally there are issues which have occurred which we’re involved about,” mentioned Potter. “It is a setback within the final stage which is a priority. We now have to attempt get him again to full health and having fun with his soccer.”

It has since been reported by David Ornstein that Kante will miss the World Cup in its entirety and may very well be sidelined for as much as three months, a timescale that might not solely see him miss the match however would probably restrict his involvement in Chelsea’s first video games after membership soccer’s return. A prolonged absence may also immediate questions on what kind of contract, if any, the membership ought to provide to one in all their greatest gamers lately.

Potter added that Wesley Fofana, who’s struggling with a knee damage is unlikely to characteristic earlier than the World Cup.

Craving much more protection of the world’s recreation? Pay attention beneath and observe ¡Qué Golazo! A Day by day CBS Soccer Podcast the place we take you past the pitch and across the globe for commentary, previews, recaps and extra.

James’ damage provides Southgate an almighty headache

The appropriate flank was purported to be the realm the place England had virtually limitless depth. Certainly, Southgate’s choices had reached an virtually parodic stage, sufficient that final 12 months we might pitch an all right-back XI that did not look all that dangerous on paper (unsure about Walker in purpose or Tariq Lamptey up prime however the remainder might do you a job). It was not nearly numbers both. England had amount and high quality. Make a listing of the 5 greatest proper backs on the earth and three would in all probability be English. The function all of them will play in Qatar is now doubtful.

James’ damage on Monday night time got here simply days after Kyle Walker’s involvement within the World Cup was thrown into doubt attributable to groin surgical procedure. There stay hopes for his availability however what function he’ll be capable of play in the entire match is to this point unknown. Trent Alexander-Arnold can also be injured however is predicted to have recovered earlier than the pause within the membership season. On the finish of the worldwide break, when he was overlooked of the matchday squad to face Germany, there have been questions over whether or not the Liverpool star, as disruptive a determine as the fitting again place has seen in a era, would even make Gareth Southgate’s squad. 

If James can not journey that may open a door for Alexander-Arnold while tightening Kieran Trippier’s grip on a spot within the 26 man get together. There are different choices for Southgate to proceed. Arguably the most effective performing English full again this season, Ben White of Arsenal was ignored for the final squad however may be an choice to cowl for Walker on the fitting facet of a again three, the system that England appear to have settled on.

Plugging the wing again place may be tougher. James has excelled in that place for Chelsea, Alexander-Arnold tends to play in a 4 man protection with Liverpool. One may make the case that having one other defender behind him will convey out the most effective within the 24 12 months previous, all too typically a shadow of his membership self when he dons an England shirt. However Southgate has tried and failed with Alexander-Arnold. Trippier appears to rise a number of ranges on the worldwide stage and if James is lacking it appears eminently believable that England will go along with what they know works. 

Only one group within the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League has a pair of undefeated groups, and they’re going to sq. off Tuesday on Paramount+. Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica each sport 2-1-0 information after the 2 performed to a 1-1 draw final week. With each squads additionally having the identical purpose differential, the one distinction between the 2 is that PSG has scored yet another purpose by their UCL run. That offers the Parisians the sting in Group H, however whoever wins on Matchday 4 can have sole possession of first place. You possibly can stream the match dwell on Paramount+.

Kickoff from Parc des Princes in Paris, France is ready for 3 p.m. ET. The newest PSG vs. Benfica odds from Caesars Sportsbook listing PSG as -205 favorites (threat $205 to win $100) on the 90-minute cash line, with Benfica the +525 underdogs. A draw is priced at +350 and the over/below for complete targets scored is 3.5. Tuesday’s match shall be streamed dwell on Paramount+ with their must-have Premium plan.

Paramount+ is the one place to watch each minute of each UEFA Champions League match this season. Join now to get a 7-day free trial. A subscription additionally provides you entry to different sports activities content material together with the UEFA Europa League, Italian Serie A, NWSL, NFL on CBS, and numerous motion pictures and exhibits. Get all of it free for 7 days if you join proper right here.  

How you can watch Benfica vs. PSG

• PSG vs. Benfica date: Tuesday, Oct. 11
• PSG vs. Benfica time: 3 p.m. ET
• PSG vs. Benfica dwell stream: Paramount+

UEFA Champions League picks for PSG vs. Benfica

Earlier than you tune in to Tuesday’s match, you want to see the UEFA Champions League picks from SportsLine’s soccer insider Martin Inexperienced. After working within the sports activities betting business for a number of years, Inexperienced turned an expert sports activities author and handicapper and has lined the sport worldwide. Since then, his European soccer picks have been spot-on. Inexperienced has generated nearly $33,000 for $100 bettors because the 2017-18 season, and he has his finger on the heart beat of the sport everywhere in the globe.

For PSG vs. Benfica, Inexperienced is backing PSG to win and each groups to attain at +140 odds. That is what practically occurred once they performed final week however Neymar’s shot hit the crossbar within the second half and the sport led to a 1-1 draw. Now, PSG has the home-field benefit in addition to momentum after dominating, statistically, within the first assembly. PSG held possession for 65% of the match and had practically twice as many complete photographs (15) as Benfica had (eight).

Relationship again to final season, PSG have received their final 5 UCL residence video games and averaged 2.5 targets throughout these matches. However they’ve additionally conceded in eight of their final 9 Champions League fixtures general, together with all three this season. Benfica have gotten targets from 4 completely different gamers of their present UCL run, however the crew’s main scorer, Goncalo Ramos, has but to attain within the European competitors. Meaning there’s much more scoring potential for the membership which is why Inexperienced sees Benfica discovering the again of the web as properly. 

How you can watch, dwell stream UEFA Champions League on Paramount+

Now that what to choose, prepare to observe the UEFA Champions League. Go to Paramount+ now to see UEFA Champions League motion, your dwell native CBS sporting occasions, a few of the world’s prime soccer matchups and far more. 

The second half of the Champions League group levels is upon us (catch all of the motion on Paramount+). For the likes of Actual Madrid, Bayern Munich and Membership Brugge (sure, actually) the possibility to safe swift qualification looms massive. For others the combat to increase their involvement in Europe past Christmas is firmly on. Here’s what we’re conserving a watch out for:

Rangers vs. Liverpool: Reds go away an excessive amount of house however get away with it

For starters, it’s in all probability value noting that Liverpool are doubtless not going to be as severely punished for his or her failings in midweek as they had been on Sunday… and is likely to be once more this coming weekend. Both aspect of their journey to Glasgow they’ve come up in opposition to maybe the 2 finest groups within the Premier League, Arsenal having claimed the function of Manchester Metropolis’s understudy for themselves with a deserved 3-2 win. Talking after that sport Jurgen Klopp acknowledged that he had deeper considerations than simply how his aspect had been overwhelmed on the Emirates Stadium — “in fact I’m not blissful – how can I be?” — and even when he noticed some indicators of a means out of the disaster that has seen Liverpool crash out of the title race. “What you construct along with your hand you knock down along with your bottom,” he bemoaned.

One may choose any variety of points that want addressing proper now. Mohamed Salah seems to be a bit of off his finest kind and he will certainly have to hold a better inventive burden with the spectacular Luis Diaz dealing with a spell on the sidelines together with Trent Alexander-Arnold. Liverpool’s proper again had extra lowlight moments defensively while on the alternative flank Kostas Tsimikas has not developed into the intense different for Andrew Robertson that he gave the impression to be earlier in his Anfield profession.

However then, in opposition to Arsenal, there gave the impression to be a extra profound downside than something particular person. With and with out the ball, Liverpool’s spacing appeared utterly askew from the outset. Take this second earlier than Gabriel Martinelli‘s opener, Alisson has six choices in shut proximity to him (Virgil van Dijk’s positioning to the left was not picked up by TV cameras), sufficient to maneuver across the hosts’ press. However, out of shot solely, are the attacking quartet that Klopp launched to his system in midweek; they’re throughout the midway line, leaving a chasm that may solely be bridged by an extended ball.

Liverpool virtually trend one thing throughout that hole, however then that creates issues of its personal. Thiago and Jordan Henderson cost ahead when it seems to be like William Saliba has given possession away within the ultimate third. Six seconds later they’re taken out of the play and the midfield that must be shielding Liverpool’s again three seems to be like this.

Henderson cannot get again rapidly sufficient to dam the go infield and Martin Odegaard slips the ball in behind for Martinelli. As the primary half wore on Liverpool’s midfield duo pushed the play up in the direction of Arsenal’s aim and every now and then the Gunners appeared hemmed in by what had turn into a entrance six however there was a couple of event the place they broke by way of the primary press and located large tracts of land in behind that had been as soon as occupied by Fabinho. 

When the Gunners flew threw to attain their second on the stroke of half time Thiago was visibly flagging as Odegaard sprinted away from him. A two man midfield can work for Liverpool or any staff but when each midfielders are going to play field to field roles then they should have engines that these two 30-somethings do not. The midfield was once Liverpool’s bulwark in opposition to counter-attacking. Now it appears to ask it. The guests will in all probability nonetheless have sufficient to get the job completed however Ryan Kent will certainly be licking his lips on the house he could also be afforded on Wednesday night time.

Atletico Madrid vs. Membership Brugge: Win streak ends for group leaders

By way of three video games of the group stage two groups have three wins to their title with no aim conceded. One, Bayern Munich, is eminently predictable. The latter was virtually unimaginable. There was a common consensus that Group B is likely to be extensive open but when any staff was going to be separated from the remainder it might be Membership Brugge. Not, it was assumed, as a result of they’d maintain a six level lead on the prime of the desk and are virtually definitely sure for the knockout levels.

One may need anticipated this to be a tricky marketing campaign for a rookie head coach in Carl Hoefkens, one who had misplaced his finest participant (Charles De Ketelaere) and several other different starters. As an alternative his employers recruited shrewdly, most notably in bringing Ferran Jutgla from Barcelona, and the brand new boss arrange his staff to play in fearless trend. Of their 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid they pushed their wing-backs excessive and allowed two of their three midfielders to assault the penalty space. As Jutgla bends of their profitable aim there are 4 different Brugge gamers within the field, sufficient to overwhelm an Atletico protection that is not what it was.

However for all that the rating pointed to a complete win for Brugge, Diego Simeone was not fallacious when he mentioned that each one Atletico had been lacking was “precision”. Alvaro Morata ought to have discovered the online within the twenty fifth minute when performed in behind. Yannick Carrasco and Antoine Griezmann had been each unlucky to slash efforts in opposition to the aspect netting. Even at 2-0 down the guests had sufficient possibilities to win the sport, not least the penalty Griezmann slammed in opposition to the bar.

The Belgians’ attacking convictions have made them one of the crucial gratifying groups to look at within the Champions League this season, not only for what they do within the ultimate third however for the again door they left open in opposition to their opponents final week. Hoefkens’ aspect haven’t outshot their opponent in any of the three video games thus far in Europe and nearly shade the anticipated objectives (xG) battle by 4.8 to 4.2. They’re within the backside quartile for pictures allowed but haven’t conceded a aim. Solely Andre Onana and Anatoliy Trubin have outperformed their post-shot xG greater than Simon Mignolet as shotstoppers, who has confronted pictures on targets value 2.9 xG. He was distinctive within the win over Atletico might be honest to imagine that the previous Liverpool goalkeeper shouldn’t be going to proceed on a tempo that might place him among the many finest goalkeepers in Europe.

Mignolet is probably going consultant of a sizzling streak that merely will not final — although Brugge bought a good bit of their regression to the xG imply out of the way in which in a shock 2-0 defeat to Westerlo on the weekend — however they’ve virtually definitely completed sufficient already to ensure their spot within the final 16 forward of groups with far better means.

AC Milan vs. Chelsea: Hosts cowl final week’s Achilles heel

Stefano Pioli at the least returned from London properly conscious of the place his aspect had misplaced the battle with Chelsea final Wednesday. Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and specifically Reece James had run AC Milan ragged on the flanks, turning a match the place neither aspect had been massively spectacular right into a convincing 3-0 win for the Blues. It was a sport the place probably the most pronounced distinction was at full again. Chelsea had top-of-the-line gamers on this planet in that place while in Fode Ballo-Toure and Sergino Dest, Milan had been deploying two gamers who merely weren’t Champions League caliber.

It was instantly obvious how a lot stronger Milan seemed down the flanks on Saturday when Theo Hernandez returned to the aspect and Pierre Kalulu shifted out extensive from central protection. Not as soon as did Juventus efficiently full a cross from Kalulu’s aspect, fairly a feat for the younger Frenchman contemplating that he was defending in opposition to the unerring accuracy of Filip Kostic. Massimiliano Allegri’s aspect got here to the San Siro lining up in a 4-4-2 and had no pleasure down the flanks. It means that Pioli has discovered an answer, a solution to tighten issues up out extensive.

Hernandez, in the meantime, supplied Milan extra than simply defensive solidity. The issue for Milan on Wednesday was not simply that they may not defend their flanks however that neither Ballo-Toure nor Dest might get the ball up the pitch. The France worldwide didn’t shrink back from possession in any respect, certainly no participant tried extra passes than Hernandez, who drifted into central areas to help within the construct up play. “Theo performed in midfield when he had the ball, we had ready this case so it might have been simpler for [Rafael] Leao to have one vs. one conditions on the left,” mentioned Pioli. “Theo is sensible sufficient to learn conditions properly, we needed to have two playmakers and two midfielders past their central midfielders.”

Will tightening up the complete backs be sufficient to hold Milan to victory within the San Siro? It stays one thing of a toss up because the Serie A champions battle a bunch of accidents, now together with De Ketelaere. The Belgian’s absence may enhance the attacking pressure on Leao much more and for probably the most half Chelsea did properly to limit the availability line into the Portuguese ahead. That is likely to be sufficient to maintain Milan from profitable the sport however at the least on this event Milan may have an avenue to provide nearly as good as they get on the flanks.