Tony Kelshaw 
With the World Cup drawing ever closer, we’ve compared data from the past six tournaments with the previous season’s Champions League to identify some trends that are unique to the greatest show on Earth.
Savannah Marshall versus Claressa Shields has been tagged the biggest rivalry ever to come from women’s boxing and a cracking contest is on the cards. However, we reckon Hartlepool’s Marshall will prove just too strong for her American foe in this middleweight championship fight.
Leicester are bottom of the Premier League but will take heart from their head-to-head record against Palace in recent years. The Foxes have beaten the Eagles at King Power Stadium for the past three seasons, as well as being undefeated at Selhurst Park during that time.
Ascot stages another autumn spectacular this weekend and we’ve got 2022 British Champions Day tips for all six races, with each contest shown live by ITV. Four Group 1 events are bookended by a Group 2 opener and a wide-open handicap, so there is something for everyone.
Brighton did the double over Brentford last season and look in better shape again this term ahead of Friday night’s Premier League clash. The Bees have enjoyed a couple of flashy home wins over Manchester United and Leeds but their recent results offer cause for concern.
Manchester United should close in on qualifying for the Europa League knockout stage by brushing aside Omonia Nicosia at Old Trafford. The Red Devils made hard work of winning last week’s clash in Cyprus 3-2 but are backed to enjoy a much smoother success on home turf.
Even a much-changed Arsenal line-up proved a cut above Bodo Glimt in last week’s 3-0 Europa League victory at Emirates Stadium. However, the Norwegian side did improve after half-time in London and may pose more of an attacking threat in the return fixture on home turf.
Liverpool had little trouble accounting for Rangers at Anfield despite not hitting top gear and can confirm their superiority in Glasgow. However, the Reds have generally looked shaky at the back this term and the hosts will hope to at least grab a first Champions League goal.
Tottenham looked the better team during a goalless stalemate with Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany and are fancied to prevail on home turf. Both sides have four points from three games in Group D, two behind leaders Sporting Lisbon and one ahead of Marseille.
The pressure is on Barcelona to overturn last week’s 1-0 loss at Inter Milan as these teams fight it out behind Bayern Munich in Group C. The Catalan giants trail the Nerazzurri by three points at the halfway stage and must now take a positive approach to this Camp Nou clash.
Chelsea thumped AC Milan 3-0 at Stamford Bridge but are expected to face a stiffer test in the return fixture at the San Siro. The Blues have not been as convincing on the road this season and the Rossoneri will be buoyed by Saturday’s Serie A win over Juventus here.
Man City put Copenhagen to the sword when prevailing 5-0 last week and it is hard to envisage a much different outcome in Denmark. Pep Guardiola may make changes with one eye on Sunday’s clash with Liverpool but the Blues have the strength in depth to cope.
Celtic more than matched RB Leipzig for an hour in Germany and could be a value bet to prevail in their reverse fixture. With Real Madrid runaway leaders in Group F, the Hoops still have everything to play for, despite only picking up one point from three games.
Nottingham Forest have suffered five straight Premier League defeats but can stop the rot by drawing with Aston Villa at the City Ground. Villa have only picked up one point from four top-flight road trips this term and Steven Gerrard may settle for doubling that tally here.