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Mikel Arteta feels the return to fitness of Thomas Partey will be the equivalent of a new signing for Arsenal.

The Ghana midfielder was Arsenal’s big signing of the previous transfer window from Atletico Madrid, but he has made only a handful of appearances on account of injury.

Partey returned from a month on the sidelines to feature in the north London derby with Tottenham on December 6, but broke down again with a recurrence of the thigh problem.

Arsenal are nursing him back to fitness, but he is now in training and could feature against Newcastle in the FA Cup on January 9.

Arteta says Partey has to come through a couple of additional sessions before being given the green light, but the Spaniard feels it will be like having a new signing in the team.

“We are in January and I think he’s played two and a half games,” Arteta said of Partey during a press conference following the 4-0 win over West Brom on Saturday. “That’s all and he was our main signing. 

“We’ve been missing him. He brings something different to the team, he’s a player with an enormous talent. But as well someone that can transform the team the way we want. 

“It’s great if we can have him, keep him healthy and I think he will contribute in a really positive way.

“He’s done the most part training the last few days. He’s feeling good and we will assess him. 

“He needs another two or three good sessions to see if he’s 100 per cent ok to play. And if that’s the case, great news for us.”

The Gunners were impressive in beating West Brom 4-0, their third win on the spin, and Arteta feels Arsenal are starting to produce the type of football he wants to see.

“There were moments that I think we were really, really good,” Arteta said. “Both defensively and offensively. 

“Obviously in attacking phases we had moments where it’s exactly what I want, it’s exactly what we tried to train and teach the players to do. And in other moments we became a little bit sloppy. 

“In certain moments where we thought the game was won, which is something that we have to improve. But in general it’s close to what we want."

Martin Keown has heaped praise on Kieran Tierney, saying the full-back is going to set the standards for Arsenal in the future.

Tierney arrived at Arsenal from Celtic in 2019, but his start to life at the club was disrupted by injury.

Since shaking off the shoulder problem, Tierney has produced consistent excellence for the Gunners.

He scored one goal and assisted another in a buccaneering display in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over West Brom on Saturday.

Tierney’s goal, a curling shot with his weaker right foot following a good run, was worthy of the enthusiastic celebration that followed, and Keown felt it summed up the player’s character.

“Look at the anger,” Keown told BT Sport of the goal celebration. “He wants to make something happen, that’s what I like.

“Your football career is a short period in your life and you want to make a mark. 

“That young man has come down from Scotland and he does not want to waste any time.

“He is going to set the standard for the future for Arsenal.

“The end product now is coming into his game; it is improving all the time.

“It does not matter who is playing on that left side, [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang or [Gabriel] Martinelli, as long as Tierney is playing you get that effectiveness down the left.”

Arsenal’s uptick in form has coincided with the injection of youth in the shape of Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka into the side.

The pair combined for a brilliant second goal and Keown felt it was a throwback to the years of Thiery Henry and Robert Pires.

"It was like a throwback to the Pires years, the Henry movement,” Keown said. “They would have been brought through with this in the academy, that’s the specialness about it.

“Smith Rowe with a give and go and keeps his run going. Saka knows he will find him, he just rolls it in. 

“I have been immensely impressed with Smith Rowe since he came into the team.

"It’s the type of role everyone thought [Mesut] Ozil was going to fill. So the manager wants that type of player and he wants youth and exuberance and he is getting it with these two.”

Mikel Arteta feels confidence is running through his Arsenal squad and is one of the keys to their upturn in form.

The Gunners have had an excellent festive period, as wins over Chelsea and Brighton eased talk of a relegation battle and they made it three victories on the spin with a 4-0 mauling of West Brom.

There were concerns that the match could be called off due to heavy snow at the Hawthorns, but it eased to allow the game to take place and it was Arsenal who adapted best.

Kieren Tierney set the Gunners on their way with an excellent solo strike on 23 minutes, with Bukayo Saka doubling the lead five minutes later following an excellent team move.

Alexandre Lacazette scored twice in quick succession just after the hour mark to secure the win, with his goals ensuring Arsenal scored four times away from home in the league for the first time in two years.

“It was a convincing win,” Arteta told BT Sport. “To win three on the spin over Christmas in the Premier League is not easy. 

“In phases when the weather was better and the conditions were a little easier, I felt we played some excellent football. 

“At the end we had to manage some moments and the conditions.

“The first two goals, the first action with Kieran was terrific, the second one with the combination play was fantastic as well.

“The clean sheet, that’s two in a row now, and that gives us a platform to win games. 

“We look more of a threat, and more creative and our attacking play was much better today.”

Arsenal are now within six points of third place, despite being in 11th, and Arteta is thrilled with how his side are playing.

“I am so happy that we were able to achieve the target we had,” Arteta said. “The table looks completely different.

“The energy around the place is much better. Wins bring a lot of confidence and you can see that in the way the team played.”

Tierney led from the front for the Gunners, scoring one goal and providing an assist for Lacazette.

The Scotland international is starting to fulfil his huge potential and Arteta was delighted with the left-back’s performance.

“He has been fantastic since I've been here,” Arteta said. “Since he got back from his shoulder injury he’s been fantastic.

“He is a lad that gives you everything. He is improving, is willing to do better and better and brings a real energy and quality to the team.”

Eberechi Eze has revealed that his wonder strike against Sheffield United on Saturday could be his finest Crystal Palace moment yet.

The 22-year-old made an instant impression for Roy Hodgson’s men five minutes after replacing injured Ghana international Jeffrey Schlupp.

Getting a pass from James McArthur, Eze unleashed a sublime long-range strike into the bottom right corner of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale's net after ghosting past his markers.

That effort guaranteed maximum points for the Eagles, and when asked if that was his top moment for the Selhurst Park giants, the England youth international replied in the affirmative.

“Potentially. I know it’s a good goal,” Eze told Sky Sports during his post-match interview per Crystal Palace website. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to come on, and to take my chance which was great.

“You want to come on and make an impact and be effective," he added. "We have to be ready on the bench, and take our chance when it comes.”

His latest strike mean that all his goals in the English elite division have now come from outside the box. That ranks him next to Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse who has scored more goals than any other players outside the goal area in the 2020-21.

Also, Eze becomes the fourth Crystal Palace player to score each of their first two Premier League goals for the club from outside the box, and the first since Ricky Newman in 1994 (also Gareth Southgate and Simon Rodger).

“I thought I may as well take the chance and see if I can beat someone,” he continued. “When I got into shooting range I was thinking ‘I’ll try my luck and see what happens’, and thankfully it went in.”

The performance of the former Queens Park Rangers man was also lauded by Cote d’Ivoire international Wilfried Zaha, who was in action from start to finish against Chris Wilder’s Blades.

With this result, the Eagles moved to the 12th position in the Premier League table with 22 points from 17 matches. They are guests of Wolverhampton Wanderers in a FA Cup encounter on January 8. 

Morocco midfielder Karim Loukili has recorded his first hat-trick for club and country after striking three times in Helmond Sport’s 5-2 decimation of Dordrecht on Saturday evening.

The visitors had taken a two-goal lead at the SolarUnie Stadion, nevertheless, they were blown aside by the hosts, with the 23-year-old leading the rout.

Fuelled by defeats in their last outings, Dordrecht came into the game with aim of ending their poor run. They took the lead in the first minute as Kevin Jansen’s effort from 40 yards beat goalkeeper Stijn van Gassel.

Like a house on fire, they doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute through Nikolas Agrafiotis who took advantage of a poor defending by the hosts.

Notwithstanding, Loukili reduced the deficit for Helmond on the stroke of half-time – tucking home a well-taken cross from Boyd Reith.

Wil Boessen’s men approached the second-half in aggressive fashion and they levelled matters in the 49th minute, with Reith assisting the Moroccan midfielder again.

For the first time in the game, they took the lead as Sander Vereijken beat goalkeeper Anthony Swolfs from an assist from Turkish defender Berk Cetin.

The harvest of goals continued in the 64th minute as Loukili turned provider for Maxime De Bie. With 20 minutes left from full time, he completed his treble after making a good use of De Bie’s near-perfect cross.

After putting up an incredible shift in the seven-goal thriller, Loukili was replaced by Jessy Hendrikx with eight minutes left to play.

For the visitors, Robin Polley, the Ghanaian defender who is on loan from ADO Den Haag was not dressed for action by manager Jan Zoutman.

Courtesy of this resounding victory, Helmond Sport now occupy the 14th spot in the Eerste Divisie log with 20 points from 18 games played so far in the 2020-21 campaign, while Dordrecht sit at the base of the table with just 11 points from the same number of games.

Loukili, who has now scored six goals in Netherlands’ second tier, will be aiming to continue with this rich scoring form against against Ajax II at the Sportpark De Toekomst on January 9.

Frank Lampard admits that Kai Havertz isn't at his physical best having suffered from 'severe' symptoms of coronavirus in November.

Chelsea signed the 21-year-old former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder for £70 million ($94m) in the summer but he has found himself on the bench in the last three games.

Indeed, he has only shown flashes of the talent that attracted the Blues to sign him in the first place.

Lampard has stressed that there needs to be understanding around his poor form and the physical toll Covid-19 is still having on his playmaker.

"Just as Kai was just coming to terms with the Premier League and he had some really good performances with us he got Covid and he had Covid quite severely as I think people are really starting to open up about now," Lampard told reporters ahead of a home match with Manchester City on Sunday.

"I have read a few things recently about how much people can suffer with it now. Some people are asymptomatic. He definitely has had a bit of a fallout with that physically and I speak with him a lot and we know that. It is something we are trying to help him to deal with.

"Yeah, the expectation around him you have to put context into the story. Kai’s talent is undoubted. I see that every day. Giving him the time to adapt to the Premier League and to our team is crucial.

"We have seen players come here in the past, didn’t really adapt, went elsewhere and come back to the Premier League and absolutely lit it up to unbelievable levels. I am not trying to compare Kai directly with that but there are so many stories across the Premier League, not just Chelsea.

"I have full belief in him. We need to give him that time, particularly because of the Covid situation, that is a problem. That is not a non-issue; it is an issue that is related beyond his illness."

Havertz may be a full international but moving from the Bundesliga to one of the Premier League's biggest sides represents a step up in level for him.

Lampard made that same big step to Chelsea in an £11m move from West Ham in 2001 and it took him a year to adapt before he showed the form that would lead him to become the club's record goalscorer.

As a result of his own playing career, Lampard is aware that adapting quickly isn't something that should be taken for granted.

"Transferring leagues to a game that is fast and physical week in week out, every three days is a big ask and not something that should be expected just because we paid this amount for you or you are an international or your age or how many goals and assists you made," he said.

"You can’t take anything as a given in that sense. I thought that with Kai anyway and I was there to help him, I am there to help him when he came. I was excited to take on that challenge with him of how this league is going to be different.

"Let’s see how you can adapt because your talents are going to be different in a really positive way and help us. The one thing I certainly know as a coach is that I can rely on is my personal experience when it mirrors up slightly.

"I know I had to do extra work myself. Kai is different to me. Particularly with the knockback of Covid now we have to give him time to do the extra work now and it will make him stronger in the end. And remember he is a young player and he needs time."

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi was left to rue his side's missed chances even though they secured a win over Orlando Pirates on Saturday afternoon. 

Brian Mandela Onyango's first-half goal inspired Masandawana to a 1-0 win over the Buccaneers in a PSL match which was played in Tshwane. 

Mngqithi explained that the game turned out to be just the way they had expected along with his lieutenants Rhulani Mokwena and Steve Komphela. 

"I think it went the way we planned yet. I still think we were a bit in Christmas mode. I think we could have scored a lot of goals in this match," Mngqithi told SuperSport TV. 

"We could have been more composed and clinical in our moments. Because we knew they have a very high line. There were times when their keeper was left alone with [Thulani] Hlatshwayo, but we never really exploited those moments.

"Once again we should complement the work done by everyone around the team. I believe the group is working very hard, the technical staff, support staff and players."

Masandawana stars Themba Zwane, Hlompho Kekana and Gaston Sirino were missing and Mngqithi is pleased to see his side cope without such influential players. 

"When you want to win a championship, it's very important to have depth. We've had moments where already this year we lost maybe eight or nine players," he said. "The game against Arrows, for example.

"However, we still managed to come back with something and people thought we are saving players for the Champions League.

"It was not the case because players were just not available for many other reasons, but we went onto Botswana with a team that was again short of ten or 11 players," he added, "and once again the group worked very hard and we managed to come back with the result." 

Mngqithi praised the club's management for ensuring that players and staff get tested for the coronavirus regularly. 

"In essence, we've not really had our best eleven in the last five matches because of injuries, medical stuff and things like that...and also Covid," he continued.  "We must also say that Covid is there and alive.

"Fortunately, our management is working very hard to make sure that we do the test as much as possible to make sure that we don't transfer it to other people, and I must commend the president of the club [Patrice Motsepe] for allowing us to test as many times as we can," he revealed. "If I can speak myself, I've tested three times.

"From the time we opened on the 28 because we want to make sure we keep it safe and that everyone is available, and those who are playing are not in a better position to infect others. That for me is a very big initiative."

Sundowns will now take on Botswana side Jwaneng Galaxy in the Caf Champions League first-round second-leg match in Tshwane on January 5, with Masandawana leading 2-0 on aggregate. 

Real Madrid went top of LaLiga for the first time since October after a 2-0 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday thanks to goals from Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio.

Vazquez headed Madrid in front six minutes into the game and Asensio added a second after the break with a fine finish.

Celta rarely threatened Thibaut Courtois' goal as their six-game unbeaten run came to an end.

The result helped Zinedine Zidane's side move a point clear of city rivals Atletico Madrid, who will have the chance to return to the summit when they face Deportivo Alaves on Sunday.

Celta almost stole an early lead when Iago Aspas chased a ball behind the defence and chipped an effort over Courtois as he raced off his line, but Nacho chased back to hook it away.

From the resulting counterattack, Madrid went ahead when Asensio broke down the left and his cross picked out Vazquez, who headed in at the back post.

Celta's players claimed for a penalty after Jeison Murillo's volleyed effort struck Ferland Mendy, but the referee dismissed the visitors' appeals.

Madrid went close shortly before the break as Dani Carvajal saw an audacious volley from the edge of the box fly just past the post.

Zidane's side ruthlessly punished some sloppy Celta play soon after half-time, which allowed Vazquez to slide in Asensio to clinically fire past goalkeeper Ruben Blanco.

Fine play by Toni Kroos opened up the Celta defence again on the hour but Madrid captain Karim Benzema lost his footing at the critical moment and flashed his shot past the upright.

Madrid brought on Eden Hazard with 16 minutes left as the Belgian forward continued to build up his match fitness following a long-term injury.

Benzema squandered another late chance when he lifted a shot over the crossbar, while former Los Blancos youngster Miguel Baeza was denied at the death as Madrid saw the game out without conceding.

What does it mean? Home comforts Madrid

Madrid have scored in each of their last 29 home LaLiga games against Celta (76 goals in total), their current longest scoring run at home against a single team in the competition.

They have also won 13 of their last 15 home LaLiga games (lost two), with 14 of them played at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano inside their training ground, which is proving a handy home away from the Santiago Bernabeu.

Atletico still have three games in hand on Madrid, but if Zidane's side can continue to churn out these types of results on home turf then they will be the main challengers for the title.

Toni in Kroos control

Kroos has scored six goals in 12 LaLiga appearances against Celta, and although he did not find the net on this occasion, he was at the heart of everything Madrid did well. The German midfielder made 64 passes – more than any other player – with a pass completion of 94 per cent, while his two key passes was bettered by only Vazquez among those in white.

Aspas fluffs his chance

Aspas has been involved in five of Celta's eight goals away from home in LaLiga this season (four goals and one assist), but he managed just one shot on target before he was substituted six minutes into the second half. Had the Spain striker been able to score from that early chance, it might have given Celta a foothold in the game. Thereafter they hardly worried Courtois at all.

Key Opta facts

- Vazquez has scored and assisted in a single LaLiga game for Real Madrid for the first time since February 2018 against Leganes.
- Asensio has been involved in three goals in his last three games for Madrid (one goal, two assists), just one fewer than in his previous 31 matches for them in all competitions (three goals, one assist).
- Asensio scored and assisted in a single game for Los Blancos for the third time in all competitions, the second in LaLiga after doing so in June 2020 against Valencia (the other one was versus Melilla in the Copa del Rey in December 2018).
- Madrid had their smallest share of the possession in a single home match in all competitions under Zinedine Zidane on Saturday (41 per cent).
- Madrid have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four LaLiga home games after doing only once in their previous five at the Alfredo Di Stefano in the competition.

What's next?

Madrid travel to Pamplona to face Osasuna in LaLiga next Saturday, while Celta go to Ibiza in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday, before hosting Villarreal in LaLiga three days later.

Arsenal claimed a stylish 4-0 win over West Brom at a snow-covered Hawthorns to continue their Premier League resurgence on Saturday.

After a seven-match winless run in the top flight prior to Christmas, the Gunners defeated Chelsea at home and Brighton and Hove Albion away and were full of confidence against Sam Allardyce's struggling side.

Fine first-half goals five minutes apart from Kieran Tierney and Bukayo Saka - the first a sublime solo strike, the second a flowing team move - made a mockery of tricky conditions and moved Arsenal out of sight.

Alexandre Lacazette added a comical clincher and later doubled his tally as a third straight victory boosted Mikel Arteta's men up to 11th, now suddenly looking up the table rather than back towards the relegation scrap in which West Brom remain mired.

Arsenal had quickly assumed control in the falling snow, although Matt Phillips might have done better than shoot straight at Bernd Leno from a rare West Brom opening.

The visitors heeded that warning and soon led when Tierney pushed the ball past Darnell Furlong on the left flank, then checked back inside to beat his opponent again and finally beat Sam Johnstone with a curling right-footed effort.

The swift second was equally impressive, albeit an entirely different kind of goal as Emile Smith Rowe moved the ball on to Saka and continued his run while Lacazette took possession and fed a pass back into his path. Through on goal, Smith Rowe unselfishly squared to find Saka once more for a simple finish.

A flag denied West Brom an early second-half response as Matheus Pereira ran offside before his drive against the post landed back at the feet of Callum Robinson with the goal gaping.

Instead, a bizarre third went Arsenal's way when Semi Ajayi awkwardly volleyed against his own post and recovered to block Smith Rowe's follow-up but watched Lacazette lash in the rebound - the Frenchman netting in a fourth consecutive match in all competitions.

He had another four minutes later, kneeing in Tierney's drilled cross, with West Brom ultimately fortunate to escape further punishment.

What does it mean? Arteta's Arsenal back on track

Despite winning the FA Cup, the previous calendar year was a tough one for Arsenal and their rookie boss. Now 12 points clear of the bottom three and only six shy of the top four, the narrative has quickly turned in the London giants' favour.

There were no shortage of impressive performers, led by Tierney, Smith Rowe, Lacazette and, of course, Saka.

Saka going from strength to strength

Saka was the subject of much post-match discussion at Brighton after a superb assist for Lacazette but this time profited from the fine work of his team-mates to score himself. It was no less than the winger deserved, however.

Although only one of his seven crosses found a team-mate, technically creating just a single chance, two sensational early centres were begging for a telling touch at the far post as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang failed to convert, while another delivery prompted the chaos that preceded the third.

Poor stopper Sam left so exposed

It is difficult to understand how the same team that held Manchester City and Liverpool on the road could have conceded 12 times across Allardyce's first three home matches in charge.

Johnstone had already blocked from Hector Bellerin before the opener flew in and then three times denied Lacazette before the forward finally got his goals. The goalkeeper finished with eight saves, attempting to stem the flow of goals almost singlehandedly behind a desperate defensive display.

Key Opta facts:

- Arsenal have won three successive Premier League games, after winning just two of their previous 12 in the competition (W2 D2 L8).

- West Brom are the first side to lose consecutive home Premier League games by at least four goals in each defeat since Wigan Athletic in August 2010.

- With no club has Allardyce won fewer points (one – level with Crystal. Palace) or conceded more goals (13) after his first four Premier League games in charge than he has with West Brom.

-  Arsenal have scored in all 25 of their Premier League meetings with West Brom, the best 100 per cent scoring record by one side against an opponent in the competition's history.

- There were 20 passes in the build up to Arsenal's first goal - since Arteta's first game in charge on Boxing Day 2019, the Gunners have scored more goals following a sequence of 20+ passes than any other Premier League side (three).

- Since the start of last season, Saka has been directly involved in 22 goals in all competitions (seven goals, 15 assists) - the second most by a teenager currently playing for a Premier League side after Manchester United's Mason Greenwood (25). 

What's next?

Arsenal can turn their attention to their FA Cup defence, approaching Saturday's third-round meeting with Newcastle United in high spirits. A trip to Blackpool is on the agenda for a West Brom side in dire need of some respite.

Orlando Pirates head coach Josef Zinnbauer believes that luck wasn’t on his team's side in their defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday afternoon. 

The Buccaneers recorded their maiden defeat of the season when they suffered a 1-0 loss to Masandawana in a PSL match which took place in Tshwane. 

Zinnbauer watched on as Bucs created chances which they failed to take at Loftus Versfeld Stadium and he felt that his side was unlucky on the day.

"Set-pieces, goal, it's always difficult. We know against Sundowns. All the little luck in think in the first half we were good in the game," Zinnbauer told SuperSport TV.  "We had a lot of opportunities to score the first goal. Second half we did what we can.

"Played forward, chances yes, but not enough of the final shot or final pass."

Current PSL Golden Boot holder Frank Mhango was brilliantly denied by Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango in the closing stages of the match, before striker Jean-Marc Makusu failed to control the ball in a one-on-one situation with the Uganda international. 

"We gave it all in our last 20 minutes, and when you do that, they could hit us on the counter. Then we had a little luck. I'm disappointed," he continued. "We did a lot of work, it was not a bad performance. But yeah we had not the goal that we need. I think if we scored in the first half, we could have won the game."

Full-back Wayde Jooste was substituted at half-time by Zinnbauer and the German tactician explained why he introduced midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu, who was deployed in the right-back position. 

"It was a tactical aspect. We needed a goal. We know Ndlovu is flexible, he can play as a six or as an eight," he added. "This was the reason we changed at half-time. We wanted more offensive options. It wasn't just Ndlovu. It was the whole team.

"We had the opportunities but we didn't score and then it's not possible you can win a game."

Pirates have now turned their attention to their Caf Confederation Cup first round second-leg game against Angolan side Sagrada Esperanca.

The match will be played in Soweto, Johannesburg on January 6 and Bucs are leading 1-0 in aggregate. 

Argentine football continues across the festive season this December and January with the playing of the Copa Diego Armando Maradona.

All games are live streamed on Fanatiz and you can sign up to watch free here.

Boca was crowned 2019-20 league champions in March after coming out on top during the 23-game season. 

The Copa Superliga was scheduled to follow on from the regular campaign, but was scrapped after just one game as football came to a halt.

This season’s action began with a new cup format, renamed after Diego Maradona following his death in November, where six groups of four teams competed for 12 places in the Campeon de Copa phase.

This next step consists of two groups of six teams and the winner of each will play in a final clash on January 17.

The winner of the Campeon phase will then qualify for the 2021 Copa Libertadores.

There is also a Sudamericana spot open to the sides disputing the Complementary phase, which is exactly the same in format and includes all the teams that failed to qualify for the Campeon phase.

It is expected that the new season of the next Primera Division will then follow in March 2021.

Fanatiz has the rights to the Copa de la Liga Profesional worldwide, excluding Argentina, Germany, Austria, Portugal, Israel, Russia, Sweden and the Balkans.

How to watch Boca vs River on US TV

The Superclasico fixture between Boca Juniors and River Plate is Argentina's showpiece clash, bringing together the nation's two biggest clubs who have disputed one of the world's fiercest rivalries for over a century. 

Saturday's game, though, the first played between the two since 2019, will take on a slightly different look. 

Covid-19 restrictions means that Boca's famed Bombonera home will be shorn of its usual passionate support, stripping the Superclasico of its usual colour and noise. 

Both Boca and River, meanwhile, have their minds elsewhere during this Copa Maradona despite playing in the decisive Championship phase - the sides currently sit joint-top of the group with only two games remaining - as their Copa Libertadores semi-finals with Santos and Palmeiras respectively approach midweek. 

Plenty of squad rotation is therefore expected for Saturday's crunch match, with the two sides focused first and foremost on their Copa aspirations. 

But that will not affect the commitment of those picked to walk out at the Bombonera, with expectations as high as ever in this most hard-fought of derbies.

Live Stream: Fanatiz English ( stream now )

Boca vs River team news and preview

Boca are set to rest a handful of key players for River's visit, including veteran captain Carlos Tevez.

Mauro Zarate and Ramon Abila are likely to start up front in Tevez's place, while Edwin Cardona will have the chance to shine after losing ground in the Boca starting XI in recent weeks. 

River coach Marcelo Gallardo trained during the week with an almost entirely changed, experimental first team, but it remains to be seen whether more established names such as Matias Suarez or Robert Rojas eventually push their way into contention to form a more familiar side. 

The Millonario will definitely be without injured defensive duo Fabricio Angileri and Milton Casco as well as Lucas Pratto, who sealed a move to Feyenoord at the end of December.

Watch all this weekend's Copa Diego Armando Maradona matches on Fanatiz in the US  with a 7-day free trial.

What other Copa Diego Armando Maradona matches are available on Fanatiz?

All games are live streamed on Fanatiz and you can sign up to watch free here.

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Teko Modise is impressed with Mamelodi Sundowns' ability to adapt their style in order to beat Orlando Pirates.

The Brazilians edged out the Buccaneers 1-0 in the first Premier League encounter of 2021, played at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The only goal of the game came 10 minutes before the interval in Pretoria and was scored by Downs defender Brian Onyango, his first for the club.

It was not a pretty win for Sundowns, who were without several of their usual attacking threats, including Themba Zwane, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Hlompho Kekana, Gift Motupa, Gaston Sirino and Promise Makhuma, while Kermit Erasmus started on the bench as he makes his way back to full fitness.

In the end it took some backs-to-the-wall defending from Sundowns in the final 20 minutes of the game, which as Modise points out, highlights the fact that, although Masandawana are known for their free-flowing attacking play, they also have the tools to dig in and grind out victories when needed.

"Mamelodi Sundowns proved today that can defend. They did well, especially later on when the system required them to defend,” Modise said in his role as a SuperSport TV analyst. “Credit should go to Sundowns, defensively they did well. 

"I thought they were very defensive, but also because the game required them to do so, because we all know how dangerous Pirates are in transition.

“We also spoke about how Mamelodi Sundowns can be dangerous from set pieces, especially with the personnel that was on the pitch today, and they got the goal from a set piece," Modise, who played for both clubs, added.

Modise’s fellow analyst and former Buccaneer Dikgang Mabalane meanwhile believes that the manner of the win was a statement of intent from the Brazilians and bodes well for Masandawana’s hopes of securing a fourth successive league title.

“Not only did Sundowns win the game today, but they’ve shown the character of the team, the resilience of the team," he said. "These are the reigning champions, and they’re still at the top of the log.

"It's an intention, you can see the superiority of the team, in terms of competing in the league.”

Unai Emery has admitted that Takefusa Kubo is looking to find a way out of his loan spell at Villarreal from Real Madrid.

Real signed the Japanese teenager from FC Tokyo in 2019, but farmed him out on loan to Mallorca last season and Villarreal this term.

While he enjoyed a productive time at Mallorca, things have not gone as planned at Villarreal and the winger is keen to head out of the club in January.

“I asked Kubo if he wanted to stay or leave and he told me that he is looking for a way out,” coach Emery said after Villarreal’s 2-1 win over Levante on Saturday.

“Take’s behaviour is good, he has helped us and he must continue to grow as a player, however, he told me he wants to leave in order to find more minutes elsewhere and that’s why he wasn’t in the matchday squad today.”

Getafe are keen to pick up the player for the second half of the season.

Speaking on Onda Cero , Getafe president Angel Torres confirmed his club’s interest.

“Kubo wants to come to Getafe,” Torres said. “Yes, another reinforcement could be Carles Alena, but we are not going to go crazy.”

An agreement would need to be struck between Real and Villarreal for the early termination of the loan, but given that Kubo has been a bit-part player - and was not in the squad for the game with Levante - it suggests that will not be difficult to achieve.

Real are keen for the 19-year-old to secure regular game time in a bid to aid his development, and Getafe may be prepared to offer that chance.

While the focus at Villarreal is on securing a place in the top four in La Liga, the aim at Getafe is to avoid relegation.

Getafe sit in 15th in the table, two points above the relegation spots, and coach Jose Bordalas will hope any arrival is up to speed.

Bordalas’ side are on a three-game winless run and were beaten 1-0 at home by Valladolid on Saturday.

It is unlikely any deal will be done in time for Getafe’s trip to Cordoba on Tuesday.

Gor Mahia treasurer Dolfina Odhiambo has hit out at coach Sammy Omollo stating he was rigid in his strategy and had no experience playing against North Afircan teams after the embarrassing loss away to CR Belouizdad in the first leg of their Caf Champions League tie.

The Posta Rangers tactician had come in as a stand-in coach for K'Ogalo in the aftermath of that humiliation, and is now charged with avoiding a similar result in the return match. 

In the match, that was played at the Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 on December 26, the Great Chabab put six goals past K'Ogalo and the official believes the coach did not manage the game properly.

"I still maintain, our strategy sold us," Odhiambo told Radio Jambo on Saturday. "I am not saying that the coach [should be held fully responsible for the result] but the problem was that he was too rigid.

"If I was in his shoes, I would have given the boys three options because you can never tell," he added. "Also remember, he has never played with these Arabs.

"You know we were speaking from experience having [faced North African teams] before. He has never faced them as a coach, he has never had the Caf [Champions League] experience with these guys."

The vocal official opined the former Kenya defender should have changed the tactics early to avoid the humiliating loss in Algeria.

"[Omollo] was just being rigid, and that rigidity is what cost us," Odhiambo continued "Not that he is a bad coach; but if I were him, I would have given the players two or three different strategies for example after we conceded two goals in the first 15 minutes, we could have changed our strategy.

"He changed the strategy in the second half when we had already conceded four goals and by the time it was tough already."

Meanwhile, Gor Mahia players have once again threatened to boycott the second leg of their second preliminary round of the Caf Champions League game against CR Belouizdad if their dues are not settled.

The Kenyan champions are scheduled to host the Algerian giants on Wednesday, January 6 at Nyayo Stadium. However, all is not well at K'Ogalo and senior players have opted to stay away from training ahead of the game.

"The situation is not good at all, players have opted to stay at home in protest for their money," a senior source at the club told Goal "On Saturday, players were to report in training but a few fringe ones turned up. Remember, also current caretaker coach [Patrick] Odhiambo is also in his rural home with the family.

"If nothing is done, I doubt whether the Wednesday game will be played, or even if it will be played, results might be worse or close to the 6-0 loss suffered in the first leg."

Ilkay Gundogan is happy to fill the role of unsung hero at Manchester City, with the German playmaker admitting that he allows “others to shine” in a galaxy of stars.

The 30-year-old midfielder boasts plenty of ability and has graced the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund while collecting eight pieces of silverware in England.

He does, however, tend to steer clear of headline-making exploits, with those heroics being left to those operating alongside him.

Pep Guardiola is fully aware of how important players of that ilk can be, with the Catalan billing Gundogan as one of City’s best-ever signings, but the man himself is prepared to shun the spotlight.

“Someone said to me once I perhaps don’t shine but I allow others to shine, and that’s how I see myself,” Gundogan, who has taken in 177 appearances for City, told the Blues’ official website.

“You cannot just build a team of 11 players playing the same type of football and same type of characters and players.

“In the end, there has to be one harmony – one great picture that fits. That’s always the challenge.

“The most successful teams in history were so successful because they had different players playing in harmony.”

Gundogan has been catching the eye again for City this season, as he keeps things ticking over in the middle of the park, but he believes that his finest form in the Premier League came during a title-winning campaign in 2018-19.

“Maybe I would disagree [this is my best run of form] because the last few months where we won the league one point ahead of Liverpool, I felt very confident about my personal game,” added a man with 42 international caps to his name.

“That’s a period that still feels really good, not just for myself, but for the team. Maybe with the numbers people think I am better now, but I am honest, numbers are never really important for me in football.

“When I leave the pitch after the final whistle, if I feel I have played as good as I could, when I am happy and proud of what I have done on the pitch, that’s the point I feel comfortable – not if I score one, two goals or whatever.

“You need players who score, but that’s not something I identify with. Obviously, when I am in the region to score goals, I try.”

City have not been at their free-flowing best as a collective this season, but they have tightened up at the back and could move to within four points of defending champions Liverpool with victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.