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D’Aversa, though, is expecting nothing less than the sternest of tests from the Partenopei in Saturday’s afternoon kick-off.

“If I have to list them all (Napoli’s strengths), we would never end,” the Lecce boss told a press conference.

“They are Italian champions, they have a complete team with capable and quality players – Osimhen attacks from deep and is one of the best in Europe.

“On our part, there must be the will to put in a great performance.”

Forza Ragazzi! Testa alla prossima

— U.S. Lecce (@OfficialUSLecce)

Lecce sit just a place behind Napoli, level on points, after losing their first Serie A game this season 1-0 at Juventus on Tuesday night.

D’Aversa will be without midfielder Mohamed Kaba thr…

Santos will consider a proposal to permanently retire the number 10 that Pele famously wore during his career with the Brazilian club.

However, a day on from the announcement of Pele s death, it has emerged his former club s members are divided about the plan.

President Andres Rueda told Brazilian outlet BandNews: We are going to propose to the council that it retires the number 10 shirt. This requires a bureaucratic procedure, a council meeting and approval.

In the meantime, due to an administrative act, we will no longer wear shirt number 10 from January, hoping that it will become a final decision by our board.

Rueda added: I think it is an excellent tribute. Why wasn t this posted earlier? The opinion of the members is somewhat divided. Previously, …

Mesut Ozil says that a lack of interest shown by Pep Guardiola convinced him to reject a move to Barcelona in 2010, despite having initially set his sights on a move to Camp Nou.

The Germany international was one of the most sought after prospects in world football having played a starring role for his country at the 2010 World Cup and impressing for Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga.

Catalan giants Barca were among the clubs showing an interest and Ozil revealed that he was convinced he would make the switch to Camp Nou.

However, the now Arsenal midfielder opted for a move to Barca s fierce Clasico rivals Real Madrid, a decision Ozil says he made due to Guardiola s attitude.

Arsenal were interested in signing me after the 2010 World Cup, as were Mancheste…

Experienced Premier League boss Harry Redknapp will be looking to keep the Hoops in the top-flight

This weekend QPR, Burnley and Leicester City will make their returns to the Premier League, after various periods outside the top-flight.

As per usual at this point the trio are favourites for a return straight from where they came.

Favourites

It is almost an annual traditional that the three promoted clubs from the Championship to the Premier League are almost always made automatic favourites to be relegated. This season the bookmakers have not disappointed again.

Burnley

Burnley have taken a similar approach to the last time they were in the top-flight in season 2009/2010, by not over-spending and keeping the clubs finances stable…

Alexis Sanchez reached 20 league goals in a season for the first time as he inspired Arsenal s 2-0 win at Southampton that narrows the gap to the Premier League s top four.

A home win over Jose Mourinho s depleted Manchester United on Sunday meant Arsenal could cut the gap to fourth-placed Manchester City to three points with victory at St Mary s Stadium, but they never looked likely in a second-rate first half.

Sanchez and Mesut Ozil had been guilty for letting the air out of numerous attacks for Arsene Wenger s side, but the duo combined sublimely to puncture the Saints back line on the hour.

Making his 100th Premier League appearance, Sanchez celebrated his fine strike by tapping the badge on his chest in front of the travelling fans as his, and Ozil s, futur…

Espanyol coach Sergio Gonzalez accepts that goalkeeper Kiko Casilla cannot turn down the opportunity to join La Liga giants Real Madrid.

Casilla is on Real s radar following the departure of long-serving Iker Casillas, who completed his transfer to Porto on Saturday, while Manchester United are showing no signs of letting top Bernabeu target David de Gea depart Old Trafford.

Real have already had an offer rejected by Espanyol, but Gonzalez has urged Casilla not to refuse the chance as the capital club prepare to make a new bid.

There are offers that you have to weigh up, but when you have an offer of that level, it s clear that you want to go there, Gonzalez said.

You have to take it with your eyes closed.

Gonzalez described the 28-year-old kee…

Cesena forward Gregoire Defrel is believed to be on the radar of Italian champions Juventus, Corriere di Romagna has suggested.

The Bianconeri were largely impressed with the Frenchman s performance in the weekend s 2-2 draw with Cesena, and they are expected to keep monitoring his showings.

Juventus general manager Beppe Marotta had a talk with Cesena sporting director Rino Foschi after the game and asked his counterpart to inform him if Defrel becomes available for sale.

The 23-year-old began his professional career at Parma in 2009, but he left I Ducali for Cesena after making just one league appearance for the club.

A successful loan spell with Foggia helped Defrel earn a switch to Cesena, where he went on to score 12 goals in 91 league matches.

…

Having gone down to an 18th-minute own-goal from Robin Le Normand, Spain scored four to beat Georgia in the round of 16 at the Euros and set the stage for a showdown with Germany in the quarterfinals. Rodri (39 ), Fabian Ruiz (51 ), Nico Williams (75 ) and substitute Dani Olmo (83 ) were all on the scoresheet.

The game took place on Sunday evening at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne.

The teams

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente paired Robin Le Normand with Aymeric Laporte in the heart of defence, in front of Unai Simon in goal, with Dani Carvajal on the right and Marc Cucurella on the left. Rodri anchored the midfield, with Pedri and Fabian Ruiz there as well. Upfront, Alvaro Morata was flanked by Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.

Meanwhile, Georgia coach Willy Sagno…

Raheem Sterling was Manchester City s saviour once again as his desperately late winner spared their blushes at the Vitality Stadium, securing a 2-1 win over Bournemouth before also getting sent off.

Pep Guardiola s men were on top for much of the match and looked destined to once again drop points due to their wastefulness in front of goal, but Sterling popped up just as he did to help City draw 1-1 with Everton last time out, this time netting the decisive winner, before receiving a second booking for a celebration which saw him incite fan encroachment.

Even from the early stages it looked as though City were going to have to dig deep if they wanted to take all three points, with Charlie Daniels wonderful volley finally getting them off the mark in the Premier League …

Verdict: Draw

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After losing three consecutive games prior to the international break, Watford boss Marco Silva will be desperate to find the same form that saw Watford flirting with the top four last month. On Sunday afternoon, Vicarage Road will be playing host to a West Ham side who will begin life under former Manchester United boss David Moyes.

Watford

Despite suffering a 6-0 hammering at the hands of runaway league leaders Manchester City in the middle of September. Watford were a side flirting with the top four after a stellar start to their campaign. In their first eight games of the season, minus their blip against the Sky Blues, The Hornets had not lost another game during Marco Silva s honeymoon period. A 2-1 win over …