Reuters Sports Schedule at 0600 GMT on Thursday, Aug 25

08/25/2016 2:00

Reuters sports schedule at 0600 GMT on Thursday (times GMT):

SOCCER

Champions League group-stage draw

MONACO - The biggest names in European club football will be among the 32 teams in the hat for the group stage draw of this season's Champions League. (SOCCER-CHAMPIONS/, expect by 1800 GMT/2 PM ET, by Brian Homewood, 400 words)

Bundesliga

Another season of Bayern dominance beckons

BERLIN - Bayern Munich will be aiming for an unprecedented fifth successive Bundesliga title in the season which kicks off on Friday and there seems little that can stop them. (SOCCER-GERMANY/ (PREVIEW), moved, 400 words)

Premier League

Liverpool bank on Mane man against Spurs

LONDON - Such is the impact Sadio Mane has made on Liverpool that the 24-year-old is an automatic pick to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday while experienced international team mates scrap it out to play alongside him. (SOCCER-ENGLAND/ (PREVIEW), moved, by Neil Robinson, 400 words)

GOLF

PGA Tour's FedExCup playoffs, The Barclays (to 28)

Day, Johnson and Spieth head elite field at Bethpage Black

Australian world number one Jason Day launches his title defense in the opening round at Bethpage Black where second-ranked Dustin Johnson and fellow American Jordan Spieth (third) head a strong field into the first of four FedExCup playoff events that conclude the PGA Tour season. (GOLF-PGA/, expect first lead by 2200 GMT/6 PM ET, 400 words)

RUGBY UNION

Rugby Championship

All Blacks challenged to step up

WELLINGTON - All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has challenged his side to lift their performance despite thrashing Australia 42-8 last week as they seek to retain the Bledisloe Cup in their Rugby Championship clash in Wellington on Saturday. (RUGBY UNION-CHAMPIONSHIP/ (PREVIEW), moving at 0800 GMT/4 AM ET, by Greg Stutchbury, 600 words)

We will also move a match factbox (RUGBY UNION-CHAMPIONSHIP/NEWZEALAND (FACTBOX)

Pumas seek to make amends

BUENOS AIRES - The Pumas, annoyed with themselves for letting a win in South Africa slip from their grasp last weekend, will be looking to make amends they clash again with the Springboks on Saturdayn Salta where they enjoy passionate support. (RUGBY UNION-CHAMPIONSHIP/ARGENTINA (PREVIEW), expect by 2000 GMT/4:00 PM ET, 400 words)

ATHLETICS

Dimaond League meeting, Lausanne

Olympic medallists set for Diamond League action

LAUSANNE, Switzerland - A bevy of gold medallists from the Rio Olympics will be in action as the Diamond League resumes in the Swiss city. (ATHLETICS-DIAMOND/LAUSANNE, expect by 2030 GMT/4:30 PM ET, 400 words)

BASEBALL

Pacesetting Rangers take on high-flying Indians

Left-hander Cole Hamels shoots for his 14th win of the season when he takes the mound for the American League West-leading Texas Rangers against the visiting Cleveland Indians, who head the Central division, in one of 11 games on the Major League Baseball schedule. (BASEBALL-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 0500 GMT/1 AM ET, 600 words)

NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS

Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues (expect by 0001 GMT/8:01 PM ET, 500 words) (Asia Desk Editor: Peter Rutherford)

08/25/2016 2:00