Two bits of good news were announced yesterday, one is that Kieran Gibbs has not suffered any break to his ankle he just has some bad bruising and won't be out for long. I don't expect we will see him at the weekend, but back in time for The Chavs I hope. Silvestre ‘should' be able to cope against Sunderland on Saturday but The Chavs are a bit of a different story.

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Ireland v France
Saturday 14 November 2009 and Wednesday 18 November 2009
2010 World Cup Qualifying

The last time that the Republic of Ireland qualified for the World Cup, in 2002, they took the playoff route to book their place in Korea/Japan

This time, the route is the same, but while Ireland were in the favorite role against Iran last time around, they‘re decided underdogs this time, as Giovanni Trapattoni's side meets 1998 World Cup champions France with a ticket to South Africa on the line.

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Following up from an earlier article I'd like to pose a question to all the non ex-pat North American readers of EPL Talk: How Did You Find Who You Support?

It's ultimately a broad question that has more potential answers to it than current injury concerns at Liverpool. But I believe the question sparks an interesting debate as Americans are still searching for their place in world football.

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Debreceni vs Fiorentina

A win against Debreceni would bring the Viola to the brink of the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Fiorentina are hoping to have Mutu and Jovetic for the match. Mutu is trying to recover from a knee injury while Jovetic is suffering from a problematic toe.

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Double the pleasure, double the fun
Let's preview this weekend's matches but also bear in mind that we have a Fantasy Premier League double gameweek on our hands for two teams: Aston Villa and West Ham. But don't get too crazy with excitement: Villa are on the road at Everton while West Ham take on tricky Sunderland before these two clubs face off against each other. Click to continue reading...

London Derby number two is up next when we play West Ham and as usual the media are building it up in their own typical manner.

Couple of them focused on Wenger's thoughts on Upson. As we know, Upson never quite fulfilled his potential at Arsenal. If I'm wrong about this do correct me but his last ever game in an Arsenal shirt was against Aston Villa in 2001 where he was absolutely shocking in the first half.

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One of the biggest storylines over in Europe this week is over the future of Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez. The club is mired in one its worst slumps in 20 years after losing four in a row, injury concerns loom over Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, and they face Manchester United over the weekend.

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One of the biggest storylines over in Europe this week is over the future of Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez. The club is mired in one its worst slumps in 20 years after losing four in a row, injury concerns loom over Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, and they face Manchester United over the weekend.

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Jason and Zach discuss the USMNT's emotional draw with Costa Rica, bring in Shane Evans of Goal.com to cover the mood of the team and evironment at RFK, talk about the American injury concerns, and break down MLS "indoors" and RFK as a National Team home. Match Fit USA on the Champions Soccer Radio Network.

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Jason and Zach discuss the USMNT's emotional draw with Costa Rica, bring in Shane Evans of Goal.com to cover the mood of the team and evironment at RFK, talk about the American injury concerns, and...

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Valencia v Barcelona
Mestalla - Valencia, Spain
La Liga
Saturday 17 October 2009
Kickoff: 22:00 BST, 21:00 GMT - 16:00 EST

FC Barcelona looks to maintain their perfect record this season in La Liga while Valencia are looking to move up in the table.

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Sunderland v Liverpool
Stadium of Light - Sunderland, England
English Premier League
Saturday 17 October 2009
Kickoff: 16:00 BST, 15:00 GMT, 10:00 EST

Sunderland hosts Liverpool as the English Premier League returns to action after the international break.

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Valencia v Barcelona
Stadium: Mestalla - Valencia, Spain
Competition: La Liga
Date: 17 October 2009
Kickoff: 22:00 BST, 21:00 GMT - 16:00 EST

Valencia hosts Barcelona on Saturday as La Liga resumes from the international break. Live coverage of the match will begin approximately 15 minutes before kickoff or 20:45 GMT (21:45 BST, 15:45 EST).

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Sunderland v Liverpool
Stadium: Stadium of Light - Sunderland, England
Competition: English Premier League
Date: 17 October 2009
Kickoff: 16:00 BST, 15:00 GMT, 10:00 EST

Sunderland hosts Liverpool as the English Premier League returns to action after the international break.

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Valencia v Barcelona Stadium: Mestalla Valencia, Spain Competition: La Liga Date: 17 October 2009 Kickoff: 22:00 BST, 21:00 GMT 16:00 EST Valencia hosts Barcelona on Saturday as La Liga resumes from the international break. Live coverage of the match will begin approximately 15 minutes before kickoff or 20:45 GMT (21:45 BST, 15:45 EST). Click to continue reading...

AC Milan v AS Roma Stadium: San Siro Milan, Italy Competition: Italian Serie A Date: 18 October 2009 Kickoff: 20:45 BST, 19:45 GMT, 14:45 EST AC Milan looks to find their form as they host AS Roma in the Italian Serie A on Sunday. Live coverage of the match will begin approximately 15 minutes before kickoff of 20:30 BST (19:30 GMT, 14:30 EST). Click to continue reading...

Sunderland v Liverpool
Stadium: Stadium of Light Sunderland, England
Competition: English Premier League
Date: 17 October 2009
Kickoff: 16:00 BST, 15:00 GMT, 10:00 EST

Sunderland hosts Liverpool as the English Premier League returns to action after the international break.

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Fabio takes his victorious side to Ukraine.

Watch Ukraine Vs England Live Online!

Fabio Capello says he expects England to play with a positive attitude in Ukraine to try to maintain their 100% record in World Cup qualifying.
Eight wins from eight have seen England confirm their passage to South Africa.

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Rangers host Celtic on Sunday, October 4, 2009 in another edition of the Old Firm. It's one of the most heatest rivalries in all of Europe with over 350 matches played. Rangers hold the advantage overall in total wins but its still very close. Who will win on Sunday? Can Rangers pick up points on Scottish Premier League leaders Celtic?

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Who: Arsenal (9th) Vs Wigan Athletic (11th)
What: Barclays Premier League, Round 5 for Arsenal, Round 6 for Wigan.
Where: Emirates Stadium, Ashburton Grove, London N5, England.
The Gunners are back in London, after visiting Manchester twice, and Belgium once in their past 3 matches. Click to continue reading...

Hit with violent conduct has a nice "violent" feel to it, doesn't it? Kind of an eye for an eye.

Anyways, this is the first part of the FA investigation and the most appropriate one in my mind. Its an open and shut case. The other is the instigation of the Gunner fans with his over the top celebration.

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United travel to White Hart Lane on Saturday in a top of the table Premier League clash. Spurs have won their first four games in a row but United can bring them crashing back to reality if they manage to take all three points in London. These two sides usually produce some decent encounters and I for one am hoping for more of the same this weekend.

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Ah the Premier League. How I've missed you over the last week or so. Your absence has deprived me of the chance to witness Spurs pick up another precious three points and that trend is certain to continue come tomorrow afternoon with the visit of league champions Manchester United... on second thoughts, I'll get me coat. Click to continue reading...

The unadulterated thrill of witnessing a magical moment of attacking inspiration is what keeps many of us hooked on the beautiful game but let us never forget that at the heart of every great football team is always a truly world-class central defender.

Red Rants interviewee and Manchester United ‘rock' Nemanja Vidic unquestionably falls into that category, so I thought it was the perfect excuse to examine the world of defending in search of the best centre-backs around today.

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Is Harry looking to sign another of his former players?

Telegraph Sport can reveal that Spurs are trying to sign Anton Ferdinand from Sunderland.
The 24-year-old central defender has been tracked by Spurs for some time – they attempted to sign him when he was at West Ham – but he chose to move to Sunderland for £8 million.

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I didn't have the energy to do an actual preview for this game, so I figured I should at least put up a game day thread.

August 29, 2009
Stade de Gerland, Lyon
3 PM ET (21:00 CET)

Nothing to report except that Nancy have bigger injury concerns than we do.

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Can this man exult any less?

Bayern Munich fully understands that its nemesis is Felix Magath who left the club disgraced two years ago. He came back to win the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg. Before the season was up, the protean Magath had signed a deal as Schalke's new coach.

Both clubs are on top of the Bundesliga while Bayern has managed two effete draws.

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Let's get this train back on track!

Over 700 Ashes tickets still available Click Here to Buy!

Liverpool's Jamie Carragher should start despite needing stitches after a clash of heads with team-mate Martin Skrtel at Tottenham.
With Daniel Agger three weeks away from a return, Rafael Benitez will make a late decision on Skrtel, with youngster Daniel Ayala an alternative.

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Monday was another light day on the transfer news and rumors front, but we still do have some top clubs looking to make reinforcements before time runs out.

Defense is still the order of the day, as a few Premier League clubs are in the market for additions at the back, while a couple of top European clubs are looking to add some quality on the flanks.

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Some may argue it was opening-day bravado but a bullish Sir Alex Ferguson insisted Manchester United were well-placed to continue their dominance of English football despite the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo after a 1-0 win over newcomers Birmingham.

Seasoned match-going supporters fear United lack a creative game-breaker now that former favorite Ronaldo has realized his dream of completing a world-record £80m transfer to Spain's big-spending capital club Real Madrid.

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Arsenal's tough UEFA Champions League playoff series vs. Celtic could get a whole lot tougher.

The Gunners have injury concerns surrounding star Cesc Fabregas, Brazilian midfielder Denilson and defender Bacary Sagna ahead of Tuesday's first-leg clash with Celtic at Parkhead.

Arsenal is fresh from its 6-1 mauling of Everton in its EPL opener, but the promising start could quickly become nightmarish if the club stumble in Champions League play.

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Arsenal's tough UEFA Champions League playoff series vs. Celtic could get a whole lot tougher.

The Gunners have injury concerns surrounding star Cesc Fabregas, Brazilian midfielder Denilson and defender Bacary Sagna ahead of Tuesday's first-leg clash with Celtic at Parkhead.

Arsenal is fresh from its 6-1 mauling of Everton in its EPL opener, but the promising start could quickly become nightmarish if the club stumble in Champions League play.

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Liverpool are eyeing Dynamo Kiev's Pape Diakhate and Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Amorebieta as Rafa Benitez searches for a centre-back.
Benitez has injury concerns at the back with Daniel Agger currently on the sidelines while Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel both required treatment after the pair were involved in an accidental collision in the Reds' 2-1 defeat at Spurs on Sunday. Click to continue reading...

Stockport County host Carlisle United Tomorrow night at Edgeley Park.

Ablett's men will be looking to bounce back from that disappointing 2-0 defeat at the weekend to Bristol Rovers.

County conceded two early goals in the 3rd and 8 minute.

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Even though the new Premier League season has gotten underway, several clubs are still very much looking for squad reinforcements.

Everton and Aston Villa have rounded out the top six each of the last two seasons, but if both are to maintain their lofty places, it looks apparent that a few purchases need to be made after both laid eggs at home to start the new campaign.

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