#injuries-and-suspensions

#injuries-and-suspensions

Barcelona head into tonight's decisive match against FC Copenhagen knowing that nothing short of a victory will do. In this regard, according to journalist Santi Ovalle in El Larguero, manager Hansi Flick has already tested a clear starting XI in training. The line-up trialled by Flick reflects both necessity and intent, as the German is dealing with several key absences and has responded by leaning into attacking balance and midfield mobility.

Chelsea are aiming to avoid becoming the third team to suffer a shock against Cardiff City in this season's EFL Cup when the Premier League side visit the Bluebirds on Tuesday. The hosts are top of League One and have won 2-1 at top-flight strugglers Burnley and Championship club Wrexham in their last two ties in the competition. The Blues, who have won the EFL Cup five times, ended a four-match winless run in all competitions with a 2-0 victory at home to Everton

A win for Chelsea, a much-needed once after four games without, and in many ways a routine one and yet it was also a game that highlighted the oddity of Enzo Maresca's side. He has a squad packed with extraordinary talent, capable of passages of exceptional football, but they are also wildly inconsistent, even within individual games. They won easily, could have won more easily, and also had spells when the game threatened to slip from their grasp.

Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Tuesday 18 November Kick-off: 19:45 GMT Coverage: Live on BBC iPlayer, BBC One Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and Sports Extra, BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary. Wales face North Macedonia on Tuesday, 18 November in a match which will decide their play-off path for the 2026 World Cup. Who would you pick for a game Wales must win to finish as runners-up in Group J?

It was far from pretty for the German national team in their 2-0 World Cup qualifying win at Luxembourg to stay top of group A in European qualifying. Julian Nagelsmann was faced with a handful of injuries to his regular squad on top of the extended absence of Jamal Musiala and Karim Adeyemi was also unavailable due to having to serve a suspension for yellow card accumulation from previous qualifiers.

We have many absences right now, and of course, I'd love more resources and depth. But I'm the coach, and I will go to the end with the players I have,

Leeds will attempt to record back-to-back home wins to start the season when Newcastle visit Elland Road on Saturday. Daniel Farke's side edged out Everton 1-0 on the opening weekend and will be eager to repeat the feat against a Newcastle side weakened through injury and suspension. The Tynesiders have taken one point from their first two games and lost 3-2 at home to Liverpool on Monday.