Luis Tevenet's side are scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the Segunda standings and they have a real battle on their hands in the race to find a route into the play-off places. Last seen at the Jose Zorrilla Stadium getting hit with a toothless 1-0 loss against Andorra, the former Atletico Madrid coach has seen his downbeat squad register just a single win from any of their previous seven consecutive Segunda appearances - a rut that stems back to November 3rd.
Signing off their pre-tournament preparations with a stunning 8-0 romp against Kenya, Cape Thiaw's side are enjoying what has become quite the purple patch over the past few months. Hitting top gear at a crucial time and cruising their way to next summer's World Cup finals, the African giants have their sights firmly set on mounting a real AFCON title charge over in Morocco.
I've often said, I'm not here to comment on Uli Hoeness' statements. I have huge respect for him. But in football I can't think that far ahead, my focus is on Bayern and what we can achieve now. I like to just live in the world I have in front of me now, that takes up all my time. I have zero thoughts about other teams, I only see FC Bayern.
Starting with the hosts, while Birmingham might have only made their Championship return this season, it is no secret that Chris Davies' men have their sights firmly set on mounting a genuine play-off charge this time around. Despite heading into November's international break with a 2-1 loss away at Middlesbrough, the Blues know that they can move within touching distance of the top-six here. Getting November underway with back-to-back 4-0 romps against Millwall and Portsmouth respectively, Birmingham will be dreaming of a repeat performance here.
Still top of the Scottish Premiership with a seven-point advantage after taking 30 points from a possible 36, Hearts were always likely to encounter bumps in the road as they challenge Glasgow's big two. Nonetheless with Celtic and Rangers slowly improving their domestic form amid a run of two draws in three games for Hearts, the Edinburgh club are about to enter an interesting period after the international break.
Starting with the hosts, while Chicago might have signed off their regular-season adventure with consecutive 2-2 stalemates against New England and Toronto, Gregg Berhalter's men have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across America's elite this year. Getting October underway with a stellar 5-3 victory away at Inter Miami, the Fire have suffered just a pair of defeats from any of their previous 13 consecutive MLS appearances - a run that stems all the way back to July 17th.
With the mood around Valley Parade at a red-hot high, Graham Alexander's men are certainly riding an extended wave of momentum. Currently sat second in the League One standings and with their sights firmly set on mounting another iconic promotion charge, the former Salford boss has seen his squad gain a string of plaudits. Mounting a second-half comeback away at Rotherham over the weekend as they snatched a thrilling 2-2 stalemate away at their local rivals,
He's been in and out and, like you say, with signing players, it's probably fried his head a little bit and he's not really sure what's what at the minute. Mac Allister is undoubtedly still a fine player, but LFC could do with him getting back to his best as soon as possible as they do seem to be struggling to control games like they did when he was looking more confident last season.
