Bayern Munich will hope to keep their dominant start to their Champions League journey going when they travel to Portugal to meet Benfica.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side have bagged eight goals and are yet to concede in their two European games, and they come into this one in terrifying form after putting five past Bayer Leverkusen in the first half of this weekend’s victory.
Benfica are no pushovers, however. They won their first eight league games of the season and thumped Barcelona 3-0 before the international break, beating the Catalan side by the same score as Bayern managed.
It promises to be a fascinating encounter, and here’s all you need to know about it.
When is kick off? Wednesday 20 October, 20:00 (BST) Where is the match being played? Estadio da Luz TV channel/live stream? BT Sport ESPN (UK), TUDN Xtra (US) Highlights? BT Sport YouTube channel Referee? Ovidiu Hategan VAR? Pol van Boekel
Gil Dias went off injured / Gualter Fatia/GettyImages
Benfica lost two wing-backs in their last outing against Trofense, with Gil Dias and Valentino Lazaro both picking up injuries which will likely force them to miss out here.
There are also concerns about the fitness of Haris Seferovic, although the striker is highly unlikely to start over Darwin Nunez or Roman Yaremchuk anyway.
Davies faces a fitness test / Sebastian Widmann/GettyImages
Alphonso Davies will face a late fitness test after a thigh injury ended his fun against Leverkusen, which could see Lucas Hernandez shifted out to left-back.
On the other side of the pitch, Benjamin Pavard is eligible after serving his suspension and should start at right-back.
Bayern are unbeaten in their ten meetings with Benfica, the last of which came at this stage of the Champions League back in 2018.
The German side, led by Niko Kovac at the time, ran out 5-1 winners thanks to doubles from Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben (whose first goal was mental) and an extra bonus goal from Franck Ribery.
Bayern’s last trip to Benfica ended in a 2-0 victory, but the Portuguese side did avoid defeat with a 2-2 draw when they met in early 2016.
Bayern are always favourites / Lukas Schulze/GettyImages
Benfica are a really good side, but Bayern just look to be on an entirely different planet this season.
To put five past Bayer in such devastating fashion was a reminder to the rest of Europe that Nagelsmann’s side can humiliate literally any side, and they’ll be hoping to do exactly that against Benfica.
Jorge Jesus has built an impressive side at Benfica and there’s a good chance they’ll grab a goal, but stopping the Bayern machine is a test which few sides are capable of conquering.
We all knew Harry Kane and Son Heung-min could play well together before the start of this crazy season, but it’s become even more evident over the past year.
They were already one of the Premier League’s deadliest duos in front of goal, but then came Tottenham’s 5-2 smashing of Southampton and the 6-1 embarrassment of Manchester United at the start of the campaign.
A glorious sight for Tottenham fans / OLI SCARFF/Getty Images
Who’s better out of the two? It’s pretty much impossible to tell at this stage. The good thing for Spurs, though, is that when the pair combine to good effect they’re pretty much unstoppable.
So here’s every goal they’ve combined for as creator and finisher in the Premier League. We’re not counting penalties, as they’re not as much fun.
Kane could go a few games without scoring at the start of old seasons / Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
Son had a pretty quiet 2015/16 season, his debut campaign with Tottenham, but started the following term in devastating form.
He scored twice in a 4-0 demolition of Stoke before setting Kane up for his first of the season.
Kane’s late double saw Spurs beat West Ham / Alex Broadway/Getty Images
Spurs were trailing 2-1 to West Ham when Son was brought on in the 72nd minute, and it was his contribution that turned the game in Tottenham’s favour.
His low cross eventually found its way to Kane, who had the simple task of tapping in at the back post for the equaliser. Son also won the penalty which Kane converted to seal Tottenham’s victory, but this isn’t fantasy football so it doesn’t count – and like we said, it’s not as fun.
Kane and Son had already scored before they combined for the third in this 5-0 over Swansea.
Son charged towards the box before cutting back, inadvertently setting up Kane to slam into the far corner.
Son pumping up the crowd / Clive Mason/Getty Images
Hugo Lloris had a bit of a mare in this game, firstly misjudging a long punt over his defence for Leroy Sane’s opener before spilling a cross, allowing Kevin De Bruyne the easiest goal he’ll ever score.
However, Dele Alli nodded in to half the deficit before Kane and Son combined for the equaliser. The England international nonchalantly knocked the ball around the corner with the outside of his foot for Son, who bounced the ball past Claudio Bravo. Remember Claudio Bravo?
It’s just a lovely little flick from Kane to send Son through on goal here.
Everything was coming off for Spurs towards the end of the 2016/17 season and the partnership between the two star forwards was starting to become evident.
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Remember when Kane got so angry at the thought of not winning the Golden Boot he decided to score seven goals in the final two games of the 2016/17 season? That was funny.
Also, for the first time here, we have multiple goal involvements in one game! Yay! Firstly, Son scrambled down the right before pulling it back for Kane to roll in. The roles of creator and finisher were switched for Spurs’ fourth as Kane set Son running from his own half.
The South Korean pulled the ball back onto his right foot just outside of the area and curled into the far corner.
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Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip were very bad in this game. Like, laughably bad.
Kane’s assist for Son came when Lovren totally misjudged Lloris’ throw, allowing Kane to cross from the right for Son to finish with ease.
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Kane set the record for most Premier League goals in a calendar year on Boxing Day in 2017 and marked the occasion with a hat-trick.
His second came from some delicious build-up as Dele Alli slid Son in down the left. The ball across goal needed only a slight nudge from Kane for his second.
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Jonjoe Kenny was only about 12 years old when he was thrown in against Son, so you have to feel a little sorry for the Evertonian given how royally he was mugged off for Tottenham’s second against Everton back in January 2018.
Son spun Kenny and dragged the ball past him before getting away from Mason Holgate to cross low for Kane.
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It was Son who was the game winner against Huddersfield, scoring twice in a routine victory over the Yorkshire outfit.
Kane showed his awareness with a cross from the right which bounced perfectly for Son to head back across goal past Jonas Lossl.
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It’s still something of a mystery how Son managed to prevent the ball spinning off the pitch for this goal.
He got to the byline in messy fashion before squaring for Kane, whose shot struck Bruno Saltor before going in.
Kane’s strike secured Champions League football / Julian Finney/Getty Images
Tottenham were never truly in the title race during the 2017/18 season but still needed victory over Newcastle in May to secure Champions League football for the following season.
Thankfully Kane was at his cool best when set up by Son in the 50th minute, placing an effort into the top corner from the edge of the box.
This was another trademark cross from creator to finisher, with Son getting on the end of Kane’s pass for an easy goal in a routine win over Southampton.
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After this game, writers and fans up and down the country promptly asserted Tottenham were in the title race. They fell out of contention just as quickly as they were talked up, winning just three of their final 12 league games.
But regardless, this was still a ruthless display rounded off when Kane side-footed Son’s low cross past the outstretched arms of Jordan Pickford.
Kane thumped one in from distance against Wolves / Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Son didn’t exactly lay this one on a plate for his forward partner. It was actually an effort way outside the box from Kane’s left boot that Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio could only flap a hand at.
Pretty good goal really. Shame Spurs capitulated in the final quarter of the game to lose 3-1.
This was about as routine a win as Tottenham got during the 2018/19 season.
They were three goals up by the half hour mark, with Son’s third sealing the deal. The South Korean gathered Kane’s pass in a tight area and shifted wider to the right before popping a shot back across Neil Etheridge.
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The impressive thing here wasn’t Son’s backheel. It was Kane somehow getting a shot away despite having to deal with a massive shove in the back courtesy of Caglar Soyuncu.
The England captain stumbled towards the ground but still managed to bounce the ball off the ground and over Kasper Schmeichel.
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There were a number of excellent goals in this ‘contest’, not just Son’s run from his own half.
The game’s opener was a corker, Kane smashing in a swerving effort from Son’s nudged pass.
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We’ve missed a bunch of time here, haven’t we?
That’s because in the 2019/20 season, Kane got a nasty hamstring injury and then Son messed up his arm at Aston Villa.
They were playing together again when the Premier League restarted after the coronavirus hiatus, Kane sealing a 2-0 win over West Ham on the counter late on from Son’s through ball.
Kane nudged in a consolation at Sheffield United / Pool/Getty Images
This was a pretty horrific game for Spurs fans. An early Kane goal was disallowed controversially for a handball in the buildup before Sheffield United charged into a 3-0 lead.
Spurs did eventually cut their hosts open when Son squared for Kane in the 90th minute. A good game for the partnership stats, a bad game for everything else.
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It must be said that, while this game put the Son and Kane partnership back on the map, Southampton’s defending throughout was atrocious.
Having taken the lead through Danny Ings, the Saints then elected to leave acres of space in behind their defence as Kane dropped into midfield, finding Son with chipped passes time and time again.
Four times to be exact. Great finishing from Son, but also one of the worst defensive displays you’re ever likely to see.
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Again, Tottenham were given a big helping hand by some more terrible defensive play, with United’s Harry Maguire, Eric Bailly and Luke Shaw particularly woeful on the day, but the link up between Son and Kane was still brilliant.
Some quick thinking from a free kick saw Kane send Son clean through, with the latter deftly chipping the ball past David de Gea and into the corner.
After Anthony Martial’s red card, United gave the ball away on the edge of their own area and the play ended with Kane tucking home from Son’s pass.
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20 minutes into this game and Tottenham fans were in dreamland. The 2020/21 Premier League title was a sure thing, mainly because Kane and Son were playing so elegantly and smartly together.
One long ball over the top was all it took from Kane to set Son up in the first minute, before Son played one to Kane, who nutmegged Declan Rice and fired beyond Lukasz Fabianski for the second.
Then some other stuff happened and the game ended 3-3.
“Did you get the assist?” ?#THFC ?? #COYS pic.twitter.com/2w0aLxvDOs
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 27, 2020
This is probably one of the more unusual combinations.
Staring a 0-0 draw at Burnley in the face on a cold Monday night, Kane diverted Erik Lamela’s out-swinging corner to Son, who headed past Nick Pope into the top corner.
It proved enough to earn victory for Spurs at Turf Moor.
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Sometimes, all you’ve got to do is give Son the ball and he’ll do something a bit crazy. Like scoring a 25-yarder in the north London derby.
Arsenal were guilty of giving Kane space to turn and pass to Son, who also had acres to work with on the left before cutting in and floating a curler past the outstretched Bernd Leno.
Kane added a second just before half time, latching onto Son’s pass to smash in off the crossbar. The Gunners had two defenders to Tottenham’s four attackers during that passage of play.
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If it weren’t for Vicente Guaita in this game, Son and Kane might have a few more additions to their collection.
As it was, Son made a simple pass to Kane, who unleashed a swerving shot from distance that caught the Spanish goalkeeper off guard.
Goal #??? for Sonny! ?#THFC ?? #COYS pic.twitter.com/SLiukxFKNT
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 2, 2021
Leeds had plenty of the ball during the opening stages of this clash but failed to make it pay, leaving them frustrated when Kane netted a penalty before he set up Son for the second.
The England striker clipped the ball into Son’s path, with the South Korean applying a caressed touch to guide the ball past Illan Meslier.
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It took a couple of months for Kane and Son to finally get there, but when they combined for another strike against Crystal Palace they broke the Premier League record for most goals combined by a duo in a single season.
Kane had already set up two for Gareth Bale with Son looking a little left out, but it finally clicked when the South Korean sent Erik Lamela’s pass back across goal to Kane, who had the simple task of nodding in.
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An uncertain summer followed the conclusion of the 2020/21 season, with Kane looking to leave when Spurs finished seventh in the Premier League. That exit didn’t come, however, and the England captain started the following campaign slowly.
He didn’t get his first league goal until October, when he lobbed Karl Darlow at St James’ Park, and he followed up that strike by setting up Son with a pass across goal.
For more from Jude Summerfield, follow him on Twitter!
The Vancouver Whitecaps are among five Western Conference teams fighting for a spot in the 2021 MLS playoffs, standing just one point away from the top seven. With only five regular-season games remaining, anything can happen.
The Canadian side kicked off the race with an unexpected 2-1 win over second placed side Sporting Kansas City at BC Place, inching closer to a postseason position.
Interim head coach Vanni Sartini did not take the victory lightly and says his side will need to use it as a stepping stone for the upcoming games.
“We’re still in the fight, and we’re going to fight ‘til the end,” he said. “And, you know, yesterday everyone won, but it’s not going to happen every time that everyone’s going to win, our competitors. So we need to win and make more points and to be, I would say, at peace on November 7. If we play like this and if we keep working like this, the chances to celebrate November 7 are higher than the chance that could be missed.”
Vancouver join Real Salt Lake, LA Galaxy, Minnesota United and LAFC in the final push for a postseason position. All five teams picked up three points over MLS week 30, a matter that midfielder Ryan Gauld insists should not be the focus.
“I think it’s natural that you kind of keep an eye on everyone around you, but I think the most important thing is that we take care of our own business,” he said.
“There’s no point looking at the other teams and what they’re doing if we’re if we’re not winning our games. So that’s the most we can do just now, focus on each game as it comes and hopefully it’ll put us in a good position come the end.”
The Whitecaps will host their next two Major League Soccer matches at BC Place, an important factor given their away record stands at 1-5-8. Whitecaps midfielder Russell Teibert thinks the location may make all the difference.
“I think we have to take care of business in our home games, and we pride ourselves in playing in front of our fans, because everybody knows what we’ve been through this year and the year before,” Teibert added.
“We hear them, they’re loud, and it’s nice, you know, to sing ‘Stand By Me’ with them after the games. It was Tosaint Ricketts’ idea and it’s an outstanding idea and it’s a really cool moment between all the players and the fans and the whole organisation.”
Newcastle have confirmed they have launched an investigation after police were informed of an alleged racist incident that took place in Sunday’s defeat to Tottenham.
One person is said to have made a racist gesture to a member of Tottenham’s supporters in the away end at St James’ Park, and the Magpies have now released a statement.
It reads: “Newcastle United is aware of an alleged racist gesture made by an individual towards Tottenham Hotspur supporters inside St. James’ Park during Sunday’s match. An investigation is under way and the police have been made aware.
“Our message is clear – football is for everyone. Discrimination has absolutely no place in football, in the street, online or in wider society and we will not tolerate it under any circumstances.
“Newcastle United will pursue the strongest possible action against anyone involved in discriminatory behaviour and will support any efforts by the authorities to secure a criminal conviction. The club is adhering to the Premier League commitment regarding Abusive and Discriminatory conduct, which facilitates the banning of any fan found to have been involved in abusive and/or discriminatory conduct from all Premier League stadia.”
A Northumbria Police spokesperson added: “We can confirm we are investigating an alleged racist incident during Newcastle United’s home fixture with Tottenham at St. James’ Park on Sunday.
“Enquiries are ongoing with the club to identify anyone involved and ascertain whether criminal offences have been committed.
“As a Force, we do not tolerate hate crime of any kind within our communities and are committed to taking swift and robust action against perpetrators.”
There is #NoRoomForRacism.
Anywhere.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 18, 2021
Tottenham are yet to comment.
Spurs won the game 3-2 thanks to goals from Tanguy Ndombele, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, with Newcastle netting at the start and the end of the game through Callum Wilson’s header and Eric Dier’s own goal.
Sunday’s game was halted when a fan needed medical attention. It was later confirmed the supporter was ‘stable and responsive’ in hospital.
Chelsea will look to get their Champions League campaign back on track when they face Swedish giants Malmo on Wednesday.
The Blues fell to a 1-0 defeat against Juventus last time out and now sit second in their qualifying group, trailing the Serie A side by three points, so victory here is almost mandatory if Chelsea want any hope of finishing in top spot.
Fortunately, they’re heavy favourites against a Malmo side who struggled on their first outing in the competition in five years. They’re bottom of the group and have shipped seven goals in two matches so far.
Here’s all you need to know about this one.
When is kick off? Wednesday 20 October, 20:00 (BST) Where is the match being played? Stamford Bridge TV channel/live stream? BT Sport 3 (UK), TUDN Xtra (US) Highlights? BT Sport YouTube channel Referee? Francois Letexier VAR? Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez
Rudiger is dealing with a back problem / Marco Canoniero/GettyImages
Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva are both back in training, but the former may be kept out to protect the back injury that kept him out of the Brentford win. As for Silva, expect to see him given minutes as he gets back into the swing of things following a late international break.
Thomas Tuchel could opt to give some of his fringe players minutes in this one. His team won’t be too shaken-up as Chelsea really need the points, but he can afford to turn to the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Kai Havertz and perhaps even Saul Niguez if he needs to.
Star centre-back, Football Manager wonderkid and one-time Chelsea target Anel Ahmedhodzic is suspended for this one, but Malmo also have a boatload of injury problems to contend with.
Oscar Lewicki, Jonas Knudsen and Ola Toivonen have all picked up knee injuries, and Felix Beijmo has a collarbone problem which will keep him out.
These two actually met not too long ago. It was back in the 2018/19 Europa League knockout stage where, unsurprisingly, Chelsea ran out winners.
Goals from Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud fired Chelsea to a 2-1 win in Sweden, before Maurizio Sarri’s side ran riot with a 3-0 victory back at Stamford Bridge a few weeks later.
Barkley and Giroud were both on the scoresheet again that day, but the highlight was a glorious solo goal by an 18-year-old Hudson-Odoi.
Mendy will hope for a quieter evening this time around / Catherine Ivill/GettyImages
Creativity has been a bit of a problem for Chelsea in recent weeks, and they won’t be particularly excited about the prospect of coming up against a Malmo defence which is undoubtedly going to sit as deep as possible and hold on for dear life.
That being said, Chelsea should have absolutely no problems dispatching of a side who have shipped seven goals in two games while deploying similar tactics.
Tuchel will expect a nice, confidence-boosting victory, and he’ll hope to get it early enough to give some of his heavy hitters a rest.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Malmo
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