ERST LESEN! » City had a good result in midweek in Eu

DETROIT -- Jim Caldwell, an even-keeled, well-read coach, has helped the Detroit Lions bounce back within games this season and from a slow start this year to put the franchise in a rare position.The Lions (8-4) have a two-game lead in the NFC North, giving them a good opportunity to win a division title for the first time since 1993. They hired a rookie general manager after last seasons 7-9 finish, but Bob Quinn chose to keep Caldwell instead of hiring his own coach to begin a new era.It looks like that was the right move.Detroit has rallied from seven fourth-quarter deficits to win games, showing its players are cool under pressure and resilient, just like their coach.Caldwells choice of words, when speaking to players and the public, come from an array of sources as he tries to teach people about football and life. He shares advice from Chinese proverbs and Jim Collins books, including the concept of productive paranoia, as quarterback Matthew Stafford recalled.He for sure has dropped that one on us, Stafford said. He brings it up in team meetings. Its a great one when you think about it.Unless the Lions collapse, its tough to think of a reason Caldwell wont be back next year for a fourth season with them to surpass his tenure as Indianapolis Colts coach. Caldwell, though, is not going to celebrate with a sense vindication or feel as if his job is safe.In this business youre always on the hot seat, said Caldwell, 26-18 with a playoff appearance with the Lions. I dont care what your record is. Its what have you done lately, you know? I saw several years back, Marty Schottenheimer got fired at 14-2. If that doesnt tell you something about this business, nothing will.The Chicago Bears (3-9) will have to close the regular season with four straight wins for coach John Fox to match predecessor Marc Trestmans two-year record of 13-19 that led to him being fired. Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio insisted he intends to return for a third year under Fox next season, refuting a report he might be gone because of philosophical differences. Fox acknowledged theres a tricky dynamic because hes a defensive-minded coach overseeing his defensive coordinator.Yeah, I think when you get reports like this, I think it makes it all difficult, Fox said.Here are some other things to watch when Detroit hosts Chicago on Sunday:NEW LOOK: The Bears beat the Lions 17-14 in Week 4 for their first of three wins, picking off Matthew Stafford twice and getting 111 yards of offense from both rookie running back Jordan Howard and nine-year veteran receiver Eddie Royal. Chicago will have a much different lineup in the rematch. The Bears have 15 players on injured reserve and two other players, receiver Alshon Jeffery and linebacker Jerrell Freeman, are serving four-game suspensions for violating the NFLs performance enhancing drugs policy.SAFETY TRIO: The Lions started three safeties, Glover Quin, Tavon Wilson and Rafael Bush, last week at New Orleans to make up for the loss of injured middle linebacker Tahir Whitehead. Detroit might keep the trio of safeties on the field more now because cornerback Quandre Diggs, who started three games at nickel back, is out for the year with a chest injury.TATES TURNAROUND: Detroit receiver Golden Tate had one of the worst games of his career Oct. 2 at Chicago, where he had only one catch for 1 yard.It kind of just lit a fire under me, Tate said.Since that game against the Bears, he has been one of the key reasons the Lions have won seven of eight games. He had eight receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown in last weeks win at New Orleans; 11 catches for 79 yards and a score in a victory over Minnesota; and eight receptions for a career-high 165 yards and a TD in a win against Los Angeles.HITTING THE ROAD: Chicagos Matt Barkley has fared relatively well in the first two starts of his three-year career, completing 55 percent of his passes for an average of 254 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in a 26-6 win over San Francisco and a 27-21 loss to Tennessee. Barkley, though, will be tested on the road for the first time as an NFL starter at Ford Field.STAFFORD SAFE: Since throwing two interceptions at Chicago that gave him four in four games, Stafford has been picked off only once in eight games.Hes playing very efficient, Fangio said. Hes using his legs a lot more.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Larry Lage at http://www.twitter.com/larrylage Hugo Lloris France Jersey . Tuesdays surgery at Atlantas Piedmont Hospital was performed by Dr. Xavier Duralde and Hawks team physician Dr. Michael Bernot. Jeremy Mathieu France Jersey . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. http://www.nationalfrancesoccer.com/blaise-matuidi-france-jersey/ . Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. side, put it all into perspective. "We know whos in charge," he said. Yohan Cabaye France Jersey . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Antoine Griezmann Jersey . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak.Two managers at opposite ends of their tenures with their current clubs are going in search of silverware when Liverpool play Manchester City in Sundays Capital One Cup final at Wembley. Jurgen Klopp took over at Liverpool last October and is looking to mark his first season in charge of the club with a trophy, while Manuel Pellegrini, who is to be replaced by Pep Guardiola this summer, knows this will be his final campaign in charge of City.Liverpools route to the final has not been simple. They needed penalties to get past Carlisle in the third round before knocking out Bournemouth and Southampton and winning their semi-final against Stoke via a penalty-shoot-out. Watch the highlights from Liverpools road to the Capital One Cup final In contrast City enjoyed comprehensive wins over Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Hull before beating Everton 4-3 over two legs in their semi-final. Watch the highlights from Man Citys road to the Capital One Cup final This will be Liverpools 12th League Cup final, a record for the competition and theyve lifted the trophy eight times including the 2012 win over Cardiff City. Meanwhile, Man City have been in four previous League Cup finals, winning in 1970, 1976 and most recently in 2014 against Sunderland.Both sides won their European fixtures in midweek with City winning the first leg of their Champions League tie at Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday, while Liverpool knocked Augsburg out of the Europa League thanks to a 1-0 win at Anfield on Thursday.Sundays showpiece kicks off at 4.30pm with coverage starting on Sky Sports 1 at 4pm.Team news Jamie Redknapp and Adam Smith looking ahead to Super Sunday, Capital One Cup Final, Frampton v Quigg and more! Wilfried Bony and Jesus Navas are expected to return to Manchester Citys squad, along with defender Eliaquim Mangala - who has not played since early January but was an unused substitute at Dynamo Kiev. All three players trained fully on Friday.City boss Pellegrini is hopeful captain Vincent Kompany, ex-Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling and Bacary Sagna will be fine to feature after undergoing recovery sessions away from the main group.Goalkeeper Willy Caballero will start in goal ahead of Joe Hart and Bersant Celina, Manu Garcia and Aleix Garcia could all be in the squad, although Fabian Delph, Kevin De Bruyne and Samir Nasri are all long-term absentees. Jamie Redknapp joins Ed Chamberlin to preview the Capital One Cup final between Liverpool and Manchester City Midfielders Adam Lallana and Joe Allen and defender Martin Skrtel have all returned to training with the Liverpool first team but may find it difficult to win a place in the squad at Wembley.ddddddddddddThe first two have not featured since February 6 because of calf and hamstring problems while Skrtel has been sidelined since mid-December.Fellow defender Dejan Lovren has recovered from illness earlier this week.Klopp made just one change for Thursdays Europa League win over Augsburg and with Lucas Leiva occupying a role in defence in that game the manager has to decide whether to swap him with a genuine centre-back or a midfielder.Opta stats Sergio Aguero says Manchester City will be looking to avenge their Premier League defeat to Liverpool when the two meet in the Capital One Cup final This will be the first final in any competition contested between Liverpool and City.In cup competitions, Liverpool are unbeaten in their last eight against City (W6 D2), last being defeated by them in an FA Cup fourth-round replay in 1973.Klopp has now reached a cup final in each of his last five seasons as a manager, but he has lost the last three.City scored 17 times en route to the League Cup final, with nine different City players scoring in this years competition (plus one own goal). However, both teams have scored in each of Citys five League Cup games this season.All three of the goals Liverpool have conceded in this years competition have come before half-time.The last eight meetings in all competitions between these sides have produced 32 goals, with both teams finding the net in each match.There has been at least one goal in each half in 10 of the last 11 League Cup finals. The exception was United and Tottenhams goalless draw in 2009.Mersons prediction Manchester Citys Jesus Navas claims that he is fully focused on the Capital One Cup final despite an upcoming run of important fixtures If Liverpool can recapture the form that saw them dismantle Man City last time the two teams met, then they have a superb chance of lifting the trophy. I know City had a good result in midweek in Europe but travelling to Kiev is still an incredibly tough journey.Liverpool have to take advantage of that and start well. If they start slowly and it gets into a bit of a war of attrition then City will have too much class for them. Klopp needs to get his side to start at a high tempo and then they can win this game. Im siding with Liverpool and a 2-1 win. Daniel Sturridge is the man to grab the first goal at Wembley.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 to LiverpoolBetting A look back at Ian Rushs five League Cup wins Manchester City are Sky Bets 13/10 favourites to win the trophy in 90 minutes when they take on 2/1 shots Liverpool at Wembley. Liverpool are 5/4 to lift the trophy by any method. Sergio Aguero and Sturridge head the first scorer betting at 4/1 and 11/2 with both scoring in 90 minutes available at 5/1. The Sky Sports pundits are split on the destination of the trophy. Jamie Redknapp expects the final to go to extra-time, while Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas are backing Liverpool and City respectively. See all their selections and match odds here. ' ' '