Tuchel non-committal on Cavani ahead of crucial Napoli clash

Thomas Tuchel would not confirm whether Edinson Cavani will feature for Paris Saint-Germain against former club Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo on Tuesday.

PSG visit Napoli in a crucial Champions League clash, the two sides having drawn 2-2 at the Parc des Princes last time out. Napoli are a point behind Group C leaders Liverpool who visit Red Star Belgrade with PSG a point further back.

Were Cavani to feature it would be his first appearance at the San Paolo since moving to the French capital in 2013. 

However, the Uruguay striker missed PSG s wins over Marseille and Lille with a thigh injury, and asked about Cavani s chances of playing, Tuchel told a pre-match media conference: I can t say, it s Monday afternoon so I can t say who will play.

Cavani…

Burnley 1 Newcastle United 2: Magpies march on despite Ritchie horror miss

Newcastle United recorded a third consecutive Premier League win with a 2-1 victory at Burnley despite Matt Ritchie missing an open goal from close range.

Rafael Benitez s side led 2-0 thanks to a Ben Mee own goal and Ciaran Clark s header, but Sam Vokes hit back for the hosts before half-time.

Ritchie looked set to make sure of the points early in the second half but the winger, who had set up Clark s goal, bizarrely slotted wide at the back post after DeAndre Yedlin beat Charlie Taylor for pace.

But Newcastle held on for their first top-flight win over Burnley since 1975 to move up to 13th in the table, while a fourth loss in five league games leaves the Clarets still a point and a place above the relegation zone.

Kick-off was delayed for half an ho…

Newcastle United 0 Manchester United 2: Lukaku and Rashford keep Solskjaer perfect

Romelu Lukaku made a swift impact from the bench for a second consecutive match as Manchester United beat Newcastle United 2-0 at St James Park.

The Belgium international was on the pitch for two minutes before rounding out Sunday s 4-1 win over Bournemouth and had only been on for 38 seconds when Martin Dubravka spilled Marcus Rashford s free-kick in his direction.

Rashford continued a purple patch in front of goal 10 minutes from time, meaning a fourth win in as many outings at the start of his reign for caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – a feat only previously achieved by club great Matt Busby.

Phil Jones, into the Manchester United defence for the suspended Eric Bailly, made a last-ditch tackle on Salomon Rondon to atone for his own absent-minded play…

Prediction: DC United vs Nashville

Best Odds: 4/6

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Two sides who are desperately seeking an MLS boost this weekend, DC United will welcome Nashville to Audi Field in the early hours of Sunday.

DC United

Starting with the hosts, in the midst of what has become an infamous MLS nightmare, DC United have certainly come under a huge amount of scrutiny so far this season. Last seen putting in another woeful performance as they fell to a 5-0 drumming at the hands of Orlando, the Eagles sit rock-bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Opening July with an action-packed 3-2 defeat at home against Cincinnati, Troy Lesesne has a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders. In fact, the Washington-based outfit have remarkably failed to muster a single victory from any of their last 11 consecutive…

Messi plans to return in Spain friendly

Lionel Messi says he plans to be involved in Argentina s friendly with Spain on Tuesday, despite concerns over a hamstring injury.

The Barcelona star sat out the 2-0 win over Italy at the Etihad Stadium last Friday after admitting a muscle problem had been bothering him for some time .

However, the 30-year-old hopes to feature against Julen Lopetegui s side at the Wanda Metropolitano.

I was excited to be able to take part in the game against Italy, but I m happy with the group s meet-up, I have good feelings, he told Fox Sports.

In principle, the idea is to play against Spain. I m going to see how I am.

The Barcelona forward admitted last week the 2018 World Cup could well be his last chance to win the trophy, having been disappointed in the to…

Schalke deny Matip set to join Liverpool

Schalke chairman Clemens Tonnies has dismissed rumours Joel Matip is set to leave the Bundesliga outfit for Liverpool in the January transfer window.

The Cameroon international s contract at the Veltins Arena is set to expire in June and Liverpool are believed to be keeping a close eye on his situation.

Previous reports suggested Matip is due to join the Anfield side on a free transfer at the end of the season, but recent updates claimed he could already make the move to the Premier League this month.

Nevertheless, Tonnies has laughed off suggestions the centre-back is on the verge of leaving Schalke.

Matip to Liverpool this month? That s a hoax, the Schalke supremo told Sport1.

The 24-year-old is a product of the Schalke youth academy and has de…