UEFA Europa League - Watch these
Kick-off for this game is at 15:00 ET/20:00 GMT on B/R Live, UniMás, and Univision NOW in the USA; BT Sport in the UK; DAZN in Canada; Optus Sport in Australia; and Sport TV1 and SIC in Portugal.
Arsenal heads into this tie off the back of their draw with Liverpool. It was a game that left several fans impressed with the club, as they fought back from 1-0 down after conceding an unfortunate goal. This means the Gunners are still unbeaten since August and this shows, with the players growing in confidence.
Arsenal players in good mood ahead of Thursday's game
Welcome to the latest edition of Mesut Megs
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) November 7, 2018
Today's victim? It's @MatteoGuendouzi (sorry Matteo!)
@MesutOzil1088 pic.twitter.com/v4VtiowRW7
As for Sporting CP, they will be keen to get revenge for the 1-0 loss they suffered at home against the north Londoners. Das Bost is tipped to feature, which will be a huge boost for the Lions. This is a crucial game, as another defeat to Arsenal will see the Premier League giant win the group.
The respective mascots mingle ahead of their Emirates Stadium showdown
"What do lions and dinosaurs eat for lunch?"
— Gunnersaurus (@Gunnersaurus) November 8, 2018
I took my new pal Jubas from @Sporting_CP on a tour of the stadium
#SportingCP #UEL #AFCStadiumTour pic.twitter.com/JHFIY1YyKG
This game is scheduled at 15:00 ET/20:00 GMT on Univision Deportes and B/R Live in the USA; BT Sport in the UK; DAZN in Canada; Optus Sport in Australia; Movistar in Spain; and Sky Italia in Italy.
Real Betis will have the home advantage for this tie, having marched into the lead in Group F after beating AC Milan at San Siro. The Italians will be keen on getting revenge for their 2-1 loss in the reverse fixture. Failing to win the group will be disappointing for the Rossoneri and would only fuel rumors of Gattuso's departure even more, with Wenger being tipped to replace him.
Arsene Wenger is reportedly AC Milan-bound & will replace Gennaro Gattuso as coach. #ACM https://t.co/zrL69ocTha
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) November 5, 2018
This game begins at 12:55 ET/17:55 GMT and will be aired on B/R Live, UniMás, and Univision NOW in the USA; BT Sport and Talksport 2 Radio UK in the United Kingdom; DAZN in Canada; Optus Sport in Australia; and Belarus 5 in Belarus.
Chelsea is well on their way to not only progressing but also winning the group. The Blues boast a perfect record in this competition under Sarri and sit six points ahead of their other three opponents, all tied at three points each. As for BATE, a positive result at home would help their odds of making the next round. However, stopping the only unbeaten team in Europe's top five leagues won't be easy.
Only Sarri's Chelsea remains unbeaten
A list of teams unbeaten in all competitions from Europe's top five leagues:
— bet365 (@bet365) November 7, 2018
1. Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea
End of list. pic.twitter.com/IVHvAdJnpZ
Time to decide the first MLS Cup conference finalist
Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers
Kick-off is at 22:30 ET/03:30 GMT on Fox Sports and SiriusXM FC in the USA; Sky Sports in the UK; TVA Sports and TSN in Canada; and beIN Sports in Australia. Currently, the ball is in Portland's court. They beat Seattle Sounders 2-1 in the first leg and will need only to defend their lead at the CenturyLink Field. Only 90 minutes separate the Timbers from a spot in the conference final. Time will reveal whether they will book that ticket.
The Timbers meet a familiar foe in the form of Sounders
Tomorrow will be our sixth meeting with the Sounders in 2018. Familiar.@richardfarley: https://t.co/I4XMOWVjJ4 | #OnwardRoseCity #RCTID @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/VLnbxthO3Y
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) November 8, 2018
The Copa Sudamericana semis
This game will kick-off at 19:45 ET/00:45 GMT with Fox Sports airing this tie in the USA and Colombia. This is the first-leg of their semi-final clash, as both teams are vying for the win ahead of the return leg. Who'll win on Thursday? Tune in to find out.
Don't miss the Women's World Cup playoffs
This tie kicks off at 17:00 ET/22:00 GMT on TyC Sports Internacional in the USA. It will see Argentina and Panama began their two-legged showdown to claim one of six remaining Women's World Cup spots. For the South Americans, they are vying to qualify for the first time since 2007. As for the Peruvians, they are gunning for their first ever qualification.
Today's big headlines
Mourinho trolls Juventus fans
On Wednesday, Mourinho's Man United handed Juventus their first defeat of the season, beating them 2-1 in Turin in a shock Champions League result. After the final whistle, the Special One wasted no time in getting back at the Bianconeri fans for the abuse he received at Old Trafford, which did not sit well with a few Juventus players.
Are people still whining about Mourinho's ear-cupping at the final whistle last night??? It was a bit silly but it was harmless, pantomime-villain stuff. Not advisable in eg a Glasgow/Edinburgh/Istanbul/Belgrade derby, but is anyone really offended by it? Weird
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) November 8, 2018
Mourinho defends his actions after taunting the home fans
"I just wanted to hear if they'd make comments again or not."
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 8, 2018
Jose Mourinho defends celebrations after @ManUtd beat @juventusfc: https://t.co/AUAFMssr7a pic.twitter.com/96owADGagZ
Sterling apologizes for that Shakhtar penalty
While Sterling did not dive to win a penalty, the Englishman comically fell over after stubbing his toe on the floor and won a spot-kick nonetheless. Guardiola later admitted that the Man City ace could have told the referee what happened, with the attacker himself apologizing after the game.
Watch: Sterling says sorry for THAT penalty
Raheem Sterling apologises to the referee and to Shakhtar for last night's penalty incident
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 8, 2018
( @Esp_Interativo) pic.twitter.com/lDHyox1vIG
What to look forward to on Friday, November 9, 2018?
The CAF Champions League final will be wrapped up, with ES Tunis taking on Al Ahly in the second and final leg. Elsewhere, Yeni Malatyaspor will lock horns with Trabzonspor while the Netherlands will clash with Switzerland in the race to qualify for the 2019 Women's World Cup.