<div class="bialty-container"><p>Club Brugge&rsquo;s Carl Hoefkens gets winning start at the Jan Breydel Stadium. Today&rsquo;s result, Brugge are now in 1st place on the table and have 3 points while Bayer sit in 4th with 0 points after 1 match.</p>
<p>Brugge started the first half well, when Abakar Sylla found the net just before half-time The second half ended with little further action at either end and goalless.</p>
<p>Substitutions for Brugge included Roman Yaremchuk, Cisse Sandra, Eder Balanta and Eduard Sobol for Ferran Jutgla, Andreas Olsen, Raphael Onyedika and Kamal Sowah, respectively. Bayer brought on Exequiel Palacios, Kerem Demirbay, Adam Hlozek, Nadiem Amiri and Sardar Azmoun for Charles Aranguiz, Robert Andrich, Mitchel Bakker, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Jeremie Frimpong.</p>
<p>There were bookings for Kamal Sowah from Brugge, and Exequiel Palacios, Robert Andrich and Kerem Demirbay, for Bayer.</p>
<p>In the second round of action in the <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/football/champions-league" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1151" title="Champions League">Champions League</a> Brugge will play against Porto away and Bayer will play against <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/r-madrid" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1188" title="Atletico Madrid">Atletico Madrid</a> at home.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="2">Technical card:</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Club Brugge:</strong></td>
<td>Simon Mignolet, Denis Odoi, Brandon Mechele, Abakar Sylla, Bjorn Meijer, Hans Vanaken, Raphael Onyedika (Eder Balanta, min.83), Casper Nielsen, Andreas Olsen (Cisse Sandra, min.83), Ferran Jutgla (Roman Yaremchuk, min.64) and Kamal Sowah (Eduard Sobol, min.89)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong><a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/bayer-leverkusen" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1161" title="Bayer Leverkusen">Bayer Leverkusen</a>:</strong></td>
<td>Lukas Hradecky, Odilon Kossounou, Jonathan Tah, Piero Hincapie, Mitchel Bakker (Adam Hlozek, min.67), Jeremie Frimpong (Sardar Azmoun, min.86), Charles Aranguiz (Exequiel Palacios, min.46), Robert Andrich (Kerem Demirbay, min.67), Callum Hudson-Odoi (Nadiem Amiri, min.86), Moussa Diaby and Patrik Schick</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Stadium:</strong></td>
<td>the Jan Breydel Stadium</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Goals:</strong></td>
<td>Abakar Sylla (1-0, min. 42)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>


Brugge 1-0 Bayer: Belgians defy the odds to topple Leverkusen

<div class="bialty-container"><p>Next Saturday at 2:30am GMT, on matchday 45 of the MLS, we will see Phili play <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/internazionale" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1304" title="Internazionale">Inter</a> at BMO Field.</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s a clash of thirteenth vs ninth, as Phili host Inter at BMO Field.</p>
<h4><b>With the MLS season well into its stride, Toronto FC have managed to gain 34 points</b></h4>
<p></p><p>Phili will be full of confidence, going into this fixture on that back of two successive wins against <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/orlando-city" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1340" title="Orlando City">Orlando City</a> and <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/atlanta-united-fc" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1216" title="Atlanta United FC">Atlanta United</a>. They will need this if they are to retain their run.</p>
<p>Also, Phili will be hopeful of shaking off the poor form that has seen them lose three fixtures this MLS season. Their position is thirteenth in the League and they have 34 points, that is, 0W, 0L and 0D.</p>
<p>Playing at home, Phili have won seven matches, drawn three games, and lost six games.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/toronto" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1394" title="Toronto">Toronto FC</a> will see 37 points so far this season, should they secure a win. </p>

<h4><b>Inter Miami have 39 points to their name, going into this tie</b></h4>
<p></p><p>Another victory would be a terrific achievement, but that is what Phil Neville will be asking from his team, as they go into this game on the back of strong results after beating <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/columbus-crew" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1261" title="Columbus Crew">Columbus Crew</a> 2-1 and <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/chicago-fire" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1254" title="Chicago Fire">Chicago Fire</a> 3-1</p>
<p>Also, suffering three losses in four meetings is a terrible run of form for any club, Phil Neville&rsquo;s Inter will know this and will be hopeful of turning it around. With 39 points (0W, 0L and 0D), they are established in ninth position in the League.</p>
<p>Inter now travel, knowing that their current away form is woeful. So far this season they have won two fixtures, drawn three matches, and lost 10 games matches on the road.</p>
<p>A victory for <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/inter-miami" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1302" title="Inter Miami">Inter Miami</a> would put them on 42 points. </p>

<h4><b>Toronto FC v Inter Miami &ndash; Head-to-Head</b>.</h4>
<p>Regarding their historical duels the recent form between these two sides has seen Inter with a greater number of wins. In the last meetings, they have enjoyed four wins, to Phili&rsquo;s one victory. Also, Inter have been hugely successful away to Phili of late, winning five matches times in the last four. The last time they played each other in this competition was August 2022 and the score line ended up with a 2-1 win for Toronto FC. </p>
</div>


MLS – Toronto FC face Inter Miami

<div class="bialty-container"><p>Barracas C. were helde ach other to a 1-1 draw by <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/gimnasia-lp" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1292" title="Gimnasia La Plata">Gimnasia</a> on Thursday at Estadio <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/barracas-central" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1224" title="Barracas Central">Barracas Central</a>. Both sides came from defeats in their previous league games. Barracas C. arrived at the match looking to pick up more points after losing their last match 1-0 to V&eacute;lez <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/velez-sarsfield" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1405" title="V&eacute;lez Sarsfield">Sarsfield</a>. Gimnasia were beaten 1-0 in their previous match against <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/tigre" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1244" title="CA Tigre">CA Tigre</a>. Barracas C. are now in 15th place on the table and have 28 points while Gimnasia sit in 5th with 37 points after 22 matches.</p>
<p>Barracas C. started strongly in the first half, when Neri Bandiera gave them the lead in the 28th minute, finishing the first half 1-0.</p>
<p>Gimnasia took the initiative in the second half, thanks to a goal from Alexis Dominguez in the 71st minute. The match ended wih a 1-1 draw.</p>
<p>Substitutions for Barracas C. included Dylan Emanuel Glaby, Pablo Mouche and Facundo Castro for Bruno Sepulveda, Fernando Valenzuela and Cristian Colman, respectively. Gimnasia brought on Matias Miranda, Leandro Contin, Alexis Dominguez and Erik Ramirez for Alexis Steimbach, Tomas Muro, Franco Soldano and Ramon Sosa.</p>
<p>There were bookings for Carlos Alfredo Arce from Barracas C. For Gimnasia, Matias Miranda and Brahian Aleman saw yellow.</p>
<p>Barracas C. will next travel to <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/aldosivi" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1204" title="Aldosivi">Aldosivi</a>, while Gimnasia will face <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/boca-juniors" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1230" title="Boca">Boca</a> at home.</p>
<table>
<tr>
<th colspan="2">Technical card:</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Barracas C.:</strong></td>
<td>Rodrigo Saracho, Facundo Mater, Gonzalo Ezequiel Paz, Braian Salvareschi, Juan Ignacio Diaz, Fernando Valenzuela (Pablo Mouche, min.80), Carlos Alfredo Arce, Ivan Tapia, Neri Bandiera, Bruno Sepulveda (Dylan Emanuel Glaby, min.68) and Cristian Colman (Facundo Castro, min.80)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Gimnasia La Plata:</strong></td>
<td>Rodrigo Rey, Guillermo Enrique, Oscar Piris, Leonardo Morales, Nicolas Colazo, Alexis Steimbach (Matias Miranda, min.64), Agustin Cardozo, Brahian Aleman, Tomas Muro (Leandro Contin, min.64), Franco Soldano (Alexis Dominguez, min.64) and Ramon Sosa (Erik Ramirez, min.88)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Stadium:</strong></td>
<td>Estadio Barracas Central</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Goals:</strong></td>
<td>Neri Bandiera (1-0, min. 28) and Alexis Dominguez (1-1, min. 71)</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>


Barracas C. 1-1 Gimnasia: Victory evades Barracas on home turf

<div class="bialty-container"><p>This Friday sees <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/athletic-bilbao" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1178" title="Athletic Bilbao">Athletic Bilbao</a> go head to head with Almer&iacute;a at San Mames Stadium &ndash; Kick-off 9:00pm GMT.</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s fourth v sixteenth in the League, as Athletic Bilbao take on Almer&iacute;a on Friday.</p>
<h4><b>Athletic Bilbao arrive at this game, having secured 13 points so far this season</b></h4>
<p></p><p>Athletic Bilbao will be keen to retain their winning form, having beaten <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/rayo-vallecano" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1177" title="Rayo Vallecano">Rayo Vallecano</a> 3-2 in their last fixture.</p>
<p>Also, Athletic Bilbao keep finding ways to win, having secured four victories in their last five matches is astonishing this season, a form has placed them in clear contention for Champion&rsquo;s League qualification. Their position is fourth in the League and they have 13 points, that is, 4W, 1L and 1D having won four games, drawn one game, and lost one game.</p>
<p>When Athletic Bilbao host Almer&iacute;a, they will do so on the back of two wins, one draw, and one losse on their own ground.</p>
<p>A win in this fixture, would take Athletic Bilbao&rsquo;s points from 13 to 16, so far this season. </p>
<p><b>Good atacking and defensive team</b></p>
<p>Defence begins with attack and Athletic Bilbao have defended well as a team, borne out by conceding four goals in their previous games. Every player has contributed to them delivering a solid defensive display this <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/football/laliga" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1146" title="LaLiga Santander">LaLiga</a> season. They have a good scoring rate of 12 goals (11 from open play and one penalty). This has been largely down to the key attacking players: Alex Berenguer (3), Oihan Sancet (2), and Inaki Williams (2). </p>

<p>It is likely that six key players will miss Friday&rsquo;s fixture, which is something of a concern for Ernesto Valverde and his Athletic Bilbao team.</p>
<h4><b>It&rsquo;s four points so far for Almer&iacute;a this season, going into this match</b></h4>
<p></p><p>Almer&iacute;a will take a huge positive from their recent 1-0 win against <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/mallorca" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1179" title="Mallorca">Mallorca</a> at Estadi de Son Moix.</p>
<p>Also, Almer&iacute;a will be hopeful of shaking off the poor form that has seen them lose three matches this LaLiga season. Now they have 1 matches won, 4 games lost and 1 duels drawn; that&rsquo;s why they currently sit in sixteenth place, with a total of four points having won one game, drawn one game, and lost four meetings.</p>
<p>Playing away from home, Almer&iacute;a have drawn one game and lost two games.</p>
<p>A win in this fixture would take Almer&iacute;a&rsquo;s points to 7 in the League. </p>

<p>Injury and illness have depleted Rubi&rsquo;s Almer&iacute;a and they will likely be missing five key personnel for Friday&rsquo;s match.</p>
<h4><b>Athletic Bilbao v Almer&iacute;a &ndash; Head-to-Head</b>.</h4>
<p>Regarding their historical duels Athletic Bilbao and Almer&iacute;a have faced each other 12 times in the past, with the balance of wins sitting in Athletic Bilbao&rsquo;s favour (7 &ndash; 2). In addition, seven of the previous 12 matches between Athletic Bilbao and Almer&iacute;a have resulted in an Athletic Bilbao win. Their most recent encounter in this competition was March 2015 and the score line ended up with a 2-1 win for Athletic Bilbao. </p>
<p> three goals</p>
</div>


LaLiga Action at San Mames Stadium – Athletic Bilbao face Almería

<div class="bialty-container"><p>Friday at the Stade Raymond Kopa, as <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/angers-sco" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1206" title="Angers SCO">Angers</a> host <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/olympique-de-marseille" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1191">Marseille</a> in the <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/football/ligue-1" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1148" title="Ligue 1">Ligue 1</a>.</p>
<p>Marseille go to the Stade Raymond Kopa with Champion&rsquo;s League dreams for next season very much alive. They currently sit in second as they take on fourteenth placed Angers.</p>
<h4><b>It&rsquo;s eight points so far for Angers SCO this season, going into this game</b></h4>
<p></p><p>Angers come to this fixture on the back of a 0-1 away loss against Nice at Allianz Rivera.</p>
<p>Also, Gerald Baticle&rsquo;s Angers have lost four of their last six meetings this season. With a fourteenth position in the league and 2 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws, they currently have eight points in the League having won two games, drawn two fixtures, and lost four meetings.</p>
<p>When Angers host Marseille, they will do so on the back of one victory, one dart, and two defeat on their own ground.</p>
<p>Angers SCO will have 11 points if they manage to secure a victory. </p>

<p>Angers&rsquo;s ever growing list of players missing due to injury or illness to be a concern for Gerald Baticle, ahead of this Friday&rsquo;s fixture against their opponents.</p>
<h4><b>Olympique de Marseille go into this fixture with 20 points secured</b></h4>
<p></p><p>Igor Tudor&rsquo;s men were held to a disappointing draw against <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/rennes" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1365" title="Rennes">Rennes</a> in their last fixture, he will be keen to improve on that in this game.</p>
<p>Also, Marseille keep finding ways to win, having secured five victories in their last six meetings is astonishing this season, contributed significantly to their rise up the table. With 20 points (6W, 0L and 2D), they are established in second position in the League having won six fixtures and drawn two games.</p>
<p>Marseille will travel to Angers with a win record on the road that is quite unremarkable, with two wins and one draw.</p>
<p>A victory for Olympique de Marseille would put them on 23 points. </p>
<p><b>Good atacking and defensive team</b></p>
<p>Marseille have shown a good defensive performance, having only conceded five goals in their previous games. Marseille will be pleased to have a good goal scoring record so far this season (16). This has been largely down to the key attacking players: Alexis Sanchez (4), Nuno Tavares (3), and Matteo Guendouzi (2). </p>

<p>Marseille are likely to be missing one of their key players when they start Friday&rsquo;s game, due to injury and illness.</p>
<h4><b>Angers SCO v Olympique de Marseille &ndash; Head-to-Head</b>.</h4>
<p>Regarding their historical duels the recent form between these two sides has seen Marseille with a greater number of wins. In the last 17 meetings, they have enjoyed seven victories, to Angers&rsquo;s three wins. Additionally, on the road, Marseille are unbeaten against Angers in two meetings. In their most recent meeting of this fixture was February 2022 and the score line ended up with a 5-2 win for Angers SCO. </p>
<p> four goals</p>
</div>


Ligue 1 Action at the Stade Raymond Kopa – Angers SCO face Olympique de Marseille

<div class="bialty-container"><p>Who is Marc Guehi? For a player that could well feature at the 2022 World Cup with the England team, the player Marc Guehi is still cutting his teeth in the <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/football/premier-league/">Premier League</a>. But the highly-regarded centre-back has had a meteoric rise to position himself on the radar of becoming a future staple of England&rsquo;s back line.</p>
<h2>Rapid Rise For Marc Guehi</h2>
<p>Sometimes players have to work their way up through many different tiers to get their shot at the big time. For some, there is a rapid introduction. For defender Marc Guehi there has been a little bit of both on his path to the top of the game.</p>
<p>After <strong>impressing so much in the youth ranks</strong> of <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/football/premier-league" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1145" title="Premier League">Premier League</a> club <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/chelsea" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1252" title="Chelsea">Chelsea</a>, Marc Guehi has had a whirlwind couple of years. Guehi, born in the Ivory Coast, played one full season in <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/football/championship" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1152" title="Championship">the Championship</a> on loan with <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/swansea-city" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1391" title="Swansea City">Swansea</a> before securing a big contract via a transfer to <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/crystal-palace" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1270" title="Crystal Palace">Crystal Palace</a> and becoming one of the most promising young England players of the future &ndash; all in the space of two years.</p>
<p>Anyone that had been tracking the <strong>steep upward trajectory of Guehi&rsquo;s career</strong>, will not have been surprised at his current status. But what made him so coveted by his current club Crystal Palace, and what exactly made him part of England head coach Gareth Southgate&rsquo;s plans?</p>
<h2>The Marc Guehi Chelsea Career</h2>
<p>Marc Guehi, a former player for non-league London side <strong>Cray Wanderers</strong>, joined Chelsea in 2019. That was as a youth player, but he made tremendous progress through the academy of the Premier League club.</p>
<p>2017 was a huge breakthrough season for Marc Guehi. He was a pivotal character in the <strong>treble-winning season</strong> that the Chelsea U-18 side produced. The hard work and quality of performance on the pitch didn&rsquo;t go unrewarded either.</p>
<p>Chelsea stepped up and gave Marc Guehi his first professional contract. Despite that, he still had some way to go in the youth setup at the West London club. After his treble-winning season in 2017 with the Chelsea U-18s, Guehi went one better with the side and landed a remarkable quadruple in 2018.</p>
<p>That same season Chelsea also made it through to the final of the <strong>2017/18 UEFA Youth League Final.</strong> The competition, which is the youth equivalent of the UEFA <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/football/champions-league" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1151" title="Champions League">Champions League</a>, had already been won by Chelsea a couple of times. But the Blues would miss out on landing a third in 2018, in a heavy defeat against <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/football/laliga" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1146" title="LaLiga Santander">La Liga</a> side <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/barcelona" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1172" title="barcelona">Barcelona</a>&rsquo;s U-18 team 3-0.</p>
<figure id="attachment_12616" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-12616" style="width: 221px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-12616" src="https://i0.wp.com/wordpress-809500-2775544.cloudwaysapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AP22166276825419.jpg?resize=221%2C300&#038;ssl=1" alt="AP22166276825419 221x300" width="221" height="300" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/wordpress-809500-2775544.cloudwaysapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AP22166276825419.jpg?resize=221%2C300&amp;ssl=1 221w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress-809500-2775544.cloudwaysapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AP22166276825419.jpg?w=754&amp;ssl=1 754w" sizes="(max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px" data-recalc-dims="1"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-12616" class="wp-caption-text">England&rsquo;s Marc Guehi during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between England and Hungary at the Molineux stadium in <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/wolverhampton-wanderers" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1411" title="Wolverhampton Wanderers">Wolverhampton</a>, England, Tuesday, June 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Super)</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Guehi The World Cup Winner</h2>
<p>While there are naturally going to be bigger ambitions ahead for Guehi during his international career, he is a <strong>Youth World Cup Winner.</strong> He played his part in helping England claim the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where England beat Spain in the Final.</p>
<p>Guehi scored in the World Cup Final, netting England&rsquo;s fourth goal in their 5-2 victory over the Spaniards.</p>
<h2>Credentials High But Guehi Unused At Chelsea</h2>
<p>Breaking through to the senior squad at Chelsea is not an easy thing to do. The club has a long history of investing in a lot of young talent and then either sending them out for loan spells or selling them on without ever playing for the first team.</p>
<p>In the case of Marc Guehi, it was the former. After making only two brief appearances for the Chelsea senior team (both in the 2019/20 EFL Cup), Guehi was sent out on loan to <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/football/championship/">Championship</a> side Swansea.</p>
<p>It was a chance for Guehi to get valuable playing time under his belt at a competitive level. However, it was far from smooth sailing for Guehi during his early days at the Liberty Stadium.</p>
<h2>Highs And Lows With Swansea</h2>
<p>The Marc Guehi Swansea move happened in January 2020 on a deal for him to spend time there until the end of the season. Guehi would make his debut for Swansea that same month. However, with the <strong>slump in form that the club had</strong> just after his arrival, it led to some criticism being tossed toward Guehi.</p>
<p>Marc Guehi&rsquo;s Swansea debut ended in defeat against Stoke. That started a run of five matches without a win for the Swans. It was the new-man Guehi who took some of the blame. But then Swansea manager <strong>Steve Cooper, who had coached Guehi</strong> at the England U-17 level gave him support.</p>
<p>Full credit to Cooper&rsquo;s work with Guehi and the individual himself, the defender turned things around at the club. Guehi was trusted by Cooper when Swansea reached the promotion play-off semi-finals that season. Although the Welsh club lost there to <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/brentford" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1236" title="Brentford">Brentford</a>, it continued a good run of form for Guehi in the side.</p>
<p>It was an <strong>important sequence</strong> as well because it was the stepping stone to bigger things the following season. He had done enough for Swansea to retain him for the 2020-21 season and that&rsquo;s when things really started to happen for him.</p>
<h2>Guehi Becomes Invaluable At The Liberty Stadium</h2>
<p>Marc Guehi made<strong> 40 appearances for Swansea</strong> during the 2020/21 season. He was heavily relied upon and he responded superbly to the challenge. Guehi became the fulcrum of their defence. When Swansea manager Steve Cooper initially signed Guehi on loan, he had rained a heap of praise down on the player. With Swansea taking a clean sheet in their opening three matches of the 2020/21 Championship season, that praise was looking justified.</p>
<p>Cooper&rsquo;s Swansea, who were at the time in their second season back in the Championship, gave Guehi exactly what he needed. He was in regular action and improving all the time.&nbsp;Swansea made an immediate return to the Championship play-offs in 2021. But again promotion to the top flight was just beyond their reach. After beating Barnsley in the semi-finals, it was Brentford who were once again the orchestrators of their downfall.</p>
<p>But for Marc Guehi, he would achieve Premier League football by a different route.</p>
<h2>Guehi Goes Viral</h2>
<p>Guehi was named <strong>Man Of The Match</strong> in both legs of the 2021 Championship Play-Off Semi-Final against Barnsley. The second leg of that tie was at home and Guehi was put in front of the TV cameras for a post-match interview.</p>
<p>In collecting his award, a shocked, beaming and humble Guehi said:<em> &ldquo;Honestly, I don&rsquo;t know how! I don&rsquo;t know, the first one I was really surprised by, now it&rsquo;s getting a bit ridiculous! Everyone was fantastic, you know, to a man. I could name everyone. For me to get this again, I just don&rsquo;t know.&rdquo;</em></p>
<h2>Eagles Spot A Star</h2>
<p>After his spell with Swansea, Guehi was returned to his parent club, Chelsea. It was a<strong> gracious departure</strong> from the Liberty Stadium by Guehi, who was publicly thankful to Swansea for having given him the chance to prove himself and develop.</p>
<p>But it wasn&rsquo;t long before Crystal Palace made a move for the player. For a reported fee of around <strong>&pound;18 million, Guehi moved to Selhurst Park</strong> on a five-year contract in the summer of 2021.</p>
<p>While that may not sound like a huge transfer sum in this day and age, for Palace it was. Especially for a player with an unproven record in the Premier League. The transfer made Marc Guehi the <strong>third most expensive purchase</strong> in Crystal Palace&rsquo;s history. Only Christian Benteke and Mamadou Sahko had cost them more.</p>
<h2>Did Chelsea Make A Mistake In Selling Guehi?</h2>
<p>The transfer didn&rsquo;t come without some raised eyebrows around Stamford Bridge, however. Chelsea fans had seen Guehi in action at Swansea and liked what they had seen of the youngster. A <strong>commanding centre-half,</strong> who would put his body on the line, read the game well and could stay calm and composed under pressure.</p>
<p>The summer of 2022 was a strange one for Chelsea. They lost both Antonio R&uuml;diger and Andreas Christian to <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/football/laliga/">La Liga</a> heavyweights <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/r-madrid" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1187" title="Real Madrid">Real Madrid</a> and Barcelona respectively on free transfers. Marcos Alonso also went to Barca. Just twelve months before that, they had already seen another of the promising young England players, centre-half Fikayo Tomori, make the switch to <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/football/serie-a/">Serie A</a> side <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/ac-milan" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1198" title="AC Milan">AC Milan</a>.</p>
<p>Then came the departure of Guehi. Chelsea have recently had some<strong> very good young talent</strong> on their books. But Chelsea fans have only watched on bewildered as the Blues failed to take a full chance on developing them further. Instead, they have let contracts play out, sales happen, and even went on a shopping spree in the summer of 2022 to try and fill in the gaps of their defence.</p>
<h2>Did Chelsea Try To Tempt Marc Guehi?</h2>
<p>The reports from Stamford Bridge were that Chelsea did <strong>table some contract offers for Guehi in 2022</strong>, which he allegedly refused. But did the Blues do enough to try and keep him on their books? Considering that they shelled out almost &pound;200 million combined on Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana, it was strange not to see the Blues throw the kitchen sink at keeping a hold of young talent that they had.</p>
<p>Their huge &pound;70 million bid for <strong>Leicester&rsquo;s Wesley Fofana</strong> was an eye-opener. More so in light of the talent that they had let slip through their fingers over the previous 12 months. Fofana was a player who had made only 35 Premier League appearances for Leicester in two injury-hit seasons when Chelsea signed him. That was the sum of his top-flight experience in England.</p>
<p>Chelsea may not have completely let the threads that tie them to Marc Guehi go, however. As part of their deal to sell him to Crystal Palace, the Blues reportedly worked in a clause that would allows them to match any future bid that comes in for him.</p>
<h2>2022 FIFA World Cup</h2>
<p>Marc Guehi was first called up to the <strong>England senior squad in March 2022.</strong> Ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, he has made three appearances for his country. Will he be trusted to earn more on the biggest stage of all?</p>
<p>Guehi appears to be heading to the top of the game. He already has one World Cup honour to his name.&nbsp;For now, Guehi has become the 17th England International player for Crystal Palace. That&rsquo;s a measure of his status.</p>
<p>There have been blips, like his own goals against <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/aston-villa" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1212" title="Aston Villa">Aston Villa</a> and <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/arsenal" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1209" title="Arsenal">Arsenal</a> in the Premier League. But big strides are being made by the youngster who at some point down the line is likely to command a huge transfer fee. Possibly on a return to Chelsea.</p>
</div>


Marc Guehi Could Still Be A Chelsea Player As Club Holds Ties To Him

<div class="bialty-container"><p>Friday <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/football/bundesliga" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1147" title="Bundesliga">Bundesliga</a> action from the Allianz Arena, as <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/bayern-munich" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1170" title="Bayern Munich">Bayern</a> take on Bayer.</p>
<p>As it stands, Bayer will go to the Allianz Arena in fifteenth place, Bayern are currently in fifth.</p>
<h4><b>This season&rsquo;s Bundesliga campaign, has so far seen Bayern Munich achieve 12 points</b></h4>
<p></p><p>It was three points secured for Bayern in their last fixture, beating <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/fc-augsburg" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1163" title="FC Augsburg">Augsburg</a> 1-0 at Wwk Arena.</p>
<p>Also, Bayern are quickly becoming the Bundesliga&rsquo;s draw specialists, having recorded three in their last four fixtures. With a fifth position in the league and 3 wins, 1 losses and 3 draws, they currently have 12 points in the League having won three fixtures, drawn three matches, and lost one game.</p>
<p>Playing at home, Bayern have won one game and drawn two meetings.</p>
<p>Victory for Bayern Munich would take their points tally to 15 so far this season. </p>
<p><b>A solid defensive team</b></p>
<p>Bayern have a solid defence, with only six goals conceded in their previous matches. Bayern have one of the best goal scoring records so far this season, with 19 so far (18 from open play and one penalty). Their stand out attacking players have been Jamal Musiala (4), Sadio Mane (3), and Joshua Kimmich (2).</p>

<p>Bayern are no strangers this season to illness and injury and Julian Nagelsmann is concerned that Friday&rsquo;s fixture could see him without three of his key players.</p>
<h4><b>It&rsquo;s five points so far for Bayer Leverkusen this season, going into this meeting</b></h4>
<p></p><p>Bayer have dropped four points in their last two encounters &ndash; 1-1 at Werder Bremen and 2-2 at <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/hertha-berlin" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1157" title="Hertha Berlin">Hertha</a>.</p>
<p>Also, Bayer seem unable to get over the line on a consistent basis, with two draws in two games. With five points, they currently sit fifteenth in the League. The breakdown for the team&rsquo;s record is 1 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws having won one game, drawn two matches, and lost four meetings.</p>
<p>Playing away from home, Bayer have won one game, drawn one game, and lost one game.</p>
<p>A win in this fixture would take <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/bayer-leverkusen" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1161" title="Bayer Leverkusen">Bayer Leverkusen</a>&rsquo;s points to 8 in the League. </p>

<p>Gerardo Seoane will be forced to make changes to the plans for his squad, as injury or illness has depleted him of five of his Bayer players.</p>
<h4><b>Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen &ndash; Head-to-Heads</b>.</h4>
<p>Regarding their historical duels Bayern and Bayer have faced each other 65 times in the past, with the balance of wins sitting in Bayern&rsquo;s favour (41 &ndash; 13). Further, Bayern recent form against Bayer has been outstanding, winning on thirteen out of the last 20 matches. Their most recent encounter in this competition was March 2022 and the score line ended up with a 1-1 draw.</p>
<p> four goals</p>
</div>


Bundesliga – Bayern Munich at home to Bayer Leverkusen

<div class="bialty-container"><p><a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/cuiaba" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1271" title="Cuiaba">Cuiaba</a>&rsquo;s 2-1 win over <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/america-mg" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1205" title="America Mineiro">America Mineiro</a> on Thursday, was hard fought at Arena Pantanal. Cuiaba were aiming to improve their league standing following a disappointing 2-2 draw with <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/athletico-pr" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1214" title="Athletico Paranaense">Athletico Paranaense</a> in their previous game. America, meanwhile, were able to continue their winning streak after a 1-0 win against <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/corinthians" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1264" title="Corinthians">Corinthians</a> in their last match. Cuiaba and America currently occupy 17th and 8th spots in the league, with 30 points and 39 points respectively after 28 matches.</p>
<p>Cuiaba started strongly in the first half, when Sidcley found the net on the 32 minute mark, finishing the first half 1-0.</p>
<p>Cuiaba continued to pile on the pressure in the second half and were rewarded, thanks to a goal from Andre Luis, 62 minutes in. In the end though, America pull-back just before the full time, with a goal from Gonzalo Mastriani so at full time it was 2-1 to Cuiaba.</p>
<p>Substitutions for Cuiaba included Joao Lucas, Valdivia, Gabriel Cordeiro Pirani, Marcao Silva and Andre for Daniel Guedes, Rodriguinho, Andre Luis, Denilson Alves Borges and Deyverson, respectively. America replaced Gonzalo Mastriani, Martin Benitez, Patric, Indio Ramirez and Aloisio with Felipe Azevedo, Henrique Almeida, Raul Caceres, Matheusinho and Everaldo.</p>
<p>There were bookings for Daniel Guedes and Marcao Silva from Cuiaba. For America, Iago Maidana, Gonzalo Mastriani, Patric and Eder Ferreira saw yellow.</p>
<p>America and Cuiaba will next play away to Cear&aacute; and Corinthians respectively.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="2">Technical card:</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Cuiaba:</strong></td>
<td>Joao Carlos, Daniel Guedes (Joao Lucas, min.69), Alan Empereur, Marllon, Sidcley, Denilson Alves Borges (Marcao Silva, min.79), Joaquim, Rodriguinho (Valdivia, min.76), Pepe, Andre Luis (Gabriel Cordeiro Pirani, min.77) and Deyverson (Andre, min.86)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>America Mineiro:</strong></td>
<td>Matheus, Raul Caceres (Patric, min.53), Iago Maidana, Eder Ferreira, Marlon Matheus, Matheusinho (Indio Ramirez, min.73), Everaldo (Aloisio, min.74), Juninho, Alexandre Egea, Felipe Azevedo (Gonzalo Mastriani, min.46) and Henrique Almeida (Martin Benitez, min.47)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Stadium:</strong></td>
<td>Arena Pantanal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Goals:</strong></td>
<td>Sidcley (1-0, min. 32), Andre Luis (2-0, min. 62) and Gonzalo Mastriani (2-1, min. 90)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>


Cuiaba 2 – America 1: Visitors leave Arena Pantanal with nothing

<div class="bialty-container"><p><a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/botafogo" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1234" title="Botafogo">Botafogo</a> strolled past <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/goias" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1294" title="Goi&aacute;s EC">Goi&aacute;s</a> EC with a 1-0 win on Thursday at Est&aacute;dio da Serrinha. Goi&aacute;s were looking for a victory after a 1-1 draw against <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/bragantino" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1362" title="Red Bull Bragantino">Red Bull Bragantino</a>. Botafogo were able to continue their winning streak after a 2-0 win against <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/coritiba" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1265" title="Coritiba">Coritiba</a> in their last match. both teams are now on 37 points and sit in 11th and 9th places respectively after 28 matches.</p>
<p>Following a goalless first half, Botafogo continued to pile on the pressure in the second period and were rewarded, with a goal from Romildo just before the full time, seing the match finish 1-0.</p>
<p>Substitutions for Goi&aacute;s included Caio, Apodi, Pedrinho, Luan Dias da Silva and Fellipe Ramos Ignez Bastos for Matheus Sales, Renato Junior, Marquinhos Gabriel, Danilo Barcelos and Auremir, respectively. Botafogo brought on Jefferson Ruan Pereira dos <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/santos" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1374" title="Santos FC">Santos</a>, Gustavo Sauer and Romildo, to replace Joao Victor, Junior Santos and Lucas Piazon.</p>
<p>There were bookings for Apodi, Caio, Danilo Barcelos and Fellipe Ramos Ignez Bastos from Goi&aacute;s. For Botafogo, Renzo Saravia, Victor Cuesta, Fernando Marcal and Lucas Piazon saw yellow.</p>
<p>Goi&aacute;s next face <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/fortaleza" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1287" title="Fortaleza EC">Fortaleza EC</a> while Botafogo are at home to <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/palmeiras" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1344" title="Palmeiras">Palmeiras</a>.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="2">Technical card:</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Goi&aacute;s EC:</strong></td>
<td>Tadeu, Maguinho, Danilo Barcelos (Luan Dias da Silva, min.83), Reynaldo, Lucas Halter, Renato Junior (Apodi, min.63), Auremir (Fellipe Ramos Ignez Bastos, min.90), Matheus Sales (Caio, min.46), Marquinhos Gabriel (Pedrinho, min.83), Diego and Nicolas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Botafogo:</strong></td>
<td>Lucas Perri, Renzo Saravia, Adryelson, Victor Cuesta, Fernando Marcal, Lucas Piazon (Romildo, min.79), Gabriel Appelt, Tche Tche, Junior Santos (Gustavo Sauer, min.74), Joao Victor (Jefferson Ruan Pereira dos Santos, min.56) and Soares</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Stadium:</strong></td>
<td>Est&aacute;dio da Serrinha</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Goals:</strong></td>
<td>Romildo (0-1, min. 89)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>


Goiás 0 – Botafogo 1: Visitors secure points with win at Estádio da Serrinha

<div class="bialty-container"><p>On Thursday, <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/internacional" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1303" title="Internacional">Internacional</a> and <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/bragantino" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1362" title="Red Bull Bragantino">Bragantino</a> played out a 0-0 draw at Estadio Beira-Rio. Internacional were looking to pick up points after winning their previous two matches in the competition. The most recent was against the <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/atletico-go" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1218" title="Atl&eacute;tico Goianense">Atl&eacute;tico Goianense</a> away (2-1), the other to <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/cuiaba" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1271" title="Cuiaba">Cuiaba</a> at home (1-0). Bragantino had managed to pick up a point in their matchup with <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/goias" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1294" title="Goi&aacute;s EC">Goi&aacute;s</a> EC. Internacional are currently 3rd with 50 points from 28 matches, while Bragantino sit in 13th, with 35 points from 28.</p>
<p>Substitutions for Internacional included Mauricio, Taison, Braian Romero and David for Igor, Alan Patrick, Alemao and Pedro Henrique, respectively. Bragantino brought on Jadsom, Marcos Vinicios, Werik Silva Pinto and Ramires, to replace Lucas Evangelista, Hyoran, Carlos Eduardo and Helinho.</p>
<p>The referee booked two players from Bragantino, Artur and Werik Silva Pinto.</p>
<p>Internacional will next play <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/santos" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1374" title="Santos FC">Santos FC</a> at home, with Bragantino facing <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/flamengo" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1284" title="Flamengo">Flamengo</a> away.</p>
<table>
<tr>
<th colspan="2">Technical card:</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Internacional:</strong></td>
<td>Keiller, Igor (Mauricio, min.67), Vitao, Gabriel Mercado, Rene, Edenilson, Gabriel, Alan Patrick (Taison, min.67), Pedro Henrique (David, min.79), Carlos De Pena and Alemao (Braian Romero, min.79)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Red Bull Bragantino:</strong></td>
<td>Cleiton, Aderlan, Leo Ortiz, Natan, Luan Candido, Lucas Evangelista (Jadsom, min.61), Raul, Hyoran (Marcos Vinicios, min.61), Helinho (Ramires, min.80), Artur and Carlos Eduardo (Werik Silva Pinto, min.66)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Stadium:</strong></td>
<td>Estadio Beira-Rio</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Goals:</strong></td>
<td>0-0</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>


Internacional 0 – Bragantino 0: Goalless draw leaves both teams frustrated

<div class="bialty-container"><p>Mineiro were defeated at home by <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/palmeiras" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1344" title="Palmeiras">Palmeiras</a> at Governador Magalhaes Pinto on Thursday. Mineiro were hoping to get something from this game after losing 1-0 to Avai in their previous fixture whilst Palmeiras were hoping to continue their winning streak after back-to-back victories against <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/santos" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1374" title="Santos FC">Santos FC</a> and <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/juventude" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1306" title="Juventude">Juventude</a>. Mineiro are currently 7th with 40 points from 28 matches, while Palmeiras sit in 1st, with 60 points from 28.</p>
<p>After an uneventful first half, whatever was said in the dressing room at half time, seemed to have a positive effect on Palmeiras who started the second half strongly, when Murilo Cerqueira found the net, 51 minutes in, to hand a welcome victory to the visitors.</p>
<p>Substitutions for Mineiro included Ademir, Alan Kardec, Ignacio Fernandez, Cristian Pavon and Otavio for Dodo, Eduardo Sasha, Jair, Keno and Allan, respectively. Palmeiras brought on Bruno Tabata, Rafael Navarro, Garcia, Breno and Jorge, to replace Gustavo Scarpa, Dudu, Mayke, Rony and Eduard Atuesta.</p>
<p>There were bookings for Jair, Dodo and Matias Zaracho from Mineiro, and Luan Garcia, Murilo Cerqueira and Dudu, for Palmeiras.</p>
<p>Mineiro will next play <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/fluminense" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1286" title="Fluminense">Fluminense</a> at home, with Palmeiras facing <a href="https://www.888fixtures.com/clubs/botafogo" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1234" title="Botafogo">Botafogo</a> away.</p>
<table>
<tr>
<th colspan="2">Technical card:</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Atl. Mineiro:</strong></td>
<td>Everson, Mariano, Nathan, Jemerson, Dodo (Ademir, min.46), Matias Zaracho, Allan (Otavio, min.76), Jair (Ignacio Fernandez, min.66), Eduardo Sasha (Alan Kardec, min.59), Keno (Cristian Pavon, min.76) and Hulk</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Palmeiras:</strong></td>
<td>Marcelo Lomba, Marcos Rocha, Luan Garcia, Benjamin Kuscevic, Joaquin Piquerez, Gustavo Scarpa (Bruno Tabata, min.64), Murilo Cerqueira, Mayke (Garcia, min.84), Eduard Atuesta (Jorge, min.90), Dudu (Rafael Navarro, min.84) and Rony (Breno, min.84)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Stadium:</strong></td>
<td>Governador Magalhaes Pinto</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Goals:</strong></td>
<td>Murilo Cerqueira (0-1, min. 51)</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>


Technical card:
Club Brugge:	Simon Mignolet, Denis Odoi, Brandon Mechele, Abakar Sylla, Bjorn Meijer, Hans Vanaken, Raphael Onyedika (Eder Balanta, min.83), Casper Nielsen, Andreas Olsen (Cisse Sandra, min.83), Ferran Jutgla (Roman Yaremchuk, min.64) and Kamal Sowah (Eduard Sobol, min.89)
Bayer Leverkusen:	Lukas Hradecky, Odilon Kossounou, Jonathan Tah, Piero Hincapie, Mitchel Bakker (Adam Hlozek, min.67), Jeremie Frimpong (Sardar Azmoun, min.86), Charles Aranguiz (Exequiel Palacios, min.46), Robert Andrich (Kerem Demirbay, min.67), Callum Hudson-Odoi (Nadiem Amiri, min.86), Moussa Diaby and Patrik Schick
Stadium:	the Jan Breydel Stadium
Goals:	Abakar Sylla (1-0, min. 42)