Tottenham’s Champions League campaign has been a major disappointment.

The club entered into Europe’s top competition with the hope of emulating their previous success of the 2010/11 season, but dismissal with a game to play is a significant blow to their ambitions this season.

Their final game in Group E witnesses them take on CSKA Moscow hoping to secure continental football after Christmas in the form of the Europa League.

CSKA Moscow will want to topple Spurs at Wembley and ensure the north Londoners suffer a third defeat from three games at their substituted home, as such a result will lift them above their foes and into that Europa League spot.

The Russian champions will also be hoping to record a first clean sheet in the competition since 2006 against Pochettino’s Tottenham.

To ensure victory, and also post-Christmas European football, this is the team Pochettino must pick against the Krasno Sinie at Wembley…

GK: Hugo Lloris

French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is the reason why Tottenham are still in contention for European football.

CSKA will aim to counter-attack Tottenham when the Lillywhites go in search of much-needed goals, so Lloris will need to ensure he can be relied upon when the Russian club come forward.

RB: Kieran Trippier

With the Christmas fixture pile-up upcoming, squad players like Kieran Trippier will become significant as injuries and suspensions start to mount for Spurs.

Trippier can allow Kyle Walker to gain an adequate rest and also prove capable of hurting Moscow both in defensive situations as well as in attacking scenarios.

Zoran Tosic remains CSKA’s biggest attacking threat and Trippier must contain the former Manchester United winger.

CB: Eric Dier

The backbone to Tottenham’s success in recent years has been their strong defensive set-up. In the absence of Toby Alderweireld, Dier has filled in at centre-back and continues to be relied upon.

Dier faces the unenviable task of containing CSKA fast and powerful front-line. His partnership with Jan Vertonghen is proving capable of nullifying some of the best attacking forces in European football, and they must do so once again at Wembley.

CB: Jan Vertonghen

Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen has been the one centre-back defender relied upon throughout Pochettino’s time at White Hart Lane.

In the absence of Toby Alderweireld, Vertonghen has struggled to contain opposition attackers but recently alongside Dier his success has been restored.

Vertonghen rarely crops up with any goals for Spurs, but a goal against the Russian outfit could prove decisive for their post-Christmas European football aspirations.

LB: Danny Rose

Rose has been a player revived by Pochettino and has made himself one of the best in his position in the Premier League over the past couple of years

Recently, Rose was unable to play against Chelsea so dropping him now ahead of Christmas it not required.

Rose can severely damage CSKA’s weak defence by adding width and pace to the Tottenham attack.

CM: Victor Wanyama

The Kenyan midfielder has added yet another dimension to the Tottenham squad, and his absence will be severely missed should any injury occur.

Wanyama provides the required steel and grit to the Tottenham midfield and is starting to form a solid partnership with Mousa Dembele.

CSKA face a difficult challenge to overcome the physicality of Wanyama in midfield.

CM: Mousa Dembele

Is there a more underrated player in European football than Mousa Dembele? With the Belgian present in the side, Spurs look formidable in midfield.

His partnership with Wanyama has been effective, and the duo can easily overcome and dominate the Russian outfit.

If Dembele can add goals to his game, he may well be in the discussion regarding the most complete central players in English football.

RM: Moussa Sissoko

It’s about time Moussa Dembele starts rewarding Tottenham for paying nearly £30million for him.

His time at White Hart Lane has been one of little impact, with the majority of his time spent lumbering on the wings doing next to nothing.

Against CSKA Moscow, Sissoko will never be granted with a more fragile defence to attack and make an impressive against for the Tottenham supporters.

CAM: Christian Eriksen

At last! Cristian Eriksen has become irreplaceable for Tottenham. Far too regularly the Danish playmaker produced special moments for the Lillywhites against weakened opposition.

Now, Eriksen is providing weekly for the good of the team and not just for the cameras. Eriksen can damage CSKA Moscow’s defence by playing killer balls through to in-form striker, Harry Kane.

Another top-notch strike wouldn’t go amiss in Spurs’ search for Europea League football.

LM: Heung-min Son

Technically, was there a better strike than Son’s goal against Swansea on Saturday?

South Korean forward Son has been the club’s most consistent attacking performer this season, and he needs to continue to display his talent on a weekly basis.

Following the return of Harry Kane to the first-team, the pressure on Son to create and score regularly has been eased.

ST: Harry Kane

The importance Harry Kane has in this Spurs side was only actually realised following his ankle injury in September.

Kane has managed to score just once in the Champions League this season and another strike against the Russian outfit would, and should, ensure that Spurs qualify for the Europa League.

Two goals on Saturday would have pushed Kane’s confidence sky high and he’ll be determined to damage CSKA at Wembley.

Manchester United have hit the rich vein of form they badly needed to turn a corner in the Premier League.

Mourinho’s reign at Old Trafford had been littered with inconsistent performances but those seem a thing of the best given that the Red Devils are on an eleven-game unbeaten run, having won their last five matches in all competitions. It’s put them right back into contention for a top four position and a vital Champions League qualification spot.

With those above them in excellent form themselves, they need to keep winning and the visit of Middlesbrough provides an excellent chance of doing so. Boro have only won once away from home this season and that was to struggling Sunderland.

They have, however, earned some creditable draws, most notably away to Arsenal and Manchester City. They clearly know how to frustrate the elite sides and United cannot be complacent heading into the fixture.

With that in mind, which XI should Mourinho pick? Who are his in-form players? This is the Man United XI we think should play to extend that unbeaten run to twelve…

GK: David de Gea

David de Gea hasn’t really been tested between the sticks for Manchester United over the last month but does look a lot more comfortable with the defence in front of him, now that they’ve come into some decent form.

The United backline has undoubtedly improved in recent weeks and only three teams in the division have conceded less than them this season.

Given that only Hull have scored less than Boro meanwhile, we’re not expecting the United ‘keeper to be tested to any great degree on New Year’s Eve.

RB: Antonio Valencia

Fabio Borini and the Sunderland attack did a decent job getting at Antonio Valencia on Boxing Day and United fans will be hoping for a better display when Boro come to town.

Across the season, however, Valencia has performed well so we see no reason for him to lose his place. His tireless displays on the right-hand side are often to the benefit of the whole team, even if they rarely grab the headlines.

CB: Phil Jones

Phil Jones is finally looking comfortable as a player under Jose Mourinho. His performances at the back have been a big part of the uptick in form from Manchester United.

Another solid showing against Sunderland on Boxing Day means he easily keeps his place in the side for the visit of Middlesbrough. There’s been a lot of chatter about United needing to improve their defence in January but if the England international can continue in his current manner, perhaps their resources could be better spent elsewhere.

CB: Marcos Rojo

Marcos Rojo, like Jones, has had a solid month in a Manchester United jersey and should retain his place here.

The defender’s ability to play out of defence is a big positive for the Red Devils and that could be even more key against Middlesbrough, with United likely to have much more of possession on the day.

He can step forward bring the ball into the midfield.

LB: Daley Blind

Daley Blind hasn’t played much over the last month, but when he has, he’s been one of United’s better performers. The Dutchman definitely deserves an extended run in the team.

He was the man who got United on their way against Sunderland, scoring in the first half before late goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

He has the ability to impact the game positively from left-back and should start vs. Boro.

CM: Ander Herrera

Ander Herrera has been ever present in the side through December and is one of the reasons United have turned things around.

He’s having a great spell in a red shirt as the man who keeps everything ticking in midfield. His passing is second to none and his ability to dictate the tempo of a match has been vital to Mourinho’s side in recent weeks. The Spaniard has become a midfielder the United fans can rely on to compliment the likes of Michael Carrick and Paul Pogba.

CM: Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick is the beating heart of this United side and when fit should always play. His creative passing can unlock even the most stubborn of defences and he provides extra protection in front of the defence.

He may not grab the headlines and his performances may be quiet at times, but he’s reliable and goes about his business in an understated fashion. If he plays well you know United are probably going to win.

AMR: Juan Mata

Juan Mata has been somewhat short of confidence over the last month. His last Premier League goal came in the 1-1 game vs. Arsenal and he’s not contributed many since.

United will need every last bit of attacking threat available to break down what will be a dogged Middlesbrough side so he deserves another 90 minutes to show what he can do.

We know that on his day he can be one of the most effective players in the league. Can he show it?

AMC: Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba has been a force of nature in the United midfield and chipped in with assist number four against Sunderland. Three of those have come in December, highlighting what an incredible month he’s had at Old Trafford.

His combative play will be vital again up against Boro. If anyone can inspire and drag United to victory, it’s this man.

AML: Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Henrikh Mkhitaryan returned from injury off the bench against Sunderland to score a goal of the season contender.

That makes it three goals in his last three appearances and he’s finally emerging into the talent that Mourinho can rely upon to produce in the Premier League.

His impact and goal should be enough to earn him a start vs. Boro and he’s the player United fans will perhaps be looking forward to seeing most, with many supporters desperate for the Armenian to realise his potential at Old Trafford.

ST: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Ibrahimovic appears to be getting better with each passing game. The striker’s ability to win games almost on his own is unmatched in the league.

He was at it again vs. Sunderland, not just scoring but setting up United’s other two goals. It means his tally for the season stands at 14 goals and 3 assists in just 23 starts for the club.

If he turns up to the Boro game in similar form, Aitor Karanka’s side may not have much of a chance.

Sunderland host Stoke on Saturday knowing a win could drag them out of the relegation zone and give them a huge boost in their battle to beat the drop.

The Black Cats sit just one point behind 17th-place Crystal Palace and need to pick up as many wins as possible at home between now and the end of the season.

Stoke City are in a much more comfortable position, currently on 24 points and threatening to break into the top half of the table.

It’ll likely be a keenly contested affair at the Stadium of Light, both teams are coming into the game off the back of good results in the English Premier League. Sunderland picked up a 2-2 draw vs. Liverpool last time out while Stoke earned three points in a 2-0 win at home to Watford.

Which team can come out on top here? Here are three must-know stats ahead of the encounter…

There’s no-one like Defoe

Nobody in the bottom half of the table has a player scoring as many goals as Jermain Defoe is. He’s banged in 11 Premier League goals this season, just three behind Diego Costa, often winning points for the Black Cats on his own.

Sunderland’s next top scorer in the league only has three goals, showing how much they rely on him. Over half of their goals this season have come through the 34-year-old.

If Stoke can keep him quiet it would go a long way to victory but in this form, is there a defence in the land that can be confident of stopping him scoring?

Stoke are shaky away from home

Stoke have conceded at least three goals in four of their ten away matches in the English Premier League. It’s something that’s happened in their last three away in the league and it’s starting to become something of a trend.

Their defence has become used to heavy away defeats and it’s something they’ll need to address unless they want to endure a long afternoon at the Stadium of Light.

If they concede one on Saturday against the Black Cats, they’re liable to collapse, as we saw earlier in the season when they travelled to Selhurst Park and suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace.

The fortress of light

Sunderland have a fantastic record against Stoke at the Stadium of Light. It’s become something of a fortress when Stoke come calling.

The Black Cats have lost only one of their last twelve against the Potters at home. That defeat came in the League Cup too, meaning Sunderland are barely troubled by Stoke in the Premier League here. They’ve also won their last three encounters at home against Saturday’s visitors.

The last match between the two teams on Wearside ended in a 2-0 win for home side thanks to goals from Patrick van Aanholt and Duncan Watmore in the 82nd and 84th minute. Even if the home fans have to stay patient, Moyes’ men will likely get the job done.

Liverpool fans have had to endure more downs than ups over the course of the past few weeks.

Perspective is always needed, and the fact that the Reds are widely talked about as being in the title race and have scored more goals than any other side in the Premier League this term are both positives that not many Kopites foresaw before a ball was kicked; but some sloppy results of late have left them ten points adrift of leaders Chelsea and staring nervously over their shoulders at Manchester City and Manchester United in fifth and sixth respectively.

Indeed, failure to turn over a 1-0 deficit at home to Southampton in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday, a poor result vs. Wolves in the FA Cup on Saturday and then a loss to the Blues next week could effectively end the season for Jurgen Klopp’s side before February has even reared it’s head, so any good news is welcome.

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And the ever-reliable The Times have come in with reports that the club are in talks to extend Philippe Coutinho’s stay at Anfield with a new contract. Further to this, the Reds are not willing to have a release clause inserted into this deal, which would help to keep lingering interest from Barcelona at bay.

As if anyone didn’t believe the Brazilian was worthy of fresh terms, his stats this season show how important he’s been…

As our infographic illustrates, Coutinho has been amazing in his 15 appearances this term, contributing directly to ten league goals (five goals and five assists). On top of this, he’s made 588 passes, created 35 chances and smashed 50 shots at goal, while also completing 63.7% of his take-ons (35).

Jurgen, sign him up!

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Chelsea seem to have a trick up their sleeve this summer if Diego Costa leaves Stamford Bridge, which seems increasingly likely, as they’re the latest club to express an interest in signing highly-rated Torino striker Andrea Belotti.

The 23-year-old Italian international has made quite an impression on the continent, aided by the fact he’s scored three times in five national appearances, and there’s quite a queue for his services- and Torino are demanding a whopping £50m for his services.

With his season statistics though, there’s not much evidence that price is too expensive.

With an impressive 14 goals and three assists in 18 Serie A appearances, Belotti has been in deadly form and put Roma to the sword earlier this season, when his Turin side secured a famous victory over the Rome outfit.

It’s not just his conversion rate though, as his shots-per-game, aerial duels and key passes show he’s a real thorn in the side of defences.

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Former Celtic and Aston Villa striker Alan McInally believes that Manchester United and Arsenal will fail to finish in the top four come May.

The race for Champions League qualification is very tight, with just four points separating second from sixth.

Chelsea are eight points ahead of the pack in first place, with Manchester City second on 52 points.

Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are third and fourth respectively on 50 points each, while Liverpool are one point adrift of the top four and Manchester United are two.

The Red Devils are unbeaten in their last 16 league matches, but their early-season form has put them slightly behind their rivals.

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While appearing on Sky Sports News, McInally gave his top-four predictions and he believes that United will fail to clinch a Champions League spot.

The Scotsman also claimed that Arsenal will end the campaign outside of the favoured positions, revealing that his top four consist of “Chelsea, Man City, Spurs and Liverpool”.

The Premier League is sure to become Arsenal’s main focus now that they are on the brink of elimination from the Champions League following a 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday night.

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With Fabinho’s father having revealed recently that “talks with Manchester United” have taken place regarding his son, it’s fair to say that more than a few Red Devils supporters were paying close attention to Monaco’s trip to Manchester City last night.

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Amid a stunningly talented group of players in the Mediterranean side’s ranks, the Brazilian stands out, with his imposing frame, explosiveness and technical ability having seen him move, with great effect, from right-back to central midfield over the course of the past 12 months.

His Ligue 1 showings have attracted much attention, and he really put in a performance to justify the hype last night at the Etihad Stadium…

The 23-year-old was a key cog in a Monaco team that more than held their own against the riches of Man City, completing 81% of his 31 passes while taking 44 touches of the ball from the centre of the pitch. Impressively, he laid on two goals, but also showed his combative side by winning two aerial duels and making two interceptions.

Man United still need a box-to-box partner for Paul Pogba, and Fabinho’s physicality may make him Jose Mourinho’s ideal candidate.

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Chelsea star N’Golo Kante has been one of the standout Premier League players of the season, but there is one aspect of his game that he needs to work on, judging by talkSPORT’s statistics.

There are eight players who have made more interceptions in the top flight than the Frenchman, and one of them is West Ham United defender Winston Reid.

The Hammers had a miserable start to the season, winning just one of their first seven league games, but they have since made improvements, which has moved them to 11th in the table.

Reid has been a regular in Slaven Bilic’s team, starting 24 league games and featuring six times in cup competitions.

talkSPORT’s stats prove why he is so often trusted by the manager as he has made the fourth-most interceptions in the Premier League this season.

Reid has cut out opponents’ passes 65 times, which is six more than Kante has managed, while Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera and Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny have made 67 and 73 interceptions respectively.

Surprisingly, Hull City’s Curtis Davies has snatched the ball on 83 occasions in the top flight this season, which is more than anyone else.

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Chelsea are one of English football’s top clubs, there’s no getting away from it. Although cynics will point at the money Roman Abramovich piled into the club in the mid-2000s and use the ‘you ain’t got no history’ chant, the Blues have had some great moments since their formation way back in 1905 and have seen some truly excellent players pull on their jersey.

And one of their greats, Didier Drogba, celebrates his 39th birthday this weekend. The Ivorian arrived at the club in 2004 and helped the Londoners to four league titles and the Champions League across his two spells at Stamford Bridge, cementing his status as a Chelsea legend.

Although there have been other greats to lead the line for the team – Diego Costa is currently doing a good job of putting his name forward – Drogba may well be the greatest of the lot.

Do you agree? Vote below to have your say…

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As reported in an exclusive from The Sun, Newcastle United are aiming to pull off a summer coup in the transfer market by landing one of the Premier League’s hottest properties, Gylfi Sigurdsson.

What’s the story?

Sigurdsson is often one of the most impressive players on any given Premier League weekend and in their quest to ensure survival in the top-flight next season, Newcastle United want him to spearhead that challenge.

That’s according to The Sun, who say Rafa Benitez wants owner Mike Ashley to shell out the £15m it could take to pressure Swansea City into selling their talismanic force.

A source of the paper said:

Rafa knows he can’t just go out there and buy the biggest names in their first season back – but Gylfi would be a good-value addition to his squad.

Good-value is perhaps an understatement given how fantastic the Icelandic midfielder has been for the Welsh club so far this term.

Can he lead Newcastle to better days?

Despite his side being in a relegation dogfight, just three points above the Premier League drop-zone, Sigurdsson has done everything he can to try and make sure there’s no danger of them dropping into the Championship. With 9 goals and 11 assists in 31 appearances, it’s clear’s his impact from attacking midfield is massive to the club.

He could be that kind of influence for Newcastle too, who are crying out for a committed performer in the final third that can unlock defences on a regular basis.

The 27 year old has all the attributes to become a real fans’ favourite in the North East and if there’s any possibility a deal could be done for him then the Magpies would be silly not to pursue it.

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