Evian-Paris Saint-Germain Preview: Champions closing in on club-record unbeaten run

Paris Saint-Germain have the chance to equal their club-record unbeaten run in Ligue 1 when they travel to Evian on Wednesday.

The French champions have not lost in their last 26 league games since a 1-0 reverse away to Reims on March 2, with their previous best of 27 being set in 1994 on their way to their second Ligue 1 title.

Having won the title under Carlo Ancelotti last term, PSG have pushed on under Laurent Blanc and are top of Ligue 1, although Lille closed to within a point on Tuesday with a last-gasp 1-0 win over Olympique de Marseille and a staggering 11th consecutive clean sheet.

The consistency of Lille and the attacking prowess of Monaco - who beat Nice 3-0 on Tuesday despite the absence of Radamel Falcao - means les Parisiens face a fight to defend their title, but their crushing 4-0 win over Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday showed they remain the side to beat this season.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice from the penalty spot, adding to efforts from Edinson Cavani and Thiago Silva.

In their way of the milestone sit an Evian team without a win in three games and sitting 16th in the table.

Pascal Dupraz's side went down to a 2-0 defeat at Bastia on Sunday, leaving their coach lamenting some sub-standard defending.

The suspended Fabrice Ehret is unavailable for Dupraz, while the game may come too soon for striker Kevin Berigaud (thigh).

PSG may also have to reshuffle for the clash with Thiago Motta having been withdrawn at half-time in the Lyon win, putting his involvement in doubt.

Via: Evian-Paris Saint-Germain Preview: Champions closing in on club-record unbeaten run

Slovenia-Canada Preview: No goals in nine games for the hapless visitors

Slovenia will look to take out their disappointment on missing out on the World Cup on a hapless Canada team on Tuesday.

Switzerland and Iceland finished ahead of Slovenia in Europe's Group E of qualifying for Brazil 2014 last month, meaning Srecko Katanec's side missed out on consecutive appearances at World Cup finals.

In their first match since losing 1-0 to Switzerland in Group E's final round, Slovenia will host Canada in Celje and Katanec should expect his team to respond emphatically against a side that have not won in 13 matches.

Canada have lost 10 of those games, including embarrassing defeats to Martinique and Mauritania, and have not scored in nine straight matches - the perfect victims for an angry home team on Tuesday.

Halfway through Europe's Group E of World Cup qualifying, Slovenia had tasted victory just once in five matches and were seemingly finished in terms of qualification for Brazil.

But with Katanec taking the reins at the start of the year, replacing Slavisa Stojanovic, Slovenia responded - overcoming Iceland, Albania, Cyprus and Norway only to fall two points short of a World Cup play-off spot.

Instead Iceland finished second after Slovenia failed to overcome Switzerland in October.

Katanec will hope Dynamo Dresden forward Zlatko Dedic can use the friendly versus Canada to end his goal-scoring drought as the 29-year-old has not found the back of the net for Slovenia in nine matches.

Dedic has two goals to his name and three assists in 13 games for Dresden in 2.Bundesliga this season.

Goals will also be the focus for Canada as coach Benito Floro continues his attempt to turn the North American team around.

Canada's last international ended in a 2-0 defeat away to Czech Republic.

With the MLS play-offs still underway, Floro has been denied access to Portland Timbers midfielder Will Johnson, although the Spanish coach still has a squad with a bunch of experience in the United States' top league, plus the leading divisions in Germany, Sweden and Norway.

Ex-Norwich striker Simeon Jackson could be the key if Canada are to get on the scoresheet with the 26-year-old currently playing for Eintracht Braunschweig in the Bundesliga.
Via: Slovenia-Canada Preview: No goals in nine games for the hapless visitors

Premier League: Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers cautious of just relying on Luis Suarez

The 11-goal man has been ruled out for up to two months with an ankle problem and his usual partner, Suarez, cut a frustrated figure as a lone striker during the 3-1 defeat at Hull City on Sunday.

Summer signings Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto are both yet to make a real impact on the Premier League since their arrivals, but Rodgers thinks that they could now be ready to step up to the plate.

"The likes of Aspas and Alberto have been at the club for a few months now and have seen the difficulties of playing in the Premier League, how hard it is and the physical demands," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"I can see them improving and working hard to fit into it. They will get improve and get better in time. There was always going to be a period of adjustment.

"With Daniel out, other players who have been working hard will get an opportunity. We now have to find a different way to win games.

"We can't just rely on one player for goals. It's the responsibility of everyone.

"It has to be for everyone to create and score goals. If some aren't available, we need to do more as a team - that was the message after the defeat to Hull.

"It was too predictable. Certainly you wouldn't have said that about us in the last number of months.

"We are normally exciting and create lots of chances. We are on the front foot. We conceded a poor goal which put us on the back foot but we needed to be more dynamic. That is something we will look to put right."

Rodgers also defended duo Victor Moses and Raheem Sterling after the pair came under fire for their performances in the KC Stadium loss.

"Both players are very talented," he said.

"When we lose a game, we all get criticised but I thought both players worked hard in the game.

"Raheem is still only 18 years of age. He's been in and out this season but is still a fantastic talent.

"Victor has great ability. It's been a bit difficult for him as he hasn't had a run in the team but he's still a very important player for us."

Another concern for Rodgers has been Liverpool's pairing in the centre of the defence since Jamie Carragher's retirement last season.

Despite Kolo Toure, Mamado Sakho and Tiago Ilori all being brought in over the summer to compete with Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel, the Liverpool boss admits he is still trying to find the right partnership.

"It's probably the first job I have been in where there have been lots of areas I have been happy and settled in but this is an important area," he said.

"It's something I need to look at in order to get that consistency. There has been lots of change - and some of that has been down to me - knowing every game is an absolute cup final for us.

"If I feel I have needed to change it going into a game to get a result, then I will do.

"But of course I also need to look at it from the coaching perspective as well, that a little run in the team might breed the consistency even though we have had to change a number of positions."

Via: Premier League: Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers cautious of just relying on Luis Suarez

Premier League: Dimitar Berbatov's agent says he wants to leave Fulham

The 32-year-old has scored just twice in 12 appearances for the Cottagers this season, a barren run that contributed to the struggles that cost Martin Jol his job.

Rene Meulensteen has taken over the managerial reins at Craven Cottage but he will have been rocked by the news that Berbatov, whose contract expires in the summer, is looking for a way out.

"I don't usually speculate as nobody knows what will happen in January but what I can tell you is he (Berbatov) is not happy at Fulham," said Dantchev.

"He would like, if possible, to find another option."

Turkish club Trabzonsport have been linked with Berbatov, but Dantchev suggested that his client would prefer to remain in the Premier League.

"I cannot comment (on whether there has been any approach) but the priority is to find a solution to stay in England," he said.

Fulham refused to comment on the situation.

Via: Premier League: Dimitar Berbatov's agent says he wants to leave Fulham

Enyeama keeps 11th consecutive clean sheet as Lille snatch win over Marseille

Rene Girard's Lille maintained their remarkable defensive record in defeating fellow high-fliers Olympique de Marseille 1-0 at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

An 11th consecutive clean sheet for Vincent Enyeama in Ligue 1 gained added value as Nolan Roux grabbed an injury-time winner to give the hosts all three points.

The Nigerian was in sensational form on Tuesday night, denying Andre-Pierre Gignac with four instinctive saves as well as parrying a stinging drive from former Lille attacker Florian Thauvin.

Marseille began to struggle once both Mathieu Valbuena and Dimitri Payet were forced off with injuries in the second half, and Lille made them pay with a last-gasp winner from Roux, who headed home Florent Balmont's cross in the first minute of stoppage time.

Lille's win moves them to just one point behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain, whose game in hand comes at Evian on Wednesday, while Monaco are a further point back after a 3-0 triumph at Nice.

Enyeama has now gone 1035 minutes since conceding a goal, with the Marseille shut out moving him ahead of PSGs Salvatore Sirigu (950 minutes, 2012-13) in his search for the Ligue 1 record.

Only Bordeauxs Gaetan Huard, who went 1176 minutes without coneding a goal in the 1992-93 season, now stands in the goalkeeper's way of achieving the longest streak.

Via: Enyeama keeps 11th consecutive clean sheet as Lille snatch win over Marseille

Real Madrid 4-0 Valladolid: Bale hat-trick inspires Ancelotti's men to victory

Gareth Bale starred with a hat-trick in Cristiano Ronaldo's absence as Real Madrid eased to a 4-0 win over Real Valladolid at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

The hosts may have been without their talisman and top scorer, as he sat out with a thigh problem, but creating goalscoring opportunities was not an issue as they dominated from the start.

After they had squandered numerous chances, Bale was on hand soon after the half-hour mark to head into an empty net following good work by Angel Di Maria and the Wales international was involved again a couple of minutes later as the hosts doubled their lead.

This time, he turned provider for Karim Benzema - the Frenchman scoring for the fifth successive league game, the first time he has managed that feat in Spain.

The world's most expensive player got his second just after the hour mark with a close-range finish before completing his hat-trick in the 89th minute with a similar strike to complete a resounding win.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti made three alterations to the side that comfortably beat Almeria 5-0 in their last league match, with Alvaro Arbeloa and Asier Illarramendi joining Ronaldo in missing out.

Valladolid's team, meanwhile, included only one change from their loss to Osasuna, as Fausto Rossi replaced German midfielder Patrick Ebert.

The game's first chance arrived after only three minutes when Sergio Ramos - linked with a move away from the club in the build-up - rose highest to meet Xabi Alonso's corner, but the Spain defender's header flew over.

Just a few minutes later, Di Maria went even closer as his audacious half-volley looped over goalkeeper Diego Marino, only to come back off the crossbar and hit the shot-stopper before going out of play.

After pressing, Madrid eventually got the breakthrough after 33 minutes when Di Maria's powerful cross-cum-shot was palmed straight to Bale, who headed into an empty net for his fifth La Liga goal.

And they doubled their lead within three minutes, with Bale integral again. This time, the winger crossed from deep and Benzema calmly nodded the ball past Marino.

The visitors were far livelier in the second half and although Madrid controlled possession, Zakarya Bergdich troubled them on the counter as he beat Ramos before shooting at Diego Lopez.

Benzema thought he had doubled his tally in the 61st minute when he tapped in Bale's squared pass, but the Frenchman's effort was ruled offside.

Ancelotti's men did have a third less than two minutes later, however.

Bale played Marcelo in down the left and when the Brazilian's low cross was partially intercepted, the Welshman was in the right place to sweep home.

And the former Tottenham man completed the scoring a minute from time as he slotted past Marino from inside the six-yard box, thanks to more good work by Marcelo, as he grabbed his first Real Madrid hat-trick in perfect style, with left-footed, right-footed and headed finishes.
Via: Real Madrid 4-0 Valladolid: Bale hat-trick inspires Ancelotti's men to victory

CSKA Moscow 1-3 Bayern Munich: Gotze wondergoal helps Bavarians break Barca record

Bayern Munich broke Barcelona's record of Champions League wins by beating CSKA Moscow 3-1 for their 10th victory in a row on Wednesday.

Arjen Robben's 10th goal of the season set the European champions on their way as the snow came down in the Russian capital and Mario Gotze doubled their lead early in the second half.

Keisuke Honda pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after spurning two golden opportunities after the break, but Thomas Muller responded with a spot kick at the other end to ensure Bayern surpassed the record of nine Champions League victories in a row set by Barca in 2002-03.

Pep Guardiola's side will be confirmed as Group D winners if Manchester City fail to beat Viktoria Plzen later on Tuesday but, even if the Premier League side claim all three points, the German champions will only need a point against Manuel Pellegrini's side next month to ensure they claim top spot.

Victory also marks a club record sixth consecutive away win in Europe for Bayern, while CSKA are still in the hunt for a place in the Europa League ahead of their final game against Plzen.

Bayern striker Mario Mandzukic was ruled out with a calf problem, so Gotze started in attack. CSKA were without in-form striker Seydou Doumbia due to injury and Ahmed Musa came in to replace him.

Guardiola warned his players to adapt quickly to the weather conditions and Bayern did just that to edge in front after 16 minutes.

Muller was the architect, racing away down the left and cutting the ball back into the path of the onrushing Robben, who made beat Igor Akinfeev with a clinical left-foot finish inside the near post.

Honda tried to be too clever when he attempted to round Manuel Neuer two minutes into the second half, but the German goalkeeper read his drag-back and smothered the ball.

Things went from bad to worse for the Japan international when a cross from the right fell nicely for him six yards out, but he fluffed his lines with the goal gaping.

And he was made to pay for those misses 11 minutes into the second half, when Gotze set off on a mazy run into the penalty and beat Akinfeev with a delightful left-foot finish.

CSKA were given a lifeline five minutes later, when Dante was harshly adjudged to have handled in the area and Honda this time kept his nerve to send Neuer the wrong way from the spot.

However, Bayern were awarded a spot kick of their own after 65 minutes when Georgi Schennikov upended Robben and Muller restored their two-goal advantage. Zoran Tosic hit the crossbar nine minutes from time, but Bayern never looked in danger of surrendering their lead.
Via: CSKA Moscow 1-3 Bayern Munich: Gotze wondergoal helps Bavarians break Barca record