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SC Villa midfielder Emmanuel Wasswa is banking on the team’s recent away form to get a win and advance to the Round of 16 of the Uganda Cup on Sunday.

The Jogoos will face the university side at Arena of Visions in Ndejje for the second leg of the Round of 32 fixture having lost the first leg 1-0 at Nakivubo Stadium.

Wasswa, who featured for 47 minutes in the shock defeat, is confident the Jogoos are going to Ndejje with a stronger mindset in order to overturn the first-leg deficit and their recent away form, which has seen them win back-to-back matches against MYDA FC and Bright Stars in the Ugandan Premier League, will be a very vital boost to the team.

“Going to secure an away victory with a goal cushion of two or more from Ndejje is an opportunity for us to stay in the Cup this season,” Wasswa said as quoted by the club’s official website.

“We are fortunate this season’s Uganda Cup format provides a two-legged challenge. This a golden opportunity for us to make amends for the first leg slip.

“With all the training we have carried out this week and without any fresh injuries to destabilise the team, I am very confident we will come out on top of this fixture.”

Wasswa confirmed they have worked on the mistakes that denied them a win at home in the first leg and further revealed their game plan is to attack Ndejje for the entire 90 minutes.

“We are very prepared for the second leg against Ndejje. The technical team has intensified the training sessions in a bid to overturn our first leg loss,” Wasswa continued.

“We have worked on different areas of our play that is; shooting, crossing, positioning, and more. The task ahead of us of eliminating Ndejje needs to create multiple chances throughout the whole 90 minutes.”

Villa received a boost on Tuesday with striker Ronald Olaki training progressively with the first team and he is available for selection after recovering from injury.

Pacey winger Sadam Masereka also recovered very well from a knock sustained during the league visit to MYDA, while forward Benson Muhindo will not be involved as continues his rehabilitation.

Orlando Pirates would be pushing to reclaim the Caf Confederation Cup Group A lead when they clash against Al Ahli Benghazi at Orlando Stadium on Sunday.

Following a 0-0 draw away at Al Ahli Benghazi last weekend, Orlando Pirates were deposed from top spot by Enyimba, who beat bottom-placed ES Setif at home.

Now, Josef Zinnbauer and his men would be hoping that Enyimba falter in their visit to Setif on Sunday while they do the job against their Libyan visitors in Johannesburg.

Only a point separate Pirates and Enyimba, who have six points.

If the Soweto giants lose, they will drop to third spot while Al Ahli Benghazi, who currently have four points, will leapfrog them into second, assuming the Nigerian giants claim maximum points.

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

Squads & Team News

Just like in their visit to Al Ahli Benghazi last week, Pirates face the possibility of hosting the Libyans with a severely depleted squad due to injuries.

While they welcome back captain Happy Jele, who missed the match in Libya, there are fresh injury concerns in their camp as Bongani Sam becomes the latest injury casualty.

Innocent Maela and Thembinkosi Lorch remain sidelined and will not participate in Sunday's game.

Terrence Dzvukamanja was injured in the away 0-0 draw against Al Ahli Benghazi last Sunday and was due to undergo a late fitness test together with the likes of Deon Hotto and Thabang Monare, who did not make the trip to Libya last week.

Thabiso Monyane is likely not to feature as he was part of the Pirates reserves team which beat Kaizer Chiefs in the Diski Challenge match on Saturday in what was part of his recovery programme.

The availability of goalkeeper Richard Ofori has not been updated by Pirates, as Wayne Sandilans took over the guarding of goal from Siyabonga Mpontshane in Libya.

It is also not yet known if strikers Zakhele Lepasa and Jean-Marc Makusu are back. 

The Libyans have not updated their injury or suspension situation in their camp.

Nevertheless, Pirates will have to be on the lookout for striker Jibreel Alwadawi, who has been in fine form in Al Ahli Benghazi's domestic and continental matches.

Match Preview

This will now be the second-ever meeting between Pirates and Al Ahli Benghazi after the two sides played out to a 0-0 draw seven days ago.

The match saw Pirates claiming another point on the road in this group campaign after doing the same against Setif in their opening match, and the Buccaneers are yet to concede away.

After beating Enyimba 2-1 in their last match at home on March 17, Pirates extended an impressive home record in this competition. 

Since July 2015 when they lost 1-0 to Zamalek, the Soweto giants have avoided defeat at home in the Confederation Cup and have now gone for six matches without losing in Johannesburg.

They are also yet to lose this season dating back from the qualifying rounds and they now host Al Ahli Benghazi, whose last trip in this competition ended up in a 2-1 defeat by Enyimba.

Pirates go into this match having failed to record victory in their last two games across all competitions; losing to Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the Soweto derby, before that draw in Libya.

In their last five games, the Buccaneers have managed two wins, as many draws and a defeat.

They face Al Ahli, who have not lost in their last two games after beating Setif before the home draw against Pirates, and in their last five matches, the Libyans have recorded three wins, a draw and a defeat.

Stefano Pioli says Zlatan Ibrahimovic denied offending match referee Fabio Maresca after being shown a red card during Milan's Serie A clash with Parma.

Milan bounced back from last weekend's 1-1 draw with Sampdoria by beating Parma 3-1 at Ennio Tardini Stadium on Saturday, thanks to goals from Ante Rebic, Franck Kessie and Rafael Leao.

Pioli saw his team pick up a valuable three points despite having to play the final thirty minutes with ten men after Ibrahimovic was sent off for arguing with the referee, and was able to shed some light on that incident after the final whistle.

What's been said?

"I was focused on the match," the Milan boss told the club's official media channel. "Zlatan told me that he argued with the referee and that the discussion went on, but he told me that he had not offended the referee. The discussion took place and the referee soon reached this decision."

Asked what Ibrahimovic said to Maresca, Pioli told Sky Italia: "He told me he said to the referee, 'You really don't care what I tell you?'"

What happened?

Milan were on course for a comfortable victory after going in at half-time with a 2-0 lead, but Parma were given hope of a comeback when Ibrahimovic was dismissed on the hour mark.

The referee's decision to show a red card to the 39-year-old seemed to be out of the blue, with replays failing to pick up exactly what was said between the two men.

Maresca reached for his pocket after Ibrahimovic said something to him before Milan took a free kick in their own half, leaving his team-mates and the visiting coaching staff bemused.

How many games will Zlatan miss?

Ibrahimovic is now facing a three-match ban for his conduct, having been shown a straight red card instead of two yellows, which would have seen him given just a one-match suspension.

If Milan decide against appealing the decision, the veteran Swede will miss upcoming home fixtures against Genoa and Sassuolo as well as a crucial trip to Lazio on April 26.

Zlatan's Serie A record in 2020-21

Losing Ibrahimovic heading into the businesses end of the campaign represents a significant blow for Milan, who are currently chasing the runners' up spot in the Serie A standings.

The Rossoneri are sitting four points clear of third-placed Juventus, and eight behind leaders Inter.

Ibrahimovic has been instrumental in Milan's rise to second, scoring 15 goals in 17 appearances, while also setting up a further two for his team-mates.

Further reading

Paolo Maldini has confirmed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is close to signing a contract extension with AC Milan.

Ibrahimovic is fast approaching the final two months of his current deal at San Siro, having been handed a fresh one-year agreement last summer.

The 39-year-old has struggled with injuries throughout the 2020-21 campaign, but Maldini says steps are being taken to tie the forward down to fresh terms, with talks over a renewal at an advanced stage.

What's been said?

Asked for an update on a potential new contract for Ibrahimovic, Milan's technical director told Sky Sports Italia: "We are very close, only very few details are missing."

Zlatan's stance on his future

Ibrahimovic addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding his future at the start of March, telling Rai Play of the affinity he has for the club and his team-mates.

"Let’s see [about a renewal]. If Paolo [Maldini] wants, I am up for it," he said. "When I spend a day without them [my team-mates], it's like one without my children."

How has Zlatan performed for Milan this term?

Despite the fact that Ibrahimovic has missed a total of 20 games this season due to a combination of coronavirus and injuries, he has still played a key role in their rise to second in the Serie A standings.

The Sweden international has hit 15 goals in 17 top-flight matches, and has also scored twice in cup competitions while contributing a further three assists.

What else did Maldini say?

Milan's No 1 goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is also set to become a free agent in June, with it reported that negotiations over a new contract have stalled in recent months.

Maldini confirmed as much when addressing the Italian shot-stopper's situation, admitting that both parties have yet to reach a final agreement.

"Many times he has given satisfaction as in my case, other times not. I am not here to judge," he added. "I know what I have available from the club and I know what my idea of ​​a team is. To make a deal the two of you need to be happy."

Further reading

Joel Ward has lauded “tremendous” Crystal Palace star Jeffrey Schlupp, claiming “he is a joy to play with”.

With the Eagles losing 3-0 to Chelsea at half time courtesy of goals from Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and Kurt Zouma, the Ghanaian was introduced in the 59th for Eberechi Eze.

Nonetheless, their ambition to secure at least a point at home faded into thin air as Pulisic completed his double in the 78th minute – to give the Stamford Bridge giants a comprehensive 4-1 away triumph.

Although Palace crumbled to their 13th league defeat of the 2020-21 campaign, the Englishman was keen to praise the contribution of his teammate.

"We have to try to find some positives – in the second half there were a few glimpses of what we’re about, Christian [Benteke] up-top deserved his goal and when Jeff [Schlupp] came on he changed the game,” Ward told Premier League Productions per Crystal Palace website.

"Jeff’s got an enormous amount of gifts. He’s a tremendous player and a joy to play with and I think when he comes on and gets direct and starts to drive at players you see his quality shine through.

"On the ball and his final balls were on the money today and were against Everton as well.

“The depth of the squad is strong and when players like Jeff come onto the pitch you know he’s going to have an impact and that’s what he did at times to give the team a lift."

Following his participation against the Blues, Ghana international Schlupp has now featured in 20 league games so far for the Selhurst Park outfit.

With this result, Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea moved to fourth in the English topflight log having garnered 54 points from 31 matches, whereas Palace occupy the 13th spot with 38 points from the same number of outings.

The six-time English champions welcome Porto for the reverse fixture of their Champions League last-eight clash on Tuesday, holding a 2-0 lead. On the other hand, Crystal Palace are not in action until April 26, when they travel to the King Power Stadium for a date with Leicester City.

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes that finishing a distant second in the Premier League standings does not constitute a meaningful feat for the Red Devils. 

United currently trail rivals Manchester City by 14 points at the top of the table and look unlikely to catch Pep Guardiola's men before the end of the season. 

But while it would be only their second runner-up finish in the top flight since winning the league for the last time in 2012-13, Solskjaer is adamant they must aim higher. 

What was said?

"You can’t say that is an achievement," Solskjaer told reporters when asked about the merits of finishing second.

"Our ambition is a lot more than second place. I said that when I wasn’t at the club – you can never be happy with that and we’re not.

"Don’t get me wrong, our ambition is to catch the team in front of us.

"At the moment [City] have had a fantastic season, they have had three or four of them, and we know the challenge ahead of us. But we have to take it on. If you don’t, then you’re in the wrong place because that is what I am going for.

"Players have to really take that on with the sacrifices they have to make and the work they have to do. Blood, sweat and tears have to be put down because this is the best league in the world – and the most difficult."

Mourinho's take 

One man who might disagree with Solskjaer's opinion is none other than Jose Mourinho. 

The Tottenham boss, who welcomes his former employers to north London on Sunday, was proud of United's efforts in finishing 19 points behind City in second while he was in charge in 2017-18. 

“It is difficult to believe that we finished second because you are capable of making people that finish second look like they were relegated, and people who win nothing, finish below us, and you make them look like serial winners," he explained back in 2018 while still United manager.

“So it’s difficult for me to understand or to feel or to believe that we finished second, which I keep saying that I – and sometimes it’s also difficult to believe – that I won eight championships and three Premier Leagues.

“But I keep saying and thinking and feeling that the second last season was one of my biggest achievements in the game.”

Further reading 

Zinedine Zidane was delighted with Real Madrid’s win over Barcelona, but says he will have to patch up his squad for the clash with Liverpool as they are “physically at the limit.”

After assuming control of the Clasico thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos, Real had to dig in to repel a fightback from Barca to hold on for a 2-1 win.

The Liga champions can now turn their attentions to the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Liverpool on Wednesdsay.

What has been said?

Securing the win that lifted Madrid to the top of the league thrilled their manager, but Zidane said there are some weary bodies in the dressing room.

“There are players with pain again,” Zidane said. “I don't know how we are going to end the season but we are going to need everyone because we are physically at the limit. It's hard for us to finish the games. But we are here and we are alive. 

“We are going to rest well and we are going to see how to do it, how to rest better, and then prepare for Wednesday's game.”

Madrid went into the clash without first-choice defensive pair Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane and lost Lucas Vazquez to injury prior to half-time - while Casemiro will also sit out their next Liga fixture after earning a red card.

Clasico delight for Zidane

The weather was not good in Madrid, with the game played in monsoon-like conditions, but it did not dampen Zidane’s mood.

“Nothing's going to change,” Zidane said. "A lot is still ahead. But you have to enjoy today and the next day what we did, because it was two very hard-fought games. We got two good results.”

Zidane brushes off penalty controversy

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman felt his side should have been awarded a penalty for a foul on Martin Braithwaite , but Zidane had no view on it and was not concerned by what the Catalans perceived as a lack of injury time added on.

“If the referee has not whistled, it is because there is no penalty,” he said. “The extra time can be three, four, five or six minutes… He decides. The most important thing for us is what we did in the field. 

“We can be happy, it cannot be said that it was only because of the referee.”

Further reading

Ronald Koeman cut short his post-match interview with Movistar+ after getting into an exchange with a reporter over a penalty no-call in Barcelona's 2-1 El Clasico defeat on Saturday.

After declaring himself "angry" about Martin Braithwaite being told to play on upon going down in the final 10 minutes, Koeman asked the reporter whether they thought it should have been a penalty. When told the decision was up to the referees, the manager cut back, "If you want to sit on the fence, sit on the fence!" before trudging off.

Barcelona's title hopes were slashed by the result, as Real Madrid passed them in the table and Atletico Madrid remained ahead with eight matches to go.

What happened?

Braithwaite touched the ball away from Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy in the 84th minute before falling to the grass with the suggestion he had been clipped from behind.

Replays appeared inconclusive, but Koema fumed following the contest and took out his frustration during his first interaction with the media.

What has Koeman said?

"If you want to sit on the fence, sit on the fence!" Koeman said to the Movistar+ reporter after they had not provided an opinion on the penalty shout.

Earlier in the interview, Koeman had made clear his own perspective.

"We are really angry about the situation with the penalty," the manager said. "That's not fair play. If you don't give the penalty — I don't understand that."

Koeman continued: “I only ask the referees to get decisions right. It’s a penalty and only four minutes of stoppage time was given, despite the referee having [to stop for a period] because he had a problem with his headset.

“It’s a very clear penalty. And if it had been given it’s 2-2. It’s such a clear penalty. I don’t know why we have VAR in Spain."

How did Real Madrid respond?

“If the referee has not whistled, it is because there is no penalty," said Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane.

"The extra time can be three, four, five or six minutes… He decides."

Further reading

Barcelona remain hopeful that Lionel Messi has not played his last Clasico for the club.

Messi’s future is up for debate, as he in the final months of his contract and has not yet committed to fresh terms.

He tasted defeat in the Clasico on Saturday, and the Argentina international’s future was a topic for debate in the post-game analysis.

What has been said?

Barcelona director Guillermo Amor was asked about Messi’s future on the back of the 2-1 loss to Real Madrid.

When asked if it was Messi’s final Clasico, Amor said: “We hope not; we hope he decides to stay at Barcelona and plays many more Clasicos with Barcelona.”

What next for Barca?

The Catalans may have given the initiative to Real and Atletico Madrid in the title race, but they are not out of the hunt as they remain within a point of the leaders.

With no European football to concentrate on following their Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, Barca’s focus shifts to the Copa Del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao next Saturday.

“We now have to focus on the next game, which is very important,” Amor told Movistar . “It’s a chance to win a trophy.”

Messi’s Clasico woes

The greatest goalscorer in Barcelona history is in a rut when it comes to Clasicos.

After drawing a blank on Saturday, he has now gone seven games against Real Madrid without finding the net.

His drought in front of goal against Real stretches back to May 2018.

Further reading

Football enthusiasts in Nigeria took to social media to applaud Zinedine Zidane following Real Madrid's 2-1 victory Barcelona in Saturday's El Clasico.

Zidane became the first Real Madrid manager to win three consecutive El Clasico games since 1979 after first-half goals from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos secured maximum points for the hosts.

Saturday's result was the second time Real Madrid defeated their fierce rivals this season after they cruised to a 3-1 win at Camp Nou back in October.

Despite the Blancos’ injury struggles with Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal ruled out, Zidane has been praised for creating a formidable defensive set-up that kept Lionel Messi and Barcelona forwards at bay.

The victory shot Real Madrid to the summit of La Liga table with 66 points after 30 matches while Barcelona dropped to third with 65 points.

Nigerians, in their reactions, suggested that the Frenchman deserves more credit and respect for his impact in the dugout.

The Liga Betplay is the top level of football in Colombia, with 19 teams from across the country fighting it out in the 2021 edition which started in January. 

All games are live streamed on Fanatiz and you can sign up to watch free here.

The campaign is divided into two stages, with a winner crowned at the end of each phase following a play-off competition involving the best eight teams from the regular season.

Both the Apertura and Finalizacion are counted as league victories in their own right, marking a return to the previous format following alterations to the system during the Covid-affected 2020 season.

How to watch Deportivo Cali vs Atletico Nacional

The hosts find themselves embroiled in a fierce fight to secure one of the eight play-off spots going into this penultimate round of Apertura fixtures.

With just one win in their last nine games Cali have seen what seemed to be an easy top-eight finish evaporate, with rivals America among the sides hoping to leave them out in the cold.

Nacional sit at the top of the table and are a virtually guaranteed to make the play-offs, needing just one point to secure their spot from the last two games of the Apertura.

A win over Cali coupled with defeat for Santa Fe against Millonarios on Sunday would also clinch the summit for the Medellin giants.

Independiente Medellin vs Atletico Nacional is available to stream worldwide on Fanatiz, where you can sign up for a 7-day free trial.

You can watch all of the 2021 Liga BetPlay season live on  Fanatiz .

Live Stream: Fanatiz English ( stream now )

What other Serie A matches are available on Fanatiz?

Watch the Liga BetPlay live on Fanatiz.

Kareem Benzema became one of just four Real Madrid players to ever score in seven straight La Liga matches this century when he put away the opener in a 2-1 win over Barcelona on Saturday.

The forward joined Ruud van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale with that distinction and did so in style, directing a Lucas Vazquez centering pass beyond Marc-Andre ter Stegen with a fancy trailing leg flick.

Benzema has enjoyed one of his best seasons in recent memory, racking up 19 goals through 26 games.

The streak

The last time Benzema failed to find the back of the net in La Liga was in early February, which has given him the best scoring streak since Bale accomplished the feat in 2018.

His output has come with the following performances:

Bigger picture

Real Madrid have been crushed by injuries in the second half of the season, and Benzema has needed to step up in order for Zinedine Zidane's side to remain in La Liga title contention.

By defeating Barcelona on Saturday, the team is level on points with Atletico Madrid at the top of the table with one more match played.

Further reading

Barcelona star Lionel Messi once more failed to hit the net in the Clasico to stretch his goal drought against Real Madrid to seven games, the longest of his professional career. 

The Argentine was powerless to stop the Catalans falling to their second Liga defeat of the season against their arch-rivals as the Merengue ran out 2-1 winners on Saturday. 

No player has scored more goals in the fixture, but he has lost the scoring touch in recent years.

Messi's Clasico woes

It was another frustrating Clasico evening for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner as he failed to break down a Madrid defence shorn of starting centre-backs Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane. 

Messi mustered seven shots, including two on target, but neither managed to escape the grasp of Thibaut Courtois in the Blancos net. 

Seven games have now come and gone since his last strike in the showpiece fixture, marking an unwanted record for the usually prolific forward. 

Not since May 2018 has he managed to net against Madrid, more than 1000 days ago. 

Curiously, that match was also Cristiano Ronaldo's final Clasico appearance before moving to Juventus. 

Messi has thus failed to score once since his long-time rival left La Liga, having netted a record 26 times - more than anyone else in Barca or Madrid history - by 2018. 

The question now is, with so much speculation over his future, whether Saturday's rain-sodden Clasico will be Leo's last.

The bigger picture

Saturday's reverse was built on a horrendous first half from Ronald Koeman's visitors, who went down 2-0 within the opening half-hour. 

Karim Benzema opened the scoring for Madrid, before Toni Kroos hit with a free-kick that took a deflection of two Barca players on its way past Marc Andre ter Stegen. 

Barca fought back after the break and pulled within reach when Oscar Mingueza beat Courtois from close-range, but they missed their last chance to level through Ilaix Moriba as the substitute rattled the crossbar in injury time. 

Madrid now sit top of La Liga ahead of Atletico Madrid by virtue of their superior head-to-head record, albeit having played one game more than their neighbours, while the Catalans are a point back in third. 

Atletico can regain the summit if they manage at least a point against Betis on Sunday, but with just one point currently separating the top three 2020-21 is shaping up to be the most thrilling season's finish in years in the Spanish top flight. 

One omen runs against Barca's hopes, though: they have never managed to win La Liga in a year where Madrid have triumphed in the Clasico both at home and away.

Further reading

Ike Ugbo scored a brace as Cercle Brugge secured a 3-0 victory over Oud-Heverlee in Saturday’s Belgian First Division A game.

The 22-year-old has been turning heads since his arrival at Jan Breydel Stadion and against Marc Brys’s men, he continued the blistering performances.

Cercle Brugge started the encounter on the back foot when they were reduced to 10 men moments after the half-hour mark after Kevin Hoggas was shown a straight red card for a serious foul play.

Shortly before the half-time break, Ugbo opened the scoring with a fine individual effort to put his side on the path of victory. 

After the restart, the Anglo-Nigerian continued with the scintillating form, when he doubled Cercle Brugge's lead in the 56th minute.

Jeremy Taravel then sealed the victory with a well-taken effort in the 73rd minute after receiving a timely assist from Dimitar Velkovski.

Ugbo feature for 81 minutes before making way for Kevin Denkey while Ghana’s Kamal Sowah was on parade for the entirety of the game and his compatriot Isaac Asante played for 46 minutes before he was replaced by Siebe Schrijvers.

The victory boosted Cercle Brugge’s relegation fight as they are now 16th on the Belgian First Division A table with 35 points from 33 games.

Ugbo teamed up with the Jan Breydel Stadium outfit last summer on a season-long loan from Premier League giants Chelsea.

The forward has featured in more than 24 games across all competitions for the club and now has 16 goals in the campaign.

Ugbo has been with the Stamford Bridge outfit since 2017 but he is yet to make a single Premier League appearance for the club.

He had made do with loan spells with Barnsley, Milton Keynes Dons, Scunthorpe United, Roda JC before teaming up with the Green and Black.

The attacker has featured for England at the U17 and U20 levels but he is still eligible for play for the Nigeria national team if he chooses.

Ugbo will hope to continue his impressive performances for Cercle Brugge when they take on KV Oostende in their next league outing on April 18.

Argentine football begins its program for 2021 with the playing of the Copa Liga Profesional.

All games are live streamed on Fanatiz and you can sign up to watch free here.

Boca was crowned 2019-20 league champions in March after coming out on top during the 23-game season, and also triumphed in the following Copa Diego Armando Maradona, which ended in January. 

In lieu of beginning a new league season, the Argentine footballing authorities have instead sanctioned another cup competition, which will run from February to May.

The 26 Primera Division clubs have been split into two groups, with each side playing each other once. 

In addition there will be one inter-zonal game every week, where Boca and River, Racing Club and Independiente and the rest of Argentina's Clasico rivals will face off in a series of clashes. 

The top four teams from each group then advance to a play-off stage, which will take place in a straight knock-out format in order to yield a single winner.

Fanatiz has the rights to the Copa de la Liga Profesional worldwide, excluding Argentina, Germany, Austria, Portugal, Israel, Russia, Sweden and the Balkans.

How to watch Racing Club vs Independiente

Racing have struggled to find their way since former Barcelona striker Juan Antonio Pizzi took over as coach at the start of the year, picking up mixed results.

A run of three straight Copa Liga Profesional wins was ended with a 0-0 draw away to River Plate, followed by defeat at the hands of Godoy Cruz last weekend to leave La Academia outside the top four. 

Independiente changed their coach following a disappointing 2020, welcoming back veteran Julio Cesar Falcioni for a second spell in charge.

Falcioni made a positive start to his term but results have suffered in recent weeks as the Rojo have gone three games without a win, although they remain in the hunt for the play-offs.

Live Stream: Fanatiz English ( stream now )

Racing vs Independiente team news

Racing will have to do without Covid-positive Ignacio Piatti, with Pizzi considering the addition of a fifth defender to his starting line-up in place of the ex-San Lorenzo star.

Independiente have been left severely under-strength by Covid, meanwhile, with more than 10 players, including goalkeeper Sebastian Sosa, and coach Falcioni set to miss the derby after testing positive.

Watch all this weekend's Copa Liga Profesional matches on Fanatiz  with a 7-day free trial.

What other Copa Liga Profesional matches are available on Fanatiz?

All games are live streamed on Fanatiz and you can sign up to watch free here.

Yusupha Njie scored twice while Chidozie Awaziem featured prominently as Boavista played out a 3-3 draw with Rio Ave in Saturday’s Primeira Liga game.

Njie has been with the Chequered ones since 2018 and against Miguel Cardoso’s men, he was handed his 14th league appearance.

The Gambia international delivered an eye-catching performance to help his side extend their unbeaten run after victory over Belenenses last time out.

His teammate and Nigeria international Awaziem was also in action in the game, forming a four-man defence along with Adil Rami, Yanis Hamache and Reggie Cannon.

Njie hit the ground running, opening the scoring three minutes into the encounter after he was set up by Alberth Elis and in the 10th minute, Gelson levelled proceedings for Rio Ave.

The 27-year-old attacker handed the Chequered ones the lead in the 13th minute with a fine strike to complete his brace after benefitting from another Elis assist.

Boavista suffered a big blow in the 56th minute when they were reduced to 10 men after Hamache received his second yellow card and was subsequently sent off.

Rio Ave got a glorious chance to equalize moments before the hour mark when they were awarded a penalty but Pele missed his effort.

Carlos Mane then levelled things up in the 70th minute following a fine combination with Pedro Amaral and with eight minutes before the end of the game, Ronan turned the ball into his own net to put Boavista in front.

With the game looking to end the way of the Chequered ones, Fabio Coentrao scored a late effort to ensure Rio Ave avoided defeat at Estadio do Bessa XXI.

Njie featured for 61 minutes before he was replaced by Jesus Gomez while Super Eagles star Awaziem was on parade for the entirety of the game and was cautioned just before the end of the game.

The victory moved Boavista off the relegation zone after gathering 25 points from 26 games and the African stars will hope to help the club return to winning ways when they take on Pacos de Ferreira in their next league outing.

Njie has now scored three goals in 16 appearances across all competitions this season while Awaziem has played 23 games since joining the Portuguese side last summer on a season-long loan from Porto.

The 24-year-old defender remains a key member of the Nigeria national team and has 19 caps for the West African side while Njie has made two appearances for the Gambia.