The Week 13 NFL slate is stacked with great matchups. Our NFL Nation reporters bring us the keys to every game, a bold prediction for each matchup and final score predictions.

Additionally, ESPN Stats & Information provides a stat to know for each game, and the Football Power Index (FPI) goes inside the numbers with a matchup rating (on a scale of 1 to 100) and a game projection. ESPN Fantasy's Kyle Soppe and ESPN Chalk's Mackenzie Kraemer hand out helpful nuggets as well. It's all here to help get you ready for a loaded weekend of NFL football.

Let's get into the full Week 13 schedule, including a huge showdown between Lamar Jackson's Ravens and a tough 49ers defense.

Jump to a matchup:
SF-BAL | TEN-IND | TB-JAX
CLE-PIT | GB-NYG | WSH-CAR
PHI-MIA | NYJ-CIN | LAR-ARI
OAK-KC | LAC-DEN | NE-HOU
MIN-SEA

More:
Thanksgiving games | Playoffs

49ers (10-1) at Ravens (9-2)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET | Fox
Matchup rating: 91.2 | Spread: BAL -6 (47)

What to watch for: Two of the NFL's best teams rely on different strengths. The Ravens are the NFL's highest-scoring team at 35.1 points per game, and quarterback Lamar Jackson has led Baltimore to scores on his past 12 drives. The 49ers, meanwhile, are the league's second-stingiest defense at 14.8 points allowed per game, and San Francisco has allowed just one touchdown in its opponents' past 14 drives. Also worth watching: The Niners can clinch a playoff berth with a win and a Rams loss or tie, or a tie and a Rams loss. -- Jamison Hensley

Bold prediction: Jackson will rush for 100-plus yards. He has done it three times this season and now faces a 49ers defense that has few weaknesses -- but one of them is its struggles against mobile quarterbacks. Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson averaged 8.1 yards on 19 rushes against the Niners in three games earlier this season. -- Nick Wagoner

Stat to know: The 49ers' defense is allowing just 136.9 opponent passing yards per game this season, which is 21 yards per game fewer than the next-closest team (Patriots). If the season ended today, that mark would rank as the 16th-lowest since the 1970 merger. And every single one of those 15 teams with a better mark played in the 1970s, when teams were rushing nearly 35 times a game.

What to know for fantasy: It's been the Lamar Jackson show at home this season, and while that is fun to watch, Mark Ingram II's one touchdown run on 66 home carries has been underwhelming. See Week 13 rankings.

Betting nugget: San Francisco is the first team to enter a game as the underdog despite holding a 10-1 record or better since Seattle (11-1) was a 2.5-point underdog at San Francisco (8-4) in 2013. In the past 30 seasons, underdogs with records of 10-1 or better are 2-11 straight up and 3-10 against the spread (ATS), including 0-9 straight up and 1-8 ATS in non-Week 17 games. Read more.

Wagoner's pick: Ravens 23, 49ers 20
Hensley's pick: Ravens 33, 49ers 20
FPI prediction: BAL, 67.8% (by an average of 6.8 points)

Matchup must-reads: Earl Thomas says Ravens will be in Super Bowl ... How George Kittle became Niners' Mr. Indispensable

Titans (6-5) at Colts (6-5)

1 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 56.1 | Spread: IND -2.5 (43)

What to watch for: The Titans have allowed only one player -- Carolina's Christian McCaffrey -- to rush for 100 yards in a game this season. But the Colts have had a player rush for at least 100 yards in a game five times this season, including back-to-back 100-yard rushing games from Jonathan Williams, who is starting in place of the injured Marlon Mack (hand). -- Mike Wells

Bold prediction: Tennessee's Derrick Henry will gain 100-plus rushing yards against the Colts' ninth-ranked run defense. Henry has 347 yards and four touchdowns in his past two games, but those came against poor run defenses. The last time Henry gained 100-plus yards against Indianapolis was in Week 6 of 2017. -- Turron Davenport

Stat to know: The Titans are first in red-zone touchdown percentage (13-for-14, 92.9%) since Week 7. They were ranked 18th (53.3%) in Weeks 1-6.

What to know for fantasy: Indy's Williams got 29 touches last week (26 carries and three catches), a total Mack has recorded just once in his career. Williams has assumed the Mack role, and he will once again assume starter duties this weekend. See Week 13 rankings.

Betting nugget: Tennessee is 3-1-1 ATS in Ryan Tannehill starts, with all five games going over the total. When Marcus Mariota started, Tennessee was 2-4 ATS, with five of the six games going under the total. Read more.

Davenport's pick: Titans 24, Colts 21
Wells' pick: Titans 27, Colts 13
FPI prediction: IND, 60.5% (by an average of 3.6 points)

Matchup must-reads: 21 siblings, one dream: How family steered Titans' Sharif Finch to NFL ... Run-first attitude aside, Colts still need to take downfield shots

Buccaneers (4-7) at Jaguars (4-7)

1 p.m. ET | Fox
Matchup rating: 44.6 | Spread: TB -1 (47.5)

What to watch for: The Jaguars have given up 200-plus yards rushing in three consecutive games, which makes them just the fourth team in the past decade to do so (2010 Bills, 2016 49ers, 2019 Bengals). No team has given up 200-plus yards rushing in four consecutive games since the 1986 Bucs (per ESPN Stats & Information). Tampa Bay's Ronald Jones II has never rushed for more than 80 yards in a game in his career, so this could be a big day for him, especially with linebacker Myles Jack (knee) missing practice earlier this week. -- Mike DiRocco

Bold prediction: To that end, Tampa's running backs will top 150 rushing yards for the first time this season. The Jaguars have given up 35 rushing plays of 12 or more yards and 15 rushing touchdowns this year, both the second most in the league. They're also giving up 142.3 rushing yards per game (fourth most in the league.) -- Jenna Laine

Stat to know: Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston can become the sixth player (seventh instance) in NFL history with seven consecutive games of at least 300 passing yards. And per the Elias Sports Bureau, one more touchdown will tie Winston with Peyton Manning for the second-most passing touchdowns before turning 26 years old (Manning has 111, while Dan Marino leads with 145).

What to know for fantasy: Jags receiver DJ Chark Jr. has as many top-15 PPR finishes at the position as the Bucs' Chris Godwin this season (five). See Week 13 rankings.

Betting nugget: Nine straight Tampa Bay games have gone over the total. Read more.

Laine's pick: Buccaneers 33, Jaguars 22
DiRocco's pick: Buccaneers 30, Jaguars 17
FPI prediction: JAX, 51.6% (by an average of 0.6 points)

Matchup must-reads: Winston as confounding as ever to evaluate, but road ahead gets easier ... Jaguars VP Coughlin mum on Marrone's future

Browns (5-6) at Steelers (6-5)

1 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 34.6 | Spread: CLE -1 (39)

What to watch for: Everyone will be on high alert for tensions to flare in this rematch, but with all major actors in the infamous fight sidelined, look for a low-drama game -- at least as it relates to extracurriculars. The Steelers' defense was unremarkable in the first matchup with the Browns. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, though, wants to rectify that this time around. -- Brooke Pryor

Bold prediction: Cleveland's Odell Beckham Jr. catches two touchdowns for the first time all season, in a game otherwise defined by a series of unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness penalties between two teams with plenty of bad blood. -- Jake Trotter

Stat to know: With Mason Rudolph under center, the Pittsburgh offense averaged 4.8 yards per play and 6.2 yards per pass attempt, and was 34% on third-down conversions. But with Devlin Hodges, those numbers jump to 5.3, 7.9 and 46%, respectively.

What to know for fantasy: Browns running back Nick Chubb has been among the most efficient runners in the league over his career, but in his past two meetings with the Steelers, he managed just 3.5 yards per carry. See Week 13 rankings.

Betting nugget: This is the first time Cleveland has been favored in Pittsburgh since the 1989 season opener, which Cleveland won 51-0, the largest shutout road win by any team in the Super Bowl era. Read more.

Trotter's pick: Browns 17, Steelers 13
Pryor's pick: Steelers 17, Browns 14
FPI prediction: CLE, 50.9% (by an average of 0.4 points)

Matchup must-reads: Fines, bans ... what's next in this wild rematch ... Steelers name Hodges new starting QB

Packers (8-3) at Giants (2-9)

1 p.m. ET | Fox
Matchup rating: 31.1 | Spread: GB -6.5 (45)

What to watch for: Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers is coming off a season-worst 104 yards passing in a loss to the 49ers. But he's not facing the San Francisco defense on Sunday. Rodgers, who is fourth in the league with 10 40-plus-yard passes, gets to face a defense this week that has allowed the most such passes this season. The Giants (and Packers, whom they are tied with in the category) have both allowed 13. That sets the stage for some big plays Sunday. -- Jordan Raanan

Bold prediction: The Packers' defense -- 29th in yards allowed per game (400.1) since Week 4 and tied for last in yards allowed per play (6.5) -- will hold the Giants' 30th-ranked offense without a touchdown. -- Rob Demovsky

Stat to know: Rodgers has a 78.1 Total QBR in his career against the Giants, the second best for him among teams he has at least four starts against (Eagles, 85.6).

What to know for fantasy: Giants running back Saquon Barkley has not scored in three straight games and has averaged under 3.5 yards per carry in four straight. See Week 13 rankings.

Betting nugget: New York is 1-8 ATS as a home underdog under Pat Shurmur. Read more.

Demovsky's pick: Packers 31, Giants 12
Raanan's pick: Packers 36, Giants 13
FPI prediction: GB, 75.0% (by an average of 9.0 points)

Matchup must-reads: LaFleur critical of self, distribution of ball ... Barkley not impacting pass game, Giants need solutions

Redskins (2-9) at Panthers (5-6)

1 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 23.9 | Spread: CAR -10 (39.5)

What to watch for: How will the Panthers adjust defensively to the loss of nose tackle Dontari Poe, whose inside push has been big for a team that ranks second in the NFL in sacks? Kyle Love likely will be first up, but don't be surprised to see Gerald McCoy and others rotate into Poe's spot. The Redskins have allowed 35 sacks, the 10th most in the NFL. -- David Newton

Bold prediction: Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey will top 175 total yards and score once vs. the Redskins, who rank 23rd this season with 507 yards receiving allowed to opposing running backs. Washington has allowed 11 catches to backs in two games this year, and McCaffrey is the trickiest all-purpose back they will have faced, just ahead of Dalvin Cook, who had 168 all-purpose yards vs. the Redskins earlier this season. -- John Keim

Stat to know: Washington's Terry McLaurin leads rookies with 638 receiving yards, is tied for the rookie lead with 40 receptions (with Deebo Samuel) and is tied for second among rookies with five touchdowns (Marquise Brown, six). With another touchdown catch, McLaurin will join Charlie Brown (eight in 1982), Chris Cooley (six in 2004) and Hugh Taylor (six in 1947) as the only Redskins players with at least six receiving touchdowns in their first NFL seasons.

What to know for fantasy: The list of players this season with four straight games of 95-plus receiving yards is a short one: Michael Thomas, Cooper Kupp and Carolina's DJ Moore. See Week 13 rankings.

Betting nugget: Seven of the past eight Washington games went under, including five of six under interim coach Bill Callahan. Washington has been a double-digit underdog four times during that stretch and has not scored more than nine points in those contests. Read more.

Keim's pick: Panthers, 23, Redskins 14
Newton's pick: Panthers 24, Redskins 10
FPI prediction: CAR, 80.4% (by an average of 11.4 points)

Matchup must-reads: Haskins has trusted mentor in Alex Smith ... Cam Newton says 'Charlotte is home'

Eagles (5-6) at Dolphins (2-9)

1 p.m. ET | Fox
Matchup rating: 21.4 | Spread: PHI -10 (45)

What to watch for: The Dolphins (minus-14, ranked 32nd) and Eagles (minus-5, ranked 26th) are among the bottom seven NFL teams in turnover differential. Each team is also in the bottom seven in giveaways. The Eagles have a significant talent edge, but playing sloppy football and losing the turnover battle is the main way they can keep the Dolphins in this game. -- Cameron Wolfe

Bold prediction: Rookie receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside will have a breakout game and score his first touchdown. Coach Doug Pederson said the starting outside spot opposite Alshon Jeffery now belongs to Arcega-Whiteside after the release of Jordan Matthews. Arcega-Whiteside had a career-high two catches for 43 yards last week against the Seahawks. -- Tim McManus

Stat to know: The Dolphins currently have a 17.5% chance to get the top pick in the 2020 NFL draft according to the FPI, the second highest behind the Bengals' 63.4%. Miami has not selected in the top three of the draft since 2013, when it took Dion Jordan at No. 3 overall.

What to know for fantasy: By catching 12 passes last week against the Seahawks, the Eagles' Zach Ertz became the only active tight end to record three straight games with at least nine receptions. See Week 13 rankings.

Betting nugget: Over the past three seasons, the over is 13-5 in Ryan Fitzpatrick starts (5-3 this season). Read more.

McManus' pick: Eagles 26, Dolphins 16
Wolfe's pick: Eagles 34, Dolphins 17
FPI prediction: PHI, 80.0% (by an average of 11.2 points)

Matchup must-reads: What's wrong with Wentz? It's complicated ... Dolphins' rushing woes probably mean changes ahead

Jets (4-7) at Bengals (0-11)

1 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 5.4 | Spread: NYJ -3.5 (41.5)

What to watch for: The once-struggling Jets have won three consecutive games as quarterback Sam Darnold has found his form. He will be matched against a Bengals secondary that allows the fourth-highest QBR to opposing quarterbacks, according to ESPN Stats and Information. -- Ben Baby

Bold prediction: Jets running back Le'Veon Bell will crack the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time since Dec. 17, 2017, ending a streak of 12 consecutive games under the century mark. Bell showed signs of his old form last week, and he will be facing the worst run defense in the league. The Bengals are yielding 166 rushing yards per game. -- Rich Cimini

Stat to know: Cincinnati's Zac Taylor would become just the fifth coach in the Super Bowl era to lose his first 12 games as a head coach, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, should the Bengals drop this one on Sunday. He could join John McKay (26), Cam Cameron (13), Jim Ringo (13) and Marty Mornhinweg (12).

What to know for fantasy: In Weeks 1-10, Darnold averaged just 6.4 yards per pass attempt. Over the past two weeks, he's at 10.3 yards per pass attempt. See Week 13 rankings.

Betting nugget: New York has won and covered three straight games, all as an underdog. Read more.

Cimini's pick: Jets 21, Bengals 13
Baby's pick: Jets 24, Bengals 17
FPI prediction: NYJ, 52.7% (by an average of 1.0 points)

Matchup must-reads: Rejuvenated Jets have opportunity to overcome sins of past ... Reinstalled starter Dalton says goal is to win, not protect Bengals' 2020 draft position

Rams (6-5) at Cardinals (3-7-1)

4:05 p.m. ET | Fox
Matchup rating: 42.2 | Spread: LAR -3 (47.5)

What to watch for: This will be Kliff Kingsbury's first time facing his good friend and the coach he has been compared to most, Rams' coach Sean McVay. Kingsbury will want to show he can match offensive wits with McVay, so expect some more trickery while showcasing Kyler Murray more than he has this season. -- Josh Weinfuss

Bold prediction: Look for Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, whose name was hardly called Monday night, to get after the mobile Murray and sack the rookie quarterback at least twice. The Cardinals had an extra week to prepare, but that won't be enough against an inspired Rams defense that is out to prove its abysmal performance in Week 12 against the Ravens was an anomaly. -- Lindsey Thiry

Stat to know: The Rams have been held under 20 points three games in a row, but they have not been held under 20 in four straight since 2016.

What to know for fantasy: Murray and Lamar Jackson were the only two quarterbacks to finish Weeks 9, 10 and 11 as top-seven players at the position (Murray had a bye in Week 12). See Week 13 rankings.

Betting nugget: Arizona is 7-3-1 ATS this season, tied for the best mark in the NFL, including 5-1-1 ATS in its past seven games. Read more.

Thiry's pick: Rams 24, Cardinals 21
Weinfuss' pick: Cardinals 34, Rams 17
FPI prediction: LAR, 53.6% (by an average of 1.3 points)

Matchup must-reads: Rams cling to slim playoff hopes, but schedule provides no relief ... Is Chandler Jones a legit candidate for DPOY?

Raiders (6-5) at Chiefs (7-4)

4:25 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 51.4 | Spread: KC -10 (51)

What to watch for: The Chiefs have dominated Raiders quarterback Derek Carr at Arrowhead Stadium. He is 0-5 with three touchdowns and five interceptions. Can he turn it around against a Chiefs defense that in its last game had four interceptions against Philip Rivers and the Chargers? -- Adam Teicher

Bold prediction: Despite having a career QBR of 9.0 at Arrowhead, Carr will have a good game, thanks in part to rookie running back Josh Jacobs, who will go over 1,000 yards rushing on the season (he needs 43 yards to reach the milestone). -- Paul Gutierrez

Stat to know: As it stands, ESPN's FPI gives Oakland just a 16% chance to make the playoffs. A win on Sunday would move its chances up to 44%, while a loss to Kansas City bumps that down just a touch to 13%.

What to know for fantasy: The Chiefs are averaging 34.4 points per game in their past three against the Raiders, but they haven't had a player rush for even 55 yards in any of those games. See Week 13 rankings.

Betting nugget: Andy Reid is 26-13 ATS in division games as Kansas City's head coach, including 6-3 with Patrick Mahomes and 3-0 this season. Read more.

Gutierrez's pick: Chiefs 27, Raiders 17
Teicher's pick: Chiefs 27, Raiders 20
FPI prediction: KC, 90.0% (by an average of 17.1 points)

Matchup must-reads: Can Carr exorcise his Arrowhead Stadium demons? ... Reid optimistic Hill will play against Raiders

Chargers (4-7) at Broncos (3-8)

4:25 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 34.6 | Spread: LAC -3 (38.5)

What to watch for: The Broncos are coming off a dismal loss in Buffalo, where their offense closed things out with five consecutive three-and-outs. So their ability to muster anything on offense and who they start at QB will be the story the rest of the way. Still, two of the three games in which they have scored at least 23 points have been at home this season. -- Jeff Legwold

Bold prediction: Playing in his home state of Colorado, Chargers running back Austin Ekeler will record more than 100 receiving yards. He leads all NFL running backs with 667 receiving yards and needs 51 more to pass Darren Sproles (1,400) for No. 8 in Chargers history among running backs. -- Eric D. Williams

Stat to know: Denver quarterback Brandon Allen is completing 42% of his passes over the past two weeks (worst in NFL), and he could join Josh Rosen as the only quarterbacks this season to complete fewer than 50% of their passes in three straight weeks.

What to know for fantasy: For his career, Los Angeles receiver Keenan Allen is averaging just 45.3 receiving yards per game against the Broncos, but he has scored four times in four trips to Denver. See Week 13 rankings.

Betting nugget: The under is 10-2 in Denver's last 12 home games (10-3 since the start of last season). Read more.

Williams' pick: Chargers 24, Broncos 20
Legwold's pick: Chargers 20, Broncos 17
FPI prediction: LAC, 55.4% (by an average of 1.9 points)

Matchup must-reads: Will remaining games determine Rivers' future with Chargers? ... Starting rookie QB Lock an option for Broncos

Patriots (10-1) at Texans (7-4)

8:20 p.m. ET | NBC
Matchup rating: 94.2 | Spread: NE -3.5 (45)

What to watch for: Can the Texans' run defense get back on track against the Patriots? New England is averaging 3.4 yards per rush, third lowest in the NFL and on pace to be the lowest in the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick era, according to ESPN Stats & Information. But the Texans have allowed 505 rushing yards in three games without J.J. Watt. -- Sarah Barshop

Bold prediction: Brady tops his season-high total of 348 yards passing against Washington. This is a result of going against a defensive scheme he is familiar with, an increased comfort level with Isaiah Wynn back at left tackle for a second consecutive week, the projected return of receiver Phillip Dorsett II and possibly receiver Mohamed Sanu Sr., and the Texans struggling to generate consistent pressure. -- Mike Reiss

Stat to know: Including the playoffs, New England is 10-1 all time against the Texans, the best record by one team against a single opponent from the same conference since the 1970 merger. That includes wins in all five matchups against Houston since Bill O'Brien became the head coach in 2014 after he had previously been a Pats assistant. The Patriots have a chance to clinch a playoff berth this weekend, too, through five different scenarios.

What to know for fantasy: Houston's Carlos Hyde has a run gaining over 30 yards in three straight games. On his other 41 carries over that stretch, he is averaging just 3.9 yards per carry. See Week 13 rankings.

Betting nugget: Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is 11-4 ATS in his career as an underdog. Read more.

Reiss' pick: Patriots 23, Texans 17
Barshop's pick: Patriots 20, Texans 17
FPI prediction: NE, 53.9% (by an average of 1.4 points)

Matchup must-reads: Complementary play propels Patriots ... As always, Patriots stand in way for Bill O'Brien, Texans

Vikings (8-3) at Seahawks (9-2)

Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN/ESPN App
Matchup rating: 87.2 | Spread: SEA -3 (49.5)

What to watch for: The Seahawks' defensive resurgence over the past two games has come against offenses that were missing some key pieces -- George Kittle for the 49ers, and Alshon Jeffery, Jordan Howard and Lane Johnson for the Eagles. Minnesota's offense is fifth in Football Outsiders' DVOA rankings, and it has a chance to be at full strength with receiver Adam Thielen expected to return off the bye. -- Brady Henderson

Bold prediction: Both Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf will each haul in two receiving touchdowns. Quarterback Russell Wilson should have his way with the Vikings' pass defense, which will have had 15 days to fix some of the issues that showed up routinely in Minnesota's first 11 games. -- Courtney Cronin

Stat to know: The Vikings have used play-action on an NFL-high 34% of their offensive plays since Week 5, and Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins has thrown a league-high 10 touchdowns without an interception on play-action passes over that span.

What to know for fantasy: Wilson has scored over 24 fantasy points in consecutive Week 13s, and the Vikings are allowing 26% more quarterback fantasy points per game on the road than at home this season. See Week 13 rankings.

Betting nugget: Over the past four seasons, Minnesota is 3-13-1 ATS on the road against teams that entered with winning records. Read more.

Cronin's pick: Seahawks 27, Vikings 24
Henderson's pick: Seahawks 26, Vikings 23
FPI prediction: MIN, 53.3% (by an average of 1.2 points)

Matchup must-reads: Griffen finds balance by learning when to turn off ... Penny's breakthrough welcome occurrence for Seahawks

Former Ireland international Conor O'Shea is to become the Rugby Football Union's director of performance, replacing Nigel Melville.

Melville is leaving "to pursue new opportunities" and 49-year-old O'Shea will take over next year.

O'Shea resigned as Italy coach this month and was previously director of rugby at Harlequins and London Irish.

"We are here to provide a sustainable, winning environment and I hope I can play my part," he said.

The RFU said O'Shea would "manage the England player, coaching and match officials pathways across men's and women's 15s and Sevens programmes".

In a statement, it added: "He will work closely with England men's head coach Eddie Jones, however the England team remains the responsibility of Jones who will continue to report directly to [chief executive Bill] Sweeney."

Juventus women's player Eni Aluko has said she felt discriminated against while in Turin and was treated like former Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar when walking through an airport.

The ex-England international joined Juve from Chelsea in 2018 and scored 13 league goals in 20 appearances. However, she announced she will be leaving the Bianconere at the end of the year.

While Aluko said she has enjoyed here time at the club and did not suffer any racism, she criticised the general reaction within the country's football community to the issue.

"Sometimes Turin feels a couple of decades behind in terms of its general openness to different kinds of people," she wrote in The Guardian. "I have grown tired of walking into stores and feeling as if the owner expects me to rob the place.

"There is only so many times you can arrive at Turin airport and have the sniffer dogs treat you like you are Pablo Escobar.

"I have not experienced any racism from Juventus fans or within the women's league, but there is an issue in Italy and in Italian football and it is the response to it that really worries me, from owners and fans in the men's game who seem to see it as a part of fan culture."

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended Paul Pogba and said the midfielder's professionalism should not be questioned as the he prepares to return to the club to step up his recovery from an ankle injury.

Pogba has not played for United since the 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Sept. 30, but the France international is due to train in Manchester on Friday after completing his rehabilitation in recent weeks in Dubai and Miami.

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The former Juventus player was criticised on social media for posting images of himself playing basketball with Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler last week.

United sources have told ESPN that Pogba has been working with a bespoke fitness plan, however, and Solskjaer said he has no issues with the 26-year-old, who could make a first-team return against Tottenham next Wednesday.

"Every player is allowed to be injured when he's injured and Paul is working hard to be back," Solskjaer said. "No one can doubt his professionalism, his willingness or his desire to play football.

"He's a footballer and he's one of the best midfielders in the world and [having him back] will be like signing a new player before the transfer window opens.

"Of course we've missed him when he's been away. Some of the players -- Scotty [McTominay] and Fred -- have taken up that challenge and have done well but, of course it's a boost for us when he comes back."

United face Aston Villa at home on Sunday with the majority of the first-team squad spared the lengthy Europa League trip to Kazakhstan, which resulted in a 2-1 defeat against FC Astana on Thursday.

But while Pogba is fit to return to training, Solskjaer said the Villa clash comes too soon for him to be considered. An encounter with Jose Mourinho and Spurs remains a possibility, however.

"Sunday, no," Solskjaer said. "Spurs? I can't say now, because I've not been home and seen him.

"Let's see where he's at when he comes back and starts training with us. He is stepping up his recovery and let's see how soon he'll be match-fit and available.

"He's not really been able to play for us [this season], so when we get him back it'll be like a new world-class signing, a new world-class midfielder, so of course we want him back as soon as possible.

"The beauty we have with Paul is that he can play in so many roles. He can play in a two, he can play in a three and he can play as a No. 10 and I think we all saw last week, and in Astana, that Jesse [Lingard] is also coming back to his best.

"We've got more and more coming back and that's great, we shall see who is fit when Paul is fit because you can't plan too far ahead in football."

Liverpool have announced plans to expand the Anfield capacity by 7,000 seats to 61,000.

At present, Anfield is the sixth-biggest stadium in the Premier League, but this increase would see it rise to No. 3 ahead of Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.

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"For any expansion to the Anfield Road Stand to go ahead we need certainty on three key areas," Liverpool's chief operating officer Andy Hughes said on the club's website.

"Firstly, that we are able to reach agreement with local residents, businesses and community groups that they will allow the expansion plan to take place, which will mean closing a short section of Anfield Road between 96 Avenue and Skerries Road.

"Secondly, that we have the right sustainable financial and economic model in place to deliver a long-term sustainable Anfield. And lastly, that we are able to successfully navigate the complex planning landscape. We need to be satisfied on all three points for work to proceed.

"We are working towards creating an expanded Anfield Road Stand which will see around 7,000 additional seats. The majority of these seats will be for general admission use and we expect some seats will be allocated for a sports bar/lounge-type hospitality in order to ensure the economic viability of the expansion.

"Further profiling is needed and we expect to provide more detail at the second-stage consultation early next year.

"These first-stage consultation sessions we are holding are crucial as they will be used to inform the design proposals we are developing, which in turn will help us to make a decision on whether to proceed with the expansion as a whole."

Liverpool are the Champions League holders and sit top of the Premier League table as they chase their first top flight title since 1990.

Unai Emery has been sacked as Arsenal manager following the 2-1 Europa League defeat at home to Frankfurt.

Sources told ESPN FC after that loss that Emery's position was untenable, following Arsenal's worst run in 27 years.

The club are winless in all competitions in seven games and sit eight points behind fourth-place Chelsea in the Premier League after just 13 games this season.

The Frankfurt game was played in front of a half-empty stadium and a group of Arsenal supporters unveiled "Emery Out" banners.

Freddie Ljungberg, Emery's assistant, is favourite to take over on an interim basis.

Emery, who won three Europa League titles with Sevilla boss and the Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain, signed a two-year deal with the option of a third in 2018.

After succeeding Arsene Wenger in May 2018, Emery led Arsenal to the Europa League final in his first campaign in charge but the Gunners failed to qualify for the Champions League.

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In total, Emery managed 51 Premier League games in total, winning 25, losing 13 and drawing 13.

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been linked with the position but he said it would be "disrespectful" to comment on the situation.

"I think you know me well enough and you know that I'm not going to answer about that," he said earlier this week.

"I will never mention an issue that's not a reality. Mainly speaking about a job that has a manager on it. It would be disrespectful."

James Anderson has said he "doesn't see any reason" why he shouldn't play in the 2021-22 Ashes series as a 39-year-old despite bowling only four overs for England in the last nine months.

Anderson went off after hurting his calf during the first day of first Ashes Test at Edgbaston this summer, and after a recurrence of the injury while he tried to return in time for the fourth Test, he was left out of the touring party for the ongoing series in New Zealand.

He hopes to return to the squad in time for the South Africa tour that starts next month, and will travel to Potchefstroom this week, along with fellow seamers Mark Wood, Olly Stone, Craig Overton and Ollie Robinson.

ALSO READ: England hopefuls head to training camps in India, SA

Anderson told the Daily Mail that he has made technical changes during his lay-off, which he hopes will improve his longevity, including a return to the longer run-up he trialled during England's tour of the Caribbean in the spring.

"When I felt the calf go, it was in that first three or four paces of my run-up, trying to get up to speed really quickly," he said. "Lengthening my run-up just gives me that little bit extra time to gradually build up the pace rather than pushing off too quickly and putting too much pressure on it.

"I've changed the running technique a little bit, too, to use my legs a bit more to generate more momentum up to the crease."

Anderson has been using Manchester City's training facilities throughout the winter in his attempts to return to fitness, and said that he had realised during his layoff that he still had the "hunger" to play Test cricket.

"I still feel that in the near future I've got something to offer this team, both in performances on the field and around the group" James Anderson

"The biggest thing to come out of that for me was actually the hunger," he said. "I found I had to try to get fit again because it would have been quite easy for me, especially after the third time I injured my calf trying to get ready for the Old Trafford Test, to say, 'Sod it, I can't do this anymore'.

"I guess when you get to a certain age you start thinking about the next chapter. And people have always said to me that you just know when it's time to finish.

"But I went away that week, on holiday with the family to Corfu, just to get away from it because I was feeling quite low having worked hard to get back fit. And at the end of it, in conversation with my wife Daniella, she was like, 'Why would you stop?'

"It's not as if I'm unfit. Getting injured is just a thing that happens and as I get older, yes, there might be the odd extra muscle injury that I've got to deal with. But my injury record's been pretty good and I'm still in the top 10 bowlers in the world, even though I've not played for longer than six months."

Anderson also suggested that he had plenty to offer England over the next few years, not only in terms of his own performances but also through passing on his wealth of experience to the younger seamers in the side.

"I know everyone's talking about the Ashes in two years' time, which is a long way away, and I'd be 39 by then," he said, "but if I still feel like I do at the minute, if I keep working as hard as I am in the gym and at my game, then I don't see any reason why I can't make that trip.

"But whether I do or I don't, I still feel that in the near future I've got something to offer this team, both in performances on the field and around the group.

"We've got young lads coming in, some fairly inexperienced players who might need some guidance. I feel like the more experience you've got around the group, around those younger players, the better really."

Four-time Olympic champion intends to defend his 10,000m title at the Games in Japan

Mo Farah is to return to track racing and has set his sights on defending his 10,000m title at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The 10-time global gold medallist announced his decision to switch from track athletics to road racing after claiming his sixth world title in London in 2017.

He went on to break the European record when winning the 2018 Chicago Marathon in 2:05:11 and finished third in last year’s London Marathon but placed eighth in Chicago in his last race over 26.2 miles and has never competed in the event at a major championships.

Earlier this year Farah admitted he was still tempted by a track return and on Friday the 35-year-old confirmed his decision to target the Tokyo 10,000m in a video on YouTube.

“Next year, Tokyo 2020, I’m going to be back on the track,” he said.

“I’m really excited to be competing back on the track and to give it a go in the 10,000m.

“Hopefully I haven’t lost my speed but I will train hard for it and see what I can do.”

More to follow…

Queensland 4 for 98 (Heazlett 54*, Bird 3-26) trail Tasmania 107 (Doolan 34, Doran 32, Steketee 5-19) by nine runs

A career-best performance from Mark Steketee put Queensland in complete command against Tasmania in Hobart on day one.

Steketee took his maiden Sheffield Shield five-wicket haul, claiming 5 for 19, to skittle Tasmania for just 107. Sam Heazlett countered an early wobble with a timely unbeaten half-century to put the Bulls on the brink of a first-innings lead at stumps.

Steketee made the most of the helpful bowling conditions after the Bulls opted to bowl. He trapped Jordan Silk, Beau Webster and new national selector George Bailey lbw with swing and seam to leave Tasmania reeling at 3 for 4 in the third over.

Alex Doolan fought hard for 34 and Jake Doran made 32 down the order but Tasmania could not recover from the early setbacks. Steketee returned to rip out two more to complete a five-wicket haul.

In response, the Bulls too slumped to 3 for 11. Gabe Bell got rid of Matt Renshaw in the second over of the innings, while Usman Khawaja fell to Jackson Bird while trying an ambitious drive. Heazlett and Bryce Street steadied the side with a 61-run stand. Street was Bird's third victim late in the day but Heazlett reached his first half-century of the Shield season having missed the last three matches. Queensland finished the day just nine runs behind the Tigers.

Pakistan will be hosting Test cricket for the first time in more than 10 years, that too with a full strength Sri Lanka squad, in December 2019. Dimuth Karunaratne will lead the Sri Lanka side, with experienced batsmen Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal also in the 16-member squad. The team leaves for Pakistan on December 8, where they will play two Test matches that will count towards the World Test Championship.

Less than three months ago, Sri Lanka had toured Pakistan for limited-overs matches but as many as 10 high-profile names had withdrawn then.

There's only one change to the squad that played the second Test against New Zealand in August. Kasun Rajitha, the right-arm fast bowler, replaced legspinner Akila Dananjaya who is currently serving a one-year suspension over an illegal action.

The first Test will start on December 11 in Rawalpindi followed by the second in Karachi from December 19. The country has not hosted a Test match since the 2009 Lahore terror attack that saw several Sri Lankan cricketers and support staff receiving injuries. Suranga Lakmal, the fast bowler, was part of Sri Lanka's squad back then as well.

Test squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera (wk), Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan

More to follow...