Chelsea Vs. Derby: TV Channel, Live Stream Details And Preview getdiscountz.blogspot.com

getdiscountz.blogspot.com ® Chelsea Vs. Derby: TV Channel, Live Stream Details And Preview

Jose Mourinho is relishing retuning to what he has described as a “special” competition when Chelsea begin their FA Cup campaign with a third round match against Derby County at the iPro Stadium on Sunday. Mourinho’s final trophy during his first spell at Stamford Bridge was the FA Cup in 2007 when Didier Drogba’s extra-time goal handed Chelsea victory over Manchester United in the first final to be played at the new Wembley Stadium. And Mourinho describes that day as one of the highlights of his illustrious career.

“The FA Cup has a special feeling, a special meaning,” he said, according to Chelsea’s official website. “I was lucky to win lots of trophies but to win the FA Cup at Wembley and feel what it means was one of my high moments in my career. I have a good feeling for the competition and the good things this country has in terms of football, we have to keep them.”

Chelsea’s previously stuttering form has picked up in recent weeks, with three straight wins leaving them just two points off the top of the Premier League, in third place. While the Premier League and Champions League are clearly the priorities for Chelsea, Mourinho always placed a high degree of importance on domestic cup competitions in his first spell and appears set to do likewise this time around as he looks to get a first trophy since his return.

Still, the Portuguese is likely to make some changes to his lineup and has just Frank Lampard, Branislav Ivanovic, Rayan Bertrand and long-term absentee Marco van Ginkel unavailable. Michael Essien could well start, Samuel Eto’o or Demba Ba is likely to take the place of Fernando Torres, while Mark Schwarzer could be handed a place in goal, as he was in the League Cup.

While strong favorites to progress, Chelsea will come up against a Derby side who have enjoyed a tremendous run under the charge of Steve McClaren. A 1-0 defeat to Wigan on New Year’s Day was only Derby’s second loss in 14 matches since McClaren took the reins in October. After disappointing spells at Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest and FC Twente second time around, Mourinho believes that the former England boss belongs at the highest level.

“I am happy to play against Steve and happy to see him back,” he said. “I am happy for his success in Holland. With full respect for the Championship where there are very good managers, I think Steve belongs to a different level, so hopefully he is back to the Premier League soon.”

McClaren will be unable to call upon striker Johnny Russell, who suffered a fractured cheekbone last time out, while key midfielder Craig Bryson is a doubt with a calf injury. Derby completed the loan signing of young Chelsea striker Patrick Banford on Friday, but he won’t be involved at the weekend.

Where to watch: The FA Cup third round encounter will kick off at 9.15 a.m. ET. Coverage will be provided by Fox Sports 1, with a live stream available on Fox Soccer 2Go.

Chelsea Vs. Derby: TV Channel, Live Stream Details And Preview

Arsenal Vs. Cardiff: TV Channel, Live Stream Details And Preview getdiscountz.blogspot.com

getdiscountz.blogspot.com ® Arsenal Vs. Cardiff: TV Channel, Live Stream Details And Preview

Arsene Wenger says that Arsenal’s superb 2013 should inspire belief that they can bring silverware back to the club as the new year begins with the visit of Cardiff City to the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal closed out the calendar year with victories over West Ham and Newcastle United to give them a win percentage of 64.8, the second highest in the club’s history. Now Wenger is targeting an even better 2014.

“It says a lot,” he told Arsenal’s website. “Unfortunately until now it has not been crowned by a trophy. But it is a basis to achieve a trophy and that long consistency must reinforce and strengthen our belief that we can deliver something special this season.

“That's what it can be used for but of course it is a remarkable achievement because Arsenal has an especially strong and long history. That tells you that these players are doing something special.”

After a first slight rocky spell of the season, Arsenal’s back-to-back wins in the past week have taken them back to the top of the Premier League at the halfway point of the campaign. But their hopes of staying there have been hit by a long list of fitness doubts heading into the clash with Cardiff.

Mesut Ozil (shoulder), Olivier Giroud (ankle), Aaron Ramsey (thigh) and Kieran Gibbs (calf) are all definitely ruled out, while Jack Wilshere (ankle), Theo Walcott (shoulder) and Tomas Rosicky (calf) all face fitness tests on their complaints. Wenger also confirmed that Nacho Monreal and Thomas Vermaelen were doubts having been suffering from illness.

The various ailments are likely to mean a first start since August for Lukas Podolski, who scored on his return to action against West Ham on Boxing Day.

In contrast to their opponents, Cardiff ended 2013 on a real low. The dismissal of manager Malky Mackay has led to much disruption off the pitch, while the team conceded two late goals to snatch a draw from the jaws of victory in the crucial match with relegation rivals Sunderland on Saturday.

Former assistant manager David Kerslake was in charge of the team for that disappointment and has admitted that he has no idea about how much longer he will hold the reins before a replacement is appointed. However, with Cardiff having picked up points from Manchester City and Manchester United already on their return to the Premier League, Kerslake claims the team is in confident mood heading to the Emirates.

"We've been competitive all season and we've had some great results against top sides," he said, according to BBC Sport. "They are a set of boys, very tight together, a real good team and they will go out and try and get a result in every game."

Where to watch: The Barclays Premier League match will kick off at 10 a.m. ET. Coverage will be provided by NBC’s Premier League Extra Time, with a live stream available on NBC Sports Live Extra.

Arsenal Vs. Cardiff: TV Channel, Live Stream Details And Preview

Real Madrid Vs. Galatasaray: TV Channel, Live stream Details And Preview getdiscountz.blogspot.com

getdiscountz.blogspot.com ® Real Madrid Vs. Galatasaray: TV Channel, Live stream Details And Preview

Carlo Ancelotti is expecting a very different test for his Real Madrid side against Galatasaray on Wednesday than when they beat the Turkish champions 6-1 in September. With 10 points from four games, it would take something extraordinary for Madrid not to make it through to the last 16. A draw at the Bernabeu will secure both their progress and top spot. Ancelotti, though, is reading little into their comfortable win on Matchday One, with Galatasaray now led by fellow Italian Roberto Mancini.

“We want to finish top of the group,” he said, according to Uefa.com. “We have two games left and we want to win them both. We will do our best. It will be difficult because Galatasaray want to qualify. Roberto Mancini is an experienced coach. He did very well in Italy and England. Now he is starting something new and he will do very well over there, for sure.

“We are confident but not because we won 6-1 in Istanbul. Galatasaray have changed with Mancini and tomorrow's match will be completely different.”

Madrid will have to seal their progress, though, without several first-team regulars. Most notable of all, Cristiano Ronaldo suffered a thigh injury in a 5-0 win at Almeria on Saturday, while Raphael Varane, Fabio Coentrao, Luka Modric and Sami Khedira are also unavailable.

Galatasaray badly need a result in Madrid to remain on course for a place in the knockout phase. They currently sit level on points with Copenhagen and a point ahead of Juventus. Having started his reign positively with a draw at Juventus and a win over Copenhagen, Mancini has led his side to a disappointing defat against the Danish champions in the reverse fixture followed with a painful loss against fierce Istanbul rivals Fenerbahce.The former Manchester City boss is wary of handing Juventus advantage in what promises to be a decisive final game.

“We have to play well and, while we know it's going to be difficult, we are going to try,” Mancini said. “The most important game is the last group match against Juventus. For the moment, we have to play Real Madrid and if we don't do well and Juventus beat Copenhagen, they will have a better chance of qualifying than us.”

A late decision will be made on the fitness of Wesley Sneijder, with Mancini admitting that the Dutch attacking midfielder is not 100 percent fit. Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera is also a doubt, while Didier Drogba is set to return to the starting lineup after coming off the bench in the weekend win over Sivasspor.

Real Madrid (probable)

G: Casillas

D: Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo

M: Illarramendi, Alonso

Bale, Isco, Di Maria

F: Benzema

Galatasaray (probable)

G: Muslera

D: Eboue, Semih, Chedjou, Riera

M: Bruma, Felipe Melo, Selcuk, Sneijder

F: Drogba, Burak

Where to watch: The Champions League Group B encounter will kick off at 2.45 p.m. ET. Coverage will be provided by Fox Sports 2, with a live stream available on Fox Soccer 2Go.

Real Madrid Vs. Galatasaray: TV Channel, Live stream Details And Preview

Italy Vs. Germany: TV Channel, Live stream Details And Preview getdiscountz.blogspot.com

getdiscountz.blogspot.com ® Italy Vs. Germany: TV Channel, Live stream Details And Preview

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has revealed that he views Giuseppe Rossi and Mario Balotelli as an ideal partnership heading into next year’s World Cup. Prandelli made the same proclamation of faith in the pair when he first took the reins of the Azzurri in 2010 but has so far been unable to field them in tandem after Rossi suffered back-to-back cruciate ligament injuries.

Rossi has now returned to action with Fiorentina and has been in scintillating form, leading the Serie A scoring charts with 11 goals in just 12 appearances. But Prandelli’s hopes of getting the New Jersey-born forward back in an Italy shirt in Friday’s friendly with Germany has been hit by illness. Still, Prandelli will hope to field the 26-year-old against Nigeria next Monday.

“Balotelli with Rossi is a tandem that I really like,” Prandelli told RAI Sport, according to Fotball-Italia.net. “The two complement each other and they don’t offer the opposition any points of reference. In my mind Balotelli is a center-forward, while Pepito (Rossi) is someone who can play behind him. Unfortunately I can’t try this experiment against Germany, but there will be time.”

Despite enduring a difficult time with Milan, Balotelli will start against Germany. And the striker has fond memories of Friday’s visitors to the San Siro. The last time Italy and Germany met was in the semifinals of Euro 2012 when two memorable strikes from Balotelli fired his side through to the final.

That was the second-straight tournament in which Germany had exited at the semifinal stage, and arguably the only thing lacking from Joachim Low’s reign is a major title. But the man who will lead his country out for the 100th time in Milan, believes the side have made big improvements during his tenure and are targeting a victory at next year’s World Cup.

“Looking back I can see an improvement,” he said, according to Bundesliga.com. “I find it extremely satisfying to realize we've gone up to another level since 2008. In the last two or three years in particular we've taken incredibly big steps forward.

"You're obliged to win a title after a certain time, and we're preparing believing we can win it," Low added. "There are other nations who, like us, will be going to Brazil hoping to do so too. We'll need to be at our best."

Low will be without Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger through injury, but has handed a first call up to Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller. Mario Gomez remains sidelined, but fellow-striker Miroslav Klose returns to the squad.

Where to watch: The international friendly will kick off from the San Siro at 2.45 p.m. ET. Coverage will be provided by RAI Internazionale. A live stream, which you view at your own discretion, will be available here.

Italy Vs. Germany: TV Channel, Live stream Details And Preview

Liverpool Vs. Fulham: TV Channel, Live Stream Details And Preview getdiscountz.blogspot.com

getdiscountz.blogspot.com ® Liverpool Vs. Fulham: TV Channel, Live Stream Details And Preview

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is seeking to put last week’s defeat to Arsenal behind them and stay on course for a return to the Champions League with the visit of Fulham on Saturday. After a strong start to the season, the defeat was something of a rude awakening but, still lying third after claiming 20 points from their first 10 games, Rodgers believes that they remain on path to claim a spot in the Premier League’s top four for the first time since finishing second in the 2008-09 campaign.

"If you look at where we're at if you're averaging two points a game you would like to think you would get into the Champions League," he said. "Come Saturday if we can get another three points -- which we'll be fighting hard for -- that would take us above that.

"We've built a platform this year but we have to keep pushing and moving forward or else it counts for nothing. We just need to keep focusing and keep our concentration.”

One of the few positives to come out of the defeat at the Emirates was the return as substitute of Philippe Coutinho, and the Brazilian could be included in the starting lineup on Saturday. Also likely to be involved are defenders Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique. Johnson has recovered from the jaw problem that made him a late withdrawal against Liverpool, while Enrique is back in training after a knee problem.

Rodgers will be hoping that Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge rediscover their goal-scoring touch after drawing a blank against Arsenal. One man that knows all about the strengths of Suarez is Martin Jol. The Fulham boss managed the Uruguayan at Ajax and believes he is among the world’s best.

“Suarez, in my opinion, is one of the best in the world, and he will prove that,” he said, according to Fulham’s official website. “I had Suarez with Ajax in Holland and he will score a lot of goals -- he would have been top scorer last year if he hadn’t been suspended.”

Jol has far bigger concerns right now, however. Consecutive defeats leave Fulham just two points above the relegation zone and with Jol under mounting pressure. But, while accepting the fans’ ire toward him, he has urged them to get behind the players on the pitch.

“If they [the fans] are disappointed I can understand that,” he said. “As long as we don’t have the results they can do it [be disappointed] with me, but hopefully they will support our team because we are not in the best of situations, but not in the worst.”

Jol will have defender Brede Hangeland back in the squad, but has yet to make a decision on whether he will be fit enough to start.

Prediction: Liverpool were undone against Arsenal in large part by the dynamism in Arsenal’s midfield, but are unlikely to encounter the same problems against Fulham. Jol’s side remains badly imbalanced with a lack of energy and intensity both with and without the ball pervading their play. Suarez and Sturridge could have a field day against a defense that was so acquiescing to United racing into a 3-0 lead inside 22 minutes last weekend.

Liverpool 3-0 Fulham

Where to watch: The Barclays Premier League clash will kick off from Anfield at 10 a.m. ET. Coverage will be provided by NBC’s Premier League Extra Time, with a live stream available on NBC Sports Live Extra.

Liverpool Vs. Fulham: TV Channel, Live Stream Details And Preview

Real Madrid Vs. Sevilla: TV Channel, Live Stream Details And Preview getdiscountz.blogspot.com

getdiscountz.blogspot.com ® Real Madrid Vs. Sevilla: TV Channel, Live Stream Details And Preview

Xabi Alonso will return to the Real Madrid squad for the first time this season as the club looks to rebound from their weekend Clasico defeat when Sevilla visit the Bernabeu. Alonso is set to start on the bench on Wednesday, but it is coach Carlo Ancelotti’s starting lineup that is likely to be much scrutinized after criticisms for his selection in the 2-1 loss to Barcelona.

Sergio Ramos was handed a midfield role at the Camp Nou, while Gareth Bale made only his second start as part of an unfamiliar front three alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel di Maria. That Madrid’s performance improved greatly with the withdrawal of Ramos and Bale was clear and only added to the questions over the original selection. One of the men who made an impact off the bench, Karim Benzema, has been confirmed by Ancelotti as a starter against Sevilla.

Even before El Clasico there has been much discussion about Ancelotti’s tactics and just how he is trying to move the team on from Jose Mourinho’s counter-attacking philosophy. The Italian admits that they remain a work in progress.

“We’re very close [to seeing Ancelotti’s Marid],” he said, according to Spanish sports daily AS. “I can’t say how many days. I hope tomorrow we have the intensity we were lacking against Barcelona. We only played well in the second half in the Camp Nou and we need to do that for the whole game.

“For the fans it’s hard to know what we’re trying to do because we haven’t always played good football. The criticism is normal. But I only take into account constructive criticism. I think the team’s style of play is clear.”

Taking three points on Wednesday will be crucial to remain in touch with Barcelona at the top of the Primera Division table. Barcelona’s win over Celta Vigo on Tuesday evening opened up a nine point gap, which even at this early stage of the season would be potentially insurmountable. A victory is unlikely to be straightforward, though, against a Sevilla side that has gone seven matches without defeat in all competitions.

Having had the heart of their team ripped out over the summer with several big-name departures, Sevilla lost three of their first five Liga games. Yet, inspired by the performances and goals of midfielder Ivan Rakitic, Unai Emery’s side have risen into the top half of the table.

Real Madrid (probable)

G: Lopez

D: Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo

M: Khedira, Illarramendi, Isco

F: Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo

Sevilla (probable)

G: Beto

D: Diogo, Pareja, Carrico, Moreno

M: Jairo, Mbia, Rakitic, Vitolo

F: Gameiro, Bacca

Prediction: Real Madrid certainly remain a work in progress, although there remains some doubt about what the style is that Ancelotti is trying to implement. Indeed, throughout his managerial career Ancelotti’s teams have lacked a clear identity. Against most teams, the exceptional quality of their individuals will be enough to prosper, but, as the Clasico showed, more will be needed against the very best.

Sevilla do not fit into that latter category, but they will present tough opposition. Still, Madrid should be more coherent with Benzema offering a natural focal point in attack and Isco potentially coming into the side to provide creativity from midfield. And, with Sevilla yet to win away from home in the league this season, Madrid should rebound with a win.

Real Madrid 3-1 Sevilla

Where to watch: The Spanish Primera Division match will kick off at 5 p.m. ET. Coverage will be provided by beIN Espanol, with the second half shown on beIN Sport. A live stream will be available on beIN Sport Play.

Follow Jason Le Miere on Twitter

Real Madrid Vs. Sevilla: TV Channel, Live Stream Details And Preview