Liverpool face Bayern Munich in what is arguably the pick of next week’s Champions League fixtures. The first game is at Anfield on Tuesday night and while Bayern are not the same team they were under Pep Guardiola or when they won the competition in 2013 under Jupp Heynckes, Liverpool will have to bring their ‘A Game’ to get past them. Jurgen Klopp has a number of absentees for the first leg with Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez injured while Virgil van Dijk is suspended. How Liverpool could line up against Bayern Munich How Bayern Munich could line up against Liverpool Meanwhile, Niko Kovac also has some absentees, including Arjen…

The two-time World Cup champion and Champions League winner believes the Barcelona star will surpass Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo before long With continuity, Barcelona star Neymar will become the best player in the world, claims former Brazil international Cafu. Messi & Ronaldo wages dwarfed by highest-paid sportsman Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo have set the standard in football, going head-to-head for club and individual honours season after season. Editors' Picks Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders Liverpool put on a five-star show Lukaku sends reminder that his Man Utd career…

Maurizio Sarri will name a strong Chelsea line-up for Monday’s FA Cup fifth round clash against Manchester United, which comes with the Italian under serious pressure. Thursday’s Europa League defeat of Malmo did little to stabilise Sarri’s position at Stamford Bridge despite it ending a run of four successive away losses, including last weekend’s humbling by Manchester City. The Blues have now fallen out the Premier League’s top four, but they can do nothing to right that wrong this weekend with the league taking a back seat and cup action coming to the forefront. Chelsea host Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round in what is a repeat of…

Rangers have demanded the Scottish Football Association to review their disciplinary system “as a matter of extreme urgency” after Hampden chiefs refused to overturn Allan McGregor’s two-game ban. The Ibrox goalkeeper was unsuccessful in his bid to appeal against a violent conduct charge after he was hit with retrospective punishment for kicking out at Aberdeen’s Lewis Ferguson. The Scotland number one rushed from his line to smother a loose ball during last week’s drama-filled Pittodrie clash but left a straight leg hanging which collided with his Dons rival’s shin. Referee Bobby Madden took no action at the time but McGregor will now miss Saturday’s home Ladbrokes Premiership showdown with St…

Click:Pyramid tea bag machine The Wales international remains a doubt for the key Champions League clash against his former side Tottenham Zinedine Zidane refused to confirm if Gareth Bale will return to action for Real Madrid in the Champions League clash against his former club Tottenham, although Dani Carvajal is back in training. Los Blancos 5/4 to win at Spurs Bale has been out for a month since suffering a calf injury in the Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund, in which he scored a stunning volley, and he missed Wales’ crucial World Cup qualifiers earlier this month, as they missed out on a ticket to Russia. Article continues below…

Liverpool are back in action in the Champions League when they take on Bayern Munich next Tuesday in their round of 16 tie. When the draw was made in December, Jurgen Klopp’s men were considered favourites to go through but a lot can change in two months. Bayern do not possess the same aura they did under Jupp Heynckes and Pep Guardiola but Liverpool’s recent draws against Leicester and West Ham will encourage Niko Kovac to believe the Reds can be got at. Liverpool also face a potential defensive crisis for the first leg as Dejan Lovren was made a doubt for the Anfield game with a hamstring injury alongside…

The Portuguese coach will be suiting up for the 15th showpiece event of his career when Manchester United take on Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday Getty images #1 Porto 3-2 Celtic With the score tied at 2-2 in an enthralling 2003 UEFA Cup final, Derlei struck in extra-time to decide the game in Porto's favour. It was a pivotal moment in Mourinho's coaching career as it gave him his first continental success and paved the way for Champions League glory just 12 months later. Getty Images #2 Porto 1-0 Leiria Having already won the Primeira Liga and the UEFA Cup, Porto completed a domestic treble thanks to that man Derlei, whose…

Middlesbrough moved up to fifth in the Championship after a routine 1-0 win at 10-man Blackburn. Britt Assombalonga’s close range header in the 19th minute – his 12th strike of the season – was ultimately enough for Tony Pulis and his side, who produced a dominant first-half performance to provide the platform to victory. Their task was helped by Derrick Williams, who was sent off just before half-time, and Boro would have added to the scoreline but for the woodwork and superb goalkeeping. Rovers registered one shot on target – but an excellent Darren Randolph save denied Bradley Dack. Boro’s third victory in their last four away games puts them…

Here is a round-up of all the action from Wednesday night’s Championship matches… Leeds 2-1 Swansea Leeds returned to the top of the Sky Bet Championship table as they took advantage of Norwich’s defeat at Preston with a 2-1 victory over Swansea. The Swans were left with an improbable task at half-time after goals from birthday boy Pontus Jansson and Jack Harrison had put United in control. Leeds had gone on to win all 13 league games in which they had scored the opening goal this season and that record was never truly under threat despite a period of panic after Oli McBurnie’s late penalty. Preston 3-1 Norwich Norwich’s Championship…

Tonight will see one of the ultimate cup mismatches as the glitz, glamour and cash of Manchester City head to the humble surroundings of south Wales to face Newport County in the FA Cup. League Two Newport are the lowest ranked side left in the competition and beat Middlesbrough in the last round to set up a tie with Premier League champions City. Pep Guardiola’s men were ruthless in their last David vs Goliath clash when they smashed Burton Albion 10-0 on aggregate in their recent Carabao Cup semi-final. That tie pitted two sides who are poles apart against one another but this evening’s game sees that gap stretch even further.…