For the first time since the 2011 World Cup, India will not meet Pakistan in the group stage of an ICC event. The two teams have faced each other in five ICC tournaments since 2011 – and will meet again in the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales – but cricket’s traditional rivalry will not be on show in the group stages of 2020 T20 World Cup in Australia.This is a result of the present T20I rankings, where Pakistan and India occupy the No. 1 and No. 2 spots respectively, necessitating the two teams to be placed in different groups for the tournament.

The Groups

Group A: Pakistan, Australia, West Indies, New Zealand, Qualifier 1, Qualifier 2
Group B: India, England, South Africa, Afghanistan, Qualifier 3, Qualifier 4

England and Australia aren’t guaranteed to meet each other either. While England are placed in Group B alongside India, Australia are in Group A alongside Pakistan.ALSO READ: Champions Australia to start women’s T20 World Cup against IndiaThe top-eight teams have automatically qualified for the tournament, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – ninth and tenth in the rankings respectively – will contest six other sides in the qualifying tournament in Geelong and Hobart for the remaining four spots in the Super 12s stage.Pakistan will open the Super 12s against hosts Australia at the SCG on a double-header Saturday on October 24. India will take on South Africa at the new Perth Stadium in the second match of the day. Defending champions West Indies will open their campaign against New Zealand at the MCG the next day.The SCG and the Adelaide Oval will host the semi-finals on November 11 and 12 respectively, while the final will be held at the MCG on November 15. The women’s final, which will also take place at the MCG earlier in the year, is hoping for a record crowd for a women’s sporting event at the venue.

Liverpool suffered a surprising defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise in midweek, but the result didn’t matter too much in reality as the club had already topped their Europa League group before the final round of fixtures.

Jurgen Klopp will have had one eye on the upcoming Premier League clash against Manchester United today, and he gave a rest to some of his senior players.

With Erik ten Hag under some pressure at United, it is the perfect time to face the Red Devils and the German will be looking to unleash his strongest available starting XI.

This will include Darwin Nunez, who came on for a brief cameo against USG on Thursday evening, and he will be well-rested to face the Old Trafford side.

Darwin Núñez’s statistics this season

The 6 foot 1 centre-forward has settled into life at Anfield better this season than during his maiden campaign, and he already has seven goals and seven assists across 23 matches during 2023/24.

The Uruguayan has missed 15 big chances however and this is an area in which he really needs to improve, especially if he wants to score 20-plus goals per season.

The striker does rank first across the squad for shots per game (three) along with ranking third for big chances created (six) and third for scoring frequency (a goal every 220 minutes) and this indicates that he could prove to be a solid attacking threat against United today.

Lauded by journalist Theo Squires as an “agent of chaos” before the Reds took on Real Madrid in the Champions League last term, his unpredictability could be a big advantage for Klopp.

United’s defence is flagging, and they have conceded 21 league goals already this term, six more than Liverpool.

Darwin Núñez’s record against Manchester United

The former Benfica hitman has only played against United once during his career. He was suspended for the first meeting of the 2022/23 campaign last August as Liverpool suffered a 2-1 defeat, but he was available for the return clash a few months later.

That match proved to be historic as Liverpool secured a stunning 7-0 win over their rivals and humiliated United in the process.

Nunez managed to score twice during the tie while also missing a big chance and taking four shots in total and with a bit of luck, he may well have had a hat trick.

This performance could play a part in Klopp’s selection ahead of the game and with several big names rested prior to the clash, the Anfield side will be raring to go.

Another massive win against the Red Devils could further boost their Premier League title hopes and should give them the confidence to secure another couple of wins before the end of 2023.

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Nunez may have missed a few chances this season, but he has improved following a stop-start 2022/23 season and if he can replicate his display during the 7-0 win back in March, the United defence will struggle to cope with him.

While Everton had been sitting around mid-table, a ten-point deduction for breaching Financial Fair Player regulations plunged the side down into the relegation zone, with their status in the Premier League more uncertain than ever before.

Sean Dyche's men were looking to bounce back with a victory in front of a packed-out Goodison Park on Sunday when Manchester United came to town but were left stunned by an incredible goal from Alejandro Garnacho within 180 seconds.

In the end, the Toffees were defeated 3-0 and failed to convert a single opportunity from an xG of 2.5, proving to the manager that a lot of work still needs to be done if the Merseysiders are to stay up this season. Nevertheless, Dyche is looking to rectify these problems in January.

Everton transfer news – Kasey McAteer

According to Football Transfers, Everton are in the market for a new winger and are keeping tabs on Leicester City's star winger Kasey McAteer ahead of the winter window which opens in just a few weeks, but face competition from fellow relegation battlers Crystal Palace.

McAteer's contract is set to expire at the end of the 2024/25 campaign but the outlet have gone on to report that the Foxes are hoping to tie the 22-year-old down to a new deal.

The attacker rose through Leicester's academy and made a Premier League appearance under Brendan Rodgers two seasons ago, coming off the bench in a 4-0 win against Newcastle United before being sent out on loan to Forest Green Rovers and AFC Wimbledon.

It was with the latter that head coach Johnnie Jackson described McAteer as "wonderful" for his performances with the Wombles.

Upon being relegated from the top flight, Enzo Maresca took charge and found a role for McAteer within the team, with the academy product featuring 13 times in all competitions already, including 11 in the Championship as Leicester have soared to the top of the table early on and look primed to return to the promised land.

However, McAteer may not have to wait much longer to play Premier League football again…

Kasey McAteer's stats this season

McAteer has scored five goals in his 13 appearances so far this season, including a brace during a 2-1 win over Rotherham United earlier in the campaign as well as a goal at Anfield in a narrow 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in the EFL Cup. From his 11 games in the Championship, seven have been starts, showing the faith that Maresca has put in the largely inexperienced player.

His stats this term have been incredibly impressive too. Compared to all other wingers in England's second tier, the Everton target is sitting in the top 1% for non-penalty goals per 90 and non-penalty expected goals per 90, the top 10% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 and the top 7% for pass completion, as per FBref.

Compared to Everton's first-choice wide players Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil, McAteer is performing better in a number of key attacking metrics.

Goals

0.67

0.14

0

Expected Goals

0.5

0.15

0.14

Assists

0

0.41

0.21

Expected Assists

0.13

0.1

0.3

Progressive Passes

2.5

1.86

2.5

Progressive Carries

3.91

2.37

2.86

Progressive Passes Received

10.6

4.75

4.52

Key Passes

0.78

1.19

1.79

Passes To Final 1/3

0.78

0.34

0.95

Stats via FBref

McAteer only falls down in terms of assists and key passes compared to Everton's wide duo. However, the forward outranks Harrison and McNeil in every other area.

Furthermore, the Leicester star is currently averaging 1.09 passes to the penalty area per 90 and 2.13 crosses per 90, according to FBref, which would suit Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin given that 20 of his 76 career goals have been from headers.

With such quality service from the flanks, Calvert-Lewin could well help to build on his tally of three league goals this season, while also having a clinical presence McAteer in the final third would also help to ease the reliance on the Toffees' number nine.

The young winger isn't as creative as Harrison and McNeil but is far more of a threat in and around the penalty area. Dyche will certainly add goals to his forward line should he manage to sign the Leicester ace this January which could help the Toffees to stave off relegation.

IPL 2019 opening ceremony to be scrapped, money will be distributed to families of victims of Pulwama terror attack instead

Nagraj Gollapudi22-Feb-20191:06

Will take a call on World Cup match in consultation with government – Vinod Rai

The BCCI has kept on hold its decision on playing Pakistan in the World Cup this June but, taking a broader stand, has requested the ICC to ask its members to “sever ties with countries from which terrorism emanates”, and also raised the issue of security at the tournament, to be hosted by the ECB. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Indian cricket board on Friday, chaired by the three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) and attended by chief executive officer Rahul Johri.IPL 2019 opening ceremony scrapped

The BCCI has decided not to conduct the usual opening ceremony for this year’s IPL, which starts on March 23. “The budget for that would be distributed to the families of victims of the latest terror attack,” it was announced.

A letter to this effect was sent by Johri to the ICC heads, including its chairman Shashank Manohar and chief executive Dave Richardson, along with World Cup tournament director Steve Elworthy and ECB chairman Colin Graves. Although the letter was signed by Johri, he mentioned that it was being sent at the behest of the CoA, the supervisory authority of the BCCI till it conducts fresh elections.Asked after the meeting whether India would play Pakistan in their World Cup group match, scheduled for June 16 in Manchester, Rai said a decision could not be taken right away. “June 16 is very far away. We will take a call on that much later and in consultation with government,” he said.This development came after the BCCI had mulled the option of calling for a complete ban on Pakistan from the upcoming World Cup, via a draft letter prepared on Wednesday.The moves are in response to the recent terror attack in Pulwama in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir in which more than 40 paramilitary troops were killed. A Pakistan-based terrorist organisation has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the Indian government’s stand is that Pakistan supports terrorism in India. Imran Khan, Pakistan’s prime minister and Patron of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has denied that allegation and asked India to share actionable evidence.In his letter, Johri said the urgent communication to the ICC and the World Cup organisers was necessitated by the “dastardly” terrorist attack in Pulwama, which had left the BCCI concerned about the safety of the Indian players and match officials as well as fans. “This communication is being addressed to voice the BCCI’s concerns and sentiments that have emerged after the recent dastardly terrorist attack…” Johri said in the letter.It said that “most countries from which the members of the ICC hail (including United Kingdom) have strongly condemned this terrorist attack and expressed solidarity with India. BCCI urges the cricketing community to sever ties with countries from which terrorism emanates.”On the issue of security at the World Cup, the letter said it “trusts that the ICC and ECB will ensure that the most robust security is provided to players, match officials and fans of Indian cricket.”The ICC has not yet reacted to the BCCI letter but on Tuesday, while marking the 100-day countdown to the World Cup in London, both Richardson and Elworthy had said that the safety of everyone concerned – participants as well fans – would always be a priority.The BCCI letter comes after widespread outrage in India over the Pulwama attack. Many prominent Indian cricketers even have urged the BCCI to boycott playing Pakistan in the World Cup. Although the letter makes no mention on whether India will contest against Pakistan at all in the World Cup, Johri said the BCCI “reserves all its rights and entitlements”.

Zambia are at risk of missing the women's football tournament at this summer's Olympics over charges against the country's senior football officials.

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• Zambia threatened with FIFA suspension
• Charges brought against senior officials
• Women could be forced out of Olympics

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Doubts have emerged over whether Zambia's women will be allowed to compete at the Olympics in France this summer. It follows the potential threat of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) being suspended by FIFA.

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  THE EXPLANATION

  FAZ president Andrew Kamanga stands accused of obtaining government funds under false pretences and involvement in conspiracy to defraud. Reuben Kamanga, FAZ general secretary, and support staff Madalitso Kamanga and Jairous Siame have also been charged. But all have denied those charges. reports that FIFA has already written to FAZ to request relevant documents "received in relation to the accusations". FIFA additionally instructed FAZ to hold its AGM after an injunction accusing Kamaga of changing the governing body's constitution without following procedure was filed in the country's high court to stop it taking place. Failure to hold the AGM could be grounds for FIFA suspending FAZ's membership. The knock-on from that would be the women's national team not getting the chance to take part in the Olympic tournament.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Zambia's Racheal Kundananji became the most expensive female player in the world in January when she moved from Madrid CFF to NWSL side Bay FC for a record fee of $860,000 (£625,000).

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ZAMBIA?

  If the FAZ situation is resolved without suspension from FIFA and Zambia are allowed to go the Olympics, they will face three tough games but will back themselves to cause an upset. The Copper Queens are due to face Emma Hayes' USWNT on July 25, followed by Australia three days later, and then Germany on July 31. They famously pulled off a 3-2 friendly win over Germany in the build-up to last summer's World Cup.

MatériaMais Notícias

Na manhã deste sábado (06), o Corinthians deu sequência na preparação para o próximo compromisso pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. Na próxima quarta (10), às 21h30, na Neo Química Arena, o Timão recebe o Athletico-PR, em partida válida pela 35ª rodada da competição.

Web não perdoa rebaixamento do Botafogo para Série B; veja os memes

Na atividade do dia, o grupo que participou do coletivo do treinamento de sexta-feira realizou apenas a primeira parte do trabalho: um exercício de pressão em espaço reduzido. Depois, esses atletas trotaram em volta dos campos do CT Dr. Joaquim Grava.

TIMÃO NA LIBERTA? VEJA A TABELA E SIMULE O RESTANTE DO BRASILEIRÃO

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Os jogadores que iniciaram a última partida, na vitória por 2 a 1 contra o Ceará, fizeram um treino de movimentação das linhas. Na reta final, o técnico Vagner Mancini separou os atletas em dois times de cinco jogadores para um jogo em espaço reduzido.

O lateral-esquerdo Lucas Piton, que passou por uma operação de hérnia inguinal há quase um mês, segue em transição. Ele participou da fase final do coletivo de ontem e também do início do treinamento de hoje.

O Alvinegro,8º colocado com 48 pontos, volta a treinar neste domingo (07), pela manhã, no CT Dr. Joaquim Grava.

UEFA has confirmed that the maximum squad size for the 2024 European Championships has been expanded to 26 players, from the original quota of 23.

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UEFA to allow three more players to be pickedEngland boss Gareth Southgate had complainedAllows fringe players a chance to be selectedWHAT HAPPENED?

UEFA confirmed on Friday that the original quota for Euro 2024 squads has been expanded from 23 players to 26. Both the 2022 World Cup and the delayed Euro 2020 tournament allowed teams to pick up to 26 players, as a result of potential COVID infections, but after managerial complaints, the governing body have expanded the numbers once again.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

England boss Gareth Southgate acknowledged that he had held discussions over potentially upping the size of squads, while Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman felt it would allow teams to better absorb the potential impact of injuries at the competition.

DID YOU KNOW?

Squads for Euro 2024 must be submitted to UEFA by June 7, and teams still have the option of selecting 23 players should they wish, although it is difficult to imagine any teams doing so. It opens the door for potential surprise picks; England, for example, could now select Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze or Ajax's Jordan Henderson.

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getty imagesWHAT NEXT?

Seasons across Europe must finish before the tournament begins. The competition will kick off on June 14, when Germany play Scotland.

The potential return date for an “outstanding” injured Newcastle United player has been revealed, in what is another huge setback for Eddie Howe.

Newcastle injury news

The Magpies' bad luck in the fitness department this season is scarcely believable, with Howe having to battle on without so many key players at different times. There are almost too many individuals to mention, in terms of those who have missed a significant amount of playing time, but the likes of Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Joelinton, Joe Willock, Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak are all among them, in what has been a nightmare situation.

On Saturday evening, Newcastle picked up a crucial 1-0 win at home to Manchester United in the Premier League, and while the home crowd were in great spirits, they again had to witness a big injury blow. Nick Pope was forced off the pitch with a dislocated shoulder after falling awkwardly late on, and the Magpies goalkeeper was in a lot of discomfort.

It was clear immediately that it could be a serious problem for him, just adding to the list of woes for the manager, whose side are performing admirably at the moment amid so many setbacks.

Newcastle dealt Nick Pope blow

According to a new injury update from Football Insider reporter Pete O'Rourke, Newcastle could now be without the services of Pope for as long as four months, acting as a huge concern.

"Newcastle United fear that Nick Pope could be sidelined for up to four months after dislocating his shoulder in the 1-0 win over Manchester United, Football Insider can reveal. The 31-year-old hobbled off the pitch at St James’ Park on Saturday evening after falling awkwardly during a dive."

This is a potentially enormous moment in Newcastle's season, considering what a consistent and influential performer Pope has been over a sustained period at St James' Park.

It is rather head-scratching that the 31-year-old has lost his place in England's squad recently, with Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone preferred to him by Gareth Southgate, but Howe knows exactly how key he is, saying of him earlier in the season:

"I thought Nick was outstanding today. He was excellent against Brentford although he didn’t have a lot to do and his all-round game was at his highest level. It’s no coincidence, two big displays and two clean sheets from him which is absolutely crucial to us. He was a huge part of our success last year and no doubt he’ll be the same this year."

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Potentially not having Pope available until the spring is so concerning when it comes to Newcastle's hopes of securing a top-four finish in the Premier League. The hope is that Pope's absence doesn't end up being as long as that, but if that proves to be the case, the Magpies could even consider signing a new 'keeper in January on a short-term basis, in order to give Howe more options.

England bowler takes ‘encouragement’ from talks with national selector Ed Smith about ODI prospects

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Mar-2019He may have been all but pigeon-holed as a 20-over specialist but, having done everything he could to thrust his name to the forefront of selectors’ minds in England’s opening T20I win over West Indies, Chris Jordan hopes his ODI World Cup ship has not sailed.With the T20 World Cup more than 18 months away, the three-match T20I series in the Caribbean represents little more than bonus entertainment for a fan base already spoiled by the excitement of the preceding three Tests and four ODIs, and a chance for both nations to hone their thinking about the ODI World Cup starting at the end of May – West Indies have even retained their ODI squad and captain for the T20I series.Jordan has not played an ODI in more than two years and his latest feats did come in the shorter format, but they reminded interested onlookers of his value with the ball and in the field.For his part, Jordan said it was all about “enjoyment” and it was easy to see why. He removed Chris Gayle cheaply for the first time since the ODI Player of the Series returned to the fold for West Indies’ limited-overs campaigns against England, and dismissed Darren Bravo with a brilliant a caught-and-bowled to finish with 2-16 off three overs.”The Caribbean is a lovely place to play cricket, my family will be here watching most games, just enjoy it and let results take care of themselves,” the Barbadian-born Jordan said, adding that he remained hopeful of securing a World Cup berth. “I hope the ship hasn’t sailed. I can’t get too far ahead in my thinking, I’m not that type of character. One game at a time and let the outcomes take care of themselves.”Jordan revealed he had spoken about his one-day prospects with national selector Ed Smith.”I’ve had conversations with Ed when squads are being picked and he’s always said I’m there or thereabouts, in the discussions,” Jordan said. “That gives me encouragement. T20 cricket is what I’m involved with at the minute, anything past that I’ll leave to the selectors and the captain.”Jordan was also hoping for the best for Jofra Archer, who was also born in Barbados and is expected to qualify for England under ECB residency rules in time for the World Cup, should he be selected.”I speak to him every day, literally every day, he’s like my little brother,” Jordan said of 23-year-old Archer. “One of the things I admire about Jofra, for a kid so young he’s got a good head on his shoulders. There is noise about him potentially playing in the series… if it happens I’m more than certain he’ll rise to the occasion because he’s that type of person and that type of character.”Jordan said he continued to work hard on his bowling and fielding, which was sharply in focus when he tempted Bravo with a newly developed slower ball and then changed direction on his follow through to take that spectacular one-handed catch sprawling to his right.”That was good,” Jordan said. “When I bowled the slower ball initially I wasn’t sure if I was getting there. Then, the closer I got I realised I was getting there and it stuck in my hand.”Not many catches are that easy, to be honest, you see them go down in games. You try to practice as much as possible, practice slip catching and outfield catching and when you get into game time when moments like that come you’ve almost played it over in your head already. I’m just glad it came off. I pride myself on my fielding in general. I do work hard on it.”And of the slower ball, he said: “Yeah, I have been adding a couple of slower balls to my arsenal. I don’t want to give away too much on it given I got a wicket with it, but it’s a new one.”Jordan had no qualms about not bowling at the death in the T20I series opener, which England won by four wickets with seven balls remaining. That role went to Tom Curran, who ended the match as the pick of the England bowlers, claiming 4-36 off his four overs.”It’s normally my role in the team, one or two (overs) in the Powerplay and two at the death, but my role is also to adapt and be versatile, be ready whenever the captain calls on me,” Jordan said. “TC did a brilliant job, took four wickets and bowled a brilliant last over, but next time it might be me. That’s the type of team we’re in, we’re not selfish characters and we just keep everyone improving.”

The January transfer window is open for business next month and Liverpool could look to bolster their playing squad ahead of the second half of the season.

Jurgen Klopp could dip into the market to improve his options as the Reds look to compete for silverware in 2024, starting with the semi-finals of the League Cup against Fulham.

One player who has been linked with a possible move to Anfield is Villarreal forward Alex Baena, who is also being eyed up by Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Arsenal.

Related Klopp could unearth his own De Bruyne in Liverpool swoop for £51m magician

The impressive midfielder is a reported target for the Reds ahead of January.

Posts ByDan Emery Dec 10, 2023

90min reported that all four of those clubs have shown an interest in the Spanish attacker and that they may have to meet his £51m release clause to secure his services at the start of next year.

Klopp could now land an upgrade on current left winger Luis Diaz by winning the race for Baena's signature when the January window opens.

Luis Diaz's season in numbers

The Colombia international is in his third Premier League season, his second full one, and is yet to showcase his quality as a scorer or a creator of goals on a consistent basis.

Diaz racked up eight goals, five assists, and four 'big chances' created in 30 top-flight appearances during his first 18 months at the club.

22/23 Premier League

Luis Diaz (via Sofascore)

Appearances

17

Goals

Four

Big chances missed

Two

Assists

Two

Big chances created

Two

This season, the 26-year-old whiz has contributed with three goals, zero assists, and one 'big chance' created in 16 Premier League outings, to go along with 1.1 key passes per match.

These statistics show that the former Porto star has not been a reliable scorer or creator for Liverpool as a right-footed left winger over the last two years or so.

The statistics that show why Liverpool should sign Baena

Whereas, Baena has showcased his ability to be a consistently impressive creative threat down the left side of the attack – or in central areas as an attacking midfielder – for his side.

The 22-year-old ace, who is four years younger than Diaz and has more time left to develop and improve, has produced seven goals and 20 'big chances' created in 51 LaLiga outings since the start of last season – despite only 35 coming as a starter.

Meanwhile, the Liverpool attacker has only created five 'big chances' for his teammates in 46 Premier League appearances for the Reds – 34 as a starter.

Over the last 365 days, Diaz has averaged 4.52 shot-creating actions and produced 0.11 Expected Assisted Goals per 90, which ranks him within the top 24% and the bottom 11% respectively of his positional peers within the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions.

Baena, on the other hand, ranks within the top 2% of his positional peers for xAG (0.26) and assists (0.29) per 90 during the same period, whilst the Reds forward is in the bottom 2% for assists with zero per 90.

These statistics suggest that the Villarreal ace, who was once hailed as "beautiful" and an "architect" by journalist Josh Bunting, could come in as an upgrade on Diaz for Klopp due to his sensational creative quality that significantly outweighs the Colombian's.