Blackpool v Barnsley: Preview

...tempted to hand Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan an opportunity to shine.Bannan - who has made two UEFA Cup starts for Villa - looked sharp on his debut as a late substitute against Preston.The Scotland...

Hamburg SV v TSG Hoffenheim: Preview

...0 win over Rapid Vienna on Wednesday booked Hamburg's place in the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League and Labbadia wants his team to build on that result and chalk up their first...

Robbie Fowler: Natural born finisher

Mark Lomas examines the career of Kop god and Premier League hero Robbie Fowler

Gera header enough for Fulham

Fulham's hopes of reaching the Europa League knockout stages will go down to the wire after Zoltan Gera earned them victory against CSKA Sofia at Craven Cottage.Needing to match Group E rivals Roma on the night, Roy Hodgson's men did their part with maximum points against their Bulgarian opponents, who had only had Luboslav Penev in the dug-out for the second half after their coach nearly missed the trip altogether. Story | December 03, 2009

Hertha close in on knockout stage

Hertha Berlin won for only the third time all season as a 1-0 victory away to Ventspils moved them to within a point of a place in the last 32 of the Europa League.

Gala clinch the group

Galatasaray sealed first place in Europa League Group F as Mustafa Sarp's strike earned them a deserved victory over Panathinaikos tonight.

Lisbon late show secures progression

A stoppage-time goal from Leandro Grimi ensured Sporting Lisbon a place in the knockout phase of the Europa League in dramatic fashion as they claimed a 1-1 draw against Group H opponents Heerenveen.

Dinamo still alive

Marius Niculae scored twice as 10-man Dinamo Bucharest kept alive their hopes of advancing to the last 32 of the Europa League by beating Group F's bottom team Sturm Graz 2-1.

Roma through, Basel must avoid defeat to Fulham

Roma secured a place in the knockout stage of the Europa League as they came from behind to beat Basle at the Stadio Olimpico tonight.

Considering the 'impact' of the draw

Soccer Power Index: Nate Silver considers the "impact" of the World Cup draw using a new statistic of his own creation.

Mirko Vucinic celebrates after scoring against FC Basel

Toulouse's midfielder Paulo Machado vies with Belgrade's midfielder Ljubomir Fejsa

Danny Murphy misses a penalty against CSKA Sofia

Clemens Fritz of Bremen battles with Felipe Lopes

Fulham's Zoltan Gera celebrates his goal against CSKA Sofia