Hollywood treatment for Pele

The story of how Pele conquered the footballing world aged just 17 is coming to Hollywood with filming under way in Rio de Janeiro, Seine Pictures said on Thursday.

The film, entitled simply, "Pele", "tells the wonderful story of the rise to glory of the legendary player," said the US company, which is producing the work with Imagine Entertainment.

Pele, 72, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento and nicknamed O Rei (the king), is widely considered the greatest player of all time having helped Brazil to their first World Cup title in 1958 and then having triumphed again with an all-star ensemble in 1970.

Brazilian singer "Seu Jorge" (Jorge Mario da Silva), Mexican actor Diego Boneta and Irish screen idol Colm Meaney are in the cast for a film written and directed by brothers Michael and Jeff Zimbalist.

Brazilians Kevin de Paula and Leonardo Lima Carvalho play the young Pele, respectively between the ages of 13 and 17 and aged 10.

Meaney will play George Raynor, who coached Sweden in the 1958 final when Pele announced his arrival as a global star.

Seine is negotiating rights with Sports Licensing International, which represents Pele.

Filming began in Rio last Monday, the producers said.

Born on October 23, 1940 to a poor provincial family, Pele was also on the squad which won the 1962 World Cup -- though he missed much of that tournament through injury -- and scored more than 1,000 goals in his career.

He spent the twilight of his playing days helping to popularise soccer in the United States with New York Cosmos.

Fifa proclaimed him player of the century in 2000 and a year beforehand the International Olympic Committee voted him athlete of the century.

Spurs sink Anzhi; Swansea, Wigan win

Tottenham Hotspur exposed the weaknesses in Anzhi Makhachkala's star-shorn squad, winning 2-0 in Moscow to maintain their perfect start in the second round of Europa League group-stage matches on Thursday.

Jermain Defoe and Nacer Chadli scored first-half goals for the visitors who cruised through the Group K clash against the Russian side whose once-impressive lineup has been depleted by a recent clearout.

Sergio Floccari inspired a stunning late fightback for Lazio to draw 3-3 against Trabzonspor as Eintracht Frankfurt, Ruban Kazan, Sevilla and Fiorentina joined Racing Genk, Swansea City, Ludogorets and Salzburg in getting two wins from two games in their respective groups.

Valencia shrugged off the scars of their opening defeat by Swansea to secure three vital points in Russia with a 2-0 win at Kuban Krasnodar and Olympique Lyon were held to a 1-1 home draw by Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes.

PSV Eindhoven, who also suffered a surprise loss in their first match, recovered with a 2-0 win over Ukrainian side Chernomorets Odessa and stoppage-time goals rescued draws for PAOK Salonika and Rapid Vienna.

Wigan, who were relegated from the Premier league, won 3-1 against Slovenia's Maribor to move to second place behind Kazan on four points.

Tottenham and Anzhi have moved in different directions in recent months.

The Premier League side used the money they received from the world-record transfer of Gareth Bale to reinforce their squad, while their Russian opponents have suffered a more painful transition.

They put their entire first-team squad up for sale after their billionaire owner cut the club's budget, triggering an exodus of expensively-acquired players and a rapid descent to the foot of the Russian league table.

Among those who have fled the Dagestan-based side are Samuel Eto'o, who moved to Chelsea, Willian, who flirted with a move to Spurs before also heading to Stamford Bridge, and Yuri Zhirkov who joined Dynamo Moscow.

The biggest name left at the club is Lacina Traore, but the Ivory Coast striker was only fit enough for a place on the bench and his presence was missed as the visitors quickly got on top.

FIRST GOAL

The first goal arrived on 34 minutes thanks to sharp movement and a powerful finish from Defoe who found a yard of space inside the area and fired home a Lewis Holtby pass from 12 metres for his third goal in two group games.

He is now just one short of Martin Chivers's Tottenham European scoring record of 22 goals.

Nacer Chadli, one of Tottenham's numerous close-season arrivals, added the second six minutes later when he guided a cross from Kyle Walker precisely into the corner.

"Another great goal (from Defoe), great finish," Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas told reporters.

"He is doing extremely well whenever he's given the opportunity. He is very professional and has a great attitude, and is now just one off Martin Chivers. So, a great achievement from him.

Lazio striker Floccari made an emphatic impact in their Group J match in Trabzonspor, coming off the bench in the second half with his side trailing 3-1 and scoring two goals in as many minutes late in the game to grab a point for the Italians.

A second defeat for Valencia could have left them facing the possibility of a shock early exit but Paco Alcacer came off the bench to open the scoring and Sofiane Feghouli added a second late in the second half with a precise free kick.

The darker side of soccer showed its face in Sofia as 45 fans of Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb were detained for acts of violence before their team's 3-0 Europa League defeat by Bulgarian champions Ludogorets.

4.5 million tickets requested for WCup

Fifa has received applications for more than 4.5 million tickets for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, an "impressive total" a week before the first phase of sales ends.

Fifa marketing director Thierry Weil hailed the high demand for the first World Cup in Brazil since 1950.

"This impressive total so far underlines the extraordinary level of interest," Weil said.

Brazilians made 77 percent of the requests, for about 3.4 million tickets. Argentines applied for 223 686 tickets and Americans for 175 122. Fifa said people from more than 200 countries have sought tickets.

Organizers expect a total of nearly 3.3 million tickets to be available for the tournament in Brazil, but only about 1 million are offered in the first stage of sales.

Most of the applications were for the opener in Sao Paulo, the final at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, and for all Brazil matches.

Prices for the final range from $440-$990, although Brazilian fans will pay $165 in the cheaper category. Brazilians over the age of 60, local students and members of some social programs will be allowed to pay about $82 for a ticket. Prices for the opener go from $220-$495, with Brazilians paying $80 and discounted tickets costing $40.

Fans have until next Thursday to apply. A random draw will be held for matches where the number of requests exceeds the available tickets.

Fans applied for more than one million tickets in the first seven hours after the sales opened in August. More than 163 000 people requested the tickets online in that span.

Each applicant can request for up to four tickets for a maximum of seven of the 64 matches.

Sales of leftover tickets will begin on Nov. 5 on a first-come, first-served basis. Another phase will begin on Dec. 8 after the World Cup draw determines where and when each team will play. The tournament begins on June 12, with Brazil playing in the opener.

Nearly 800 000 fans attended the Confederations Cup in Brazil this year, with ticket sales easily surpassing those for the warm-up tournament in South Africa in 2009 and in Germany in 2005.

Leverkusen out to down Bayern

Bayern Munich earned the plaudits with their impressive Champions League mid-week win at Manchester City, but Bayer Leverkusen are out to end their unbeaten Bundesliga run on Saturday.

Bayern travel to Leverkusen top of Group D in the Champions League and second in the German league on goal difference with leaders Borussia Dortmund, but level on 19 points after seven matches.

Leverkusen are just a point behind in third and eager to claim the scalp of Pep Guardiola's Bayern, who are on a 32-match unbeaten league run.

"I don't think Bayern are unbeatable. On a good day we can do it," said Leverkusen striker Stefan Kiessling, the Bundesliga's top scorer last season.

Bayer were the last team to beat Bayern in the Bundesliga, on October 28 last year, when they stunned Munich with a 2-1 home win.

It was Bayern's only league defeat last season, but with Guardiola's European champions fresh from their impressive 3-1 win at City's Etihad Stadium, Sami Hyypia-coached Leverkusen need to show some confidence.

"This is our chance to make a real statement," added Kiessling after Bayer's 2-1 Champions League home win against Real Sociedad on Wednesday.

"We go into this game wanting to win it."

Bayern are closing in on the Bundesliga's record of 36 matches unbeaten – set by Hamburg in 1983 – and Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno said respect, not fear, must be the order of the day.

"Bayern are the best team in the world, but many people forget that we can also play good football," said Leno with Leverkusen having won nine of their 11 matches this season.

"We have a huge opportunity to make a name for ourselves."

While Guardiola insisted "it's not the end, it wasn't the final," in a bid to dampen expectations after Bayern's win in Manchester, the way president Uli Hoeness waxed lyrical would lead impartial fans to think the result in Leverkusen is academic.

"It was 'summa cum laude'," he enthused, using the Latin expression for work of the highest standard.

"Last season, we had a great team, but now we have a super, super team," he added in a playful reference to his penchant for the word 'super' in post match-interviews.

But as Dutch winger Arjen Robben, who has scored in Bayern's last five Champions League matches, insisted: "On Saturday, we start again at zero" at Leverkusen.

Dortmund are at mid-table Borussia Moenchengladbach eager to go into the international break at the top of the table.

Borussia posted an impressive Champions League win of their own as they floored Marseille 3-0 on Tuesday, but goals are almost guaranteed in Moenchengladbach.

None of their last 32 meetings, dating back to 1994, have ended in a goalless draw and Jurgen Klopp's Dortmund are already averaging three goals per Bundesliga match this season.

Fresh from their Champions League win at Swiss champions FC Basle, Schalke 04 are at mid-table Augsburg on Saturday without Peru winger Jefferson Farfan, who is out for four weeks with a torn groin.

Ex-Holland coach Bert van Marwijk, who took charge last week, continues his quest to get Hamburg out of the bottom three at Nuremberg on Sunday with the Hanseatic side having already leaked 19 goals this season.

Friday

Hanover 96 v Hertha Berlin

Saturday

Schalke 04 v Augsburg, Borussia Moenchengladbach v Borussia Dortmund, VfB Stuttgart v Werder Bremen, VfL Wolfsburg v Eintracht Braunschweig, Mainz 05 v Hoffenheim, Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Bayern Munich

Sunday

Nuremberg v Hamburg, Freiburg v Eintracht Frankfurt

United out for redemption at Sunderland

Manchester United's Chris Smalling hopes both he and the club will be able to carry on from where they left off against Shakhtar Donetsk when they try to get their Premier League campaign back on track away to bottom of the table Sunderland on Saturday.

David Moyes's United side suffered a shock loss against West Brom last weekend as they suffered their worst start to a league campaign after six games in 24 years.

However, United collected a hard-fought point in Ukraine against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Smalling started that game in place of Rio Ferdinand and the former Fulham defender hopes he can earn the trust of his manager ahead of the visit to the Black Cats, who are without a permanent manager since the sacking of Paolo di Canio.

"It was a confidence boost for me to get picked for the Shakhtar game," Smalling said.

"I want to be involved as much as I can now. Hopefully, I can show the manager I can do a job and he can count on me. He wants players out there he can trust."

England international Smalling believes reigning Premier League champions United's battling display in Ukraine proves they can recover from their poor domestic start.

The Old Trafford club have won just two league games – against Swansea and Crystal Palace – so far this season and suffered defeats at Liverpool, Manchester City and at home to West Brom last Saturday – to leave them in 12th place, eight points off the top of the table.

"We know ourselves that last Saturday and a few other results have not gone our way," Smalling said. "But we were looking forward to the game (in Donetsk) and really showing that we have a bit of character and fight among us. You can only build confidence through performances."

With United desperate for three points, there is a lot of pressure on Moyes' men to deliver at the Stadium of Light this weekend.

England striker Wayne Rooney is expected to feature after missing the Champions League tie in midweek with a bruised shin following a clash in training.

Smalling feels United need three points to avoid another defeat hanging over the club as they head into next week's international break.

"After Saturday, this week was crucial with two away games," Smalling said. "Now we need to make sure we get three points on Saturday, then things will look a lot better going into the international break.

"If we don't get that win, we have two weeks to ponder on what may have been."

Managerless Sunderland, who are without a league win this term, haven't beaten Manchester United in the Premier League in their last 22 attempts stretching back to March 1997.

Saturday sees the north-east club looking for only their third home league victory of what has been a troubled 2013 that has seen the departure of two managers in Martin O'Neill and di Canio.

The Black Cats' seven-season stay in the top flight is under serious threat as they attempt to stem a run of poor defensive displays that has resulted in them conceding three goals in each of their last four Premier League games.

Interim head coach Kevin Ball takes charge for the third match in a row and would doubtless settle for a repeat of the goalless draw he guided Sunderland to at Old Trafford during his first stint in temporary charge seven years ago.

Former Sunderland captain Ball is set to keep faith with the starting line-up that lost 3-1 at home to Liverpool last time out.

"It's a results-driven business but I will also stress to the players the importance of the performance they put in – for me that's key," Ball said.

"I've again been encouraged by what I've seen in training this week, and if we don't end up getting a result, it won't be for the want of effort and application from the players.

Amanda aims at career success

Fresh from the University of Johannesburg’s triumph in the inaugural Varsity Football competition, Amanda Dlamini spoke about her decision to relinquish the national captain’s armband and her work in the development of women’s soccer.

In March, the Banyana Banyana midfielder gave up the captaincy, after two years at the helm, to focus on her own game and her tertiary studies.

“It was one of the toughest decisions I had to make regarding my footballing career. It’s something that needed to be done for me to be content with myself, my game and my studies.”

Higher education was a priority, said the third-year Road Transport Management student, even for those young women carving out a career in professional sport.

“Women’s sport still lacks the sponsorship needed to make a good living. So should anything happen, such as a career-changing injury, one should be able to continue having a full life through your chosen field.”

Dlamini is currently back home in Harding, KwaZulu-Natal, while she completes a module via correspondence, and plays for Durban Ladies in the Sasol provincial league.

She has already made 66 appearances for the national squad and notched up 21 goals in the process.

The highlight of her tenure as captain was leading the first ever Banyana team to qualify for the Olympic Games in 2012.

She hopes to still be an integral part of South Africa’s plans to qualify for the 2015 Fifa Women’s World Cup and their quest to win the African Women’s Championship.

Earlier this year, this sporting role model established the Amanda Dlamini Girls’ Foundation, which aims to inspire young girls from rural areas to pursue their dreams.

“As a rural girl, I know how it feels to be isolated from all sporting activities. Because I have experienced these challenges, I felt the need to go out there and motivate these young girls not to give up, no matter what.”

As part of the programme, Dlamini shares her footballing experiences and some of the challenges that female athletes face. She said the emphasis was on balancing education and sport, providing coaching in life skills and football.

“We offer career guidance and teambuilding exercises. There’s also something called ‘my sacred space’ – which is where I tell them about my upbringing and relate to them and answer one-on-one questions.”

Dlamini, who scored two goals in UJ’s 6-0 drubbing of Tshwane University of Technology, believes it was depth of experience that gave her side the edge in the Varsity Football competition in September.

Although the presence of past and present national players like herself, Noko Matlou and Disebo Mametja had no doubt strengthened the side, she preferred to focus on the entire unit.

“We work as a team and shy away from focusing on individuals. We work very well as a unit and not as a group of stars.

“We are always mindful of complacency and therefore work hard at training sessions to complement the massive talent we have in our squad.”

The 25-year-old said the Varsity Football series had added great value to the game by ensuring constant competition and providing a visible and equal platform for women’s football.

“This shows that women’s sport as a whole is on the rise and being taken seriously.”

Dlamini’s greatest ambition is to one day have her own football academy for women. According to her, her own start was slightly less auspicious, following her cousin and brother to the fields where they played.

“One day I was asked to play because they were a man short and I grabbed that chance with both hands. At first it was just a hobby – little did I know the only little girl playing with boys would one day get this far.

Barca, Atletico out to extend good run

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid look to extend their club record starts to the season when they host Valladolid and Celta Vigo respectively this weekend.

Both sides have won all seven of their league matches to date and could set a new Spanish record should they make it eight out of eight.

The Catalans have the chance to open up a three-point gap at the top of the table as they play first on Saturday night.

Gerardo "Tata" Martino's men continued their fine start to life under the Argentine by also making it two wins from two in the Champions League in midweek with a hard-fought 1-0 success over 10-man Celtic.

Young defender Marc Bartra particularly impressed in Glasgow as he continues to deputise for the injured Javier Mascherano and he is thankful for the confidence Martino has showed in him.

"Tata has not doubted for a second in putting me into the team. I am satisfied with the confidence he has shown in me," he told a press conference on Thursday.

"Little by little I am feeling more wanted. I have had two years competing with some of the best players in the world in training and learning from them.

"I have keep concentrating and learning."

The champions will have to do without World Player of the Year Lionel Messi as he is sidelined with a thigh injury.

Mascherano and Jordi Alba are also unavailable through injury, but Barca's defence could receive a significant boost with the return of captain Carles Puyol to the squad for Saturday's match.

The 35-year-old hasn't played since undergoing knee surgery in March but has trained with his teammates in recent weeks and could make a return in the week that marked 14 years since his debut.

Real Madrid are also in action on Saturday as they travel to Levante needing to bounce back from last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Atletico which left them five points off the leaders.

Gareth Bale is once again unavailable due to a thigh strain, but Argentine winger Angel di Maria showed he is more than a capable replacement for the Welshman with two goals and a stunning assist in Real's 4-0 win over FC Copenhagen on Wednesday.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti's defensive options have also been swelled by the return of Raphael Varane and Marcelo from injury, but Sergio Ramos will certainly start after being rested in midweek.

Atletico also continued their 100 percent start in the Champions League thanks to a come from behind 2-1 win away to Porto on Tuesday that owed much to Diego Simeone's men's expertise from set-pieces.

Simeone will be able to welcome back top-scorer Diego Costa, who missed the game in midweek due to suspension, while Koke will also return having been rested from the start against Porto.

And Koke insists his side won't be taking anything for granted despite the plaudits they have received in recent weeks.

"We take all the compliments calmly and they give me even more confidence and desire to keep working. That confidence I am showing on the pitch," he told the club's website.

"It will be a difficult game against Celta because we are coming form two very demanding games. The group is physically and mentally prepared and we are desperate to go for the three points."

Elsewhere, Valencia will be hoping to extend their four-match winning run when they travel to face Athletic Bilbao in a meeting between Champions League contenders on Sunday night.

However, Athletic will also fancy their chances having won both matches since moving into their new San Mames stadium last month.

Friday

Villarreal v Granada (1800GMT), Malaga v Osasuna (2000GMT)

Saturday

Elche v Espanyol (1400GMT), Rayo Vallecano v Real Sociedad (1600GMT), Levante v Real Madrid (1800GMT), Barcelona v Valladolid (2000GMT)

Sunday

Atletico Madrid v Celta Vigo (1000GMT), Sevilla v Almeria (1500GMT), Getafe v Real Betis (1700GMT), Athletic Bilbao v Valencia (1900GMT)

Inter to test Roma as Napoli wait

Roma's newly-acquired Serie A title credentials face their first serious test when Rudi Garcia's team visit in-form Inter Milan on Saturday.

In the final weekend of league action before a break for World Cup qualifiers, second-placed Napoli host promoted Livorno while champions Juventus host Milan in one of two potentially gripping late games on Sunday.

When former Lille coach Garcia took over Roma at the start of the season the initial aim was to start strongly and erase the memory of a seventh place finish last season.

However, the French coach and Roma have gone one better, grabbing the league's attention after winning all of their first six games to top the table with a two-point lead over Napoli and champions Juventus.

Inter sit fourth, a further two points back, having enjoyed a positive start to the campaign under former Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri.

As matches go, it could be the highlight of the weekend – Roma have hit the net 17 times and conceded only one while Inter have scored 16 and shipped only three.

Despite having home advantage, Inter were held to a 1-1 draw by Juventus three weeks ago and Mazzarri's men dropped more points in a shock 1-1 draw away to Cagliari last week.

Roma have also seen nine different players hit the net this season and Inter centre-back Hugo Campagnaro said they deserve respect.

"They're a great team and have scored a lot of goals while conceding very few. They deserve our respect," Campagnaro told Sky Sport Italia.

"We'll have to be on top of our game."

It appears there is little reason for Garcia to make major changes and his only injury doubt following a 5-0 rout of Bologna last week concerns Serbian striker Adem Ljajic.

But the Frenchman should not be sweating.

Former Arsenal striker Gervinho hit a brace last week and, following a shaky start, seems to have now settled in well.

Defeat for Roma would allow Napoli to snatch top spot, if they overcome league new boys Livorno.

It would offer Rafael Benitez's men a crumb of comfort after their 2-0 Champions League defeat to Arsenal in midweek, before which Gonzalo Higuain failed a late fitness test.

Although Higuain is expected to return for Sunday's afternoon game, Napoli were quick to dispel suggestions the Azzurri have become dependent on the Argentinian, who with three goals is Napoli's second-top scorer after Marek Hamsik.

"Of course he's a really important player for us but we can win without him," said defender Paolo Cannavaro.

"We beat Genoa (last week) without Higuain."

Juventus and Milan, meanwhile, could both do with a boost although the latter are in arguably greater need having slipped to ninth place at 10 points adrift of Roma.

Milan will hope to capitalise on Juve's fragile mental state after the champions were shellshocked by a 2-2 Champions League draw at home to Galatasaray.

However the odds are against Massimiliano Allegri's injury-ravaged side, who will be without striker Mario Balotelli as he continues to serve out a three-match ban.

In Sunday's other late game high-flying Fiorentina, fifth at seven points off the pace, face a daunting trip to Lazio without injured trio Mario Gomez, Giuseppe Rossi and Ukrainian midfielder Oleksandr Iakovenko.

Their absences did not stop Vincenzo Montella's men from battling to a 2-1 Europa League win away to Dnipro on Thursday, when Lazio battled to a 3-3 draw away at Turkish side Trabzonspor.

All weekend matches, meanwhile, will be preceded by a minute's silence to mark the death of an estimated 300 asylum seekers whose boat caught fire and sank off the coast of Lampedusa in Italy on Thursday.

Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta called the incident "an immense tragedy" and the government declared a national day of mourning on Friday and a minute of silence to be held in all schools.

Saturday (GMT)

Chievo v Atalanta (1600), Inter v Roma (1845)

Sunday

Parma v Sassuolo (1030), Bologna v Verona, Catania v Genoa, Napoli v Livorno, Sampdoria v Torino, Udinese v Cagliari (all 1300), Juventus v Milan, Lazio v Fiorentina (both 1845)

City seek Everton boost after beating

Manchester City return to domestic action against Everton with manager Manuel Pellegrini looking for a reaction following his team's humiliating Champions League loss to title-holders Bayern Munich.

City's start to the season has been wildly inconsistent and Pellegrini will be keen to sign off with three points before the international break.

Since arriving in pre-season, his new side have been outstanding in 4-0 and 4-1 Premier League victories over Newcastle and Manchester United but sloppy in a 2-0 win over Hull and a goalless draw at Stoke, and undermined by defensive errors in 3-2 defeats at Cardiff and Aston Villa respectively

But while they controlled the match at Villa Park, they were utterly outclassed by Bayern in a 3-1 defeat at Eastlands on Wednesday.

Roberto Martinez's Everton are the only remaining unbeaten team in the Premier League this season, with the Merseysiders have won three and drawn three so far.

And City defender Micah Richards said the home team would need to raise their game considerably if they were going to salvage something from a difficult week.

"We'll look forward to Everton and try to get a better result," he said. "We've had two disappointing results. Against Villa we played really well and didn't get the points we wanted and we didn't play well against Bayern.

"It's two poor results and hopefully we can make it better at the weekend.

"We want to play again quickly and get it out of our system. We're used to being better than everyone else and playing the nice football and against Bayern we were taught a lesson," Richards admitted.

Given the amount of running City's players had to do on Wednesday, Pellegrini is sure to make changes for Saturday's early kick-off match.

Spanish winger David Silva returned from a month out with a thigh problem as a substitute against Bayern but midfielder Jack Rodwell and defender Martin Demichelis both remain on the sidelines with respective hamstring and knee injuries.

Everton's Belgium winger Kevin Mirallas is doubtful with an ankle injury, while Darron Gibson is struggling with a knee problem and South African midfielder Steven Pienaar and Paraguayan defender Antolin Alcaraz are ruled out definitely.

Martinez, who arrived before the start of the season, will look to extend Everton's fine recent record against City, which has seen them win six and draw one of their last eight meetings, with the Toffees victorious in four of their last visits to Eastlands.

After opening the season with three draws, Everton have won their last three league matches and could move five points clear of Pellegrini's team with another victory at City.

But Martinez expects a significant reaction from City following their comprehensive defeat by Bayern.

"We have to remember that Manchester City are a top, top football club. When you are a top football club you know how to move from result to result and competition to competition without carrying any sort of damage with you," the Spaniard said.

"I don't think it was one of those games which you can feel hurt by because the quality of the opposition was clear to see. That's why they are European champions.

"I don't think there is any shame to lose against a side like Bayern Munich," Martinez added.

"You feel like they (City) will want to respond and get back to winning ways so that's why we will need to be perfect in many ways. We need to be prepared for a real reaction from Manchester City.

"We need to maintain the standards, maintain the level of performances and do it over the 38 games in the season," said Martinez, who took over at Everton after long-serving manager David Moyes left to replace the retired Alex Ferguson as boss of English champions Manchester United.

Everton's Gareth Barry, on loan from Manchester City, is ineligible to face his parent club.

Old rivals Marseille out to end PSG run

Monaco may have emerged as Paris Saint-Germain's main rivals in the Ligue 1 title race this season, but the biggest game for the reigning champions is still against their bitter old foes Marseille.

The clubs meet at the Stade Velodrome on Sunday night in the fixture that the French have come to call the 'Classique'.

The mega-rich title-holders from the capital will be guaranteed their usual warm welcome in the Mediterranean port city, home to arguably the most passionate fans anywhere in France.

As it stands PSG trail Ligue 1 leaders Monaco on goal difference while Marseille are a point further back in third.

There is plenty of incentive, then, for Elie Baup's side to continue their impressive record at home to PSG down the years.

OM have lost just one of their last nine home meetings with the club from the capital, with that 4-2 reverse coming in October 2008.

However, Marseille's recent record has been rather patchy, with just two wins from seven games since the beginning of last month, and they come into the clash off the back of a chastening 3-0 defeat away to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.

"We know the importance of the game," said Baup. "We need to put the Champions League to one side and start focusing on our domestic league once again.

"We have been on a good run, like Paris, so I don't think the defeat (in Dortmund) will leave any traces."

PSG are unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions this season and have not lost in 19 games in Ligue 1 since a 1-0 loss at Reims on March 2.

It is their longest unbeaten sequence since a record 27-game stretch during their title-winning 1993-94 campaign and their display in beating Benfica 3-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday would have made for ominous viewing for anyone with Marseille connections.

"We are eager for the Marseille game to come around but we need some time to savour this win first," said PSG coach, former OM defender, Blanc after the performance against Benfica.

"Marseille will be the last game of a long series (of seven games in 23 days) and we play football to be involved in matches like this," added PSG goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu.

One man who will not play in the game is captain Thiago Silva, who is still sidelined with a thigh injury, while Marseille are hoping striker Andre-Pierre Gignac – scorer of a brace in a 2-2 draw between the clubs at the Velodrome last season – can return after a toe problem.

Meanwhile, Monaco, who have already taken four points from trips to Marseille and Paris this season, will be hoping to extend their unbeaten start when they entertain Saint-Etienne in the principality on Saturday afternoon.

"Saint-Etienne are a direct rival for us. I think they will be competing at the top of the table right to the end of the season," said Monaco coach Claudio Ranieri, who has doubts over left-back Layvin Kurzawa and former Saint-Etienne striker Emmanuel Riviere and will be without Jeremy Toulalan for the game.

That could open the door to a starting berth for Colombian winger James Rodriguez, who has struggled to make an impact since his 45 million-euro ($61m) summer move from Porto.

"For James Rodriguez, it is a problem of mentality," explained Ranieri. "He thinks like a forward but must also defend."

The three sides tipped to fight it out at the top of the table before the season began have already opened up a gap on the rest, but Lille have lost just once in six games to climb up to fourth before hosting Fabrizio Ravanelli's Ajaccio.

Lyon have won just one of their last six games before travelling to Montpellier, who are traditionally strong at home, on Sunday.

Fixtures (kick-offs 1800 GMT unless stated)

Friday

Bastia v Lorient (1830 GMT)

Saturday

Monaco v Saint-Etienne (1500 GMT), Guingamp v Rennes, Lille v Ajaccio, Nantes v Evian-Thonon-Gaillard, Toulouse v Nice, Valenciennes v Reims

Sunday

Montpellier v Lyon (1200 GMT), Bordeaux v Sochaux (1500 GMT), Marseille v Paris Saint-Germain (1900 GMT)

United should go back to basics - Vidic

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has told his teammates to get back to basics as they bid to ease the pressure on David Moyes at Sunderland on Saturday.

Under-fire boss Moyes has endured a bumpy beginning to his first season at Old Trafford, with United slumping to 12th in the Premier League table after their worst start since 1989.

Defeats at bitter rivals Liverpool and Manchester City in the league had alarm bells ringing among United fans concerned Moyes won't be able to emulate Alex Ferguson's glorious reign, and last weekend's 2-1 home loss against West Bromwich Albion sparked a rare chorus of disapproval from the Old Trafford crowd.

United's 1-1 draw at Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday was a creditable result in the circumstances.

But Serbian defender Vidic acknowledges United have been well below their best so far, and he believes his defence must provide a solid foundation to allow Moyes' men to get back on track against Sunderland, who sit bottom of the table without a manager after Paolo Di Canio's sacking and still waiting for their first win of the season.

"We have to accept it has not been a great start," Vidic said. "We have not been getting the performances we would have liked and we also have to be realistic enough to accept we have made some mistakes.

"This team has a lot of potential and we are working really well.

"Sometimes the results don't come. Sometimes the performances don't come. But I am really positive.

"The most important thing is to defend right. If we defend well, I think we have a really good chance to win trophies."

Across Manchester, City manager Manuel Pellegrini is also sorely in need of a victory after seeing his side crushed by Bayern Munich in midweek just days after a humbling loss at Aston Villa.

Like Moyes, former Malaga manager Pellegrini has found it hard going since taking over in the close-season and, ahead of Saturday's clash against Everton, City defender Micah Richards admitted his side have to mount an immediate response.

"We have had two disappointing results," he said. "We don't like to lose two games back to back. We have got a winning mentality built into us.

"We have to put it right on Saturday. We are at home and we will give a good performance and hopefully get three points."

City and United have little margin for error as they are already five and eight points respectively behind leaders Arsenal, who head to West Brom on Sunday with confidence sky-high after a 2-0 win over Napoli in the Champions League.

Arsene Wenger's side have won five successive league matches to open up a two-point lead at the top and Tuesday's dazzling display against the Italians, which included a first Arsenal goal for club record £42.5 million signing Mesut Ozil, has only increased the feel-good factor.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Ozil has been the key to Arsenal's renaissance and Gunners defender Per Mertesacker says he has been helping his fellow German get used to life in London in an attempt to aid his transition.

"It is things like how to get on in London, how to come to the training ground, to get to whatever he wants to go. It is just a quick call or a text, you can help him out," Mertesacker said.

"I need to help Ozil settle because it is very important to get him into the squad quickly, so that he can adapt and play with freedom.

"His vision is enormous and with him we are more dangerous and can compete at the higher levels."

Second placed Liverpool will expect to keep the pressure on Arsenal when they host struggling Crystal Palace.

Fixtures

Saturday (1400GMT unless stated)

Cardiff v Newcastle, Fulham v Stoke, Hull v Aston Villa, Liverpool v Crystal Palace, Manchester City v Everton (1145GMT), Sunderland v Manchester United (1630GMT)

Sunday

Norwich v Chelsea (1230GMT), Southampton v Swansea (1230GMT), Tottenham v West Ham (1500GMT), West Brom v Arsenal (1500GMT)

Celtic hope to bury Euro misery

Kris Commons wants Celtic to put the disappointment of defeat against Barcelona behind them and get back to winning ways against Motherwell on Saturday.

A late Cesc Fabregas header sealed a 1-0 win for the Spanish giants to leave Celtic pointless and at the bottom of Group H in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Neil Lennon's side welcome Motherwell, who are on a six-game unbeaten domestic run, to Celtic Park on Saturday and former Scotland international Commons says he is hoping to avoid a slip-up.

Following last year's memorable victory over Barcelona, Celtic dropped two points at home to St Johnstone, and that type of Champions League hangover proved a common concern.

However, on the evidence of this season the Hoops seem to have overcome the problems they encountered following European matches and forward Commons is in no mood to let bad habits return.

"From the experience of last year, we are desperate to get back to winning ways, play some good football and hopefully do the things right we didn't do on Tuesday night, and score some goals," Commons said.

"We were a bit guilty last year of being a bit lacklustre in these games and losing, so the manager will have us fired up and ready for it."

Unlike the match against Barcelona, the Celtic will have the lion's share of possession against Motherwell, who are just three points behind them in third place.

However, Commons knows Stuart McCall's in-form side, who have won four of their past five matches, will provide Celtic with a stiff test.

"They are playing well and it's going to be a tough game, and a completely different one to Tuesday, but we will be expected to go out and win," added Commons.

"Hopefully we can put on a show and pick up where we left off in the league and pick up three points."

Celtic were ruthless in front of goal last weekend against Kilmarnock in a 5-2 win but after failing to find the net against Barca Commons doesn't want to leave Parkhead on Saturday ruing any more missed chances.

"There is a fine line between not scoring and taking all three points," Commons said.

"We did create chances and defended magnificently against Barcelona but if you don't take your chances you are always open to losing 1-0 and they managed to get that."

Dundee United, who are unbeaten in four matches, welcome Kilmarnock, who are still looking for their first win of the season, to Tannadice.

Bottom of the table Hearts, who are still nine points adrift from safety, welcome second-bottom St Mirren for a crucial clash at Tynecastle.

Aberdeen, unbeaten in six matches, travel to Victoria Park to face Aberdeen while top of the table Inverness Caledonian Thistle make the trip to Perth as they take on St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

Saturday (1400GMT)

Celtic v Motherwell, Dundee Utd v Kilmarnock, Hearts v St Mirren, Ross County v Aberdeen, St Johnstone v Inverness CT

Monday

Partick Thistle v Hibernian (1845GMT)

Pitso warns of tough Celtic test

Mamelodi Sundowns boss Pitso Mosimane has warned his players to respect the influence of the proverbial '12th man' when they take on Bloemfontein Celtic in the opening round of the Telkom Knockout on Sunday.

Although the Bloemfontein fans cannot match those of Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates in terms of numbers, Celtic supporters are certainly the loudest in the country, making any trip to the Free State a difficult assignment.

And with that in mind, a wary Mosimane said he was approaching the contest with plenty of respect for the home crowd, particularly as the game would be played at the Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium in Botshabelo.

"A smaller pitch is a very good environment for Celtic and it gives them a good advantage because we all know they have 'the 12th player'," Mosimane said ahead of the encounter.

"It's about how my players adapt to the full stadium and how they understand that the 12th man is important, but the 12th man doesn't play.

"On the pitch, it's 11 against 11, and it will be about how we deal with the fans mentally, in relation to the game."

Sunday's fixture makes for intriguing reading, as Celtic lifted the Knockout trophy in November last year by edging the Brazilians in the final.

The pressure was mounting on Mosimane and his Pretoria side. The Brazilians last won a trophy in May 2008, when they beat Mpumalanga Black Aces to lift the Nedbank Cup under coach Trott Moloto.

Sundowns also failed to qualify for this season's MTN8 cup competition – which wrapped-up last weekend – after finishing 10th in last season's Premiership campaign.

Despite the negatives, Sundowns were yet to be beaten this season, stretching their run to nine consecutive games dating back to last season.

The two teams had already met once this season, with Downs claiming a 3-1 victory on the opening day of the Premiership campaign in August.

But Sundowns would be well aware that the last team to have beaten the Chloorkop side were, in fact, Celtic, who clinched a hard-fought 1-0 victory in March last year.

Since that defeat, however, Sundowns had shown glimpses of the kind of form which could see them end their five year wait for silverware.

Mosimane believed Celtic would have a point to prove on Sunday, as they looked to overturn the result they suffered against them, earlier this season.

"Clinton Larsen has warned us that we should be very careful how we step in there and I think he's right," Mosimane said.

"I take what he said very seriously, with humility. I will be very careful because I know it's a fortress and I know you don't come back easily from there.

"They will fight and they will never accept Sundowns' last result against them, because three goals at home is not a good result for you at home."

Mosimane, who was hired in December last year and was now in his first full season with Downs, said he was confident of a victory, provided the visitors were able to repeat the performance of earlier this year.

"We need to be ready to have the proper mental game of not being too respectful and end the result when we're there," he said.

"But the only thing I want from my team is to match the hard work and determination of Celtic, then we should be able to do something."

Cup fixtures:

Saturday:

SuperSport United v Ajax Cape Town (Lucas Moripe Stadium), Free State Stars v AmaZulu (Goble Park), Moroka Swallows v University of Pretoria (Dobsonville Stadium), Polokwane City v Kaizer Chiefs (Peter Mokaba Stadium).

Sunday:

Platinum Stars v Maritzburg United (Moruleng Stadium), Bloemfontein Celtic v Mamelodi Sundowns (Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium).

Tuesday:

Black Aces v Orlando Stadium (Mbombela Stadium).

No panic for Moyes at Man United

Two wins in six Premier League games have left anxious Manchester United fans wondering if manager David Moyes is up to the job although the man himself is refusing to push the panic button.

The English champions have endured their worst start to the season since 1989 and are in the bottom half of the table in 12th with seven points after back-to-back league defeats against Manchester City and, more surprisingly, West Bromwich Albion.

"I have been in situations very similar to this at my old clubs Everton and also at Preston. You get on and you do the right things," Moyes told reporters before his side secured a creditable 1-1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday.

"I haven't changed what I have done. I will continue to do that. The results will come. I have no doubt about that.

"It is always the thing at Manchester United - everyone is interested in them. It is a talking point for everybody throughout the world," added the Scot who has not been far from the back pages of British newspapers since taking over from Alex Ferguson.

With boos heard around Old Trafford at the end of the West Brom defeat, United fans may think they have got it bad but next up for Moyes's men is a trip to bottom club Sunderland, who sacked coach Paolo Di Canio last month following a string of poor results.

Whatever the result on Saturday, Moyes is unlikely to suffer the same fate any time soon, according to former United defender Gary Neville, now a pundit for Sky Sports.

"David Moyes will be given time over three or four years to build a football club and learn the ropes. It takes time and he'll be given time, just as Arsenal have done with Arsene Wenger," said Neville, who retired as a player in 2011 after almost 20 years at the club.

"If you think about the early years of Sir Alex Ferguson, he was allowed to develop into a presence. In the first three or four years he was at the club he was coming under intense pressure.

"David Moyes, there's no doubt about it, is still learning to come to terms with his squad and getting to know his players and the culture of the club," he added.

On Sunday, West Brom host league leaders Arsenal, who have been rejuvenated since the arrival of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day.

Arsenal are unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions and the Germany playmaker was central to the Gunners' 2-0 win over Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday, scoring his first goal for the club.

"He enjoys playing football, he enjoys playing with his partners," said Wenger. "Of course he has given everyone at the club a lift and belief, and belief is a part of the success of football."

Liverpool, two points behind the leaders, host struggling Crystal Palace on Saturday boosted by last weekend's goalscoring return of striker Luis Suarez against Sunderland after a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.

"He's just given us more confidence," teammate Lucas Leiva told the club website (www.liverpoolfc.com).

"The squad that we had without him was a good one, but with him back in it, we'll be even better. He's one of the best in the world."

Seventh-placed Manchester City, who have yet to win in the league away from home after losing 3-2 at Aston Villa last time out, return to the Etihad Stadium to face Everton on Saturday.

City will be looking to rebound after suffering a humbling 3-1 defeat at home to Bayern Munich on Wednesday as last season's Champions League winners handed out a masterclass in possession football.

Chelsea travel to Norwich City on Sunday without striker Fernando Torres, who was already suspended for the match but limped off with a knee injury during the 4-0 win over Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League midweek, and Tottenham Hotspur, in third, take on London rivals West Ham United.

PSG peak in Benfica win - Blanc

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc admitted that his team's display in beating Benfica 3-0 in Champions League Group C on Wednesday was their best since he took charge of the club in the summer.

The French champions, who reached the last eight of last season's competition before losing on away goals to Barcelona, are hoping to go at least as far this time round and their opening results prove they mean business.

They are unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions since the campaign began and followed up a 4-1 win away to Olympiakos in Greece two weeks ago by blowing the Portuguese giants away in the opening half an hour at the Parc des Princes.

A Zlatan Ibrahimovic brace either side of a second goal in this season's competition for young Brazilian defender Marquinhos ended the game as a contest, and PSG were happy to see out the remaining 60 minutes.

They lead Group C, three points clear of Benfica and Olympiakos, with Anderlecht, their next opponents, at the bottom without a point.

When asked if it was PSG's best display under his leadership, Blanc replied: "In the analysis yes. The figures and statistics prove it is.

"The most interesting thing tonight is that from the first minute to the last Paris completely controlled the game. We don't always play like that. We scored when we were on top and it was a very satisfying evening from many points of view."

Blanc had words of praise for Marco Verratti, with the slight 20-year-old Italian producing a midfield masterclass alongside Thiago Motta which included a marvellous pass in the build-up to the second goal.

"Marco was the image of the team," said Blanc. "He is exceptional with the ball at his feet. All other players in his position are more imposing physically but when he and Thiago Motta play as they did tonight you get performances like that.

"It is important to have players like that who are sure of themselves with the ball at their feet. He makes his teammates feel more assured, but if we are going to single out Marco we must also single out Motta."

The negative aspects of the evening for Blanc were the poor performance of club record buy Edinson Cavani, who struggled to make an impact from a starting position wide on the right, and also the attitude of Jeremy Menez.

The temperamental French international winger stormed down the tunnel before the fulltime whistle when it became clear that he would not be sent on from the bench.

"There is no problem with Menez. He was disappointed at not coming on, but I didn't see it - I was focusing on the game," said Blanc, who has already had trouble handling Menez when in charge of the national team.

Nevertheless, Blanc preferred to focus on the nature of the performance, which comes just four days before a trip to bitter rivals Marseille in Ligue 1.

"We are progressing. Our philosophy is not the easiest to implement but when it all comes off you get performances like that.

"But believe me you need the players to put that philosophy into practice. There will be other coaches who wish to play that way but they don't have the players. I am lucky to have very talented players with or without the ball."

Benfica coach Jorge Jesus admitted in an interview with French sports daily L'Equipe published on the day of the game that the only difference between his club and Europe's other leading names was money, and his point was proven on the Parc des Princes pitch.

"We were up against a very strong team who showed the quality that took them to the quarterfinals of last season's Champions League," he said.

"They have reinforced since last season and clearly want to compete to win the Champions League. We suffered against the quality of their three attackers.

"Tonight we were up against the group favourites but we will keep fighting with Olympiakos to qualify.

Bayern can improve - Guardiola

Manager Pep Guardiola watched his Bayern Munich team outclass Manchester City 3-1 and then warned the rest of Europe that the Champions League holders can get even better.

Bayern produced a display of dizzying control at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, dominating possession of the ball and attacking in relentless waves that threatened to engulf Manuel Pellegrini's side.

At 3-0 up, the visitors began to exchange passes with almost disdainful ease, before a goal from Alvaro Negredo gave a measure of respectability to the scoreline as City mustered some belated resistance.

Guardiola has been given the unenviable task of improving a team that won the Champions League, the Bundesliga and the German Cup under Jupp Heynckes last season, but he says he is relishing the challenge.

"I'm lucky to be here, to be training these players," said the former Barcelona coach.

"They've shown how good they are in the last four years, reaching three finals of the Champions League.

"What we try is to play as well as possible and try to dominate our league, the Bundesliga, because in the last three years, Borussia Dortmund won twice and Bayern just one, and what's why you have to keep going.

"But today (Wednesday) we are so, so happy for our performance. It's nice for Bayern, coming in this country that loves football so much and playing like we have played today."

However, although he conceded that he had seen his side's best performance of the season to date, Guardiola warned that his players will need to improve their defending of set pieces if they are to repeat last season's triumphs.

"Our set-up plays was a catastrophe, was terrible. We have to improve that," he said.

"In general I'm so happy, but it's not the end. It's not the final of the Champions League – it's just the second game of our round, so we have time to improve and recover players. Little, little steps forward."

The only disappointment for the visitors, Negredo's goal aside, was the late dismissal of former City defender Jerome Boateng for a last-man foul on Yaya Toure, but Guardiola said he had no complaints about the decision.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini displayed a much less sunny disposition in his post-match press conference, declaring that his team had played "really bad".

An error from Joe Hart enabled Franck Ribery to put Bayern ahead in the seventh minute, with Thomas Mueller and Arjen Robben adding quick-fire goals early in the second half before City finally awoke.

It was the latest in a string of blunders by Hart, whose performances have already come under scrutiny this season, but Pellegrini refused to lay the blame at the door of the England goalkeeper.

"You must analyse the team, that's your duty. I analyse individual players, I analyse the team," he told reporters.

"I think we didn't play well. Of course, I think the three goals we can all do it better, not only the goalkeeper. And you can concede goals to Bayern Munich because it's a strong team."

The defeat followed hot on the heels of a 3-2 loss at Aston Villa in the Premier League and Pellegrini admitted that he was mystified by the failings exhibited by his team.

"We started playing well, but after the first goal, our team felt the goal and we started losing the ball and that's very dangerous with this team," said the Chilean, who has failed to beat Guardiola in nine encounters.

"Of course I was surprised by the game we played today. The goal of Negredo was just a little thing at the end of the match, but I think the difference between Bayern Munich and Manchester City was the difference you saw today the whole game."

Nonetheless, Pellegrini insisted that his team "have the level to try to qualify to the round of 16".

"This was an important match – not a decisive match, but a very important match – and I think that me and all the players, we know exactly what we must improve in the Champions League," he said.